Mother Teresa: Spoils

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

“At a seminary in Bangalore, a nun once said to me, “Mother Teresa, you are spoiling the poor people by giving them things free. They are losing their human dignity.”

When everyone was quiet, I said calmly, “No one spoils as much as God Himself. See the wonderful gifts He has given us freely. All of you here have no glasses, yet you all can see. If God were to take money for your sight, what would happen?”

“Continually we are breathing and living on oxygen that we do not pay for. What would happen if God were to say, ‘If you work for four hours, you will get sunshine for two hours?” How many of us would survive then?

Then I also told them, “There are many congregations that spoil the rich; it is good to have one congregation in the name of the poor, to spoil the poor.” There was profound silence; nobody said a word after that.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 57-58.

I’ve been to Bangalore, India, two time, but I was not in this seminary room. That would have been a special moment.

Honestly, I have never bought that “human dignity” argument. I love how generous God has been to me. I neither deserve it nor could I ever earn it. It’s priceless and lavished on me by grace.

And notice what Mother Teresa is really saying. When we lavish generosity on people would could never repay us we look like Jesus.

We don’t look like those people who just butter their own bread or give to take care of their friends.

This Christmas, give to GTP. Empower national workers in majority world countries with training they need but could never access without gracious assistance.

Many charities exist for the rich. GTP works with stewards around the world in the poorest places.

Help us raise $250,000 by 31 December 2023 to position us to receive and implement a 5-year, $1.25 million grant. That’s not like a matching grant but multiplies the impact of your giving by 5 times. Please make a gift of any size today.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

“Another aspect of our life of contemplation is simplicity, which makes us see the face of God in everything, everyone, everywhere, all the time, and His hand in all the happenings; and makes us do all that we do — whether we think, study, work, speak, eat, or take our rest — under the loving gaze of the Father, being totally available to Him…

What is contemplation? To live the life of Jesus. This is what I understand — to love Jesus, to live His life in us, to live our life in His life. That’s contemplation. We must have a clean heart to be able to see: no jealousy, anger, contention, and especially no uncharitableness.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 34-35.

Two ideas struck me today: total availability and uncharitableness. Let’s lean into total availability first.

We should not say that we give a portion of our money to God. It’s all God’s. Instead, obedient, faithful stewardship determines through simplicity how much we need and treats the rest as belonging to God.

Regarding time and giftedness, we don’t give God a portion of ourselves, we die to ourselves and make ourselves totally available to him. Or in Pauline terms, we no longer live but Christ lives in us.

So then why is there no place for uncharitableness? If our life is rooted in Christ, everything we enjoy is by grace or because of God’s charitableness toward us.

If we don’t shower grace on others, we show that we don’t understand it ourselves. That said, imagine, what would it look like if God’s people aimed at total availability and charitableness this Christmas seasons?

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11

“A joyful heart is the normal result of a heart burning with love. Joy is not simply a matter of temperament, it is always hard to remain joyful — all the more reason why we should try to acquire it and make it grow in our hearts. Joy is prayer; joy is strength; joy is love. She gives most who gives with joy…

To children and to the poor, to all those who suffer and are lonely, give them always a happy smile; give them not only your care but also your heart. We may not be able to give much, but we can always give the joy that springs from a heart that is filled with love…

Joy must be one of the pivots of our life. It is the token of a generous personality. Sometimes it is also a mantle that clothes a life of sacrifice and self-giving. A person who has this gift often reaches high summits. He or she is like a sun in a community.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 27-29.

Do you bring light and joy to a community like the sun in the sky? What a word picture! And notice that the one gives most who gives with joy. What about you? Do you give with joy?

Perhaps after reading the verse from Psalms for today and this post it’s time to pause. Ponder not so much the amount of your giving but the level of joy with which you give.

Father in heaven, fill us with your love so that joy abounds in us and blesses everyone we touch. Amen.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

“Let us not use bombs and guns to overcome the world. Let us use love and compassion. Peace begins with a smile. Smile five times a day at someone you don’t really want to smile at at all. Do it for peace. Let us radiate the peace of God and so light His light and extinguish in the world and in the hearts of all men all hatred and love for power. Smile at one another. It is not always easy. Sometimes I find it hard…but then I pray.

God loves the world through you and through me. Are we that love and that compassion? Christ came to be his Father’s compassion. God is loving the world through you and through me and through all those who are His love and compassion in the world…

Ne kind in your actions. Do not think that you are the only one who can do efficient work, work worth showing. This makes you harsh in your judgment of others who may not have the same talents. Do your best and trust that others do their best. And be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 13-15.

I love Mother Teresa. She understands the many ways in which the Christian life is a paradox because she figured it out as she lived it out.

For example, notice how she proclaims that our strength comes not from bombs and guns but smiles and faithfulness in small things. Brilliant.

Notice the connection to generosity. That means all of us, regardless of our wealth or socioeconomic status, can be generous.

We can shower smiles on people and do small things with faithfulness, compassion, and love. We may not change the whole world but we can impact our those around us.

And I am glad that she said it was hard to smile at people. As we enter a season of hustle and bustle, the next time you feel like honking or yelling, try smiling instead.

We can do this with God’s help.

For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. Matthew 16:25

“Sacrifice is at the heart of Christian faith. The people of God in Old Testament times offered animals for their sins — lambs, goats, bulls, and pigeons. Jesus offered Himself as a perfect, final sacrifice so taht the animal sacrifices would not have to be repeated.

Sacrifice, surrender, and suffering are not popular topics nowadays. Our culture makes us believe that we can have it all, that we should demand our rights, that with the right technology all pain an problems can be overcome. This is not attitude toward sacrifice.

I know that it is impossible to relieve the world’s suffering unless God’s people are willing to surrender to God, to make sacrifices, and to suffer along with the poor… What is an acceptable sacrifice? One that is good for the people of God. One that is made on behalf of the world.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 47-48.

In shifting to Mother Teresa for the next few days, I am struck by the paradox of sacrifice. We actually don’t lose when we do it. We gain. We only lose when we fail to do it.

Think about it. Sacrifice opens the pathway to life and shows us our purpose on this earth. It’s not to have 2.5 kids, a house with a fence, and a dog (though we love our dog, Grace).

The world says that purpose and joy is found in getting things, having experiences, and amassing power or wealth. Those things are all very appealing, don’t get me wrong.

But because Christ accomplished our once for all sacrifice on the cross, we have everything we need in Him. So, our sacrifices are not losses but doorways for gain.

They open the way for us to participate in bringing love and justice to the world. Today is Giving Tuesday. What would it look like to make a sacrificial gift today. Join me in supporting GTP by clicking here.

Looking ahead, as we prepare for Advent, also remember this. When we lose our lives for Christ’s sake, when we sacrifice, we actually take hold of what the Christ of Christmas desires for us.

And we serve as radically generous conduits of blessing like Mother Teresa.

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

Objection #11. The law makes provision for the poor, and obliges the respective towns in which they live to provide for them. Therefore some argue that there is no occasion for particular persons to exercise any charity this way. They say, the case is not the same with us now as it was in the primitive church. For then Christians were under a heathen government. And however the charity of Christians in those times be much to be commended, yet now, by reason of our different circumstances, there is no occasion for private charity. Because, in the state in which Christians now are, provision is made for the poor otherwise. — This objection is built upon these two suppositions, both which I suppose are false.

First, that the towns are obliged by law to relieve everyone who otherwise would be an object of charity. This I suppose to be false, unless it be supposed that none are proper objects of charity, but those that have no estate left to live upon, which is very unreasonable, and what I have already shown to be false, in answer to the fourth objection, in showing that it doth not answer the rules of Christian charity, to relieve only those who are reduced to extremity.

Nor do I suppose it was ever the design of the law, requiring the various towns to support their own poor, to cut off all occasion for Christian charity. Nor is it fit there should be such a law. It is fit that the law should make provision for those that have no estates of their own. It is not fit that persons who are reduced to that extremity should be left to so precarious a source of supply as a voluntary charity. They are in extreme necessity of relief, and therefore it is fit that there should be something sure for them to depend on. But a voluntary charity in this corrupt world is an uncertain thing. Therefore the wisdom of the legislature did not think fit to leave those who are so reduced upon such a precarious foundation for subsistence. But I suppose not that it was ever the design of the law to make such provision for all that are in want, as to leave no room for Christian charity.

Second, this objection is built upon another supposition which is equally false, that there are in fact none who are proper objects of charity, but those that are relieved by the town. Let the design of the law be what it will, yet if there are in fact persons who are so in want, as to stand in need of our charity, then that law doth not free us from obligation to relieve them by our charity. For as we have just now shown, in answer to the last objection, if it more properly belong to others to relieve them than us; yet if they do it not, we are not free. So that if it be true, that it belongs to the town to relieve all who are proper objects of charity; yet if the town in fact do it not, we are not excused.

If one of our neighbors suffers through the fault of a particular person, of a thief or robber, or of a town, it alters not the case. But if he suffer and be without relief, it is an act of Christian charity in us to relieve him. Now it is too obvious to be denied, that there are in fact persons so in want that it would be a charitable act in us to help them, notwithstanding all that is done by the town. A man must hide his mental eyes, to think otherwise.”

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) in Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced (1732) Section IV.

Today is the final post in a series on this treatise. In addressing a final mental objection to serving the poor, Edwards notes that our mind embraces the false argument that it’s the town’s job to care for them.

In his reply he challenges us not to shift the responsibility to the town, as that was never the design of the town. But rather, he calls us to embrace our charitable responsibility as the people of each and every town.

This exploration of Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced has taught me many things. I appreciated his biblical and helpful points at the beginning of the treatise. But his work with the objections was masterful and brilliant!

I learned afresh, and I hope you learned along with me, that objections can tempt our inner person (that God renews day by day) to reason away our responsibilities related to Christian charity. We must not allow it!

How did Edwards overcome the objections, and how can we? Notice, he always spelled them out (which represents the biblical process of renewing our minds), and then responded with biblical thinking and practical action. Let’s do this to grow in Christian generosity.

Onward to Mother Teresa tomorrow. Not sure altogether why, but I feel led to go that direction. With you.

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:17

“Objection #10. Some may object and say, Others do not their duty. If others did their duty, the poor would be sufficiently supplied. If others did as much as we in proportion to their ability and obligation, the poor would have enough to help them out of their straits. Or some may say, it belongs to others more than it does to us. They have relations that ought to help them. Or there are others to whom it more properly belongs than to us.

Answer. We ought to relieve those who are in want though brought to it through others’ fault. If our neighbor be poor, though others be to blame that it is so, yet that excuses us not from helping him. If it belong to others more than to us, yet if those others will neglect their duty, and our neighbor therefore remains in want, we may be obliged to relieve him. If a man be brought into straits through the injustice of others, suppose by thieves or robbers, as the poor Jew whom the Samaritan relieved; yet we may be obliged to relieve him, though it be not through our fault that he is in want, but through that of other men. And whether that fault be a commission or a neglect alters not the case.

As to the poor Jew that fell among thieves between Jerusalem and Jericho, it more properly belonged to those thieves who brought him into that distress to relieve him, than to any other person. Yet seeing they would not do it, others were not excused. And the Samaritan did no more than his duty, relieving him as he did, though it properly belonged to others. — Thus if a man have children or other relations, to whom it most properly belongs to relieve him, yet if they will not do it, the obligation to relieve him falls upon others. So for the same reason we should do the more for the relief of the poor, because others neglect to do their proportion, or what belongs to them. And that because by the neglect of others to do their proportion they need the more, their necessity is the greater.

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) in Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced (1732) Section IV.

Today’s objection brings out the classic finger pointing practice that leaves everyone not doing their part. We reason that we have done enough and that others need to step up, so we cease our charity. And they never started.

So, when we do this we (the stoppers) lose, the non-starters lose, and the needy lose. Do you hear that? Everyone loses. And we lose because God blesses us all to be a blessing not just once but perpetually.

When we act, then He blesses, but then we often rationalize our ceasing by saying others must step up. The reality is that others should step up. But the Mother Teresa’s of this world teach us something.

They teach us that if and when we take a perpetual posture of blessing, the unthinkable can happen in terms of fruits, when we, in the words of Isaiah, “learn to do right.”

This inspires me to pivot from Jonathan Edwards to Mother Teresa after I finish Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced tomorrow.

So, as this Thanksgiving weekend draws to a close, and as I prepare to return to work after a weekend of rest and giving thanks, I ask God to help me to “learn to do right” perpetually rather than expect “others” to act.

I hope this insight moves you too. Not that you are not doing right. I am sure you are. I am trying as well. But the key is not to stop regardless of the situation or the internal mental objections we have explored.

There is need all around us due to everything from brokenness and stupidity. In response, we must not retire, regress, retreat, or reason our inactivity.

Let’s move forward multiply good and faithful stewards and boldly trusting God to supply. When we bless others and then graciously teach them how to live, we multiply ourselves in the process.

This place of boldly trusting is where I find myself. I learned GTP is positioned to get a $1.25 million grant (that is not a typo) in 2024 but we have to hit funding markers by 31 December 2023.

And they are large. Praying for about $250,000. But God is bigger. Let me know if you want to know more information about this and want to make an asset transfer or other complex gift to help.

Or just talk to the LORD and give as He leads here.

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6

“Objection #9. He has brought himself to want by his own fault. — In reply, it must be considered what you mean by his fault.

First, if you mean a want of a natural faculty to manage affairs to advantage, that is to be considered as his calamity. Such a faculty is a gift that God bestows on some, and not on others. And it is not owing to themselves. You ought to be thankful that God hath given you such a gift, which he hath denied to the person in question. And it will be a very suitable way for you to show your thankfulness, to help those to whom that gift is denied, and let them share the benefit of it with you. This is as reasonable as that he to whom Providence has imparted sight should be willing to help him to whom sight is denied, and that he should have the benefit of the sight of others, who has none of his own. Or, as that he to whom God hath given wisdom, should be willing that the ignorant should have the benefit of his knowledge.

Second, if they have been reduced to want by some oversight and are to be blamed that they did not consider for themselves better, yet that doth not free us from all obligation to charity towards them. If we should forever refuse to help men because of that, it would be for us to make their inconsiderateness and imprudent act, an unpardonable crime, quite contrary to the rules of the gospel, which insist so much upon forgiveness. — We should not be disposed so highly to resent such an oversight in any for whom we have a dear affection, as our children, or our friends. We should not refuse to help them in that necessity and distress, which they brought upon themselves by their own inconsiderateness. But we ought to have a dear affection and concern for the welfare of all our fellow Christians, whom we should, love as brethren, and as Christ hath loved us.

Third, if they are come to want by a vicious idleness and prodigality, yet we are not thereby excused from all obligation to relieve them, unless they continue in those vices. If they continue not in those vices, the rules of the gospel direct us to forgive them. And if their fault be forgiven, then it will not remain to be a bar in the way of our charitably relieving them. If we do otherwise, we shall act in a manner very contrary to the rule of loving one another as Christ hath loved us. Now Christ hath loved us, pitied us, and greatly laid out himself to relieve us from that want and misery which we brought on ourselves by our own folly and wickedness. We foolishly and perversely threw away those riches with which we were provided, upon which we might have lived and been happy to all eternity.

Fourth, if they continue in the same courses still, yet that doth not excuse us from charity to their families that are innocent. If we cannot relieve those of their families without their having something of it, yet that ought not to be a bar in the way of our charity. And that because it is supposed that those of their families are proper objects of charity. And those that are so, we are bound to relieve. The command is positive and absolute. If we look upon that which the heads of the families have of what we give, to be entirely lost; yet we had better lose something of our estate, than suffer those who are really proper objects of charity to remain without relief.”

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) in Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced (1732) Section IV.

I’ve returned to this treatise on Christian charity to wrap up the biblical responses to objections. It’s been a deep and yet simple and profound exercise.

Today, we learn that we reason that we need not help others because their own decisions got them into the plight in which they find themselves.

Repeatedly, Edwards reminds us of the “rules of the gospel” which has really proved to shake and awaken me to the basic tenets of the faith, such as grace and forgiveness.

As we think about our generosity, we should help those who have even “come to want by a vicious idleness and prodigality” because before Christ, that was us.

So, let me challenge you as we approach Christmas to do two things: one, help people you know who don’t deserve it. And two, give ministries that develop faithful stewards.

Do this and you will both show mercy and multiply yourself.

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:11-13

“I don’t have everything I want…..and that’s a good thing! In order to be grateful for what we do have, there must be things we don’t have. The lack of something is the prerequisite of gratitude. If we have anything and everything we want, it’s impossible to feel genuine gratitude. This is why people with seemingly unlimited resources often seem so discontent.

Today, as I reflect on the things I’m thankful for, I’ll be grateful that I don’t (and can’t) have everything I want. Do I still want some of these things? Absolutely! Will I be excited if I ever get them? 100%! But until I do, or if I don’t, it won’t make me any less grateful for all the wonderful blessings in my life. I cherish each and every one of them.

As you stuff yourself with yummy food, watch sports, play in the backyard, or dive into whatever traditions your family engages in, take a moment to reflect on the beauty of not having all that you want. It’s the prerequisite of gratitude.”

Travis Shelton in “The Prerequisite of Gratitude” the Daily Meaning blogpost for 23 November 2023. I recommend you subscribe here. I read his post daily and commend his work to you!

Have you ever mentored or discipled someone and then found the relationship to become mutually beneficial and so surprisingly encouraging. That’s been my journey over the last decade with Travis Shelton.

Today’s repost of his Daily Meaning post from yesterday is perfect for Black Friday. Is it okay to shop the sales to get good deals on gifts for loved ones? Absolutely (for the rest of the world, it’s what we do in USA today).

Jenni and I love our tradition of waking up early, getting free coffee and donuts at our local Home Depot and purchasing 24 poinsettias for $2 each and giving them away in the days leading to Christmas.

Perhaps you have gift giving traditions linked to Black Friday and the Christmas season? Pursue those. But do so with this word of wisdom from Travis today which echoes the Apostle Paul.

Be content with not having everything you want. Focus not on what you don’t have but give thanks for the things you do have—life in Jesus Christ, special people around you, abundant gifts from the Lord—and enjoy them.

As Travis keenly notes, the prerequisite or what positions us to be grateful is NOT having all the things we want, which really is a good thing, and I would add, while also realizing that in Christ we have everything we need.

Imagined how ruined we would all be if we had everything we wanted. Our desires would overcome and control us. Instead, let’s give thanks for Jesus and all His blessings and enjoy and share them richly.

Thanks for reminding us of the Prerequisite of Gratitude, Travis. Happy Black Friday everyone.

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and He will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

“Objection #8. Some may say they are not obliged to give to the poor till they ask. If any man is in necessity, let him come and make known his straits to me, and then it will be time enough for me to give him. Or if he need a public contribution, let him come and ask. I do not know that the congregation or church is obliged to relieve till they ask relief. — I answer,

First, it surely is the most charitable to relieve the needy in that way wherein we shall do them the greatest kindness. Now it is certain that we shall do them a greater kindness by inquiring into their circumstances, and relieving them, without putting them upon begging. There is none of us but who, if it were their case, would look upon it more kind in our neighbors, to inquire into our circumstances, and help us of their own accord. To put our neighbors upon begging in order to relief, is painful. It is more charitable, more brotherly, more becoming Christians and the disciples of Jesus, to do it without. I think this is self-evident, and needs no proof.

Second, this is not agreeable to the character of the liberal man given in Scripture; viz. that devises liberal things. Isaiah 32:8. It is not to devise liberal things, if we neglect all liberality till the poor come a begging to us. But to inquire who stand in need of our charity, and to contrive to relieve them in the way that shall do them the greatest kindness; that is to devise liberal things.

Third, we should not commend a man for doing so to his own brother. If a man had an own brother or sister in great straits, and he were well able to supply them, under the pretense that if he or she want anything, let them come and ask and I will give them, we should hardly think such an one behaved like a brother. Christians are commanded to love as brethren, to look upon one another as brethren in Christ, and to treat one another as such.

Fourth, we should commend others for taking a method contrary to that which is proposed by the objector. If we should hear or read of a people who were so charitable, who took such care of the poor, and were so concerned that none among them should suffer, who were proper objects of charity; that they were wont diligently to inquire into the circumstances of their neighbors, to find out who were needy, and liberally supplied them of their own accord; I say, if we should hear or read of such a people, would it not appear well to us? Should not we have the better thought of that people, on that account?”

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) in Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced (1732) Section IV.

Happy Thanksgiving.

For readers in America, I pray you enjoy time to reflect on God’s blessings today and consider how you may bless others. For those around the world, join us in this even if you don’t have a holiday today.

And I must comment on behalf of “the person in need” from the reading above. Please read on.

Jenni and I aim to serve as conduits of blessing. God supplies what we need to enjoy and share richly. And sometimes, we experience hardship and get to be the recipients.

After our recent service in the Philippines, which for me was my tenth country in ten weeks, we both developed a cough. It seemed to be linked to going from dry Colorado to humid Philippines and back.

Anyway, my cough developed into bronchitis. I am recovering thanks to God’s grace and a visit to the doctor. Jenni’s cough however went to walking pneumonia and she’s still struggling. Pray for her.

Why share this?

With Sammy, Emily, and Eve off to Iowa and Sophie and Peter in New York this week, it would be a quiet week for us giving us time to recover. And listen to how God provided for us.

Since we’ve been sick, we’ve given no thought to preparing a festive meal. Yesterday, in God’s providence, a charitable friend who heard about our affliction left a box at the door.

It contained all the fixings for a perfect simply Thanksgiving dinner. I have a tear in my eye of gratitude to God as I type this.

Friends, don’t wait for people or ministries ask you for help. Whenever you have a hint or hear of a need, ask the Spirit how to best bless them and jump at the opportunity, giving sacrificially.

When you are kind to those in need, know that God will repay you abundantly. Go and do likewise knowing that sometimes you will get to give and sometime you will experience the miracle of receiving.

Again, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!