Meditations

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16:9

“The very fact that we have the leisure time to read a book or watch television means that we are wealthy. We do not need to be ashamed of our wealth or try to hide it from ourselves and others. It is only as we admit our wealth and quit trying to run from it that we are in a position to conquer it and use it for God’s good purpose.”

Richard Foster in The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (HarperOne: San Francisco, 1979) 33.

I enjoyed the last book by Foster so much, I’ve moved to another classic. This is a must-read if you have never read it. Today’s exhortation is to use whatever wealth God has entrusted to you to make friends for eternity.

My great grandfather (before my time) would say, our wealth is like a cup. God filled it so we’d have something to enjoy and share. But if we leave it in the cup, He cannot refill it. We must put it to work, use it for Him.

Today’s charge is to take inventory of what you have and put it in play to accomplish God’s good purposes. If fear holds you back, it reveals your trust is misplaced in that wealth. Don’t let your story end there.

Write a new ending. Put it to work. Use worldly wealth to make friends for eternity. And the welcome you will get in heaven will be unfathomable. You’ve got this. God’s got you.

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

“Tenth, shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God. It is so easy to lose focus in the pursuit of legitimate, even good things. Job, position, status, family, friends, security—these and many more can all too quickly become the center of attention.

George Fox warns, “…there is the danger and the temptation to you, of drawing your minds into your business, and clogging them with it; so that ye can hardly do anything to the service of God…and your minds will go into the things, and not over the things…And then, if the Lord God cross you, and stop you by sea and land, and take [your] goods and customs from you, that your minds should not be cumbered, then that mind that is cumbered, will fret, being out of the power of God.”

May God give you—and me—the courage, the wisdom, the strength always to hold the kingdom of God as the number-one priority of our lives. To do so is to live in simplicity.*

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 95.

Today marks the last post from Foster’s list of ten practical steps for people to take to choose a lifestyle of simplicity. Shunning distractions means to abandon average or good for best.

How important is God’s kingdom to you? Are you willing to sacrifice everything else for it? Or do your treat it like icing on the cake of the way you want to live your life?

It matters not to me how you answer the question. What matters is whether or not you will be prepared to give an answer to Jesus when you meet Him face to face.

He cares not what we believe. Even the demons believe. He cares what we do related to what we believe. Avoid distractions and maintain your devotion. You’ve got this. God’s’ got you.

“May God give you—and me—the courage, the wisdom, the strength always to hold the kingdom of God as the number-one priority of our lives. To do so is to live in simplicity.*

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6

“Ninth, reject anything that breeds the oppression of others. Perhaps no person has more fully embodied this principle than the eighteenth-century Quaker tailor John Woolman. His famous Journal is redundant with tender references to his desire to live so as not to oppress others.

“Here I was led into a close and laborious inquiry whether I…kept clear from all things which tended to stir up or were connected with wars…my heart was deeply concerned that in [the] future I might in all things keep steadily to the pure truth, and live and walk in the plainness and simplicity of a sincere follower of Christ…And here luxury and covetousness, with the numerous oppressions and other evils attending them, appeared very afflicting to me…”

This is one of the most difficult and sensitive issues for us to face, but face it we must. Do we sip our coffee and eat our bananas at the expense of exploiting Latin American peasants? In a world of limited resources, does our lust for wealth mean the poverty of others? Should we buy products that are made by forcing people into dull assembly-line jobs? Do we enjoy hierarchical relationships in the company or factory that keep others under us? Do we oppress our children or spouse because we feel certain tasks are beneath us?

Often our oppression is tinged with racism, sexism, and nationalism. The color of the skin still affects one’s position in the company. The sex of a job applicant still affects the salary. The national origin of a person still affects the way he or she is perceived. May God give us prophets today who, like John Woolman, will call us “from the desire of wealth” so that we may be able to “break the yoke of oppression.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 94-95.

In America we like living on top of the proverbial global economy and want to keep it that way. After all, society says we earned it. Alternatively, I love the buy local emphasis I see across America.

It supports local people who do honest work. Though things often cost more, our purchases redirect resources from larger companies who tend to oppress workers worldwide. Imagine if Christians everywhere changed spending habits accordingly.

Think about it. Why would Foster say this emerges in our view as the most difficult and sensitive of issues? We justify getting a good price as good stewardship though it might come at the expense of others.

I see this in my global travels. Oppressed cultures have debt that jubilee would forgive, and people never have a chance to rise out of destitution. Rather than break the yoke of oppression, what do Christians do?

We give handouts that create ongoing dependency rather than a hand up to build disciples. We support the corrupt structures inadvertently through our purchasing of wares that oppress workers.

Why lean into such challenging topics with Foster? You and I will have to one day give an account for our stewardship to God.

Let’s spend in such a way that we can say we tried to do what we could to break the yoke of oppression.

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

“Eighth, obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech. “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ anything more than this comes from evil” (Matt. 5:37). If you consent to do a task, do it. Avoid flattery and half-truths. Make honesty and integrity the distinguishing characteristics of your speech. Reject jargon and abstract speculation whose purpose is to obscure and impress rather than to illuminate and inform. Plain speech is difficult because we so seldom live out of the divine center, so seldom respond only to heavenly promptings. Often fear of what others may think or a hundred other motives determine our “yes” or “no” rather than obedience to divine urgings. Then if a more attractive opportunity arises we quickly reverse our decision. But if our speech comes out of obedience to the divine center, we will find no reason to turn our “yes” into “no” and our “no” into “yes.” We will be living in simplicity of speech because our words will have only one Source.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93-94.

Today brings us to practical point number eight of ten from Foster. Notice how simple life can be when we root our thinking, speaking, and practice in only one Source. But we overcomplicate things! We do.

I had a remarkable time seeing old friends and making new ones in South Carolina this past weekend.

We talked about the fact that Jesus spoke clearly about what to do with money and what not to do with it. We discussed how we ignore Jesus and rationalize disobedience. I used an illustration that comes from my devotional book, Steward.

Inspired by the statement of C.S. Lewis that Jesus is either Lord, a lunatic, or a liar. I said, that related to money, Jesus is either stupid, a socialist, or Savior. Of course, I land on Savior.

I explained that we ignore the teachings of Jesus on money as if He is stupid and we know better. Notice how “yes” (commitment to obey and follow Jesus) becomes “no” (we Americans know better than Jesus on money).

I continued that some wrongly see the voluntary sharing Jesus encourages us to practice as some form of socialism (so again, we Americans choose an entitlement and ownership mentality of all we possess instead of sharing as obedient stewards).

I finish by saying that Jesus is Savior, because His teachings aim not to rob us but help us. They point the way to life and literally save us from ourselves.

Anyway, if you want to live generously, don’t overcomplicate things. Chart your course with words from only one Source.

He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head. Ezekiel 18:13

“Seventh, look with a healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes. They are a trap and only deepen your bondage. Both Old and New Testaments condemn usury for good reasons. (“Usury” in the Bible is not used in the modern sense of exorbitant interest; it referred to any kind of interest at all.) Charging interest was viewed as an unbrotherly exploitation of another’s misfortune, hence a denial of community. Jesus denounced usury as a sign of the old life and admonished His disciples to “lend, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35).”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93.

I find it ironic how many biblical texts the modern society ignores or labels as not applicable today. Take usury for example. Biblical texts condemn it, while it serves as the bedrock and foundation of modern society.

Think about why biblical texts would condemn it. Foster puts it best by calling it “unbrotherly exploitation at another’s misfortune.” Let’s unpack what this looks like from a biblical perspective.

I do honest work. Someone needs help. I can help by lending freely from the resources I have gained from honest work. But rather than lend and expect nothing in return, I lend and make him a slave by charging interest.

The interest I make, in biblical terms, is called dishonest gain. I did not earn it with work, but extorted it from a brother in need without work. However, in modern times we read “dishonest gain” as breaking modern or local laws, not biblical laws.

Notice how we rationalize sin as acceptable behavior. To choose a life of simplicity says that I will do honest work for honest gain, avoid dishonest gain or unbrotherly exploitation. This may call me to live totally different from the world.

I kept today in the first person “I” because this represents a sensitive topic. Each of us must take to heart the biblical words and the thinking behind them and answer to God. He cares about how we treat each other. He wants us to lend generously. Will we?

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Psalm 24:1

“Sixth, develop a deeper appreciation for the creation. Get close to the earth. Walk whenever you can. Listen to the birds. Enjoy the texture of grass and leaves. Smell the flowers. Marvel in the rich colors everywhere. Simplicity means to discover once again that “the earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof” (Ps. 24:1).”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93.

What a privilege to enjoy creation in South Carolina and to enjoy the beauty of the sea.

Today is Jenni’s birthday, and we head back home to the mountains of Colorado this evening. But what a privilege to enjoy the sea, a very different part of God’s creation, with old friends and new ones at The Abbey at Pawleys Island for a few days.

If you want to listen to my sermon from yesterday, you should find it here. I only wish the recording could capture the beauty of God’s creation in this setting. It was gorgeous.

Next time you take a walk and do the things Foster suggests in today’s post, ponder how God supplies for His creation and how much He cares for you. I pray it inspires you to serve as a generous conduit of care to a lost and hurting world.

The person who helps me see these things and ponder them is my wife, Jenni. If you do not subscribe to her fortnightly Spigot (it comes every other Tuesday), subscribe here. Be blessed.

I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. Ecclesiastes 6:1-2

“Fifth, learn to enjoy things without owning them. Owning things is an obsession in our culture. If we own it, we feel we can control it; and if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion. Many things in life can be enjoyed without possessing or controlling them. Share things. Enjoy the beach without feeling you have to buy a piece of it. Enjoy public parks and libraries.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93.

I was just talking about this with my host and friend here in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, David Richmond. Whatever we think we own, owns us. Then it steals our ability to enjoy it because as Foster says “if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure.”

No one who is a slave to things can either enjoy them or find satisfaction in them. So the grievous evil is not that God does not give us the ability to enjoy things. He allows our obsessions and lets them lead us to emptiness rather than to Him as the only One who satisfies.

If you want to hear my sermon along these general lines today, entitled “The Secret to Grasping Life in the Economy of God,” visit The Abbey at Pawleys Island streaming page at 10:30am ET or listen to the recording later on that same page.

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2

Fourth, refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry. Timesaving devices almost never save time. Beware of the promise, “It will pay for itself in six months.” Most gadgets are built to break down and wear out and so complicate our lives rather than enhance them.

This problem is a plague in the toy industry. Children do not need to be entertained by dolls that cry, eat, wet, sweat, and spit. An old rag doll can be more enjoyable and more lasting. Often children find more joy in playing with old pots and pans than with the latest space set. Look for toys that are educational and durable. Make some yourself.

Usually gadgets are an unnecessary drain on the energy resources of the world, The United States has less than six percent of the world’s population, but consumes about thirty-three percent of the world’s energy. Air conditioners in the United States alone use the same amount of energy as does the entire country of China. Environmental responsibility alone should keep us from buying the majority of the gadgets produced today.

Propagandists try to convince us that because the newest model of this or that has a new feature (trinket?), we must sell the old one and buy the new one. Sewing machines have new stitches, stereos have new buttons, cars have new designs. Such media dogma needs to be carefully scrutinized. Often “new” features seduce us into buying what we do not need. Probably that refrigerator will serve us quite well for the rest of our lives even without the fancy exterior.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 92-93.

The prophet Isaiah makes an invitation to all who thirst to come to God and get that which satisfies. Simultaneously, he wants hearers to avoid spending on stuff that will not satisfy.

The key is to watch out what voices we listen to, especially the propaganda or agenda of the marketers.

Hear me as I spend a weekend with a blessed bloke in sales. There are good things out there that serve us well and spending on them makes sense for us and our families.

I loved Foster’s toy illustration. Imagine reading it in my shoes. I have two granddaughters. They passed 3 years old and 1 year old back in April. When we are together, they love carrying around a baby doll.

And for my American readers, the need for power for everything coupled with a sensitivity to the impact of our lives on the environment led us to get solar panels and an electric car.

Remarkably and providentially, we got a used AWD electric car only 4,000 miles for half price but that’s another story for another day. My point is not to tell you to get an electric car.

My point today aims at raising your awareness to propaganda.

And if these ten posts (that’s right, six more coming) from Foster seem to go from “preaching to meddling” as they say here in the south, well then perhaps just pause. Ask God to guide your response by the Holy Spirit.

The less we listen to propaganda and the more we spend money on things that satisfy, the more margin we have in our lives to live, give, serve, and love generously.

Leaning into that with God today. With you.

And if you are in South Carolina, come hear me preach tomorrow at The Abbey (pictured above at 46 Gathering Lane, Pawleys Island) from 10:30am to 12noon and then we have food and speaking again with Jenni from 5pm to 7pm.

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling His disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything — all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44

Third, develop a habit of giving things away. If you find that you are becoming attached to some possession, consider giving it to someone who needs it. I still remember the Christmas I decided that rather than buying or even making an item, I would give away something that meant a lot to me. My motive was selfish: I wanted to know the liberation that comes from even this simple act of voluntary poverty. The gift was a tenspeed bike. As I went to the person’s home to deliver the present, I remember singing with new meaning the worship chorus, “Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give.” When my son Nathan was six years old he heard of a classmate who needed a lunch pail and asked me if he could give him his own lunch pail. Hallelujah! De-accumulate! Masses of things that are not needed complicate life. They must be sorted and stored and dusted and re-sorted and re-stored ad nauseam. Most of us could get rid of half our possessions without any serious sacrifice.

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 91-92.

Imagine if God’s people adopted the trajectory of voluntary poverty. It’s the only kind of giving celebrated by Jesus but not popular by any means. Why not? Think about it.

Things promise us a better life and, in reality, they only complicate it as we amass them.

What if your son wanted to give away his lunch pail. What would you say? Our son said something like this to us and we noticed our first reaction was to stop the radical giving. We didn’t but that was our reaction.

Giving out of voluntary poverty is the richest kind of giving because it demonstrates complete trust in God.

What can you give away this week? As you do, tell yourself this this widely quoted saying, “Do your giving while you’re living so you are knowing where it is going.

The resources in your stewardship have been entrusted to you. My best advice: voluntary poverty. Give them away.

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 1 Corinthians 10:23

Second, reject anything that is producing an addiction in you. Learn to distinguish between a real psychological need, like cheerful surroundings, and an addiction. Eliminate or cut down on the use of addictive, non-nutritional drinks: alcohol, coffee, tea, Coca-Cola, and so on. Chocolate has become a serious addiction for many people. If you have become addicted to television, by all means sell your set or give it away. Any of the media that you find you cannot do without, get rid of: radios, stereos, magazines, videos, newspapers, books. If money has a grip on your heart, give some away and feel the inner release. Simplicity is freedom, not slavery. Refuse to be a slave to anything but God.

Remember, an addiction, by its very nature, is something that is beyond your control. Resolves of the will alone are useless in defeating a true addiction, You cannot just decide to be free of it. But you can decide to open this corner of your life to the forgiving grace and healing power of God. You can decide to allow loving friends who know the ways of prayer to stand with you. You can decide to live simply one day at a time in quiet dependence upon God’s intervention.

How do you discern an addiction? Very simply, you watch for undisciplined compulsions. A student friend told me about one morning when he went out to get his newspaper and found it missing. He panicked, wondering how he could possibly start the day without the newspaper. Then he noticed a morning paper in his neighbor’s yard, and he began to plot how he could sneak over and steal it. Immediately he realized that he was dealing with a genuine addiction. He rushed inside and called the newspaper office to cancel his subscription.

The receptionist, obviously filling out a form, asked courteously, “Why are you canceling your subscription to the newspaper?” My friend blurted out, “Because I’m addicted!” Undaunted, the receptionist replied, “Would you like to cancel your entire subscription or would you like to keep the Sunday edition?” to which he exclaimed, “No, I’m going cold turkey!” Now, obviously not everyone should cancel their subscription to the newspaper, but for this young man it was an important act.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 90-91.

I smiled when I read this because many readers don’t even remember things like newspapers, remnants of the ancient world in which I grew up. When you read that, just think Instagram, Facebook, or similar modern addictions.

In the second of ten practical recommendations from Foster, we see keen advice. “How do you discern an addiction? Very simply, you watch for undisciplined compulsions.” Knowing what to watch for helps us avoid slavery.

In writing God’s people in Corinth, the Apostle Paul stated clearly that while many things were acceptable or while he had the right to exercise many freedoms, not everything was beneficial and constructive.

When we watch for undisciplined compulsions and avoid addictions, we create margin for constructive service, for beneficial generosity, because we cut the waste out of life.

At this point, I imagine the characters contrived by C.S. Lewis, Screwtape and Wormwood, sitting on either side of each of us. They want us addicted and enslaved to anything but Jesus.

Pray for safe travel today. Jenni and I fly to South Carolina to speak this weekend on stewardship and generosity at the Abbey in Pawleys Island. That’s right, the Generosity Monk and the Soulcare Anchoress visiting the Abbey.