Cyril of Jerusalem: The reward of fasting

“For we fast by abstaining from wine and flesh, not because we abhor them as abominations, but because we look for reward; that having scorned things sensible, we may enjoy a spiritual and intellectual feast, and that having sown in tears we may reap in joy…disregard [good things] for the sake of better spiritual things set before thee.”

Cyril of Jerusalem (c.315-c.386) as recounted in Catecheses, a series of 18 instructional addresses for Lent, IV.27.

Why fast? If there is nothing inherently holy or praiseworthy in fasting, then why do it. Early church father, Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem, clarifies “the why” for us. The reward of fasting from good or sensible things is not gold stars in heaven, but rather, to discern spiritual things.

So what does fasting have to do with attachments and generosity? Once we think we “need” something, we have become attached to it, and subsequently, we commit our attention and resources and allegiance to having and keeping it. Where this complicates matters, or to put it more plainly, where attachments complicate life, is we think we need this, this, this, this, this, and this to be content.

No wonder our culture has become so discontent. We have everything, and yet nothing. What’s the bottom line on this Lord’s Day? Detaching from things positions us to attach to God, and two fruits of such attachment are contentment and generosity. If we remain attached to things, then discontentment and abysmal generosity prevail. May God help us detach or fast from things (cf. Matthew 6:25-34) for the reward of fasting is attachment to Him.

“It is not that prestige and worldly pleasure and other people are evil in themselves; what is evil is our attachment to them when by such attachment we disregard the sweet commandment of God.”

Catherine of Siena (1347-1380) as recounted in The Quotable Saint ed. Rosemary Ellen Guiley (New York: Visionary Living, 2002) 13.

Catherine offers a keen insight here. Attachments lead us to ignore, not care about, and consequently, disregard God’s instructions. God forgive us for attaching to anything but You. How do we determine what we are attached to?

In the coming days I want to explore further the function of fasting linked to attachments. I believe attachments are a key reason we often ignore biblical teaching linked to generosity. Other things have our attention and allegiance.

“Whatever you give to the poor, you do without a doubt put out at interest. This interest will yield you its returns later on when the labors of every man will be evaluated and multiplied honor conferred.”

Valerian of Cimiez, 5th century monk of Lerins and bishop of Cimiez in one of his homilies discovered in the 16th century, as recounted in The Quotable Saint ed. Rosemary Ellen Guiley (New York: Visionary Living, 2002) 94.

I love this reminder today from a sermon from a monk named Valerian that echoes a favorite proverb of Solomon. I appreciate how he raises our sights to consider the earthly and eternal implications of our generosity to the needy.

Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed. Proverbs 19:17

As the July draws to a close, if you have more than enough money to make it to next month, ask the LORD if there is someone in need around you in your church, network of friends, or neighborhood, with whom He might lead you to share.

This is a regular rhythm in our home that has resulted in rich blessings back to us and, in the words of Valerian, “interest” in our heavenly account.

“Do we not see people every day, endowed with vast estates, who keep on joining field to field, dreaming of wider boundaries for their lands? Those who dwell in palaces are ever adding house to house, continually building up and tearing down, remodeling and changing…

Nothing should content a man’s desires but the very best…Is it not, then, mad folly, always to be craving for things which can never quiet our longings, much less satisfy them? No matter how much such things one has, he is always lusting after what he has not; never at peace, he sighs for new possessions.

Discontented, he spends himself in fruitless toil; and finds only weariness in the evanescent and unreal pleasures of the world. In his greediness, he counts all that he has clutched as nothing in comparison with what is beyond his grasp, and loses all pleasure in his actual possessions by longing after what he has not…”

Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) in “Of love toward God not without reward: and how the hunger of man’s heart cannot be satisfied with earthly things” Chapter VII in On Loving God.

Downsizing stirs within us the desire to have the best possessions money can buy for our townhouse, and we don’t even move in until 12 August 2014! What should we do. The decision making process requires discipline to consider repeatedly “What do we need?” rather than “What do we want?” as the desires of the flesh are insatiable. On our journey we are finding that the only thing that satisfies us is God, so we resolve daily to set our affections on Him. Care to join us?

“God feeds the fowls, and daily sustenance is furnished the sparrows, and to those creatures who have no sense of things Christian, do you think that to a servant of God, do think that to one devoted to good works, do you think that one dear to the Lord anything will be lacking?”

Cyprian (c. 200-258), bishop of Carthage in Works and Almsgiving as recounted in The Quotable Saint ed. Rosemary Ellen Guiley (New York: Visionary Living, 2002) 1.

Often we as human beings psych ourselves out. We think of all the “what if” questions and rationalize behavior that is contrary to Scripture.

Cyprian uses questions, conversely, to note that the God who supplies the needs of the birds, and all creatures who have no sense of things Christian, can be trusted to make good to His promise to supply our needs and the resources for our generosity.

Do you think people would say we live like you and I believe this?

Do not toil to acquire wealth; be discerning enough to desist. When your eyes light on it, it is gone, for suddenly it sprouts wings, flying like an eagle toward heaven. Proverbs 23:4-5

“I can imagine that many wished they had learned this truth before the economy started to decline [in recent years]. If only more Christians would see that their future is not secure in investments, 401Ks, or even in silver and gold, but in storing up treasures in heaven.

I was recently speaking at a conference in one of the more affluent areas of our nation. Yet even in this wealthy community I saw fear and insecurity. I learned that one multi-millionaire had lost millions of dollars and had only eight million remaining. Thinking he had no hope, he took his life.

My heart goes out to his family, but can you see how his reality had become distorted? He viewed his money as his god, and when his god began to dwindle, so also did his hope. That is why the Scriptures teach us not to trust in the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly gives us all things to enjoy.

It is certain that we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out–except for people. Let us invest our lives in our families and in endeavors that influence others to store up treasures in heaven.”

Mark Hamby in Lamplighter Moment daily email for 16 July 2014.

As Hamby notes, the only right activities linked to money are enjoyment, sharing, and trusting in God to provide it. Any other way of life leads to fear, insecurity, and hopelessness. May God help us “be discerning enough to detest” as the writer of this proverb notes. Together we can show the world that the alternative to fear-filled insecurity is hope-filled trust in God.

“This Is All I Need…”

A donor invited me to visit with him to discuss his estate, so we set up a time to meet at his farm.

I drove up to the nice two-story home and knocked on the door. A lady answered, and when I asked for the donor, she said he lived next door – in a trailer.

A dilapidated trailer house, to be more specific. The screen in the door was torn out so his dogs could run in and out. “Simple” hardly describes the interior.

In the course of my visit, the donor told me the two-story farmhouse was occupied by his hired man and his family.

Why does the donor live in the trailer?

He explained, “This is all I need.”

A man of considerable wealth, living simply so he can give.

Quite a lesson.

Bruce L. Blumer of the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation shared this story, and a friend of mine, Steve Regner, Director for Media Advancement for Life 97.9 and Faith 1200 KFNW, was kind to share it with me, and I am passing it along to you.

This story has significance for me today for two reasons! First, it’s a vivid, inspiring, real life example of a person choosing to live simply in order to give generously. Second, this afternoon is the inspection on the townhouse my wife and I are purchasing having sold our home this Spring. We pray all goes well between now and our closing date of August 12.

We are not saying everyone needs to sell their house and downsize. We, along with “the donor” in this story, have taken steps to answer the question: “How much do we need?” so as to position ourselves to live, give, serve, and love generously because someday we will have to give an account for our stewardship. To that end, that is, to prepare to give an account for your stewardship, we urge everyone to go and do likewise!

“We live in an extremely consumeristic culture, and the pressure to live a particular kind of lifestyle is tremendous. From this perspective, then, Christians may have a faith-based conviction to give, but the larger consumer-oriented society and culture tempts people to live to purchase ever increasing goods for themselves, so that generous giving becomes impossible.”

Michael Emerson, Christian Smith, and Patricia Snell in Passing the Plate: Why American Christians Don’t Give Away More Money (New York: Oxford University Press, 2008) 126.

The research of Emerson, Smith, and Snell communicates that generous giving in the American culture is virtually impossible. No wonder Jesus of the rich man in Mark 10 that to “go, sell, give, come and follow” was only possible with God’s help. May God help us do the impossible!

“Simplicity is the only thing that can sufficiently reorient our lives so that possessions can be genuinely enjoyed without destroying us.”

Richard J. Foster in Quaker Life vol. 20 (Friends Publication Board, 1979) 20.

My prayer is that the American Church will wake up and abandon consumerism for simplicity. I am learning that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15) but rather in enjoyment and sharing (1 Tim 6:17-19).

“Our possessions are not our own; God has given them to us that we may cultivate them, and it is His will that we should render them useful and fruitful. By our care thereof we render to him an acceptable service.”

Francis de Sales (1567-1622) from The Devout Life as recounted in The Quotable Saint ed. Rosemary Ellen Guiley (New York: Visionary Living, 2002) 204.

It’s interesting to explore the idea of service and sharing that is acceptable to God in the writings of the saints.

When we, along with de Sales, start with the reality that God owns everything, our acceptable service will always be linked to rendering back to Him that which He provides in a manner that is both useful and fruitful for His glory.

Today I want to honor my wife for 22 years of marriage, and frankly, for joining me in embracing truths like this one by one of her favorite spiritual formation writers. I love you, Jenni! Happy Anniversary!