Meditations

Jesus looked around and hareaw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them. John 1:38a

“What do you want? That’s the question. It is the first, last and most fundamental question of Christian discipleship…Our wants and longings and desires are at the core of our identity, the wellspring from which our actions and behavior flow. Our wants reverberate from our heart, the epicenter of the human person. Thus Scripture counsels, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Prov. 4:23). Discipleship, we might say, is a way to curate your heart to be attentive to and intentional about what you love.

So discipleship is more a matter of hungering and thirsting than of knowing and believing. Jesus’s command to follow Him is a command to align our loves and longings with His — to want what God wants, to desire what God desires, to hunger and thirst after God and crave a world where He is all in all — a vision encapsulated by the shorthand, “the kingdom of God.

Jesus is a teacher who doesn’t just form our intellect but forms our very loves. He isn’t content to simply deposit new ideas into your mind; He is after nothing less than your wants, your loves, your longings. His “teaching” doesn’t just touch the calm, cool, collected space of reflection and contemplation; He is a teacher who invades the heated passionate regions of the heart.”

James K. A. Smith in You Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit (Grand Rapids: Brazos, 2016) 2.

I am reading this book as his name came up twice in the past few weeks. Philip Eubanks, my friend who is doing PhD studies in the UK on “desire” linked to stewardship and generosity, mentioned him, and James Hoxworth, our pastor, quoted it in a recent sermon. You Are What You Love contains some powerful ideas about reorienting both our minds and hearts toward the things God loves through the habits we practice.

Notice, when Jesus started His earthly ministry He called people to repent, change directions, and pursue something different. It’s not just something better; it’s the only good life! It’s only found when we “curate” our hearts, so that our loves and longings are rightly aligned with God’s heart. It’s more than knowing and believing the truth. It’s about hungering and thirsting after the only thing that satisfies.

What does this have to do with generosity? When our loves and longings are aligned with Christ, we give to things God cares about. We become rich toward God through our care for everyone, from our neighbor, to the lost and the least in society. This reminds me of a story. Hang with me. It will be worth it. And the new header photo from our walk last night fits well with it.

One day my UK doctoral advisor, Stephen Finamore, told me this story. He called it “The Monk and the Jewel.” I think it illustrates well the point of today’s post and what I believe generosity looks like when our loves and longings are rightly aligned. We become unbelievably generous. To the best of my recollection, the story goes like this.

One day a monk was walking along a path and came upon a jewel, a valuable gem. He picked it up, packed it into his bag, and continued on his journey home.

Shortly thereafter, the monk heard a knock at the door. He opened it and found a wandering soul. He asked, “What do you want?” The beggar asked for money to buy food and drink. The monk told the sad beggar that he had no money, but he did have the priceless jewel that he found. He promptly and freely handed over the jewel.

The wanderer, with astonishment, took the gem, went into town, bought much more than food and drink. The wanderer found a place to get a bath, a warm place to sleep, and bought new clothing. “This is the good life! Or is it?” The wanderer could not stop thinking about the monk.

The next morning, the wanderer returned to the place where the monk lived and knocked again. The door opened. Again the monk asked, “What do you want?” This time the seeker inquired pointedly, “I want whatever you have that is more valuable than that gem that would lead you to share it with me so generously.”

The monk welcomed the seeking soul into his home. They sat down together. The monk shared all about Jesus, the greatest treasure anyone could ever have, and the reason he shared so richly and freely. The seeking soul found Jesus that day and hungered and thirsted no more.

“What do you want?”

But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:44-45

“The most important question is this: What use is made of the things thought to be blessings, and of the things reputed evil? The good man is not exalted by this world’s goods; nor is he overwhelmed by this world’s ills. The bad man is punished by misfortune of this kind just because he is corrupted by good fortune.

However, it often happens that God shows more clearly His manner of working in the distribution of good and bad fortune. For if punishment were obviously inflicted on every wrongdoing in this life, it would be supposed that nothing was reserved for the last judgment; on the other hand, if God’s power never openly punished any sin in this world, there would be an end to belief in providence.

Similarly in respect of good fortune; if God did not grant it to some petitioners with manifest generosity, we should not suppose that these temporal blessings were His concern, while if He bestowed prosperity on all just for the asking, we might think that God was to be served merely for the sake of rewards, and any service of Him would prove us not godly but rather greedy and covetous.

This being so, when the good and the wicked suffer alike, the identity of their sufferings does not mean that there is no difference between them. Though the sufferings are the same, the sufferers remain different. Virtue and vice are not the same, even if they undergo the same torment.

The fire which makes gold shine makes chaff smoke; the same flail breaks up the straw and clears the grain; and oil is not mistaken for lees because both are forced out by the same press. In the same way, the violence which assails good men to test them, to cleanse and purify them, effects in the wicked their condemnation, ruin, and annihilation.

Thus the wicked, under pressure of affliction, execrate God and blaspheme; the good, in the same affliction, offer up prayers and praises. This shows that what matters is the nature of the sufferer, not the nature of the sufferings. Stir a cesspit, and foul stench arises; stir a perfume, and a delightful fragrance ascends. But the movement is identical.”

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) in City of God, Book 1, Chapter 8: “Blessings and disasters often shared by good and bad” (New York: Penguin, 1972) 13-14.

While some people listen to podcasts, I prefer to read Augustine. He was a prolific communicator who makes sense of life in God.

This week had many highs and lows for us. Daughter settling into her new R.A. role at college (high). Son had his vehicle die (low). I am nearing completion of a draft of another book manuscript (high). Jenni has been sick for nearly four weeks (low). I could go on an on.

Perhaps you can relate. Friends, we are here to give others the gift of perspective, whether in prosperity or suffering.

Father in heaven, by your Holy Spirit, make us people who are neither exalted by this world’s goods, nor overwhelmed by this world’s ills, so that we celebrate your providence, reflect your generosity, and receive joyfully both blessing and suffering, which are all for our good. Hear our gratitude, we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

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

“How should disciples deal simply with the goods of the earth? Jesus does not forbid them to use the goods. Jesus was human. He ate and drank just as the disciples did. In so doing, He purified the use of the goods of the earth. Disciples should gratefully use the goods required for their bodies’ daily need and nutrition — goods which are consumed in sustaining life…Goods are given to us to be used, but not to be stored away.

Just as Israel in the desert received manna daily from God and did not have to worry about food and drink, and just as the manna which was stored from one day for another rotted, so should Jesus’ disciples receive their daily share from God. But if they store it up as lasting treasure, they will spoil both the gift and themselves. The heart clings to collected treasure. Stored-up possessions get between me and God. Where my treasure is, there is my trust, my security, my comfort, my God. Treasure means idolatry.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Discipleship (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003) 162-163.

When this week began, we were a family of four with four reliable used cars. Thankfully we are still a family of four, but down one car. On Wednesday afternoon, Sammy was en route to Bailey to serve as a fly fishing guide for three clients and the engine in his 1997 Toyota Rav4 gave out while climbing the last ridge into Conifer.

Thankfully Jenni and I were available to drive up and give him my 2001 Rav4 to use indefinitely, and AAA promptly towed his vehicle to the shop. Upon hearing the news about his car later that night, we asked him how he felt. His tone reflected the openhanded worship of Job. We saw gratitude! He was thankful to use it for five years but was never attached to it. Sammy modeled for us what it means to “deal simply” with stuff.

Later that evening, Jenni and I compared our calendars and realized that we can do just fine sharing one car through October. I may need a ride or two to the airport, but nothing that can’t be sorted. We marveled that one car is all we need, at least for a season. We worshiped on our morning walk yesterday and gave thanks for God’s faithfulness.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

“So instead of lands, buy afflicted souls, each one according to their ability. Visit widows and orphans, and do not overlook them. Spend your wealth and all your possessions which you received from the Lord on such ‘lands’ and ‘houses’ as these, for the Master made you rich so that you might perform these services to Him. It is much better to purchase these kinds of ‘lands’, ‘possessions’ and ‘houses’, as you will find out in your own City when you go live there. This is a noble and sacred purchase which no sorrow or fear accompanies, only joy. Do not invest in the things that unbelievers do, because it is detrimental to you who are the servants of God. Instead, practice your own kind of purchasing that you can rejoice in. Do not corrupt or touch what is someone else’s; do not covet it, because it is an evil thing to covet what belongs to other men. Focus on your own tasks and you will be saved.”

Shepherd of Hermas (c. late first or early to mid-second century) in “The First Parable” of the Shepherd of Hermas: Updated to Modern Language by Daniel Robinson (North Charleston: CreateSpace, 2013) 38.

I just sent a faithful meditations reader (who is a new friend of mine) a copy of this classic work as a belated birthday present. I posted the first sentence as a meditation way back on on 23 October 2010, and decided to include a larger selection today. It’s a good example of early church literature that relates to generosity.

Many people were destroyed by detrimental decisions back then. Sadly, the problem persists today when we live for and set our affections on this earthly realm and not the eternal kingdom. How can we be saved or delivered from the covetous thinking around us? What services has God placed us here to perform? The shepherd of pastor says: Pour money into souls in distress according to your ability.

Why send this book to my friend? He has an aim, a lifetime goal, of storing up $100,000,000 in the “City” where he will spend eternity. To what does he give? He feels led by God to aid afflicted souls. I affirmed his objective and offered to do whatever I can to hold his arms up. Help him to that end, Lord Jesus!

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us… 1 John 4:10a

“In God there is no hunger than needs to be filled, only plenteousness that desires to give…God, who needs nothing, loves into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that He may love and perfect them.”

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) in The Four Loves (New York: Harper Collins, 1960) 162.

Plenteousness is a great word to describe God’s generosity, which flows abundantly like a fountain. He desires to give, and yet many don’t receive. I am learning we are here on this earth to teach others how to tap into His plenteousness.

We, on the other hand, are superfluous, unnecessary and unneeded, and yet, He both loves and perfects us. Not by giving us what we want, but rather, what we need. What a generous, loving God we serve. Worship Him today that is love!

Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:129-130

“When we moved into our house last year, the previous owners left us a lot of stuff – a treadmill, a big screen TV, and expensive window treatments in our dining room. As we have spent the last year making the house our home, Tricia and I have tried to work with these curtains, though they are not our style. Whenever we have visitors over, inevitably the fact that the folks left these treatments or how much the curtains would’ve cost comes up in conversation. Despite this asset, the only space in the house that remains practically unfinished is the dining room.

This weekend, both because I had enough and possibly because I wanted a little “dad time”, I took them down. Almost immediately, the possibilities for the room were endless. It was as if our perceived value for the curtains hadn’t allow us to see what the room could be. It made me think, what other curtains in my life might be locking my hope into darkness? What, in my life or leadership, might have been costly to acquire? Are there things the world might perceive as “expensive”, but keep me from being able to see what God wants for my tomorrow? Prayers for you as you let some more of God’s light in on your tomorrow. If you happen to be in the market for some lovely window treatments…I have a deal for you.”

Daniel J. Cellucci in his “Giving the Window Treatment” in his weekly DIAL blog: Discerning Insights About Leadership. Special thanks to John Stanley for sharing this piece with me.

Today’s Scripture reminds us that the testimonies of the Lord are wonderful, worth keeping, and they give light and wisdom to our souls. I reflected on this text after reading Cellucci’s post. Too often things that the world tells us are valuable, actually hold us captive as in darkness. They also limit our generosity!

Once you have expensive window treatments, you feel like you need furniture and accessories to go with them. Next thing you know, you’ve spent a lot of money and in return you got a pile of stuff you are not sure if you want and buyer’s remorse. Don’t get me wrong, everyone needs window treatments of some sort.

With Cellucci, I pray you are able to get rid of any expensive window treatments in your life that may be hindering you on your journey, and in so doing, that God’s light shines in your life and gives you a testimony to share with others. Stories that illustrate Scriptural truths help even the simple grasp life.

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16:9

“In regard to money — there is a great advantage in its methodical use. Especially is it wise to dedicate a certain portion of our means to purposes of charity and religion, and this is more easily begun in youth than in after-life.

The greatest advantage of making a little fund of this kind is that when we are asked to give, competition is not between self on the one hand and any charity on the other, but between the different purposes of religion and charity with one another, among which we out to make the most careful choice…

No one can tell the richness of the blessings that come to those who thus honor the Lord with their substance. This practice delivers one from the worry of debating every separate appeal that comes, and makes him a free and glad trustee.”

Robert E. Speer in “Proportionate Giving” in Men and Missions, vol. 8, no. 1 (New York: Layman’s Missionary Movement, 1916) 155.

Today’s meditation is the last in a recent series of posts linked to my reading of stewardship materials from a century ago. There was a missional richness in them that was refreshing to read. In their day, they sparked renewal and revival because they pointed people to faithfulness which positions us for fruitfulness.

One way stewards are becoming “free and glad trustees” today is through setting up a giving fund at National Christian Foundation. Once a person puts money in their fund, it releases the competition of spending on self or charity, as Speer put it. We have an NCF fund and would encourage you to set one up too.

This post seemed fitting because tonight, Jenni and I are going to a dinner honoring Bryan & Suzanne Chrisman for 5 years of service to NCF Colorado. They have stepped down to help care for aging parents and will be honored for helping many people grow as “free and glad trustees” of God’s resources.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16:10-12

“Of all the challenges contained in Scripture for the securing of overflowing blessing, none is so striking and unqualified as that which makes obedience to God in our use of money the condition of His favor. There are many individuals and congregations that have accepted this challenge, and through the obedience of faith have entered into the richest spiritual blessing of all their history.”

J. Campbell White as quoted in the opening of “Study Seven” of The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph S. Cushman (New York: Centenary Conservation Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 112.

Jesus makes the connection between the stewardship of worldly wealth as demonstration of preparedness for the stewardship of true riches. In White’s inspiring words, those who have accepted this challenge and walked the path of obedience experience overflowing blessing. Have you and your congregation accepted this challenge?

This is not to be confused with prosperity gospel, which gives to get. This is about exhibiting faithful stewardship and receiving blessings (not just material ones) from the Master to enjoy and share. The key, and many people don’t get this, is not to focus on how much you give. The world looks at that.

Focus on how much you keep instead. That’s what God looks at. It took us years to figure this out. We only “got it” when we stopped storing up treasures on earth. God looks not at what we give but what we keep because it shows where we place our trust. God is looking for trustworthy stewards to bless so they can be a blessing.

Are you a trustworthy steward?

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. Proverbs 21:25-26

“The ministers of Christ have led the great revivals of the past, but we verily believe that the next great revival is going to come from the pew, led and sustained by a devoted ministry in connection with the bringing in of our substance to God.”

John Wesley Duncan as quoted in the opening of “Study Seven” of The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph S. Cushman (New York: Centenary Conservation Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 112.

God’s design for the redemption of the world is for people to work, give, and teach others how to live in the way of Jesus. God made us to work. The fruit we receive from it supplies us with resources to enjoy richly  and share generously for making known God’s love to others.

How can work and giving contribute to a revival?

There are likely lots of reasons. Perhaps the biggest one is because when the people in the pews work hard and then go give without sparing, they show a watching world that they have taken hold of life. And that’s the one thing everyone’s looking for!

What can each of us do to encourage revival where we live?

It starts with each of us modeling the way and becomes a movement when we engage others. Another thing we can do is networking. I shot the new header photo yesterday outside Estes Park, Colorado, when I was privileged to spend the day with John Stanley, my friend and author of Connected for Good.

We talked about ways God is leading us to encourage revival from the pew. It starts with me and you.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14

“We do not give to God a fraction of that we possess, but we loyally acknowledge God’s sovereignty over the whole. Just now the Church has no bigger need than to have Christian men [and women] face this question.”

Harris Franklin Rall as quoted in the opening of “Study Four” of The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph S. Cushman (New York: Centenary Conservation Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 52.

Rall rightly states that when we think of giving as sending a percentage of what we possess to God, we are thinking about it all wrong. Instead, when we acknowledge God’s sovereignty over everything, like David, we exhibit generosity.

So what does it mean to “acknowledge” God’s sovereignty. If I work at a ministry and acknowledge a gift, it means in return for that gift, I send a receipt letter. If someone sends a gift of $100, they don’t get an acknowledgement receipt for $5 or $10, do they?

Rall and Cushman argue that most acknowledge only a small portion of God’s sovereignty, and I think they are right. For us to “acknowledge” God’s sovereignty over the whole of life, we must not say that it is true but show that is true with appropriate action in return.

How do we do this? God doesn’t want a fraction of our lives to acknowledge His sovereignty. He wants all we are and all we have to shout of His greatness and abundant generosity!