A.W. Tozer: What is your response to the goodness (or “generosity”) of God?

“Christ walked with men on earth that He might show them what God is like and make known the true nature of God to a race that had wrong ideas about Him. This was only one of the things He did while here in the flesh, but this He did with beautiful perfection. From Him we learn how God acts toward people. The hypocritical, the basically insincere, will find Him cold and aloof, as they once found Jesus; but the penitent will find Him merciful; the self-condemned will find Him generous and kind. To the frightened He is friendly, to the poor in spirit He is forgiving, to the ignorant, considerate; to the weak, gentle; to the stranger, hospitable.

By our own attitudes we may determine our reception by Him. Though the kindness of God is an infinite, overflowing fountain of cordiality, God will not force His attention upon us. If we would be welcomed as the Prodigal was, we must come as the Prodigal came; and when we so come, even though the Pharisees and the legalists sulk without, there will be a feast of welcome within, and music and dancing as the Father takes His child again to His heart. The greatness of God rouses fear within us, but His goodness encourages us not to be afraid of Him. To fear and not be afraid – that is the paradox of faith.”

A.W. Tozer (1897-1963) excerpt from chapter 16 on “The Goodness of God” from his classic work, The Knowledge of the Holy.

For further study on goodness or “generosity” as the fruit of God’s work in us, see: Galatians 5:22; Ephesians 5:9; Romans 15:14; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; and in the Early Fathers, Epistle of Barnabas 2:9.

“None know how to prize the Saviour, but such as are zealous in pious works for others.”

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14

Selina Hastings, a.k.a. Countess of Huntingdon (1707-1791) in Dictionary of Burning Words of Brilliant Writers ed. Josiah Hotchkiss Gilbert (New York: Ketcham, 1895) 399.

“She devoted herself, her means, her time, her thoughts to the cause of Christ. She did not spend her money on herself; she did not allow the homage paid to her rank to remain with herself.” John Henry Newman on Lady Huntingdon

For more on this generous woman who was a key player in the Great Awakening, check out this video about her produced by Generous Giving.

“With gratitude I remember in the way of holiness, which God opened before me, how gently He taught me the habit of trusting Christ for everything. At first it was a mighty effort to leave all to Him. In the important emergencies of life, self would seek to assert itself at first, and it was subdued at times only after a violent struggle. But in this blessed school of God, I have learned simply and naturally, as the helpless child clings to the parent, without first trying its own strength, so simply, without previous self-effort and failure, habitually to trust Jesus in everything. It would now seem to me strange to have an anxious care upon any subject whatever. I have learned to be very bold in asking for great things; but when I have asked my largest, I continually find my Father in heaven doing “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.”

Robert Pearsall Smith (1827-1898) in Walk in the light: Words of Counsel (London: Morgan & Scott, 1873) 71-72.

“He who is so good a steward as to be willing to use his substance for his Lord, shall be entrusted with more. Friend of Jesus, art thou rendering to him according to the benefit received? Much has been given thee, what is thy fruit? Hast thou done all? Canst thou not do more? To be selfish is to be wicked. Suppose the ocean gave up none of its watery treasure, it would bring ruin upon our race. God forbid that any of us should follow the ungenerous and destructive policy of living unto ourselves. Jesus pleased not himself. All fullness dwells in him, but of his fullness have all we received. O for Jesus’ spirit, that henceforth we may live not unto ourselves!”

Charles Haddon Spurgeon (1834-1892) Morning and Evening: Daily Readings (Grand Rapids: Christian Classics Ethereal Library), October 26 reading.

“There is a present world emergency; that it is a call for Christians to repent of unfaithfulness in stewardship, failure to put Christ and the kingdom first (Luke 14:33); that the need of the hour is not money, but a new church, and a new race of Christians who actually will put Christ and the kingdom first; that as a matter of history and experience this fullness of consecration is evidenced by the placing of property on the altar (Acts 4:32).”

Ralph Spaulding Cushman (1879-1960) in The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship (New York: Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 120.

Take no thought for your life. Matthew 6:25

A warning which needs to be reiterated is that the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lust of other things entering in, will choke all that God puts in. We are never free from the recurring tides of this encroachment. If it does not come on the line of clothes and food, it will come on the line of money or lack of money; of friends or lack of friends; or on the line of difficult circumstances. It is one steady encroachment all the time, and unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the standard against it, these things will come in like a flood.

Take no thought for your life. “Be careful about one thing only,” says our Lord, “your relationship to Me.”

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) in My Utmost for His Highest (Oswald Chambers Publications Association, 1963), reading for January 27.

“The time is overdue for a sane, scriptural, spiritual teaching of the law of stewardship. We have not linked the stewardship of property with the consecration of the stewardship of life. A widespread revival of the teachings of Christian stewardship will not only insure an adequate support of the cause of Christ, but will bring about a deepening of the spiritual life of the church as its principal result.”

Homer C. Stuntz (1858-1924) missionary, bishop, quoted in The New Christian: Studies in Stewardship by Ralph Spaulding Cushman (New York: Methodist Episcopal Church, 1919) 131-132.

“One great reason why the rich, in general, have so little sympathy for the poor, is, because they so seldom visit them. Hence it is, that, according to the common observation, one part of the world does not know what the other suffers. Many of them do not know, because they do not care to know: they keep out of the way of knowing it; and then plead their voluntary ignorances an excuse for their hardness of heart. “Indeed, Sir,” said person of large substance, “I am a very compassionate man. But, to tell you the truth, I do not know anybody in the world that is in want.” How did this come to pass? Why, he took good care to keep out of their way; and if he fell upon any of them unawares “he passed over on the other side.” [cf. Luke 10:25-37]

John Wesley (1703-1791) in Sermon 98, which is titled: On Visiting the Sick, though it might be better rendered: On Visiting the Sick and the Poor. Click here to read the sermon. It moved me this morning and I commend it to you!

I am pleased to share that my wife returned safely from Guatemala City last night, where she has been serving the Treasures of the garbage dump with Potter’s House. We have found great joy in serving the poor in His name.

This was Jenni’s fourth trip in 18 months. She was joined by her mother, Wilma Pickrell, whose life was touched and who may return. We feel called to invite others to join us so don’t be surprised if your are invited in the days to come.

“If you would be kept from gross scandalous sins, beware of a covetous heart. Covetousness is a dry drunkenness. He who thirsts insatiably after the world, will stick at no sin, he will betray Christ and a good cause for money. 1 Tim. 6:10. The love of money is the root of all evil.

From this root comes: First, theft. Achan’s covetous humour made him steal a wedge of gold. Josh. 7:21. Covetousness makes the jowls so full. 

Secondly, From this root comes murder. Why did Ahab stone Naboth to death, but to possess his vineyard? 1 Kings 21:13. Covetousness hath made many swim to the crown in blood.

Thirdly, from this bitter root of covetousness proceeds cozenage [fraud]: It is the covetous hand that holds false weights.

Fourthly, from this Root of covetousness comes Uncleanness. You read of the hire of a Whore, Deut. 23:18. For money she would let both her conscience and chastity be set to sale.

O if you would be kept from the evil of sin, beware of covetousness which is the inlet to so many sins.”

Thomas Watson (1620-1896) English Puritan Preacher in A Body of Practical Divinity: One Hundred Seventy Six Sermons on the Lesser Catechism (London: Thomas Parkhurst, 1692) 873.

“O take heed of this squint eye to our profit, pleasure, honour, or anything beneath Christ and heaven; for they will take away your heart, as the prophet saith of wine and women, that is, our love, and if our love be taken away, there will be little courage left for Christ.”

William Gurnall (1617-1679) famous Puritan clergyman known for the classic work, “The Christian in Complete Armour” (page 8) which is his treatise on the saints’ war against the devil (Ephesians 6:10-20).