Meditations

For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

“Rather than becoming like the world in its opposition to God, believers are called to imitate God’s love for the rebellious world, a love that seeks to draw people back to a loving communion with the Creator. Thus, in 1 John 2:15 we are told not to love the world, but John goes on to explain this “love” is characterized by a selfish desire for “the things in the world,” such as “pride in possessions” (1 John 2:15-16). And that means it is a twisted love, focused on self rather than the other. But this is not how God loves the world in John 3:16, where God gives. The kind of love that must be rejected is the exact opposite of God’s love for the world: God’s love gives, worldly love takes.”

Kelly Kapic in God So Loved, He Gave: Entering the Movement of Divine Generosity (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2010) 68. This book is one of the better “theology” books on generosity and required reading for my D.Min. students at Trinity. I re-read an excerpt of it this morning while meditating on God’s great gift to the world: love.

What about the love you and I exhibit in our lives? Do we “draw people back to a loving communion with the Creator” or do we have a “selfish desire” for stuff in this world? Do we give or take?

“God’s love gives, worldly love takes.”

“Generous giving will break the grip of greed on your life. So whether or not you think you have extra, give and give generously. You’ve got to give to the point that it forces you to adjust your lifestyle. If you’re not willing to give to the point that it impacts your lifestyle, then according to Jesus, you’re greedy. If you’re consuming to the point of having little or nothing left to give, you’re greedy. If you’re consuming and saving to the point that there’s little or nothing to give, you’re greedy.

I know, that’s strong. Actually, it’s harsh. But it’s true. Maybe this is a bit hard for you to swallow because you’ve never had a greedy thought in your life. Maybe you feel compassion every time you see someone in need. And in your heart you really do want to help. You want to give, but you can’t. Or you won’t. Why? Because you’re afraid you won’t have enough. But your heart genuinely goes out to those in need. So is it fair to say you’re greedy? Yes. Because greed is not a feeling; it’s a refusal to act.”

Andy Stanley in Enemies of the Heart (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2011) 153.

Father in Heaven, by your Holy Spirit help us move from a place of refusing to act to being cheerful distributors of the material and spiritual blessings you so generously lavish on us. Do this we ask in the name of Jesus, Amen.

“Generosity proved to be contagious. Once begun, this charity soon extended beyond the regimental loyalties to include any man in need. Men started thinking less of themselves, of their own discomforts and plans, and more of their responsibilities to others…

It was dawning on us all—officers and other ranks alike—that the law of the jungle is not the law for man. We had seen for ourselves how quickly it could strip most of us of our humanity and reduce us to levels lower than the beasts…

Death was still with us—no doubt about that, But we were slowly being freed from its destructive grip. We were seeing for ourselves the sharp contrast between the forces that made for life and those that made for death.

Selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, greed, self-indulgence, laziness, and pride were all anti-life. Love, heroism, self-sacrifice, sympathy, mercy, integrity, and creative faith, on the other hand were the essence of life, turning mere existence into living in its truest sense. These were the gifts of God to men.”

Earnest Gordon in To End all Wars (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002) 105-106.

While I don’t normally feel drawn to read all or portions of books on war, To End all Wars celebrates how the love of God can transform people even in the harshest situations.

Gordon’s testimony reminds me of the Apostle Paul, who despite chains continued a vibrant ministry and even helped the soldiers who guarded him take hold of life.

How are our lives touching those around us? Do we foster anti-life or life? When we allow God’s generosity to flow through us, it is both contagious and life-giving!

“Since God’s sovereign rule and all the benefits for our material needs come from God to us, [Matthew 6:19-34] suggests by implication that we can become part of God’s redemptive force in history by sharing these benefits with those who are in need…Part of the presence of the Kingdom is indeed material blessings. Therefore, we can hardly live under God’s reign, receive His blessings, and not use them to help alleviate the evil of hunger and need elsewhere…Not only do we recognize that all we have comes from God, but we also recognize that sharing that with others to remove their suffering is to defeat the enemy and to “seek the Kingdom…on earth as in heaven.”

Robert A. Guelich in The Sermon on the Mount: A Foundation for Understanding (W Publishing Group, 1982) 373.

As followers of Jesus Christ, are we functioning as “God’s redemptive force” today or do we look no different from the rest of the world?

“Seeing the inbreaking reign of God when most do not, the follower of Jesus is overjoyed at the opportunity to participate in the kingdom’s dynamic advance in every area, economic life included. Living simply, not hoarding wealth, and trusting God to meet basic material needs are practices that free people to offer generosity to and seek justice for and with the poor and hungry and, in general, to follow Jesus. Finally, in turning hearts and eyes in this direction they themselves enjoy the added benefit of a remarkable personal liberation that yanks them from greed, acquisitiveness, and a fruitless worry over treasures that will all too soon pass away.”

David P. Gushee in “The Economic Ethics of Jesus” in Faithful Economics: The Moral Worlds of a Neutral Science, ed. James W. Henderson and John Pisciotta (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2005) 124.

What if submitting to the reign of God and turning our hearts and eyes toward Jesus rather than things is an invitation to “remarkable personal liberation” for everyone? Have you taken hold of it? Or are you filled with “fruitless worry” linked to treasures? Perhaps it is time to revisit the economic instructions of Jesus (cf. Matthew 6:19-34).

“Jesus provided guidance on how to free us from sinful patterns related to our attitude and behavior toward material possessions. Jesus offered a new way of life when he addressed the economic dimensions of their lives. Jesus did not reject personal property but instead rejected selfishness, greed, hoarding, and lack of generosity. Living simply and trusting God to meet our needs frees us to practice generosity and seek justice for the poor and hungry.”

James W. Henderson in “The Christian Perspective on Economic Scholarship” in Faithful Economics: The Moral Worlds of a Neutral Science, ed. James W. Henderson and John Pisciotta (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2005) 13. This is a wonderful scholarly book with economic essays from which I will offer quotes over the next week or so.

Do you think the reason Jesus talked about money so much was because it was the thing people tended to trust in other than God? In that sense, he’s not trying to rob us by instructing us to detach from possessions, but rather, help us. Are we responding in obedience?

Sammy and I are mourning today. Jenni and Sophie are too!

Our pheasant hunting mentor, fly fishing friend, and dear Christian brother, Russ Koeniger, has gone home to be with the Lord. All we know is that he passed unexpectedly in his sleep in his tent while on a backpacking trip over the weekend.

Our sadness is coupled with profound gratitude.

Russ, a.k.a. “Captain”, was a great example to us! He served God wholeheartedly, loved his wife faithfully, cared deeply and led “the Koeniger clan” humbly, and enjoyed being out in God’s creation. Words cannot describe the impact he has had on so many lives, including ours.

When we reflected last night on how to honor him, these lyrics seemed most appropriate: “What we give is all we have. How we love is what will last. And this hope we know will carry us through this life.”

Russ will be dearly missed but not forgotten because of how he lived this life and by his legacy which will continue through his family and the lives of those he touched. Listen to this amazing song (and click to watch the YouTube video) and give thanks today for the gift of this life.

This Life
by The Afters

I come in to tuck her in.
I’m so tired from where I’ve been,
Doing all I can to stay awake.

As she goes on about her day,
I hang on every word she says.
She reaches out and puts her hand in mine.

For a moment, we are here together.
And it hits me that this won’t last forever.

We can’t own it
We just get to hold it for a while.
This Life.
We can’t keep it
Or save it for another time.
This Life.

He was always there for me.
Now he’s fighting just to breathe.
I tell him it’s ok to let go.

As I look into his eyes,
I know that this won’t be the last time.
But for now, we’re taking different roads.

For a moment, we are here together.
And it hits me that this won’t last forever.

We can’t own it
We just get to hold it for a while.
This Life.
We can’t keep it
Or save it for another time.
This Life.

What we give is all we have.
How we love is what will last.
And this hope we know will carry us through this life.
What we give is all we have.
How we love is what will last.
And this hope we know will carry us through this life.

We can’t own it
We just get to hold it for a while.
This Life.
We can’t keep it
Or save it for another time.
This Life.

We were never meant to stay,
So we don’t have to be afraid
Of what is waiting on the other side.
Of this life

We cherish the memories of annual pheasant hunting trips with Russ Koeniger. Click to watch the video of our 2013 hunting trip to the song, Moments Like This, also by The Afters.

“Instead of hoarding possessions, believers should give them away. Such generosity builds an eternal inheritance in God’s Kingdom. Christians should completely trust in God’s loving provision for them; this should free them to show generosity…All the goals and worries of life can be entrusted to the loving heavenly Father who promises to meet every need.”

Bruce Barton in Life Application New Testament Commentary (Livingstone, 2001) 309.

When I reflect on God’s faithfulness to provide, it inspires me to build an inheritance in God’s Kingdom with cheerfulness. How about you?

“Our Lord’s command was, “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38). Yet it was more than a command. It was an invitation to glorious and abundant living. If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area of his life.”

Billy Graham in “Abundant Giving Equals Abundant Living” devotional for May 5 in Unto the Hills: A Daily Devotional (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1986).

Today my son, Sammy, and I are serving as fly fishing guides for Bob Snyder, Gábor Győri, Lindsey Miller, and Allyson McHugh of IHS Global. With the zeal of Billy Graham, IHS Global trains people to share their faith. They also share Graham’s view regarding giving: it’s “an invitation to glorious and abundant living” offered to everyone.

Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

“To be spiritually poor means, that we do not attach our hearts to worldly possessions, whether God has given us worldly goods or not. And again, to be rich in spirit means to be attached in our hearts to worldly possessions, whether God has given us worldly goods or not. Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Psalm 62:10

Those are spiritually poor who are not self-confident, who keep God before their eyes, and do not live at random, like the world; but who are careful of what they do, and do not do; who honestly compare their lives with the Word of God, and see how our nature is so corrupted by sin that the proper obedience is sadly lacking, and they appear to themselves as the greatest sinners.”

Martin Luther (1483-1546) in Luther’s Explanatory Notes on the Gospels, compiled from his works by Rev. E. Mueller and translated by Rev. P. Anstadt (York, PA: P. Anstadt, 1899) 25.

What are you attached to in your heart?

Are you living “at random like the world” or honestly comparing your life with the Word of God?