Richard Foster: Love of neighbor

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:40

“Let us discover ways to get in touch with the poor. One of the most damaging things affluence does is allow us to distance ourselves from the poor so we no longer see their pain. We then can create an illusionary world that prevents us from evaluating life in the light of “love of neighbor”… Let us give with glad generous hearts. Giving has a way of routing out the tough old miser within us. Even the poor need to know that they can give. Just the very act of letting go of money, or some other treasure, does something within us. It destroys the demon greed.”

Richard Foster in The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (HarperOne: San Francisco, 1979) 35.

“Even the poor need to know that they can give.”

I shared with readers about Palmful of Maize, a vision GTP launched in Malawi in 2022. By way of an update, it’s already engaged the participation of 1,136,250 children to give. Those children have helped 10,474 starving people with compassionate care. Find other stats here.

Why mention that today? Needs about everywhere in the world.

God has resource people everywhere as well. He wants all of us to destroy the demon greed by doing what we can with what we have where we are. And when we do this for even the least significant people, we do it for Jesus.

I have learned that God does not just want me to give with a glad and generous heart.

He loves it when I encourage everyone I know to grasp life in this way. When I do, the hungry get fed. The hurting get a hand up. And in the process, he transforms misers into ministers. Join me in this work.

Or allow the deceitfulness of wealth to win and let your affluence destroy you. Strong words but they echo Jesus.

Later this week I head to Colombia to activate the project manager who will oversee Palmful of Coffee. Your giving to GTP spreads the gospel, advances accountability, and grows generosity in the hardest places.

Thanks for your partnership. Join the work in Colombia here.

And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’ “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16–21

“In the parable of the rich farmer who tore down his barns to make way for expansion, we have every indication of honesty and industry (Luke 12:16–21). We would call him prudent-Jesus called him a fool” … This radical criticism of wealth makes no sense at all unless we see it in the context of its spiritual reality. It is one of the principalities and powers that must be conquered and redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ before it can use for the greater good of the kingdom of God.”

Richard Foster in The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (HarperOne: San Francisco, 1979) 31.

God’s design and desire for humans who experience abundant blessing is enjoyment and sharing. This goes all the way back to Abraham. ““I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.” Genesis 12:2

Notice the difference between Abraham and the rich farmer. One functioned as a conduit of blessing. So he got to enjoy and share abundance. The other operated as a container. The world calls him prudent and industrious. But in the story God called him a fool and took his life.

And don’t miss what God says. He will take yours too if you don’t choose the path of being rich toward God. “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” In this sense, generosity is the only prudent path to take.

I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. Luke 16:9

“The very fact that we have the leisure time to read a book or watch television means that we are wealthy. We do not need to be ashamed of our wealth or try to hide it from ourselves and others. It is only as we admit our wealth and quit trying to run from it that we are in a position to conquer it and use it for God’s good purpose.”

Richard Foster in The Challenge of the Disciplined Life: Christian Reflections on Money, Sex, and Power (HarperOne: San Francisco, 1979) 33.

I enjoyed the last book by Foster so much, I’ve moved to another classic. This is a must-read if you have never read it. Today’s exhortation is to use whatever wealth God has entrusted to you to make friends for eternity.

My great grandfather (before my time) would say, our wealth is like a cup. God filled it so we’d have something to enjoy and share. But if we leave it in the cup, He cannot refill it. We must put it to work, use it for Him.

Today’s charge is to take inventory of what you have and put it in play to accomplish God’s good purposes. If fear holds you back, it reveals your trust is misplaced in that wealth. Don’t let your story end there.

Write a new ending. Put it to work. Use worldly wealth to make friends for eternity. And the welcome you will get in heaven will be unfathomable. You’ve got this. God’s got you.

But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

“Tenth, shun anything that distracts you from seeking first the kingdom of God. It is so easy to lose focus in the pursuit of legitimate, even good things. Job, position, status, family, friends, security—these and many more can all too quickly become the center of attention.

George Fox warns, “…there is the danger and the temptation to you, of drawing your minds into your business, and clogging them with it; so that ye can hardly do anything to the service of God…and your minds will go into the things, and not over the things…And then, if the Lord God cross you, and stop you by sea and land, and take [your] goods and customs from you, that your minds should not be cumbered, then that mind that is cumbered, will fret, being out of the power of God.”

May God give you—and me—the courage, the wisdom, the strength always to hold the kingdom of God as the number-one priority of our lives. To do so is to live in simplicity.*

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 95.

Today marks the last post from Foster’s list of ten practical steps for people to take to choose a lifestyle of simplicity. Shunning distractions means to abandon average or good for best.

How important is God’s kingdom to you? Are you willing to sacrifice everything else for it? Or do your treat it like icing on the cake of the way you want to live your life?

It matters not to me how you answer the question. What matters is whether or not you will be prepared to give an answer to Jesus when you meet Him face to face.

He cares not what we believe. Even the demons believe. He cares what we do related to what we believe. Avoid distractions and maintain your devotion. You’ve got this. God’s’ got you.

“May God give you—and me—the courage, the wisdom, the strength always to hold the kingdom of God as the number-one priority of our lives. To do so is to live in simplicity.*

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Isaiah 58:6

“Ninth, reject anything that breeds the oppression of others. Perhaps no person has more fully embodied this principle than the eighteenth-century Quaker tailor John Woolman. His famous Journal is redundant with tender references to his desire to live so as not to oppress others.

“Here I was led into a close and laborious inquiry whether I…kept clear from all things which tended to stir up or were connected with wars…my heart was deeply concerned that in [the] future I might in all things keep steadily to the pure truth, and live and walk in the plainness and simplicity of a sincere follower of Christ…And here luxury and covetousness, with the numerous oppressions and other evils attending them, appeared very afflicting to me…”

This is one of the most difficult and sensitive issues for us to face, but face it we must. Do we sip our coffee and eat our bananas at the expense of exploiting Latin American peasants? In a world of limited resources, does our lust for wealth mean the poverty of others? Should we buy products that are made by forcing people into dull assembly-line jobs? Do we enjoy hierarchical relationships in the company or factory that keep others under us? Do we oppress our children or spouse because we feel certain tasks are beneath us?

Often our oppression is tinged with racism, sexism, and nationalism. The color of the skin still affects one’s position in the company. The sex of a job applicant still affects the salary. The national origin of a person still affects the way he or she is perceived. May God give us prophets today who, like John Woolman, will call us “from the desire of wealth” so that we may be able to “break the yoke of oppression.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 94-95.

In America we like living on top of the proverbial global economy and want to keep it that way. After all, society says we earned it. Alternatively, I love the buy local emphasis I see across America.

It supports local people who do honest work. Though things often cost more, our purchases redirect resources from larger companies who tend to oppress workers worldwide. Imagine if Christians everywhere changed spending habits accordingly.

Think about it. Why would Foster say this emerges in our view as the most difficult and sensitive of issues? We justify getting a good price as good stewardship though it might come at the expense of others.

I see this in my global travels. Oppressed cultures have debt that jubilee would forgive, and people never have a chance to rise out of destitution. Rather than break the yoke of oppression, what do Christians do?

We give handouts that create ongoing dependency rather than a hand up to build disciples. We support the corrupt structures inadvertently through our purchasing of wares that oppress workers.

Why lean into such challenging topics with Foster? You and I will have to one day give an account for our stewardship to God.

Let’s spend in such a way that we can say we tried to do what we could to break the yoke of oppression.

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one. Matthew 5:37

“Eighth, obey Jesus’ instructions about plain, honest speech. “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ anything more than this comes from evil” (Matt. 5:37). If you consent to do a task, do it. Avoid flattery and half-truths. Make honesty and integrity the distinguishing characteristics of your speech. Reject jargon and abstract speculation whose purpose is to obscure and impress rather than to illuminate and inform. Plain speech is difficult because we so seldom live out of the divine center, so seldom respond only to heavenly promptings. Often fear of what others may think or a hundred other motives determine our “yes” or “no” rather than obedience to divine urgings. Then if a more attractive opportunity arises we quickly reverse our decision. But if our speech comes out of obedience to the divine center, we will find no reason to turn our “yes” into “no” and our “no” into “yes.” We will be living in simplicity of speech because our words will have only one Source.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93-94.

Today brings us to practical point number eight of ten from Foster. Notice how simple life can be when we root our thinking, speaking, and practice in only one Source. But we overcomplicate things! We do.

I had a remarkable time seeing old friends and making new ones in South Carolina this past weekend.

We talked about the fact that Jesus spoke clearly about what to do with money and what not to do with it. We discussed how we ignore Jesus and rationalize disobedience. I used an illustration that comes from my devotional book, Steward.

Inspired by the statement of C.S. Lewis that Jesus is either Lord, a lunatic, or a liar. I said, that related to money, Jesus is either stupid, a socialist, or Savior. Of course, I land on Savior.

I explained that we ignore the teachings of Jesus on money as if He is stupid and we know better. Notice how “yes” (commitment to obey and follow Jesus) becomes “no” (we Americans know better than Jesus on money).

I continued that some wrongly see the voluntary sharing Jesus encourages us to practice as some form of socialism (so again, we Americans choose an entitlement and ownership mentality of all we possess instead of sharing as obedient stewards).

I finish by saying that Jesus is Savior, because His teachings aim not to rob us but help us. They point the way to life and literally save us from ourselves.

Anyway, if you want to live generously, don’t overcomplicate things. Chart your course with words from only one Source.

He lends at interest and takes a profit. Will such a man live? He will not! Because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death; his blood will be on his own head. Ezekiel 18:13

“Seventh, look with a healthy skepticism at all “buy now, pay later” schemes. They are a trap and only deepen your bondage. Both Old and New Testaments condemn usury for good reasons. (“Usury” in the Bible is not used in the modern sense of exorbitant interest; it referred to any kind of interest at all.) Charging interest was viewed as an unbrotherly exploitation of another’s misfortune, hence a denial of community. Jesus denounced usury as a sign of the old life and admonished His disciples to “lend, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35).”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93.

I find it ironic how many biblical texts the modern society ignores or labels as not applicable today. Take usury for example. Biblical texts condemn it, while it serves as the bedrock and foundation of modern society.

Think about why biblical texts would condemn it. Foster puts it best by calling it “unbrotherly exploitation at another’s misfortune.” Let’s unpack what this looks like from a biblical perspective.

I do honest work. Someone needs help. I can help by lending freely from the resources I have gained from honest work. But rather than lend and expect nothing in return, I lend and make him a slave by charging interest.

The interest I make, in biblical terms, is called dishonest gain. I did not earn it with work, but extorted it from a brother in need without work. However, in modern times we read “dishonest gain” as breaking modern or local laws, not biblical laws.

Notice how we rationalize sin as acceptable behavior. To choose a life of simplicity says that I will do honest work for honest gain, avoid dishonest gain or unbrotherly exploitation. This may call me to live totally different from the world.

I kept today in the first person “I” because this represents a sensitive topic. Each of us must take to heart the biblical words and the thinking behind them and answer to God. He cares about how we treat each other. He wants us to lend generously. Will we?

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Psalm 24:1

“Sixth, develop a deeper appreciation for the creation. Get close to the earth. Walk whenever you can. Listen to the birds. Enjoy the texture of grass and leaves. Smell the flowers. Marvel in the rich colors everywhere. Simplicity means to discover once again that “the earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof” (Ps. 24:1).”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93.

What a privilege to enjoy creation in South Carolina and to enjoy the beauty of the sea.

Today is Jenni’s birthday, and we head back home to the mountains of Colorado this evening. But what a privilege to enjoy the sea, a very different part of God’s creation, with old friends and new ones at The Abbey at Pawleys Island for a few days.

If you want to listen to my sermon from yesterday, you should find it here. I only wish the recording could capture the beauty of God’s creation in this setting. It was gorgeous.

Next time you take a walk and do the things Foster suggests in today’s post, ponder how God supplies for His creation and how much He cares for you. I pray it inspires you to serve as a generous conduit of care to a lost and hurting world.

The person who helps me see these things and ponder them is my wife, Jenni. If you do not subscribe to her fortnightly Spigot (it comes every other Tuesday), subscribe here. Be blessed.

I have seen another evil under the sun, and it weighs heavily on mankind: God gives some people wealth, possessions and honor, so that they lack nothing their hearts desire, but God does not grant them the ability to enjoy them, and strangers enjoy them instead. This is meaningless, a grievous evil. Ecclesiastes 6:1-2

“Fifth, learn to enjoy things without owning them. Owning things is an obsession in our culture. If we own it, we feel we can control it; and if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure. The idea is an illusion. Many things in life can be enjoyed without possessing or controlling them. Share things. Enjoy the beach without feeling you have to buy a piece of it. Enjoy public parks and libraries.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 93.

I was just talking about this with my host and friend here in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, David Richmond. Whatever we think we own, owns us. Then it steals our ability to enjoy it because as Foster says “if we can control it, we feel it will give us more pleasure.”

No one who is a slave to things can either enjoy them or find satisfaction in them. So the grievous evil is not that God does not give us the ability to enjoy things. He allows our obsessions and lets them lead us to emptiness rather than to Him as the only One who satisfies.

If you want to hear my sermon along these general lines today, entitled “The Secret to Grasping Life in the Economy of God,” visit The Abbey at Pawleys Island streaming page at 10:30am ET or listen to the recording later on that same page.

Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Isaiah 55:2

Fourth, refuse to be propagandized by the custodians of modern gadgetry. Timesaving devices almost never save time. Beware of the promise, “It will pay for itself in six months.” Most gadgets are built to break down and wear out and so complicate our lives rather than enhance them.

This problem is a plague in the toy industry. Children do not need to be entertained by dolls that cry, eat, wet, sweat, and spit. An old rag doll can be more enjoyable and more lasting. Often children find more joy in playing with old pots and pans than with the latest space set. Look for toys that are educational and durable. Make some yourself.

Usually gadgets are an unnecessary drain on the energy resources of the world, The United States has less than six percent of the world’s population, but consumes about thirty-three percent of the world’s energy. Air conditioners in the United States alone use the same amount of energy as does the entire country of China. Environmental responsibility alone should keep us from buying the majority of the gadgets produced today.

Propagandists try to convince us that because the newest model of this or that has a new feature (trinket?), we must sell the old one and buy the new one. Sewing machines have new stitches, stereos have new buttons, cars have new designs. Such media dogma needs to be carefully scrutinized. Often “new” features seduce us into buying what we do not need. Probably that refrigerator will serve us quite well for the rest of our lives even without the fancy exterior.”

Richard Foster (b. 1942) in Celebration of Discipline (San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1998) 92-93.

The prophet Isaiah makes an invitation to all who thirst to come to God and get that which satisfies. Simultaneously, he wants hearers to avoid spending on stuff that will not satisfy.

The key is to watch out what voices we listen to, especially the propaganda or agenda of the marketers.

Hear me as I spend a weekend with a blessed bloke in sales. There are good things out there that serve us well and spending on them makes sense for us and our families.

I loved Foster’s toy illustration. Imagine reading it in my shoes. I have two granddaughters. They passed 3 years old and 1 year old back in April. When we are together, they love carrying around a baby doll.

And for my American readers, the need for power for everything coupled with a sensitivity to the impact of our lives on the environment led us to get solar panels and an electric car.

Remarkably and providentially, we got a used AWD electric car only 4,000 miles for half price but that’s another story for another day. My point is not to tell you to get an electric car.

My point today aims at raising your awareness to propaganda.

And if these ten posts (that’s right, six more coming) from Foster seem to go from “preaching to meddling” as they say here in the south, well then perhaps just pause. Ask God to guide your response by the Holy Spirit.

The less we listen to propaganda and the more we spend money on things that satisfy, the more margin we have in our lives to live, give, serve, and love generously.

Leaning into that with God today. With you.

And if you are in South Carolina, come hear me preach tomorrow at The Abbey (pictured above at 46 Gathering Lane, Pawleys Island) from 10:30am to 12noon and then we have food and speaking again with Jenni from 5pm to 7pm.