Tertullian of Carthage: Impartial benevolence

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:1-8

“If it is the fact that men bearing the name of Romans are found to be enemies of Rome, why are we, on the ground that we are regarded as enemies, denied the name of Romans? We may be at once Romans and foes of Rome, when men passing for Romans are discovered to be enemies of their country. So the affection, and fealty, and reverence, due to the emperors do not consist in such tokens of homage as these, which even hostility may be zealous in performing, chiefly as a cloak to its purposes; but in those ways which Deity as certainly enjoins on us, as they are held to be necessary in the case of all men as well as emperors. Deeds of true heart-goodness are not due by us to emperors alone. We never do good with respect of persons; for in our own interest we conduct ourselves as those who take no payment either of praise or premium from man, but from God, who both requires and remunerates an impartial benevolence. We are the same to emperors as to our ordinary neighbors. For we are equally forbidden to wish ill, to do ill, to speak ill, to think ill of all men. The thing we must not do to an emperor, we must not do to any one else: what we would not do to anybody, a fortiori, perhaps we should not do to him whom God has been pleased so highly to exalt.”

Tertullian of Carthage (155-220) in his Apology XXXVI.

I shot the new header photo on Kowloon side, looking across to Hong Kong island, at lunch after my preaching on Sunday. Do let me know if you want to listen to the message when it’s available.

In the middle of the second century, persecution against Christians started to grow. This brings to mind the question of how Christians should act in the face of such adversity.

Here, Tertullian echoes Paul to share how we should respond. He uses a powerful idea. I feel it is relevant because my country, America, is filled with contention rather than love.

Though many in the culture follow this pattern, we must not wish ill, do ill, speak ill, and think ill of others. This kind of behavior does not reflect the “true heart-goodness” befitting followers of Christ.

And because there are many places where I travel that there is hostility toward Christians. People often ask me how we should respond to unjust or harsh treatment. Paul and Tertullian offer an answer.

Generosity appears as showing “impartial benevolence” further defined as acting “the same to emperors as to our ordinary neighbors.” Is there a person on which God wants you to lavish impartial benevolence?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. Matthew 5:43-45

“The righteousness of God is a kind of universal fairness and equality. There is equality in the heaven which is stretched out in all directions and contains the entire earth in its circle. The night reveals equally all the stars. The light of the sun, which is the cause of the daytime and the father of light, God pours out from above upon the earth in equal measure on all who have power to see. For all see alike.

There is no distinction between rich and poor, people and governor, stupid and clever, female and male, free men and slaves. Even the irrational animals are not accorded any different treatment; but in just the same way God pours out from above sunlight equally upon all the animals. He establishes his righteousness to both good and bad by seeing that none is able to get more than his share and to deprive his neighbor, so that he has twice the light his neighbor has. The sun causes food to grow for all living beings alike; the universal righteousness is given to all equally.

In this respect there is no difference between the entire species of oxen and any individual oxen, between the species of pigs and particular pigs, between the species of sheep and particular sheep, and so on with all the rest. In them the universality of God’s fairness is manifest. Furthermore all plants of whatever sort are sown equally in the earth. Common nourishment grows for all beasts which feed on the earth’s produce; to all it is alike. It is regulated by no law, but rather is harmoniously available to all through the gift of Him who gives it and makes it to grow.”

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) in The Stromata, or Miscellanies, 3.2.6.

God supplies for humanity with a universal fairness and equality. He gives and gives and gives. We as humans in our fallen state, aim (in the words of Clement) to get more than our share and to deprive our neighbor. We take and take and take.

This week through multiple events, we aim to grow Christian generosity in Hong Kong. On Monday, our focus relates to resources. God connected GTP with Breakthrough, a publisher of Christian books and resources for more than 50 years.

We will discuss collaborating on various projects in the years ahead to strengthen Chinese Christians in general and the next generation in particular. Let me explain how this relates to today’s post and the Stromata authored by Clement.

Clement wrote the Stromata to help people know how to live the Christian life. That’s why Breakthrough publishes resources for Chinese followers of Christ. But Breakthrough wants GTP’s help to grow accountability and generosity in churches.

Clement, if he were part of our conversations, would likely say to teach people to look at the clouds and see that God supplies rain with universal fairness and equality. He would say look at the stars. They give light to everyone.

He might even quote today’s Scripture from the Sermon on the Mount. Why do I mention all this? If we serve a God that gives and gives and gives in a world where people take and take and take, we must model generosity teach the next generation to live differently.

They will do what we do, not what we say. How you might teach the next generation today about the universal fairness and equality of God? Then lead by example. Show them what He has supplied to you and how you might give it to benefit your neighbor.

Who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken. Psalm 15:5

“Respecting, imparting, and communicating, though much might be said, let it suffice to remark that the law prohibits a brother from taking usury: designating as a brother not only him who is born of the same parents, but also one of the same race and sentiments, and a participator in the same word; deeming it right not to take usury for money, but with open hands and heart to bestow on those who need.”

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) in “Chapter XVIII — The Mosaic Law the fountain of all ethics, and the source from which the Greeks drew theirs” of The Stromata, or Miscellanies, Book 2.

I am staying in the Central business district of Hong Kong. I shot the header photo from the top floor of the hotel toward the Kowloon side of Hong Kong.

Usury or “lending money at interest” is common practice in banking here. Hong Kong is known as an international finance center where (as one study showed in 2022) 276,200 people serve in finance jobs here (that’s 7.5% of total employment).

So, in this setting, talking about generosity and helping others appears as radically countercultural. Clement aptly sums up what God desires of us: “respecting, imparting, and communicating,”

This appears as otherworldly behavior that strengthens our witness. And today’s Scripture reminds us that if we do this we will never be shaken.

On this note, please pray for me. When you get this post which goes out at 7:00am Denver time, I will be in bed in Hong Kong at 10:00pm. When I get up I will preach Sunday morning at ECC Hong Kong. My message is entitled: “Growing Christian Generosity in TST Ten Steps Together.”

Pray for God to open their hands and their hearts. This is my prayer today for the church and everyone reading this. Reply if you want a copy of my sermon notes and a link to the sermon when it becomes available. Thanks.

And I appreciate your prayers for Spirit-led teaching and receptive hearts.

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Luke 10:29

“On His interlocutor inquiring, Who is my neighbor? Jesus did not, in the same way with the Jews, specify the blood-relation, or the fellow-citizen, or the proselyte, or him that had been similarly circumcised, or the man who uses one and the same law.

But He introduces one on his way down from the upland region from Jerusalem to Jericho, and represents him stabbed by robbers, cast half-dead on the way, passed by the priest, looked sideways at by the Levite, but pitied by the vilified and excommunicated Samaritan; who did not, like those, pass casually, but came provided with such things as the man in danger required, such as oil, bandages, a beast of burden, money for the innkeeper, part given now, and part promised.

Which, said He, of them was neighbor to him that suffered these things? and on his answering, He that showed mercy to him, replied Go also, therefore, and do likewise, since love buds into well-doing.”

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) in Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? XXVIII.

I am posting this Daily Meditation prior to crossing the Pacific. Let me know if you want a copy of my itinerary to pray with me for fruitful program work over the next two weeks in Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan.

I am thankful today for the fresh thoughts from an ancient teacher, Clement of Alexandria. I pray that all who read it grow in love that “buds into well-doing.”

It struck me anew today that the priest “passed by” the hurting person and the Levite “looked sideways” at him. Why would they do this? Those words got me thinking. When we pass by or look sideways at people in need, like the lawyer in today’s Scripture, we show that we are judging others and trying to justify ourselves.

It goes like this. We rationalize why we don’t need to help a person in front of us. It’s someone else’s responsibility. In our self talk we continue like this. It’s the pastor’s job or the ministry worker’s role to visit the sick or help the hurting person, not mine.

Or we articulate in our minds that we have already done our part. I served last week or gave last month. I don’t need to do any more at this time. I will leave that for someone else. Or this is how many people reason sometimes, including me. I am too busy. Too busy is not a good excuse when loving God and others marks the greatest commandment.

One of my mentors and friends, John Stanley, has taught me to lean into creating “margin” in our schedules and our budgets so that we can love our neighbors like the Samaritan did. Notice that the Samaritan provided such things as “oil, bandages, a beast of burden, and money for the innkeeper.”

God forgive us for judging others and trying to justify ourselves. Show us by your Holy Spirit what it means to love You and love others with margin in our lives so that our love shifts from passing by and looking sideways at people and so it buds into well-doing. Hear my prayer in your mercy in Jesus name. Amen.

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. Romans 15:2

“We are not to throw away those things which can benefit our neighbor. Goods are called good because they can be used for good: they are instruments for good, in the hands of those who use them properly.”

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) in Who is the Rich Man That Shall Be Saved? XIV.

As we start the year looking at our neighbor and generosity, today’s Scripture and quote seem so practical and helpful. It reflects generosity we can all practice.

Clement calls us to think about how our goods can be used for the good of others. I love the use of the word instruments. Imagine that our sharing creates beautiful music.

But to use our goods for the good of others, we need to know them. We need to know their needs. On our journey as followers of Jesus, this comes into view as a tangibly picture of loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

I head to Hong Kong today. My hope over my ten days there is to bless many people. But that will start with listening and discerning needs. God help me. From there I head to China and then Taiwan. It’s a very complex trip.

But you can do this with me. Let’s trying to listen and discern the needs of our neighbor and build them up with what we have. God help us.

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Colossians 3:16

“In their wars, therefore, the Etruscans use the trumpet, the Arcadians the pipe, the Sicilians the pectides, the Cretans the lyre, the Lacedaemonians the flute, the Thracians the horn, the Egyptians the drum, and the Arabians the cymbal. The one instrument of peace, the Word alone by which we honour God, is what we employ. We no longer employ the ancient psaltery, and trumpet, and timbrel, and flute, which those expert in war and contemners of the fear of God were wont to make use of also in the choruses at their festive assemblies; that by such strains they might raise their dejected minds. But let our genial feeling in drinking be twofold, in accordance with the law. For “if thou shalt love the Lord try God,” and then “thy neighbor,” let its first manifestation be towards God in thanksgiving and psalmody, and the second toward our neighbor in decorous fellowship. For says the apostle, “Let the Word of the Lord dwell in you richly.” And this Word suits and conforms Himself to seasons, to persons, to places.”

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) in The Instructor Book 2 Chapter 9 on “How to Conduct Ourselves at Feasts” (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).

Check out the connection between today’s Scripture. When we enjoy let God’s Word dwell in us, when we teach and admonish each other, and when we sing to God with gratitude, we practice “decorous fellowship” toward our neighbor with the Word as our instrument.

Taken together, our instrument of peace, that is, the Word of God, and “decorous fellowship” foster a culture of generosity. When we sing to God with gratitude together with others we nurture corporate and collective generosity.

Is the Word of God your instrument of peace? This means that when people see you, they think you march to a different drum beat. That is, one that keeps in step with the Spirit, who has peace in a world filled with troubles, and demonstrates the Word of God in their life.

And what would it look like for you to engage in “decorous fellowship” with your neighbors? This might be having a family over for dinner, hosting a neighborhood social to create community, inviting them to a church function, or doing something generous toward them.

Clement eloquently names the people groups of his day and shows how Christians need to think and act differently. The music of our lives coupled with our behavior when feasting points our neighbors closer to God or away from Him. What do your neighbors see when they look at you?

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. Psalm 63:7

“He calls us little chickens the Scripture testifies: “As a hen gathereth her chicks under her wings.” Thus are we the Lord’s chicks; the Word thus marvellously and mystically describing the simplicity of childhood. For sometimes He calls us children, sometimes chickens, sometimes infants, and at other times sons, and “a new people,” and “a recent people.” “And my servants shall be called by a new name” (a new name, He says, fresh and eternal, pure and simple, and childlike and true), which shall be blessed on the earth.

And again, He figuratively calls us colts unyoked to vice, not broken in by wickedness; but simple, and bounding joyously to the Father alone; not such horses “as neigh after their neighbors’ wives, that are under the yoke, and are female-mad;” but free and new-born, jubilant by means of faith, ready to run to the truth, swift to speed to salvation, that tread and stamp under foot the things of the world.

Clement of Alexandria (c.150-c.215) in The Instructor Book 1 Chapter Five (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).

Don’t miss the wisdom here from the good instructor for you and I as the Lord’s little chickens and colts. Ponder this word picture for a while.

This should inspire us to see ourselves rightly, to pursue lives of childlike faith, and to lives of simplicity which positions us look like new people who practice radical generosity.

Does the little chick under the wing of the Lord worry about provision? Of course not! Is the colt “unyoked to vice” and “not broken in by wickedness” in the right position to be trained? Yes.

That’s us. And notice how neighbors come into view. We are not horses that neigh after anything our neighbor possesses, which positions us to practice the love of neighbor that the Lord desires.

So what’s the takeaway today? Picture yourself as the Lord’s little chicken or as a colt from now on. This should free you worry, remind you of the Lord’s tender care, and motivate you to yoke to righteousness.

When you do, I promise you will start to realize what it means to be the “new people” the Lord wants us to be because we have so much in the way of worldly thinking to unlearn.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10

“He asks of wisdom, who seeks to know what is the will of God. And he will show himself prudent who is sparing of his words on that which he has come to learn. If one inquires about wisdom, desiring to learn something about wisdom, while another asks nothing of wisdom, as not only wishing to learn nothing about wisdom himself, but even keeping back his neighbors from so doing, the former certainly is deemed to be more prudent than the latter.”

Hippolytus of Rome (c.170-236) in “On Proverbs” from The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus: Dogmatical and Historical (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).

The counsel of Hippolytus also reminds me of this verse. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Proverbs 4:7

I have always loved Hippolytus because he gives us the oldest existing list of the 70 disciples of Jesus in Luke’s Gospel. Find it here if you are interested in doing further study of the 70 and where they ministered.

I used this list to inspire how I set up GTP with regional facilitators and country coordinators all over the world. This group of 70 were trained in Jerusalem and spread the gospel to all the major cities of the ancient world.

That’s our aim today at GTP. We have 10 staff, 12 regional facilitators, and 48 country coordinators (and counting) strengthening stewards and training them to have churches and ministries follow standards for local sustainability.

And notice how our neighbor comes into view. Our pursuit of wisdom (or lack of this pursuit) impacts those around us. Prudent and generous behavior on our part encourages others to deeper study.

I am preaching the next two Sundays in Hong Kong. That’s required me to do fresh study. I appreciate your support and prayers for GTP workers deployed to Hong Kong, China, and Taiwan from 18 January to 1 February.

What about you? How might you discipline yourself to study for a specific or some future opportunity to bless a neighbor with biblical truth? And if not, how might your lack of this pursuit adversely impact your neighbors?

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8

“Now we also confess that God exists, but that He is one, the Creator, and Maker, and Fashioner of this universe; and we know that all things are arranged by His Providence, but by Him alone. And we have learned a holy law; but we have as lawgiver Him who is really God, who teaches us to act righteously, and to be pious, and to do good.

And concerning piety He says, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I am the LORD thy God.”

And of doing good He said: “Honor thy father and thy mother; that it may be well with thee, and that thy days may be long in the land which I the LORD God give thee.”

Again, concerning righteousness: “Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house, nor his land, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his beast of burden, nor any of his cattle, nor anything that is thy neighbor’s.”

Theophilus of Antioch (c.120-c.190) in Book Three, Chapter Nine.

If we think we should pursue a life of righteousness, piety, and generosity, notice the counsel today from Theophilus of Antioch remembering his context.

Antioch is the city where about 100 years before he wrote this treatise that disciples were first called Christians. So this thinking reflects the heart of the early church.

Theophilus lifted up the importance of honoring God as Creator and Sustainer and then demonstrating faith through righteousness, piety, and generosity aligned with the Ten Commandments.

I feel like we miss the mark in many areas in modern times. We put things ahead of God in our lives, dishonor our parents, and covet what our neighbor’s have.

All this leaves us discontent and may explain why there is a lack of righteousness, piety, and generosity in the church. Today Theophilus would give us this advice.

Don’t desire (or covet) the gifts of God that others may have but make God your first and only desire. Any other path will mess up your relationship to Him and to people.

Since an overseer manages God’s household, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. Titus 1:7

“For the law commanded them to abstain from every servile work, that is, from all grasping after wealth which is procured by trading and by other worldly business; but it exhorted them to attend to the exercises of the soul, which consist in reflection, and to addresses of a beneficial kind for their neighbors’ benefit.”

Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 130-c. 202) in Against Heresies Book IV 8.2.

The bishop of Lyons echos Paul’s words to Titus.

Stewards must not grasp after wealth but “attend to the exercises of the soul which consist of reflection” and to serve for the benefit of our neighbor.

When we are greedy for gain, our desire is to take from our neighbor.

But when we attend to the exercises of the soul, we realize, in Christ, we have everything we need, so rather than try to trade and take from others we can bless and benefit them.

Interesting that grasping for gain disqualifies a person from oversight in the church.

While the world celebrates this behavior, it does not contribute to flourishing and certainly does not belong in the church as it fails to bless our neighbors or bring them benefit.

What does this look like in your life? Would people say you pursue gain or generosity?