Archives by: Gary Hoag

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

“God shows the soul also, that all the benefits bestowed on her by creatures (whether spiritual or temporal) are given because God moves them to it; and hence she learns to take no heed of creatures, what service soever they may have rendered her, for she perceives clearly that it is God who has done it by the action of his providence. By this vision the soul is more and more inflamed, and finally abandons herself to love, casting aside all creatures, and finding in God such fulness that she can regard nothing else but him.”

Catherine of Genoa (1447-1510) in Spiritual Dialogues 3.7 as part of Life And Doctrine of Saint Catherine Of Genoa (New York: CPAP, 1907).

As I think about factors that hinder generosity, my mind goes to the fact that we, as souls, often cherish the gifts of God more than God. When this happens our love shifts from the Benefactor to the benefits. We serve them instead of allowing them to provide a service to us.

Lest any of us allege immunity to this, just think of statements we have all made. I need coffee. I need that car or that phone. Hear me, souls, that it’s great to enjoy coffee, cars, and phones. We must, as Catherine notes (echoing James), they are just gifts from our loving God.

When we relate to them in this way, it positions us to steward them according to the Master’s generous wishes. Sit with the Holy Spirit. Is there any benefit to which you have disordered love? Pause and label it as a gift from God. What happens in your heart?

Father, may your heavenly light help us have clear vision and captivate our souls so that we are filled with gratitude for your providence and so we may overflow with love and generosity because our souls have found all we need in you. Amen.

I am thankful for the gift of my brother, David today. He turns 59. Happy Birthday David. May you cast aside all created things and find your fulness in God, and may we all who are reading this, do it with you, as it marks the way to life, freedom, and joy.

Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2

“Blessed is the mind which, during prayer, is drawn neither to the material nor to possessions.”

St. Nilus of Sinai (d. A.D. 430) in Saints’ Quotes: Holy Quotations for Purification of the Soul, Collection One.

We live in a world that looks for peace of mind. We can help them find it. It’s found in focusing on God and not on things. Think about it. When we pray without ceasing, we find ourselves growing in contentment, gratitude, peace, joy, and so much more.

And when we focus on the material or possession, where does that lead us? We drip with discontent, entitlement, unrest, and sorrow. Want to blessed? St. Nilus points the way to blessing and generosity: pray, pray, pray so that your focus is not drawn to the material or possessions.

The former will lead to satisfaction whilst the latter to dissatisfaction. The link to giving relates to letting go. Generosity helps us let go of the things that try to dominate our minds. God, help us fix our mind and affections on you. Amen.

But the one who is self-indulgent is dead while she lives. 1 Timothy 5:6

‘When you find your intellect occupied pleasurably with material things and becoming fondly attached to its conceptual images of them, you may be sure that you love these things more than God. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Scripture calls material things “the world”; and worldly men are those who occupy their intellect with these things. It is such men that Scripture rebukes when it says: “Do not love the world or the things that are in the world. . . The desire of the flesh, and the desire of the eyes, and pride in one’s possessions, are not of God but of the world.”‘

The self-indulgent person loves wealth because it enables him to live comfortably; the person full of self-esteem loves it because through it he can gain the esteem of others; the person who lacks faith loves it because, fearful of starvation, old age, disease, or exile, he can save it and hoard it. He puts his trust in wealth rather than in God, the Creator who provides for all creation, down to the least of living things.’

Maximus the Confessor (580-662) in The Writings of Saint Maximus the Confessor 51-52.

As we turn our attention to saints through the centuries, today’s quote by Maximus offers keen insight on the path to self-indulgence.

It starts with our intellect being “occupied pleasurably with material things” and then it moves to “becoming fondly attached.” From there the rest is history. Our heart is captivated and we become enslaved to wealthy. We think we have to have it to live comfortably. The antidote to self-indulgence is generosity.

I want to invite you to practice it right now according to your ability. At GTP we are hiring staff in Nepal, Malaysia, and Rwanda this month. We get messages asking for help daily from Christian ministries trying to advance the gospel and wanting assistance to build capacity.

These new staff will position us to empower and train national workers to build trust and grow local giving in challenging places. We also plan to convene our global team in Cape Town next month for the first time since the pandemic. Give generously as you are able. Click here.

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 2 Timothy 2:4-7

“Paul gives three examples of how Timothy should serve if he is to fulfill his mission. He should be like a soldier who concentrates on pleasing his commanding officer, an athlete who submits to strict discipline, so as to win the price, and a farmer who has to work hard if he wants a good harvest.”

Solomon Andria in “2 Timothy” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 1504.

Today concludes our exploration of sharing through the from an African perspective. Let’s take with us these three examples as a reminder. Paul asked Timothy to reflect on three word pictures: the soldier, the athlete, and the farmer.

He referred to the soldier to encourage us to stay focused on pleasing God. He referenced the athlete to call us to play by the rules. And he mentioned the farmer to alert us that for our efforts we will receive a reward, a share of the harvest.

Reflect with Paul and Timothy on the three examples. Does one of them strike you as relevant for you to remember right now?

Jesus, help us stay focused on pleasing you as good soldiers, grant us find victory with your strength and by playing by the rules, and bless us our efforts with fruit so we can taste a share of a great harvest. Amen.

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” Luke 3:10-14

“Various groups of people approached John to ask what repentance would mean in their case. Ordinary citizens were told that their work of repentance would be a willingness to share life’s necessities of food and clothing with those in need. Tax collectors were told that for them it would be ceasing to demand more than the appointed amount of tax. Soldiers were told that for them it would be refraining from extorting money or goods by force or by falsely accusing people; they must be content with their army wages and provisions.”

Paul John Isaak in “Luke” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 1236.

If we polled Christians today, they would likely not equate failure to share with the extortion or theft of tax collectors and soldiers. John’s making the point that in God’s eyes, they are the same.

People often approach me with questions like they did with John the Baptist. Even as many found his answers radical, many find my comments too countercultural. Admittedly, I don’t have all this figured out.

But there is one thing I know…when we pursue God’s heart with humility, He shows us what needs to change, and our job is to do what He says. When we do, He works through us to accomplish His purposes for His glory.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:7-9

“This proverb is merely realistically presenting the economic leverage one set of people have over others when it states: the rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. It has both warning and encouragement: warning to the one who sows wickedness and encouragement to those who suffer. The wicked person will reap trouble and the rod of his fury, which brought suffering to others, will be destroyed. Encouragement is also given to the righteous [who share].”

Tewoldemedhin Habtu in “Proverbs” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 790.

We live in a world that encourages debt. It provides people things they want and also mortgages their future, sending them to slavery.

To sow injustice is to aim to rule over others. Alternatively, to share with those in need is praised by God. So don’t miss the message.

Habtu helps us see the two ideas at play here. One is a warning and the other is encouragement. The warning is for those who have economic leverage.

Will they use it to share or to sow injustice and to maintain their place of dominance? Do you see that material blessing comes with a test of obedience?

And if you suffer, take heart. God sees. He will break the rod of those who oppress and fail to share at some point. Take heart.

God, when we are blessed, teach us to share. And when we have need, show us your faithfulness through the obedience of others by caring for us. Amen.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:14-19

“Having discussed the kindness of the Philippian Christians in general terms, Paul goes on to mention specific examples. He assures them that his motive for doing this is not to ask for more help but to praise them. By supporting the imprisoned apostle, the Philippians demonstrated that they shared in his troubles. By supporting evangelists, missionaries, or any workers in the vineyard of the Lord, we are sharing in their ministry, even though we may not be physically present. Good wishes are no enough. As individuals and as churches we should give tangible support to the work of the Lord. Repeated sacrificial giving of the type modeled by the Philippians should be the norm for an active and serving church. Such a gift will be a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to god. God will respond by blessing such an undertaking from His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”

Eshetu Abate in “Philippians” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 1474.

As we continue to explore sharing through the Scriptures from an African perspective, we find the Philippians had shared three things with the apostle Paul: troubles, giving and receiving.

Firstly, they shared in his troubles. They sent Epaphroditus, the human care package to deliver aid to Paul in prison. He may have been out of sight but he was not out of their minds. This teaches us to move toward those experiencing hard times.

Secondly, they shared in giving at an “acceptable” level. We learn more about it in 2 Corinthians 8:12. It means they gave what they had. They sacrificed. Surprisingly, they did it even when no other church would. Let us giving sacrificially and surprisingly!

Thirdly, they shared in receiving from Paul. When Jesus first sent the disciples, He urged them to remain with the receptive. That was the Philippians. Like Paul, may we who are Christian workers bless those we serve and remain connected to them.

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:5-7

“The apostle’s troubles are like the extension of the sufferings of Jesus Christ. The more they increase, the greater the comfort received from Christ. In fact, Paul’s suffering will result in the comforting of the good of many others, even those like the Corinthians who have hurt the apostle. It will even be for their salvation, a word that Paul uses here in its widest sense, which includes their general well-being. So far, Paul has spoken of suffering and distress without specifying what has caused them. He will do that in the rest of the letter.”

Issiaka Coulibaly in “2 Corinthians” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 1426.

I am back to Denver after travels to both Iowa and Texas speaking this week. In case you missed it, I announced the release of my most recent book, co-authored with Travis Shelton. It’s called, COMMUNITY. Download it here.

As Paul served the community of faith, he faced troubles. What I find inspiring is that he does not point any blame and link them to any cause. He simply celebrates the comfort from Christ and the patient endurance that it develops within God’s people.

This is a new twist linked to sharing for me this year. Our generous God invites us to share in His sufferings so that we can also share in His comfort. And it’s not just for us as individuals but to grow together as a community of hope through the difficulties.

May God help us not focus on the cause of any distress we endure, which just adversely impacts us. Instead, may we fix our eyes on the privilege of sharing in both the sufferings and comfort of Christ which help us grow in patient endurance and hope.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:3-5

“Paul had been affected by the attitude of the Christians in Philippi. Their hearts were receptive and they were eager to become partners with him in the cause of the gospel. They stood united with him in mind and purpose. Their active and living testimony filled Paul’s heart with joy and moved him to thank God for them.

The memory of a loving and active Christian community will always remain with those who have spent some time with them. Paul’s thankfulness was expressed in all my prayers for all of you. Paul was a man of prayer. Like Paul, a good minister should be in constant contact with the Lord in prayer, praying not only for himself but also for those whom God has put in his care.

When Paul speaks of their partnership in the gospel from the first day, he is probably thinking of the day he first arrived in Philippi, the most important city in the Macedonia, after crossing the Aegean Sea on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:11-12).

There he had met Lydia, ‘a dealer in purple cloth; who had received the gospel of Jesus Christ wholeheartedly. Not only did she believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, but she made her house available for meetings and worship (Acts 16:15, 40).

A Philippian jailer and his household had also become Christians (Acts 16:34). In view of the hospitality which Paul and Silas had received, it was appropriate to call the Philippian Christians partners in the gospel. Their partnership continued until late in Paul’s life.

At the time this letter was written, they were supporting him materially by sending gifts (4:18). When the message of the gospel reaches a receptive heart, it bears fruit and produces action. Similar fruit and actions should be found in our African churches if we have really accepted the gospel.”

Eshetu Abate in “Philippians” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 1466.

Seven years ago this month I spoke in Des Moines, Iowa. With the zeal of Lydia in the biblical narrative, Julie Wiemann had invited me. It impacted many people, including Travis Shelton, who has become like a Timothy to me.

Travis would go on to volunteer on the Iowa Christian Generosity Council. Last night I spoke at their “Ignite Your Legacy” event. While the recording is not available yet, enjoy COMMUNITY, the devotional written by Travis and me.

It’s available to you through GTP. Download it here. Don’t just read it. Share the link with others from Iowa to Africa and everywhere in between. We pray it bears fruit in the lives of all who read it and produces action.

Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!”

Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.”

So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” These were the waters of Meribah, where the Israelites quarreled with the Lord and where he was proved holy among them. Numbers 20:2-13

“Moses and Aaron took the complaint to God and God ordered Moses to take his rod, gather the congregation and tell the rock to give water. Moses followed the first part of the directions: he took his staff, and he and Aaron gathered the people together. Then he disobeyed God.

First, he spoke to the congregation, Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock? and then instead of speaking to the rock he raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Despite his disobedience, water came out of the rock and the people and their livestock drank…

The ‘we’ here refers to Moses and Aaron, who were putting themselves in the place of God who performs miracles. By doing this, they were encouraging the people to look up to them and give them glory instead of giving glory to God… The place where this happened was called Meribah, which means ‘contention’ or ‘quarreling’, because of what took place there.”

Anastasia Bonface-Malle in “Numbers” in Africa Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2006) 193.

God desires to supply for His people in community. His servants need only to follow His instructions. In this powerful text we find at least three lessons about generosity.

Firstly, when God’s people have needs, we see our responsive and generous God eager to work miracles to supply. The lesson for us is to make our requests known unto God.

Secondly, when God’s servants take credit for supplying provision, it displeases God. This happens often today. God begins a work at a church or ministry and then people take it from there.

They act as though it is their job to supply for the needs of the ministry when God is the Provider. As a result, His servants miss out on the blessing of experiencing God’s ongoing favor, like like Moses and Aaron.

Thirdly, God’s ways foster community when followed. When his servants fail to obey God’s instructions it leads to contention. What environment do you see at the ministry where you serve?

Practically, with prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let us be workers who ask God to supply while simultaneously inviting people to join us in participating in God’s work with what they have.

Tonight, at the Iowa Christian Generosity Council dinner, Travis Shelton and I release a new book, entitled, COMMUNITY. To download your free copy, stay tuned for a link tomorrow.