Meditations

And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us. 2 Corinthians 8:5

“God’s gifts call on us to make ourselves available to their Giver…Is favor transferred when we give ourselves to the Lord? It’s not. We’re simply living the way God created us to live. We can’t give anything back to God, not even ourselves, since we were never our own in the first place. We live and breathe and have our being in God. The most we can do is to make ourselves available for God to be used as instruments.

Notice that, in making ourselves available, we are not doing God any favors. We give ourselves for God’s use to benefit creation, not to benefit God. That’s what it means to be a “living” sacrifice, which the Apostle Paul urges Christians in Rome to become (Romans 12:1).

A sacrifice is normally dead, given in ancient religions to benefit gods by nourishing and sustaining them. But that would be a sacrifice that a negotiator God required. God the Giver requires a living sacrifice, ready to do God’s work in God’s world.”

Miroslav Volf in Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2005) 47-48.

I’ve arrived in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia, where the outback meets the ocean, though all I can see from my hotel room are palm trees and partly cloudy skies (as pictured above). This week Dr. Wes Willmer and I are speaking at the Christian Ministry Advancement Annual Conference on the theme: Faithful in God’s work in God’s world.

We are also celebrating the launch of the CMA Standards Council (the Australian counterpart to ECFA in the USA) and that Mr. Stephen Kerr, a Melbourne attorney and committed follower of Christ, has “made himself available” to serve as the founding executive director.

Making ourselves available to God may be our greatest act of generosity. Volf makes a great distinction that the gift of ourselves does not benefit God, but God’s creation. In essence, we become God’s gift to the world.

Let us resolve today to serve as living sacrifices who faithfully give ourselves and the resources in our stewardship to God to do His work in His world.

I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:12-13

“If only living simply were actually simple…What should we do with this simple-living paradox, this challenge that for many of us today, living simply takes real work? Even when we attempt to living simply, we can end up with another experience entirely…While simple living is not so simple, it can lead to generosity in many forms: generous giving of time, generous giving of money, generous giving of love, and eventually, generous thanksgiving…

And yet, for those who have much, living simply can become a call to action responding to God’s good and unexpected gifts to us. As Paul indicates, it is a learning process, a sanctification process, even, of being made holy by the Spirit’s good work in us. Like Paul, as we focus our living out the gospel of Christ, we cannot expect that simple living is easy. Together, though, we might find that with God, simple living is faithful.”

Adam Copeland in “Not So Simple: Living in Christ” in Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, volume 18 (Richmond: ESC, 2016) 6-7.

Copeland nails the paradox of simple living. It’s hard but it’s the faithful path on which God transforms us to become his conduits of love, service, and generosity. What would it look like for you to simplify? To give away possessions that actually own you because of the time it takes you to take care of them? Take time today to think about this. It’s what I will be challenging my students to do in my teaching this summer, so that, like Paul, they can model simple living.

Today I preached at two churches in Seoul on “Managing God’s Resources Faithfully: Five Reminders for Stewards” from Luke 16:1-13. Email me if you’d like a copy of my sermon manuscript, and please pray for hearts to be receptive of the message God’s given me to share. Please also pray for safe travels for Dr. Wes Willmer and me from Seoul, South Korea to Sydney, Australia tonight and then connecting to Brisbane, Australia tomorrow. Thank you.

I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. Philippians 4:10-11

“Living simply has more to do with the “why” rather than the “what”. One of the most famous lines from the documentary Affluenza goes something like this: “We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t know.”

Almost everything we buy says something, either to ourselves or to the world around us. And because we care about what people think about us, we are susceptible to this kind of marketing. So we clutter up our lives with stuff and activities that we are told will make us popular and admired.

The problem of course is that all of that stuff needs to be cared for and eventually, stored—which of course, is why the storage unit industry continues to grow. In a country that has the highest average square footage per house in the world, we still need more space to put stuff we don’t use. And that us the key to a simplified life: what we actually use and why? What activities do we engage in because we actually like doing them rather than because everyone else is doing them?

The way to measure simplicity in your life is not by counting your stuff or looking at your calendar but to ask what role these things and activities play in your life and, more important, if they add feelings of contentment or anxiety. Contentment in how you live is how the simple life is measured, not in the amount of stuff you have or how busy you are, but how you feel about how you are living.”

Lynn Miller in “Simple Living” in Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, volume 18 (Richmond: ESC, 2016) 10.

Miller hits the nail on the head. This summer I plan to help my students in various classes this summer (and readers of my daily meditations) to think about the “why” rather than the “what”. I want to do this so that our living models for others a different way to live, a Christian way to live: to consume without being overtaken by consumerism and to use things without being possessed by them, so that we are free to live, give, serve, and love as content conduits of God’s material and spiritual blessings.

Today at an International Missions Conference at Sarang Community Church (one of the largest churches in Korea), I will speak on “Sustainability and Missions” (reply to this email if you’d like a copy of my manuscript). The aim of my remarks is to deconstruct the false paradigm that “financial sustainability” is the driving force of missions, as the NT reveals that “faithful stewardship” is God’s design, His pattern, for sustaining and fueling mission.

What’s this have to do with simple living? The paradox is that God’s work goes forward not because wealthy people bankroll it. It moves forward when God’s people (whether rich, poor, or in between) live simply and participate richly with what they have: their gifts and goods to make known the gospel. The Korean Church, much like the early church in the days of the NT, has plenty of resources because millions or ordinary people are living openhanded lives and participating enthusiastically with the resources in their stewardship.

If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

“Generosity and love are complementary gifts from God. 1 Corinthians 13:3 says, “If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing” (NRSV). Love cannot be forced or legislated, but must be provoked by a love of our neighbor. I like to say, “When we truly love our neighbor as ourselves, capitalism as we see it today won’t be possible, but Marxism won’t be necessary. What we are talking about is a movement of people loving their neighbor as themselves. Jesus was not afraid to reach out and touch the poor and marginalized. He invites us to tear down the walls that separate us from the suffering in the world today.”

Shane Claiborne in “Generosity in Community” in Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, volume 18 (Richmond: ESC, 2016) 14-15.

One thing I love about Korea is how sharing is a deep cultural value. Unlike in America where the cultural norm is to focus on looking out for ourselves, on this my eighth trip, I am yet again blown away by Korean hospitality: a ride from the airport is set up for me, a room is provided for me, food is set before me in colorful and vast portions, and perhaps the biggest gesture is the love and respect extended to me as minister of the gospel. Why share this?

The Korean Church has challenges like the church in other countries, but more than any place I have ever been, it feels like a “movement of people loving their neighbors as themselves” as Claiborne notes. Today Dr. Wes Willmer (my mentor, friend, and fellow author) will spend quality time with Dr. Ho Chan Hwang of CCFK (Christian Council for Financial Transparency, Korea – the Korean counterpart to ECFA in the USA). Pray that we can love, serve, and encourage him well on our visit.

Ask yourself what it would look like to catalyze such a movement yourself. How would you handle possessions differently if your focus was to love your neighbor as yourself? Would you store up treasures on earth or deploy them to those in need around you? How would it change the use of “your” time (as if you possess it in the first place)? Living Christianly moves beyond ideologies like capitalism and socialism. It’s living life in the Kingdom here and now!

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

“Often it is claimed that the secret of simple living is giving something up. Renunciation turns to denunciation as the epitome of simplicity. But for Christian stewardship, neither renunciation nor denunciation is the secret of what is really life.

For Jesus the simple life is centered in this command: seek first the kingdom of God. Stewardship is for serving the kingdom of God, that is, the reign of God’s righteousness, God’s power of life over death in all its forms. For Jesus the secret of the simple life is loving God and the neighbor Jesus gives us.

The simplicity of Christian life depends completely on the love of God that makes possible the love of the neighbor and the love of the neighbor that embodies the love of God. The freedom of the simple life is for the love of God and neighbor.

To be sure, the simple life means freedom from possessions, from over consumption, from dehumanizing work, and from debt, but this freedom is for what God loves–all human beings and all creatures God has called into being.”

M. Douglas Meeks in “Simple Living and Christian Stewardship” in Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, volume 18 (Richmond: ESC, 2016) 4.

Each year I subscribe to this publication to get ideas for helping pastors and students grow joyful stewards in their churches and among their constituencies. I’ll share a quote from each of the articles on my travels in South Korea and Australia over the next few weeks.

Meeks nails it when he says: “Stewardship is for serving the kingdom of God.” Just before this meditation posted, I arrived safely in Seoul. Both around the world and at home, living the simple life is loving God and loving the neighbors He gives us. Let’s do it.

Father in heaven, help each of us love you and love our neighbor with the love we have received from you so that people locally and globally may see your kingdom, power, and righteousness. Do this by your Holy Spirit I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 12:12-14

Hospitality is “entertaining others graciously without grudging or without thought of the favor returned to you.”

Deborah Zacharoff in Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis, Lisa Matlock (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007) 64.

This morning I left home for the airport to fly to Seoul via San Francisco at 4:00 am. A faithful friend drove me. He insists that I call him when I need early morning airport runs, and he never grudges at the early hour or seeks anything in return.

Often I am guilty of grudging and/or expecting a return related to my giving. Perhaps you are too. Jesus reminds us to bless others, especially those in need who cannot reciprocate, and He will repay us in the end. Jesus, help us serve people with the loving, generous attitude you modeled for us.

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 1 Peter 4:9

Hospitality is…”Opening your heart and home, and freely giving all that you have to generously and lovingly meet the needs of others. Hospitality promotes and welcomes others into a warm, inviting, friendly, environment where they feel loved and accepted.”

Kelli Gleeson in Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis, Lisa Matlock (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007) 63.

My wife and I just finished planting some flowers in pots in front of our townhouse. We wanted to make our place warm and inviting. We had a neighbor couple over for dinner last night with whom we are developing a friendship. Part of generosity is loving people well from our hearts and our homes.

What about your heart and home? Would people say they feel loved and accepted by you? Is your home warm and inviting? Is there something you could do to make your place more welcoming? Do you have neighbors who may have needs? Or do you even know your neighbors?

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13

Hospitality is “meeting the needs of others through the use of one’s resources, specifically in and through the context of the home. Hospitality is love in action. It would also say that hospitality is not limited to the realm of home. Anyone in any situation can exercise hospitality simply by meeting another person’s need (whether they be physical, emotional or spiritual) by joyfully giving herself and her resources.”

Amy Raper in Practicing Hospitality: The Joy of Serving Others by Pat Ennis, Lisa Matlock (Wheaton: Crossway, 2007) 53.

Happy Memorial Day. I pray you are able to practice hospitality to day. It’s more than inviting a friend to a party. It’s interacting with people and giving them whatever they need. It can headquarter in our homes but since it’s about showing love and service, we extend it to others from anywhere.

Since the word “hospitality” is related to the word “hospital”, just like the medical headquarters dispenses whatever is needed to meet the needs of physically-broken people, dispense God’s love and grace generously toward someone. And just like doctor’s “practice” medicine, your efforts will bring life, help, and healing.

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Luke 3:11

“God invites all of us to live in a new money mindset, to recognize that we have enough for ourselves and enough to share. His call is not to get in line for more money or better stuff but to think as he does and to use money and possessions in ways that reach far beyond ourselves.”

Brad Hewitt and James Moline in Your New Money Mindset: Create a Healthy Relationship with Money (Carol Stream: Tyndale, 2015) 31.

Most of us is the United States think in terms of consumerism and taking care of ourselves. We have room for growth in sharing. I am off to South Korea this week where the prevailing cultural thinking is to look out for one’s extended family, so while sharing is highly valued in that culture, hoarding is the issue with which they wrestle.

In Christ, all of us need a new money mindset rooted in sharing. John the Baptist announced it, Jesus taught it, and the early church modeled it. After my Bible reading today I decided to go through my clothing and possessions to determine what I might be able to share. Situations change. Stuff is not needed after all. Others may be able to put it to use.

We always have room for growth in Christian sharing. Is there something you could share today?

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18-19

“Combating poverty will require the rare sort of commitment if we are to change the status quo. The battle for lasting relief will take relentless leadership, because victory will require the mobilization of millions of the nonpoor who will choose to give and to go where the pockets of poverty are most extreme and who will remain there long-term in order to reverse the time of intolerable conditions. Millions of Christians will need to get actively involved in easing the suffering of those who live in conditions of extreme need and to bring reform to the unjust systems that perpetuate indefensible disparities of wealth and health. But the millions needed to stem the time of global poverty will make the decision to enter the battle one soldier at a time. It will do no good for them to enlist if they will not persist to the end of the struggle.”

John Rowell in To Give or Not to Give: Rethinking Dependency, Restoring Generosity, and Redefining Sustainability (Tyrone: Authentic, 2006) 227-228.

I am speaking at an international missions conference at Sarang Community Church in Seoul on 4 June 2016. My remarks are linked to “Sustainability and Missions” and my focus is shifting the thinking of listeners from “financial sustainability” to “faithful stewardship” as money is not the driving money for missions God is, and God’s design is to work through faithful stewards who “give and go” by deploying their gifts and goods to make known the gospel.

Are you giving and going to help those in need? I have a call scheduled in the next few days with Edgar and Gladys Güitz of Potter’s House in Guatemala. Part of the reason for the call is to plan a visit there later this year. Sending money to the destitute does not combat poverty. Giving and going is the answer. If you are looking for a place to give and go, consider that organization. Remember, Jesus did not send help. He came. Our giving must be combined with going.