Meditations

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:37-40

“Trinity Homeless Shelter is completely staffed by the homeless. WHAT? You read correctly! Many of the folks who have walked through the doors of this shelter with nothing, are actually running the place! Many have lost jobs and homes, but have found a new lease on life by entering into the shelter, finding purpose and wholeness and giving themselves to the mission and vision of the organization.

This shelter, located in Skowhegan, Maine, could be a template for other churches to follow. That somewhat unorthodox method of having the residents run the facility, feeding, clothing, and helping others find gainful employment is nothing short of miraculous…and it works! The staff (residents) get room and board for their positions. They work in the office, the food pantry, the laundry, kitchen, firing up the wood boiler, and various other chores–all requirements for an on-going operation, so that when the next needy soul shows up at the door, there is shelter from the storm.”

Richard Berry in Sheltered by Jesus: A Voice for the Homeless (Minneapolis: NextStep Resources, 2015) 115.

This is a leap year, and today is an extra day for us to live, give, serve, and love others in a way that reflects the love of Jesus Christ. Why celebrate the new book that I had the privilege of endorsing for my friend, Richard Berry, on 29 February 2016? I pray every pastor and congregation will take the “leap of faith” that Pastor Berry took to open the doors of the church to the homeless and hurting.

What happened? Read the book to find out. You will be intrigued and inspired, then convicted and convinced that Trinity EFC is not an anomaly, but an example: teaching the rest of us how to be the church. Join us in supporting the Shelter by Jesus, or Pastor Berry would say: start a shelter by Jesus at your church and see miracles happen that will change your life and transform your congregation.

“They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him. Mark 12:14-17

“Gold is Caesar’s treasure, man is God’s. Thy gold hath Caesar’s image, and thou hast God’s. Give therefore those things unto Caesar which are Caesar’s, and unto God which are God’s.”

Francis Quarles (1592-1644) English poet in Day’s Collacon, comp. and arr. by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 330.

This week Jenni and I visited our accountant and learned that we had underestimated our quarterly tax payments. That’s right, we have the privilege of paying additional taxes.

At first we were frustrated about this. Alright, I don’t know that all the frustration has diminished, but here’s what I think our Lord Jesus Christ and writers like Francis Quarles are reminding us this tax season: three things.

First, let’s maintain our integrity (cf. Proverbs 11:3).

Second, let’s pay our taxes to the authorities who have been put into their positions by God (cf. Romans 13:1).

Third, let’s give ourselves and resources to God so that just as we are made in His image, we will reflect His love and generosity to the world through our living, giving, serving, and loving.

Why do this? We are God’s treasures!

“When Jesus came home, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” And he told them, this kind cannot come out by anything but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:28-29

“Fasting and prayer are the greatest barriers to keep out all temptations of intemperance and sin from the minds of men.”

Alfred Barry (1826-1910) Anglican Bishop in Day’s Collacon, comp. and arr. by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 277.

This Lent I am learning that pausing to pray frequently keeps my mind focused on the Lord, and fasting reminds me that I can live without things but not without Jesus.

Both are connected to generosity because without these two barriers in place I will live for myself and not for others. Are you also finding this to be true?

Today Jenni and I get to have breakfast with Randy and Lori Kipp. Randy is a mobile monk that drives for work and prays while he drives. I am thankful he prays daily for me and many others.

In life after Lent, what part will fasting and prayer play in your life? I suggest with Bishop Barry and (Brother Randy) that they are the greatest barriers to keeping out temptations so we can live like Jesus for others!

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3

“One cannot live a generous life without God in it–it is not something that you do; it is something that you are. It is in the deeper journey with God that we begin to open our hands. We will examine three incidents in the life of Abraham that not only encourage us to embark on a deeper journey with God, but also remind us that generosity is an outcome of a deep relationship with God…

(1) Just as Abraham gave Lot the choice of land and trusted God to provide in whatever was left to him, so God today asks us to give up control of the things we think we possess… (2) God alone is our Provider, and we should not look to anyone else to play that role… (3) No matter the sacrifice God may require, generosity will always be rewarded with joy and God’s rich provisions…

Name one place where you need to give up control and trust God to provide, even when others take advantage of your generosity. Now turn it over to God and be at peace with Him.

Name one person you are relying on to be your provider instead of God. Repent today of that misplaced trust and, like Abraham, ask God to give you the strength and courage to trust Him alone.

Name one thing that God may be asking you to give away today in order to be obedient to His call to generosity. Make a decision today to be obedient, to give that thing away, and to watch God meet all of your needs.”

Richard Samuel (India) in “Abraham: An Example of the Generous Life” in Christ-Centered Generosity: Global Perspectives on the Biblical Call to a Generous Life (Colbert: GGN & KLP) 145-149.

Imagine receiving a promise from God that all the nations of the earth would be blessed through you. Now that’s a generosity promise! Notice the decisions Abraham had to make to serve as this conduit of blessing. How will you respond?

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

“The greatest lesson a soul has to learn is that God, and God alone, is enough for all its needs. This is the lesson that all God’s dealings with us are meant to teach, and this is the crowning discovery of our entire Christian life. God is enough.

No soul can really be at rest until it has given up dependence on everything else and has been forced to depend on the Lord alone. As long as our expectation is from other things, nothing but disappointment awaits us.”

Hannah Whitall Smith in God is Enough: Selections from Published & Unpublished Devotional Writings by Hannah Whitall Smith, ed. Melvin and Hallie Dieter (2003) excerpt from January 1 devotional.

After teaching in Phoenix I went to dinner with my niece, Jamie, then visited her husband in the tower at Luke Air Force Base where he serves as an air traffic controller. Cool to see him at work! Now I am having coffee this morning in their home on base.

What a treat to be with them and to see how they are learning that God is enough. They have Him, each other, and a cute little dog named “Archie!” Time has flown by since I officiated their wedding in July 2014.

Learning that “God is enough” is what Lent is all about: unlearning the ways of the flesh and disciplining ourselves to attune to what God is trying to teach us. Why mention this today? Until we grasp this, we will never exhibit Christian generosity.

Desire this, but not there yet? Read today’s verse again and pray this prayer: Father in Heaven, thank you for your grace, which is sufficient. It’s enough for me. Perfect your power in my weakness, I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10

“Generosity is a strong, powerful, and mysterious thing. It changes us when we do it. It changes us when it is done…Generosity begins with Christ. Christ gave Himself that we might have life, joy, abundance, and freedom…Our offerings are valued as Kingdom treasures in Jesus’ eyes. He promises to give us more than we need so we may touch the lives of those in need. In our battle against the enemy, one of our greatest weapons is generosity…Living generously reflects to the world the God we serve…Generosity is worship.”

David Wills, CEO of National Christian Foundation in the introduction to Christ-Centered Generosity: Global Perspectives on the Biblical Call to a Generous Life (Colbert: GGN & KLP) 3-4.

Ever read a section of a book that sounds like a preacher who is on a roll? That’s what David Wills sounds like in the introduction to a great book, Christ-Centered Generosity: Global Perspectives on the Biblical Call to a Generous Life. Therein he tells a story of generosity from his childhood then rattles of the statements recounted above.

Why share them with you this morning?

I want you to grasp the paradox of generosity. “It changes us when we do it. It changes us when it’s done.” God’s generosity changed us from death to life, from slavery to freedom, from hopelessness to joy. When we share it with others it has the same effect.

Need encouragement not to grow weary? Read this book or visit your local NCF office. There you will find a friend to remind you to do good to all people just like Christ did for us, so that your living, giving, serving, and loving reflects God’s generosity. We are in a battle and generosity is our weapon against greed, selfishness, materialism, and a host of other sins.

Good word, David! Generosity is worship.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

“Generosity is an exciting path to walk. It’s not just about giving money. It involves our time, our talents, and our all. It involves helping to multiply more Christ-like stewards. It includes impacting our societies. We must not stand still.”

Suparno Adijanto (Indonesia) in “The Exciting Path” in Christ-Centered Generosity: Global Perspectives on the Biblical Call to a Generous Life (Colbert: GGN & KLP) 34.

Today marks the end of the second week of Lent. I pray your Lenten journey is going well. Whether you are doing acts of generosity, committing more time for prayer, and/or fasting, ask God what He may be trying to teach you about life beyond Lent?

I am learning that pausing to pray seven times helps me attune to God at work in me and others, that fasting helps me realize that the only thing I can’t live without is Jesus, and that giving generously does not leave me empty but rather enriched.

Shortly I board a plane for Phoenix. I get to lead a workshop this afternoon and another one tomorrow morning for seminary leaders about raising up generous stewards. In between I get to introduce my mentor, Wes Willmer, as the plenary conference speaker tonight.

Why are we both going? Wes and I have dedicated our lives to “multiplying more Christ-like stewards.” If you have not read Willmer’s book, God and Your Stuff: The Vital Link Between Your Possessions and Your Soul, pick up a copy today and read it. Classic book.

Join us in this global work. It starts where God has you. Multiply more Christ-like stewards right where you are. If you are a mom, disciple your children and encourage fellow mothers. If you are a father, make your household a headquarters for generosity.

If you are a grandmother, scatter kindness and shower your grandchildren (and everyone else) with God’s love. If you are a grandfather (like my dad who turns 77 today, Happy Birthday Dad!), keep pointing others to Jesus through humble service.

Together let’s impact societies. In the words of Adijanto: “We must not stand still” (except of course to pause, so that we attune to God and only say what He wants us to say and do what He wants us to do)! What an exciting path!

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Psalm 24:1

“God, the maker of heaven and earth, owns all of creation and all it contains, as the Psalmist declares. In His benevolence He has given us all the resources of the earth to use and to enjoy.

God, however, never transferred ownership to people. He continued to be the owner, and we are merely stewards. This truth has far-reaching implications for the way we live our life and use the resources entrusted to us, including money and possessions, our work, our business, and everything we have.

If God is the owner and we are stewards, then we have to follow the will and desires of the owner. This involves knowing the heart of God, surrendering to His will, and living out our purpose…

Does God need our money? He owns the cattle on a thousand hills and every animal in the forest belongs to Him. God does not need our money, but He teaches us to give to help us gain the freedom from the love of money and depend wholly on Him. Practicing biblical stewardship guards from selfishness, greed, and hoarding…

The biggest hindrance to generosity is that we think we are owners. But if we understand that we are merely trustees and that God is the ultimate owner, this will lead us to follow the heart and the will of God. It can change the way we live in this world and treat material wealth.”

Zenet Maramara (Philippines) in “Biblical Stewardship: The Foundation of All Generosity” in Christ-Centered Generosity: Global Perspectives on the Biblical Call to a Generous Life (Colbert: GGN & KLP) 141-142.

Are you free? Or are you acting like an owner?

Live out your purpose as a faithful steward. In the parables of Jesus, the faithful stewards enter the joy of the Master. In the words of my good friend, Zenet Maramara, they “gain the freedom” God offers from the love of money.

Find freedom this Lent by following the heart and will of God.

And God is able to make all grace overflow to you so that because you have enough of everything in every way at all times, you will overflow in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

“With six siblings and my father being a factory worker, I grew up thinking we were a poor family. My perception changed when, as a teenager, I was privileged to travel to Communist Romania. I got to know a gypsy family who shared two rooms with fifteen people. But they had found Jesus, were exuberant in joy and thankfulness, and they had no notion of poverty whatsoever.

Years later I learned that no matter whether you are rich or poor, you can live your life under the constant influence of a spirit of poverty that tells you the lie: “You don’t have enough.” I have met individual Christians, families, and even whole churches who live under this lie. Rich and poor have to hear and learn that our generous heavenly Father wants His children to live in freedom and in a spirit of generous living and generous giving.”

Dr. Wilf Gasser (Switzerland) in “Having Enough” in Christ-Centered Generosity: Global Perspectives on the Biblical Call to a Generous Life (Colbert: GGN & KLP) 133.

Do you live in freedom or are you under this lie? Do you live like you believe that having Christ is having everything you need? Gasser is spot on when he says essentially that we cannot possibly grasp the freedom and generous life that our Father desires for us until we realize we have enough in Him!

As I travel the world and interact with Christian leaders, more than once, internationals with minimal financial resources (like the joyful gypsies mentioned above) have expressed sympathy to me regarding the “we don’t have enough” mentality, or perhaps malady, that they have seen afflicts so many Americans.

Good examples would be my Torch Trinity Graduate University students last year from Korea, China, Nepal, and Japan. They too were “exuberant in joy and thankfulness” because they testify that having Christ is having more than enough. Do you live in joyful freedom or are you under the lie that says “you don’t have enough”?

Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. Luke 6:35

“Liberality was steadily enjoined upon Christians; indeed, the headquarters of this virtue were to lie within the household, and its proof was to be shown in daily life.”

Adolf von Harnack (1851-1930) in The Expansion of Christianity in the First Three Centuries, Volume 1 (New York: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904) 190.

After exploring ancient sources extensively, Adolf von Harnack makes one point clear: generous households were central to the expansion of Christianity in the Mediterranean world. What’s this mean in plain terms and why does it matter?

Jesus and His followers urged believers to live out their faith as a children who are part of a family with a generous Father who is kind even to the most undeserving. When our households live, give, serve, and love generously each day, we show our Father’s generosity to the world.

Resolve today to make your household a headquarters for generosity! Not sure where to start. Here’s a suggestion I give my students (whether single and married): Read a Gospel with your spouse or a friend in a red letter version.

Make it an experience. Set aside 2-3 hours. Get good coffee or sit outside on a nice day together. Each time Jesus speaks (with red letters), take turns answering the question: What would it look for me and my family to follow Jesus and His instructions in our daily lives?

For many, it leads to repentance and renewal? For most, it strengthens personal and corporate resolve to live generously. Why do this? I make my students answer that question themselves. Try this activity during this Lenten season and discover its value.

Father in Heaven, by the power of the Spirit at work in us, make our households into headquarters for generosity, so that people will see the love and liberality of Jesus through our daily living. Amen.

This is my prayer for meditations readers, for my wife and me, and for our children. Speaking of children, I spend this afternoon tying flies at the Bass Pro Fishing show with my son, Sammy. He’s not a child any more though. They grow up fast.

Thank you Lord, that someday soon Sammy (and our daughter Sophie too) will have their own households. We rejoice that they already exhibit Christ-like generosity. Guide them to spouses who love You and will join them in having households that are headquarters for generosity. Amen.