Archives by: Gary Hoag

Woe to you who add house to house and join field to field till no space is left and you live alone in the land. Isaiah 5:8

“It is not from your own property that you give to the poor. Rather, you make return from what is theirs. For what has been given as common for the use of all, you have appropriated to yourself alone. The earth belongs to all, not to the rich. Therefore you are paying a debt, not bestowing a gift. How far, O you rich, do you push your mad desires? “Shall you alone dwell upon the earth” (Isaiah 5:8)? The earth was made in common for all… Why do you arrogate to yourselves, you rich, an exclusive right to the soil? Nature, which begets all people as poor, cannot recognize the rich. For we are neither born with raiment nor begotten with gold and silver. Naked the earth brings people into the light, in need of food, clothing, and drink; naked the earth receives those whom it has brought forth; it does not know how to include the boundaries of an estate in a tomb.”

Ambrose of Milan in Ownership: Early Christian Teaching by Charles Avila (Orbis, 1983).

God’s ownership of everything should change how we relate to property. But too often we succomb to “mad desires” which is what God thinks about those who accumulate wealth for themselves. It’s crazy to God and bad stewardship at best! Worse yet, many try to pass on that wealth to the next generation, which is the best way to ruin children.

Hopefully you are not offended but awakened by this biblical view.

Don’t hear this coming from me. I am just echoing that Isaiah proclaims “woe” against all those who aim at accumulation. It’s a warning. We all come into this world naked, and depart the same way. In the meantime, God wants us to be generous and not amass wealth but enjoy and share it. I pray this shakes and wakes you to this objective.

What would change in your life if you aimed to store up as much as possible in heaven through giving and sharing? 

Today is Memorial Day in America. Each year I remember all those saints who have given their lives to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ. It also makes me wonder. What will people remember you for? What will your legacy be? Will people say you pursued mad desires or will they say you pursued what God wants to see?

Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2 Corinthians 8:24

“When each one receives a little for one’s needs, and when all owners distribute their means simultaneously for the care of the needy, no one will possess more than one’s neighbor. Yet it is plain that you have much land. Where did it come from? Undoubtedly you have subordinated the relief and comfort of many to your convenience. And so, the more you abound in your riches, the more you want in love.”

Basil of Caesarea in Ownership: Early Christian Teaching by Charles Avila (Orbis, 1983).

When we distribute material and spiritual blessings we show love to others.

In this excerpt from Basil, we hear him describe that those who abound in riches are want in love, because to distribute is to demonstrate love in action. The world teaches us that we need money to survive and values possessions over people. Alternatively, Jesus set aside the riches of heaven for us out of love. Likewise, we get to show the proof of our love by our generosity.

What generous giving or serving can you do this week to show God’s love?

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:32-35

“I am wronging no one,” you say, “I am merely holding on to what is mine.” What is yours? Who gave it to you so that you could bring it into life with you? Why, you are like a man who pinches a seat at the theater at the expense of latecomers, claiming ownership of what was for common use. That’s what the rich are like; having seized what belongs to all they claim it as their own on the basis of having got there first. Whereas if everyone took for himself enough to meet his immediate needs and released the rest for those in need of it, there would be no rich and no poor.”

Basil of Caesarea in Ownership: Early Christian Teaching by Charles Avila (Orbis, 1983).

Many read posts like this and think it aims to promote socialism, when in reality, it only promotes a biblical view of ownership and sharing. God owns everything and desires that His people share with others so that no one has need. This is illustrated in the early church in Acts.

But what we tend to see from believers and unbelievers today is the opposite.

I know this because it was me for about the first 40 years of my life. It looks like this. You agree that everything belongs to God, then you don’t act on that belief, but rather pinch all you can for yourself or your family claiming you are wronging no one because you earned it or are holding what is (in your minds) rightly yours.

What’s the lesson for us today from Basil?

We must not claim anything as our own (because God owns everything) and then act on that belief. When we do, as God supplies abundance we will appear as generous sharers. Also, the watching world will see God’s grace at work. This will bring God glory and draw many to Him.

Make it so through our obedience Lord.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. Luke 16:10

“Fling wide your doors; give your wealth free passage everywhere! As a great river flows by a thousand channels through fertile country, so let your wealth run through many conduits to the homes of the poor. Wells that are drawn from flow the better; left unused, they go foul… Money kept standing idle is worthless; but moving and changing hands it benefits the community and brings increase.”

Basil of Caesarea in Ownership: Early Christian Teaching by Charles Avila (Orbis, 1983). Thanks to Bill Crowe for sharing this post with me.

I love the language Basil uses. Specifically his use of the term “conduit” as our role. It is a word I use often and that resonated with Joe Stephan in my podcast interview on Wednesday. The language of a great river is also striking. Standing water starts to stink. Water drawn from a flow stays fresh.

Will generosity flow from us like a river?

Basil’s bold language reminds me of the famous quote from the musical, Guys and Dolls. “Money is like manure. If you spread it around, it does a lot of good. But if you pile it up in one place, it stinks.” Is it time to do some spreading? God entrusted each of us with resources. If we want more, we must be faithful with what we have.

When we put it to work it benefits both us and others.

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

“Giving money, volunteering, being relationally generous, being a generous neighbor and friend, and personally valuing the importance of being a generous person are all significantly, positively correlated with greater personal happiness, physical health, stronger sense of purpose in life, avoidance of symptoms of depression, and a greater interest in personal growth. These findings have not been weak, inconsistent, or requiring convoluted explanation to make sense of. Nearly every test came out similarly…

People may rightly wonder whether being a generous person and acting generously is a costly course of life. They might ask whether spending money, time, attention, energy, and emotions on and for the good of others proves to be a net loss in the overall scheme of things. The answer here is clear and compelling. Greater generosity is clearly, positively associated with many of the characteristics that most people consider essential to a good life: happiness, healthy, purpose, and growth.”

Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson in The Paradox of Generosity: Giving We Receive, Grasping We Lose (Oxford: OUP, 2014) 44.

Last night I recorded a spot for the It’s Never About Money Podcast with Joe Stephan in Melbourne, Australia.

He had alerted me that he would ask a series of questions. One was about well being. He loved that I cited the work of Smith and Davidson who demonstrates with research that Proverbs is spot on! If you want to flourish, choose the path of generosity. The paradox is that in giving you gain and in keeping you lose.

Confused? Most people are. He asked me how to help people get started. What was my answer? You know it.

You don’t figure it out until you live it out. Rhose who are generous don’t end up empty but enriched. He grasped it. Will you? The generosity research describes the gain in this life. Imagine the gain in the next!

The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.” Exodus 25:1-2

“It is important to remember that God takes the lead to invite generous offerings. It is not Moses or the leaders of Israel that come up with the idea to ask for free will offerings…It is a story that provides richness in biblical principles that can be learned for ministries and churches seeking generous offerings from the Church.

The invitation from God to Moses happens also in a moment of isolation and spiritual discernment for Moses. Moses had been with God forty days and forty nights on Mount Sinai (Exodus 24:18). This was a time for Moses to isolate himself from leadership responsibilities and spend time in communion with God.

The nation of Israel is three months old (Exodus 19:1), it is a time of beginnings and time to establish a foundation. Moses as God’s appointed leader needed this time away. God speaks, Moses listens. God will instruct Moses so that he in turn can instruct the nation…

In the story of building the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:1-2) we see that it is God Himself the Initiator of asking for voluntary offerings. In any invitation to generosity how important it is to remember that God Himself should lead the process and that God shares His desires to someone that is submitted to God, as Moses was.

Moses had been with God forty days on Mount Sinai. We can then note two important aspects: God initiates the invitation to generosity and shares his desires to Moses. Moses having spent time with God has understood God’s will and desires and communicates this to the nation (Exodus 35:4)…

In all, about 14 different types of gifts are mentioned, not just gold and silver. The rest of the chapter describes how the people went away to their tents and eagerly and promptly identified the gifts and brought them in abundance. So much that they had to be stopped from giving (Exodus 36:6).”

Nydia Garcia Schmidt in “God – He Invites Generous Giving” on Ministry Fundraising Network blog dated 20 May 2021. My good friend Nydia brings up many good points in this piece. Let’s reflect on two of them more deeply.

Firstly, if you are in leadership roles, you must not take the lead but spend time with God to discern direction. This is very important so that you are taking people where God wants you all to go. Moses went to a place of “isolation and spiritual discernment” to cut out the noise and hear God’s voice.

Secondly, if you are part of God’s people, remember that the call to give comes from God and not God’s servant. And he directs the people to give what they have. The people had 14 kinds of gifts and not just one kind. When everyone gives what they have, there will be more than enough.

Will you respond to God’s call to give generously?

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. Exodus 14:13a

“These words contain God’s command to the believer when he is reduced to great straits and brought into extraordinary difficulties. He cannot retreat; he cannot go forward; he is shut up on the right hand and on the left; what is he now to do? The Master’s word to him is, “Stand still.” It will be well for him if at such times he listens only to his Master’s word, for other and evil advisers come with their suggestions.

Despair whispers, “Lie down and die; give it all up.” But God would have us put on a cheerful courage, and even in our worst times, rejoice in his love and faithfulness.

Cowardice says, “Retreat; go back to the worldling’s way of action; you cannot play the Christian’s part, it is too difficult. Relinquish your principles.” But, however much Satan may urge this course upon you, you cannot follow it if you are a child of God. His divine fiat has bid thee go from strength to strength, and so thou shalt, and neither death nor hell shall turn thee from thy course. What, if for a while thou art called to stand still, yet this is but to renew thy strength for some greater advance in due time.

Precipitancy cries, “do something. Stir yourself; to stand still and wait, is sheer idleness.” We must be doing something at once—we must do it so we think—instead of looking to the Lord, who will not only do something but will do everything.

Presumption boasts, “If the sea be before you, march into it and expect a miracle.”

But Faith listens neither to Despair, nor to Cowardice, nor to Precipitancy, nor to Presumption, but it hears God say, “Stand still,” and immovable as a rock it stands. “Stand still;” keep the posture of an upright man, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the directing voice; and it will not be long ere God shall say to you, as distinctly as Moses said it to the people of Israel, “Go forward.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon in Morning and Evening: Daily Readings (Albany, Oregon: Sage Software, 1996) morning reading for for 24 July.

As we endure “extraordinary difficulties” and hard times, will we in response listen to Despair, Cowardice, Precipitancy, or Presumption? Or in Faith will we stand still with the confidence of Moses that God will show up and that we will experience His deliverance.

How does this relate to generosity?

Our posture of cheerfully and patiently awaiting for God to show up gives those around us a gift that is worth more than money. It gives hope and that is priceless. In a year when our word is ‘remember’ let us remind those around us who is in control by standing still.

Lord, as we stand still, show up in a powerful way, and for your namesake, lead and guide us. Amen.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

“It’s not obvious what generosity looks like in a time of Covid-19, when our usual patterns of life have been disrupted. The dictionary defines generosity as the quality or virtue of being liberal in giving, to the extent that one gives more than would be expected. Biblically, however, generosity is a way of being that is rooted in ‘agape’ love. This biblical love is described in the passage above. ‘Agape’ love is orientated towards others and is central to God’s character.

There are several practical steps we can take in order to become more generous. Firstly, we are to be rooted in our relationship with God – ‘God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them’ (1 John 4:16). We become more like our loving God as we spend more time drawing near to Him. Secondly, we can spend time praying for ideas and inspiration if we need them – God is a creative God! Thirdly, we need to have the courage to take action.

This type of generosity is desperately needed in a time of crisis, especially in our present situation, when many people around the world are isolated and are feeling vulnerable or anxious. We might be feeling fearful ourselves, but it’s important that we reject the harmful actions that fear might lead us to take, and instead see the opportunities we have for taking positive action in response to the fear around us…

This outward-looking generosity could take a variety of forms in a time of lockdown – sharing our resources with others, showing concern or praying for them and giving them encouragement. There are many other examples highlighted in the media each day as well, including public encouragement for health workers and others in critical roles at this time. Whatever action we choose to take, our generosity must be rooted in the love that we have received from God.”

“Generosity in a Time of Crisis” is a Tearfund PDF. This is a great little article. Click to download it.

This article provides great advice for growing in generosity in a time of crisis. Focus on the love of God. Pray and follow God’s leading. Take action in a way that focuses on serving others in an outward-looking manner.

It also comes with a good warning to not let fear slow us down and to get creative with giving beyond just money. I reached out to a friend yesterday to catch up and encourage him and was blessed beyond measure.

God fill us with your love and guide us by your Spirit so that our generosity looks like Jesus. Amen.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25

“It is said that the giant redwood trees of the Western United States have a relatively shallow root system. Their enormous weight is supported, in part, by the interlocking of a tree’s roots with those of the other trees around it. As Christians we need “interlocking roots” with other believers in the church to withstand the enormous weight of life. We need others spurring us “on toward love and good deeds”…”

George H. Guthrie in Hebrews (NIVAC; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998) 352.

Sophie made me feel so special as a dad yesterday by getting me out to a Colorado Rockies game at social distance (ballpark pictured above). It was interesting to see a game at quarter capacity but really good to spend time together.

We can tempted to give up meeting together in these crazy times, but I learned that the experience was about growing “interlocking roots” as the winds and storms of life are great. Do what you can to get together with someone this week.

It might be hard. You will likely have to wear a mask and may put yourself at risk of COVID. But the benefit is worth the gain. I feel like I am good at spurring others on from a distance or through my writing but not so good in person.

God help me spur others on to love and good deeds face to face. Spirit give us interlocking roots in the process. Jesus help us all grow in this area as we await the Day of your return approaching. Amen.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19

“In a recent public talk, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby reflected on the temptation to withdraw inward at the time of crisis. He said that if we look inwards we ‘will only reveal the limits of our own resources and lead to deeper fear and selfishness’, but that ‘to console others, we must find our own consolation in God’.”

Justin Welby in “Generosity in a Time of Crisis” PDF by Tearfund. This is a great little article. Click to download it.

This is sound advice. We must not look inwardly in these crisis times lest we be locked up in fear and selfishness. When we find consolation in God, we experience consolation and joy that transcends circumstances and reminds us of the abundant care and unfailing love of God. This also opens us up for rich generosity.