Meditations

Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family and to nourish your female servants. Proverbs 23:23-27

“If “knowing your flock well” was about vigilant assessment and inventory of your resources, then “paying attention to your herds” meant making sure they are well fed, protected, and healthy. Solomon was reminding his people that assessment and care of their flocks were essential practices because no one knows what the future holds. If they were diligent in their current situation, they would have enough for an unsure future.”

Jorge Acevedo in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 93.

I really like this biblical text because it paints a picture of sustainability. When we do regular assessment and provide care for what we steward it positions us for flourishing.

This also reminds me of my weaknesses in this area. Not related to livestock, but take plants for example. I would forget to water them, so soon they wither or possibly die.

But if I have a pattern of care, such as picking a watering day or two each week, I can help them flourish. If we want more to steward and to give, let’s care for what we have.

It’s true with relationships too. If we do not constantly assess them and give them the attention they need, they quickly erode or become less connected.

God help us do assessment and provide care for all we steward so that it positions us for sustainability and generosity for Your glory. Amen.

This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Yes, this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: “Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:4-11

“The prophet Jeremiah knew what it was to live in a world defined by loss. Jeremiah was born into a world of relative peace and stability for the Hebrew people. But this did not last. In his lifetime, Jeremiah saw his people, God’s people, fall from general well-being to destruction and the displacement of the Hebrew people in the Neo-Babylonian exile. Jeremiah and those around him know what it was to fall into fear and despair…

When you look at your financial realities and realize they are not sustainable, it can be scary. It might even cause a person to fall into fear and despair. Jeremiah’s words remind us that God does not want us to be motivated by fear. God has a dream for the world, for you and for me. God has a plan. God longs for the world to be made whole, which includes each of us living lives that are truly good.

To adjust one’s plans necessarily involves change. God does not want fear, despair, and harm for you. No. God wants what is good. God’s promise is always to be faithful, to be present. God promises never to abandon you. God wants you to look ahead with the courage and confidence that come with hope.”

Stephanie Dunn in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 94-95.

It was a great time of teaching with stewardship directors from across the country (pictured above). We reflected on Jeremiah together. Encouraging diligent stewardship in exile means we urge everyone to assess their stewardship, make bold, even faith-stretching changes.

Often, when we do this, over time, we experience the hope we longed for, the flourishing we dreamed of. But we could not imagine it in crisis. Encouraging congregations to live, give, serve, and love generously starts with realizing we are in exile.

Notice the text said to avoid deception. This mirrors the repeated warnings of Jesus. Our situation is only temporary. Lies abound around us. But our faithful and generous action now prepares us for our eternal home and inspires others to join us here and there.

Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. Proverbs 1:5

“What I love about this text from Proverbs is two things. First, the author doesn’t indicate a finiteness to the hearing or growing or gaining. In fact, some other translations use the future tenses: will hear, will grow, will gain. The end result of our learning is not simply to acquire knowledge; it is to grow in wisdom, to gain guidance, and that work never ends.

And second, I love that the subject is ambiguous. There isn’t one who is wise or one who grows in wisdom; instead, it’s you and I and we together, in community. Though we may prefer to keep our finances private, it’s only in giving all of ourselves to God and to the community—finances included—that we grow in wisdom.”

Joe Kim in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 88.

This text add depth to our understanding of the generosity of God. There’s no limit to His wisdom. When the wise go to Him they can expect an infinite supply of just what they need.

Pray for today’s meetings with LCMS stewardship directors from across the USA.

As each one arrives in a different place, pray with me that from the biblical teaching and practical tools, that each one will gain the wisdom they need. Thanks.

And join me in the never ending pursuit of wisdom about money in community.

When we engage in this pursuit and talk openly about money, its power over us weakens. This positions us for greater generosity in our lives and for helping others grow in this grace.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. Isaiah 40:8

“There are a number of famous verses in this chapter, but I appreciate that this one is right in the middle: “The grass dries up; the flower withers, but God’s word will exist forever.” At first glance, I’m not sure I appreciate the prophet’s reminder that the grass will dry up and the flower will wither: it feels little gloomy in the midst of what’s supposed to be a message of hope. But when I consider the passage further, I see that it’s a reminder that even though the things we see today won’t always be here, God will. God’s love, God’s mercy, God’s presence, God’s call on our lives is steady and stable and will last into eternity.

This reminder can call us to a reorientation of our lives, similar to the reorientation experienced by the Israelites; and it can help us reorient our spending priorities, as well. Sometimes it seems like the most important things in our lives—and our budgets—are those that are actually fleeting. Even long-term investments like homes and vehicles don’t last forever; and some of the places we invest our resources are even more short-lived, like clothing, entertainment, and dining. Or, more directly related to Scripture, things like flower bouquets and home landscaping!

But what would it look like for us to adjust our spending plans in a way that shows we know what lasts and what doesn’t? What if our spending plans were evidence of our confidence in God’s eternal presence, and we invested in things that will last rather than those that are used up or worn out quickly? This might mean giving more to the church or other charities that are making a meaningful contribution toward healing the world and spending less on dining out. It might mean saving more so that we can help in emergencies rather than maximizing a fashion budget or buying the most expensive car we can manage.”

Elizabeth Ingram Schindler in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 85-86.

I board a flight today to Phoenix. I am speaking tomorrow to the stewardship directors (about 35 of them) that serve the districts of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod churches across USA.

I’d appreciate your prayers as I aim to help them reorient and reset their thinking so they can help the pastors and churches in their districts experience the same transformation. Think: multiplication.

They must experience reorientation before they can help others. How about you? Does your spending plan match what lasts? Is it time for a reorientation?

For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:13

“Despite what many believe, the teaching that “God helps those who help themselves” is not found in the Bible. In fact, this sentiment couldn’t be further from the narrative of Scripture. It’s a cliché misused to justify our fear and insecurity, which stems from a mindset based on scarcity and that prioritizes the individual over the community.

Help yourself first has never been God’s message. Put yourself first has never been the gospel narrative. Jesus was the embodiment of the opposite teaching: that sacrificial love means putting others first. He made it clear that those who constantly put themselves first will be last; that those who consistently exalt themselves will be made humble.”

Joseph Yoo in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 79.

The new header photo features Reverend Elswith Clare preaching from Luke’s Gospel at St. Luke Methodist Church in Belize City last Sunday on the importance of being disciples of Jesus who appear as activists. Do you actively live out your faith?

Yoo rightly notes that this way of living emerges as the opposite of the worldly mindset that puts yourself first. I hear too often people talk about self-care and forget about others. I think we must intentially as God to care for us so that we can care for others.

Reflect today on the sacrificial love of Jesus as a model for our humble and generous living, giving, serving, and loving. Let us humble ourselves and follow in His footsteps. He opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. May He lavish His grace on each of us in abundance.

Their land is full of silver and gold; there is no end to their treasures. Their land is full of horses; there is no end to their chariots. Their land is full of idols; they bow down to the work of their hands, to what their fingers have made. Isaiah 2:7-8

“Whenever I see hesitance to trust God surface in someone’s spiritual life, I ask questions. And the first that I ask is whether there is some unacknowledged idol that is inhibiting trust. Money can easily become such an idol. We are accustomed to thinking that it’s our money, and therefore we spend our money in the way that we see fit. We assume that the God who created the known and the unknown subatomic particles that comprise creation is somehow uninterested in the details of our spending.”

Justin Coleman in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 77-78.

Is there is an unacknowledged idol in your life called money?

Ask God to reveal this to you. Don’t think for a minute that God does not see the balance of your bank accounts or that He is somehow uninterested in your fixation with the deceitful level of security that wealth promises.

I arrived safely back in Denver late last night. Hear two things related to this today.

I am shouting these ideas in my service around the world because few are willing to proclaim truth about unacknowledged realities. Most want to continue to act like God is uninterested in their stewardship.

Firstly, whatever we hold on to demonstrates where our trust is placed. Where is your trust? If you have a hesitance to trust God, your hands are likely gripping something else, the wrong something else. Let it go.

Secondly, if you know someone in this quandary, with Coleman, ask them questions. Get them thinking about ideas such as: Whose money is it? What does He desire for you to do with it? Where will it be in 100 or 100 million years?

Followers of Jesus are not labeled in Scripture for what they believe but for what they do. Even the demons acknowledge Jesus for who He is. It’s what we do that counts.

What we do it with all God supplies shows where we place our trust.

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Ephesians 4:28

“Once John Wesley, founder of Methodism, realized that his expenditures limited his ability to help, he decided to live a simple lifestyle in the hope that he might one day hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Wesley’s heart and mind were converted first. His purse was converted on a bitterly cold winter day when he reached into his pocket to give a shivering woman money to buy a coat. To his dismay, he realized that the did not have enough money to help her. He had bought pictures to put up on his walls earlier in the day, and the small amount of change he had left would not be enough to protect her from the cold. From that day forward, he limited his expenses so that he would not find himself again without the means to bless someone else.”

Harriet Bryan in Saving Grace: Hope-Filled Devotions Along the Way to Financial Well-Being (Nashville: Abingdon, 2020) 75-76.

Bryan goes on to offer these helpful thoughts for personal application.

“While I have not yet achieved the same level of frugality as John Wesley, I know the joy of helping others that comes from choosing to live on less than I earn. One of the questions I routinely ask myself (before purchasing an item or making a decision) is, “When I look back over my life, am I more likely to regret this decision or to be grateful for this decision>? The more often I ask myself this, the easier I find it to remember that God allows me to choose whether I will accept God’s offer of partnership and see and respond to the needs of others or whether I will rob myself of the joy by spending my money for what does not satisfy.”

Consider the example of Wesley today, and the inspiration of Bryan.

What limits can you set in order to create margin for greater generosity? How will you limit your spending, so that when you have an opportunity to serve as a Good Samaritan, you have the resources to release?

Heading home from Belize this afternoon. Appreciate your prayers for safe travel for me to USA, for Paula to Guatemala, for Ereny to Egypt, and for John to Jamaica. Thanks. Again, reply here if you want a copy of the trip report.

Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. 2 Corinthians 8:24

“Proper planning of financial appeals is important, and safeguards should be set before the event… To introduce higher standards of accountability, we must lead by example. Accountability is something that we as leadership should choose to have, for our own good and the protection of the Lord’s name, not something that is forced upon us.”

Christopher J. H. Wright in The Gift of Accountability (Carlisle, UK: Langham Global Library, 2013) 56, 61.

Thanks for your prayers.

The Belize City onsite teaching event on the topic of “Strengthening Churches and Ministries for Sustainability” went great. Pastors and ministry workers said they were inspired and empowered to make a difference. They appreciated the biblical teaching, interactive discussion, and practical tools.

While on this trip, GTP just launched another fundraising initiative.

It’s called the GTP Trust Fund. The board voted unanimously to set it up as a tool for receiving complex contributions and planned gifts. Its not an endowment but a fund that will be used to resource major projects outside the limits of our operating budget.It’s an exciting step for GTP. To learn more about the GTP Trust Fund, click here.

And this GTP Trust Fund campaign seeking a total of $10,000 USD (to launch the fund) by 15 March 2022 will use a tool called Classy that has safeguards. It accepts gifts in over 100 currencies and provides detailed reports to account for all the giving. While some services have a small cost, it is worth it to get the international collection right.

And reply if you want a copy of the GTP trip report for Belize when it is available.

Shortly we go back on radio this morning to share about why JOE is a great tool for making disciples across the whole nation. This is so exciting. Then we will worship in a local church and wrap things today and start heading back home to our respective countries tomorrow.

We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man. 2 Corinthians 8:20-21

“Handling a gift offered by God’s people is a sacred trust. Administering it is a stewardship of the grace of God and of the obedience of God’s people to the gospel. Paul’s concern for accountability, integrity, and transparency was not just to satisfy the Roman governors or other officials. It arose because he was dealing with something coming from God: the grace of God and the obedience to the gospel.”

Christopher J. H. Wright in The Gift of Accountability (Carlisle, UK: Langham Global Library, 2013) 45.

We had a great JOE (Journey of Empowerment) in Belize with 20 influential people. It was fantastic. They felt enriched and equipped to replicate it to multiply stewards. Thanks for praying.

Today’s seminar is called “Strengthening Churches and Ministries for Sustainability” and it has huge potential. This one aims to help ministries follow standards to position them for flourishing.

Why do this? At the end of the day, gift administration is a sacred trust that enables ongoing gospel proclamation. It’s bigger than obeying laws. It’s following a higher standard.

Pray with me that by the God’s grace, a community of stewards will set up standards for Belize to preserve the sacred trust of faithful gift administration.

Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me. 1 Corinthians 16:1-4

“Paul saw generous financial support for the poor and careful administration of that gift as integral to biblical mission, gospel mission. It was part of what he was called to do, as well as the more obviously evangelistic tasks of preaching and planting churches.”

Christopher J. H. Wright in The Gift of Accountability (Carlisle, UK: Langham Global Library, 2013) 45.

Today we will start the day with a one-hour radio interview with a leading Christian radio station in Belize. It’s pretty amazing considering we started yesterday on the leading morning television show for the whole country.

There’s so much interest and curiosity in the country related to our visit. It’s remarkable! People are excited to hear that someone cares about ministry administration as much as gospel proclamation and is taking action.

At GTP, we see it as following Paul’s example, who demonstrated taht faithful administration is integral to gospel proclamation. You can’t have one with any measure of sustainability without the other.

Pray for JOE (Journey of Empowerment) to wrap up great today. We plan to finish guiding 20 influential pastors and ministry workers through JOE and train them to replicate it before our big onsite teaching event on Saturday.