Sophie Hoag: Give differently

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

“As Christians, we are called to give. Following in Christ’s footsteps, we are challenged to give differently than the rest of the world, so that perhaps through our way of giving, we may not only honor God but also point others to Him through our lives.”

Sophie Hoag in “2 Corinthians 8-9” paper dated 14 March 2016 for Aletheia New Testament class.

Today is known as Silent Wednesday. It bears this distinction because the biblical record provides little details surrounding the activities of this day in Holy Week. In observance of the silence of this day, let’s consider a point Sophie made in her recent NT paper.

Sophie emphasizes that our actions should send messages toward both God and people. Our lives must honor and glorify God, while our generosity (that is different from the world) should point others to Him. Spot on! Give that girl an “A” on her paper!

Father in heaven, cause our light to shine brightly for You so that people may see our good works, even if we use no words, and glorify You. In life after Lent, help us walk in the footsteps of our Lord Jesus Christ in our giving, living, serving, and loving empowered by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.'” Matthew 21:12-13

“Alas! How many souls there are full of self, and yet desirous of doing good and serving God, but in such a way as to suit themselves; who desire to impose rules upon God as to His manner of drawing them to Himself. They want to serve and possess Him, but they are not willing to be possessed by Him.”

François Fénelon (1651-1715) French archbishop and theologian in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 537.

Fenelon’s words are pointed, echoing the exclamations of Jesus in the cleansing of the temple courts during Holy Week. The religious leaders in that setting had imposed rules and did only what would “suit themselves” despite exhibiting a persona of doing good and serving God. Are we also guilty of this?

Apart from God’s work in our lives we are all “full of self” and our proclivity is to want to “possess” God like any other possession. God, by your Holy Spirit, cleanse our temples and possess our lives so that we become the house of prayer and devotion that you desire. Do this I ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23

“Self-denial is the result of a calm, deliberate, invincible attachment to the highest good, flowing forth in the voluntary renunciation of every thing that is inconsistent with the glory of God or the good of our fellow men.”

Gardiner Spring (1785-1873) American minister in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 535.

Spring used two expressions stick with me as we enter Holy Week: “invincible attachment to the highest good” and “voluntary renunciation” of everything else. Why did Jesus take up His cross for us? He was invincibly attached to the Father. Are we?

Additionally, Jesus voluntarily renounced all else for the glory of God and the good of all humankind! He went to the cross for us. Will you join Him in this with me? To be His disciples we must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him.

Lent is the training ground for living the rest of our lives with “invincible attachment to the highest good,” that is, God, and “voluntary renunciation” of every thing else. When we live this way, our generosity will reflect the generosity of Jesus.

Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:39

“The sweetest life is to be ever making sacrifices for Christ. The hardest life a man [or woman] can lead on earth, the most full of misery, is to be always doing his [or her] own will and seeking to please himself [or herself].”

Edward H. Bickersteth (1825-1906) Bishop of Exeter in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 534.

Pretty amazing to think that with the triumphant entry to Jerusalem, Jesus knew He was headed to the cross for us. He saw the gain with the sacrifice and was willing to pay the price.

As we anticipate life after Lent, let’s not stop fasting, praying, and giving to those in need. We must think of what we gain in the sacrifice. We take hold of life as God intends for us.

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…This is what the wicked are like—always free of care, they go on amassing wealth. Psalm 73:1-3, 12

“These persons mock the way of righteousness and, while they will be blown away like useless chaff at the end of time, they are certainly enjoying the world’s pleasures, powers, and protections now…We tend to think of “prosperity” only in economic terms. A prosperous person is successful in business affairs and wealthy in physical possessions. But the prosperity to which meditation on the torah leads is “shalom,” that societal condition in which all members of the community have what is needed for life, sustenance, peace, and well-being. Prosperity does not have to do with power or possessions but with the equitable use of these for the good of all.”

Kathleen Harmon in Becoming the Psalms: A Spirituality of Singing and Praying the Psalms (Collegeville: OSB, 2015) 11.

This Lent I have been meditating on the Psalms and am amazed daily at how frequently they address both the wicked and wise handling of wealth. Harmon nails it in saying that “shalom” in society is linked to the “equitable use” of God’s provision for the good of all; whereas, the wicked ignore God’s design and stockpile for themselves. It’s tempting to follow suit. In Lent we teach ourselves to fast, pray, and give so that we learn how to live life in the kingdom. We grasp what it means, in biblical terms, to prosper for the good of all.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?” Matthew 6:25

“In Matthew 6, Jesus reasons with us through a number of evaluative comparisons in order to draw us into a proper perspective on our lives. He reminds us that we are far more precious to God than the birds of the air or the lilies of the field for which He unfailingly and lavishly provides. He also tells us that “life [is] more than food, and the body more than clothing.” By distinguishing between life and food and the body and clothing, Jesus teaches that even when we worry about necessities such as food and clothing, we ought not to allow ourselves to believe that these things determine life…

Having demonstrated that which is more important, Jesus calls us to replace our lesser worries with a greater concern: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” When we come to Christ, we not only exchange our sins for His righteousness, but we also trade our cares for His. He unburdens us of our labor, as He calls us to His: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:30). Therefore, we cease our worrying, for the life we have surrendered to Christ is no longer ours to support, but rather God’s…

The beauty of creation attests to the Creator’s love and assures us that He who made us will sustain us. With full confidence that the God who promises us His kingdom will also supply all our other needs, let us joyfully cast our anxiety on Him and seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. And since we have received everything from our heavenly Father, let us also be generous in giving so that we may be used by God to provide for the needs of others.”

Jane E. Kim, Assistant Professor of English, Torrey Honors Institute in “The Lent Project” of Biola University post dated 15 March 2016, and graciously shared with me by Jot Turner, who serves at the national office of the EFCA.

Are you worrying about food and clothing? Do you believe that your life is no longer yours to support? Jesus is not calling us to stop working, sit in a field, and pick flowers. He’s calling us not to work for money anymore.

Your income is a by-product of using your gifts for the kingdom to glorify God. If you are teacher, teach for God (not money). If you serve, serve for God (not money). God is the One who determines life, not you. Trade your cares for a greater concern today!

If this seems like a difficulty pathway to take, with Professor Kim I would suggest that you meditate on Psalm 23 today. That’s my plan for my flight home to Denver this evening. This Lent I am learning that Psalms keep me centered on God.

From His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:16-17

“The Lord opened my mind to an awareness of my unbelief, in order that, even so late, I might remember my transgressions and turn with all my heart to the Lord my God, who had regard for my insignificance and pitied my youth and ignorance. And He watched over me before I knew him, and before I learned sense or even distinguished between good and evil, and He protected me, and consoled me as a father would his son. Therefore, indeed, I cannot keep silent, nor would it be proper, so many favors and graces has the Lord deigned to bestow on me in the land of my captivity. For after chastisement from God, and recognizing Him, our way to repay Him is to exalt Him and confess His wonders before every nation under heaven.

For there is no other God, nor ever was before, nor shall be hereafter, but God the Father, unbegotten and without beginning, in whom all things began, whose are all things, as we have been taught; and his son Jesus Christ, who manifestly always existed with the Father, before the beginning of time in the Spirit with the Father, indescribably begotten before all things, and all things visible and invisible were made by Him. He was made man, conquered death and was received into Heaven, to the Father who gave Him all power over every name in Heaven and on Earth and in Hell, so that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe. And we look to his imminent coming again, the judge of the living and the dead, who will render to each according to his deeds.”

Patrick of Ireland (387-461) in his own words in “Confession of St. Patrick” 2-4.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from sunny Phoenix, Arizona!

Take five minutes on this special day to reflect on the many “favors and graces” you have received in Jesus Christ, and give thanks to God! Make a list on a piece of paper and time yourself.

I pray that your heart is not only filled with gratitude like Patrick, but also that you are inspired to live on mission for God as he did. Close your solitude time by asking God to show you someone today to whom you can extend God’s favor and grace.

God worked through Patrick to change his world, and I pray God works through you to change yours for His glory! Resolve to dispense generously the infinite and matchless grace of God!

Praise the Lord! Happy are those who fear the Lord, who greatly delight in his commandments. Their descendants will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in their houses, and their righteousness endures forever. Psalm 112:1-3

“The Old Testament’s interest in family continuity corrects our excessive individualism…The prosperity promised in the present verses may be largely material, but a closer look reveals the moral and spiritual terms which make it an instrument of good. A land needs its mighty men, and is fortunate if they are of such stock as this and if wealth is in such hands.”

Derek Kidner in Psalms 73-150 (TOTC; London: IVP, 1973) 399.

Yesterday en route home from Cincinnati on “Super Tuesday” the news was blaring with election propoganda. Today I fly to Arizona for ECFA meetings with Dan Busby about projects slated for 2016. No doubt, more election news will flash on every airport TV. What’s my prayer for “this land” in which we find ourselves?

Father in heaven, You have blessed our land richly. Lest our material wealth ruin us, “make it an instrument of good,” so that we will reflect Your righteousness through our words and deeds. Make us rich conduits so that our generosity reveals You as our abundance Source. Make it so we pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Do not trust in extortion or put vain hope in stolen goods; though your riches increase, do not set your heart on them. Psalm 62:10

“Whosoever has food to eat, and raiment to put on, with something over, is rich. Whoever has the necessaries and conveniences of life for himself and his family, and a little to spare for them that have not, is properly a rich man…

I have a message from God unto thee, O rich man! Whether thou wilt hear, or whether thou wilt forbear. Riches have increased with thee; at the peril of thy soul, “set not thine heart upon them!” Be thankful to Him that gave thee such a talent, so much power for doing good. Yet dare not to rejoice over them, but with fear and trembling…

“Beware thou cleave not unto them, lest thou be entangled and perish.” Do not make them thy end, thy chief delight, thy happiness, thy God! See that thou expect not happiness in money, nor anything that is purchasable thereby…”

John Wesley (1703-1791) Anglican Minister in “On The Danger Of Increasing Riches” (Sermon 126.1,9) delivered on 21 September 1790 in Bristol, England.

As Asbury Theological Seminary hosted these meetings I decided to read afresh one of Wesley’s sermons this morning. Here Wesley is near the end of his life. He enthusiastically echoes the warning from Psalms not to set your heart on riches as they increase but to realize their power for doing good.

That’s our hope as seminary leaders: to help the rich kept God as their chief delight and realize that they have so much power for doing good. Has God blessed your work with much fruit? Do you have more than enough? Be warned, lest riches entangle and destroy you. Chose thankfulness and generosity!

People who have wealth but lack understanding are like the beasts that perish. Psalm 49:20

“The rich are like beasts of burden, carrying treasure all day, and at the night of death unladen; they carry to their grave only the bruises and marks of their toil.”

Augustine of Hippo (354-430) in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers, compiled by Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Wilbur B. Ketcham, 1895) 523.

Today and tomorrow I am facilitating meetings with leaders of 14 leading evangelical seminaries in Cincinnati. One item we will discuss is how to engage in the deeply spiritual work of raising up givers.

Essentially we will explore how to teach people that the purpose of wealth is to have something to return to God, to care for our families, and to have something to share richly with those in need.

If you have never studied Psalm 49, read it today. It dismantles the false narratives linked to wealth that bombard all humankind: riches can’t save us, give us security in time of trouble, or provide the satisfaction we seek. Only God can.

Father in heaven, by your Holy Spirit, help us model these truths and not succumb to false narratives, so that we show others how to handle wealth, and bless us with fruitful meetings in Cincinnati, I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.