Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Deal Simply

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job 1:20-21

“How should disciples deal simply with the goods of the earth? Jesus does not forbid them to use the goods. Jesus was human. He ate and drank just as the disciples did. In so doing, He purified the use of the goods of the earth. Disciples should gratefully use the goods required for their bodies’ daily need and nutrition — goods which are consumed in sustaining life…Goods are given to us to be used, but not to be stored away.

Just as Israel in the desert received manna daily from God and did not have to worry about food and drink, and just as the manna which was stored from one day for another rotted, so should Jesus’ disciples receive their daily share from God. But if they store it up as lasting treasure, they will spoil both the gift and themselves. The heart clings to collected treasure. Stored-up possessions get between me and God. Where my treasure is, there is my trust, my security, my comfort, my God. Treasure means idolatry.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer in Discipleship (Minneapolis: Fortress, 2003) 162-163.

When this week began, we were a family of four with four reliable used cars. Thankfully we are still a family of four, but down one car. On Wednesday afternoon, Sammy was en route to Bailey to serve as a fly fishing guide for three clients and the engine in his 1997 Toyota Rav4 gave out while climbing the last ridge into Conifer.

Thankfully Jenni and I were available to drive up and give him my 2001 Rav4 to use indefinitely, and AAA promptly towed his vehicle to the shop. Upon hearing the news about his car later that night, we asked him how he felt. His tone reflected the openhanded worship of Job. We saw gratitude! He was thankful to use it for five years but was never attached to it. Sammy modeled for us what it means to “deal simply” with stuff.

Later that evening, Jenni and I compared our calendars and realized that we can do just fine sharing one car through October. I may need a ride or two to the airport, but nothing that can’t be sorted. We marveled that one car is all we need, at least for a season. We worshiped on our morning walk yesterday and gave thanks for God’s faithfulness.

The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

“So instead of lands, buy afflicted souls, each one according to their ability. Visit widows and orphans, and do not overlook them. Spend your wealth and all your possessions which you received from the Lord on such ‘lands’ and ‘houses’ as these, for the Master made you rich so that you might perform these services to Him. It is much better to purchase these kinds of ‘lands’, ‘possessions’ and ‘houses’, as you will find out in your own City when you go live there. This is a noble and sacred purchase which no sorrow or fear accompanies, only joy. Do not invest in the things that unbelievers do, because it is detrimental to you who are the servants of God. Instead, practice your own kind of purchasing that you can rejoice in. Do not corrupt or touch what is someone else’s; do not covet it, because it is an evil thing to covet what belongs to other men. Focus on your own tasks and you will be saved.”

Shepherd of Hermas (c. late first or early to mid-second century) in “The First Parable” of the Shepherd of Hermas: Updated to Modern Language by Daniel Robinson (North Charleston: CreateSpace, 2013) 38.

I just sent a faithful meditations reader (who is a new friend of mine) a copy of this classic work as a belated birthday present. I posted the first sentence as a meditation way back on on 23 October 2010, and decided to include a larger selection today. It’s a good example of early church literature that relates to generosity.

Many people were destroyed by detrimental decisions back then. Sadly, the problem persists today when we live for and set our affections on this earthly realm and not the eternal kingdom. How can we be saved or delivered from the covetous thinking around us? What services has God placed us here to perform? The shepherd of pastor says: Pour money into souls in distress according to your ability.

Why send this book to my friend? He has an aim, a lifetime goal, of storing up $100,000,000 in the “City” where he will spend eternity. To what does he give? He feels led by God to aid afflicted souls. I affirmed his objective and offered to do whatever I can to hold his arms up. Help him to that end, Lord Jesus!

This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us… 1 John 4:10a

“In God there is no hunger than needs to be filled, only plenteousness that desires to give…God, who needs nothing, loves into existence wholly superfluous creatures in order that He may love and perfect them.”

C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) in The Four Loves (New York: Harper Collins, 1960) 162.

Plenteousness is a great word to describe God’s generosity, which flows abundantly like a fountain. He desires to give, and yet many don’t receive. I am learning we are here on this earth to teach others how to tap into His plenteousness.

We, on the other hand, are superfluous, unnecessary and unneeded, and yet, He both loves and perfects us. Not by giving us what we want, but rather, what we need. What a generous, loving God we serve. Worship Him today that is love!

Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:129-130

“When we moved into our house last year, the previous owners left us a lot of stuff – a treadmill, a big screen TV, and expensive window treatments in our dining room. As we have spent the last year making the house our home, Tricia and I have tried to work with these curtains, though they are not our style. Whenever we have visitors over, inevitably the fact that the folks left these treatments or how much the curtains would’ve cost comes up in conversation. Despite this asset, the only space in the house that remains practically unfinished is the dining room.

This weekend, both because I had enough and possibly because I wanted a little “dad time”, I took them down. Almost immediately, the possibilities for the room were endless. It was as if our perceived value for the curtains hadn’t allow us to see what the room could be. It made me think, what other curtains in my life might be locking my hope into darkness? What, in my life or leadership, might have been costly to acquire? Are there things the world might perceive as “expensive”, but keep me from being able to see what God wants for my tomorrow? Prayers for you as you let some more of God’s light in on your tomorrow. If you happen to be in the market for some lovely window treatments…I have a deal for you.”

Daniel J. Cellucci in his “Giving the Window Treatment” in his weekly DIAL blog: Discerning Insights About Leadership. Special thanks to John Stanley for sharing this piece with me.

Today’s Scripture reminds us that the testimonies of the Lord are wonderful, worth keeping, and they give light and wisdom to our souls. I reflected on this text after reading Cellucci’s post. Too often things that the world tells us are valuable, actually hold us captive as in darkness. They also limit our generosity!

Once you have expensive window treatments, you feel like you need furniture and accessories to go with them. Next thing you know, you’ve spent a lot of money and in return you got a pile of stuff you are not sure if you want and buyer’s remorse. Don’t get me wrong, everyone needs window treatments of some sort.

With Cellucci, I pray you are able to get rid of any expensive window treatments in your life that may be hindering you on your journey, and in so doing, that God’s light shines in your life and gives you a testimony to share with others. Stories that illustrate Scriptural truths help even the simple grasp life.

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

“In regard to money — there is a great advantage in its methodical use. Especially is it wise to dedicate a certain portion of our means to purposes of charity and religion, and this is more easily begun in youth than in after-life.

The greatest advantage of making a little fund of this kind is that when we are asked to give, competition is not between self on the one hand and any charity on the other, but between the different purposes of religion and charity with one another, among which we out to make the most careful choice…

No one can tell the richness of the blessings that come to those who thus honor the Lord with their substance. This practice delivers one from the worry of debating every separate appeal that comes, and makes him a free and glad trustee.”

Robert E. Speer in “Proportionate Giving” in Men and Missions, vol. 8, no. 1 (New York: Layman’s Missionary Movement, 1916) 155.

Today’s meditation is the last in a recent series of posts linked to my reading of stewardship materials from a century ago. There was a missional richness in them that was refreshing to read. In their day, they sparked renewal and revival because they pointed people to faithfulness which positions us for fruitfulness.

One way stewards are becoming “free and glad trustees” today is through setting up a giving fund at National Christian Foundation. Once a person puts money in their fund, it releases the competition of spending on self or charity, as Speer put it. We have an NCF fund and would encourage you to set one up too.

This post seemed fitting because tonight, Jenni and I are going to a dinner honoring Bryan & Suzanne Chrisman for 5 years of service to NCF Colorado. They have stepped down to help care for aging parents and will be honored for helping many people grow as “free and glad trustees” of God’s resources.

Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? Luke 16:10-12

“Of all the challenges contained in Scripture for the securing of overflowing blessing, none is so striking and unqualified as that which makes obedience to God in our use of money the condition of His favor. There are many individuals and congregations that have accepted this challenge, and through the obedience of faith have entered into the richest spiritual blessing of all their history.”

J. Campbell White as quoted in the opening of “Study Seven” of The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph S. Cushman (New York: Centenary Conservation Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 112.

Jesus makes the connection between the stewardship of worldly wealth as demonstration of preparedness for the stewardship of true riches. In White’s inspiring words, those who have accepted this challenge and walked the path of obedience experience overflowing blessing. Have you and your congregation accepted this challenge?

This is not to be confused with prosperity gospel, which gives to get. This is about exhibiting faithful stewardship and receiving blessings (not just material ones) from the Master to enjoy and share. The key, and many people don’t get this, is not to focus on how much you give. The world looks at that.

Focus on how much you keep instead. That’s what God looks at. It took us years to figure this out. We only “got it” when we stopped storing up treasures on earth. God looks not at what we give but what we keep because it shows where we place our trust. God is looking for trustworthy stewards to bless so they can be a blessing.

Are you a trustworthy steward?

The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work. All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. Proverbs 21:25-26

“The ministers of Christ have led the great revivals of the past, but we verily believe that the next great revival is going to come from the pew, led and sustained by a devoted ministry in connection with the bringing in of our substance to God.”

John Wesley Duncan as quoted in the opening of “Study Seven” of The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph S. Cushman (New York: Centenary Conservation Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 112.

God’s design for the redemption of the world is for people to work, give, and teach others how to live in the way of Jesus. God made us to work. The fruit we receive from it supplies us with resources to enjoy richly  and share generously for making known God’s love to others.

How can work and giving contribute to a revival?

There are likely lots of reasons. Perhaps the biggest one is because when the people in the pews work hard and then go give without sparing, they show a watching world that they have taken hold of life. And that’s the one thing everyone’s looking for!

What can each of us do to encourage revival where we live?

It starts with each of us modeling the way and becomes a movement when we engage others. Another thing we can do is networking. I shot the new header photo yesterday outside Estes Park, Colorado, when I was privileged to spend the day with John Stanley, my friend and author of Connected for Good.

We talked about ways God is leading us to encourage revival from the pew. It starts with me and you.

But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14

“We do not give to God a fraction of that we possess, but we loyally acknowledge God’s sovereignty over the whole. Just now the Church has no bigger need than to have Christian men [and women] face this question.”

Harris Franklin Rall as quoted in the opening of “Study Four” of The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph S. Cushman (New York: Centenary Conservation Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 52.

Rall rightly states that when we think of giving as sending a percentage of what we possess to God, we are thinking about it all wrong. Instead, when we acknowledge God’s sovereignty over everything, like David, we exhibit generosity.

So what does it mean to “acknowledge” God’s sovereignty. If I work at a ministry and acknowledge a gift, it means in return for that gift, I send a receipt letter. If someone sends a gift of $100, they don’t get an acknowledgement receipt for $5 or $10, do they?

Rall and Cushman argue that most acknowledge only a small portion of God’s sovereignty, and I think they are right. For us to “acknowledge” God’s sovereignty over the whole of life, we must not say that it is true but show that is true with appropriate action in return.

How do we do this? God doesn’t want a fraction of our lives to acknowledge His sovereignty. He wants all we are and all we have to shout of His greatness and abundant generosity!

Do not be overawed when others grow rich, when the splendor of their houses increases; for they will take nothing with them when they die, their splendor will not descend with them. Psalm 49:16-17

“A rich man drove me out to his fine estate in the country. After we had gone over its splendid acres, he turned to me and said, ‘Does that place belong to me?’ I said, ‘Ask me that a hundred years from now and I will tell you whether it does or not.’ The fact of divine ownership never changes — only the circumstances differ. One hundred years from tonight none of us will own any bank stock; the angel of death will pry open our hands; we shall return unto God His own. God is the great Evictor. When we stand and sing, “We give Thee but Thine own,” we are stating a solemn truth. God never signs any quit-claim deeds; He only says, “Another steward to test.”

Edwin H. Hughes as quoted in “Study Three” of The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph S. Cushman (New York: Centenary Conservation Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 48-49.

I can think of no greater witness in a world captivated by the myth of human ownership than humble obedient stewardship. In this lesson, Hughes reports that in addition to sharing this “one hundred years” illustration he also recounts the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12:13-21. In that text, we hear Jesus pointedly say: “Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” to the person who stores up treasures for himself because he does not understand divine ownership.

Psalm 49 contains the understanding that must accompany anyone with riches. They can’t save us, satisfy us, or give us the security we seek; only God can. This is why we must be rich toward God. Likewise Jesus in the parable of the rich fool reveals that He is watching each of us. Will you pass the test? I am asking not because of what I want from you, but what I want for you. Don’t just say with your lips that you understand divine ownership; show it with your life.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21

“My definition of money for my purpose is simply this: Money is myself. I am a laboring man, we will say, and can handle a pickaxe, and I hire myself out for a week at $2.00 a day. At the close of the week I get $12.00, and I put it in my pocket. What is that $12.00? It is a week’s worth of my muscle put into greenbacks and pocketed; that is, I have got a week’s worth of myself in my pocket.

Now the moment you understand this, you begin to understand that money in your pocket is not merely silver and gold, but is something human, something that is instinct with power expended. Now, money is like electricity; it is stored power, and it is only a question as to where that power is to be loosed. What am I coming to is this — that this matter of the stored potentiality of myself in my pocket is so very serious that I need God’s Holy Spirit to guide me in it.

Do you see what a blessed, what a solemn thing this giving is, this giving of my stored self to my Master? Surely we need, in the matter of giving, consecrated thought as to where to loose ourselves; earnest prayer in the guidance of the choice of where to loose our stored power, and earnest prayer to God to add His blessing to the loosed personality in this money we have sent abroad, that there may come a tenfold increase because of the personal power we have sent.

When we think of money that way, and pray about it that way, and give it that way, and tell others of it, then we will have the Church of God saying: ‘Hasten the collection in the church. Quick! Let the ushers pass down that we may loose ourselves for Jesus’ sake, and send out stored power the world around for the sake of Him who gave Himself for us.’ That is consecrated use of money.”

A. F. Schauffler as quoted in “Study Two” of The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph S. Cushman (New York: Centenary Conservation Committee, Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 25-26.

As I read through this stewardship series that’s nearly a century old, I resonate with the unashamed zeal of the writers who communicate with clarity and candor. For example, I love the expression “stored power” referring to money. Money does not define us, but connects with the deepest parts of us. When we store it up on earth, our heart remains here with it. When we store it up in heaven, our heart goes there with it. When we realize it is stored power and consecrate it to God, we become eager to put it to work in a manner that pleases our Master, the Owner of it.

What about your stored power? Does it need to be loosed and put in play?