Archive for August, 2024

Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” Genesis 4:2b-7

“We have to offer the best we have to God. Wet ave to present the offering of Abel, not that of Cain. We re to give God the best of our time, our goods, our life. We cannot give him the worst, what is surplus to our requirements, what makes no real demand on us or what’s left over or what we don’t need. The whole of our life is for God, and that includes the best years of it. Everything we have is for God but when we want to make an offering let us use the most precious things, just as we would do in making a gift to a fellow creature we hold in great esteem.”

Francis Fernandez in In Conversation with God: Meditations for Each Day of the Year, volume 3 (London: Scepter, 1990) 319.

My computer stopped working on my Panama trip. Now that I home, I have sent it out for repairs and managed to get my old computer work, so I am back online.

Though I don’t have the capacity to change the header photo (we get to look at the Panama Canal for a few more days), I can do daily posts again.

Thanks for your prayers and for the many who inquired of my wellbeing. I’m fine by my computer will not be working for a 5-10 days. But this unit will suffice.

Today’s reading comes to us from a class 7-volume set of by Fernandez. He looks at the offering of Abel in contrast to Cain and makes a powerful point.

God finds it acceptable when we give him our best. The best implies sacrifice that makes real demand on us or represents that which is most precious to us. It is not our surplus or our leftovers.

I recently listened to a sermon on generosity where the speaker talked about learning to give his surplus. Sadly, giving our surplus is giving a gift of Cain.

Giving a sacrifice (in contrast to surplus), is giving the first and best parts. This is the offering of Abel. God looks on this with favor because he can see the difference.

After a post like this, each of us might benefit from asking ourselves this question, especially if we want him to look in favor at our giving. Am I giving my best to God? 

I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of equality your abundance at the present time should supply their want, so that their abundance may supply your want, that there may be equality. As it is written, “He who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. 2 Corinthians 8:13-15

“Paul clearly says that the purpose of the offering is to promote equality. At present, the Corinthians enjoy relative abundance, at least of material wealth. It is clear from 1 Corinthians 1:26 that the church in Corinth did not include the aristocracy of that city, Still, in comparison with those in Jerusalem, they lived in abundance. It is the contrast between the need in Jerusalem and the abundance in Corinth that must be overcome by the offering. The Corinthians are to give because those in Jerusalem are in need. Thus, as is in the case of the original commonality of goods in Acts 2 and 4, what controls the giving is the need of the poor. In this context, and to strengthen his argument, Paul cites the miracle of the redistribution of manna.”

Justo L. González in Faith & Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2002) 85-85.

Whenever I teach on generosity, I love to talk about manna.

There’s more than enough to fund the work of ministry worldwide but not everyone has enough because money is sitting in bank accounts rather than being put into play.

Ironically, those who don’t share their manna (provision from God) miss out on blessing.

In encouraging sharing, the Apostle Paul references the manna scene: the ones who gathered much did not have to much and the ones who had to little did not have to little.

It’s ironic but we learn things like sharing in kindergarten. Then, as we age, we forget.

The older we get the more we become more foolish and worldly. We store up treasures on earth thinking we know better than Jesus. It’s the American thing to do.

While our meetings are going fantastic in Panama, I don’t want you to miss this message.

The reason for sharing is that God cares about everyone. And he wants those who have been blessed to serve as conduits of blessing to others, not containers.

Which are you? Picture the Panama Canal. Unless gathers and drains water, it cannot allow ships to pass. The same is true for us.

Unless we gather and drain, we don’t use God’s resources according to His design.

Think of all you have as manna. It will spoil if hoarded, so enjoy and share it. It’s no good stored up, and you certainly don’t want to meet Jesus having held on to it.

What will you do with the manna you possess?

Now concerning the contribution for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that contributions need not be made when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

“As Paul speaks of the collection in Corinth, he instructs his readers to set aside a certain amount on the first day every week, so that special contributions will not have to be made on his arrival. The phrase that the RSV translates “as he may prosper” is difficult to translate. It certainly does not mean that they should contribute only if they prospered. More likely it means that they should set aside as much as they could. These instructions, which Paul says that he has given also to the churches of Galatia, seem to apply to a community most of whose members are neither destitute nor rich. At the same time, Paul expects the total amount he is raising to be liberal, abundant, or even lavish.”

Paul’s theological understanding of the offering for Jerusalem is best seen in 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9. Paul begins by giving the Corinthians news of the collection in Macedonia, where the response was such that “their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of liberality on their part. Paul makes clear throughout his argument that the gifts he is requesting should be made voluntarily. The Macedonians have given “of their own free will.” Paul stresses that his asking the Corinthians for an offering is not a command. Their offering should be ready not as an exaction, but as a willing gift.”

Justo L. González in Faith & Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2002) 84-85.

It’s super important to lean into these two words: proportionate and voluntary. I will use them every day this week in four events from Monday through Thursday in Panama.

The giving that God desires is measured proportionately and flows voluntarily.

Proportionate giving means that God loves it when see our prosperity as resourcing our capacity to bless others, to spread the good news, to show His love to the world.

That’s what God wants to see, which is why Paul gave these directions to the churches.

And the directions went to the churches in every nation, so this is true in USA, Panama, and everywhere else. It’s true wherever you find yourself reading this. But there’s a second part to it.

He does not force us to do this. He wants it to be proof of our love.

But leading hindrances to proportionate and voluntary giving globally are factors like a lack of trust of people, insufficient accountability from churches and ministry, and systemic corruption.

At GTP, we always combine accountability instruction with generosity teaching.

This helps remove the obstacles to build trust and create a culture that fosters proportionate and voluntary giving. It follows the example of Paul. Pray for that for Panama this week.

Today’s event targeted 60 people and we have 102 registered.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

“The core of the preaching both of Jesus and his early followers was the Kingdom of God. Such preaching had both political and economic implications. On the political side, it is clear that anyone proclaiming the coming Kingdom of God is at least by implication criticizing the present kingdom… It is the economic side of the preaching of the Kingdom of that interests us here. In the Gospel narratives, the preaching of the Kingdom does indeed have a strong economic or socioeconomic component. It relates to both the justice that the Kingdom requires and the need for drastic action in view of its impending reality.”

Justo L. González in Faith & Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2002) 75.

In today’s Scripture we see Jesus proclaim justice and drastic action. His design for us is to live according to the values of the kingdom.

When we do that, it naturally brings justice, not by political force, but by everyday action in the public by ordinary people.

This brings into view my radio interview yesterday and my preaching today.

Proclaiming the Kingdom is saying that we need to live differently. Again, when we do it brings about justice. And that different living appears as drastic action.

Lest this sound to theoretical, think of it this way. Panama is a country of 4.2 million people, crying “foul” because of systemic corruption.

Is the answer to point fingers and fight for agendas in the political realm? No! So what do we do? We get our model of what to do by watching Jesus and following His example.

He charted a new way forward. He proclaimed good news. We did the same thing on radio yesterday and I will do so in my preaching today.

God wants His people to announce a new way of living that reflects biblical standards.

Pray for receptive hearts here. And wherever you are, proclaim good news. And call people to live according to the kingdom values. When we do, we change our world.

And when we mobilize a nation to do this, like we will with events in three key cities, we can shape the future of ministry in a nation.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. Philippians 1:3-7

“In Philippians 3:10, what the RSV translates as “share his sufferings” actually says “know the koinonia of his sufferings.” In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul says, “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” The term that the RSV translates here as “participation,” with a footnote explaining that it could also be translated as “communion,” is koinonia.

Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which acknowledges receipt of a gift, begins with words in which Paul is thanking the Philippians for their partnership and sharing with him. In 1:5 he says that he is thankful for the Philippians koinonia, and two verses later he declares that they are “joint koinonia” of grace with him, that is, common sharers.

At the end of the epistle, he says that they have shared in his trouble (4:14), and the term he uses could be translated as “cokoinonized.” All. of this leads to the unique partnership “in giving and receiving” that he has enjoyed with the church of the Philippians (4:15), and once again the word he uses literally means “koinonized.” In short, koinonia is much more than a feeling of fellowship; it involves sharing goods as well as well as feelings.”

Justo L. González in Faith & Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2002) 83.

What do you share? It’s one thing to share feelings, but Christ wants us to share so much more. He wants us to share in both His sufferings and His life.

We get grace, forgiveness, and so much more. And because we have received it, He wants us to participate in His work by sharing these gifts, and everything we have, with others.

Have you been koinonized? It’s a funny Greek expression that might be rendered for modern readers as being “all in” no matter what, in good times or bad . Are you all in?

I’m safely in Panama and the program work starts today with a TV interview. I will speak on “Building a culture of integrity” explaining the positive impact of standards and how it grows accountability transforms and dismantles the spread of corruption in nations.

Then preaching tomorrow and events in three key cities this week along with Stations of Generosity training. Want to join in this work as a common sharer.

Reply to this email to get our prayer schedule and click here to make a gift. You are not supporting my ministry. When you pray and give, together we become common sharers in God’s work.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Acts 2:42

“As we look further at the description of this community in Acts, we must pay close attentino to the word koinonia, by which this community is described in Acts 2:42. The New Revised Standard Version and the New American Standard Bible translate it as “fellowship,” and the Jerusalem Bible as “brotherhood.” This is the common understanding of this word, which is usually taken to refer to the inner disposition of goodwill – “fellowship – toward other members of the group. Thus taken, what Acts 2:42 says is simply that there were good relationships within the community.

Yet koinonia means more than that. It also means partnership., as in a common business venture. In this way Luke uses the related term koinonós, member of a koinonia, for in Luke 5:10 we are told that the sons of Zebedee were koinonoí with Peter, meaning that they were business partners.” The same usage appears outside the New Testament, sometimes in very similar contexts. Koinonia means first of all, not fellowship in the sense of good feelings toward each other, but sharing. It is used in that sense throughout the New Testament, both in connection with material goods and in other contexts.”

Justo L. González in Faith & Wealth: A History of Early Christian Ideas on the Origin, Significance, and Use of Money (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 2002) 82-83.

You may recognize the header photo from November 2022. That was my first trip to Panama. I return today for a week to activate a task force to form another peer accountability group.

In USA, the peer accountability group (PAG), ECFA, enhances trust in 2,800+ churches and ministries and last year motivated more volunteer service and greater giving ($32+ billion USD).

GTP has been invited by influential workers to host meetings in multiple cities, give a TV interview, preach, train, and more. We pray it will unleash koinonia in Panama!

I grabbed the classic work by Latino scholar, Justo L. González, off my shelf for my travel reading and meditations. I hope you enjoy his perspective. Today he unlocks koinonia.

Too many people see it as a warm “sense of good feelings toward each other.” It’s not that. It’s vested partnership in the gospel. Think in terms of a business venture as he urges us.

But the business we are about when we bring our giftedness and resources to the table is the King’s business. That’s how GTP sends teams to places like Panama.

God’s people want to see flourishing ministries in places like Panama so they share their resources with GTP generously. The result shapes the future of God’s work in countries.

This trip with events serving hundreds of the top Christian workers will cost about $10,000 and when we activate a PAG we will help them build capacity with a $10,000 matching grant.

As God’s workers there give to help the entity get started, we teach them how to raise local funds and when they raise $10,000, we match it with $10,000.

I pray someone out there reading this will make a gift today. If you contribute $10,000 you will cover the cost of our trip and $20,000 will help us launch the PAG in Panama.

Consider your giving as koinonia. Click here to have a share in this ministry. Your sharing brings accountability and grows local generosity. It shapes the future of ministry in a nation.

A man with leprosy came to Him and begged Him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus was indignant. He reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Mark 1:40-42

“I regard love – as I do friendship – not only as feeling but chiefly as an action.”

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in Life According to Vincent, edited by Nienke Bakker and Ann Blokland (Van Gogh Museum) 178.

I love this quote. Short and sweet. Love may be something we feel. But it’s more. We should see it “chiefly as an action.” We see this when we look at Jesus.

Repeatedly in His ministry Jesus sees things. He’s moved with compassion. Then he moves toward brokenness with blessing. And it results in healing, hope, and life.

May we do the same thing so that our lives appear as generous and compassionate as our Lord. May we have eyes to see and ears to hear needs and hands to touch and feet to take action.

When this comes together, our action shows love to the watching world.

As Jesus and His disciples were on their way, He came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to Him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

“People who do nothing other than be in love are perhaps more serious and holier than those who sacrifice their love and their heart to an idea.”

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in Life According to Vincent, edited by Nienke Bakker and Ann Blokland (Van Gogh Museum) 167.

As I pondered this quote, it made me ponder afresh about how I approach my calling to dedicate my life to encouraging Christian generosity.

It teaches me that if I focus on generosity, I am focusing on a fruit rather than the root. What is the root of all generosity but a love relationship with God!

Only when we contemplate His unfathomable love and care for us, can we even start to extend such gracious and bountiful kindness toward others.

On this note, I pause to honor my wife, Jenni. Her primary focus every single day, every minute of every day is her love relationship with God.

She’s always encouraging me (and those she serves as a spiritual director) to notice God at work every moment of every day around her. As a result, she’s “more serious and holier” than me.

Like Mary focused on Jesus vs. Martha on all that had to be done and Jesus, let us keep Christ at the center of our focus if we want to grow in generosity or any other areas of life.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 4:7

“I’m always inclined to believe that the best was of knowing God is to love a great deal.”

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in Life According to Vincent, edited by Nienke Bakker and Ann Blokland (Van Gogh Museum) 167.

Today’s my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday Heather. I hope you have a great day.

I felt this painting of two couples captured the heart of today’s post. To love a great deal is not easy.

People are difficult and even unlovable a lot of the time, even those close to us, who step on our toes or push our proverbial buttons. To be generous then is to choose to love a great deal.

Pause. Think of someone right now that’s hard to love.

Choose today one way you can love that person a great deal. Go do it and process with the Lord how you come to know Him better in so doing. Tell someone close to you what you learned. Inspire them to try it.

As for mortals, their days are like grass; they flourish like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Psalm 103:15-16

“A person who doesn’t feel small – who doesn’t realize that he’s a speck – what a fundamental mistake he makes.”

Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890) in Life According to Vincent, edited by Nienke Bakker and Ann Blokland (Van Gogh Museum) 156.

With these words Vincent the painter that echoes David the psalmist.

Our lives are like a speck, like a blade of grass. Here today, gone tomorrow. So, we should give every moment we have to making a contribution with the gifts and goods God has entrusted to us.

The impact we leave behind are the good deeds or the beautiful paintings that follow after us.

Van Gogh’s painting, Wheatfields under Thunderclouds, pictured above, illustrates the brevity of the life. One minute grass flourishes, then factors bring an end to its existence: from sun to storm to some animal eating it.

That’s you and me. If we fail to grasp this, we make a fundamental mistake.

To many live foolish lives. Like the rich fool they think their resources and decisions control their destiny. They’ve wrongly listed to the world’s way of thinking which tends toward comfort and self-preservation.

If we aim to get comfortable in this life, we miss the purpose of our brief existence altogether.

Don’t make the fundamental mistake. Life is short. Use what time you have to make a difference for God, to do good works which He prepared in advance for you to do. Flourish vivid green like the painting in your short life.

Live, give, serve, and love as generously as possible. You will have no regrets at the end of life.