Archives by: Gary Hoag

“To give, not from my wealth but from my want, as the widow of Jerusalem who donated her last coin, that is the great challenge of the Gospel. When I look critically at my life, I find that my generosity always occurs in the context of great wealth. I give some of my money, some of my time, some of my energy, and some of my thoughts to God and others, but enough money, time, energy and thoughts always remain to maintain my own security. Thus I never really give God a chance to show me his boundless love.”

Henri Nouwen (1932-1996) in Road to Daybreak (New York: Doubleday, 1988) 71-72.

“Unless you make what is right left, what is left right, what is above into what is below, and what is behind into what is in front, you will not learn to know the Kingdom.”

Acts of Peter is one of the earliest writings from the Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles. From this work we learn many things, such as how Peter was martyred. Quoted in The Apocryphal Acts of Peter edited by Jan Bremmer, 120, and in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, 131.

“Marcella had an enviable life as the daughter of a prominent Roman family who married a wealthy man. But less than a year after her wedding, her husband died. She was given the chance to continue living in wealth when she was proposed to by the wealthy consul Cerealis. She chose instead to convert her mansion into one of the earliest communities of women, where she and other noblewomen used their riches to help the poor. Marcella said she preferred to “store her money in the stomachs of the needy than hide it in a purse.” In 410, when the Goths invaded Rome, they broke into Marcella’s home. When they demanded money, she calmly responded that she had no riches because she had given all to the poor. Though she was an elderly woman, they beat and tortured her mercilessly. Her attackers were eventually shamed by her piety and she was released, but she died within a short time.

Marcella of Rome wrote, “By heaven’s grace, captivity has found me a poor woman, not made me one. Now I shall go in want of daily bread, but I shall not feel hunger since I am full of Christ.”

Marcella of Rome (c. 325-410) in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, 124-125.

“I would like the angels of Heaven to be among us.
I would like an abundance of peace.
I would like full vessels of charity.
I would like rich treasures of mercy.
I would like cheerfulness to preside over all.
I would like Jesus to be present.”

Brigid of Ireland (c. 450-525) is believed to have been the daughter of a pagan Scottish king and a Christian Pictish slave known for her generous spirit and compassionate heart for the poor. She founded the double monastery in Kildare for monks and nuns where the perpetual fire burns as a symbol of hospitality, constant devotion to God and the poor. Excerpt recounted in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals, 129-130.

“In the Gospel of Saint Matthew it is written that Jesus told a rich young man that to be perfect he should sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. I decided to heed His counsel and be perfect. And, in the same manner, I must carry out the instructions He gave to His Apostles to bear witness of Him to the uttermost parts of the earth. I shall teach all people to observe His commandments, and, in doing this, He will be with me always even to the end of the world. If I do all this, I know I shall have nothing to fear in this earthly life and that the treasure of Heaven will be mine forever. That is His promise.”

Peter Waldo (c. 1140-1218) a wealthy French merchant who founded the Waldensians, one of history’s first evangelical movements, after he became involved in translating the Bible. Quote from The Waldensian Way to God by Joseph Visconti, Jr., 43; see also On this Day in Christian History by Robert J. Morgan, 31 January entry.

“As I prayed, God showed me a picture of a hand, which was closed at first, but then it opened up. He then seemed to say, “The world tells you to have a tight-fisted hand, particularly if you are in need yourself. It says you’ve got to cling to everything you’ve got. It advocates a logical and sensible economy; but that economy is not Mine. I want you to see that everything is in My control and to live your life with an open hand. If you do that, I will give you ample resources both for yourself and for others.”

John Wimber (1934-1997) Vineyard Movement Founder in The Way In is The Way On (Norcross, GA: Ampelon, 2006) 63.

“Hope is not a gift we have to manufacture ourselves. It is a gift from the God Who delights in giving the best to His children. All we need do to give this gift is invite others to join us in looking to the Giver.”

Debbie Macomber in One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2009) 167.

“We want no revolution; we want a brotherhood of men. We want men to love one another. We want all men to have what is sufficient for their needs. But when we meet people who deny Christ in His poor, we feel, ‘Here are the atheists.’ They turned first from Christ crucified because he was a poor worker, buffeted and spat upon and beaten. And now–strange thought–the devil has so maneuvered that the people turn from Him because those who profess Him are clothed in soft raiment and sit at well-spread tables and deny the poor.”

Dorothy Day (1897-1980) in Common Prayer: A Liturgy for Ordinary Radicals by Shane Claiborne, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove and Enuma Okoro (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010) 110.

“Troubles may be largely intended to prepare us for our work in helping others in trouble. The widow can sympathize with the widow; the poor show most kindness to the poor. The experience of the prostration of a great illness enables a person to understand and help sick people. Thus sorrow is a talent to be used for the good of others, by being invested in sympathy.”

Frederic William Farrar (1831-1903) in The Pulpit Commentary notes on Job 12:5, cf. Isaiah 53:3.

“Go your way, merchants, and give largely as God gives to you. Go your way trades people, and scatter as you can, for God first gives you the means. Go your way, you working men and toiling women, and give according to your ability. Give, you rich, because you are rich, and give you poor, because you cannot afford to get poorer, and you are likely to do so unless you offer God His portion.”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) British Preacher in Sermon #835: A Cheerful Giver is Beloved of God delivered on 27 August 1868 at the Metropolitan Tabernacle.