What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? Matthew 16:26
“The Almighty turns away the gifts of wicked men. He who offers sacrifices from the goods of the poor is like a man who sacrifices a son in the sight of his own father…
Those riches which he has gathered in unjustly will be vomited out of his belly. And now the angel of death comes to drag him away. He will be mauled by angry dragons, killed by the serpents tongue. Moreover, everlasting fire is consuming him.
So, woe to those who feast themselves on things that are not their own. Or, “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and suffers the loss of his own soul?
It would take too long to discuss or argue every single case or to sift through the whole of the Law for precise witness against such greed. Sufficient to say, greed is a deadly deed. You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.”
Saint Patrick (387-461) in The Confession of Saint Patrick: The Classic Text in New Translation, translated by John Skinner (New York: Image, 1998) excerpts from chapters 8-9.
I love three things about St. Patrick’s Day.
Firstly, the day always happens during Lent. And as a result, it serves as a day to remind me to give my life in sacrificial service to God, like Patrick.
Secondly, when I read aspects of his confession, I see why his ministry had such power and authority. He spoke biblical truth pointedly and prophetically to corrupt behavior.
On this second point, I need to echo his message today. People give their lives to the accumulation of wealth, a behavior that runs counter to biblical teaching.
If that is you, let me remind you that your surplus does not belong to you. God has blessed you to have resources to enjoy and share. Put them in play lest they demonstrate your misplaced trust.
Thirdly, when I consider the impact of His teaching, that is, to win a nation, it gives me confidence that it can happen again today. That’s why with our work at GTP we aim to build into local, faithful servants of God.
I not only want to be like Patrick myself. I want to multiply Patricks in every nation. At GTP, we now have 69 country coordinators, like Sasha Volyanyk in Ukraine, a brother with whom I will serve in Ukraine shortly.
He’s like a modern day Patrick. He has served with YWAM in Ukraine for more than 20 years. And he loves GTP and our resources so he serves as GTP Country Coordinator for Ukraine.
Right now he coordinates efforts that share the gospel, make disciples, and minister to IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) by providing them with a tiny house and a Christian community of support.
On this special day, please make a gift to support our program work in Ukraine from 21-31 March 2024. You can learn more about our work there by viewing these two documents: Project Structure and Project Tiny Houses.
Click here to give. And our greatest need right now at GTP is monthly “where needed most” giving here.
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