Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:21-24
“He who has attained to love scatters his money. But he who says that he lives for love and for money has deceived himself. He who mourns for himself has also renounced his body; and at the appropriate time he does not spare it.
Do not say that you are collecting money for the poor; with two mites the Kingdom was purchased. A hospitable man and a money-lover met one another, and the latter called the former unintelligible. He who has conquered this passion has cut out care; but he who is bound by it never attains to pure prayer.
The beginning of love of money is the pretext of almsgiving, and the end of it is hatred of the poor. So long as he is collecting he is charitable, but when the money is in hand he tightens his hold.”
John Climacus (579-649) in The Ladder of Divine Ascent, translated by Archimandrite Lazarus Moore (Harper & Brothers, 1959) Step 16 “On love of money or avarice” 3-8.
How do we press on to maturity? What is the path to attain to pure prayer?
Climacus would echo Jesus (and Paul) and say to give God what you have. Remember “with two mites the Kingdom was purchased.” Specifically give the poor a hand up rather than a hand out. Aid them as Christ has aided you.
You can do that today by supporting the Palmful of Maize vision spreading across Malawi. Click here to watch the video and to make a gift.
Giving to GTP is turning dependency into discipleship in Malawi. Rather than depend on outsiders, the generosity is solving local hunger problems and drawing many to Christ. This impact has reached 12 of 28 districts (or states) in Malawi.
Your continued support will help GTP train the teachers to spread this vision in the other 16 states and take it to neighboring Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Don’t tighten your hold. Or let money tighten it’s hold on you. Give God what you have! Include GTP in the list of ministries to which you scatter your generosity on Giving Tuesday.