Meditations

“I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” Philippians 4:18

“The subdued tenor of Paul’s expression of thanks has often been noted. Paul seems to say that while he appreciates the thought, he really didn’t need the money. It is doubtful, however, that Paul seeks to belittle the gift. Rather, he affirms that his friends and their concern for him were more important to him than the money. Since Christ has also been at work supplying Paul’s need, Paul must bear witness to the help he has received from his divine Benefactor, balancing this with the help he receives from his human friends. We should note that the Philippians’ act of generosity toward Paul is also a gift to God, a “fragrant offering…acceptable and pleasing to God.” Although Paul is not in a position to repay the favor, he fully anticipates that God will look with favor on the generous act of God’s children and will remember their good character when they are themselves in need of God’s help. Thus in God’s economy no generous act goes unrewarded, even if the human recipients are unable to return a favor.”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 1530-1531.

I needed this post today. It sums up in words how I feel. GTP went from 243 givers in 53 countries to 416 givers in 70 countries and. God supplied our current needs through His people. Praise the LORD.

This marks what would I love to say to each and every giver around the world: “In God’s economy no generous act goes unrewarded, even if the human recipients are unable to return a favor.”

I am unspeakably grateful, and I am tired after a long day. Actually, I am nearly exhausted after two weeks on the road. And since wisdom says not to post pictures of my work, hear this in words. Remarkable receptivity and fantastic fruits.

Thanks for your prayers. Don’t stop. I have 3 more days of biblical governance training with 75 ministry CEOs. Imagine the impact of 75 ministries raising local funds, following standards of administration, having good governance. They don’t just survive, they thrive.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2

“The connecting word ‘therefore’ (Rom 12:1) that introduces Paul’s exhortations is not artificial. The life of obedience is entirely a grateful response to God’s benefactions and entirely predicated on them. Morality is not to be detached from theology but is truly only meaningful, possible and desirable when the connection between God’s gift and our response is made clear. The only fitting response to such selfless generosity on the part of God — the self-giving of the benefactor — is a like return from the recipients of God’s beneficence: “I appeal to you, therefore, brothers and sisters, through the mercies of God, to present your bodies as living and holy sacrifices, acceptable to God.”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 1463.

For too many of us, our response to God’s benefactions is detached from reality. It marks a pathetic return, at best, compared to the level of sacrifice of God’s gift for us.

The Apostle Paul appeals to us because of the mercies of God (think: because we did not get the death we deserved) to give our lives as living and set apart sacrifices.

I have one more week of giving my life in service to workers in India. I praise God for continued good health and strength. How can you give your life as a living sacrifice this week for God?

Is it VBS season at your church? Serve. Does your neighbor need assistance? Help. You don’t have to go overseas to aid others. But you do have to leave your comfort zone.

He lifts the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump. Psalm 113:7

“As another example, we may look to the eschatological “parables” in Matthew 24:45–25:46. Throughout this passage honor is promised to those who have lived out their lives faithful to Jesus’ word; dishonor awaits those who fail to take his word to heart and commit their lives to bearing the fruits of righteousness. In the first parable (24:45–51) the servants who are continually occupied with the business that the master has assigned them will receive honor within the household of the master at his return. Those who neglect their service will be shamed and cast out from the household. In the parable of the talents (25:14–30) the language of approval and disapproval comes to the fore as the master praises and exalts those who use what the master has entrusted to them to increase the kingdom, but the one who fails in this regard comes to disgrace, being branded “worthless”, “wicked and lazy”, and being excluded from the kingdom. Finally, those who have engaged in works of love, deeds of charity and mercy toward the hungry, weak, sick, poor, and imprisoned are pronounced “honored” or “favored” by God (Mt 25:34). Here believers are taught that, ultimately, their honor depends not on networking with the rich and powerful but with responding in mercy and generosity toward the needy and nobodies.”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 665.

I think there are more “needy and nobodies” in India than any other country on the planet, so this reading really stuck out to me.

Yesterday I had the privilege of training 59 workers to raise local funds. It went fantastic in collaboration with Sanjay Patra, Manju George, and Mercia Justin. These 59 stewards serve the poor, lead ministries, run hospitals, provide education for the marginalized, and more.

Their receptiveness to the training renewed my enthusiasm to serve those who work with the “needy and nobodies” after a tough day before.

Today marks the end of the fiscal year for GTP. If you have not given yet this year, I invite you to do so here. Your support cover trips like this one which results in the lifting of “the poor from the dust and the needy from the garbage dump.” Thanks.

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

“An attitude of detachment from worldly treasure will make it easier to use worldly wealth well; for example, using it to care for the poor (Matthew 19:21). The rich young man is called to make an investment in lives, to trust the “bull market” of works of charity to bring “treasures in heaven” (explicitly recalled here from Matthew 6:19–21). Only such generosity and compassion leads a person to be “perfect” (a distinctive feature of Matthew’s version of this story, recalling Matthew 5:48), for such is the generosity of God.

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 642.

The call to perfection is a call to detachment and maturity. I have a long way to go. Yesterday was an eventful day of travel for me. It was one of those days that numerous times I felt attached to the way I wanted things to go. Instead I endured perpetual difficulty.

If I were to recount the day, you would not believe it. And I would have to relive it. Unkind people. Horrible traffice. Late flight. Missed meals. Seriously, it was the evil one trying to stir frustration and anger within me. He won’t win, but he scored points.

I made it safely to my hotel room. I showered, but I was hungry after missing dinner. But then in silence with Jesus. I’m heard His voice reminding me of His presence and love. And then I read this in my ongoing reading of DeSilva.

When I think of “detachment” I think of the “Let it go!” song from the famous movie, Frozen. So, I actually played it on YouTube in the privacy of my hotel room to try to get myself to breath and let go of an unspeakably hard day.

These words touched me deeply. “Here I stand in the light of day. Let the storm rage on.” I stopped the song. There’s a battle going on here. The evil one does not want perfection (think: maturity) for workers in India.

The evil one does not want me here or for the 50-60 people to attend the all day session I will be teaching when this posts. So, I declare victory in the name of Jesus. I will not give up. I will detach from both treasure and difficulty and cling only to Jesus.

Pardon the vulnerability. Today the opposition was unspeakably hard. Pray for me.

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

“Knowledge of the social codes of patronage and reciprocity, then, will be of great value to our appreciation of early Christian theology. We will read about the ways God’s favor has always been and continues to be known (e.g., in creation, the preservation of life and the like) and the new ways God’s favor flows into the human situation through the person of Jesus, the gift of the Holy Spirit, and the promises of deliverance and an eternal inheritance for those who approach God through Jesus. We will be alert to the ways early Christians are urged to make a suitable response to the favor of God and of Jesus or warned against responding in a disgraceful manner. We will be attuned as well to why this logic is compelling. Additionally, we will be equipped to understand many of the relationships between the people presented in the pages of the New Testament—reciprocity relationships that are sometimes merely noted or affirmed, sometimes reshaped and redirected (e.g., patronage of the community by the richer Christians being transformed into stewardship), and sometimes opposed (e.g., importing the worldly dynamics of using generosity to gain power and advance personal interests).”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 303-304.

When you think of social codes, think roles that people of a specific gender or status are expected to play. What I appreciated today from DeSilva is that he challenges us to see Christ through the lens of these codes.

Notice what comes into view.

We see Christ as saying to us. “Look, let me play the role of Provider. Just seek me first and let me sort the rest. Let me play the role of Savior. I can deliver you from the penalty and power of sin.”

And the list goes on.

When we soak in the thinking linked to social codes, we start to live in light of the reality that we have a good Father in Heaven eager to play His role, a Savior in Jesus, and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This fuels our generosity as sharing emerges as our role in the social code.

Whether you are traveling from Delhi to Bengaluru like me today or in your hometown anywhere around the world. Let’s show people the ways God’s favor flows into every corner of life by how we live.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Romans 16:1-2

“Patronage within the church is not, however, meant to be pursued as a means of advancing one’s own honor or power within the group. Acts of love and service toward fellow believers was the service placed on the clients by the divine Patron. Giving to fellow believers is presented as a reflection of Christ’s own act on our behalf (2 Corinthians 8:9–14), and Paul presents giving as itself a spiritual gift (Romans 12:8). Patrons within the church are acting as stewards of God’s gifts (2 Corinthians 9:8–10), so that the concept of stewardship (and also the sharing of goods among “kin”) replaces notions of patronage and beneficence (with the potentially divisive claims to power and loyalty that accompany them) in the earliest churches. Christians are also urged to extend their own beneficence to the outside world (Romans 13:3–4; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 2:15–17), not only as a reflection of the generosity of God but also as a sign that Christians too were honorable people who contributed to the welfare of all.”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 303.

Patrons in antiquity were accustomed to seeking glory or honor for themselves or gaining power with the group. This is common for wealthy people today. People who like the patron role give generously and often hold on to the power and prestige it gives them.

The Apostle Paul portrays Phoebe with three key words that show how stewardship has replaced patronage in the NT: sister, deacon, and benefactor. She could Lord over others through her giving but is portrayed as kin (sister), as a servant (deacon), and as a conduit of divine blessing (benefactor).

How would people portray you related to your giving? Would they refer to you as lord or as family, like brother or sister? Would they refer to you as a leader or as a servant? Would they depict you as a humble and generous channel of divine blessing like Phoebe?

In your life today, lean into what it would look like for stewardship to replace patronage. While you are doing that, I will engage my final full day of program work in Delhi and prepare shifting to Bengaluru where I have a full weekend of service, aiming to bless many.

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:16

“Jesus is presented likewise as a patron of the Christian community. The author of Hebrews, for example, presents Jesus as one who “helps the descendants of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16) and comes “to the aid of those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18). He supplies for the Christians what is wanting in their own resources. Jesus’ patronage may be more precisely defined, however, as brokerage. He is the mediator (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24) who secures favor from God on behalf of those who have committed themselves to Jesus as client dependents. As God’s Son, who is placed closest to the head of the household, Jesus’ successful mediation is assured. Jesus’ gift of access to God (Hebrews 4:14–16; cf. Hebrews 10:19–22) gives the community access to resources for endurance in faith in the present world so that they may receive the benefactions promised for the future, awarded before God’s court at the end of the age. The believers may draw near to God and expect to “receive mercy and find favor”—that is, the disposition of God to give assistance—“for timely help” (Hebrews 4:16). Christians, indeed, have been brought into God’s household (Hebrews 3:6) through their clientage to the Son; thus they are under God’s protection and provision.”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 300.

Today I honor Jesus, my patron and the patron of the whole Christian community. He’s my broker or mediator who supplies all good things from God.

Today I celebrate Jesus. But why post this? I want to pause and honor my Lord Jesus who, as of today, has helped me post daily meditations for 15 years in a row.

Thank you, Patron, Broker, and Mediator Jesus, for daily providing the timely help that I have needed for my life and for sharing with others.

Thanks for your mercy, grace, and generosity to me over these 15 years.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

“God’s favor is surprising not in that God gives freely or uncoerced. Every benefactor, in theory at least, gave freely. Rather, God astonishes humanity in God’s determination to benefit those who have insulted and alienated God in the extreme. The high-water mark for generous giving in the ancient world was to consider giving to the ungrateful — if a patron had enough to spare after giving to the worthy beneficiaries. Providing some modest assistance to someone who had failed to be grateful in the past would be counted a proof of a noble spirit. God, however, exceeds all expectation when God gives the most costly gift, the life of God’s own Son, to benefit those who have not merely been ungrateful but have been openly hostile to God and God’s law.”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 298-299.

My scheduled has slowed down, relatively speaking. I have only 6-7 hours of meetings today. It’s a break from a 12-14 hour days I have had. It started well. I slept in, woke without an alarm, rode the elevator down to the restaurant level of my hotel in Delhi, and enjoyed some coffee and breakfast while reading and writing this post.

As I ponder the high water mark for generous giving, that God loved me even when I was undeserving, it fills me with new strength to live, give, serve, and love generously. Seriously, God has filled me with love and strength. People have asked me many times this weekend, where I get my boundless energy. Each time I have quoted this verse on the spot.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

One person who asked me is a follower of Christ. Another is a Hindu. I am thankful for the chance to share with that person about Jesus. I sowed seeds. It was a powerful conversation. While I can be arrested for proselytizing in India, I praise God I get to serve as a conduit of love who can testify about to the source of abundant lufe.

I appreciate your prayers for me. And right now I pray for you. I pray you can join me in aiming for this high water mark.

God, fill us with your matchless love and enthusiasm to serve. Give us your heart for even the most undeserving. And fill us to the high water mark so we can dispense your goodness freely, graciously, with kindness and mercy. Make it so Lord Jesus. Amen.

There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to Him, asking Him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with Him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to Him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, He was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. Luke 7:2-10

“As we turn to the New Testament, we find not only examples of friendship relations (e.g. Paul and Philemon, Paul and the Philippian Christians, Herod and Pilate after the trial of Jesus), patron-client relationships (like, most probably, Theophilus and Luke) and public beneficence (like the centurion who showed uncommon generosity toward the local Jewish population in Luke 7:2–10) among people, for which the foregoing discussion is immediately relevant. We also find New Testament authors — like Jewish and Greco-Roman authors — using the language of patronage and reciprocity to give expression to supernatural or unseen realities, especially our relationship with God and God’s Messiah. Even their use of family imagery (e.g., calling God “father” and speaking of the “household of God”) connects with the image of the patron who brings a host of clients into the “household”, although now with the special status of adopted daughters and sons.”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 293.

DeSilva shifts in his narrative from generosity in the ancient world to examples in the New Testament. Again, I am exploring his writings as he’s from the part of the world where I am serving the next two weeks.

He speaks of these cultural realities linked to generosity that appear in the New Testament: Friendship, Patron-Client Relations, and Public Beneficence. Let’s ponder their relevance to us today.

We give for all three reason. Think about your friendship giving. Last night, I enjoyed dinner in the home of GTP board vice chair, Sanjay Patra. It was priceless time. And he gave me some “South Indian coffee” as a gift.

Each time I drink it I will think of him and his dear family. That’s friendship giving. I can imagine the biblical friendship between Paul and Philemon for example. He would stay with him on their visits.

Then you have Patron-Client relationship giving. It reminds me of major foundation grants GTP has received. They give the gifts because they share the vision of the work of GTP but they have expectations linked to reporting or other things.

When I think of this in NT terms, I think of the comprehensive work that Luke undertook with Theophilus. Imagine getting a grant to write a comprehensive account of Jesus. Not a small project. It was likely a multi-year grant.

And then you have public beneficence. This represents generosity that touches everyone. Today I will lead a seminar for IndiaDonates. I am doing this in Dehli, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Why do this?

There are nonprofit organizations that serve humanitarian causes in areas of great need, like putting toilets in towns with no toilets or setting up medical centers. And so in addition to GTP work, I do seminars for these groups to strengthen their service.

It provides public benefit and the nonprofit workers really appreciate it, as does the Indian government, who welcomes me into their country. Pray for this strategic work to bless many in the name of Jesus. Thanks.

And ponder your generosity today. Will you bless someone through friendship? Might God call you to make a major gift  like the patron-client gifts do over a span of years. Or is God moving you to make a contribution for public beneficence? 

If you have not made a gift to GTP this year, or want to help support our current efforts, please give here. Pray with us that God supplies at least $14,000 and rallies about 30 more gives to help us reach targets set for us by foundations. Thanks.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35

“According to ancient ethicists writing about giving, benefactors were to give without calculation of reward. Giving was to have in view the interest of the recipient, not the self-interest of the giver. When forming personal ties of patronage, however, patrons were cautioned to select their beneficiaries well, which meant selecting people who had a reputation for honoring the giver with gratitude. In exceptional circumstances, however, a patron could be exhorted to give even to a known ingrate, thus imitating the generosity of the gods.”

David DeSilva in An Introduction to the New Testament: Contexts, Methods, and Ministry Formation (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2004) 293.

DeSilva represents the voice of a biblical scholar with roots from the region where I am serving the next two weeks so it will be interesting to read his writings while abroad.

I love how he presents from his research that God’s posture toward us is simply divine.

As you think about your generosity toward others, do you give to the “known ingrate” or only those you deem deserving. Fascinating that when each of us was in that spot, God lavished grace on us.

And notice the giving has the view of the interest of the recipient and not the self-interest of the giver.

This runs countercultural to giving in my country, USA. We tend to give to the things we care about. Imagine if every follower of Jesus decided instead to give to the things Jesus cares about. It would be world-changing and divine.

I pray that God will give me opportunities in India to extend divine generosity. And same for you where you are.