George Newlands: An effective theology

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Jesus in Luke 4:18-19

“An effective theology of generosity must bring together the emancipatory authority of Jesus as the Christ with the shape of the concept of a God for whom to be is truly to be self-giving, and in doing so give fresh meaning to the understanding of life in the Spirit. None of this is new to the tradition of the gospel. But it does need to be spelled out in language to fire the imagination in each new generation.”

George Newlands in Generosity and the Christian Future (Eugene: Wipf & Stock, 1997) 183-84.

Newlands wants every generation to have an “effective theology” that reflects the mission of Jesus and the self-giving generosity of the Father, so that as the Spirit guides us to live likewise, our generosity exhibits the work of God in our lives. It’s been good to be with Sophie in California. Her actions demonstrate that “an effective theology” guides her life! Thank you God for your work in her and for how she shines for you!

Since Easter I have been reflecting on what God thinks about our giving. This thought captures the theology we need and prompts introspective questions: Do our lives reflect pursuit of the mission of the world or the mission of Christ? Does our generosity flow like a self-giving fountain tapped into the only abundant source, our Father in heaven? Do our lives in the Spirit exhibit the fruit of generosity?

Friends, our practices are rooted in our beliefs, our theology. Each of us must ask ourselves: Do I have an effective theology?

Today I fly from San Diego to Philadelphia to facilitate a staff retreat for IHS Global on Monday and Tuesday. This organization celebrates 20 years of training medical and other professionals to share the good news of Jesus Christ around the world. As we read Scripture, do activities, and pray together, join me in asking God to “fire the imagination” of this ministry team to work together with God and richly serve a new generation.

If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 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. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:32-36

“Human flourishing consists in the restored relational capacity of a person to receive the generosity of God through the giving of others and to give to others through the generosity of God—precisely in that order. I think this may be the best way I can describe the essence of the Kingdom of Heaven. It is an extraordinary realm of extravagant generosity where we learn to receive in such a way that we are compelled to give. That’s the big problem with the kingdom of the world. It’s not about giving but getting. It’s not built on generosity but reciprocation—we give in order to get. It’s not about paying it forward, but paying it back. Until we are able to truly receive, we will never be able to truly give and we will build our lives on a transactional model of quid-pro-quo exchanges. (Hint – if you are the kind of person who expects a thank you note it’s a sign you may not be as much of a true giver as you think you are.)”

J.D. Walt in “Why Happiness Is The Truth” Seedbed Daily Text for 1 April 2016.

If we want to know God’s perspective on generosity, we must listened to Jesus. He spells out generosity according to the Kingdom of Heaven, and J.D. echoes it in modern language with a helpful hint. Generosity in the kingdom is linked to expecting nothing in return to ensure that all glory goes to the Giver.

Know anyone who stopped giving somewhere because they weren’t thanked or exalted to a level that met their expectations? They did not get the return they wanted. Know any ministries that extend so much praise to you as a giver that it makes you feel uncomfortable? These are warning signs for worldly giving paradigms.

Let’s celebrate that God is gracious and merciful to the ungrateful and wicked! Think about it. The mercy part means we don’t get the punishment we deserve for our sins, and the grace part pours blessings on us that we don’t deserve either. So God’s generosity is merciful and gracious.

So what’s today’s lesson in short? If we want to exhibit Christian generosity, thankfully receive God’s spiritual blessings (grace and mercy) and material gifts (money and possessions) and share all of it freely, expecting nothing in return, but rather celebrating that we get to be joyful distributors whose generosity directs all glory the Giver.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19

“One of our chief duties as a Christian is delight and gratitude. God has been a generous Father and is frivolous in His giving. God is not unhappy about our enjoyment of the world, in fact quite the opposite. He is only unhappy if our enjoyment of the gift handed down doesn’t complete the circle by returning in thanksgiving ascending upward . . . Look around you, there is so much to be taken in and appreciated; friends, family, home, sunsets, sweets, and smiles. None of which are even explicable much less deserved. They are all given. May our lives be filled with gratitude to the Giver.”

Jesse Pirschel in “the eNewsletter” of Covenant Presbyterian Church, 8451 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421, dated 31 March 2016.

Special thanks to my friend, Jason Coffey of CBMC, for sharing this eNewsletter with yesterday. Since Easter I have been exploring the things God cares about linked to generosity. Pirschel rightly reminds us to take delight and return gratitude. Enjoyment of God’s gifts is where generosity begins. He literally commands us to enjoy His good gifts! When enjoyment is coupled with gratitude, we acknowledge the source of all blessings: God. That positions us to imitate Him, which is generosity!

Yesterday morning was amazing to walk the dog in three inches of fresh snow in Littleton, Colorado. It was so beautiful. Today I am thankful to enjoy the warm sunshine and palm trees of San Diego, California, with my wife, and for the privilege of seeing my daughter perform in the Spring Musical at San Diego Christian College, You Are A Good Man Charlie Brown. Not only that, we get to enjoy the day with Jenni’s parents on campus where I shot this striking header photo . . . all wonderful gifts!

Take a few minutes today to delight in the gifts that God has lavished on you. In response, return thanks and exhibit generosity by not only enjoying them, but share richly from the material and spiritual blessings He has richly given you.

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

The whole secret of abundant living can be summed up in this one sentence: “Not your responsibility but your response to God’s ability.”

Carl F. H. Henry (1913-2003) evangelical theologian in The Westminster Collection of Christian Quotations, ed. Martin H. Manser (Louisville: WJKP, 2001) 318

In continuing the exploration of generosity from God’s perspective after Easter: we must give our best, do it with love, and today we learn that we must rely on His strength and ability.

Henry was a thoughtful voice in the EFCA movement in the last century. Jenni and I had a great dinner last night with EFCA president, Kevin Kompelien and his wife, and Jay and Julie Ottoson.

Good fellowship with two couples who, along with us, are learning to grasp the secret to abundant living.

If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:3

“Do not pursue spectacular deeds. We must deliberately renounce all desires to see the fruit of our labor, doing all we can as best we can, leaving the rest in the hands of God. What matters is the gift of your self, the degree of love that you put into each one of your actions.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in No Greater Love (Novato: New World, 2002) 30.

My wife has a sign above the refrigerator that reads: “Do small things with great love” Mother Teresa. It’s a great reminder.

After Easter I am thinking about what God cares about linked to generosity. In other words, what matters in giving. Yesterday I found that sacrifice and giving our best matter to God. Today, Teresa (who set a great example) reminds us to give with great love! How we give matters more than how much we give.

Walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2

“We’ve got to do hard things when we make a sacrifice. Lots of people think they’re charitable if they give away their old clothes and things they don’t want. It isn’t charity to give away things they don’t want. It isn’t charity to give away things you want to get rid of and it isn’t a sacrifice to do things you don’t mind doing. The harder it is and the more we don’t want to do it, the better the sacrifice.”

Myrtle Reed (1874-1911) American author in Old Rose and Silver (New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1909) 200.

Jesus showed the way for us. Let’s not give as the world gives. Let’s be sure our charity reflects His love and generosity.

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

“He who cannot find time to consult his Bible will one day find he has time to be sick. He who has no time to pray must find time to die. He who can find no time to reflect is most likely to find time to sin. He who cannot find time for repentance will find an eternity in which repentance will be of no avail. He who cannot find time to work for others may find an eternity in which to suffer for himself.”

Hannah More (1745-1833) English writer known for her generous giving in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 583.

Don’t stop fasting, praying, and giving to the poor in life after Lent. Hannah More rightly notes that we must “find time” for what is important. Find time to read God’s Word, to pray, to reflect, to repent, and to work for others.

The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Matthew 28:5-6

“Occasions of adversity best discover how great virtue or strength each one hath. For occasions do not make a man frail but show what he is.”

Thomas à Kempis (1380-1471) in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 578.

Happy Easter everyone! The resurrection of Jesus revealed for all humankind that Jesus truly is the Son of God!

I took this new header photo on Good Friday after visiting the Stations of the Cross at Sacred Heart with my wife, Jenni, in Sedalia, Colorado. The setting was serene and got even more beautiful when a group of deer joined us. They come into view just below the mountains in the center of the picture.

The bubbling fountain in the foreground reminded me of the life we have through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The ice, however was an “occasion of adversity” for the deer, as made it hard for them to get a drink. What seem to give them confidence to move toward what they needed was sticking together. That made me think about how we, as followers of Christ, need each other in life after Lent.

What will the occasions of adversity that you will face in life after Lent reveal about you?

Our aim in practicing prayer, fasting, and giving to the poor during Lent has been to train ourselves to live generously following the instructions and example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Through us the Holy Spirit shows the world that the gospel is true! Father in heaven, cause many to seek You through watching and learning from us as we move toward you together. Make it so by your Holy Spirit we pray in the name of our risen Savior, Jesus. Amen.

Need encouragement for the spiritual journey we walk together?

After you are done enjoying some chocolate or other treats today because Easter is a day to celebrate, read The Imitation of Christ by Thomas à Kempis if you have not read it. It is the most widely read Christian devotional in church history and a great book to read after Lent. Here’s a link to a free PDF copy.

Christ is risen!

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

“Certain it is, that as nothing can better do it; so there is nothing greater for which God made our tongues, next to reciting His praises, than to minister comfort to a weary soul.”

Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) English cleric as recounted in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 574.

It’s Black Saturday. Long before merchandisers affixed that label to the Friday after Thanksgiving, leaders in church history named today as such because on Easter weekend, Jesus is still in the tomb. Imagine how sad and weary the first Christ-followers must have been the day after the crucifixion of Christ. Know anyone who is sad or weary today?

With our tongues we praise Jesus, because through His death, we have life. But face it, this is a hard perspective for many to grasp who may be experiencing hard times. Most of the time we can’t deliver the sad and weary from their difficulties, but we can help bear their burdens and show them how to find consolation in our risen Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thank you Jesus, because through your death, we have life. Thanks also that you welcome the weary to come to you to find rest for their souls. 

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

“Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as a lion that roared upon Samson; but if we overcome them, the next time we see them we shall find a nest of honey within them.”

John Bunyan (1628-1688) author of Pilgrim’s Progress as recounted in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 577.

Happy Good Friday everyone!

How wonderful that Jesus resisted the temptation to turn back from the cross. Through accepting the cup of suffering and death, he paved the way to life for all of us. This struck me today: the good that comes when we too resist temptation.

What’s this got to do with generosity? Everything!

The pathway to generosity is only navigated by resisting temptations. We resist materialism, greed, hoarding, self-indulgence, and slavery to mammon. Instead we make money our slave and put it to work. That’s when good happens.

Our ability to resist these temptations is only possible with the Holy Spirit’s help. That’s why God’s Word teaches us that one of the fruits of the Spirit is “generosity” (cf. Galatians 5:22-23).

Reflect on why today is so good. Why it’s sweeter than honey! It’s good because Jesus resisted the temptation to turn back. What temptations do you and I need to resist? Let us ask the Holy Spirit to come to our aid. This is the question I will ponder when I visit the Stations of the Cross today.