Archives by: Gary Hoag

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3

“Nothing will make us so charitable and tender to the faults of others as by self-examination thoroughly to know our own.”

François Fénelon (1651-1715) French archbishop and theologian in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 48.

Want to grow in generosity toward others who are thoroughly imperfect people? Undergo thorough self-examination. Since making a video of your day is probably not an option, pause at the end of each day to reflect on your interaction with others.

Were you patient, kind, generous, and merciful? Be the gracious behavior you want others to imitate. I have room for growth to be more “charitable and tender” toward others. You too? If you are too hard on others, it may be that you are too hard on yourself.

Thorough self-examination grows humility and empathy. When we realize the love and forgiveness we have in Christ, and the grace lavished on us when we were undeserving, we become more merciful and generous to others. God, make us charitable and tender.

But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:8

“While some of us have been called to live among the poor, and others to open our homes to the needy, all of us are determined to develop a simpler lifestyle. We intend to reexamine our income and expenditure in order to manage on less and give away more. We lay down no rules or regulations, for either ourselves or others. Yet we resolve to renounce waste and oppose extravagance in personal living, clothing and housing, travel and church buildings. We also accept the distinction between necessities and luxuries, creative hobbies and empty status symbols, modesty and vanity, occasional celebrations and normal routine, and between the service of God and slavery to fashion. Where to draw the line requires conscientious thought and decision by us, together with members of our family. Those of us who belong to the West need the help of our Third World brothers and sisters in evaluating our standards of spending. Those of us who live in the Third World acknowledge that we too are exposed to the temptation to covetousness. So we need each other’s understanding, encouragement and prayers.”

Alan Nichols in “An Evangelical Commitment to Simple Lifestyle” (Lausanne Occasional Paper 20).

To live with Christian simplicity requires us to do three things. Firstly, as Nichols notes, we must “reexamine our income and expenditure in order to manage on less and give away more.” As God blesses us, it’s easy to just spend more, and more, and more.

To reexamine our financial situation, we must keep track and then review it periodically. Sadly, we live in a time when few are keeping track. So here we must resolve to have a spending plan. That way we can actually see the revenues and the expenses.

Secondly, we must “renounce waste and oppose extravagance in personal living, clothing and housing, travel and church buildings.” This is where people need to see and hear our faith and generosity in action. This requires us to say “no” to waste and extravagance.

Once we are keeping track, then our faith can inform our decisions and position us to renounce waste and extravagance. Our decisions are not impulsive but informed by real numbers. We are prepared to give an account in real-time of our use of God’s resources.

Thirdly, we can benefit by re-evaluating “our standards of spending.” The money in the spending plan is not mine, but always God’s money. The more I travel and see so many who live on so little, it drives me to deeper levels of simplicity. Care to join me on the journey?

Keep track of your spending. Make conscious decisions to say “no” to waste and extravagance so you can say “yes” to generosity that brings glory to God. And let the Third World teach you that you really don’t need all the things the First World says you need.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10

“God has taught in the Scriptures the lesson of a universal brotherhood, and man must not gainsay the teaching. Shivering in the ice-bound or scorching in the tropical regions; in the lap of luxury or in the wild hardihood of the primeval forest; belting the globe in a tired search for rest, or quieting through life in the heart of ancestral woods; gathering all the decencies around him like a garment, or battling in fierce raid of crime against a world which has disowned him, there is an inner humanness which binds me to that man by a primitive and indissoluble bond. He is my brother, and I cannot dissever the relationship. He is my brother, and I cannot release myself from the obligation to do him good.”

William M. Punshon in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 41.

The world says to do good to those that are ‘deserving’ of our aid. God’s design is that we do good to all people and adds that our giving should start among those who believe.

Think about it.

We model God’s love before a watching world by how we care for each other and how we honor the indissoluble bond we have with all humanity. God wants us to do good to all.

Do you?

Most of us, if we are honest, tend to give to the things we care about instead of the things God cares about. Make it a point to help a person in need. Honor the indissoluble bond.

Love your neighbor.

God sees and will likely move someone to aid you next time you are in crisis as you have aided others. The measure you give to others is the same measure that will be used for you.

At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality. 2 Corinthians 8:14

“What do you think God gave you more wealth than is required to satisfy your rational wants for, when you look around and see how many are in absolute need of that which you do not need? Can you not take the hint?”

Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819-1881) American novelist and poet recounted in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 27.

As I travel the world, the more I realize how blessed I am, both spiritually and materially. It inspires me to use what I have to aid those with less than enough. The goal, as Paul put it, is equality.

God cares that everyone has enough and instructs those with more than enough to share. I remember times in my life when others came to my aid. People shared scholarships or helped pay medical bills.

How are you doing at this time? Do you have more than enough? If so, with Holland I ask, “Can you not take the hint?” With the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Share generously.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

“So quickly sometimes has the wheel turned round, that many a man has lived to enjoy the benefit of that charity which his own piety projected.”

Laurence Sterne in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 26.

Often we do good and it seems like there is no impact. In the middle of all that, it’s easy to grow weary. Sometimes we get to see a harvest. Those days, though maybe few and far between, remind us that lasting good can come from our efforts.

Sterne reminds us that sometimes we get to enjoy the benefit of our piety (or our commitment to godliness). That’s my prayer for for each reader today and for my wife, Jenni, today as she ministers in on her seventh trip to Guatemala.

Father, we don’t serve you for the harvest, but it sure is encouraging when we get to enjoy the benefit of our efforts. Cause our generosity to bear much fruit by your Holy Spirit. Hear this prayer in your mercy in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:10-12

“Every man who becomes heartily and understandingly a channel of divine beneficence is enriched through every league of his life. Perennial satisfaction springs around and within him with perennial verdure. Flowers of gratitude and gladness bloom along his pathway, and the melodies gurgle of the blessings he bears is echoed back by the melodious waves of the recipient stream.”

Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819-1881) American novelist and poet recounted in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 26.

Holland paints a rich picture of the generous person and the impact he or she has as a conduit of divine blessings. Most graphic to me are his words that describe this giver: heartily and understandingly.

To give “heartily and understandingly” is to realize that our purpose on earth is not to serve ourself but to serve God and others. We fulfill that purpose by being a channel of blessing wherever we go.

The result is “perennial satisfaction” for those who choose this pathway. What a vivid term, especially linked to flowers. This means that perpetual sprouts and blooms happen as a result of generous living.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that enrichment for generosity comes to those who see themselves as sowers of God’s blessings. We only figure it out as we live it out. And through this service God is praised.

Father, make channels of blessing. Empower us to serve heartily and understandingly (and especially work through my wife, Jenni, as she serves in Guatemala this week). In your mercy, hear this humble prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Do everything in love. 1 Corinthians 16:14

“Every day should be distinguished by at least one particular act of love.”

Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741-1801) in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 26.

The word “particular” in this quote caught my attention. I think if we go into each day looking for a particular opportunity to show love, the probability that it will happen increases.

Related to generosity, what if we looked for particular opportunities to bless others rather than wait for them to come to us? God has uniquely positioned us to bless others around us. Are we?

For example, I’ve traveled a lot lately so I took the day off with my wife to bless her. We enjoyed a scenic drive through Rocky Mountain National Park (pictured above). That was my “particular” aim yesterday.

Here’s a practical tip. At the start of each day, ask God to show you someone you can serve and bless. At the end of each day, reflect on what particular opportunity God put in your path. How did you respond?

Sometimes we step up and other times we miss these opportunities. I find that I miss them when I am focused on myself rather than looking for ways to bless and serve others. What will your particular act of love look like today?

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

“Poverty is the load of some, and wealth the load of others, perhaps the greater load of the two. It may weigh them too perdition. Bear the load of thy neighbor’s poverty, and let him bear with thee the load of thy wealth. Though lightenest thy load by lightening his.”

Augustine of Hippo in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 25.

Most people think the wealthy have what it takes to navigate life. But do they really? From a biblical perspective, holding on to wealth actually has the opposite effect. Assets become liabilities. Wealth causes people to trust in it rather than God. To give is to lighten your load.

If you are in need today, let your requests be made known unto God. Tell Him what you need. Be specific. If you have more than you need today, do the opposite. Think of at least one person you will aid through sharing. Don’t let wealth weigh you to perdition.

What is perdition? In plain terms, it’s eternal punishment. Jesus does not care so much about what we say we believe. He cares about the deeds that reveal where we place our trust. If this is getting to personal, then please understand that I am not trying to shake you but rather wake you.

Our works reveal our faith or lack thereof. Don’t let the pursuit of wealth shipwreck your faith. Holding on to money is holding on to the wrong thing. I am not trying to rob you but help you. I don’t want anything from you; it’s what I want for you now and for eternity.

Lighten your load and fulfill the law of Christ!

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Luke 6:38

“Give with a heart glowing with generous sentiments; give as the fountain gives out its waters from its own swelling depths; give as the air gives its vital breezes, unrestrained and free; give as the sun gives out of its light, from the infinite abysses of its own nature.”

Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 25.

What is a good measure for our generosity? I suggest we position ourselves to serve as fountains. We tap the source of all generous giving and let it flow through us with beauty and abundance. We are to be conduits, not containers, of spiritual and material blessings.

It must flow from our hearts with love. It’s not so much our duty, but our DNA in Christ. We give as He gave and as He has instructed us to give. I hear people say that if God supplies, they will give. That’s backwards. It does not require faith. Jesus says to trust Him to supply, to give and it will be given in good measure.

With three missions accomplished in Brazil, New Zealand, and Australia, I can report that even as the fountains give water, the air gives breezes, and the sun gives light, God supplied a good measure for my service. I pray He does the same for you as you give yourself away for Him.

Today my brother turns 56. He’s a great example of a person who often gives generously and trusts God to supply. Happy Birthday. David. I pray you have another rich year of service to God  and that God continues to replenish your resources and energy in good measure to give what you have day by day.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35

“By doing good with his money, a man, as it were, stamps the image of God upon it, and makes it pass current for the merchandise of heaven.”

R.F. Rutledge in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 24.

As the trip has drawn to a close, it has been a treat to see kangaroos in the wild, just grazing in park in Mornington Peninsula. They made me think of and celebrate the wonderful creativity of God. And yet, you and me are extra special as we are made in His image.

Do you stamp the image of God on the money you steward so that people see God in your spending? Do people see your generosity and exclaim that you are a child of the Most High? Give so that people will see God stamped all over your generosity.