Karl Barth: Gratitude follows grace like thunder lightning

“Charis always demands the answer of eucharistia. Grace and gratitude belong together like heaven and earth. Grace evokes gratitude like the voice an echo. Gratitude follows grace like thunder lightning. Not by virtue of any necessity of the concepts as such. But we are speaking of the grace of the God who is God for man, and of the gratitude of man as his response to this grace…

Radically and basically all sin is simply ingratitude—man’s refusal of the one but necessary thing which is proper to and is required of him with whom God has graciously entered into covenant. As far as man is concerned, there can be no question of anything but gratitude; but gratitude is the complement which man must necessarily fulfill.”

Karl Barth (1886-1968) in Church Dogmatics: The Doctrine of Reconciliation (London: T&T Clark, 2004) 41-42.

I posted this before my backpacking trip about 8 miles into the Gila National Forest in New Mexico where Sammy and I are camping near Mogollon Creek and it will likely rain on us. When I hear thunder and lightning, this is what I am going to think about: “Gratitude follows grace like thunder lightning.”

When you see lightning this summer, and then hear the thunder clap, join me in remembering this: “Grace (charis) always demands the answer of gratitude (eucharistia)!”

“Grace-oriented generosity is the overflow of a liberated heart…Whether Macedonian or Corinthian, American or Canadian, Asian or Australian, the challenge is the same: first and foremost, we are to give ourselves to the Lord. When we do, our treasure will follow the leading of the heart…what is it that makes all this so addictive? … You can’t help but be generous when grace consumes you.”

Charles R. Swindoll in The Owner’s Manual for Christians: The Essential Guide for a God-Honoring Life (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009) 207-209.

One of my students back in Seoul talked about how “addictive” generosity becomes when rightly framed in light of God’s grace through the Scriptures. We can’t help but become generous when we consider the grace extended to us in Jesus. Fear often slows us down though. If you are worried about “running out” then perhaps take some time to reflect on God’s grace today. That’s what I am going to do on a long hike.

By the time you are reading this I will have headed out on a deep trek into the Gila National Forest in New Mexico with my son, Sammy, to find and video the Gila Trout, currently classified as “threatened” on the endangered species list. Of course we will practice catch and release fly fishing. No trout will be harmed in the making of this video.

Should God grant us the privilege of catching a glimpse of this rare copper-colored trout, we will enjoy and freely share our experience with the world on Sammy’s website where you can enjoy other videos of rare and beautiful fish. Just like enjoying God’s creation can be addictive, as we reflect on God’s grace, we realize it changes everything, and brings joy and meaning to all of life!

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

“Generosity is more than just the money we give on Sundays; it should permeate our daily lives, defining who we are. As followers of Christ, we should display lifestyle generosity. Lifestyle generosity is showing our love for God and others with our money and our actions.”

Roger Gum in Financial Faithfulness: Unlocking Scripture to Avoid the Distraction of Money (Bloomington: Westbow, 2014) 56.

Generosity as a “lifestyle” represents another favorite expression from my students last week at Torch Trinity. Is your Sunday generosity connected to your Monday through Saturday life?

“Since national revival begins with Christians comprehensively functioning under God’s rule, it is past time for a new declaration. America was born out of a desire for independence from the tyranny of England. But spiritual revival demands just the opposite. It requires verbal and visible dependence on God. If we want God to bless America, then America must first bless God. This means people must first totally dedicate allegiance to Him…”

Tony Evans in America: Turning a Nation to God (Chicago: Moody, 2015) 177.

Today in America we celebrate our freedom from tyranny. “Freedom” was another word my students celebrated last week in Seoul as we discussed the application of biblical stewardship principles to life. “Functioning under God’s rule” as Evans puts it, sets us free to love, serve, give, and live as God intended. What keeps us from doing this? Our own sin and desire to live independent from God’s plan an pattern for our lives does! Join me today in declaring our dependence on God!

My parents, not perfectly but with passion, verbally and visibly declared their dependence on God since my childhood. I will never forget our delivery truck at Hoag’s Greenhouses when I was growing up. My dad had this verse painted on the back door: If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14. In your mercy, God, hear our prayer.

“Christian love is generous and real, it’s not some dreamy romantic notion and “not the love on soap operas,” he said, according to Vatican Radio. When Jesus spoke of love, “He speaks to us of concrete things: feed the hungry, visit the sick,” and more, the pope said. “When there isn’t this concreteness, one can be living a Christianity of illusion because the person doesn’t really understand the core of Jesus’ message,” he said.

The pope said there were two things that make Christian love concrete. “First, love with actions, not with words. The wind whisks words away; today they’re here, tomorrow they’re not,” he said. The second thing is “for love, it’s more important to give than receive. A person who loves, gives and gives,” he said, while someone who doesn’t love “is self-centered, always tries to receive, always looks to have things, have perks.”

Instead, people need to have an “open heart” that isn’t hardened against God, but lets Him remain in them as they in Him. “Many times we kick Him out and we can’t remain in Him, (but) it’s the Holy Spirit that remains,” he said. “Don’t remain in the spirit of the world, don’t remain in the superficial, in idolatry, in vanity. No. Remain in the Lord,” and He is there already waiting, the pope said.”

Pope Francis in interview with Carol Glatz entitled “Christian love isn’t soap-opera swoon, it’s generous, concrete” article dated 9 January 2014. For further study, read 1 Corinthians 13.

Is your love generous or are you “living a Christianity of illusion?” My students had a favorite word last week in our class: Repent! It means “to change directions.” Let’s all turn toward exhibiting Christ’s love with generosity!

“Help your children learn the difference between a need and a want. Help them do an inventory of what they already have and things they’d like to get some day. By each item put an “N” or “W” to distinguish between “Needs” and “Wants.”

Without a purchasing plan we all tend to mindlessly shop and splurge, which does to our spiritual health what grazing on snack food all day does to our physical health. Teach them to make a list of what they want when they go shopping and talk about learning to resist randomly buying things…”

Kathy Haueisen in “Will Our Children Be Generous?” issue of Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, Vol. 15 (Blaine: ESC, 2014) 24-25.

I am safely home now. Thanks for your prayers for me for my recent trip to Seoul. It was fruitful beyond imagination! I share this post today because my students wanted practical ideas for teaching others how to live simply so we can give generously and this was one that we discussed for kids (cf. Proverbs 22:6).

Along with summer activities such as VBS, making lemonade, and playing in the park, perhaps try Haueisen’s activity with your children (or grandchildren). Help them learn the difference between “Needs” and “Wants.” It might shape the rest of their lives and contribute to their lifelong spiritual (and financial) health!

“Stewardship to me is a dynamic process of giving and receiving. In the context of the village, that means I can’t always be in the role of giver. When someone asks me what they can do to repay my kindness, I first suggest that they can invite me to share a meal with their family. While we are eating together this question often arises: “Why are you helping us? sometimes followed by: “We are not worth it.” I find that I can’t give a superficial answer here.

Rather, we are usually drawn into a deep conversation about our beliefs concerning God and the world and poverty and justice. Speaking at this level is an effort for me because my Spanish—while good—doesn’t always hold up to a profound theological discussion. No matter; that I have to ask for their help in expressing myself seems to enhance, not damage our connection.”

Pamela York Klainer in “Stewardship as Engagement” issue of Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, Vol. 15 (Blaine: ESC, 2014) 22-23.

I resonated with so much in this article as I reflect on my teaching experience the past two weeks in Seoul. During the first week of class, I took my students on an afternoon break for coffee. On hot, humid days, the iced Americano is the favorite beverage over here. The students said, “Dr. Hoag, we cannot let you buy coffee for us. We should buy for you!”

I replied. “We can never give generously until we learn to receive gratefully. Receive the blessing of an iced Americano and after you enjoy it, ask the Lord how he has positioned you to reflect His generous love to the world.” As as I bid farewell to my students today, one thanked me for teaching them how to give by first teaching them how to receive (cf. Matthew 10:8).

“If we want people to give financially, the last thing to do—literally—is to ask for money. The first thing? Carry out Matthew 6:33—a stewardship program: “…strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well.” To be specific: preach the love of God for all people, time and time again. If we never preach anything else, but do it with conviction, “money” stewardship will take care of itself.

After all, God’s love is the major topic of Christianity; it is demonstrated throughout God’s creation, preservation, and salvation of His people. We have to become a God’s-love community, internalize it and live it, and then we will be the one kind of steward that the New Testament ever addresses: stewards of the gospel. As the New Testament itself shows, people who are excited about and participate in the good news will give both ministry and money.”

Kamila Blessing in “A New (Testament) Approach to Introducing Stewardship” issue of Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, Vol. 15 (Blaine: ESC, 2014) 18-19. 

I love this article! It captures the heart of my lecture today and will likely produce wonderful discussion. My students are grasping that those who ask for money and seek after cash with their whole hearts become slaves to mammon and lovers of money, but those who raise up stewards and invite their participation in God’s work with the resources in their stewardship see both ministry and money deployed richly to God.

“Stewardship is best taught year-round. Just like evangelism, forgiveness, love, and all the other theological concepts we have learned since our first days of Sunday School, stewardship is a foundational element of life in God’s kingdom. We must, therefore, be diligent in teaching our children (and adults!) the fundamentals of faithful stewardship–and we must do it throughout the course of church life.”

Ed Taylor in “Stewardship Emphasis” issue of Giving: Growing Joyful Stewards in Your Congregation, Vol. 16 (Blaine: ESC, 2014) 16.1. The Apostle Paul said something in his second letter to the Corinthians.

But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 2 Corinthians 8:7

Pray for my Torch Trinity students as they begin to think about how they will teach stewardship in their church and ministry settings so that those they serve can grow in this aspect of the faith.

Does your church teach stewardship year-round?

“As God has richly blessed us with sal­va­tion, and has added to this mate­r­ial pros­per­ity, we pray that our response would be one of cor­re­spond­ing grat­i­tude and imi­ta­tive grace. We there­fore encour­age all of our people to engage them­selves gladly in the work of the king­dom, extend­ing the kind­ness of Christ to oth­ers, just as the Father has extended it to us…”

Lance Hickerson, Senior Minister of Forest Home Church, Franklin, TN, in the Call to Action section of “On Eco­nomic Jus­tice: A State­ment of Under­stand­ing Regard­ing Finan­cial Bless­ings and their Application“.

While the entire document is worth reading, this call to action encompasses my prayer for Christ followers everywhere, and more specifically, those who listen to my preaching this weekend in multiple settings in Seoul and the students who sit under my teaching here at Torch Trinity.

May our response to God’s rich blessings be “corresponding gratitude and imitative grace” when our tendency linked to material prosperity is shrinking generosity and self-centeredness.