Archives by: Gary Hoag

Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we ask you to pray for us. Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes, just as when it came to you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1

“There is an urgent need for international partners and local leaders to realize the important role that each plays in the extension of the kingdom of God and to learn how to face and deal with this delicate matter of raising, allocating, and managing funds in local churches and organizations. Local leaders face the challenge of developing programs that are contextualized to fit the local norms of fundraising.

In other words, they need to develop systems that are culturally appropriate to the way the microeconomic system works in their particular area of the world and culture. Because of this, many different ‘experiments’ need to be done, and this is where short-term funding and investments may be needed from the international partner to allow multiple ways to develop and raise local resources.”

Nydia Garcia Schmidt in “The Urgent Need to Develop Fundraising Capacity and Generosity within the Latin American Missionary Movement” in Evangelical Review of Theology 37.1 (2013):75.

It’s an honor for Paula Mendoza and I to serve alongside Nydia Garcia Schmidt today at historic meetings in Guatemala City. This is especially true after last night’s dinner conversation exceeded our expectations.

Nydia, in many ways, sees this day as a dream come true based on what she wrote seven years ago in this article. I want to focus on three words she used linked to generosity.

Firstly, sometimes in the biblical narrative a people group that has been blessed gets to pay it forward to help others. That’s an investment in building up people.

I pray everyone reading this will pause and make a small investment in the Latin America region which is trying to raise $1,000 to meet a $1,000 match. Click here to give. I am praying for 30 givers.

Secondly, I want to emphasize the importance of experiments and research. Part of giving to GTP has filled my luggage with books that are hard for Nydia to get in Mexico.

I am aiding Nydia with doctoral research on generosity so that she can produce resources and training materials that work in the Latin American context.

Thirdly, the word that brings all this together is contextualization. That’s what Nydia is doing with GTP. Helping contextualize biblical teaching to multiply stewards.

And we are here because CONFIABLE Guatemala contextualized standards of faithful administration. They are so good we want their blessing to spread them across Latin America.

Pray for good health, fruitful meetings, and complete joy. Our trip verse is 2 John 12.

I have much to write to you, but I do not want to use paper and ink. Instead, I hope to visit you and talk with you face to face, so that our joy may be complete.

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

“When we give a gift, it’s not really about the person on the receiving end of the gift. Rather, it’s about the person staring at us in the mirror. God is funny like that.”

Travis Shelton in “The Opportunity to Say Yes” blog post.

This quote comes from a dear friend at the conclusion of a great story. Read it. This excerpt is the punchline. It had so much punch, that I am sharing it with the world today.

Generosity is not about those we give to, but rather, it’s about how God is at work in us, growing us. We don’t serve a deficient God who needs our money. We need to give it.

And I like his statement that “God is funny like that.” Travis grasps the paradoxical nature of generosity. The world teaches us to look at the opposite of what God looks at.

The world looks at what we give and the impact it has. God looks at what we hold back and what it says about our hearts. God is funny like that.

God wants giving to shape us in to His image and likeness. When this happens we reflect the generosity of the Giver who gave us everything that we have.

The more we say yes to opportunities to grow in the grace of giving the more people will see the Giver when we look in the mirror.

What do you see today? Ponder this the next time you see a mirror.

May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” Genesis 24:14

“Since God lacks nothing, generosity is the primary way in which He relates to the world. For the same reason, generosity is the natural hallmark of people who feel closely connected to God. In contrast, the hallmark of evil is selfishness. No matter how much an evil person possesses, he remains unsatisfied, so he seeks only to take and never to give.

Eliezer therefore sought a woman for Isaac who would display kindness. When Rebecca went beyond fulfilling Eliezer’s specific request by offering to also water his camels, he understood that she was a godly person and thus a fitting match for the son of Abraham. By demonstrating kindness to others, we too are “matched” with the most worthy partners – whether soul-mates, friends, business partners, or callings in life.”

Moshe Wisnefsky in “Benevolence” in 10 November 2020 from Chabad.org. Special thanks to Pat Warbington, Daily Meditations reader and faithful encourager, for sharing this post with me for all of us to enjoy.

As we explore various characters in Scripture, today’s generous person is Rebecca. She offers to draw water for Eliezer and for his camels. Generous people see what needs to be done and do it because they realize that’s why God put them on this earth, to display kindness.

Do you display kindness? Sadly, my best answer would be, “Sometimes.” Perhaps you would agree? On good days the love to God radiates through us. On other days, well, we are so focused on ourselves and what we think need that we can fail to show kindness.

God, match me with others who are generous so we can bless the world together. Bless Pat for sharing this and William who took me to lunch on Monday and asked about my GTP work and who supports me faithfully. Refill their buckets to overflowing. Amen.

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. Acts 18:26

“Priscilla and Aquila, who continued to attend the synagogue in Ephesus after Paul’s departure, listened to Apollos when he began to expound the Scriptures there, and were greatly impressed by the learning and experience, came so near their friend Paul in his ability. As they listened, they became aware of some gaps in his knowledge, accurate as it was, so they took him home and set forth “the way of God” to him more accurately…Priscilla and Aquila’s procedure was admirable: how much better it is to give such private help to a teacher whose understanding of his subject is deficient than to correct or denounce him publicly!”

F.F. Bruce in The Book of Acts, revised (NICNT: Grand Rapids; Eerdmans, 1988) 360.

Priscilla and Aquila provide a lesson here in gracious generosity: give private help. But how do we do this?

Notice three things that reveal the secret to giving it. (1) It starts with keen listening. They listened. They noticed some gaps. (2) They took him to their home. They went to a safe, warm, private place. (3) They “set forth the way of God to him more accurately.” Which means they knew it themselves.

God, empower us by your Holy Spirit to give private help. Make us keen listeners. Help us be hospitable. Teach us the way of God so we are prepared to help others. Hear our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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

“Determining the precise sense of koinōnia in this clause, however, is not as easy as recognizing its role in the argument. Although this word is translated into English as “fellowship,” it’s primary referent is to participating in something, thather than to sharing something in common with others. At the least, therefore, it’s basic sense is “participation in the spread of the gospel.” But since that “participation” is expressed linked in v. 7 to Paul’s own work in the gospel, very likely in this clause it carries the further connotation of their “participation” in “partnership with Paul” in the advance of the gospel.”

Gordon D. Fee in Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995) 82-83.

What is koinōnia and why does it matter?

Consider three beautiful implications of this word today. Firstly, koinōnia means “fellowship.” God’s design is that participation with him is an experience of community and a foretaste of life in the eternal kingdom.

Secondly, koinōnia implies that the involvement of each of us matters in the advancement of the gospel. Whether we have a lot or a little to contribute, God’s work moves forward when we each do our part.

Thirdly, koinōnia celebrates the collaborative spirit that God desires. We get partner with each other and with God. I invite you to partner with me in the work of Global Trust Partners. Here’s our purpose:

“In obedient service to Jesus Christ, GTP multiplies faithful stewards and mobilizes peer accountability groups to build trust and grow local generous giving to God’s work.”

And remember, koinōnia is possible because we are sharers in God’s grace.

We are blessed to be a blessing!

Now I commend to you Phoebe our sister, being also a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you might receive her in the Lord worthily of the saints, and you might assist her in whatever matter she may need of you. For she also has been a patroness of many, and of me myself. Romans 16:1-2

“The term “patroness” simply indicates someone who generously shared her financial resources with another. Generous wealthy women were not unknown in the Roman world. They were in the minority to be sure, perhaps numbering about 10 percent of the total number…but they played their role personally and out in the open. Phoebe was such a woman, sharing her resources for the sake of God’s people, believers and nonbelievers alike.”

Raymond F. Collins in Wealth, Wages, and the Wealthy (Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 2017), 54.

Generous people are in the minority. In this case, Collins estimates that Phoebe was one of ten. In plain terms, most wealthy women back then were not generous to others, they kept it for themselves.

The lesson here is clear. If you want to find yourself in God’s story as a generous contributor, it will put you in the minority. Your behavior is countercultural. You will likely experience peer pressure not to be generous.

In the USA we are entering the final two months of the tax year. For some that have done well, their accountants are saying “spend” and that may be what 90 percent of people do. Don’t go with the flow. Give generously.

Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. Colossians 4:12

“Epaphras is described as a true bondman of Christ, devoted to him and his people, and especially solicitous for the welfare of his own beloved converts and friends in the Lycus valley. Now that he was far distant from them, they were never out of his mind: he was continuously engaged in intense intercession to God on their behalf, praying for their perfect establishment in all the will of God. Prayer is working, and by such fervent prayer Epaphras toiled effectively on behalf of the churches of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis.”

F. F. Bruce in The Epistles to the Colossians, to Philemon, and to the Ephesians (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1984) 181.

The term “bondman” is a legal term for servant which reflects the deepest level of commitment for Paul. He only pins that term on Timothy and Epaphras, his closest comrades.

I am thankful that I don’t need much sleep so I can get up early and wrestle in prayer, like Epaphras. I am thankful for the people that pray for me every day too. Priceless partners!

Know anyone like this? These are faithful workers who engage in “intense intercession” because they know that prayer is the most powerful tool in the world.

You can tell where people place their trust and in what power they depend by two things. How they handle money and how they spend their time.

Generosity is holding nothing back to show the God is our limitless source. And prayer is not only working, as Bruce notes. It is the most effective work we can engage.

At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Acts 10:1-4

“To Cornelius one afternoon at the regular hour of prayer a heavenly messenger appeared in a vision. His initial alarm at being address by such a visitant was overcome when he was assured that his faithfulness in prayer and almsgiving had not been overlooked by God but had been accepted by him as a worthy oblation. The angel’s language is full of sacrificial terminology such as we find in the prescriptions for the levitical offerings; Cornelius’ acts of piety and charity had ascended into the divine presence like incense or the smoke of a sacrifice. God would honor the “memorial” with a suitable response; the nature of that response would be made clear to Cornelius if he sent to a certain house in Joppa and invited one Simon Peter, who was a resident there, to come and visit him.”

F. F. Bruce in The Book of Acts, revised (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988) 204.

God sees. In this case he sees a generous military man, perhaps the last person any of us would think would be generous, and responds.

It’s another example of the lesson we learned yesterday. Like the poor Macedonians, we must not think we know who will be generous. Often it will be the last one we’d expect. And God not only sees it all, He responds. He sees who gives and prays and who does not. And He gives a suitable response.

Based on your generosity, what would God’s suitable response be to you?

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 2 Corinthians 8:1-5

“It appears that when the collection was first mooted, Paul had not thought to include the churches of Macedonia in this “ministry” for the poor believers in Judaea, presumably on account of their own hardships. In consequence of gospel ministry among them since his return to Macedonia, the members of the Macedonians have given themselves to the Lord, and, in consequence, to Paul. As a result, despite their rock bottom poverty, they have begged Paul to allow them to be included in participation in the collection. The grace of God has been given to them; they overflow in generosity. Paul has witnessed their generosity, which has been beyond their capacity.”

Paul Barnett in The Second Epistle to the Corinthians (NICNT; Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1997) 390.

Think right now of one or more persons that you know with the least amount of financial resources to extend compassionate generosity. Picture them in your mind.

If I asked the Apostle Paul to do this hypothetical exercise, it is likely that he would have envisioned the Macedonians. They were the last people he thought could minister through giving.

They had rock bottom poverty. So, what’s the lesson? Don’t just focus on inviting the wealthy to give. Encourage everyone to put to work what they have through generous giving.

In my work with GTP, I am finding that the poor in the majority world appreciate it when they are included in giving efforts. They are equal participants in God’s work to you and me.

So, wherever you are, I want to invite you to join the work of GTP around the world by supporting efforts in your region. God supplied a $50,000 matching gift to GTP to encourage regional giving.

Whether you are reading this in South Korea or Australia, UK or the Philippines, click on your region and make a gift. Do this because our present-day efforts mirror Paul’s work here.

We are doing regional campaigns to rally local giving. All the funds will be used within each region to strengthen stewards and help ministries flourish.

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 22:36-38

“The second prophetic witness in this section of Luke is Anna. She is merely introduced and her career is summarized…having served faithfully with worship, prayer, and fasting for years. Sometimes our most productive years in spiritual service for God come after our most productive years of earthly toil. She has given herself full-time to a ministry of intercession. Like Simeon, she hopes the “the redemption of Jerusalem” and tells others that the baby Jesus is a reason for praising and thanking God. While her words are not recorded in Luke, her testimony makes everyone aware that God is doing something special in this child. Those who are faithful to God will hear her report and share in her praise.”

Darrell L Bock in Luke (NIVAC; Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996) 92-93.

While Simeon was expectant, Anna was a fixture. She never left the temple but served there night and day with worship, prayer, and fasting for years. What a legacy!

The most generous thing we can do sometimes is show up faithfully. When someone is a fixture, they become a role model for everyone else.

Worship, prayer, and fasting is our humble and generous service. It does not appear to make a difference, but God sees, hears, and acts in response.

Waiting for redemption? Feel like life have left you without hope? Focus not on your woes or your situation but on worship, prayer, and fasting and see what happens.

It just might transform you and cause those around you to break out in praise!