Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28
“Listen to me, children. I raised you with great simplicity, innocence, and reverence because of the mercy of the Lord, who drizzled his righteousness upon you that you may be made upright and purified from all evil and perversity. Yet you do not wish to stop doing your wicked deeds.
And so, now, listen to me: be at peace with one another, take care of one an other, help one another; and do not take an overabundance of God’s creations for yourselves, but share with those in need. For those who enjoy many kinds of food make their flesh weak and harm it; but the flesh of those without enough food is harmed by lack of proper nourishment, and their body wastes away.
This disparity is harmful to you who have but do not share with those in need. Consider the judgment that is coming. You who have an abundance should therefore seek out the hungry before the tower is completed. For after the tower is completed you will long to do good but will have no opportunity.
And so, take heed, you who exult in your wealth, lest those in need complain and their complaint rises up to the Lord, and you be shut out from the gate of the tower, along with your goods.”
“The Shepherd of Hermas” 17.1-6, III.9 (c. A.D. 70-140) as reported by Bart Ehrman in Lost Scriptures: Books That Did Not Make It Into The New Testament (New York: Oxford University Press, 2003) 260-261.
Yesterday I got a taste of God’s generosity to creation. I put Grace (my GSP) in the car kennel and went to my Tuesday morning Bible study. After the study we went to a park before her vet appointment.
I shot the new header photo as creation declared the glory of God and Grace pointed birds. I kept her on a leash as the park was for us and others to enjoy together.
It seemed fitting to change the header photo to reflect God’s generosity to all in His care for creation.
But keeping any overabundance for ourselves and not sharing with those in need was viewed in biblical times as both stealing and harmful disparity to the one who does not share. Imagine if I kept this park to myself!
So how can we navigate this dilemma for our good and God’s glory?
We aim at simplicity in our living. We make the most of every opportunity in our giving. We exhibit the fruit of generosity in our serving and loving.
But notice, the vision to Hermas proclaims that the time to live, give, serve, and love generously is today!
God is doing some cool things and positioning GTP to help the global church experience exponential growth. But I am praying that close friends will “share their abundance” before the “tower is completed.”
Would you pray with me for this? For GTP and for the building of God’s global Church?
Pray that God’s people with an overabundance will choose simplicity, make the most of the opportunity to give today, and in so doing, demonstrate generosity all over the world.
I don’t want anyone shut out from the gate of the tower along with their goods.