Meditations

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2

“For happiness consisteth not in lordship over one’s neighbors, nor in desiring to have more than weaker men, nor in possessing wealth and using force to inferiors; neither can any one imitate God in these matters; nay, these lie outside His greatness. But whosoever taketh upon himself the burden of his neighbor, whosoever desireth to benefit one that is worse off in that in which he himself is superior, whosoever by supplying to those that are in want possessions which he received from God becomes a God to those who receive them from Him, he is an imitator of God.”

The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, 10:5-6 (c. 130). Mathetes, “a disciple of the Apostles,” was likely a student of Paul or one of the Apostle’s associates.

Though this was written nearly 2,000 years ago, it describes modern realities. People think happiness is found in lording over neighbors and possessing wealth.

Interestingly, the idea of being an imitator of God in living differently appears again in the early church writings.

Notice the aim of the first disciples was not to lord over one’s neighbor but to take upon himself the burden of his neighbor.  This entailed benefiting those worse off and supplying the needs to those in want.

A few of you have asked if GTP hit our year-end goal to activate the major grant to expand capacities to serve such people.

We did not. But we believe God left the door open for others to give in January. Hopefully we can hit it by 6 February 2024 when we have a key grant meeting. For now we pray and the work must wait. Click here to give to GTP.

Pray with me for resources to benefit those worse off and to supply the needs of those in want.

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

“The church of God which sojourneth at Smyrna to the Church of God which sojourneth in Philomelium and to all the brotherhoods of the holy and universal Church sojourning in every place; mercy and peace and love from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied.

We write unto you, brethren, an account of what befell those that suffered martyrdom and especially the blessed Polycarp, who stayed the persecution, having as it were set his seal upon it by his martyrdom. For nearly all the foregoing events came to pass that the Lord might show us once more an example of martyrdom which is conformable to the Gospel.

For he lingered that he might be delivered up, even as the Lord did, to the end that we too might be imitators of him, not looking only to that which concerneth ourselves, but also to that which concerneth our neighbors. For it is the office of true and steadfast love, not only to desire that oneself be saved, but all the brethren also.”

Polycarp (69-155) in The Martyrdom of Polycarp 1 (J.B. Lightfoot Translation).

The account of Polycarp’s martyrdom aimed to inspire the church in Smyrna and Philomelium and each of us many years later to embrace suffering like our Lord did.

It was passed on to inspire others to be imitators of him. We do this so that onlookers and our neighbors might see and be saved by our example of true and steadfast love.

As we explore the posture toward neighbors in 2024 in the early fathers we discover that everyone is our neighbor. Our generosity may appear as giving resources and today comes into view as setting an example in suffering.

My prayer for myself and every person reading this is that we can be imitators of Christ in both our service and our suffering in view of our neighbors. so they may see and believe or grow deeper in the faith.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

“These things, brethren, I write unto you concerning righteousness, not because I laid this charge upon myself, but because ye invited me.

For neither am I, nor is any other like unto me, able to follow the wisdom of the blessed and glorious Paul, who when he came among you taught face to face with the men of that day the word which concerneth truth carefully and surely; who also, when he was absent, wrote a letter unto you, into the which if ye look diligently, ye shall be able to be builded up unto the faith given to you,

which is the mother of us all, while hope followeth after and love goeth before–love toward God and Christ and toward our neighbor. For if any man be occupied with these, he hath fulfilled the commandment of righteousness; for he that hath love is far from all sin.”

Polycarp (69-155) in his letter to the Philippians 3:1-3 (J.B. Lightfoot Translation)

Polycarp was discipled by John.

In his letter to the Philippians he reminds them that while neither he nor they could live up to the standard of the Apostle Paul, they could fulfill the command of righteousness if they occupied themselves with faith, hope, and love toward God and their neighbor.

Think about what Polycarp is saying to the Philippians (and us).

He’s saying that we can fulfill what may seem like impossible commands by simply occupying ourselves with what is good and right one step at a time. It reminds me of this expression: How do you eat an elephant? The answer, of course, is one bite at a time.

As you think about extending faith, h0pe, and love to your neighbors, what might this look like practically for you?

For example, we can be generous with encouragement, kindness, and thoughtfulness toward others. This might appear as helping them with a task. Always we think about giving them not what they deserve but what they need most in every moment.

Sometimes it might have financial implications. And always, as Polycarp notes, this will keep us from sin! Double benefit.

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17

“Let us all therefore love one another in harmony, and let no one look upon his neighbor according to the flesh, but in Christ Jesus. Let nothing exist among you which may divide you.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.50-c.108) in the Epistle of Ignatius To the Magnesians 6 (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).

Today Ignatius echoes the Apostle Paul urging us not to regard our neighbor according to the flesh. But what does this mean and how does it relate to our generosity?

It simply means we are not to treat others like we did when we did not know Christ. Our faith should shape our interaction with others. As we have been forgiven, we forgive. As we have been given grace, we give grace.

We get to love others in harmony because we have been made one in Christ. And we let nothing divide us because Christ wants us to remain one.

Ignatius was taken captive and led from Antioch to Rome to experience martyrdom. Along the way he visited cities and then wrote short letters like this one.

Imagine these as his last words to them or to you. He knew that for the church to flourish it must preserve the harmony and avoid division. We do this by regarding no one according to the flesh.

So I continued, “What you are doing is not right. Shouldn’t you walk in the fear of our God to avoid the reproach of our Gentile enemies? Nehemiah 5:9

“Not that I know there is anything of this kind among you; but I put you on your guard, inasmuch as I love you greatly, and foresee the snares of the devil. Wherefore, clothing yourselves with meekness, be ye renewed in faith, that is the flesh of the Lord, and in love, that is the blood of Jesus Christ. Let no one of you cherish any grudge against his neighbor. Give no occasion to the Gentiles, lest by means of a few foolish men the whole multitude [of those that believe] in God be evil spoken of.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.50-c.108) in the Epistle of Ignatius To the Trallians 8 (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).

When we walk in the fear of God and don’t hold any grudges against our neighbor, we give no occasion to the Gentiles which is those who don’t know Jesus.

Think of the implications of this related to generosity.

Humans wrong each other at every turn. When we who are in Christ Jesus determine to give kindness and forgiveness generously, people see the grace of God in action.

When we don’t, we look no different from the world. Then here’s what we see. Gentiles say, “Christians are hypocrites.” It’s the most common accusation. That we are not who we say we are.

So as we think about generosity to our neighbor. Let’s resolve to hold no grudges and extend generous forgiveness.

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Matthew 7:21

“Let no man deceive himself. Unless he believes that Christ Jesus has lived in the flesh, and shall confess His cross and passion, and the blood which He shed for the salvation of the world, he shall not obtain eternal life, whether he be a king, or a priest, or a ruler, or a private person, a master or a servant, a man or a woman.

He that is able to receive it, let him receive it. Let no man’s place, or dignity, or riches, puff him up; and let no man’s low condition or poverty abase him. For the chief points are faith towards God, hope towards Christ, the enjoyment of those good things for which we look, and love towards God and our neighbor. For, “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself.” And the Lord says, “This is life eternal, to know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent.”

And again, “A new commandment give I unto you, that ye love one another. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Do ye, therefore, notice those who preach other doctrines, how they affirm that the Father of Christ cannot be known, and how they exhibit enmity and deceit in their dealings with one another. They have no regard for love; they despise the good things we expect hereafter; they regard present things as if they were durable; they ridicule him that is in affliction; they laugh at him that is in bonds.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.50-c.108) in the Epistle of Ignatius To the Smyrnaeans 6 (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).

Jesus spoke often of deception. He warned us not to be deceived in many texts.

For example, in today’s Scripture, he reminded listeners that words are inadequate. We must not just profess our faith but do the will of God.

Ignatius echoes this. He reminds us that status does not get us to heaven.

We must receive life by faith and then live out the will of God toward others, which includes loving our neighbor. And notice that Ignatius says that we often exhibit enmity and deceit in our dealings with others instead of love. Part of this deceit is regarding “present things as durable.”

The stuff of this life won’t last. What matters is doing the will of God and loving our neighbor.

God, help us not be deceived. Forgive us for loving the things of this life which are not durable and for exhibiting enmity and deceit toward our neighbors rather than love. Show us a new way this year in Jesus name. Amen.

No one should seek their own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:24

“Let our whole body, then, be preserved in, Christ Jesus; and let every one be subject to his neighbor, according to the special gift bestowed upon him. Let the strong not despise the weak, and let the weak show respect to the strong. Let the rich man provide for the wants of the poor; and let the poor man bless God, because He has given him one by whom his need may be supplied. Let the wise man display his wisdom, not by [mere] words, but through good deeds. Let the humble not bear testimony to himself, but leave witness to be borne to him by another. Let him that is pure in the flesh not grow proud of it, and boast, knowing that it was another who bestowed on him the gift of continence. Let us consider, then, brethren, of what matter we were made, — who and what manner of beings we came into the world, as it were out of a sepulchre, and from utter darkness. He who made us and fashioned us, having prepared His bountiful gifts for us before we were born, introduced us into His world. Since, therefore, we receive all these things from Him, we ought for everything to give Him thanks; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”

Clement of Rome (c. 35-99) in 1 Clement 38 (translated by Roberts-Donaldson).

As we continue to explore the connection between our neighbor and generosity, we discover that we are to put our neighbor and their good ahead of ourselves.

Clement, the first bishop of Rome, says we should be “subject” to our neighbor. This echoes the words of Paul that our aim should not be to seek our own good, but rather the good of others.

This is radical stuff. Most people seek their own good first and do their giving from there. What would it look like for us to switch this around in our lives. Let’s ponder this today.

As I give it thought, I discern that God wants me to trust Him to care for my needs. And, linked to that, He has put me on this earth to care for the needs of others ahead of my own.

God help me do this, help me be subject to my neighbor in 2024 and beyond.

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:32-37

“Nay, this was My command unto them, Let none of you bear a grudge
of evil against his neighbor in his heart, and love you not a false
oath…

Thou shalt not exalt thyself, but shalt be lowly minded in all
things. Thou shalt not assume glory to thyself. Thou shalt not
entertain a wicked design against thy neighbor; thou shalt not admit
boldness into thy soul…

Thou shalt not doubt whether a thing shall be or not be. Thou shalt
not take the name of the Lord in vain. Thou shalt love thy
neighbor more than thine own soul. Thou shalt not murder a child by
abortion, nor again shalt thou kill it when it is born. Thou shalt
not withhold thy hand from thy son or daughter, but from their youth
thou shalt teach them the fear of God.

Thou shalt not be found coveting thy neighbors goods; thou shalt not
be found greedy of gain. Neither shalt thou cleave with thy soul to
the lofty, but shalt walk with the humble and righteous. The
accidents that befall thee thou shalt receive as good, knowing that
nothing is done without God. Thou shalt not be double minded nor
double tongued…

Thou shalt make thy neighbor partake in all things, and shalt not say
that anything is thine own. For if ye are fellow partakers in that
which is imperishable, how much rather shall ye be in the things
which are perishable. Thou shalt not be hasty with thine own tongue,
for the mouth is the snare of death. So far as thou art able, thou
shalt be pure for thy soul’s sake.”

Barnabas in Epistle of Barnabas 2:8; 19:3, 5, 6, 8.

This exploration of the relations between generosity and our neighbor continues to move me deeply.

Notice that in today’s Scripture, there were no needy people because those with resources shared with those in need.

And we see the example of Barnabas, selling a piece of land and putting the resources at the feet of the Apostles.

From there, we read from the epistle attributed to Barnabas. He calls us to the same radical living as Gospel.

Two points stuck out to me. Firstly, he urges us to love our neighbor more than we love ourselves.

That’s what it takes for us to overcome our selfishness and fleshly ways. We need to put the needs of others ahead of our own.

And, secondly, Barnabas calls us to “make” our neighbor partake in all things, and he echoes Scripture telling us not to say we own anything.

As the new year begins, consider the implications of what we have learned so far for your generosity.

Everyone is our neighbor. We need to be discerning in giving alms. And we need to love our neighbor more than our own soul and make them partake of all good things.

If we pause there we realize that all this comprises what Jesus did for us. He treated everyone as neighbor. He acted with discernment. And He loved us more than His own soul and made us partake of all good things.

Jesus, help our generosity imitate yours for your glory.

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded and freely lend them whatever they need. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

“The are are two ways, one of life and one of death, and there is a great difference between the two ways. The way of life is this. First of all, you shall love the God who made you. Second, love your neighbor as yourself. And all things you would not want done to you, do not do to another person.

Now the teaching of these words is this. Bless those who curse you, and pray for your enemies, and fast for those who persecute you. For what credit is it to you, if you love those who love you? Do the people of the nations not do the same? But you should love those who hate you, and you will not have an enemy. Abstain from the desires of the flesh and of the body.

If anyone strikes you on your right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also, and you will be perfect. If anyone compels you to go one mile, go with him for two miles. If anyone takes away your coat, give him your shirt also. If anyone takes away what is yours, do not demand its return, for you cannot.

To anyone who asks something of you, give it to him, and do not ask for it back, for the Father desires that gifts be given to all from His own riches. Blessed is he who gives charitably according to the commandment, for he is blameless. Woe to him who receives. If a needy man receives charity, he is blameless, but anyone is not in need will be called to account for why he accepted it.

And being imprisoned, he will be interrogated concerning his actions, and he will not be released until he has repaid every last penny. Indeed, it has also been said: “Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you have discerned to whom you will give.”

Didache (c. 50-120) or The Teachings of the 12 Apostles to the Nations 1:1-6 (Zeeland: Legacy Icons, 2013).

If reading the Didache sounds like the Gospels it is because this work is widely describe by scholars as the early church discipleship manual. It’s also a great place to start to consider the connection between generosity and our neighbor.

We must treat people the opposite of what the world expects. We manage this by abstaining from the patterns of behavior related to our flesh and body. And notice how generosity appears as sharing possessions and giving charitably.

The one who shares with everyone follows God’s design for handling His gifts and is labeled blameless. And then the last phrase really struck me. “Let your alms sweat in your hands, until you have discerned to whom you will give.”

As we start the new year, I pray that all those who have more than enough resources for living will have their surplus sweat in their hands until they have discerned whether to share it with a neighbor or give it charitably to a ministry.

Blessed is he who gives charitably according to the commandment, for he is blameless.

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:25-29

“Some people think that their neighbor is their brother, family, relative, or kinsman. Our Lord teaches who our neighbor is in the Gospel parable. of a certain man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho… Everyone is our neighbor, and we should not harm anyone. If, on the contrary, we understand our fellow human beings to be only our brother and relatives, is it then permissible to do evil to stranger? God forbid such a belief! We are neighbors, all people to all people, for we have one Father.”

Jerome of Stridon (c. 347-420) in Homily on Psalm 14 as recounted in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture

Happy New Year! This year I have decided to explore the connection between generosity and our neighbor. That means my word for the year is neighbor.

When a lawyer asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus responded to love the Lord and love his neighbor. The lawyer gave an unforgettable reply, “Who is my neighbor?”

We will start by asking Jerome to answer the question. The early Church gave him the title doctor and many ancient voices testified that he was the greatest of the doctors in clarifying the meaning of the Word.

So, how does Jerome answer the question, “Who is my neighbor?” He states it plainly. “We are neighbors, all people to all people, for we have one Father.”

That said, when you think about your generosity, do you think about it going to certain people or all people? Ponder that as the new year begins. I pray that in 2024 we all grow in our generosity to everyone.