Archives by: Gary Hoag

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

“Many years ago a Jewish Rabbi by the name of Moses Maimonides listed the 8 degrees of giving.

1. Giving grudgingly.
2. Giving willingly but less than one should.
3. Giving only when asked.
4. Giving what one should give without being asked.
5. Giving when the recipients know who gave but the giver doesn’t know who receives.
6. Giving when the giver knows who the recipients are but the recipients don’t know who the giver is.
7. Giving when neither the giver nor the recipient know each other.
8. When the giver helps the receiver give to others.

The last he called ‘service in the eighth degree’.”

Moses Maimonides (1135-1204) as cited by Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 79.

Where do you see yourself on the scale? I find that lists like this challenge us and stretch us. Sit with the Holy Spirit and think of ways you can practice service up to the eighth degree.

And take a minute to pray for me. I will travel and serve in Vietnam, China, and the Philippines from 22 January to 5 February 2026 as part of my sabbatical growth to deepen my faith.

I can think of no way to grow deeper in my faith than to spend time with the persecuted church. So, when I got invited, I prayed and discerned that I should go.

This is not a GTP trip. I have had affiliate faculty status at Kairos University for a decade. I go as Professor of New Testament. I wrote a paper in 2024 which has been translated into Chinese.

It is entitled “Advice from the Apostolic Fathers on Christian Social Engagement in a Hostile World”. Click here to download it English and here for Chinese.

Pray this paper, written at the request of Chinese brothers and sisters two years ago, and my physical presence encourages those I serve. I appreciate your prayers for my safety and spiritual growth.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. Luke 9:24

“That which I spent, I had. That which I kept, I lost. That which I gave, I have.”

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 78.

Sometimes the shorter the meditation, the deeper the message. This one is a deep and profound as it gets. Would you put yourself in the had, lost, or have category?

The ‘had’ category tends toward spending. There is nothing wrong with spending on things for ordinary living. But marketers tell us that life is found in things. We must not be fooled.

The ‘lost’ category tends toward saving. These people prioritize saving money. We all need margin for uncertainty but it leads to saving for security. Such people do not grasp life because they can never save enough.

The ‘have’ category tends toward giving. These people work so they have resources to enjoy and share. They live simply so they can give generously. And they entrust their future to a faithful God.

Which one are you? Or which one do you want to be? The time to decide is today.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

“Contentment with basics equips us to resist the continuous barrage of advertising seeking to convince us that we are not able to enjoy life unless we buy some new gadget or service. Someone has said that contented people feel wealthy because they know that they already possess more than they need for daily living.”

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 73.

While the theme of today’s post is contentment, the words “continuous barrage” struck me.

I noticed it because I invested an hour in prayer as part of a “continuous 24 hour prayer time” at our church. It had six stations: gratitude, intercession, contemplation, confession, lament, and worship.

It was a powerful time. See the photo of the six stations above.

The gratitude station from the start helped equip me to live my day and see my week from a place of peace and confidence knowing that in Christ I have everything I need to face whatever is in front of me.

The other stations touched me deeply as well. And then, upon leaving, I faced traffic.

The traffic reminded me of the continuous barrage of noise, distractions, and chaos that abounds in the world. But I have peace knowing that whatever I do and wherever I go. Christ is with me.

I pray that same contentment abounds in you – thanks to Jesus – despite the continuous barrage.

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5

“A missionary tells of a young man who joined the missionary team in a foreign land and appeared concerned because there was a lack of the usual conveniences he was used to. The older missionary, sensing his discomfort, said, ‘Make a list of all the things you are used to and I will show you how to do without them’. Discontent destroys our ability to enjoy the things God has given us since our focus is on the things we think he should give us rather than on what we have.”

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 72-73.

Today’s Scripture reads in the King James Version. Someone asked me recently what I think about the King James Version. I said, “While the language is antiquated,  and can be hard to understand at times, I miss one thing about it. I miss the use of you and ye. Ye being ‘you’ plural.”

That said, notice the message for all of ye today. Be content with what ye have. Related to generosity, ye will be discontent, if ye focus on what ye cannot do because of what ye do not have. And furthermore, ye will do nothing. Instead, God wants ye to put to work what ye have.

Enough of the ‘ye’ language but you get the point. I appreciate how the veteran missionary said, ‘Make a list of all the things you are used to and I will show you how to do without them’. Why? He wanted the young missionary to realize God had provided sufficiently for their needs.

The same is true for every person reading this. Sure, that’s a bold statement, but it’s true. Each of us has what we need today for what God has set before us. We may not think we do because we lack certain provisions or conveniences. Or God has not supplied as we had hoped or anticipated.

Take inventory. What do you have? What if after recounting God’s blessings, rather than focus on what you do not have, pause to give thanks for what God supplied to you. Now what if you put to work what you have today instead of focusing on what you do not have?

What might happen? The outcomes are different for all of us, and yet, the result is the same for everyone. We all discover contentment, find peace, and realize our focus has been on the wrong thing. It happens to everyone. The key is to live in the reality of today’s Scripture. Read it again to close.

Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Luke 12:15

“It is essential for parents to instill in their children a basic understand of finances as well as teaching them basic life skills. Another thing parents need to do in a family is develops sales resistance to the powerful influence of alluring advertising. Alluring advertising has been defined as ‘the carefully planned appeals to our human weaknesses designed to make us discontent with what we have so that we can rationalize buying things that we know we do not need and should not have’.”

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 71.

Jesus warned us and we need to warn our children, and grandchildren if you have them. Life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.

Watch out for alluring advertising! How can we avoid falling into this trap? I suggest a counter intuitive approach. Rather than try to block the messages, because they are everywhere, try this.

Cultivate contentment. Every day with your children or whenever you see your grandchildren, have gratitude and thankfulness drip from your tongue.

When we cultivate contentment we see alluring advertising for what it is. Lies. Don’t believe them. Don’t buy what they sell. Warn your family, children, and grandchildren too.

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

“The difference between a natural mind and a spiritual mind is this: a person with a ‘natural’ mind uses human reasoning before deciding to obey God’s Word. A person with a ‘spiritual’ mind begins by obeying a scriptural command and then afterwards understands the hidden wisdom and purpose behind the command.”

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 64.

You can’t overthink biblical teaching on money or it will lead you to miss the purpose behind Christ’s commands, natural thinking, and death.

It reminds me of a reading in my devotional book, Steward, entitled, “Stupid, A Socialist, or Savior.” Therein I wrote the following.

“On a famous BBC radio broadcast C.S. Lewis said that Jesus is either a ‘Lunatic, Liar, or Lord’. Related to money, a similar line fits Jesus.

On money, Jesus is either ‘Stupid, a Socialist, or Savior’. He’s either dumb as His teachings on money sound fiscally loose and irresponsible. Or, He’s a socialist that seems to demand forced sharing. Or, He’s trying to save us from serving an alternate God, money.

Only when we obey Him as Savior do we realize that He’s not trying to rob us but help us. In instructing us to store up treasures in heaven rather than on earth, He’s shaping our hearts to care about the things He cares about. And He’s helping us prepare for life eternal.

Only in obedience to our Savior do we as stewards find freedom from service to money. We don’t figure it out until we live it out. The freedom is not for self-indulgence but for serving our Savior.

Savior Jesus, I don’t think you are stupid or a socialist. Help me obey Your teachings on money as a faithful steward. Amen.”

Does the way you handle money reveal that you see Jesus as stupid? Do you ignore His commands? Or do you see him as a socialist, forcing you to obey? Or as Savior? You obey and, in so doing, have grasped real life.

If you want to download Steward freely and break away from the thinking of the natural mind, click here. We all can overthink things, but when we do, we miss the kingdom.

Put money where God says to put it. Obey and afterwords understand.

“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! Matthew 6:22-23

“What happens to your money, happens to you. Your money is an extended or contracted you. If you pile up money with no purpose behind it, you clutter up yourself, and it becomes a purposeless self, hence and unhappy self.”

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 60.

After Jesus tells us not to store up treasure on earth, he tells us to store it up in heaven. Then He makes this statement about the eye or our focus.

If our eye or focus is wrong, everything will be wrong, unhealthy, and full of darkness. Hughes would say that we would render ourselves purposeless.

What happens to your money, happens to you. Put it in play toward things that match the purposes of God instead of letting it sit purposeless.

Don’t focus on what you think you need for the next 30 years. Focus on what decisions you will be happy you made 30 million years from now.

Use your money purposefully to live purposefully.

Let all things be done decently [meaning “with standards”] and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

“When giving to Christian organizations, ask yourself the following questions:

• Is the ministry one which honors Christ and the Word of God?
• Does it teach and maintain godly standards?
• Is their evidence of God’s blessing on the work?
• Is it based on sound doctrine (doctrinal error will eventually destroy a ministry)?
• Do its leaders demonstrate a simple basic lifestyle and are not given to lavish living?
• Does the organization show evidence of careful and prudent financial management?

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 53.

I am writing a book right now about this topic. It will be my fourth ECFA Press book published with GTP Press. I will make you wait for more information.

From a biblical perspective, the book aims to train church and ministry workers worldwide to follow biblically faithful, globally consistent, and locally contextualized standards.

I want the church and ministries you serve and support to be prepared to answer all these questions. Their faithfulness will position them for fruitfulness and sustainability. Thanks for your prayers for me as I write.

And use this list of questions as a guide as you think about what ministries you will support. Share it with others. Mentor others to ask these questions too as they give to ministries.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

“A question might arise in your mind: where do I give… God often burdens Christians to pray for and give to certain causes. Not everyone will have the same burden. God has given me a great burden for children who have been orphaned, abused, or are in desperate circumstances and that is where most of my giving is directed. With you it might be in other directions: evangelism and the propagation of the gospel, relief for the poor, helping Christians in the developing world to have access to spiritual resources, and so on. Pray and ask God to show you not just how much you should give but also where you should give.”

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 52.

I want to pause and thank many of you who have helped carry my burdens. You have supported me to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. We have put structure in place to help ministries flourish in hard places.

And I want encourage you as you stretch your giving this year to continue to help carry the burdens of workers like me. It starts with your local church and spreads to your community, your country, and the whole world.

When you give, see yourself as helping that worker carry their burdens, and don’t be surprised if that worker helps you. Let me give you an example. A friend of mine, named Steven, needed some help with the ministry he serves as board chair.

For the past few years, Steven has helped me carry my burdens through his giving. Recently, I was able to help him in priceless ways with his service. I gave my time to help him carry his burdens. He’s grateful. I am grateful. Everyone wins.

When we carry each other’s burdens, we advance the gospel and God makes sure someone gets tapped to help carry ours. He’s the good Master who makes sure everyone’s needs get sorted. Play your part. Stretch this year. Help and be helped.

I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being. Ephesians 3:16

“I invite you to make a faith promise to God now. Start by asking God to help you work out the right amount…that will stretch your faith a little.

Some months before writing this booklet, I sat down and made my faith promise for the year ahead. I asked the Lord how much I should give. The amount that came into my mind in answer to that prayer seemed astonishing. My reaction was to say, ‘Lord, are you sure?’ I went ahead and made my commitment. Within a few weeks of making that commitment, I was offered a writing contract that gave me much more than I had planned to give.

Many of my friends and colleagues tell similar stories following their commitment in the making of a faith promise. It seems God delights to enter into partnership with us in relation to giving by faith, as we work God works. So make a start. Give God an opportunity to multiply your ability to give and increase your faith by first committing yourself to give a certain amount to Him.”

Selwyn Hughes in Divine Mathematics: A Biblical Perspective on Investing in God’s Kingdom (Surrey, UK: CWR, 2004) 51.

I have needed to do more stretching than normal. I am home writing and sitting too much. Despite walking 10,000 steps per day (on average) with Grace (our German Shorthair Pointer dog), I have had stiff muscles and back pain.

Stretching is good. It brings relief. It helps our muscles and our body function in a more healthy way. The same is true for our spirit when we stretch ourselves with our giving. The immaterial part of us grows stronger.

The apostle Paul calls this our “inner being” in today’s Scripture. Read it in the context of Ephesians 3:14-21. As Hughes writes, “God delights to enter into partnership with us in relation to giving by faith, as we work God works.”

He desires to strengthen us with heavenly riches. Though everyone around us may appear weary from life, we can find new strength in partnering with God. What would it look like for you to stretch your giving this year?