Archives by: Gary Hoag

“Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me…and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property–along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life.” Mark 10:21b, 29-30

“Jesus was always talking about a reverse economy. He talked about how if you want to receive, you give. If you want to lead, you follow. That the poor are rich and you only really live for certain things if you are willing to die to them…following Jesus means doing the math differently…”

Bob Goff in Love Does: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2012) 112.

I hope you have enjoyed the recent thoughts from the saints of old. For the near future, I am shifting the attention of my research and reading to the modern era.

Today’s meditation comes from Bob Goff via my daughter, Sophie Hoag, who shared it with me from her summer reading. Thankfully she said it reminded her of me and how we have taught her to live. Goff is spot on in this excerpt she shared with me. The teachings of Jesus require followers to do math differently!

In the economy of this world, which says “money solves all our problems,” many Christians (wrongly!) teach the opposite of Jesus. They say that good stewards accumulate money and store up treasures on earth. Don’t fall into that trap. If you have, get out now! Someday you will have to give an account for your stewardship.

Instead, we must do the opposite! We can function, no, we can flourish, in a “reverse economy” knowing that in Christ we have everything we need. In Christ, we are made to work in order to have something to return to God, to enjoy with our families, and to share with others.

Don’t live this way because Goff or I say so!

Do it because it’s what Jesus says all over the Gospels. In the NT Greek of the First Letter to Timothy it’s referred to as the oikonomian theou, the economy of God. The teachings of Jesus on money are not vague. They point to a reverse economy. For years I only selectively followed them.

What about you? Is it time to shift in reverse?

He has made us a Kingdom of priests for God His Father. All glory and power to Him forever and ever! Amen. Revelation 1:6

“Like many people who enjoy their work, the Rev. Jacques Hamel did not want to stop. At 85, he was well past retirement age, but he kept in shape and kept on going — baptizing infants, celebrating Mass and tending to parishioners in St.-Étienne-du-Rouvray, the working-class town in Normandy where he had spent much of his life.

He could have retired at 75 years old, but seeing how few priests were around he decided to stay and work, to continue to be of service to people, up until it all ended, tragically,” the Rev. Auguste Moanda-Phuati, the parish priest of the Église St.-Étienne, where Father Hamel worked as an auxiliary priest, said in a phone interview.

“He was loved by all. He was a little like a grandfather. We were happy when he was around and worried when we hadn’t seen him in a while.” Father Hamel was celebrating Mass on Tuesday morning when two men with knives entered the small church and slit his throat, an attack that horrified France and the world…

Another priest in the Rouen archdiocese, the Rev. Aimé-Rémi Mputu Amba, told the newspaper Le Figaro: “Even in his old age, he was still just as invested with the parish life. We used to joke around and tell him ‘Jacques, you’re doing too much! It’s high time you retire!’ And he would always laugh it off and say, ‘Have you ever met a retired priest? I’ll work until my last breath.'”

By Adam Nossiter and Hannah Olivennes in NY Times article “Jacques Hamel, 85, a Beloved French Priest, Killed in His Church” dated July 26, 2016.

What a testimony! I am honoring the generous life of Jacques Hamel today for two reasons.

First, I want to transition from the saints of old to the modern era and this profound statement from an old saint accomplishes that purpose perfectly: ‘Have you ever met a retired priest? I’ll work until my last breath.'”

God has made us as a kingdom of priests, because of the work of Jesus Christ on our behalf. We get to introduce others to God. That’s why we are here on this earth. It’s also our greatest act of generosity.

Second, I get asked often about retirement. It came up twice this week. So here’s a blog post I wrote on the topic: “Should Christians save for retirement?” I hope it challenges you to align your life with the Word rather than the world.

Jacques Hamel modeled the way for us! Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter the joy of your Lord!

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7:2

“If we are able to enter the church day and night and implore God to hear our prayers, how careful should we be to hear and grant the petitions of our neighbor in need.”

John the Merciful (c. 550-616) a.k.a. John the Almsgiver, in The Voice of the Saints: Counsels from the Saints to Bring Comfort and Guidance in Daily Living, ed. Francis W. Johnston (London: Burns & Oates, 1965).

Over five years ago I cited a different quote from John the Almsgiver in a Christianity Today article, “Give to Street People?” My thoughts then still ring true today.

We want God to hear our prayers in crisis, so we must be attentive to the cries of others. Rather than judge those who are hurting, let us use the measure of love and grace. And if they appear undeserving, pray for more love and more grace.

Looking back, this article was written before we knew Jenni had cancer and was released just after Jenni was diagnosed. We went from serving the needy to being in great need virtually overnight. Today we would testify as a family that Jesus acted toward us as His Word states above.

We urged others to live openhanded lives and help others in need, and in real time, God extended that same measure to us. He moved six people we never asked to help us with our $10,000 in medical bills. We are grateful to this day and resolve to listen for the petitions of our neighbors in need.

And in case you missed it from yesterday, here is a suggestion of someone to aid, click here to give according to your ability to help Peter Gomez study to be a pastor. As of yesterday he was at $4,400 toward the $12,000 he needs for school. Join us in showing him charity.

How do we know him? He’s our daughter’s boyfriend from San Diego Christian College. We are thankful for their special friendship which honors the Lord. He has limited family support and has had a tough summer earning money for school with a recent emergency appendectomy.

Please hear his prayer to God for help, or respond to someone else in need in your life. Extend the measure to them that you would want others to extend to you in your time of need.

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:12-13

“We must show charity towards the sick, who are in great need of help. Let us take them some small gift if they are poor, or, at least, let us go and wait on them and comfort them.”

Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) in The Voice of the Saints: Counsels from the Saints to Bring Comfort and Guidance in Daily Living, ed. Francis W. Johnston (London: Burns & Oates, 1965).

Jesus words are instructive: “But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” History reveals Liguori planted a congregation that focused on serving others in a time when people were forgetting to put to practice what Jesus taught. Times have not changed much.

Let’s not overcomplicate the gospel by window-dressing it in modernity. Let’s simply follow it. In so doing we will learn what it means to extend merciful generosity. For we were once sick and nursed to health. Likewise, let’s aid others.

Father in heaven, show each of us (by your Holy Spirit) one person this week that is in need. From the resources in our stewardship, may our sharing with them cause them to feel your divine love and comfort. Help us extend merciful generosity that brings you glory, I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For a suggestion of someone to aid, click here to give according to your ability, to help Peter Gomez study to be a pastor. He’s had a tough summer earning money for school with a recent emergency appendectomy. As of this morning he was at $4,000 toward the $12,000 he needs to receive. Join us in showing him charity by making a gift.

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:2

“I saw how imperfect was the love I bore my sisters in religion. I understood that I did not love them as our Lord loves them. I know now that true charity consists in bearing all our neighbours’ defects—not being surprised at their weakness, but edified at their smallest virtues. Above all, I know that charity must not remain shut up in the heart.”

Thérèse de Lisieux (1873-1897) in Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of Saint Thérèse de Lisieux (Astern Press, 2015)

We are making our way from the saints of old to the present. Today, Thérèse de Lisieux reminds us to love others as our Lord loves them. That’s true charity!

When our lives reflect true charity all is peaceful and beautiful, just like the lake (pictured above) behind the home of Raymond Suen, who graciously hosted the board meetings I attended in Seattle this past weekend.

Lord, teach us to love others as you love us. May our generosity in extending your kindness not be shut up in our hearts but exhibited in every aspect of our lives for your glory. Amen.

And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

“Charity is that with which no man is lost, and without which no man is saved.”

Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) in The Voice of the Saints: Counsels from the Saints to Bring Comfort and Guidance in Daily Living, ed. Francis W. Johnston (London: Burns & Oates, 1965).

As I explore generosity through saints in the Middle Ages and Reformation eras, I am finding charity as a key theme. Remember it’s the divine love of God that is grace-filled and generously extended to humankind.

Our role as Christ followers is to receive charity from God and distribute it widely to people.

Again, because it is the one thing that brings life and saves the lost, receiving it and sharing it is precisely our greatest act of generosity.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23

“Pray with great confidence, with confidence based on the goodness and infinite generosity of God and upon the promises of Jesus Christ. God is a spring of living water which flows unceasingly into the hearts of those who pray.”

Louis de Montfort (1673-1716) in The Voice of the Saints: Counsels from the Saints to Bring Comfort and Guidance in Daily Living, ed. Francis W. Johnston (London: Burns & Oates, 1965).

In the midst of the challenges of life and the rigors of ministry I am thankful for the reminder to pray with confidence because of God’s generosity and the faithful promises of our Lord Jesus Christ.

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16

“Do not become upset or feel guilty because you interrupted your prayer to serve the poor. God is not neglected if you leave him for such service. One of God’s works is merely interrupted so that another can be carried out. So when you leave prayer to serve some poor person, remember that this very service is performed for God. Charity is certainly greater than any rule. Moreover all rules must lead to charity.”

Vincent de Paul (1581-1660) in The Liturgy of the Hours, vol. 4 (New York: CBPC, 1975) 1425.

Imagine if you were experiencing a time of need and a person stepped away from prayer or attending church to minister to you. What a generous act of charity that would be!

Here Vincent de Paul reminds Christ followers that serving those in need is just as important as prayer to God. When we do this we are conduits of God’s divine love, that is, charity.

Rules often guide our lives more than Scripture. For example, going to church on Sunday is a rule for many. More important than that for Jesus is that we act like the church every day!

As this week wraps up, Jenni heads to California to spend the weekend with her family celebrating the life of her Grandma Pearl. Meanwhile, I fly to Seattle for Pioneers Hong Kong board meetings.

Regardless of the ministry we are doing or the family time we are enjoying, it is most important that we don’t forget the greater reason we are live each day: to be conduits of charity!

Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever. Psalm 106:1

“Not only His generosity but also our iniquity greatly commends the goodness of God. For if it is a great thing to grant many things freely to those who deserve nothing, how much greater will it be to give good things to those who deserve evil things?

O what sort of kindness, which even our impiety is not able to overcome. There are some things that He mercifully forgives; there are other things that He abundantly bestows. For He forgives our evils; He gives His goods generously. Always quick to forgive; always ready to give generously.

The former is kind; the latter, generous. In both cases beneficent; always good. Therefore let us confess our evils to Him. Let us confess our goods to Him. Let us confess our evils to be from us, so that He may in kindness forgive them. Let us confess our goods to be from Him so that He may preserve and increase them.”

Richard of St. Victor (1110-1173) in The Twelve Patriarchs (Classics of Western Spirituality; Mahwah: Paulist Press, 1979) 64.

Kind and generous all the time! That’s our amazing God, not giving us what we deserve and showering blessings on us that we don’t deserve! Today, since it is her birthday, I give thanks to God for the blessing that my wife, Jenni, is to me and everyone she touches!

She is “always quick to forgive, always ready to give generously.” She inspires me to live completely for God and entrust everything to God. While I may have a mind that seeks to know God, she models for me how to love God with my whole heart. Happy Birthday Jenni!

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14

“We have an obligation not only to love each other but also in our love to make ourselves as lovable as possible so that it is easy for our sisters and brothers to love us.”

William of St. Thierry (1085-1148) in “De Natura et Dignitate Amoris” (The Nature and the Dignity of Love). William was a theologian, a monk, and both a contemporary and a close friend to Bernard of Clairvaux.

In the Middle Ages, the Christian life was often lived out in community in an abbey. When Christians lived in close proximity to each other, imagine how easy it would have been to rub each other the wrong way.

Is there someone close to you that sometimes is hard to love or difficult to live with in the community of faith? Perhaps you have co-workers, neighbors, or even family members that drive you crazy.

William would say to make the effort to love them and make yourself lovable. How do we do this? Since the focus of our heart is dying to self, the answer is to take the posture of a servant, like Jesus, and live for God and others.

It’s not easy, so thankfully we have the Holy Spirit to help us live a holy (think: set apart for God) life. God, help us be generous conduits of your divine love and live in such a way that we are lovable to others. Amen.