John Wesley: Send all you have before you into a better world!

“Do you give all you can? You who receive five hundred pounds a year, and spend only two hundred. Do you give three hundred back to God? If not, you certainly rob God of that three hundred. You that receive two hundred, and spend but one, do you give God the other hundred? If not, you rob him of just so much. “Nay, may I not do what I will with my own?”

Here lies the ground of your mistake. It is not your own. It cannot be, unless you are Lord of heaven and earth. “However, I must provide for my children.” Certainly. But how? By making them rich? Then you will probably make them heathens, as some of you have done already. “What shall I do, then?” Lord, speak to their hearts! Else the Preacher speaks in vain.

Leave them enough to live on, not in idleness and luxury, but by honest industry. And if you have not children, upon what Scriptural or rational principle can you leave a groat behind you more than will bury you. I pray consider, what are you the better for what you leave behind you? What does it signify, whether you leave behind you ten thousand pounds, or ten thousand shoes and boots? O leave nothing behind you! Send all you have before you into a better world!

Lend it, lend it all unto the Lord, and it shall be paid you again! Is there any danger that His truth should fail? It is fixed as the pillars of heaven. Haste, haste, my brethren, haste! Lest you be called away before you settled what you have on this security! When this is done, you may boldly say, “Now I have nothing to do but to die! Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit! Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!”

John Wesley (1703-1791) preached Sermon 126 “On The Danger Of Increasing Riches” in Bristol, England on 21 September 1790 only about six months before his own death. This excerpt comes from 126.2.17 and marks the conclusion of his message.

As Advent has begun, the words “Haste, haste!” ring in my ears from the famous carol, “What Child is this?” Why echo them today? Wesley calls people to hasten to be ready to meet Jesus. That’s what the Advent season is all about. Are you ready to meet Jesus and give an account for your stewardship? It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish that matters!

“Generous people, we show, tend to be happier and more fulfilled than their ungenerous counterparts. This is true in spite of the fact that many generous people we interviewed face similar life problems and setbacks, often similar to those experienced by the less generous. Practicing generosity does not guarantee a life free of troubles or crises…Generosity does not protect people from misfortune. Instead of keeping all of their resources to protect their own families and lifestyles, generous people give away some for the well-being of others. Rather than using all they have to build a bigger nest or finance a more secure lifestyle, they help to build others up and protect those who are more vulnerable…

They are noticeably happier–even though they do not have the perfect families, dream homes, or jobs, let alone the full bank accounts that their less generous counterparts point to as the alleged key to happiness…But the generous possess an insight usually missing among the less generous. They know that they already have enough, and that clinging to what they have or clamoring for more will not bring about greater happiness. So they share some of their time, money, and care with others. They tend to see the beauty of life, the value of solidarity, and their connection to humanity. Their perspective tells them that the world, properly viewed, is a place of abundance.”

Christian Smith and Hilary Davidson in The Paradox of Generosity: Giving We Receive, Grasping We Lose (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014) 222-223.

This recent research by Smith and Davidson affirms the paradox of generosity in a world of abundance. The more we give, the more we receive. The more we bless, the more we are blessed. The data demonstrates that things like happiness, health, satisfaction are not found the abundance of possessions but in celebrating God’s abundance through enjoyment and sharing.

Ironically this research also reveals that for “generosity to enhance one’s well-being, it must be practiced. Single, random, irregular acts of generosity may be good to perform and may be beneficial for everyone involved. But to have the kind of clear, significant effects on well-being…generosity needs to become a practice, a routine, a regular part of life” (96).

So why share this as a meditation today? During holiday seasons we often have margin to talk with family members over meals, games, or other activities. In those settings we can talk about how we are bombarded by messages linked to scarcity and consumerism, which call us to hoard and overspend on needless things. When we share examples with each other, some of them sound good on the surface, while others are laughable.

These conversations are sacred moments when we can reflect on what is true. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Some, like Thomas want proof that this is true. Smith and Davidson offer just that. “One of the goals in our conducting this research…has been to foster precisely these kinds of conversations and to explore the potential life changes they might produce” (227).

Resolve to talk about this with someone this Christmas season. Say: “I am learning that when I choose abundance over scarcity, contentment over consumerism, and sharing over hoarding, I get a glimpse of life as God intends it. When I live this way over time, I feel I take hold of the life that is really life” (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Then ask them what they are learning. In turn, listen and love generously.

“The results of this study suggest…females were more generous than were males, males were more materialistic than were females, and the genders did not differ in frugality. Concerning age, the results were interesting, and somewhat unsettling. Despite the fact that cognitive maturation should allow for greater financial restraint and concern for others, older children were less frugal and less generous than were younger children.

These results may indicate that children are being successfully socialized into the consumer beliefs that one should buy what one wants when one wants it, and that they should keep their possessions to themselves, rather than share them. While this might be good news from the perspective of marketers and those who hope to indoctrinate the next generation into a consumer mentality that will support the growth of the U.S. economy, other results suggest numerous problems associated with such “successful” economic socialization.”

Tim Kasser in “Frugality, Generosity, and Materialism in Children and Adolescents” study among 10-18 year olds (John Knox College) 13-14.

This research reveals why we must teach biblical stewardship principles to our youth: our culture is indoctrinating them with a consumer mentality and the research reveals it’s working. James advises us not to be polluted by the world (James 1:27) and Paul says that we must not be conformed to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). Truth not only cleanses us, it transforms our lives and our youth! The next generation is counting on us to teach them the way from the Word. If we don’t, research says they will follow what the world says.

“Frugality creates margin which enables generosity…When we are frugal–not stingy but wise–we can then free up more resources in order to be generous.”

James Bryan Smith in The Good and Beautiful Community: Following the Spirit, Extending Grace, Demonstrating Love (Downers Grove: IVP, 2010) 165.

It’s Black Friday! Today we are bombarded with messages to buy things we don’t need. We must avoid those temptations. There are also great deals on items we do want to purchase, like socks, shirts and sweatpants. Go buy those items. For those choosing to live simply, this is a great time to save. Rather than looking at all the ads with an open mind and being tempted to buy needless stuff, let’s make a list of things we plan to buy anyway and save money on those items. Such frugality “creates margin” as Smith puts it, to be generous to those we love and to the things God loves.

“Our thankfulness is measured by the number of our words. Our gratitude is measured by the nature of our actions. A person appears very thankful at the time, who afterwards proves very ungrateful.”

George Crabb (1778-1854), English etymologist, philologist and author, in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 936.

Today many Americans gather alongside family and friends to give thanks to God for His rich blessings to us. It is our custom to exhibit our gratitude by partaking of a huge feast of turkey together. Regardless of what food you eat, we invite our international brothers and sisters around the world to join us in pausing to give thanks to God.

To ensure our expressions of gratitude are not just empty words, Crabb rightly reminds us to exhibit our gratitude through generous actions over time. In other words, if we believe all we have is from God to enjoy and share, then let’s live like it’s Thanksgiving every day of the year. We are learning as a family that it’s the only way to live!

“Unspeakable is the advantage that the soul raises to itself by the continual exercise of thanksgiving. For the grateful acknowledgement of favors is the way to more, even amongst men whose hands are short and strait, this is the means to pull on further beneficence. How much more from the God of all consolation, who largest bounty diminisheth nothing of His store.”

Joseph Hall (1574-1656) bishop of Exeter and Norwich in Day’s Collacon compiled and arranged by Edward Parsons Day (New York: IPPO, 1884) 936.

Here the bishop reminds us of a truth that is both relevant to our season and especially meaningful to those seeking consolation. Don’t read it from a prosperity gospel angle which says I can manipulate God to get what I want. Read it as, when I am thankful to God for His abundant beneficence (think “divine blessings”), He, in turn, hears my cries for help when I am in need.

I love the old English expression “men whose hands are short and strait”. People with “short hands” were of low status, and the “strait” were people with limited resources. In other words, the bishop is reminding everyone that thanksgiving is unspeakably good for the soul and the pathway to more; it transforms us, and His generous beneficence does not at all diminish His store.

“The spirituality of giving has been tarnished by incessant focus on fundraising to meet organizational budgets. To reclaim the spiritual discipline of giving, we need to step away from budgeting and experience the joy of simply being generous, in which someone else’s need for support coincides with our need to give. Eventually, one’s motivation becomes gratitude, but first we need to get beyond the guilt often employed by religion…

Giving that is motivated by guilt or shame will seek mainly to escape the negative feeling, by giving as little as possible, by blaming the recipient for being in need, or by shifting negative feelings onto someone else (scapegoating). Giving that is motivated by the positive feelings of gratitude will lead not only to more generosity, but to examination of one’s life and values. This self-examination, in turn, can lead to transformation of life. This is a personal journey, perhaps shared with others, but not to be compelled by peer pressure.”

Tom Ehrich in Church Wellness: A Best Practices Guide to Nurturing Healthy Congregations (New York: Church Publishing, 2008) 92.

Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are before us, and Giving Tuesday is only a week away. So that our giving this season is not motivated by budget deficits or guilt (as such prompts simply do not produce generosity), let’s talk about the things for which we are thankful and express our gratitude to God! After cultivating gratitude (or “self-examination” as Ehrich calls it), because God designed us to give, let’s prayerfully deploy God’s resources to the things He cares about and encourage others to do the same. Let’s do this not out of peer pressure but in response to the Spirit’s leading from grateful hearts.

“My wife and I have a commitment regarding giving our money while we are alive. I like the old saying, ‘Do your givin’ while you’re livin’, then you’re knowin’ where it’s goin’.”

Charles R. Swindoll in Great Lives: Job, a Man of Heroic Endurance (Nashville: W Publishing, 2004) 161.

Recently a friend asked me this question: Should we give away our estate while we are alive or pass it on to our children.” Only days before this I had heard a story about how a large inheritance had destroyed the lives of the adult children of another wealthy couple. You’ve probably heard similar stories.

Rather than share the high probability of disaster (because too many like to gamble), I took a different angle. I reminded him that all he and his wife possess has been entrusted to them by God, and someday they will have to give an account for their stewardship. I urged them to put God’s resources to work now, so they would be ready to give an account.

For further study on this, read Luke 16:1-9. Many deem it a puzzling parable. Jesus commends the shrewd manager for using worldly wealth to make friends for himself. In the punchline of the parable, Jesus exhorts disciples to use money to make friends who will welcome them into their eternal dwellings. What’s this mean for us today?

Let us put God’s resources to work while we are alive. Let’s give them to our church, the poor, missions, etc… and someday…when we meet Jesus…we will be greeted by those whose lives were shaped by our generosity. What’s the risk if we don’t give now? We could contribute to the ruin of our children, and there won’t be much of a party to welcome us in eternity!

“God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we want to hide from…The Christian religion is, in the long run, a thing of unspeakable comfort, but it does not begin in comfort; it begins in…dismay…In religion, as in war and everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth–only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair.”

C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity (New York: Harper Collins, 1952) 31-32.

Our culture bombards us with consumerism and promises of comfort, especially at this time of year. The wares they offer never provide lasting satisfaction. Want to the gift that keeps on giving? Think about what is true. Lewis is spot on to remind us that when we do, we may not always like what we find (such is the nature of conviction). But truth is the only pathway to comfort and peace in this life. Think about that when you shop for those you love.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9

“If we think the point of the offering is collecting funds to meet the church’s budgetary expenses then we probably derive no more satisfaction from this portion of liturgy than we do from paying our gas bill…

The Sunday offering is a worship event that provides us an opportunity for expressing our love for God in the purest way imaginable, by giving up something that we value. Giving as an act of worship takes us beyond duty to delight.”

Mark Alan Powell in Giving to God: The Bible’s Good News about Living a Generous Life (Eerdmans: Grand Rapids, 2006) 12-13.

Whenever we worship this weekend, let’s approach the offering with a sense of awe at God’s faithful provision for us, with an attitude of thankfulness for the salvation we have in Jesus Christ, and with hearts full of love that we get to give. Let’s see what happens when we do this…I’m thinking we will move beyond duty to delight.