Arnobius of Sicca: Be generous to your enemies

“Christ performed all those miracles which He wrought without any aid from external things, without the observance of any ceremonial, without any definite mode of procedure, but solely by the inherent might of His authority; and as was the proper duty of the true God, as was consistent with His nature, as was worthy of Him, in the generosity of His bounteous power He bestowed nothing hurtful or injurious, but only that which is helpful, beneficial, and full of blessings good for men.”

Arnobius of Sicca (located in modern day Tunisia, North Africa) was an early church apologist (died c. 330). During some of the last and bloodiest persecutions that Christians endured under Roman Emperor Diocletian (284-305), he who wrote The Seven Books of Arnobius Against the Heathen and this excerpt comes from Book I, Chapter XLIV (written c. 297-303). Why cite Arnobius today as I walk through early church history?

In brutal times, when sinful man performs horrible atrocities such as persecution, many people today (as well as during the days of the early church) are quick to blame God for what’s happening. We must follow the example of Arnobius and announce that while these acts are horrific, God is not the one to blame, for “in the generosity of His bounteous power He bestowed nothing hurtful or injurious, but only that which is helpful, beneficial, and full of blessings.”

Jesus, the Son of God, went around doing good (cf. Acts 10:38). As His children so must we empowered by the Holy Spirit! Should God allow our generation to suffer, we must follow Jesus’ exhortation to love our enemies (cf. Matthew 5:43-48). Likewise, Paul calls us to take a loving posture. Listen to his words to the Christians who suffered greatly in Rome, the capital of the Roman Empire. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

“This best of maxims, then, ought to be perpetually repeated, that the good man, being temperate and just, treasures up his wealth in heaven. He who has sold his worldly goods, and given them to the poor, finds the imperishable treasure, where is neither moth nor robber…He alone, who possesses what is worth most, turns out truly rich, though not recognised as such…It is not he who has and keeps, but he who gives away, that is rich; and it is giving away, not possession, which renders a man happy; and the fruit of the Spirit is generosity.”

Titus Flavius Clemens, a.k.a. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-215) in The Pædagogus Book III, Chapter VI “The Christian Alone Rich.”

On The Pædagogus, or The Instructor (c. 198), Philip Schaff notes in Apostolic Fathers that Clement addresses it “to those who have been rescued from the darkness and pollutions of heathenism, and is an exhibition of Christian morals and manners—a guide for the formation and development of Christian character, and for living a Christian life.” With the clarity of Jesus in the Gospels and the boldness of Paul to the Galatians, Clement proclaims: Don’t believe what the world says or you won’t “turn out truly rich.” I concur wholeheartedly!

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 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. Galatians 5:16-23

“For the Christians are distinguished from other men neither by country, nor language, nor the customs which they observe. For they neither inhabit cities of their own, nor employ a peculiar form of speech, nor lead a life which is marked out by any singularity. The course of conduct which they follow has not been devised by any speculation or deliberation of inquisitive men; nor do they, like some, proclaim themselves the advocates of any merely human doctrines. But, inhabiting Greek as well as barbarian cities, according as the lot of each of them has determined, and following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing, food, and the rest of their ordinary conduct, they display to us their wonderful and confessedly striking method of life. They dwell in their own countries, but simply as sojourners.

As citizens, they share in all things with others, and yet endure all things as if foreigners. Every foreign land is to them as their native country, and every land of their birth as a land of strangers. They marry, as do all [others]; they beget children; but they do not destroy their offspring [lit “cast away fetuses”]. They have a common table, but not a common [lit. “unclean”] bed. They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh. They pass their days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the prescribed laws, and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives.

They love all men, and are persecuted by all. They are unknown and condemned; they are put to death, and restored to life. They are poor, yet make many rich [cf. 2 Corinthians 6:10]; they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all; they are dishonoured, and yet in their very dishonour are glorified. They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified; they are reviled, and bless; they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour; they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers. When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life; they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners, and are persecuted by the Greeks; yet those who hate them are unable to assign any reason for their hatred.”

Mathetes in The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus 10. In Apostolic Fathers, Philip Schaff notes that the anonymous author of this epistle (c. 130) gives himself the title (Mathetes) “a disciple of the Apostles” as he was likely a student of Paul or one of the apostle’s associates.

Notice the beautiful simplicity and generous lifestyle celebrated here. The early church Christians lived in this world but not of this world (cf. John 17:16). Likewise, let us be people who pass our days on earth as citizens of heaven. Let us enrich the lives of others, and always repay evil with good.

“What shall we do, then, brethren? Shall we become slothful in well-doing, and cease from the practice of love? God forbid that any such course should be followed by us! But rather let us hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perform every good work. For the Creator and Lord of all Himself rejoices in His works.

For by His infinitely great power He established the heavens, and by His incomprehensible wisdom He adorned them. He also divided the earth from the water which surrounds it, and fixed it upon the immoveable foundation of His own will. The animals also which are upon it He commanded by His own word into existence. So likewise, when He had formed the sea, and the living creatures which are in it, He enclosed them [within their proper bounds] by His own power. Above all, with His holy and undefiled hands He formed man, the most excellent [of His creatures], and truly great through the understanding given him— the express likeness of His own image. For thus says God: “Let us make man in Our image, and after Our likeness. So God made man; male and female He created them.” Having thus finished all these things, He approved them, and blessed them, and said, “Increase and multiply.”

We see, then, how all righteous men have been adorned with good works, and how the Lord Himself, adorning Himself with His works, rejoiced. Having therefore such an example, let us without delay accede to His will, and let us work the work of righteousness with our whole strength.”

Clement of Rome (30-100) in 1 Clement 33, a.k.a. the first letter of Clement to the Corinthians 33. As I prepare for teaching this summer, I plan to walk through church history in my daily study for fresh inspiration. Early this morning I read excerpts from the Apostolic Fathers. Clement of Rome is a personal favorite, as he is thought to be the same Clement who was co-worker of the Apostle Paul mentioned in Philippians 4:3.

Clement exhorts fellow Christ followers (and us) to “hasten with all energy and readiness of mind to perform every good work” inspired by God’s good works evidenced in all of creation. As we enjoy the beauty of Spring, may we hasten to “work the work of righteousness with our whole strength” so that as people see our good works, they will glorify our Father who is in Heaven (cf. Matthew 5:16).

Want to hear a great song about sacrificial giving before it goes mainstream? Click to enjoy “Living Sacrifice” by Anthony Badell.

Every little thing and all that I have gained from you
Every little part all of my own heart for you
More than I have seen and more than I have known is you
You have given more than I could ever know or use

So I’ll worship with my life
A living sacrifice
You are source of everything
You are all I have my King

So all I have is yours my heart, my mind, and soul to lose
You can have it all to use me in the world for you
Teach me how to give a brand new way to live life through
To move in every way that gives my life away to you

Anthony Badell leads contemporary worship for Holy Cross Lutheran Church (ELCA), Overland Park, KS. Why share a song today?

I am traveling today and one thing I love to do when I travel is brand truth on my soul through tunes! I love listening to Christian music, so I hope you enjoy this song!

“Today I sow for a Great Awakening. Today, I stake everything on the promise of the Word of God. I depend entirely on the power of the Holy Spirit. I have the same mind in me that was in Christ Jesus. Because Jesus is good news and Jesus is in me I am good news. Today, I will sow the extravagance of the Gospel everywhere I go and into everyone I meet. Today, I will love others as Jesus has loved me. Today, I will remember that the tiniest seeds become the tallest trees; that the seeds sown today become the shade of tomorrow; that the faith of right now becomes the future of the everlasting Kingdom. Today, I sow for a Great Awakening.”

J.D. Walt in “The Sower’s Creed” on the back cover of “Seedbed Sower’s Almanac” for the growing season of our Lord 2015-2016.

Last night I had the privilege of table fellowship, an evening walk, and prayer with J.D. at Asbury Theological Seminary. He recited “The Sower’s Creed” to me while we were together. I exclaimed, “Amen, brother!” Together we are committed to sowing generously, all we are and all we have, for a Great Awakening. Care to join us?

Sow your seed in the morning, and at evening let your hands not be idle, for you do not know which will succeed, whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well. Ecclesiastes 11:6

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6

Video shooting linked to the “Faith and Finances” videos went well yesterday. Thanks for your prayers. We invite you to continue to pray for us today that things wrap up smoothly.

“Ultimately, we cannot stand still or tread water in the Christian life. We are either moving closer toward God and learning to better love our neighbor, or we are missing opportunities to further express our love for God and neighbor and gradually moving away from God.

The goal of every Christian should be to become a disciple, a follower, of Jesus Christ. People do not learn how to follow Jesus by reading books about following Jesus. We learn how to follow Jesus by following him, even if by fits and starts.”

Kevin M. Watson in The Class Meeting: Reclaiming a Forgotten (and Essential) Small Group Experience (Wilmore, KY: Seedbed, 2014) 15.

This book champions a conversation-driven versus content-driven small group format (much like The Alpha Course). So why cite Watson today? I pray my forthcoming “Faith and Finances” curriculum and the 12 corresponding “seven-minute seminary” videos we are shooting today and tomorrow will get people talking in similar fashion. I’ll let you all know when they are available to view freely online.

Following Jesus “even if by fits and starts” as Watson puts it, is the only way to live. We learn by doing it. My family has found this is especially true linked to generosity. We did not realize what it meant to be conduits of spiritual and material blessings until we started doing it!

“Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.” Luke 16:2

“In so many respects are the children of men stewards of the Lord, the Possessor of heaven and earth: So large a portion of His goods, of various kinds, hath he committed to their charge. But it is not forever, nor indeed for any considerable time: We have this trust reposed in us only during the short, uncertain space that we sojourn here below; only so long as we remain on earth, as this fleeting breath is in our nostrils.

The hour is swiftly approaching, it is just at hand, when we “can be no longer stewards!”

The moment the body “returns to the dust as it was, and the Spirit to God that gave it,” we bear that character no more; the time of our stewardship is at an end. Part of those goods wherewith we were before entrusted are now come to an end; at least, they are so with regard to us; nor are we longer entrusted with them: And that part which remains can no longer be employed or improved as it was before.

John Wesley (1703-1791) in “The Good Steward” Sermon 51.2.1.

The world wants each of us to think that life is a long journey during which we are our own master. Alternatively, God’s Word and John Wesley with passion teach us that life is a “short, uncertain space” in which we serve as stewards of gifts, goods, and the greatest treasure of all, the gospel. Thus, we must live in a state of readiness to give an account for our stewardship. Are you ready?

Today I am flying to Kentucky to shoot twelve seven-minute videos that will correspond to the twelve modules of my forthcoming “Faith and Finances” curriculum. Pray for me. I will also fellowship with Jay Mansur, J.D. Walt, and others. Can’t wait! Why shoot these and make them freely available? I want to inspire Christians to faithful stewardship so that they hear two words from the Master: “Well done!”

“I have made the mistake of striving for stuff in place of first seeking the kingdom of heaven. My earthly kingdom building is a tireless endeavor that wearies the soul, frazzles emotions, kills the body, and puts relationships at risk…Jesus rocks the religious world by describing the humble in heart as those who are truly happy. To be poor in spirit is to be humble in heart.

Advancement in the kingdom of heaven comes from downward mobility to the feet of our Master Jesus. The way up is down…Can those wealthy in worldly goods also be poor in spirit? Yes, of course, but it is harder because they have more competition for their affection and devotion to their heavenly Father. This is why Jesus said it is hard (not impossible) for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Boyd Bailey in Wisdom Hunters daily email “How to Die Rich” dated 1 May 2015.

Jesus does not condemn the rich man. He’s sympathetic toward him (cf. Mark 10:17-31). He knows how hard it is for those who have riches to let go of them. He Himself became poor so that we might become rich (cf. 2 Corinthians 8:9). What does this mean for us?

Jesus wants us to identify and release whatever competes with Him for our affection? Let it go! Whatever we are not willing to let go of is the thing in which we are placing our trust. For most Americans, it’s money. In our rich context, many believe we can stockpile riches for ourselves and claim to trust in Jesus.

To “trust in Jesus” is to give up on the tireless striving to build an earthly kingdom. Those who follow His plan work hard, and they may amass great wealth, but it’s not for hoarding but for enjoyment and sharing. In the case of the rich man, Jesus instructed him to share it with the destitute.

I have made the mistake of thinking it is my job to take care of my earthly life while Jesus takes care of my eternal soul. How we live our earthly life shows what we believe about eternal life. And to the rich man seeking eternal life,  Jesus said, “go, sell, give, come, and follow!” This was not a call to emptiness but to richness.

To follow Jesus does not mean we end up empty and alone (as the world claims), but rather we find a place in God’s family where (along with persecutions) we work, enjoy, and share the fruit of our labor with those who can’t work, such as the elderly and the needy. Life according to Jesus is one hundred fold better than anything we can build on our own.

Sadly, what the world offers looks good, which is why it competes for our affection. Don’t be fooled.

But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth. 1 John 3:17-18

“Helping someone in need is not about giving someone some spare change. It’s not an obligatory act. The holy love of God is about compassion, which is a Holy Spirit inspired disposition of the heart that leads to action.

The big issue isn’t whether we are helping people in need; it’s whether our heart is truly open to those we are helping. I’ve helped people in need many times in order to make myself feel better, but I can’t say my heart was truly open to them…

Love means doing something for another from the deep wellsprings of Christ in us. It’s not just actions nor is it mere truth. Love is a holy compulsion to help others, everywhere, all the time, no matter what. . . so help us God. John isn’t trying to shake us up. He’s shaking us down. He’s not accusing us but awakening us.”

J.D. Walt in “People Need Help, Not Pity” blog post on 1 May 2015 at Seedbed’s Daily Text.

Bam! J.D. nailed it. How often do we help from a closed heart? We have the “world’s goods” in one side and a “brother in need” on the other. At that moment, John is trying to wake us to the reality that we are positioned to be generous conduits because of God’s love. When we don’t, we reveal our heart condition.

What’s your heart condition?