Meditations

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

“The real trouble about the set your patient is living in is that it is merely Christian. They all have individual interests, of course, but the bond remains mere Christianity. What we want, if men become Christians at all, is to keep them in the state of mind I call “Christianity and”. You know — Christianity and the Crisis, Christianity and the New Psychology, Christianity and the New Order, Christianity and Faith Healing, Christianity and Psychical Research, Christianity and Vegetarianism, Christianity and Spelling Reform. If they must be Christians let them at least be Christians with a difference. Substitute for the faith itself some Fashion with a Christian coloring. Work on their horror of the Same Old Thing.”

C.S. Lewis in The Screwtape Letters: Letters from a Senior to a Junior Devil (Samizdat University Press) 50. I decided to explore afresh a classic work whilst traveling. Such a great book. Better than a movie on an airplane.

Here Screwtape tells Wormwood that to urge the Christian to feel discontent with the gospel, he must dangle something in front of him to encourage him to add something to go along with it. In so doing, the little devil wins.

Lean into this with me because we tend to think that “Christianity and” represents a healthy faith. But does it? The person who advances “Christianity and” has started on the path of ineffectiveness.

To put it simply, we get distracted. Once distracted, we take a detour. Then we find ourselves so far off the path that we look like the world around us. I can say it because I have done it! We all have. It happens to all of us.

In a book I edited and compiled with Tim Macready, Purposeful Living: Financial Wisdom for All of Life, my friend Henry Kaestner wrote on the topic: What does it mean to be a Christian entrepreneur? (download the PDF of the book freely here)

Henry makes the point that if you see yourself as a Christian first, or in the words of Lewis, if your life is built on, “mere Christianity,” then your identity is fixed, you stay focused and you have impact.

But when you say, I am a “Christian and an entrepreneur” that word “and” appears again. And just like that, Screwtape and Wormwood have you struggling with your identity. Then they choke out your impact.

There’s nothing drab about Christianity. It’s the only thing worth living and dying for. Interestingly, last night I arrived at an undisclosed place in Central Asia where I am spending time this week with more than 500 people who risk their lives for their faith daily.

Don’t focus on generosity at this moment. Focus on Christ and how He gave up everything in heaven and then came to earth and gave His life so that you might taste it. That’s mere Christianity.

What drives me is not Christianity and generosity. It’s mere Christianity. As I have mined the writings of saints through the centuries daily for 15.75 years and counting, I have found a never-ending treasure trove of wisdom.

The best part is this. As I share what I find with others, I don’t end up depleted but rather enriched while enriching others. It’s the paradox of Christianity. It produces the fruit of generosity in and through us.

Now imagine how you might make mere Christianity known through your living, giving, serving, and loving. Right this minute, Screwtape and Wormwood don’t want you to imagine that.

Do it anyway. Christianity is not the same old thing. It’s the only thing worth living and dying for. And mere Christianity produces many fruits, one of which is generosity.

I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest — and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34

“A heart in heaven will be a most excellent preservative against temptations to sin. It will keep the heart well employed. When we are idle, we tempt the devil to tempt us; as careless persons make thieves. A heart in heaven can reply to the tempter, as Nehemiah did: “I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come. It hath no leisure to be lustful or wanton, ambitious or worldly. If you were but busy in your lawful callings, you would not be so ready to hearken to temptations; much less if you were also busy above with God. Would a judge be persuaded to rise from the bench, when he is sitting upon a case of life and death, to go and play with children in the streets? No more will a Christian, when he is taking a survey of his eternal rest, give ear to the alluring charms of Satan. The children of that kingdom should never have time for trifles, especially when they are employed in the affairs of the kingdom; and this employment is one of the saints’ chief preservatives from temptations.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 11 “The importance of leading a Heavenly life upon Earth,” 125-126.

The word “scarcity” struck me in today’s Scripture. When someone appears as idle or careless, it sets them up to be overcome by poverty and scarcity.

Track with me. God wants us to experience abundance and generosity rather than poverty and scarcity. But if we work diligently and God provides a surplus, that can ruin us as much as idleness.

What’s the lesson today? A most excellent and chief preservative against temptations to sin is to keep busy at good things. We do well to avoid the extremes of idleness and overworking.

As children of the kingdom, let’s stay busy doing good things. God made us to work. When we work we bring Him glory. And as He supplies, let us put the surplus to work with rich generosity.

I’m on another trip to an undisclosed location. Speaking at a conference with 500+ workers from places where Christians experience significant persecution. Appreciate your prayers for a safe and fruitful week.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

“Consider that a heart set upon heaven will be one of the most unquestionable evidences of your sincerity, and a clear discovery of a true work of saving grace upon your souls. You are often asking, “How shall we know that we are truly sanctified?” Here you have a sign infallible from the mouth of Jesus Christ Himself: “where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also.”

God is the saints’ treasure and happiness; heaven is the place where they must fully enjoy Him. A heart, therefore, set upon heaven, is a heart set upon God; and surely a heart set upon God, through Christ, is the truest evidence of saving grace. When learning will be no proof of grace; when knowledge, duties, gifts will fail; when arguments from thy tongue or hand may be confuted; yet then will this, from the bent of thy heart, prove thee sincere.

Take a poor Christian, of a weak understanding, a feeble memory, a stammering tongue; yet his heart is set on God, he hath chosen Him for his portion, his thoughts are on eternity, his desires are there; he cries out, “O that I were there!” He takes that day for a time of imprisonment, in which he hath not had one refreshing view of eternity. I had rather die in this man’s condition, than in the case of him who hath the most eminent gifts, and is most admired for his performances, while his heart is not thus taken up with God.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 11 “The importance of leading a Heavenly life upon Earth,” 123-124.

Is your heart set on heaven?

Baxter suggests that giving provides unquestionable evidence of our faith. Then he compares a poor ordinary bloke with a prominent one. The world lauds the latter and yet God sees and celebrates the former.

Which one are you?

As we enter the third week of Lent, make a list of possible changes might you make in your living, serving, and loving, to increase your giving. Take a step of action after mapping that list. See what happens.

Don’t let your life be found for lack of evidence.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Colossians 3:2

“Afflictions are exceedingly useful to us, to keep us from mistaking our rest. A Christian’s motion toward heaven is voluntary, and not constrained. Those means, therefore, are most profitable, which help his understanding and will. The most dangerous mistake of our souls is, to take the creature for God, and earth for heaven. What warm, affectionate, eager thoughts have we of the world, till afflictions cool and moderate them! Afflictions speak convincingly, and will be heard when preachers cannot. Many a poor Christian is sometimes bending his thoughts to wealth, or flesh-pleasing, or applause, and so loses his relish of Christ and the joy above, till God breaks in upon his riches, or children, or conscience, or health, and breaks down his mountain which he thought so strong.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 10 “The saint’s rest is not to be expected on earth,” 114.

Take a moment and ask yourself these questions. Where you will be in 50 years? 50 million year? 500 million years? Notice the difference in your mind. Why do this?

Our riches, children, and conscience pivot on our answer. We shape not only our own eternal destiny but we influence our children. Think about how this relates to generosity.

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:20-21

“We are not yet come to our resting place. Doth it remain? How great, then, is our sin and folly to seek and expect it here! Where shall we find the Christian that deserves not this reproof? We would all have continual prosperity, because it is easy and pleasing to the flesh but we consider not the unreasonableness of such desires. And when we enjoy convenient houses, goods, lands, and revenues, or the necessary means God hath appointed for our spiritual good, we seek rest in these enjoyments. Whether we are in an afflicted or prosperous state, it is apparent we exceedingly make the creature our rest. Do we not desire earthly enjoyments more violently, when we want them, than we desire God himself? Do we not delight more in the possession of them, than in the enjoyment of God? And if we lose them, doth it not trouble us more than our loss of God? Is it not enough that they are refreshing helps in our way to heaven, but they must also be made our heaven itself? Christian reader, I would as willingly make thee sensible of this sin, as of any sin in the world, if I knew how to do it; for the Lord’s great controversy with us is in this point. In order to this, I most earnestly beseech thee to consider the reasonableness of present afflictions, and the unreasonableness of resting in present enjoyments, as also of our unwillingness to die that we may possess eternal rest.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 10 “The saint’s rest is not to be expected on earth,” 113.

I am really liking reading the Puritan thinkers. It’s like they purify our thinking.

Seriously, the Bible teaches us to count it all joy when we face trials. I don’t hear Christians echoing this. But notice when Job lost everything, he fell to the ground in worship.

Again, I must admit, my aunt died this week so my mind is pondering the promise of eternal life. And so I return to these words of Baxter.

“I most earnestly beseech thee to consider the reasonableness of present afflictions, and the unreasonableness of resting in present enjoyments, as also of our unwillingness to die that we may possess eternal rest.”

Consider the gifts of present afflictions. They remind us that this is not our home. They alert us to our need for God. They keep us humble. I could list so many more.

Now think about the unreasonableness of resting in present enjoyments. Material possessions end up in the trash. Pleasures are fleeting.

And when we try to rest in them or hold onto them, satisfaction alludes us.

Baxter concludes by announcing our unwillingness to die. Again, think of Paul who expressed an eagerness to meet the Lord. But most people focus on preserving life, longevity, and comfort.

So what’s my point today in the second week of Lent? Choose a new course than the vast majority of people (including Christians).

Don’t seek rest in “convenient houses, goods, lands, and revenues, or the necessary means God hath appointed for our spiritual good.”

Use these things with simplicity so you can practice rich generosity. And have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day remembering the saint that spread the gospel across Ireland in the 5th century.

He did this while welcoming present afflictions, by not resting in present enjoyments, by demonstrating a willingness to die. He not only entered eternal rest. He became a legend for doing it.

What if we all followed His example? Imagine the impact worldwide.

Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters — one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” Matthew 17:4

“Our rest is our heaven; and where we take our rest, there we make our heaven. And wouldst thou have but such a heaven as this? It is seeking rest where it is not to be found. Your labor will be lost; and if you proceed, your soul’s eternal rest too. Our rest is only in the full obtaining of our ultimate end. But that is not to be expected in this life; neither is rest, therefore, to be expected here…

Should a traveller take up his rest in the way? No; because his home is his journey’s end. When you have all that creatures and means can afford, have you that you believed, prayed, suffered for? I think you dare not say so. We are like little children strayed from home, and God is now bringing us home, and we are ready to turn into any house, stay and play with every thing in our way, and sit down on every green bank, and much ado there is to get us home.

We are also in the midst of our labors and dangers; and is there any resting here? What painful duties lie upon our hands! to our brethren, to our own souls, and to God; and what an arduous work, in respect to each of these, doth lie before
us! And can we rest in the midst of all our labors? Indeed, we may rest on earth, as the ark is said to have “rested in the midst of Jordan” — a short and small rest; or as Abraham desired the “angels to turn in and rest themselves” in his tent, where they would have been loth to have taken up their dwelling.

Should Israel have fixed their rest in the wilderness, among serpents, and enemies, and weariness and famine? Should Noah have made the ark his home, and have been loth to come forth when the waters were assuaged? Should the mariner choose
his dwelling on the sea, and settle his rest in the midst of rocks, and sands, and raging tempests? Should a soldier rest in the thickest of his enemies? And are not Christians such travelers, such mariners, such soldiers?

Have you not fears within and troubles without? Are we not in continual dangers? We cannot eat, drink, sleep, labor, pray, hear, converse, but in the midst of snares; and shall we sit down and rest here? O Christian, follow thy work, look to thy dangers, hold on to the end, win the field, and come off the ground before thou think of a settled rest. Whenever thou talkest of a rest on earth, it is like Peter on the mount, “thou knowest not what thou sayest.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 10 “The saint’s rest is not to be expected on earth,” 113-114.

After preaching in English and then in a second service with Russian translation at Revival Baptist Church in Vancouver, Washington, I resume my travels. I fly back home to Denver. Join me.

I don’t mean get on the same plane with me. I mean get out of your comfort zone and serve. Don’t set up a shelter on the proverbial mountain with Jesus, Moses, and Elijah. This world is not your home.

But we like to spend time with God. We love to soak in the stories of Moses and Elijah. But time with them has a purpose: to empower us for mission. Get out there and serve. Follow thy work.

“Our rest is only in the full obtaining of our ultimate end.”

Then [Jesus] said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:15-21

“It is the way to cause God either to deny the mercies we ask, or to take from us those we enjoy, or at least imbitter them to us. God is nowhere so jealous as here. If you had a servant whom your wife loved better than yourself, would you not take it ill of such a wife, and rid your house of such a servant? So, if the Lord see you begin to settle in the world, and say, “Here I will rest,” no wonder if he soon, in his jealousy, unsettle you.

If he love you, no wonder if he take that from you with which he sees you are destroying yourself. It hath long been my observation of many, that when they have attempted great works, and have just finished them or have aimed at great things in the world, and have just obtained them; or have lived in much trouble, and have just overcome it; and begin to look on their condition with content, and rest in it; they are then usually near to death or ruin.

When a man is once at this language, “Soul, take thy ease,” the next news usually is, “Thou fool, this night,” or this month, or this year, “thy soul shall be required, and then whose shall these things be?” What house is there where this fool dwelleth not? Let you and I consider whether it be not our own case.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 7 “The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints Rest, 113.

The time to rest is not now.

Don’t get me wrong. In Washington State, on Whidbey Island, between some great meetings, I took a nap yesterday afternoon. I am all about self care. That’s not the focus of Baxter’s remarks or mine.

As saints we will enter everlasting rest. But, if you are alive and reading this, that day is not now!

Daily, we get to attempt “great works” with the ability and resources available to us. I will speak at a missions conference for 20 Russian and English speaking youth in Tacoma this morning, and then to 80 people at a leadership dinner tonight in Vancouver.

I will rally them to pursue great works!

I want you to do the same thing. And with Baxter, I would add these words. “What house is there where this fool dwelleth not? Let you and I consider whether it be not our own case.”

It is not your job to determine when your work is done. Leave that decision to God.

Dr. Michael Cherenkov and I have had and indescribably meaningful time yesterday on Whidbey Island with Rob, Bev, and Jessie Martin. Now we have great works to pursue in service to groups.

Meanwhile my wife flies to Pennsylvania to facilitate a retreat. God be with her. What about you?

“Hath God set before us such a glorious prize as the saints’ rest, and made us capable of such inconceivable happiness? Why, then, do not all the children of this kingdom exert themselves more to help others to the enjoyment of it? Alas! how little are poor souls about us beholden to most of us! We see the glory of the kingdom, and they do not; we see the misery of those that are out of it, and they do not; we see some wandering quite out of the way, and know, if they hold on, they can never come there; and they themselves discern it not. And yet we will not seriously show them their danger and error, and help to bring them into the way, that they may live. Alas! how few Christians are there to be found who set themselves with all their might to save souls! No thanks to us if heaven be not empty, and if the souls of our brethren perish not for ever.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 7 “The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints Rest, 95.

Few things stir my passion for spreading the gospel and advancing Christian mission than spending time with people like Rob Martin and Michael Cherenkov. I am with these two GTP board members on Whidbey Island, near Seattle.

In our time we have focused on how the work of GTP is writing a new story in countries. Helping ministries go from surviving to thriving so more people populate heaven. That’s what our work is all about.

How are you applying yourself? Did today’s post stir you to get more involved in helping people miss the misery and make it to glory. I am thinking about that this week as my aunt went home to be with the Lord.

Let’s give all we are and all we have to making known the inconceivable happiness of heaven and pointing people to the enjoyment not of the things of this world but of that blessed place. You won’t regret it.

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Revelation 3:15-16

“On the whole, if Christians would have comforts that will not deceive them, let them make it the great labor of their lives to grow in grace, to strengthen and advance the interest of Christ in their souls, and to weaken and subdue the interest of the flesh. Deceive not yourselves with a persuasion that Christ hath done all, and left you nothing to do. To overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil, and, in order to that, to stand always armed upon our watch, and valiantly and patiently to fight it out, is of great importance to our assurance and salvation. Indeed, it is so great a part of our baptismal obligations, that he who performeth it not is no more than a nominal Christian.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 7 “The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints Rest, 74.

As we examine our hearts and fast during Lent, we subdue the interests of the flesh and learn to apply more labor toward growing in grace and avoiding the path of the nominal Christian.

Baxter makes a keen point. Don’t miss it. While Christ accomplished our salvation on the cross, he has not “left us nothing to do.” He has given us power, authority, and a command to do His work.

We need not wonder what Christ thinks of nominal living which lacks generous deeds. He has told us in His letter to the church in Laodicea, in today’s Scripture. He wants to spit us out.

Let us learn in Lent to apply great labor to overcoming instead of assimilating to the world, mortifying rather than serving the desires of the flesh, and watching out for and avoding being deceived by the devil.

Why? For Jesus there is really no such thing as nominal or a Christian in name only. He wants to see the actions that match anything we say we believe. God help us get in gear during Lent.

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:22-24

“All our lives have been filled with mercies. God hath mercifully poured out upon us the riches of sea and land, of heaven and earth. We are fed and clothed with mercy. We have mercies within and without. To number them, is to count the stars or the sands of the seashore. If there be any difference betwixt hell and earth, yea, or heaven and earth, then certainly we have received mercy. If the blood of the Son of God be mercy, then we are engaged to God by mercy. Shall God think nothing too much nor to good for us; and shall we think all too much that we do for him? When I compare my slow and unprofitable life with the frequent and wonderful mercies received, it shames me, it silences me, and leaves me inexcusable.”

Richard Baxter (1615-1691) in The Saints’ Everlasting Rest (Grand Rapids: CCEL), Excerpt from Ch. 7 “The Necessity of Diligently Seeking the Saints Rest, 74.

As I focus more time and attention to prayer in my observance of Lent this year, I notice more mercies of God. To ponder them further, I realize mercy means I don’t get what I deserve.

The world bombards me with messages about entitlement and tells me that I deserve this or that.

God’s Word tells me instead that our generous God shows steadfast love toward me and showers mercies daily. No wonder Jeremiah said, “The Lord is my portion.” That means, with God’s mercies, I have everything I need.

Let’s lean into how this shapes our generosity during and after Lent.

If you start your day giving thanks in prayer for God’s mercies, it fills you with gratitude. That’s the proverbial fuel for generous living, giving, serving, and loving.

Then if proceed through our day knowing that God clothes and showers us with mercies, it means we lack nothing. That dismantles the greatest barrier to generosity: fear of lacking.

Then as our day ends and we reflect on the frequent and wonderful mercies, it dispels the entitlement mindset.

See how reflection on mercies shapes our generosity. It’s what I am learning in real-time and I pray it blesses you.