Meditations

“Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9

“The writer asks God for two things that will be important as long as he lives. First he begs the Lord to preserve him from falsehood and lies. He longs to maintain his integrity, no matter what. Second, he requests that God provide his daily necessities, not too much or too little. He recognizes the distinctive temptations that go with either extreme. Too much money, and we are tempted to forget God and trust in our own resources. Too little, and desperation may tempt us to steal. Either way, we dishonor the name of our God.”

Max Anders in Proverbs (Holman Old Testament Commentary; Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2005) 349.

Today I am preaching at Bear Valley Church, in Lakewood, Colorado on one verse: Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Anders’ comments above mirror what a first-century Jewish Christian would have heard in this humble request at the heart of “the Lord’s Prayer”. Jesus was affirming this idea from Proverbs that taught God’s people to trust Him for even the most basic provisions as the place of daily dependence helps us avoid the “distinctive temptations” associated with riches and poverty.

Sadly many people think they know better. They think they can serve both God and riches. They are fooling themselves. I know. I was there. That’s likely why the writer of Proverbs coupled the request for daily bread with the petition to help him avoid falsehood and lies. For years my wife and I stockpiled for ourselves. Don’t do it! Do not store up treasures on earth. Deploy them to the things God cares about. We have learned that the pathway between riches and poverty leads to freedom.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7-8

“My children, how great things patience works, and prayer with fasting. And if you therefore follow after sobriety and purity in patience and humility of heart, the Lord will dwell among you, because He loves sobriety. And wheresoever the Most High dwells, even though a man fall into envy, or slavery, or slander, the Lord who dwells in him, for his sobriety’s sake not only delivers him from evil, but also exalts and glorifies him, even as me. For in every way the man is guarded, whether in deed, or in word, or in thought.

My brethren know how my father loved me, and I was not exalted in my heart; although I was a child, I had the fear of God in my thoughts. For I knew that all things should pass away, and I kept myself within bounds, and I honoured my brethren; and through fear of them I held my peace when I was sold, and revealed not my family to the Ishmaelites, that I was the son of Jacob, a great man and a mighty. Do ye also, therefore, have the fear of God in your works, and honour your brethren. For every one who works the law of the Lord shall be loved by Him.”

Testament of Joseph, Concerning Sobriety 11.10-11 (second century BC). Today’s post is a fitting conclusion to our exploration of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Jewish apocalyptic writings that likely shaped the thinking of first-century Jewish believers in the early church.

The Apostle Peter urges us, when it seems like the end is near and the world is falling apart, to have a sober mind so that we can pray. Likewise the Testament of Joseph–whose life was anything but peaceful at times as he was sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned–urges us toward patience, fasting and prayer in order to preserve sobriety and purity.

To be alert is to be prepared for disaster, which will come sooner or later, so that our first response is to run to God in prayer. When we do, the Testament of Joseph reminds us that the Lord will dwell with us. To be sober is to have the right response to such situations: we are prepared.

These are heavy ideas. What is their connection to generosity?

Most of the quotes from the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs (this one included) have spoken to the posture of our hearts. Today, Joseph teaches that to have the fear of God in our works, we must be sober people. Amazing that Joseph could show love to his brothers after the multitude of sins he endured. That was generosity! It’s what flows through sober people.

In these dark days, God help us be alert and of sober mind.

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:1-3

“If a man prospers more than you, be not grieved, but pray also for him, that he may have perfect prosperity. For perchance it is expedient for you thus; and if he be further exalted, be not envious, remembering that all flesh shall die: and offer praise to God, who gives things good and profitable to all men. Seek out the judgments of the Lord, and so shall your mind rest and be at peace. And though a man become rich by evil means, even as Esau the brother of my father, be not jealous; but wait for the end of the Lord. For either He takes His benefits away from the wicked, or leaves them still to the repentant, or to the unrepentant reserves punishment for ever. For the poor man who is free from envy, giving thanks to the Lord in all things, is rich among all men, because he has not evil jealousy of men. Put away, therefore, hatred from your souls, and love one another with uprightness of heart.”

Testament of Gad, Concerning Hatred 9.7 (second century BC). I hope you have enjoyed exploring excerpts of these documents that may have shaped the thinking of early church Christians with Jewish roots. Only a few more of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs to go.

The Testament of Gad echoes Asaph the Psalmist in exhorting us not to focus on those that are prospering but rather to focus on the Lord, giving thanks for all the good things He provides for us. It’s not easy though. We think God should bless the good and shower nothing good on the wicked. What’s the pathway to peace? It’s only found in reflecting on the goodness of God and then extending that to others in love with uprightness of heart. God help us live with uprightness of heart, so that your generosity will shine through us regardless of our circumstances!

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Romans 6:12-13

“For God made all things good in their order, the five senses in the head, and He joins on the neck to the head, the hair also for comeliness, the heart moreover for understanding, the belly for the dividing of the stomach, the calamus for health, the liver for wrath, the gall for bitterness, the spleen for laughter, the reins for craftiness, the loins for power, the ribs for containing, the back for strength, and so forth. So then, my children, be orderly unto good things in the fear of God, and do nothing disorderly in scorn or out of its due season. For if you bid the eye to hear, it cannot; so neither in darkness can you do the works of light.”

Testament of Naphtali, concerning Natural Goodness 8.2 (second century BC).

In Paul’s letter to the Romans he urges them not to let sin reign in their bodies but rather to offer themselves as an instrument of righteousness. Likewise, the Testament of Naphtali describes how God made each part of our bodies to perform certain functions, he made us do works of light. So friends, in the fear of God, were we not designed for disorderly conduct. God designed us for good works (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:20-21). He made us to shine like lights for Him. Let’s do it.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26

“And now, children, take heed of the spirit of deceit and of envy. For envy rules over the whole mind of a man, and suffers him neither to eat, nor to drink, nor to do any good thing: it ever suggests to him to destroy him that he envies; and he that is envied ever flourishes, but he that envies fades away. Two years of days I afflicted my soul with fasting in the fear of the Lord, and I learned that deliverance from envy comes by the fear of God.”

Testament of Simeon, Concerning Envy 2.3.1-4 (second century BC).

Envy is a leading hindrance to doing good. While the Apostle Paul notes that a fruit of the Spirit is generosity, he exhorts the Galatians (and us) not to envy each other. It’s a fruit of the flesh. How do we root this out?

The Testament of Simeon suggests fasting in the fear of the Lord. Take inventory today. If you have a root of envy, a longing after something someone else has, skip a meal and feast on the one thing that is better than anything else: God.

Read a Psalm, such as Psalm 37, in which David wrestled with envious thoughts. Run to God. He is the only one who can satisfy your deepest longings, and remove this hindrance to doing good.

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4

“Walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord, and be labouring in works, and roaming in study and among your flocks, until the Lord give to you a wife whom He will.”

Testament of Reuben, Concerning Thoughts 4.1 (second century BC).

Today the Testament of Reuben mirrors the words of this Psalm of David.

As empty nesters, Jenni and I are praying verses like these over our children. We believe it’s one of the most generous things we can do for them as they are “laboring in works and roaming in study.”

Father, help our children walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord. Give them strength to labor in works and roam in study. In your timing, provide a wife for our son and a husband for our daughter that likewise loves and serves you, Amen.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

“Now I will declare unto you what I did, I saw a man in distress and nakedness in wintertime, and had compassion upon him, and stole away a garment secretly from my house, and gave it to him who was in distress. Do you therefore, my children, from that which God bestows upon you, show compassion and mercy impartially to all men, and give to every man with a good heart.

And if you have not at the time wherewith to give to him that asks you, have compassion for him in bowels of mercy. I know that my hand found not at the time wherewith to give to him that asked me, and I walked with him weeping for more than seven furlongs, and my bowels yearned towards him unto compassion.

Have therefore yourselves also, my children, compassion towards every man with mercy, that the Lord also may have compassion upon you, and have mercy upon you; because also in the last days God sends His compassion on the earth, and wheresoever He finds bowels of mercy, He dwells in him. For how much compassion a man has upon his neighbours, so much also has the Lord upon him.”

Testament of Zebulun, Concerning Compassion and Mercy. 6.7.1 to 6.8.5 (second century BC).

As I have noted the last few days, this Jewish apocalyptic text (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs) would have been among the literature that shaped the thinking of Jewish Christians in the early church. Today’s excerpt reminds me of the life of Jesus. He showed compassion and mercy to those society deemed least deserving. Conversely, society teach us to judge and extend generosity to those that are deserving.

Listen again to this instruction: “from that which God bestows upon you, show compassion and mercy impartially to all men, and give to every man with a good heart.” That sums up Christian generosity! All we have comes from God, who is the only righteous judge. We are here to show compassion and mercy, so let’s stop judging and start sharing! Would you want others to aid you impartially in crisis? Of course. Go and do likewise with good heart.

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

“And now, my children, I command you that you fear our Lord with your whole heart, and walk in simplicity according to all His law. And do ye also teach your children learning, that they may have understanding in all their life, reading unceasingly the law of God; for every one who shall know the law of God shall be honoured, and shall not be a stranger wheresoever he goes. Yea, many friends shall he gain more than his forefathers; and many men shall desire to serve him, and to hear the law from his mouth.

Work righteousness, my children, upon the earth, that you may find treasure in the heavens, and sow good things in your souls, that you may find them in your life. For if you sow evil things, you shall reap all trouble and affliction.

Get wisdom in the fear of God with diligence; for though there shall be a leading into captivity, and cities be destroyed, and lands and gold and silver and every possession shall perish, the wisdom of the wise none can take away, save the blindness of ungodliness and the palsy of sin: for even among his enemies shall it be to him glorious, and in a strange country a home, and in the midst of foes shall it be found a friend. If a man teach these things and do them, he shall be enthroned with kings, as was also Joseph our brother.”

Testament of Levi, Concerning the Priesthood and Arrogance 3.13 (second century BC).

This apocalyptic Jewish text would have been among the literature that shaped the thinking of early church Jewish Christians. It echoes Proverbs and calls God’s people to fear the Lord, walk in simplicity, work righteousness, and get wisdom while awaiting the Messiah.

Today, it seems that Messiah’s second coming is imminent. While we are waiting for that, our children just returned to college this weekend. In bidding them farewell, I exhorted both to fear the Lord, walk in simplicity, work righteousness, and get wisdom. Why?

Wisdom in the fear of God is the greatest treasure anyone can possess and/or share generously.

And every day, being constantly in the temple with one accord, and breaking bread in [the] house, they received their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God, and having favour with all the people; and the Lord added [to the assembly] daily those that were to be saved. Acts 2:46-47

“And now hearken to me, my children, and walk in simplicity of heart, for I have seen in it all that is well-pleasing to the Lord. The simple covets not gold, defrauds not his neighbour, longs not after manifold dainties, delights not in varied apparel, does not picture to himself to live a long life, but only waits for the will of God, and the spirits of error have no power against him. For he cannot allow within his mind a thought of female beauty, that he should not pollute his mind in corruption. No envy can enter into his thoughts, no jealousy melts away his soul, nor does he brood over gain with insatiate desire; for he walks in uprightness of life, and beholds all things in simplicity, not admitting in his eyes malice from the error of the world, lest he should see the perversion of any of the commandments of the Lord.”

Testament of Issachar 5.4 (second century BC).

Why quote from another one of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs? It provides another colorful sampling of the literature that influenced the behavior of the early church, which was largely comprised of Jews.

Notice the person with simplicity of heart is focused on the Lord rather than gold, material possessions, lustful desires, envy, jealousy, and personal gain. We also find wise counsel to avoid the modern idol of “building a big retirement” in this text in the expression “does not picture himself to live a long life.” All these desires are perversions of good things.

In Acts of the Apostles, Luke describes the early church as exhibiting this simplicity of heart. When they do, their lives reflect gladness and generosity, oneness and worship, and many come to faith. Want your church to grow in these traits in 2016? Nurture simplicity of heart, that is, encourage everyone to “wait for the will of God” and focus only on “all that is well-pleasing to the Lord.”

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

“My children, the love of money leadeth to idolatry; because, when led astray through money, men name as gods those who are not gods, and it causeth him who hath it to fall into madness.”

Testament of Judah 19.1 (second century BC).

Why quote from ancient Jewish apocalyptic literature today?

“Love of money” is one of the most common and grievous maladies I see in struggling ministry leaders today. The evil one uses this tactic to lead even the most devout disciples astray. They spend all their energy pursuing money rather than God, all the while thinking money is what they need to make ministry happen.

The author of Hebrews in the NT echoes the Testament of Judah and affirms that rather than worrying about what we don’t have (which is the madness of the love of money), we focus on contentment with what we do have, because friends, we have God and He will never forsake us.