Archives by: Gary Hoag

“Brethren and friends, let us never allow ourselves to misuse what has been given us by God’s gift. If we do, we shall hear Saint Peter say: Be ashamed of yourselves for holding on to what belongs to someone else. Resolve to imitate God’s justice, and no one will be poor. Let us not labor to heap up and hoard riches while others remain in need. If we do, the prophet Amos will speak out against us with sharp and threatening words: Come now, you that say: When will the new moon be over, so that we may start selling? When will the sabbath be over, so that we may start opening our treasures?

Let us put into practice the supreme and primary law of God. He sends down rain on just and sinful alike, and causes the sun to rise on all without distinction. To all earth’s creatures he has given the broad earth, the springs, the rivers and the forests. He has given the air to the birds, and the waters to those who live in the water. He has given abundantly to all the basic needs of life, not as a private possession, not restricted by law, not divided by boundaries, but as common to all, amply and in rich measure. His gifts are not deficient in any way, because he wanted to give equality of blessing to equality of worth, and to show the abundance of his generosity.”
 
Gregory of Nazianzen (c. 329-389) in Let us imitate God’s Generosity, 5-6.

“If you wish to strengthen your confidence in God still more, often recall the loving way in which He has acted toward you, and how mercifully He has acted toward you, and how mercifully He has tried to bring you out of your sinful life, to break your attachment to the things earth and draw you to His love.

Alphonsus Liguori (1696-1787) in How to Converse Continually and Familiar with God, 3.1.

“Lord, let me experience your generosity.”

James Wakefield in Sacred Listening (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2006) 57.

“Lord, I give myself to Thee with this desire alone, to know and walk in the path though has ordained.” That is true giving…I want nothing for myself; I want everything for God.”

Watchman Nee in The Normal Christian Life (Wheaton: Tyndale, 1977) 104.

“Scripture says, Love your neighbor as yourself. And yet you ask, ‘How can I love my neighbor as myself when I have things hidden in my heart which I cannot see, or even know?’’ Do not consider virtues excessively difficult or unattainable, but make at least a little effort and have confidence in God. If our brother or sister needs something, give it freely. By this we go up the ladder of righteousness one rung at a time, until finally with God’s help, we reach the top. For through this repeated coming to your neighbor’s rescue, you do what is advantageous for both your neighbor and yourself.”

Dorotheos of Gaza (sixth century) hermit in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010) 252.

“Jesus entire life was an act of gratitude. Again and again, he blessed God, offered thanksgiving. Living in a sense of radical gratitude, he gave his life away so freely and so generously that others were astonished by his actions.”

Mary Jo Leddy in Radical Gratitude (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 2002) 98.

There’s a fine line between contentment and greed
Between the things that I want, and the things that I need
Between “enough is enough”, and where desires feed

It’s a fine line
How do I live with so much, here with the spoil of the blessed
And not abandon this boat, for the sea of excess
To aspire to great things, yet be filled with humbleness
It’s a fine line–Oh yes, it’s a fine line

So where do I walk, Where is my place,
The straight and the narrow, the road of grace
Holdin’ fast to You, Walkin’ at Your pace
Walkin’ on the fine line
Walkin’ on the fine line
Walkin’ on the fine line

There’s a fine line
Between taking bread with a lost man and being consumed by his way
While reaching out in love, temptation’s right at your door
Guard what you’re thinkin’ of
It’s a fine line

When I hide my eyes from the darkest of our life’s insanity
From the worst of the world’s profanity
I’ve gotta be careful I don’t miss anyone in need of me
It’s a fine line–Oh yes, it’s a fine line

And can I embrace the world’s sorrow and not be carried away by life’s rain
Know the power of the resurrection and still know the fellowship of His pain
Not talkin’ ’bout walkin’ fences
Not talkin’ ’bout compromise
But living and breathing as pleasing in His eyes

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million, no a billion times,
“There’s a fine line between so and so.” The black and white
doesn’t give so much trouble. At least when I choose black or white,
I know I’ve done it! The faith, on-the-edge walk,
requires a surer foot that I have…it requires leading.

“It’s a Fine Line” by Wayne Watson from the Album: The Fine Line (1988).

“Stewardship is everything we do after we say, “I believe.”

Anonymous Disciple of Jesus Christ

“God is self-sacrificing and seeks to bless others who have done nothing to merit it, then we should be people who are self-sacrificing and who bless others who have not earned it.”

James Bryan Smith in The Kingdom and the Cross (Downers Grove: IVP, 2010) 21.

How can gazing on an image of Jesus on the cross, for example, affect our soul? Dallas notes that when we gaze on our crucified Lord we “bring the heart-wrenching goodness of God, his incomprehensible graciousness and generosity” before our minds. Dallas concludes, “The key, then, to loving God is to see Jesus.” And to see or meditate on the broken and lifeless body of Jesus is to witness the pinnacle of his sacrificial nature.

Dallas Willard as quoted in The Kingdom and the Cross by James Bryan Smith (Downers Grove: IVP, 2010) 39.