I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16:9
“You say that you are wealthy and rich, and you think that you should make use of those things that God has willed you should possess. Use them certainly, but for the things of salvation; use them but for good purposes use them, but for those things that God has commanded and that the Lord has set forth. Let the poor feel that you are wealthy; let the needy feel that you are rich. Lend your estate to God; give food to Christ.”
Cyprian of Carthage in A Dictionary of Quotes from the Saints, ed. Paul Thigpen (Charlotte: TAN Books, 2001) 300-301.
It’s been a great GTP trip to Egypt so far serving NABLA.
We just finished Journey of Empowerment with a influential group of Protestant and Coptic Christians in Aswan and it could not have gone better. They are so excited to multiply it with others to build faithful stewards who follow standards to help ministries flourish.
This work is only possible when people use their wealth to help build up faithful workers in poor countries. And I’ve seen a lot of poverty this week. Daily we have walked to our meeting place through the dusty streets. The people are humble and kind and yet their needs are great.
I learned recently that GTP received word of our first estate gift. That means that one person has named GTP as a beneficiary. He has lended part of his estate to God. I hope others do it too! And in the short run, at year-end, I hope all of you give to good purposes like GTP.
When you do, you are giving to God.
Now Adel, Evette, Andrew, Ereny, and I will spend some time together reflecting on the four events we have done. We call this taking a discernment retreat to fast, pray, and discuss faithful activities for 2021. Pray for some good rest, reflection, and recreation together.