The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 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 3:9-11
“When God gives us resources, God gives us more than we need, not so that we can have more, but so that we can give more to others. God does not bestow material blessings so that one can hoard them for ourselves or withdraw from others but so that they might be shared with others. The whole purpose of the collection, therefore, is not to establish the independence of the Gentile Christians from the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem but to deepen their interdependence.”
David E. Garland in 2 Corinthians: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 29) (The New American Commentary) 408.
Just before I boarded the plane for Tokyo, I communicated that Q1 (July-August-September), giving to GTP was lagging at about $150,000 against budgeted expenses of $200,000. We had need.
I shared about open doors in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Qatar, Pakistan, Ireland, Albania, Nepal, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Paraguay.
In response, a friend sent word that he would contribute $25,000 from assets he put into his donor advised fund.
He understands “the whole purpose” of the resources he possesses and shares generously. This had stock, put it into a fund to give, and released those funds upon hearing the need.
For the one who has two shirts, it could be a shirt. For the one who has two cars, it could be a car. For the one who has two buildings or parcel of land, it could be a building or a parcel of land. Why do I use this illustration?
I have been praying over the past year for God to move someone to share a physical asset with GTP. We set up the GTP Trust Fund to receive complex asset gifts, but we have not received anything beyond gifts of cash.
If you have something you want to share, let me know.
The GTP Trust Fund is not an endowment. All gifts will be invested and expended to ensure the perpetuity of the GTP purpose. Both the principal and interest will be administrated by and available to the GTP board to resource the ongoing work of GTP.
I am not the one to tell you what to do with what you have. I only want to remind you that the ax is at the root of the tree. I want you to remember “the whole purpose” of what you have. And I want to urge you to share what you have and see what God does in response to your obedience.
Thanks for your prayers. I have arrived safely in Manila.
Today with the GTP Training Team, I will facilitate Journey of Empowerment. I am so excited to do this because the people who have registered represent ministries and networks with whom they can replicate it.
Pray with me for receptive hearts. Thanks. And I am praying for you, right now, to grasp “the whole purpose” of what you have.
Read more