Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, ‘Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbor in your land.’ Deuteronomy 15:10-11
“To have our goods available to others marks and inner attitude of simplicity. If our goods are not available to the community when it is clearly right and good, then they are stolen goods. The reason we find such an idea so difficult is our fear of the future. We cling to our possessions rather than sharing them because we are anxious about tomorrow. But if we truly believe that God is who Jesus says He is, then we do not need to be afraid. When we come to see God as the almighty Creator and our loving Father, we can share because we know that he will care for us. If someone is in need, we are free to help them. Again, ordinary common sense will define the parameters of our sharing and save us from foolishness.”
Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 89.
Listen to this line again: “If our goods are not available to the community when it is clearly right and good, then they are stolen goods.” Did you hear that? It matches so many texts in the biblical narrative.
When Achan kept for himself spoils from Ai that belonged to God in Joshua 7, the literal term says that he embezzled from God. Stolen goods! The same terms is used linked to the sin of Ananias and Sapphire in Acts 5. Stolen goods!
Many text declare God’s ownership of everything (Exodus 19:15; Deuteronomy 10:14; and Psalm 24:1, among others), so anytime we claim ownership of anything that belongs to God, we are in dangerous territory: Stolen goods.
Today I want to give you an opportunity to share. GTP will host the Global Gathering of 100+ board members, staff, and key volunteers from 60+ countries in October 2025. Preparations are well underway. I am writing on behalf of about 75 key volunteers.
Each one rallied 12+ senders to get the privilege of attending. But most of them, coming from places like Burundi, Botswana, or Nepal, only raised a few dollars or a maybe $100. Can you make a gift here to help cover the cost of their participation?
These estimated total need is about $75,000 for uncovered expenses related travel, lodging, meals, and conference costs. Give as you are able. Please, make a gift of any size available to help workers who have rallied local support but need our help. Thanks.