Archives by: Gary Hoag

“Christmas is a time of hospitality, of joy, and merriment to thousands who wants are supplied: but often it is a time of anxiety and suffering to the poor.”

George “Old Humphrey” Mogridge (1787-1854) author of children’s books and Christian tracts, in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 103.

As we show hospitality to loved ones this Christmas, may God also bring to mind those whose wants are not supplied, and may we follow God’s leading as to the best way to bless them.

We take hold of “the true meaning of Christmas” when we remember “those whose wants are not supplied” because that’s what God did for us in sending Jesus. He met our greatest need we could never supply.

Whether you give a call, pay a visit, send a card, give a gift, etc…show God’s love to the poor as a couple or as a family. We’ve found “remembering the poor” becomes the highlight of Advent (cf. Galatians 2:10).

“You cannot love a fellow-creature fully till you love God…No natural feelings are high or low, holy or unholy, in themselves. The are all holy when God’s hand is on the rein. They all go bad when they set up on their own and make themselves false gods.”

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) in The Great Divorce (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1973) 100.

On this my 47th birthday, I am thankful for the gift of love from my family and friends. God has surrounded me with people who love me fully because they love God deeply. God’s hand is on the rein of their lives. Among all humankind, I am most richly blessed.

“The heart of the giver makes the gift dear and precious: as among ourselves we say even of a trifling gift: “It comes from a hand we love.” Look not so much at the gift, as at the heart.”

Martin Luther (1483-1546) in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 322.

It is a season of gift-giving because we celebrate God’s greatest gift to mankind, Jesus. Yesterday we considered that we give well by giving willingly. Today Luther would likely add that we give well giving lovingly.

“If I cannot give bountifully, yet I will give freely, and what I want in my hand, supply by my heart; he gives well that gives willingly.”

Arthur Warwick (sixteenth century) English cleric, in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 322.

In this season of gift-giving, let us focus not on what’s going out from our hands but on what’s going on in our hearts. Let us give well by giving willingly (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:7).

“In defiance of all the torture, of all the might, of all the malice of the world, the liberal soul will ever be rich; for God’s providence is His estate, God’s wisdom and power are his defense, God’s love and favor are his reward, and God’s Word is his security.”

Isaac Barrow (1630-1677) Anglican scholar, in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 505.

When we choose liberality, we tap into true riches. Regardless of what others are doing, we must choose generosity. It’s the pathway that places our lives firmly in God’s providential care. Whatever we are holding back from God is that which we are trusting in instead of God.

“Avarice is a principle not only detestable in its nature, but prejudicial to the possessor of it; inasmuch as it alienates the mind from God, frequently leads to dishonesty among men, and what is worse, is a disorder hardly ever cured! Other passions have their holidays, but avarice never suffers its votaries to rest.”

Charles Buck (1771-1815) English Clergyman in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 56.

As we prepare for the arrival of Jesus this Advent, let’s confess our sins to God, especially avarice: the insatiable desire for more money and possessions. Avarice is a fruit of our flesh, and generosity is the fruit of the Spirit (cf. Galatians 5:16-25). God is the only one that can cure this disorder. Besides, what we all need more of is not money and possessions but more of God.

“A generous nature, when it forgives an abuse of its favors, seeks by increased kindness to prevent a repetition of the ingratitude.”

Christian Nestell Bovee (1820-1904) American author, in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 316.

Ingratitude leads to the abuse of favors. Favors, of course, come from God, but they are often channeled through people. If people with a generous nature (who have gotten that way because God is at work in them) want to help others grow (from ingratitude to gratitude), the answer is “increased kindness” or in plain terms, “kill” the ingratitude with kindness.

“All my experiences of the world teach me that, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the safe and just side of a question is the generous and merciful side.”

Anna Murphy Jameson (1797-1860), art historian, essayist, in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 316.

What great advice! Especially considering Jesus said that the measure we use to judge others will be the measure used with us (cf. Matthew 7:2).

As we prepare our hearts for the arrival of Jesus on this, the second Sunday of Advent. Let us give thanks for God’s generosity and mercy to us and show our gratitude by extending generosity and mercy to others.

“I like to claim that I always live abundantly and gratefully. I strive to give thanks often and to show appreciation and gratitude. I find that life is always richer when I take the time to say thank you to someone, to write a thank you note, or to acknowledge the good work someone has done. That said, it’s not always easy.

What happens in life can sometimes distract from living abundantly. Job and income situations can change…I would be lying though if I said there weren’t times when I was a bit nervous about if we could make ends meet, pay student loans, and still give financially to our faith communities and to those causes and organizations we love to support. These hard times can lead to a feeling that we don’t have enough: that our resources and means are scarce.

When this is the case, I have found it important to take a step back. Yes, looking over our budget and finances helps ease my mind, but more importantly, having a conversation with my wife about our finances usually helps. She reminds me, and I her, that we’re okay. In creating a practice that works for us, we review our finances and budget together over a homemade pancake breakfast on a Saturday morning at least once a month. We call those our “budget breakfasts”…

Timothy Siburg in Ecumenical Stewardship Center blogpost on 11 November 2014. This blog is a component of the Ecumenical Stewardship Center’s COMPASS initiative to engage young adults in conversations about faith and finances.

Some might jump at this idea just for the homemade pancakes. My wife is wonderful to discuss the budget whenever and wherever, but she would jump if I offered her a venti skinny cinnamon dolce latte. For those who are married, the point is to create a regular routine to talk about the budget. Singles can try this with a trusted friend.

Budgets are nothing more than financial plans for allocating faithfully the resources in our stewardship. We have learned to budget some flexibility both in the “living” lines and in the “giving” lines so that when spontaneous needs or giving opportunities pop up, we are ready to spend or share (cf. 1 Timothy 6:18). Is it time for “budget breakfast” with your spouse or a friend?

“Not having enough is certainly a problem. A lack of food, money or medicine can be life-threatening and is experienced by many around the world. Much is being done to solve the social issues of “not enough.” However, as I pushed myself away from the table on Thanksgiving Day, I was reminded of problems associated with having too much. More than enough food left me lethargic and uncomfortable. Do you know that feeling?

Much is being done to solve the social issues of “not enough.” But little is being done to encourage examining problems created by those who have “too much.” Coveting more without sharing causes a generosity gap that can create that same feeling left by eating too much – lethargy and discomfort.

It may seem counterintuitive but withholding giving to others brings suffering. On the other hand, blessing others brings true riches.

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Proverbs 11:24-25 (ESV)

Enough is Enough! Let us find true joy and riches by our generosity…”

Bob Snyder, MD, in Lessons Learned on the Journey blogpost on 4 December 2014.

Bob’s not only an ER doctor that can diagnose a problem in a snap, he’s a trusted friend. In that moment when he realized he had “too much” his mind immediately turned to what needed to be done. The prescription for prosperity (what we must do when we flourish) is to pause, say “enough is enough” and see to the flourishing of others: our neighbors, fellow believers, our community, and those who suffer.

This Advent we keep bumping into the counterintuitive nature of generosity. If we give, we receive blessing. If we don’t, we are the ones who suffer want. When we share what we have, we don’t end up impoverished, but richer for our generosity. Solomon figured this out, as did my doctor friend. Let’s practice it this Advent so that it becomes a way of life for each of us. Enough is enough (cf. 1 Timothy 6:8).