F. F. Bruce: Under my own seal

I have been longing for many years to visit you on my way to Spain; for I hope to see you as I travel through, and to be sent there with your support after having enjoyed your company for a while. But at the moment I am on my way to Jerusalem, on an errand to God’s people there. For Macedonia and Achaia have resolved to raise a common fund for the benefit of the poor among God’s people at Jerusalem. They have resolved to do so, and indeed they are under an obligation to them. For if the Jewish Christians shared their spiritual treasures with the Gentiles, the Gentiles have a clear duty to contribute to their material needs. So when I have finished this business and delivered the proceeds under my own seal, I shall set out for Spain by way of your city, and I am sure that when I arrive I shall come to you with a full measure of the blessing of Christ. I implore you by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the Spirit inspires, be my allies in the fight; pray to God for me that I may be saved from unbelievers in Judaea and that my errand to Jerusalem may find acceptance with God’s people, so that by his will I may come to you in a happy frame of mind and enjoy a time of rest with you. The God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:23b-33 (NEB)

“The collection for Jerusalem marked no innovation in policy on Paul’s part…Paul uses a formal business expression; cf. NEB, ‘delivered the proceeds under my own seal’.”

F. F. Bruce (1910-1990) in The Letter of Paul to the Romans: An Introduction and Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985) 249-251.

We know that the Apostle Paul coordinated the Jerusalem collection from about AD 53-58, and Bruce reveals the proverbial “campaign language” in play. Notice the message in the terms that appear in the NEB translation. Literally the Greek reads that Paul “sealed to them” this contribution. Seals were common in antiquity to mark the integrity of a message or of a delivery. Likewise in our time, seals send a strong message.

Tonight I will give a plenary address to more than 50 Christian leaders from across Europe entitled, “Financial Transparency and Christian Generosity: NT Insights for Global Application” at the European Generosity Consultation in Malaga, Spain. As ECFA International Liaison, I will share how the ECFA seal has enhanced trust and contributed to greater participation in God’s work in the USA for more than 2,000 ministries over the past 35 years, and how similar peer accountability groups are being launched by national leaders around the world, such as CCFK (South Korea), CCTA (Philippines), AfCAA (Australia), and CMA (Australia) to name a few.

Pray with me that God will raise up European leaders who will set standards for such a seal in Europe to encourage greater levels of generosity, much like Paul did nearly 2,000 years ago. A seal instilled confidence in the integrity of the collection for Christ-followers across the Mediterranean world back then, and it could have the same impact today.

I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. For they were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you. I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. Romans 15:24-29

“Why then did Paul conceive and initiate this freewill offering project, this koinōnia? Clearly he saw great significance in it, as may be seen partly from the disproportionate amount of space which he devoted to it in his letters, partly from the passionate zeal with which he promoted it, and partly from his astonishing decision to add nearly 2,000 miles to his journey, in order to present the offering himself. Instead of sailing directly west from Corinth to Rome to Spain, he has made up his mind to travel first in entirely the wrong direction, that is go to Rome via Jerusalem!

The significance of the offering (the solidarity of God’s people in Christ) was primarily neither geographical (from Greece to Judea), nor social (from the rich to the poor), nor even ethnic (from Gentiles to Jews), but both religious (from liberated radicals to traditional conservatives, that is, from the strong to the weak), and especially theological (from beneficiaries to benefactors). In other words, the so-called ‘gift’ was in reality a ‘debt’…when we Gentiles are thinking of the great blessings of salvation, we are hugely in debt to the Jews and always will be. Paul sees the offering from the Gentile churches as a humble, material, symbolic demonstration of this indebtedness.”

John R. W. Stott (1921-2011) in The Message of Romans: God’s Good News for the World (Downers Grove: IVP, 1994) 386-387.

By the time you are reading this, Jenni and I will have arrived in Malaga, Spain, for the European Generosity Consultation and Compass Europartners conference. Jenni is eager to share her Spanish stewardship curriculum, and as ECFA International Liaison, I pray that my plenary address and workshop will motivate attendees to rally together to adopt standards for financial transparency in Europe in order to enhance trust and inspire more generous participation in God’s work.

While we don’t have record whether or not the Apostle Paul made it to Spain, evidence exists here in Malaga of a Roman presence at the time of Paul. We hope to visit the Roman theatre and other ruins on Sunday. We are amazed to think that the Apostle Paul spent about five years of his life (AD 53-58) to travel throughout the ancient Mediterranean world to facilitate this “freewill offering project” in order to deliver material blessings to those that shared spiritual blessings with them.

Is there someone in your life that has blessed you with a spiritual blessing who may be in need of a material blessing today? Ask God to guide you regarding what to share with them.

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. Titus 3:14

“The ‘good works’ in question are not ‘living a good moral life’ or ‘obeying the law’. They are the ‘good works’ of giving practical help, particularly money, to those in need, or where there are social emergencies that require urgent assistance. This passage begins to sound, in fact, as though Titus is to set up what we today would call a charity organization.

In a sense, that’s exactly what early Christianity was. One of the remarkable things the early Christians were known for — and one of the reasons for the rapid spread of the faith — is the way they were unstoppable when it came to helping others, both financially and in practical ways. If people were ill, they would nurse them. If they were hungry, they would get them food. If they were in prison, they would visit them. And so on.

No only with their own family — most people in the world would do that — but with strangers, with people from difference ethnic groups, even with former enemies. This, of course, follows directly from the previous passage [Titus 3:1-13]. Having been gripped by the generous love of God themselves, they couldn’t help acting in the same way.”

N.T. Wright in Paul for Everyone: The Pastoral Letters, 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus (London SPCK, 2003) 163.

It seems fitting to cite N.T. Wright this morning as Jenni and I are heading to Europe today. Specifically, this week we will attend a European Generosity Consultation and Compass Europartners conference in Malaga, Spain. We hope to engage in good discussions with European leaders we know and others we will meet for the first time. Jenni will share stewardship resources she developed in Spanish with Potter’s House in Guatemala, and I am scheduled to facilitate a workshop and deliver a plenary address as ECFA International Liaison. Why go do this?

In the biblical text above, the Apostle Paul is instructing Titus (his co-worker appointed to minister in Crete) to help fellow Christ-followers (“our people”) scattered throughout the ancient Mediterranean world to show their faith through fruitful works. As we visit the shores of the Mediterranean this week, pray with us that likewise we will encourage “our people”, that is brothers and sisters in Christ who have been “gripped by the generous love of God”, to put structures in place to help God’s people more generously participate in His work all over Europe. Make it so Lord Jesus!

“Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” Proverbs 30:7-9

“The writer asks God for two things that will be important as long as he lives. First he begs the Lord to preserve him from falsehood and lies. He longs to maintain his integrity, no matter what. Second, he requests that God provide his daily necessities, not too much or too little. He recognizes the distinctive temptations that go with either extreme. Too much money, and we are tempted to forget God and trust in our own resources. Too little, and desperation may tempt us to steal. Either way, we dishonor the name of our God.”

Max Anders in Proverbs (Holman Old Testament Commentary; Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2005) 349.

Today I am preaching at Bear Valley Church, in Lakewood, Colorado on one verse: Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Anders’ comments above mirror what a first-century Jewish Christian would have heard in this humble request at the heart of “the Lord’s Prayer”. Jesus was affirming this idea from Proverbs that taught God’s people to trust Him for even the most basic provisions as the place of daily dependence helps us avoid the “distinctive temptations” associated with riches and poverty.

Sadly many people think they know better. They think they can serve both God and riches. They are fooling themselves. I know. I was there. That’s likely why the writer of Proverbs coupled the request for daily bread with the petition to help him avoid falsehood and lies. For years my wife and I stockpiled for ourselves. Don’t do it! Do not store up treasures on earth. Deploy them to the things God cares about. We have learned that the pathway between riches and poverty leads to freedom.

The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:7-8

“My children, how great things patience works, and prayer with fasting. And if you therefore follow after sobriety and purity in patience and humility of heart, the Lord will dwell among you, because He loves sobriety. And wheresoever the Most High dwells, even though a man fall into envy, or slavery, or slander, the Lord who dwells in him, for his sobriety’s sake not only delivers him from evil, but also exalts and glorifies him, even as me. For in every way the man is guarded, whether in deed, or in word, or in thought.

My brethren know how my father loved me, and I was not exalted in my heart; although I was a child, I had the fear of God in my thoughts. For I knew that all things should pass away, and I kept myself within bounds, and I honoured my brethren; and through fear of them I held my peace when I was sold, and revealed not my family to the Ishmaelites, that I was the son of Jacob, a great man and a mighty. Do ye also, therefore, have the fear of God in your works, and honour your brethren. For every one who works the law of the Lord shall be loved by Him.”

Testament of Joseph, Concerning Sobriety 11.10-11 (second century BC). Today’s post is a fitting conclusion to our exploration of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs, Jewish apocalyptic writings that likely shaped the thinking of first-century Jewish believers in the early church.

The Apostle Peter urges us, when it seems like the end is near and the world is falling apart, to have a sober mind so that we can pray. Likewise the Testament of Joseph–whose life was anything but peaceful at times as he was sold into slavery and unjustly imprisoned–urges us toward patience, fasting and prayer in order to preserve sobriety and purity.

To be alert is to be prepared for disaster, which will come sooner or later, so that our first response is to run to God in prayer. When we do, the Testament of Joseph reminds us that the Lord will dwell with us. To be sober is to have the right response to such situations: we are prepared.

These are heavy ideas. What is their connection to generosity?

Most of the quotes from the Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs (this one included) have spoken to the posture of our hearts. Today, Joseph teaches that to have the fear of God in our works, we must be sober people. Amazing that Joseph could show love to his brothers after the multitude of sins he endured. That was generosity! It’s what flows through sober people.

In these dark days, God help us be alert and of sober mind.

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. Psalm 73:1-3

“If a man prospers more than you, be not grieved, but pray also for him, that he may have perfect prosperity. For perchance it is expedient for you thus; and if he be further exalted, be not envious, remembering that all flesh shall die: and offer praise to God, who gives things good and profitable to all men. Seek out the judgments of the Lord, and so shall your mind rest and be at peace. And though a man become rich by evil means, even as Esau the brother of my father, be not jealous; but wait for the end of the Lord. For either He takes His benefits away from the wicked, or leaves them still to the repentant, or to the unrepentant reserves punishment for ever. For the poor man who is free from envy, giving thanks to the Lord in all things, is rich among all men, because he has not evil jealousy of men. Put away, therefore, hatred from your souls, and love one another with uprightness of heart.”

Testament of Gad, Concerning Hatred 9.7 (second century BC). I hope you have enjoyed exploring excerpts of these documents that may have shaped the thinking of early church Christians with Jewish roots. Only a few more of the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs to go.

The Testament of Gad echoes Asaph the Psalmist in exhorting us not to focus on those that are prospering but rather to focus on the Lord, giving thanks for all the good things He provides for us. It’s not easy though. We think God should bless the good and shower nothing good on the wicked. What’s the pathway to peace? It’s only found in reflecting on the goodness of God and then extending that to others in love with uprightness of heart. God help us live with uprightness of heart, so that your generosity will shine through us regardless of our circumstances!

Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. Romans 6:12-13

“For God made all things good in their order, the five senses in the head, and He joins on the neck to the head, the hair also for comeliness, the heart moreover for understanding, the belly for the dividing of the stomach, the calamus for health, the liver for wrath, the gall for bitterness, the spleen for laughter, the reins for craftiness, the loins for power, the ribs for containing, the back for strength, and so forth. So then, my children, be orderly unto good things in the fear of God, and do nothing disorderly in scorn or out of its due season. For if you bid the eye to hear, it cannot; so neither in darkness can you do the works of light.”

Testament of Naphtali, concerning Natural Goodness 8.2 (second century BC).

In Paul’s letter to the Romans he urges them not to let sin reign in their bodies but rather to offer themselves as an instrument of righteousness. Likewise, the Testament of Naphtali describes how God made each part of our bodies to perform certain functions, he made us do works of light. So friends, in the fear of God, were we not designed for disorderly conduct. God designed us for good works (cf. Ephesians 2:8-10; 2 Timothy 2:20-21). He made us to shine like lights for Him. Let’s do it.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another. Galatians 5:22-26

“And now, children, take heed of the spirit of deceit and of envy. For envy rules over the whole mind of a man, and suffers him neither to eat, nor to drink, nor to do any good thing: it ever suggests to him to destroy him that he envies; and he that is envied ever flourishes, but he that envies fades away. Two years of days I afflicted my soul with fasting in the fear of the Lord, and I learned that deliverance from envy comes by the fear of God.”

Testament of Simeon, Concerning Envy 2.3.1-4 (second century BC).

Envy is a leading hindrance to doing good. While the Apostle Paul notes that a fruit of the Spirit is generosity, he exhorts the Galatians (and us) not to envy each other. It’s a fruit of the flesh. How do we root this out?

The Testament of Simeon suggests fasting in the fear of the Lord. Take inventory today. If you have a root of envy, a longing after something someone else has, skip a meal and feast on the one thing that is better than anything else: God.

Read a Psalm, such as Psalm 37, in which David wrestled with envious thoughts. Run to God. He is the only one who can satisfy your deepest longings, and remove this hindrance to doing good.

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:3-4

“Walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord, and be labouring in works, and roaming in study and among your flocks, until the Lord give to you a wife whom He will.”

Testament of Reuben, Concerning Thoughts 4.1 (second century BC).

Today the Testament of Reuben mirrors the words of this Psalm of David.

As empty nesters, Jenni and I are praying verses like these over our children. We believe it’s one of the most generous things we can do for them as they are “laboring in works and roaming in study.”

Father, help our children walk in singleness of heart in the fear of the Lord. Give them strength to labor in works and roam in study. In your timing, provide a wife for our son and a husband for our daughter that likewise loves and serves you, Amen.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

“Now I will declare unto you what I did, I saw a man in distress and nakedness in wintertime, and had compassion upon him, and stole away a garment secretly from my house, and gave it to him who was in distress. Do you therefore, my children, from that which God bestows upon you, show compassion and mercy impartially to all men, and give to every man with a good heart.

And if you have not at the time wherewith to give to him that asks you, have compassion for him in bowels of mercy. I know that my hand found not at the time wherewith to give to him that asked me, and I walked with him weeping for more than seven furlongs, and my bowels yearned towards him unto compassion.

Have therefore yourselves also, my children, compassion towards every man with mercy, that the Lord also may have compassion upon you, and have mercy upon you; because also in the last days God sends His compassion on the earth, and wheresoever He finds bowels of mercy, He dwells in him. For how much compassion a man has upon his neighbours, so much also has the Lord upon him.”

Testament of Zebulun, Concerning Compassion and Mercy. 6.7.1 to 6.8.5 (second century BC).

As I have noted the last few days, this Jewish apocalyptic text (Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs) would have been among the literature that shaped the thinking of Jewish Christians in the early church. Today’s excerpt reminds me of the life of Jesus. He showed compassion and mercy to those society deemed least deserving. Conversely, society teach us to judge and extend generosity to those that are deserving.

Listen again to this instruction: “from that which God bestows upon you, show compassion and mercy impartially to all men, and give to every man with a good heart.” That sums up Christian generosity! All we have comes from God, who is the only righteous judge. We are here to show compassion and mercy, so let’s stop judging and start sharing! Would you want others to aid you impartially in crisis? Of course. Go and do likewise with good heart.