Archives by: Gary Hoag

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, that I also may be cheered when I receive news about you. Philippians 2:19

“Both you and Ignatius wrote to me, that if any one went [from this] into Syria, he should carry your letter with him; which request I will attend to if I find a fitting opportunity, either personally, or through some other acting for me, that your desire may be fulfilled. The Epistles of Ignatius written by him to us, and all the rest [of his Epistles] which we have by us, we have sent to you, as you requested. They are subjoined to this Epistle, and by them ye may be greatly profited; for they treat of faith and patience, and all things that tend to edification in our Lord. Any more certain information you may have obtained respecting both Ignatius himself, and those that were with him, have the goodness to make known to us.”

Polycarp in The Epistle of Polycarp to the Philippians 12, translated by Roberts-Donaldson.

In the early church, God’s workers delivered letters by hand to encourage individuals and groups. The same can happen today. We must see this as part of our “goodness” or generosity toward others.

It’s fascinating to see the collaboration between Ignatius of Antioch and Polycarp of Smyrna. They collaborated to edify the people. Likewise, our sharing in this way is about uplifting groups.

Will you write the letters? Or might your role be to serve as a courier? Either way, urging God’s people to faith and patience requires teachers and transmitters to share in every generation.

I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 6-7

“I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of God who are present with me, who have in all things refreshed me, both in flesh and in spirit; my bonds exhort you which I bear about for the sake of Jesus Christ, asking that I may attain unto God. Abide in your unity, and in prayer one with another, for it becometh each of you separately, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop unto the honour of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Apostles. I pray you in love to hear me, that I may not be for a testimony against you, by writing among you; and pray ye for me also, who need your love in the mercy of God, that I may be thought worthy of the lot to which I press forward to attain, that I may not be found a castaway.”

Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Trallians 12:1-3, translated by Charles H. Hoole.

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them. These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called the Apostolic Fathers.

When a church was helpful to share resources and practice hospitality, it was common for the Apostle Paul or Ignatius to express gratitude that they had been “refreshed” by their care. What might it look like for your generosity to refresh key workers both in the flesh and in the spirit? If I were to say it in other words, this care empowers God’s servants to remain focused on mission.

We are living in hard times. People are suffering all around us. Consider seeking out God’s workers who minister to many people and ask yourself how you might refresh them so they can be agents of refreshment toward others. When we do this we multiply the impact. I know when people refresh me, it amplifies my energy and the reach of my service. Go refresh someone today!

However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived” — the things God has prepared for those who love Him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

“How blessed and wonderful, beloved, are the gifts of God! Life in immortality, splendour in righteousness, truth in perfect confidence, faith in assurance, self-control in holiness! And all these fall under the cognizance of our understandings [now]; what then shall those things be which are prepared for such as wait for Him? The Creator and Father of all worlds, the Most Holy, alone knows their amount and their beauty. Let us therefore earnestly strive to be found in the number of those who wait for Him, in order that we may share in His promised gifts.”

Clement of Rome (c. AD 90-100) First Letter to the Corinthians 35, translated by Roberts-Donaldson.

Those who wait on the Lord get a share of His promised gifts, which will be good beyond all comprehension. This should help us stay the course despite hard times.

I’m thankful for the faith and perseverance of my parents. It’s both ordinary and extraordinary. They are on my mind as my Dad turns 83 today. Happy birthday Dad!

Their faith is ordinary in that they have not done much that the world would laud as great. Yet it is extraordinary as so many stop waiting, lose heart, and give up. They have not.

And the good news (in a world filled with bad news) is that all those who wait on God can look forward to a share in His promised gifts. God will share with us, and it will undoubtedly be good for all!

Our role is to wait patiently and to share this hope generously in the meantime.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

“Hear me, my children. I brought you up in much simplicity and guilelessness and reverence, through the mercy of the Lord, Who instilled righteousness into you, that ye might be justified and sanctified from all wickedness and all crookedness. But ye will not to cease from your wickedness.

Now then hear me and be at peace among yourselves, and have regard one to another, and assist one another, and do not partake of the creatures of God alone in abundance, but share them also with those that are in want.

For some men through their much eating bring weakness on the flesh, and injure their flesh: whereas the flesh of those who have nought to eat is injured by their not having sufficient nourishment, and their body is ruined.

This exclusiveness therefore is hurtful to you that have and do not share with them that are in want.

Look ye to the judgment that cometh. Ye then that have more than enough, seek out them that are hungry, while the tower is still unfinished; for after the tower is finished, ye will desire to do good, and will find no place for it.

Look ye therefore, ye that exult in your wealth, lest they that are in want shall moan, and their moaning shall go up unto the Lord, and ye with your [abundance of good things be shut outside the door of the tower].”

Shepherd of Hermas 3.9.1-6, translated by J.B. Lightfoot. This work is dated to the late late first or early second century and was included in Codex Sinaiticus.

Shepherd of Hermas is one of my favorite writings from the early church. Why do I like it? The language echoes the themes of the Old Testament and the writings of the New Testament.

Here the Shepherd urges us to share with those who are in want and to avoid exclusiveness, which is keeping for yourself what God intended for you to share. Why? It is hurtful to all.

Not sharing is hurtful. And on the contrary we are to seek out those who are hungry who are in need. This means we should not wait for them to cry for help, but always be on the lookout.

The time for giving is now, before the proverbial tower is unfinished. Someday that time will be over. Don’t wait or sit back in exclusiveness. God blessed each of us to be a blessing! Share richly.

News of this reached the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw what the grace of God had done, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.

Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

During this time some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. One of them, named Agabus, stood up and through the Spirit predicted that a severe famine would spread over the entire Roman world. (This happened during the reign of Claudius.) The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. Acts 11:22-30

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s goods, thou shalt not be avaricious. Thou shalt not be joined in soul with the haughty but shalt converse with humble and righteous men. Thou shalt receive the trials that befall thee as good, knowing that nothing happens without God.

Thou shalt not be double-minded or talkative. Thou shalt obey thy masters as a type of God in modesty and fear; thou shalt not command in bitterness thy slave or handmaid who hope on the same God, lest they cease to fear the God who is over you both; for he came not to call men with respect of persons, but those whom the Spirit prepared.

Thou shalt share all things with thy neighbour and shall not say that they are thy own property; for if you are sharers in that which is incorruptible, how much more in that which is corruptible? Thou shalt not be forward to speak, for the mouth is a snare of death. So far as thou canst, thou shalt keep thy soul pure.

Be not one who stretches out the hands to take, and shuts them when it comes to giving.”

Epistle of Barnabas 19.6-9a, translated by Kirsopp Lake (Loeb Classical Library, 1912).

My meditations for the first 50 days or so this year have come from reading three different books. I’ve decided to return to my word for the year (share) and to explore it starting with the early church fathers and through church history. I hope you enjoy the journey with me.

Today’s Scripture illustrates Barnabas as a key player in the early church who encouraged both deep faith and facilitates proportionate generosity: according to each person’s ability, the Christians gave. Then in this reading from chapter 19 of the Epistle of Barnabas, we see what motivates this sharing.

We must be humble people who covet not what others have as takers but who see everything as belonging to God so that we appear as generous sharers. Our faith must not be empty, talkative words but sacrificial, and generous action.

Pause and think about Barnabas. Consider his actions in Acts as well as the words from his epistle. He was known as an encourager, a good man, full of the Holy Spirit. What will people say of you? Let’s each ask the Spirit to work in our lives so we have a similar legacy with our actions and words.

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants. Proverbs 23:23-27

“If “knowing your flock well” was about vigilant assessment and inventory of your resources, then “paying attention to your herds” meant making sure they are well fed, protected, and healthy. Solomon was reminding his people that assessment and care of their flocks were essential practices because no one knows what the future holds. If they were diligent in their current situation, they would have enough for an unsure future.”

Jorge Acevedo in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 93.

I really like this biblical text because it paints a picture of sustainability. When we do regular assessment and provide care for what we steward it positions us for flourishing.

This also reminds me of my weaknesses in this area. Not related to livestock, but take plants for example. I would forget to water them, so soon they wither or possibly die.

But if I have a pattern of care, such as picking a watering day or two each week, I can help them flourish. If we want more to steward and to give, let’s care for what we have.

It’s true with relationships too. If we do not constantly assess them and give them the attention they need, they quickly erode or become less connected.

God help us do assessment and provide care for all we steward so that it positions us for sustainability and generosity for Your glory. Amen.

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:4-11

“The prophet Jeremiah knew what it was to live in a world defined by loss. Jeremiah was born into a world of relative peace and stability for the Hebrew people. But this did not last. In his lifetime, Jeremiah saw his people, God’s people, fall from general well-being to destruction and the displacement of the Hebrew people in the Neo-Babylonian exile. Jeremiah and those around him know what it was to fall into fear and despair…

When you look at your financial realities and realize they are not sustainable, it can be scary. It might even cause a person to fall into fear and despair. Jeremiah’s words remind us that God does not want us to be motivated by fear. God has a dream for the world, for you and for me. God has a plan. God longs for the world to be made whole, which includes each of us living lives that are truly good.

To adjust one’s plans necessarily involves change. God does not want fear, despair, and harm for you. No. God wants what is good. God’s promise is always to be faithful, to be present. God promises never to abandon you. God wants you to look ahead with the courage and confidence that come with hope.”

Stephanie Dunn in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 94-95.

It was a great time of teaching with stewardship directors from across the country (pictured above). We reflected on Jeremiah together. Encouraging diligent stewardship in exile means we urge everyone to assess their stewardship, make bold, even faith-stretching changes.

Often, when we do this, over time, we experience the hope we longed for, the flourishing we dreamed of. But we could not imagine it in crisis. Encouraging congregations to live, give, serve, and love generously starts with realizing we are in exile.

Notice the text said to avoid deception. This mirrors the repeated warnings of Jesus. Our situation is only temporary. Lies abound around us. But our faithful and generous action now prepares us for our eternal home and inspires others to join us here and there.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. Proverbs 1:5

“What I love about this text from Proverbs is two things. First, the author doesn’t indicate a finiteness to the hearing or growing or gaining. In fact, some other translations use the future tenses: will hear, will grow, will gain. The end result of our learning is not simply to acquire knowledge; it is to grow in wisdom, to gain guidance, and that work never ends.

And second, I love that the subject is ambiguous. There isn’t one who is wise or one who grows in wisdom; instead, it’s you and I and we together, in community. Though we may prefer to keep our finances private, it’s only in giving all of ourselves to God and to the community—finances included—that we grow in wisdom.”

Joe Kim in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 88.

This text add depth to our understanding of the generosity of God. There’s no limit to His wisdom. When the wise go to Him they can expect an infinite supply of just what they need.

Pray for today’s meetings with LCMS stewardship directors from across the USA.

As each one arrives in a different place, pray with me that from the biblical teaching and practical tools, that each one will gain the wisdom they need. Thanks.

And join me in the never ending pursuit of wisdom about money in community.

When we engage in this pursuit and talk openly about money, its power over us weakens. This positions us for greater generosity in our lives and for helping others grow in this grace.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8

“There are a number of famous verses in this chapter, but I appreciate that this one is right in the middle: “The grass dries up; the flower withers, but God’s word will exist forever.” At first glance, I’m not sure I appreciate the prophet’s reminder that the grass will dry up and the flower will wither: it feels little gloomy in the midst of what’s supposed to be a message of hope. But when I consider the passage further, I see that it’s a reminder that even though the things we see today won’t always be here, God will. God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s presence, God’s call on our lives is steady and stable and will last into eternity.

This reminder can call us to a reorientation of our lives, similar to the reorientation experienced by the Israelites; and it can help us reorient our spending priorities, as well. Sometimes it seems like the most important things in our lives—and our budgets—are those that are actually fleeting. Even long-term investments like homes and vehicles don’t last forever; and some of the places we invest our resources are even more short-lived, like clothing, entertainment, and dining. Or, more directly related to Scripture, things like flower bouquets and home landscaping!

But what would it look like for us to adjust our spending plans in a way that shows we know what lasts and what doesn’t? What if our spending plans were evidence of our confidence in God’s eternal presence, and we invested in things that will last rather than those that are used up or worn out quickly? This might mean giving more to the church or other charities that are making a meaningful contribution toward healing the world and spending less on dining out. It might mean saving more so that we can help in emergencies rather than maximizing a fashion budget or buying the most expensive car we can manage.”

Elizabeth Ingram Schindler in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 85-86.

I board a flight today to Phoenix. I am speaking tomorrow to the stewardship directors (about 35 of them) that serve the districts of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod churches across USA.

I’d appreciate your prayers as I aim to help them reorient and reset their thinking so they can help the pastors and churches in their districts experience the same transformation. Think: multiplication.

They must experience reorientation before they can help others. How about you? Does your spending plan match what lasts? Is it time for a reorientation?

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:13

“Despite what many believe, the teaching that “God helps those who help themselves” is not found in the Bible. In fact, this sentiment couldn’t be further from the narrative of Scripture. It’s a cliché misused to justify our fear and insecurity, which stems from a mindset based on scarcity and that prioritizes the individual over the community.

Help yourself first has never been God’s message. Put yourself first has never been the gospel narrative. Jesus was the embodiment of the opposite teaching: that sacrificial love means putting others first. He made it clear that those who constantly put themselves first will be last; that those who consistently exalt themselves will be made humble.”

Joseph Yoo in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 79.

The new header photo features Reverend Elswith Clare preaching from Luke’s Gospel at St. Luke Methodist Church in Belize City last Sunday on the importance of being disciples of Jesus who appear as activists. Do you actively live out your faith?

Yoo rightly notes that this way of living emerges as the opposite of the worldly mindset that puts yourself first. I hear too often people talk about self-care and forget about others. I think we must intentially as God to care for us so that we can care for others.

Reflect today on the sacrificial love of Jesus as a model for our humble and generous living, giving, serving, and loving. Let us humble ourselves and follow in His footsteps. He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. May He lavish His grace on each of us in abundance.