A.W. Tozer: Have you really put your faith in God or do you trust in mammon to save you?

“The man of pseudo faith will fight for his verbal creed but refuse flatly to allow himself to get into a predicament where his future must depend on that creed being true. He always provides himself with secondary ways of escape so he will have a way out if the roof caves in. What we need very badly these days is a company of Christians who are prepared to trust God as completely now as they known they must do at the last day.” (Cf. Psalm 49:13-20).

A.W. Tozer in The Root of the Righteous (Harrisburg, PA: Christian Publications, 1955) 50.

“For followers of Jesus, the practice of simplicity develops an inward reality that results in an outward lifestyle. Simplicity is not just about economics. It includes a simpler lifestyle that gives freedom from being controlled by possessions, status, time, and energy. In words that children can understand, here is how I define this spiritual discipline. Simplicity is living a life of joyful unconcern from wanting more and more…

It is helpful to recognize that material clutter may lead to destructive spiritual clutter. The stress of time and energy spent on gaining or maintaining a standard of living that is desired and the stress and strain of credit card debt on relationships are contrary to marketing rhetoric on “the good life.” It is not true that the more we have, the greater will be our lives…

I find the practice of simplicity difficult but freeing. Difficult because I like gadgets and I like clothes. I like to stay involved in activities and have adventures. But the more belongings and activities I have, the more complicated my life becomes. The practice of simplicity is freeing because I have fewer items and activities to keep track of and more time to enjoy life and focus on relationships with people and with God.”

Vernie Schorr Love in Spiritual Disciplines for Children: A Guide to a Deeper Spiritual Life for You and Your Children (Lafayette, CO: Character Choice, 2012) 62-63

For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

“Paul spoke of the loss of reward as a great and terrible loss. The fact that we’re still saved is a clarification, not a consolation…Receiving reward from Christ is unspeakable gain with eternal implications. Forfeiting reward is a terrible loss with equally eternal implications. How dare we say that being in heaven is all that matters to us, when so much else matters to God?

What we do in this life is of eternal importance. You and I will never have another chance to move the hand of God through prayer to heal the hurting soul, share Christ with one who can be saved from hell, care for the sick, give a cup of water to the thirsty, comfort the dying, invest money to help the helpless, rescue the unborn, further God’s kingdom, open our homes, and share our clothes and food with the poor and needy.”

Randy Alcorn in Money, Possessions, and Eternity (Tyndale House: Wheaton, 2003) 119-120.

“We become like what we worship. We conform our lives to what we believe will please our God, whether that is the living God of Jesus Christ or the god of commerce, the god of power, the god of pleasure, and the rest of society’s pantheon.

Jesus calls us from the worship
of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us,
saying, “Christian, love me more!”

David A. DeSilva in Sacramental Life: Spiritual Formation through the Book of Common Prayer (Nashville: Discipleship Resources, 2000) 154.

“Your purpose in life isn’t to make money. It isn’t to live a comfortable lifestyle, to prepare for your retirement, or even to provide well for your family. Believe it or not, you’re designed for something far better and much more exhilarating. If you limit your life’s purpose to acquiring wealth or living comfortably, then you’ll never have enough and you’ll never be satisfied…

The Bible offers a better way. In the wisdom of God, the Bible includes countless verses about money and wealth, and the futility of pursuing either…Beyond that, it tells us that we are going to be held accountable for how we manage what God has given us–specifically, our money and other resources. It tells us that we are to care for the poor, the widows, and orphans, and to help spread the hope-giving message of Jesus Christ. And it promises that there is great joy and contentment to be found in living with less, giving more, and seeking to serve others by using what God has given us.”

Will Davis Jr. in Enough: Finding More By Living With Less (Grand Rapids: Revell, 2012) 11, 13.

“The hope that Christian giving will lead to material prosperity (as divine compensation) derives from a selfish materialism that Scripture regularly rebukes (e.d., 1 Tim 6:9-10). This is not to deny the biblical promises that God rewards generosity (Prov. 11:25; Luke 6:38) but rather to emphasize that only unselfish giving is rewarded. The ironic teaching of Jesus is, essentially, “Expect nothing in return, and your reward will be great” (Luke 6:35; cf. 14:14).”

Mark Alan Powell, “Generosity” in Dictionary of Scripture and Ethics, gen. ed. Joel B. Green (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011) 324.

“Who can outdo God in His generosity. If we poor humans give Him everything and surrender our whole being to His service? No, He is sure to stand by us, and with us, as everything in us will be His.”

Mother Teresa, in a letter dated October 19, 1947 in Come Be My Light ed. Brian Kolodiejchuk (New York: Doubleday, 2007) 87.

“Our external actions are meaningless and empty if they are not done in the love and Spirit of Jesus.”

Bill Adams in The Redemptorists of the Denver Province blogpost for 17 October 2012.

“We must be willing to abridge ourselves of our superfluities, for the supply of others’ necessities.”

John Winthrop (1588-1649), founder of Massachusetts Bay Colony, in “A Model of Christian Charity” written in 1630 aboard the Arbella. To read the document, visit: http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/sacred/charity.html

Thou art the blessed God, happy in Thyself, source of happiness in Thy creatures, my Maker, Benefactor, Proprietor, Upholder. Thou hast produced and sustained me, supported and indulged me, saved and kept me; Thou art in every situation able to meet my needs and miseries.

May I live by Thee, live for Thee, never be satisfied with my Christian progress but as I resemble Christ; and may conformity to His principles, temper, and conduct grow hourly in my life. Let Thy unexampled love constrain me into holy obedience, and render my duty my delight. If others deem my faith folly, my meekness infirmity, my zeal madness, my hope delusion, my actions hypocrisy, may I rejoice to suffer for Thy name.

Keep me walking steadfastly towards the country of everlasting delights, that paradise-land which is my true inheritance. Support me by the strength of heaven that I may never turn back, or desire false pleasures that will disappear into nothing.  As I pursue my heavenly journey by Thy grace let me be known as a man with no aim but that of a burning desire for Thee, and the good and salvation of my fellow men.

Puritan Prayer: “Divine Support” in The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions, ed. Arthur Bennett (2003).