Archives by: Gary Hoag

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:21

“How then does the apostle argue the Christian case for contentment and against covetousness? He reminds us of a fundamental (though often ignored) fact of our human experience, relating to our birth and death. It is that we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it. It seems probable that Paul is alluding to a salutary truth on which Israel’s wise men reflected.

Here is Job’s version of it: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall depart.’ That is, we are born naked and penniless, and when we die and are buried we are naked and penniless again. In respect of earthly possessions, our entry and our exit are identical. So our life on earth is a brief pilgrimage between two moments of nakedness.

As the officiating minister said at the funeral of a wealthy lady, when asked by the curious how much she had left, ‘She left everything.’ It is a perspective which should influence our economic lifestyle. For possession are only the traveling luggage of time; they are not the stuff of eternity. It would be sensible therefore to travel light and, as Jesus Himself commanded us, not to store up for ourselves (that is, to accumulate selfishly) treasures on earth.”

John R.W. Stott in The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (TBST; Downers Grove: IVP, 1996) 150.

This bit from wisdom Stott stuck with me today as I type in my hotel room on a weekend of rest in the mountains (Mount Holy Cross wilderness pictured above): “So our life on earth is a brief pilgrimage between two moments of nakedness.”

This means that our “economic lifestyle” as Stott puts it, should reflect radical obedience to the teachings of Jesus. He traveled light and used possessions with a missional focus. So should we.

And notice the illustration from the funeral. Stott rightly reminds us through the words of the minister that the wealthy woman left everything. But, imagine her meeting the Lord and having to give account for her stewardship!

She had the capacity to bless others and advance the gospel, but she didn’t do it. The time to live, give, serve, and love is whilst you are on the “brief pilgrimage between two moments of nakedness.”

Look at your bank accounts today. List any assets you have. Make a decision today to store them up in heaven through giving. The time to do this is now. You came from nakedness and will return there shortly.

Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9

“The Old Testament is full of admonitions against covetousness, especially the wisdom literature. We are warned that money is addictive, since ‘whoever loves money never has enough money’ (Ecclesiastes 5:10). We are taught not to be ‘overawed’ by the wealthy, but to remember that they will leave their wealth behind them (Psalm 49:10, 16-20). It is also explicitly stated that ‘one eager to get rich will not go unpunished’ (Proverbs 28:20), So we should pray to be given ‘neither poverty [i.e. destitution] nor riches’, but only our ‘daily bread’ [i.e. the necessities] (Proverbs 30:7-9).”

John R.W. Stott in The Message of 1 Timothy and Titus (TBST; Downers Grove: IVP, 1996) 151.

I marvel how the Old Testament texts on possessions radically match the New Testament teachings. In this case how the wisdom literature matches the Lord’s prayer.

The word ‘necessities’ implies that as we trust God, He will sort what we need. And this marks the wise path for us as it keeps us in a posture of perpetual dependence.

This weekend, I am thankful God provided margin for Jenni and me to rest and celebrate our anniversary. His ways are good but only realized when chosen.

And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2 Corinthians 8:1

“The highest use of wealth is in the acknowledgement that God has given it that, through it, we may earn larger spiritual dividends. It affords us opportunities to be rich in good works. Money can be used to relieve the distressed, to feed the starving, to alleviate pain and provide medical care and, best of all, it can provide for the proclamation of the gospel of God’s manifold love and redeeming grace. The Christian who has allowed the grace of God to take hold on his [or her] heart is thereby made gracious. He is liberal and generous and ready to distribute his wealth for the glory of God and the uplift of humanity.”

Charles A. Trentham in Studies in Timothy (Nashville: Convention Press, 1959) 81.

God’s grace moves us to grow in giving and when we do, in the words of Trentham, we earn “larger spiritual dividends” than any possible earthly returns.

I am taking today and tomorrow off to rest and observe 32 years of marriage to Jenni. We will invest some of the resources God has supplied along with hotel points to celebrate.

When we pour God’s resources into mission and memories we show love. We say that you matter and that you are important to me and to God.

How might you use some of the resources you have today to communicate to someone that they are special, that they are not forgotten, that God loves them and you do too?

This use of money reaps “larger spiritual disciplines” because God designed money to be put to work as our slave. When we hold on to it, we become a slave to money.

Embracing this perspective is only possible when God’s grace is at work on our hearts. May God’s grace help each of us grow as generous distributors.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

“The Christian man of wealth must not allow his wealth to make him haughty nor must he trust in his riches for his eternal well-being. His only ground of confidence must be in the living God who abides though all else vanishes. The Christian must look above his wealth and put his trust in the God who gave him everything which he enjoys. There is nothing wrong with a man’s enjoying his wealth. In truth, it is given to him by a gracious God to enjoy. No man, however, can truly enjoy wealth who is more devoted to wealth (to the acquiring of it and the selfish use of it) than he is to God. God is the true fountain of abiding joy.”

Charles A. Trentham in Studies in Timothy (Nashville: Convention Press, 1959) 80.

There’s a mindset of some in the generosity space that we cannot enjoy God’s material blessings. Many try to affix this on me, but the shoe does not fit.

I love to enjoy and share God’s blessings. That’s the command to us. When we follow it, we take hold of life. Anyone who knows me knows I urge everyone to follow the biblical instructions to pour God’s resources into memories (enjoyment) and mission (sharing).

Where I have issue, and Trentham points this out, is the people who think that generosity or sharing can happen along with aiming at acquiring treasures for oneself. Jesus called this trying to serve God and mammon. It can’t be done.

Where do you see yourself in all this? Or maybe the better question is what does God see when he looks and you and your decisions linked to money?

My desire for myself and everyone else is to enjoy and share God’s blessings. When we do this it is a fountain of abiding joy. But when water sits stagnant, it gets gross. The same with money. Don’t let it stay with you. Obedience keeps us in a place of perpetual dependence on God.

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33

“Earthly riches must be regarded by Christians as having only one purpose. They represent the potential which one has for gaining abiding riches.”

Charles A. Trentham in Studies in Timothy (Nashville: Convention Press, 1959) 80.

Sometimes the shortest quotes are the best ones. Potential. That’s what money is. It’s the potential we have for gaining abiding riches.

That begs the question. What are you doing with your potential?

Today’s Tuesday in Denver. If you are in town and free between 6:30-8pm, come to my home. Reply to get the address. Jenni and I will host a Meet & Greet with Paula Mendoza, GTP Global Administrator from Guatemala.

She facilitates the global orchestration of our GTP work and leads our Spanish team.

In plain terms, that means that she serves to help Spanish speakers everywhere maximize this potential for our Lord Jesus Christ and to gain abiding riches in the process.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“Money in the long ago, even as today, was not merely money. It was wholesome food to eat and warm clothes and shelter for the children. It represented the ability to care for aging parents who could no longer care for themselves. It was the ability to provide books and music and good teachers for children. It was the ability to help others in distress. It was the prospect of an old age free from haunting fear and anxiety. Just because there are many things that money cannot buy, the New Testament never closes its eyes to the things that money can buy.

Anyone who has ever visited a slum knows what a horrible effect the lack of money has upon the moral and spiritual lives of its inhabitants. The Christian church must remember the positive words of the Master and of the Apostles concerning the high spiritual uses of our material substance. Christian pastors are unforgivably dilatory if they do not assist the wealthy members of their congregations to use their money to advance the kingdom.”

Charles A. Trentham in Studies in Timothy (Nashville: Convention Press, 1959) 79-80.

In the days in which we live, ministry workers must not be “dilatory” to rally people with resources to put them to kingdom use. Such behavior is truly unforgivably.

It motivates me every day to get up, read, and post something that will hopefully inspire someone, somewhere to give their lives with me in spreading the message of Christian generosity.

I shot the new header photo in Bremerton, Washington. My friend, John Frank, lives on one of those boats in the harbor. He loves Jesus deeply and our dinner together encouraged each other.

Then I spent Sunday then with my GTP colleagues and Rob and Bev Martin. It was priceless time together thinking about ways to mobilize people all over the world to put money to use for God.

Rob’s book, When Money Goes on Mission: Fundraising and Giving in the 21st Century, has become a GTP on demand course and a tool for rallying God’s people to “use their money to advance the kingdom.”

The focus of our discussions centered, at least in part, to discussing ways to mobilize language teams, starting with Spanish and Chinese, to encourage money to go on mission among their people.

Our work is in the proverbial harbor right not. Soon we will leave port and move to the deep water in this work. But not yet. We are going slow to go fast by praying, sharing, and discerning the way forward together.

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:7-8

“Wealth is not essential to man’s ultimate well-being. “He did not have it,” says Paul, “before he came into this world, nor will he have it in the world to come.” The abiding treasure must, therefore, be seen in terms of Christlikeness. Whatever else we may have in eternity, of this we may be most certain, we shall have ourselves there. The goal toward which we should strive in life, should, therefore, be in terms of those qualities of the soul which make us Christlike. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (1 Timothy 6:7). Mere wealth is not ultimately essential to the well-being of the soul; why then should we center all of life around its accumulation or regard it as an end in itself? It is far, far better to major on cultivating the enlargement of the soul that we may ultimately receive the fullness of the blessing of Christ.”

Charles A. Trentham quoting Francis Peabody in Studies in Timothy (Nashville: Convention Press, 1959) 73.

I got to meet up with GTP staff (Paula Mendoza, Trevor Lui and his wife, Frances) and see a long-time friend yesterday, John Frank. It was so special. It reminded me of the priceless value of kingdom friendships.

So many people spend themselves to acquire things or accumulate financial resources. Do let that be you. Pursue the wealth of godly character and kingdom relationships.

Ironically, the pathway to such wealth is living, giving, serving, and loving generously coupled with contentment with having Christ who has promised to supply our needs.

I spend today with Rob and Bev Martin. I can’t wait to see them this morning. I will be priceless. I pray the wealth of wisdom in their minds and hearts fill ours richly.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“Contentment has to do with the externalities of life. It is the cure for covetousness, which is idolatry. The gain toward which a Christian pastor and his congregation must, therefore, strive is to be defined in spiritual terms, godliness with contentment. The true gain which religion affords is never primarily material. It may be true that physical and material well-being are the by-products of a proper relationship with God and fellow man. Nevertheless, the emphasis of this passage is upon the truth that the primary gain bestowed by true religion is in terms of godly living, which gives a man a sense of adequacy that produces contentment. He is then trusting not in the abundance of things which he possesses but in the grace of God which is able to make him adequate to supply his own needs.”

Charles A. Trentham quoting Francis Peabody in Studies in Timothy (Nashville: Convention Press, 1959) 74.

I found this old commentary on the letters to Timothy on my shelf and realized that I had never read it. I am reading it linked to the passages on money, contentment, and generosity.

Today it reminds us that contentment links to externalities or things. When we think we need things, we will always be discontent. We will never find peace or experience well-being.

Such are the benefits of covetousness, which in plain terms is life that says, “I have not enough.” It’s not only idolatrous thinking, it’s a miserable way to live.

Alternatively, Trentham is saying the gift of knowing Christ is that we can say “I have enough” to live a peaceful, joy-filled, godly and productive life.

It does not mean we will always enjoy an abundance of physical and material blessings. It simply means we can rest in the truth of this verse from Hebrews, because we have Christ with us always.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Whenever externalities try to get you of track, just proclaim, “Enough!” You know the things that try to lure you of track. Don’t let it happen. You have enough when you have Christ.

I fly to Seattle today and back Monday. Connecting with a long-time friend and giver to GTP, John Frank, and his wife Leslie. But that’s only part of the reason for going.

I’m also connecting Paula Mendoza and Trevor Lui, who coordinator Spanish and Chinese teams for GTP, with Rob Martin and his wife Bev. Rob was a GTP founding board member and is a mentor to me.

Praying for a priceless time together.

Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 1 Timothy 6:9

“The greed for gold often drags men down to destruction. Addressing the Harvard Chapel, Francis Peabody related Ruskin’s story of a man who attempted to swim to safety from a wrecked ship, with a belt containing two hundred pounds of gold tied to his waist. He could not leave the gold behind, nor could he make it to shore with his gold. They were inseparable. With it, he went down. Ruskin asked this question, “As he was sinking, had he the gold or had the gold had him.”

Charles A. Trentham quoting Francis Peabody in Studies in Timothy (Nashville: Convention Press, 1959) 74.

This fascinating story challenges all of us to ask ourselves is there anything apart from Christ that we deem as “inseparable” because whatever that is could lead to our demise.

I am serious here. Because we will let go of everything when we die, are we prepared to let go of everything now whilst we are living? Whatever we think you own, owns us.

Like the gold claimed Ruskin, what might try to claim you? I am enjoying doing research to prepare for upcoming talks and this story really caught my attention.

We must not let anything drag us down. We can’t take wealth with us to heaven, but we can send it on ahead of us through generous giving and sharing while we are living.

But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1 Timothy 6:6

“The actual gain that comes from godliness with contentment is not specified, for the author has already defined it earlier in the letter as “promise for both the present life and the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:8), that is, as something that both enhances the present life and leads to eternal life.”

Jouette M. Bassler in 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, and Titus (ANTC; Nashville: Abingdon, 1996), 110.

Let’s lean into the gain that comes from godliness with contentment.

In this life, imagine it leading to peaceful living, freedom from anxiety, release from fear and worry, and security in the all-sufficiency of knowing Christ. When you think about it, godliness with contentment enhances everything!

And in the life to come imagine all these things for eternity.

Rather than try to secure our lives or existence, now and forever, Christ sorts it for us. Godliness with contentment really marks the only way to live. Would those closest to you say you have taken hold of it?