For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. Romans 8:13
“Others sit up in the pursuit of the world, and the wealth of it. They not only rise up early, but they sit up late, in the eager prosecution of their covetous practices (Psalm 127:2) and, either to get or save, deny themselves their most necessary sleep; and this their way is their folly, for hereby they deprive themselves of the comfortable enjoyment of what they have, which is the end, under pretense of care and pains to obtain more, which is but the means…
Let us see the folly of it, and never labour thus for the meat that perisheth, and that abundance of the rich, which will not suffer him to sleep; but let us labour for that meat which endureth to eternal life, that grace which is the earnest of glory, the abundance of which will make our sleep sweet to us.
Others sit up in the indulgence of their pleasures. They will not lay them down in due time, because they cannot find in their hearts to leave their vain sports and pastimes, their music, and dancing, and plays, their cards and dice; or, which is worse, their rioting and excess; for they that are drunk are drunk in the night.
It is bad enough when these gratifications of a base lust, or at least of a vain mind, are suffered to devour the whole evening, and then to engross the whole soul, as they are apt enough to do insensibly; so that there is neither time nor heart for the evening devotions, either in the closet, or in the family…And how loth would they be, with David, at midnight to rise and give thanks to God; or with their Master, to continue all night in prayer to God. Let the corrupt affections which run out thus and transgress, be mortified, and not gratified.”
Matthew Henry in Directions for Daily Communion With God (London: William Tegg, 1866) 60-61.
Today’s new header photo fits well with with this reading. It’s the feet of missionaries in training right now, sent from parts of Asia to other regions in Asia that are largely closed to the gospel but open for work. They fill occupations such as teachers or accountants. I received it from a close friend and thought, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15, Isaiah 52:7). Their devotion to God reflects mortification. Despite possible danger, rather than pursuing possessions or pleasures, they are risking their lives to make known the gospel of Jesus Christ.
What does mortification have to do with generosity?
If we do not mortify the desires of the flesh, that is, put them to death, they will destroy us. That comprises everything from the pursuit of the world and wealth to the indulgence of pleasures. Think of it this way. When not put in their rightful place, they will take over the place in our hearts and our days. Sport and pastimes will consume our calendars and eat up any margin for God and others. To relate rightly to the abundance God supplies with enjoyment and sharing with hospitality, each of us must mortify, not gratify, the desires of the flesh.
What’s this look like in practicality?
Look at your bank and credit card statements alongside your calendar. Your bank statements reveal whether you are trying to amass wealth for yourself, which will own you if not put in play through giving and sharing. Your credit card statements divulge facts about your spending associated with possessions and pleasures; it points to the place where your heart is. And your calendar makes plain your priorities ranging from focus to folly. When assessed honestly together, these items show the state of your stewardship.
Mortify rather than gratify the desires of the flesh to find freedom and grow in generosity.