Archives by: Gary Hoag

He who steals must steal no longer; but rather he must labor, performing with his own hands what is good, so that he will have something to share with one who has need. Ephesians 4:28

“To have our goods available to others marks the third inner attitude of simplicity. If our goods are not available to the community when it is clearly right and good, then they are stolen goods. The reason we find such an idea so difficult is our fear of the future. We cling to our possessions rather than sharing them because we are anxious about tomorrow. But if we truly believe that God is who Jesus says he is, then we do not need to be afraid. When we come to see God as the almighty Creator and our loving Father, we can share because we know that he will care for us. If someone is in need, we are free to help them. Again, ordinary common sense will define the parameters of our sharing and save us from foolishness.”

Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (New York: HarperCollins, 1998) 89.

Since all that we possess belongs to God, the stuff we don’t make available are nothing but stolen goods. Foster’s point is rooted in texts like this verse from Paul. The purpose of our work with our hands is not just to accumulate for ourselves. It’s to have resources for sharing. Whatever God supplies that is more than we need is for sharing. When we don’t share it, we are stealing.

Because this biblical idea is so different from the world’s way of thinking, pause for a minute and think about the foundational point intended to free us from anxiety. It’s the fool who accumulates for himself on earth, especially in hard times. Since all belongs to God, whatever we hold on to gets a hold on to us. Our idols are the things we won’t make available to others.

Find freedom from anxiety by working to have resources to enjoy and share. Put in play what God provides. Don’t let it stop with you. Again, I am not trying to rob you, but rather, help you. The anxiety-free life is the life that quits worrying about tomorrow and grasps life today following God’s design. So I ask you, are the resources you steward available or stolen?

The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. Proverbs 15:3

“To know that it is God’s business, and not ours, to care for what we have is the second inner attitude of simplicity. God is able to protect what we possess. We can trust Him. Does that mean that we should never take the keys out of the car or lock the door? Of course not. But we know that the lock on the door is not what protects the house. It is only common sense to take normal precautions, but if we believe that precaution itself protects us and our goods, we will be riddled with anxiety. There simply is no such thing as “burglar proof” precaution. Obviously, these matters are not restricted to possessions but include such things as our reputation and our employment. Simplicity means the freedom to trust God for these (and all) things.

Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (New York: HarperCollins, 1998) 88-89.

Nothing escapes God’s gaze. It’s God’s business to watch over us. That’s the second inner attitude we must grasp to navigate away from anxiety and toward simplicity.

During times of social unrest, people who don’t have this attitude go to “bomb shelter” measures for self-preservation which compounds fears and results in isolation.

Don’t go there. We are all tempted to make life burglar proof, but there’s no such thing. It’s all just rationalization from the evil one that aims to immobilize us. We must not be fooled by lies.

The answer is to trust God to do His business while we do ours. That positions us to go through life with simplicity and generosity. In so doing, we share spiritual and material blessings all around.

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

“To receive what we have as a gift from God is the first inner attitude of simplicity. We work but we know that it is not our work that gives us what we have. We live by grace even when it comes to “daily bread.” We are dependent upon God for the simplest elements of life: air, water, sun. What we have is not the result of our labor, but of the gracious care of God. When we are tempted to think that what we own is the result of our personal efforts, it takes only a little drought or a small accident to show us once again how utterly dependent we are for everything.”

Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (New York: HarperCollins, 1998) 88.

Ownership and entitlement thinking destroys people and communities. Everything that comes to us is a gift. It’s not the result of our labor. Even the ability to produce income or wealth is a gift from God.

We are living in challenging times when people are fighting over what they think they deserve and trying to preserve what they think they own. Find freedom. Take a walk. Look up at the sun. Give thanks for the air you breathe.

COVID-19 has revealed our many sins, not the least of which is ownership and entitlement thinking. As the lockdown loosens in places, help us not forget that everything we have comes from our gracious God.

Gracious God, help us treat everything that comes to us as a gift so that we are free from anxiety and so that we can be open-handed and generous at all times and all occasions. Hear our prayer in your mercy. Amen.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

“Freedom from anxiety is characterized by three inner attitudes. If what we have we receive as a gift, and if what we have is to be cared for by God, and if what we have is available to others, then we will possess freedom from anxiety. This is the inward reality of simplicity. However, if what we have we believe we have gotten, and if what we have we believe we must hold onto, and if what we have is not available to others, then we will live in anxiety. Such persons will never know simplicity regardless of the outward contortions they may put themselves through in order to live ‘the simple life.'”

Richard Foster in Celebration of Discipline: The Path to Spiritual Growth (New York: HarperCollins, 1998) 88.

I attended an Online Journey of Generosity with Generous Giving yesterday and loved it. In the activity I read an excerpt from Celebration of Discipline which is the source of this quote. Over the next three days I will share more about these three inner attitudes. It’s too much to swallow for one day.

Let’s take a few days to explore this idea because we live in a world filled with anxiety, and we are God’s ambassadors to point others to the way of freedom. But we have to find it first.

God designed everyone to experience freedom from anxiety. In that place He is the faithful Provider. That’s His role. Alternatively, we make His blessings available to others. That’s our job. Finding ‘the simple life’ is a state of being rooted in trust in a faithful God and reflected in open-handed generosity.

It requires us to grasp these three inner attitudes. They will follow over the next three days. For now, let’s soak in this Scripture. We have no need to be anxious about anything. Let us instead, by prayer and petition lift up our every need to God and rest in His peace and provision.

For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them. Deuteronomy 4:31

“The word ‘compasssionate’ speaks of a deep emotional attachment, which, when all else is done, predisposes Yahweh to mercy. It occurs in contexts in which anger and punishment might be expected, but in which mercy has the final say. Though Israel may become ‘corrupt’ Yahweh will not ‘destroy’; thought Israel may ‘forget the covenant’, Yahweh will never do so. Moreover, the covenant is characterized as that which goes back to the patriarchal promise.”

Gordon McConville in Deuteronomy (AOTC; Downers Grove: IVP, 2002) 111.

As we explore the theme of compassion this year related to generosity, it comes into view as a “deep, emotional attachment” between Yahweh and the people Israel in the Old Testament. When they deserved anger and punishment, they got mercy instead. In McConville’s words, “mercy has the final say!”

Living this way toward others may be the most generous contribution we can make to society today. And it needs it!

It seems like everyone is about to snap or has already snapped. The stress started with COVID-19, it compounded with widespread unemployment and related financial difficulties, and then it escalated with human injustice that surfaced old, unhealed wounds linked to racial strife. These are really hard times.

Next time someone deserves anger and punishment, let mercy have the final say.

This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’ Zechariah 7:9-10

“The duties here required of them, which would have been the lengthening of the tranquillity of their fathers and must be the restoring of their tranquillity, are not keeping fasts and offering sacrifices, but doing justly and loving mercy, duties which they were bound to by the light and law of nature, though there had been no prophets sent to insist upon them, duties which had a direct tendency to the public welfare and peace, and which they themselves would be the gainers by, and not God.

Magistrates must administer justice impartially, according to the maxims of the law and the merits of the cause, without respect of persons: “Judge judgment of truth, and execute it when you have judged it.’’

Neighbors must have a tender concern for one another, and must not only do one another no wrong, but must be ready to do one another all the good offices that lie in their power. They must show mercy and compassion every man to his brother, as the case called for it. The infirmities of others, as well as their calamities, are to be looked upon with compassion. Hanc veniam petimusque damusque vicissim — This kindness we ask and exercise.”

Matthew Henry (1662-1714) in Commentary on Zechariah 7:9-10.

We are living in a time of social unrest and physical infirmity that cannot be overstated as “unprecedented” and challenging. How can we find tranquility again? How should we live in response?

In reflecting on this question, I meditated on today’s Scripture and read this old commentary. Henry reminds us to consider how our actions impact others and to act with kindness.

While many plot evil, let’s plan to do good. Whether to foreigners or friends let us show mercy and compassion to all people. When we show “tender concern” we act justly and help each other navigate calamity.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. 2 Corinthians 9:8

“The greatest hurt in my past was distrust in provision. Stewardship and generosity were God’s prescribed medication to heal my wound.”

Roger Lam in Lose to Find: Change of Control – A Journey of Trust and Obedience (Nashville: Elm Hill, 2019) 49.

In his second book, and another must-read resource, Roger recounts the journey of surrendering control and trusting God. It’s a powerful page-turner. In one of those key moments in the story, he makes this statement. If it was a movie the music would be extra dramatic.

Notice that in the journey of trust starts with bringing hurts of the past into the light. After He does this, he reports how God’s path design of stewardship and generosity is “God’s prescribed medication” to bring the healing that is needed.

If you are struggling to be generous as we seek to move past COVID-19, the cure for worry and fear over provision is to give. When you do, as Paul states, you discover God’s grace abounds toward you. You don’t figure it out until you live it out.

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:6-8

“How can we equip non- and nominal Christians to respond to God’s call of discipleship, stewardship, and generosity? In Romans 12, Paul talks about being members of the body of Christ and how our spiritual gifts can equip members to build up the church. The gifts of prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, generosity, leadership, and compassion are all needed.

The stewardship team can focus on teaching others in the gift and practice of generosity. Again, the first task of the stewardship and generosity team is to teach and equip all members to be good money managers. Wesley’s teaching on the matters of money included helping people earn, save, and give! Before people can give, they must be able to earn, eliminate debt, and save more.”

Clayton Smith in Propel: Good Stewardship, Greater Generosity (Nashville: Abingdon, 2015) 33.

This is a book I recommend to my students in the area of church stewardship programs. I love the idea of mobilizing a team to help the whole congregation grow in this area.

This year my word is “compassion” (and my focus is always on stewardship and generosity), so I like how this book suggests that every church have teams based on giftedness to help everyone grow.

My challenge with regard to compassion is two-fold. As it is empathy coupled with action, I listen but am learning that the empathy needs to be the first, and likely most important action.

So I tend to start with addressing the challenge rather than empathizing with the person who is challenged. So, then my action is viewed as trying to solve a problem when my aim is to show love.

I am learning this from reflecting on my past interactions with people who are more compassionate that me. Imagine if in our churches people could coach us in these areas. Oh my, the impact we could have.

Regarding stewardship and generosity, Smith is spot on. Teach people to steward first as money managers, then to give as generous givers. The intentionality of this book makes it useful.

That’s true for all of us. May God help us grow with intentionality in the areas where we are weak. We can do that by learning from spiritually gifted people whom God has wired to guide us.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to tread on the heights. Habakkuk 3:17-19

“Lament doesn’t have nearly the level of popularity gratitude does. But it should. Lament is overlooked, undervalued, and totally misunderstood. Far from being a sign of faithlessness or ingratitude, or even being the same as whining, lament plays a powerful role in the Christian life

Scripture is chock-full of lamenters. From Leah and Naomi, to David and the psalmists, to the prophets straight on through to Jesus, we read of faithful people who poured out their hearts and grievances to God. And we read of a God who not only accepted their laments but seemed to bless them.

Laments “work” in helping us experience God’s nearness because it’s through lament that we are able too bring our honest, open hearts to God – at least, when we’re grieving. We know that the Christian life is not always smiles and sunshine but often thunderclouds and tears, so it’s essential that we have language to use to come before God both in praise and thanksgiving and in lament.

That said, we don’t want to become constant complainers, so I believe it is essential that we establish “criteria” for our grievances – so we don’t end up actually whining about every last thing. For me, I know when I need to grieve or cry out to God if something (1) breaks my heart, (2) is lost or (3) is something I cannot change.

What also keeps a lament from becoming an all out whine or a self-centered gripe is a matter of where it ends up. While I believe in bringing God all the down-and-dirty details of whatever is wrong with my world (He knows it anyway!), a lament really works its “magic” in what I call the “and yet” moment. This is the place where, after you have laid it all before God, you acknowledge His goodness, His mercy, His grace, His very divinity. And it’s in this moment where God swoops right on in.”

Caryn Rivadeneira in Broke: What Financial Desperation Revealed About God’s Abundance (Downers Grove: IVP, 2014) 153-154.

If you want a great book that explores spiritual lessons learned through financial brokenness, then this book will be a real blessing for you. It’s a privilege to have the author, Caryn Rivadeneira, in my Faith and Finances class at Northern Seminary on Tuesday nights this month.

I love what she says about lament. Lament is the pathway for helping people experience the generosity of God in hard times. But most people don’t know how to do it. As she keenly notes, it devolves to whining and complaining. This is happening all around us during the COVID-19 crisis.

Let’s not overcomplicate it. What breaks your heart, is lost, or is something you cannot change but would like to? If you can make a list, then it’s time to lament. Perhaps also meditate on Psalm 13. These are days for lamenting because much is broken, lost, and out of our control.

God, please swoop in as we lament.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

“Dear Jesus, I give you _________________. I humble myself before You believing you are bigger than I am, that You are more capable to handle my burdens. I don’t know what the outcome of me giving up control of _________________ will be, but even so, I open my fits ant let you grab it (or the person) from me. I want your will. I want your presence. I need your strength. Please take this burden today and use it in my life for Your glory. Help me to entrust _________________ to You even when things seem dark. I trust You. At least I try. But help me to trust You today. Right now. I give it up. I choose not to worry any more about this. Amen.”

Mary DeMuth in Everything: What You Give and What You Gain to Become Like Jesus (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012) 49.

Found this prayer while reading Broke: What Financial Desperation Revealed About God’s Abundance by Caryn Rivadeneira. Caryn’s one of my students this month.

The prayer touched me because it meets us where we are at. In hard times, when virtually everything does not go as we expect, it’s easy to be overcome with worry and fear.

What can we do? Because we serve a generous and loving God, we can surrender everything to Him and find strength to press on. We’ve got this. God’s got us.