Eric Fromm: What is the definition of a rich Christian?

“In the sphere of material things giving means being rich. Not he who has much is rich, but he who gives much.”

Eric Fromm, The Art of Loving (New York: Continuum) 22.

“Giving produces freedom 100% of the time: freedom from the bondage of things, freedom to receive more from God, and freedom to be a conduit of blessing to others.”

Tricia Mayer as cited by Richard J. Krejcir in Contemporary thoughts amongst Evangelical Leaders why Stewardship is Declining.

“Where riches hold the dominion of the heart, God has lost His authority.”

John Calvin, Commentary on the Harmony of the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, and Luke trans. William Pringle (Edinburgh: Calvin Translation Society, 1845) 337.

“One of the single-most important tasks of leadership is to teach people to give.”

Rick Warren, Teaching Your People to Be Generous. Exponential ’04.

“The reason Christians don’t give to their church is not because of apathy but because of ignorance. They have never been taught what God’s word says about good stewardship.”

Interview with Ken Williams by Generous Giving. Generous Giving Journal: Pastors Edition, October 2003.

“Jesus didn’t tell us not to store up treasures. On the contrary, he commanded us to. He simply said, “Stop storing them up in the wrong place, and start storing them up in the right place.”

Randy Alcorn, Money, Possessions, and Eternity (Tyndale 2003) 94.

“Growth in faith determines growth in stewardship. That is, the formation and growth of faith produces a firm desire to be faithful stewards of what God gives…the more mature the person is in their spiritual formation, the greater sense to conform to the biblical principles and a greater cheerfulness to give.”

Richard Krejcir, theologian in residence, at the Francis Schaeffer Institute of Church Leadership. Findings from Dissertation: “Exegetical Concepts Of Biblical Stewardship As Compared To Postmodern Thinking And Current Trends.”

“Look for the poor, sick and all kinds of needy, help them and let your life’s energy appear in this, so that they may enjoy your kindness, helping wherever your help is needed, as much as you possibly can with your life, property and honor. Know that to serve God is nothing else than to serve your neighbor in love, whether he be enemy or friend, or whether you can help in temporal or spiritual matters. This is serving God and doing good works.”

Martin Luther, as quoted in Devotional Readings from Luther’s Works for Every Day of the Year ed. John Sander (Rock Island, IL: Augustana Book Concern, 1915) 439-440.

“How I would like a Church that is poor and for the poor.” Pope Francis
“A Church that is poor, and for the poor — that is Francis’ desire. He begins with a challenge to the Church, not to the world.

What does Francis mean for the Church to be poor, and for the poor? In the first and most obvious sense, it means a simplicity in deportment and lifestyle. Soon after his election he wrote to the bishops of Argentina, thanking them for their support and good wishes — and asking them not to come to Rome for his inaugural Mass, but rather to give the money it would cost to the poor.

It is a challenge to the Catholics in affluent countries to live more modestly, avoiding indulgence and luxuries in order to be able to be more generous in sharing with the poor. It is even a more profound challenge, in that it raises the question of whether the Church can fully proclaim the life and message of Jesus if it becomes shaped by a culture of comfortable affluence.

Francis’ call for a Church that is poor goes farther than mere material restraint and generous almsgiving. Francis warned the cardinals on Thursday about allowing the Church to become something other than she is – namely the proclaimer of Christ’s gospel in full.”

Raymond J. de Souza on Pope Francis’ comments to the journalists in Rome on Saturday, as cited in his National Post article, March 18, 2013.

For my generosity journey, I’ve found I need Christ as proclaimed in this song. Enjoy! Listen to or freely download this song inspired by “The Breastplate Prayer of St. Patrick”

(Click on this link, then in the aLive album, scroll down to song #12, click on the arrow and then the word download and it’s yours FREE):

www.philliptelfer.com/alive.html

Lyrics:

I bind unto myself today, the power of God to hold and lead,
His eyes to watch His mind to stay, His ears to hearken to my need
The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide His shield to ward
The Word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be me guard

Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself today, the strong name of the Trinity,
By invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three,
Of whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word,
Praise to the God of my salvation, Salvation is of Christ the Lord.

Chorus (2x)