Meditations

Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Matthew 19:21

“A blind love of one’s own property has deceived many; nor could they be prepared for, or at ease in, departing when their wealth fettered them like a chain. Those were the chains to them that remained — those were the bonds by which both virtue was retarded, and faith burdened, and the spirit bound, and the soul hindered; so that they who were involved in earthly things might become a booty and food for the serpent, which, according to God’s sentence, feeds upon earth …

If they laid up treasure in heaven, they would not now have a domestic enemy and assailant. Heart and mind and feeling would be in heaven, if the treasure were in heaven; nor could he be overcome by the world who had nothing in the world whereby he could be overcome. He would follow the Lord loosed and free, as did the apostles, and many in the times of the apostles, and many who forsook both their means and their relatives, and clave to Christ with undivided ties.

But how can they follow Christ, who are held back by the chain of their wealth? Or how can they seek heaven, and climb to sublime and lofty heights, who are weighed down by earthly desires? They think that they possess, when they are rather possessed; as slaves of their profit, and not lords with respect to their own money, but rather the bond-slaves of their money.”

Cyprian (c. 200-258) served as bishop of Carthage and was a prominent Christian writer. This excerpt comes from Treatise 3 “On The Lapsed” 11-12.

I am really enjoying this exploration of providence and generosity in the early church fathers as a starting point for considering how saints through church history commented on these ideas. I hope you are too. I must honor Peter and Edwina Murphy today. Peter is my mate (dear friend) from Down Under (Australia). I am thinking of them today as Edwina did her PhD on Cyprian, and Peter supported her through the research journey.

Cyprian was downright prolific! Consider his profound insights regarding those who in the words of Jesus are not “complete” because their riches are stored up in the wrong place. Having them stored up here is like having a “domestic enemy and assailant” which possesses those who think they can hold on to possessions. They are are “slaves of their profit” who are not “loosed and free” but “weighed down” by the things of this earth and unable to “seek heaven” as a result.

Yesterday was eventful. It took over 12 hours to get to Chicago due to canceled flights from the winter storm in Denver. Today and tomorrow I lead a “Faith and Finances” two-day retreat for Northern Seminary’s Bellevue Scholars (and many will be joined by their spouses). Pray for me and for them. Specifically, if riches are hindering them in any way from seeking heaven, pray that the Holy Spirit will loose and free them from any strongholds that riches have in their lives and help them become “complete” disciples.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! 2 Corinthians 9:12-15

Above are the words of the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the church in Corinth (c. 56). Over 100 years later, Soter, bishop of Rome, had sent alms and a letter to the Corinthians in the year 170. In 171, the eleventh year of the reign of Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, we read this reply from Dionysius, bishop of Corinth.

“For this has been your custom from the beginning, to do good to all the brethren in various ways, and to send resources to many churches which are in every city, thus refreshing the poverty of the needy, and granting subsidies to the brethren who are in the mines. Through the resources which ye have sent from the beginning, ye Romans, keep up the custom of the Romans handed down by the fathers, which your blessed Bishop Soter has not only preserved, but added to, sending a splendid gift to the saints, and exhorting with blessed words those brethren who go up to Rome, as an affectionate father his children. . .

Therefore you also have by such admonition joined in close union the churches that were planted by Peter and Paul, that of the Romans and that of the Corinthians: for both of them went to our Corinth, and taught us in the same way as they taught you when they went to Italy; and having taught you, they suffered martyrdom at the same time.”

Dionysius of Corinth (c. 171) in “Fragments from a Letter to the Roman Church I, III”. Various sources locate the martyrdoms of both Peter and Paul under Emperor Nero (c. 64-67).

What is significant about this for us today as we continue to explore the ideas of providence and generosity in the early church fathers?

This record serves as evidence that it had become customary by the second century for Christians who had been blessed in God’s providence with a surplus of resources to help fellow believers in need. Peter and Paul both resolved to keep on helping the poor (cf. Galatians 2:8-10) and over one hundred years later, Christians were still following their example. Believers were often banished to work in mines because of their faith. Rather than forget about them, the Roman bishop Soter orchestrated a collection and sent what Dionysius describes as a splendid gift.

If your church has been blessed, pray about helping another church that may be in need. Perhaps identify a church in another country. Remember Rome was in Italy and Corinth was in Greece. Develop an ongoing partnership with another church in the gospel. As this ancient testimony reveals, such giving not only blesses those in need, but it leads to “close union” between churches. It also glorifies God before a watching world. When people see Christians sharing generously, it makes them want that which we have which is more valuable than money: the indescribable gift of Jesus!

And if you have a moment, pray for safe travel today in winter weather. I am flying to Chicago to teach my “Faith & Finances” course to a class of honors students at Northern Seminary. Also, my son, Sammy, is helping drive our daughter, Sophie, back to school in San Diego. Thanks for your prayers.

And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2

“As it was your desire, my beloved brother Theophilus, to be thoroughly informed on those topics which I put summarily before you, I have thought it right to set these matters of inquiry clearly forth to your view, drawing largely from the Holy Scriptures themselves as from a holy fountain, in order that you may not only have the pleasure of hearing them on the testimony of men, but may also be able, by surveying them in the light of (divine) authority, to glorify God in all. For this will be as a sure supply furnished you by us for your journey in this present life, so that by ready argument applying things ill understood and apprehended by most, you may sow them in the ground of your heart, as in a rich and clean soil. By these, too, you will be able to silence those who oppose and gainsay the word of salvation. Only see that you do not give these things over to unbelieving and blasphemous tongues, for that is no common danger. But impart them to pious and faithful men, who desire to live holily and righteously with fear.”

Hippolytus of Rome (170-235) in Treatise on Christ and Antichrist 1.

Hippolytus is one of my favorite early fathers, not just because he has a cool name, but because he is credited for passing down to us the oldest surviving lists of the 12 (cf. Luke 9:1-6) and the 70 (cf. Luke 10:1-24): “Where Each of Them Preached, And Where He Met His End.” Take a few minutes to read through the list. It’s inspiring to see how many of the 70 names you will recognize from reading about the early church in the New Testament.

Why does this thought interest me today, and what does it have to do with generosity?

Think about this. Jesus gave His life for us — the greatest act of generosity — and showed John (among other disciples) the way to life. John, in turn, wrote a gospel and other NT letters so that others might know it, and built up young believer named Polycarp. Polycarp grew to serve as a bishop of the church and taught many, including Irenaeus. Irenaeus took the good news west and sowed truth into the life of Hippolytus of Rome, the author of today’s post.

Each of these followers of Jesus (John, Polycarp, Irenaeus, and Hippolytus) acted generously by teaching the truth broadly while also imparting themselves to faithful and devoted disciples would would invest their lives to grasp and give truth from the Scriptures to others. I love how Hippolytus describes the truth: “a sure supply furnished you by us for your journey in this present life.” If you want to be generous this year, fill your mind and heart with truth from the Scriptures and furnish others with it: it is exactly what everyone needs for the journey of life!

Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. Matthew 19:24

“Perhaps the reason of salvation appearing more difficult to the rich than to poor men, is not single but manifold. For some, merely hearing, and that in an off-hand way, the utterance of the Saviour, “that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven,” despair of themselves as not destined to live, surrender all to the world, cling to the present life as if it alone was left to them, and so diverge more from the way to the life to come, no longer inquiring either whom the Lord and Master calls rich, or how that which is impossible to man becomes possible to God. But others rightly and adequately comprehend this, but attaching slight importance to the works which tend to salvation, do not make the requisite preparation for attaining to the objects of their hope. And I affirm both of these things of the rich who have learned both the Saviour’s power and His glorious salvation. With those who are ignorant of the truth I have little concern.”

Clement of Alexandria (150-215) in Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? 2. Clement was a philosopher and Christian theologian unafraid to tackle tough subjects such as the teachings of Jesus on riches and how the rich person should respond to them.

Regardless of your reading of the expression Jesus uses about a “camel” and “the eye of a needle” (some favor the word “rope” rather than “camel” in translation and others point to “the eye” as a small entry that requires people to strip away all possessions to enter), Jesus says the work will be hard for the rich person.

In God’s providence, some people come into this world rich and others poor. Jesus says that is hard for the rich person to enter the kingdom. Clement might add, it is likely that riches have become their comfort rather than God, and that riches have distracted them from pursuing life in God.

If you find yourself rich today, that is, having more than enough resources to live, holding on to them can cause you to put your trust in them. Don’t be fooled. Store them up in heaven as Jesus instructed through giving and sharing. Jenni and I have learned that it is hard, at least at first, but you don’t end up empty in so doing, you will find yourself enriched.

Father in heaven, forgive us for allowing riches to become the object of our hope. Helps us, by your Holy Spirit, instead to make requisite preparation to fulfill our role in Your providence when we have more than enough. Transform us into joyful distributors of material blessings for the glory of Jesus. Amen.

For the grace of God has displayed itself with healing power to all mankind, training us to renounce ungodliness and all the pleasures of this world, and to live sober, upright, and pious lives at the present time, in expectation of the fulfilment of our blessed hope — the appearing in glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us to purchase our freedom from all iniquity, and purify for Himself a people who should be specially His own, zealous for doing good works. Titus 2:11-14

“Now we also confess that God exists, but that He is One, the Creator, and Maker, and Fashioner of this universe; and we know that all things are arranged by His providence, but by Him alone. And we have learned a holy law; but we have as lawgiver Him who is really God, who teaches us to act righteously, and to be pious, and to do good.”

Theophilus of Antioch (c. 120-183) in Theophilus to Autolycus 3.10. Theophilus was bishop and overseer of the Christian Church in Antioch in the second century. Remember Antioch was the place Luke recounts that disciples of Jesus were first called “Christians” (Acts 11:26).

Theophilus ministered in a time when pagans either credited a pantheon of gods for various aspects of life or they refused to believe in the existence of a God who created and sustains everything through His providence. Again, not much has changed in 18 centuries!

So why explore providence and its connection to generosity? Only after we grasp that God has a design for all things, do we find our place in His plan. We get to trust in His providence and then (as Theophilus put it) act righteously, be pious, and do good.

To act righteously is to take our place as conduits of truth and love, grace and kindness. To be pious is to live with purity and devotion. To do good is to exhibit generosity through doing countercultural Christian deeds everywhere we go. And this perspective echoes Paul’s exhortation to Titus for the Christians in Crete.

God, as we start a new year, help us have eyes to see how Your providence sustains everything, including us. We resolve to act righteously, to be pious, and to do good wherever you lead and guide us this year so that our lives bring you glory and show your love to our neighbors and the whole world. Amen.

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. 1 Peter 3:15

“I will convict and refute all that has been said, however diverse, confirming and approving the truth alone; and for the future he must neither doubt nor waver. And since my brother broke out in such expressions as these, that he was grieved, that he was vexed, that he was indignant, that he regretted that illiterate, poor, unskilled people should dispute about heavenly things; let him know that all men are begotten alike, with a capacity and ability of reasoning and feeling, without preference of age, sex, or dignity. Nor do they obtain wisdom by fortune, but have it implanted by nature; moreover, the very philosophers themselves, or any others who have gone forth unto celebrity as discoverers of arts, before they attained an illustrious name by their mental skill, were esteemed plebeian, untaught, half-naked.

Thus it is, that rich men, attached to their means, have been accustomed to gaze more upon their gold than upon heaven, while our sort of people, though poor, have both discovered wisdom, and have delivered their teaching to others; whence it appears that intelligence is not given to wealth, nor is gotten by study, but is begotten with the very formation of the mind. Therefore it is nothing to be angry or to be grieved about, though any one should inquire, should think, should utter his thoughts about divine things; since what is wanted is not the authority of the arguer, but the truth of the argument itself.”

Marcus Minucius Felix (c. 170-250) in Octavius XVI.

Marcus Minucius Felix was a Roman lawyer and a Christian who recounts a dialogue on “providence” (my word for this year) between a Christian friend, Octavius Januarius, and a skeptic pagan, Caecilius Natalis. Scholars date it in the peaceful days of Roman Emperor Alexander Severus (222-235). Speaking of peaceful, I hope you like the header photo outside the cathedral near Trinity College in Bristol, England.

In this excerpt, Octavius responds with gentleness and respect to the pagan attacks that Christians, who largely numbered among common folk, could grasp heavenly things. It was thought that only wealthy people and those ascribed with high status could comprehend lofty thoughts. With an ironic twist, Octavius argues that all have this capacity and that the wealthy fail to take hold of truth because they are distracted by riches.

What does this have to do with generosity in the new year?

We must live in such a way to show the world the truth that God’s providence is the only secure place of trust. We do this (Octavius might say) by not being enamored with wealth but by being generous with it to show the world we have taken hold of something greater. Anyone can do this regardless of rank or status in society. And we must also do this with gentleness and respect as the Apostle Peter instructs us.

God, help us gaze not on gold but on heaven this new year. May our lives show that we have grasped the truth through our trust in your providence and our generosity. Help us by your Holy Spirit so that our words also flow with gentleness and respect. In your mercy hear our prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For everything in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:16

“The other lust, of the world, hath for its causes vain-glory, covetousness, ambition, insufficiency; by means of which it trumpeth up this necessity for marriage promising heavenly things truly to lord it in another household, to rest upon another’s wealth, to extort finery from another’s store, to lay out moneys which though dost not feel!

These be far from the faithful, who take no thought for sustaining life, except we distrust the promises of God, and His care and providence. Who clotheth the lilies of the field with so much beauty. Who feedeth the fowls of the air without toil of theirs. Who forbiddeth us to take thought for the meat and raiment of the morrow; assuring us that He knoweth what each one of His servants hath need of.

Not indeed the burdensome necklace, not the tedious garment, not a multitude of Gallic or German porters, which things light up the pomp of marriage, but that sufficiency which befitteth modesty and chastity. Presume, I beseech thee, that though needest nothing, if thou attendest upon the Lord; yea, that thou hast all things, if thou hast the Lord. Whose are all things. Think upon heavenly, and thou wilt despise earthly things.”

Tertullian of Carthage (c. 155-240) in The First Book to His Wife IV in The Tertullian Collection (London: Aeterna Press, 2016) 369-370.

Here Tertullian refutes the common argument in his day that a person must get married to find a great life with financial sufficiency and many material possessions.

Not much has changed over 1,800 years!

Tertullian echoes the teachings of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount and reminds listeners to trust the faithful care of God. Again, providence comes squarely into view, and it is rooted in God’s promises.

He concludes by beseeching hearers not to focus on outward adornment but to attend to the Lord. Then he concludes profoundly: “Thou hast all things, if thou hast the Lord.” Let’s think on that this new year!

Providence is having all things because we have the Lord! Happy New Year’s Eve everyone!

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness. Psalm 29:2

“Not a single thing that has been made, or that will be made, escapes the knowledge of God. Rather, through His providence, every single thing has obtained its nature, rank, number, and special quantity. Nothing whatever has been produced (or is produced) in vain or by accident. Instead, everything has been made with precise suitability and through the exercise of transcendent knowledge.”

Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-202) was born in Smyrna where he would have been influenced spiritually by Polycarp. Remember, Polycarp was discipled by John who was discipled by Jesus. As the gospel spread through the Roman Empire into Europe, Irenaeus took what he learned and served as bishop of the Christian church in Lyons (now Lyon), France.

In reading the early church fathers, a strong belief in the providence of God comes into view as foundational in their thinking. Here Irenaeus credits the Lord for all of creation. Nothing appeared by accident. He had formed everything with precise suitability and sustains everything through His providence.

“Providence” is the word I have chosen to think about this next year in my personal spiritual journey. Questions like these will guide my thinking: How did Christians in the early church or through church history understand God’s providence? How will a growing understanding of God’s providence shape my living, giving, serving, and loving this next year?

From what I gather so far, providence is a deep-rooted belief that God sustains everything. Those who grasp this will more readily obey Him and trust in His faithful provision. This takes my mind back to Psalm 29. When we ascribe to the Lord all glory, we discover that His voice, His authority, is over everything. In turn, He gives us what we need for life and living: strength and peace. What a generous God we serve!

In fact, James, Peter, and John, who were known as pillars of the church, recognized the gift God had given me, and they accepted Barnabas and me as their co-workers. They encouraged us to keep preaching to the Gentiles, while they continued their work with the Jews. Their only suggestion was that we keep on helping the poor, which I have always been eager to do. Galatians 2:9-10

“Thou shalt share all things with thy neighbor and shall not say that they are thy own property; for if you are sharers in that which is incorruptible, how much more in that which is corruptible? Thou shalt not be forward to speak, for the mouth is a snare of death. So far as thou canst, thou shalt keep thy soul pure.

Be not one who stretches out thy hands to take, and shuts them when it comes to giving. Thou shalt love “as the apple of thine eye” all who speak to thee the word of the Lord.

Thou shalt remember the day of judgment day and night, and thou shalt seek each day the society of the saints, either labouring by speech, and going out to exhort, and striving to save souls by the word, or working with thine hands for the ransom of thy sins.

Thou shalt not hesitate to give, and when thou givest thou shalt not grumble, but thou shalt know who is the good paymaster of the reward. “Thou shalt keep the precepts” which thou hast received, “adding nothing and taking nothing away.” Thou shalt utterly hate evil. “Thou shalt give righteous judgment.”

Thou shalt not cause quarrels, but shalt bring together and reconcile those that strive. Thou shalt confess thy sins. Thou shalt not betake thyself to prayer with an evil conscience. This is the Way of Light.”

Barnabas of Cyprus in Epistle of Barnabas 19.8-12.

The Epistle of Barnabas is ascribed to the Barnabas of Cyprus who is mentioned in today’s biblical text. He is the co-worker of the Apostle Paul who ministered to the Gentiles.

The Epistle of Barnabas and the Shepherd of Hermas (cited yesterday) were influential apostolic fathers and included in the Codex Sinaiticus, which is the oldest existing copy of the New Testament (c. fourth century).

These ancient documents provide clues to early church thinking on living out the Christian life, which Barnabas describes as “the Way of Light”, though they were not included in the biblical canon by the early church councils.

What does this this have to do with generosity?

Barnabas uses at least three powerful expressions that should shape our thinking regarding giving. First, we should not view property as our own, because God owns everything. We will never become generous sharers if we see ourselves as owners of possessions.

Second, we should not hesitate to give. Often we judge the recipients of our giving. Sometimes we have fear about the future which limits our giving. To this tendency Barnabas effectively says, don’t hesitate because we can be sure of reward.

Third, and this is related to the second point, we must not grumble in giving. Akin to other NT passages, Barnabas reports that God cares about the attitude of our hearts with regard to our generosity.

Barnabas means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). He is cheering us on to exhibit “the Way of Light” in a dark world so that we might save lost souls. We do this, at least in part, by being generous sharers who don’t hesitate or grumble in the process.

Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all. Proverbs 22:2

Today meditation is a parable written by the Shepherd of Hermas, a second century Christian pastor. It represents early church teaching on the relationship between God’s servants who are both rich and poor within the community of faith.

In antiquity, the rich were those with more than enough resources to live and the poor were those in need due to infirmity, weakness, or other limitation. The Shepherd of Hermas wrote this parable in a world which considered the poor to be a burden to the rich.

This parable shows how the rich and the poor help each other as “partners in the righteous work” but you must read it for yourself to discover how that is so! It’s long, but fascinating to discover how our Maker made the rich and poor to serve each other.

“Second Similitude [Parable]: As the vine is supported by the elm, so is the rich man helped by the prayers of the poor.

As I was walking in the field, and observing an elm and vine, and determining in my own, mind respecting them and their fruits, the Shepherd appears to me, and says, “What is it that you are thinking about the elm and vine?” “I am considering,” I reply, “that they become each other exceedingly well.”

“These two trees,” he continues, “are intended as an example for the servants of God.” “I would like to know,” said I, “the example which these trees you say, are intended to teach.” “Do you see,” he says, “the elm and the vine?” “I see them sir,” I replied.

“This vine,” he continued, “produces fruit, and the elm is an unfruitful tree; but unless the vine be trained upon the elm, it cannot bear much fruit when extended at length upon the ground; and the fruit which it does bear is rotten, because the plant is not suspended upon the elm. When, therefore, the vine is cast upon the elm, it yields fruit both, from itself and from the elm.

You see, moreover, that the elm also produces much fruit, not less than the vine, but even more; because,” he continued, “the vine, when suspended upon the elm, yields much fruit, and good; but when thrown upon the ground, what it produces is small and rotten. This similitude, therefore, is for the servants of God–for the poor man and for the rich.” “How so, sir?” said I; “explain the matter to me.”

“Listen,” he said: “The rich man has much wealth, but is poor in matters relating to the Lord, because he is distracted about his riches; and he offers very few confessions and intercessions to the Lord, and those which he does offer are small and weak, and have no power above.

But when the rich man refreshes the poor, and assists him in his necessities, believing that what he does to the poor man will be able to find its reward with God–because the poor man is rich in intercession and confession, and his intercession has great power with God–then the rich man helps the poor in all things without hesitation;

And the poor man, being helped by the rich, intercedes for him, giving thanks to God for him who bestows gifts upon him. And he still continues to interest himself zealously for the poor man, that his wants may be constantly supplied. For he knows that the intercession of the poor man is acceptable and influential with God.

Both, accordingly, accomplish their work. The poor man makes intercession; a work in which he is rich, which he received from the Lord, and with which he recompenses the master who helps him. And the rich man, in like manner, unhesitatingly bestows upon the poor man the riches which he received from the Lord. And this is a great work, and acceptable before God, because he understands the object of his wealth, and has given to the poor of the gifts of the Lord, and rightly discharged his service to Him.

Among men, however, the elm appears not to produce fruit, and they do not know nor understand that if a drought come, the elm, which contains water, nourishes the vine l and the vine, having an unfailing supply of water, yields double fruit both for itself and for the elm. So also poor men interceding with the Lord on behalf of the rich, increase their riches; and the rich, again, aiding the poor in their necessities, satisfy their souls.

Both, therefore, are partners in the righteous work. He who does these things shall not be deserted by God, but shall be enrolled in the books of the living.

Blessed are they who have riches, and who understand that they are from the LORD, for they who are of that mind will be able to do some good.”

Shepherd of Hermas (c. AD 100-160) in Similitudes (or Parables) 2.