Archives by: Gary Hoag

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Proverbs 3:27

‘When you can do good, defer it not, because alms delivers from death.”

Polycarp of Smyrna (69-155) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection on Alms.

This Palmful of Maize journey is changing my life. That’s a big statement. Let me explain what I mean. When I first visited Malawi in December 2021, I met a warm and humble people that were both receptive to biblical teaching.

But they were also stuck. Their focus was off. The mindset looked at what they did not have. They were slaves to the scarcity mindset. So, when I challenged them to give God what they had, everything changed. If you are stuck, this is the solution.

I had no idea we could get the attention of the nation. But accomplishing that would cost me everything! We worked with the Sunday School Teacher’s United Movement who had a link to ever Sunday School class because they provide the curriculum.

We reasoned together that to reach 12 of the 28 districts in the country would cost $60,000. That was all we had in available funds at GTP. And, it would take six months. God was leading and it was within our power to do good.

We hired a team, Deployed them, and it’s worked. But we were aiming too low. We wanted to unleash generosity. God’s using this to draw a people tp Himself in faith. The generosity is winning souls to Christ.

On this trip we have visited 1 of 4 districts so far (pictured above) to get a sampling of the first fruits in the first 12. Pray for safe travel as we drive. Tomorrow we go from Lilongwe to Karonga, to Chitipa, back to Mzuzu, then Mzimba and back to Lilongwe. Find us on a map.

It’s about as remote as you can get. Revival is breaking out. Stay tuned for a video. The team needs two laptops, funds to visit the other 16 regions. Where will it come from? At GTP we gave God what we have. Now, we are praying others do the same.

And now I realize why Polycarp said this quote! The collection of maize from this poor church inspired 10 new families to come and 5 families have stayed saying they want to follow Jesus with their generous neighbors. The maize delivered them from death!

Praying that if you have resources you will give them to GTP today. Give big. $5,000 is the equivalent to transforming a village. $1,000 buys a laptop. $80,000 will help us spread the message to the rest of the nation. That’s a bargain from an eternal view.

Give as God leads you. Handful of Rice is replicating as Palmful of Maize in Malawi.

“You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions. In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:34-35

“As far as you can, do some manual work so as to be able to give alms, for it is written that alms and faith purify from sin.”

Abba Poemen (340-450) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection on Alms.

Today, Poemen echoes the example of Paul. We work so we have something to meet our needs and care for others. If we do extra work, let’s do it not to be able to spend more but share more.

This pattern transforms us. Poemen even uses the language that alms and faith purify us from sin. Let’s dig into this as it’s rich.

When we work and spend it all on ourselves, we get ourselves into trouble. As it is not God’s design, it can only lead to sin. It does not reflect the Christian faith. Alternatively, when we work and share, the process requires faith and it transforms us, over time, into the generous people God wants us to become.

That’s what happening with the people of Malawi. Join me in helping the weak today. We are on location in Malawi shooting video of the Palmful of Maize project. Pray for us. And make a gift to GTP as we’ve had some unexpected expenses. Thanks.

As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. “Truly I tell you,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4

“In the matter of piety, poverty serves us better than wealth, and work better than idleness, especially since wealth becomes an obstacle even for those who do not devote themselves to it.

Yet, when we must put aside our wrath, quench our envy, soften our anger, offer our prayers, and show a disposition which is reasonable, mild, kindly, and loving, how could poverty stand in our way? For we accomplish these things not by spending money but by making the correct choice.

Almsgiving above all else requires money, but even this shines with a brighter luster when the alms are given from our poverty. The widow who paid in the two mites was poorer than any human, but she outdid them all.”

John Chrysostom (347-407) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection on Alms.

I am learning on my journey that what the widow does here is entrust herself to God’s care. This is always the correct choice. It’s never, ever easy, but God’s care is always faithful.

I have arrived in Ethiopia. Meeting up with Miemie Spies, our videographer from South Africa, and Ruthie Cristobal, GTP VP of Partnership and Communications, from the Philippines.

We will fly to Malawi today to travel the country gathering photos and video to report the progress of Palmful of Maize, the local giving project inspired by Handful of Rice.

When, out of their poverty, people give what they have to God, amazing things happen. At GTP we have invested what we have to help bring about the transformation of a nation.

Soon you will see and hear the stories. For now, I invite you to make the right choice. Don’t spend what you have today, but give it to God. Please make a gift to GTP for our work here.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

“You have to keep going. Life goes on; people die, but you must continue to live, to work, to struggle. The past cannot be recreated. Look at what is ahead.”

Henri Nouwen in A Letter of Consolation (New York, HarperCollins) 7.

I am mourning today. God called my mentor home yesterday. Dan Busby is with Jesus. Simultaneously, I celebrate that Dan has joined the great cloud of witnesses cheering us on from the heavenly stands.

Generous is our God who helps us press on despite the loss of precious people. I am sorry if you too have experienced such a lost. But we have hope thanks to the promise of the resurrection.

In the meantime, we need to keep going. Please say a prayer for me. Out of three Christian leaders, I have the privilege of running point on his memorial service. Register to attend here.

Dan taught me many things while living. One of his last lessons was teaching me how to die. I talked to the family tonight and they are thankful that he left his house in order.

Dan had most everything planned out, except what his three trusted friends will say in the service. God help me. God help us remember him in a way that lifts up Jesus.

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33

“Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee.

According to thy ability be merciful. If thou have much, give abundantly; if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little.

But do not hesitate to give alms; for thus thou storest up to thyself a good reward for the day of necessity.

For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness.

Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it.”

Tobias 4:7-12 (dated to second or third century BC) is a Jewish work Jewish work describing how God responds to prayers, tests the faithful, and protects His people.

The idea of storing up treasure in heaven did not start with Jesus. It was part of the Jewish tradition. In this light, it reflects an exhortation to everyone.

What God desired for His chosen people, He expects of His church, His “called out” ones. He wants us to store up treasures for the day of necessity. That’s when it matters.

What we do in this life, will echo in eternity, and the time is not to respond in obedience. Today is the day to prepare for the day of necessity.

For Tobias or Tobit, the test of the faithful is clear. Will we pass? Will we be found faithful, or will our handling of money show where we really placed our trust?

How we treat the poor links to how Jesus will treat us. Please make a gift today to GTP, as we train workers to spread “Stations of Generosity” among the poorest of poor.

We get to help them understand that “if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little.” Thanks in advance for your partnership with us by giving here.

Click here to learn about our Palmful of Maize vision rolling out in Malawi inspired by Handful of Rice in Northeast India. Store up treasures for the day of necessity.

Those who use the things of the world should not become attached to them. For this world as we know it will soon pass away. 1 Corinthians 7:31

“If you are attached to the things of this earth, you should give alms sufficient to enable you to punish your avarice by depriving yourself of all that is not absolutely necessary for life.”

Jean Marie Baptiste Vianney (1786-1859) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection on Alms.

I arrived safely in Cape Town last night. I shot the new header photo in the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront just before dinner. Today, we focus to preparing for the “Stations of Generosity” training.

When I travel, I pack light. I take only what I need. In the words of Vianney, only what is “absolutely necessary for life.” The rest is a waste of time and energy to carry around.

But we get attached to things don’t we. We reason, “I need this.” or “I need that.” In reality, we need none of the things of this earth. All we need is Christ.

So, how do we tame the flesh or “punish your avarice” lest it destroy us? We should share with the poor, or in ancient terms. Give alms generously.

At GTP, we are engaging a program among the poorest of poor, all across Malawi. We have a team of five training the Sunday school teachers and community leaders in each district to give God what you have.

What does everyone have in Malawi? Maize. Corn. The curriculum we helped create is spreading generosity all over the country. After the “Stations” training here, we will head there.

To support our efforts in Malawi, please click here to make a gift today. Video of the effort forthcoming. We plan to shoot it on this trip.

But give as alms those things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you. Luke 11:41

“Let us also love our neighbors as ourselves. Let us have charity and humility. Let us give alms because these cleanse our souls from the stains of sin. Men lose all the material things they leave behind them in this world, but they carry with them the reward of their charity and the alms they give. For these they will receive from the Lord the reward and recompense they deserve.”

Francis of Assisi (1181-1226) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection on Alms.

This is a powerful idea we must not overlook.

Those who have more than enough must with grace and humility, share with those with less than enough, not in a way that creates unhealthy dependency, but in a manner that gives a hand up to those in need.

All we possess on this earth, we will leave behind at death, so the test is what we do with it whilst we are living. What will you do with what you have?

For Jesus, alms or generous giving to the poor cleanse us because they demonstrate the veracity of our faith. Only in giving do we grow ino the caring and sharing people that God desires us to become.

The first leg of my journey in Africa is to get the GTP Africa staff and key volunteers trained in Stations of Generosity by a partner organization. It’s a tool for spreading generosity among oral cultures.

The training happens on 28-29 September 2022 in Stellenbosch, South Africa. Pray for us as we travel and convene on 27 September prior to the training. I will arrive later today from USA.

Chris Maphosa travels from Mutare, Zimbabwe. Gabrielle Fortunato will welcome us in Cape Town. Donald Mqwathi will also travel from Johannesburg, as he hopes to help with trainings in South Africa as a key volunteer.

Thanks for your prayers, and please consider a gift to GTP to support our work in places like Africa. Click here to give. I’ll share more about our work here in the days to come.

Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” 2 Kings 4:2

“All the things in this world are gifts of God, created for us, to be the means by which we can come to know Him better, love Him more surely, and serve Him more faithfully. As a result, we ought to appreciate and use these gifts of God insofar as they help us toward our goal of loving service and union with God. But insofar as any created things hinder our progress toward our goal, we ought to let them go.”

Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection Three.

The heart of this quote is that God wants us to appreciate and use what we have.

It reminded me of our recent reflections on Elijah and Elisha. It was Elisha who said, “Tell me, what do you have in your house?” That question is for all of us.

We must look closely and see what God has given us. Then we ought to appreciate it and use it. Our tendency is toward discontent and because we feel we lack, we fail to use what we have.

Growing in generosity is really about understanding all we have been given and how we are to respond to that. Ponder this and follow the leading of the Spirit to grow.

And say a prayer for me as I head to South Africa today for GTP. I’ll share more about the purpose of my trip in the coming days.

In the meantime, appreciate what you have and use it for God. That’s all I am trying to do. Are you with me?

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

“You ought to be like a person who lets go and like one who gathers. You should let go of riches and gather virtues, let go of what will pass and gather eternal things, let go of visible things and gather invisible. In return for the pleasure of the body, I will give you the exultation of your soul; in return for the merriment of the world, I will give you the merriment of Heaven; in return for worldly honor, the honor of the angels; in return for the presence of family, the presence of God; in return for the possession of goods, I will give you myself, the giver and Creator of all things.”

St. Bridget of Sweden (1303-1373) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection Two.

This is one of those quotes that inspires you so much you just have to read it again, and then resolve to lose your life for the sake of Christ to gain everything you’ve ever dreamed in Him. Read. Resolve. Repeat.

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

“He who forgets himself in the service of God may be assured that God will not forget Him .”

Ignatius of Loyola as recounted in A Thought from St. Ignatius of Loyola for Each Day of the Year (New York: Bezinger Brothers, 1887).

This applies to ladies too. I want to honor my wife, Jenni, today. She’s hosting a Soulcare Anchoress retreat today, helping people anchor their soul in Jesus.

She forgets herself in service to God so I give thanks that God will not forget her. Do you forget yourself, or as Luke would say, lose your life for Christ’s sake?

Generous living requires forgetfulness. We must all forget about ourselves and focus on the needs of others. In so doing, we can trust that God will remember us.

I think of my mentor, Dan Busby, whose life is hanging in the balance in ICU. He’s walked out of there once by God’s mercy. God can help him do it again. God, as Dan has forgotten himself, please come to his aid. Amen.

I am also thinking of my friend, Ken, today. He is living with his brother to help him because he has cancer and needs care. God, as Ken and all of us forget ourselves, remember us please. Amen.

Perhaps you can think of someone forgetful. Pause now to pray for them. God hears your and mine intercession. He invites it. What a generous God we serve!