William Malcolm MacGregor: Haunts

In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!” Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them. Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord. Acts 9:36-42

“A selfish man is never rich. His day is as long as his neighbor’s, yet he has no leisure except for his own amusements, no sympathy or concern beyond his own perplexities, no strength but to fight his own battles, and no money except for his own need; what haunts his mind at every turn is the dread of having too little for himself.”

William Malcolm MacGregor (1861-1944) in Jesus Christ Son of God as cited by David E. Garland in 2 Corinthians: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 29) (The New American Commentary) 411.

Imagine the burden people with wealth carry on themselves unnecessarily.

Many rationalize that a good steward stores up treasures for himself so as not to burden others. In so doing, they unnecessarily burden themselves.

Others report that they have no other choice by to store up treasures for themselves forgetting that God is their Provider.

Some say, “But I don’t want my kids to have to take care of me when I am old,” and so appear as selfish, independent parents who create selfish kids.

These are strong statements for sure, but they are true. Humans bring nothing into this world and take nothing out of it. How we use wealth in between shows where we place or misplace our trust.

God’s design for us includes compassionate caring, generous sharing, and interdependent living practiced in community.

And if not having enough brings you dread, let this reality sober you. Those who choose God’s design tend to die surrounded by those they served like Dorcas.

Those who choose the independent route tend to lack joy from the haunting and die alone like the rich fool. While they may have money, it is coupled with dread.

They have no leisure, no sympathy or concern, and no strength because they have chosen the path of scarcity and they reap the consequences.

One thing I love about the GTP board, staff, and regional facilitators. They exhibit radical obedience and rich generosity with all they are and all they have, like Dorcas.

What path will you take? One like Dorcas or like the rich fool? If the question haunts you, ask the Holy Spirit what steps you should take.

But godliness with contentment [αὐταρκείας] is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

“Paul also differs from the Cynics and Stoics in the use of αὐταρκείας in his assumption that self-sufficiency does come from one’s own earnest self-discipline. It is a gift of God. Therefore, self-sufficiency is a misnomer, since it is sufficiency that comes from God and not from the self.”

David E. Garland in 2 Corinthians: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 29) (The New American Commentary) 408.

I have not studied αὐταρκείας as much as brothers like Tim Macready who did his master’s thesis on the term, but today I learned something new and really hope you see it too.

The Cynics and Stoics taught that disciplined stewardship would result in self-sufficiency. For a price, these moral philosophers taught people “how to live.” On the surface, it sounds great. Yet, the fresh connection I made is that modern-day financial advisors proclaim the same message. But it’s not taking hold of life or experiencing godliness with αὐταρκείας. When we follow God’s design to enjoy and share God’s blessings we grasp it.

To put it another way, when our giving at all times and all occasions reveals that we have enough for every good work, we show that God is the source of our sufficiency, not our stockpiling. So, the fresh word is this. Don’t just live simply so you can build wealth. Live simply so you can give generously to show that our all-sufficient God sustains you.

Yesterday in Manila, pictured above, the GTP staff of ten convened for the first time ever and our board members arrive from around the world today for the start of the Global Gathering tomorrow. Pray for a fruitful week of meetings.

And I am praying that every person reading this takes hold of αὐταρκείας and lives as a conduit rather than a container of God’s material and spiritual blessings.

The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” Luke 3:9-11

“When God gives us resources, God gives us more than we need, not so that we can have more, but so that we can give more to others. God does not bestow material blessings so that one can hoard them for ourselves or withdraw from others but so that they might be shared with others. The whole purpose of the collection, therefore, is not to establish the independence of the Gentile Christians from the Jewish Christians in Jerusalem but to deepen their interdependence.”

David E. Garland in 2 Corinthians: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 29) (The New American Commentary) 408.

Just before I boarded the plane for Tokyo, I communicated that Q1 (July-August-September), giving to GTP was lagging at about $150,000 against budgeted expenses of $200,000. We had need.

I shared about open doors in Hong Kong, Malaysia, Bangladesh, Qatar, Pakistan, Ireland, Albania, Nepal, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Paraguay.

In response, a friend sent word that he would contribute $25,000 from assets he put into his donor advised fund.

He understands “the whole purpose” of the resources he possesses and shares generously. This had stock, put it into a fund to give, and released those funds upon hearing the need.

For the one who has two shirts, it could be a shirt. For the one who has two cars, it could be a car. For the one who has two buildings or parcel of land, it could be a building or a parcel of land. Why do I use this illustration?

I have been praying over the past year for God to move someone to share a physical asset with GTP. We set up the GTP Trust Fund to receive complex asset gifts, but we have not received anything beyond gifts of cash.

If you have something you want to share, let me know.

The GTP Trust Fund is not an endowment. All gifts will be invested and expended to ensure the perpetuity of the GTP purpose. Both the principal and interest will be administrated by and available to the GTP board to resource the ongoing work of GTP.

I am not the one to tell you what to do with what you have. I only want to remind you that the ax is at the root of the tree. I want you to remember “the whole purpose” of what you have. And I want to urge you to share what you have and see what God does in response to your obedience.

Thanks for your prayers. I have arrived safely in Manila.

Today with the GTP Training Team, I will facilitate Journey of Empowerment. I am so excited to do this because the people who have registered represent ministries and networks with whom they can replicate it.

Pray with me for receptive hearts. Thanks. And I am praying for you, right now, to grasp “the whole purpose” of what you have.

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 2 Corinthians 9:6

“For Paul, having all you need means having enough for every good work. Paul’s point is that “God will provide the means to be generous, that one can sow liberally (which means freely and cheerfully) in the confidence that God will bestow a liberal harvest. The more we give, the more we will be given by God to share with others. We may not have all the money that we wan, but we will have all the money we need to be abundant in our giving to others.”

David E. Garland in 2 Corinthians: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 29) (The New American Commentary) 408.

I have really appreciated Garland’s thoughts from his commentary the past few days. I hope you have too. Again today, he does not disappoint.

He reminds us that Paul would say that we will have enough for all the giving opportunities that God puts in our path. Think about that.

“The more we give, the more we will be given by God to share with others.” This is not prosperity gospel but generosity gospel.

Even as the grace we have received from God, came to us liberally, freely, and cheerfully, God wants our giving to flow like that. Does yours?

Recently GTP did work in Cayman Islands, Liberia, and Turkey. Reply if you want copies of our trip reports. And click here to give.

In Q1 (July-August-September), giving to GTP was about $150,000 against budgeted expenses of $200,000. As you are able, click here to make a gift today.

As I type this, Jenni and I will board our flight from Denver to Tokyo. It will post sometime on our journey. Thanks for your prayers for safe travel there and connecting to Manila.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

“In 9:8 the word, “having all you need” translates autarkeia, a word that Greek authors used to mean “self-sufficiency” or “contentment.” The Cynics and Stoics of Paul’s day understood self-sufficiency to be related “to freedom from external circumstances and other people.” In this tradition, one developed this self-sufficiency by disengaging oneself from human needs and from other humans. Paul does not use this term in a philosophical sense, but in an economic sense. Having enough does not simply mean reducing one’s craving for material goods and becoming independent from everyone. It means reducing what one wants for oneself so that one has enough to share with others and create an interdependence with them. Having what is sufficient helps Christians “to relate more effectively to other people, not to withdraw from them.”

David E. Garland in 2 Corinthians: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 29) (The New American Commentary) 408.

My mind goes to this verse after today’s reading.

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

When we live in light of the reality that God is able to care for our needs as we live, give, serve, and love generously, we find peace knowing that it is God and not money that meets the needs we see around us. And we discover self-sufficiency and contentment by our experience.

Jenni and I fly to Tokyo today en route to Manila, arriving tomorrow night. God supplied her ticket through a ministry she will serve by facilitating a retreat and doing other speaking and teaching.

He supplied for me to host the board, staff, and regional facilitators for the fifth annual GTP Global Gathering (our third in-person meeting), and the first time I will be in the same room with the ten total staff of GTP. I am also speaking at a conference then participating in a global forum. It will be a full trip. I will share more as it unfolds.

Pray for safe travel for us please. And give thanks to God today for His ability to resource all of us for caring and sharing. May we live interdependently and generously.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

“God is lavishly generous and abundantly supplies us with everything necessary to have enough for our own needs and to be generous with others. The phrase “all grace” is quite broad in scope, covering the material blessings and the spiritual motivation to share them. Most people become miserly in their giving because they worry that they will not have enough for themselves. Paul assures them that God will supply them with plenty for their needs at all times and uses alliterative repetition to carry his point: “All grace…so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every [all] good work.” Reluctance to sow generously, then, reflects a refusal to trust that God is all sufficient and all gracious. It also assumes that we can only give when we are prospering and have something extra that we will not need for ourselves. Paul says that at all times God provides us with all that we need so there is never any time when we cannot be generous.”

David E. Garland in 2 Corinthians: An Exegetical and Theological Exposition of Holy Scripture (Volume 29) (The New American Commentary) 407-408.

I was talking to a fellow steward this week who asked me how I was managing such a rigorous schedule of good work. In reply, I spoke of the grace of God abounding to me in the form of provision of strength and resources and the support of my wife. I could not do my job without those two pieces.

That said, I want to say how most everyone in the world mis-reads this verse above. They read “you” as singular. It’s Greek plural. Let me explain the significance. We need to work together to live out our generosity. Read the verse again with this emphasis.

And God is able to bless you [all] abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you [all] need, you [all] will abound in every good work. See the difference. It means all is there even more. It’s there three more times.

God’s grace is able to help Jenni and I abound at all times and all occasions. Sometimes that includes suffering situations or times of difficulty too. And the key to taste this is to abandon reluctance which merely reflect a lack of faith in our all sufficient and all gracious God.

If that sounds like too much today. Re-read the verse and add the extra “alls” in there and remind yourself of this. Why does God make this promise? Do you think He does it because He’s looking for stewards willing to live like they believe what He has said is true?

For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor[i] 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48

While this post is admittedly long, and though I have posted excerpts of it, when I found the oration in a book online, I decided to type it out post it as a resource for readers. It’s priceless and my last piece from Gregory of Nazianzus who helped polish the Nicene Creed in Hagia Irene, the room pictured above, exactly 1,642 years ago. Enjoy ‘On the Love of the Poor’.

“Recognize to whom you owe the fact that you exist, that you breathe, that you understand, that you are wise, and, above all, that you know God and hope for the kingdom of heaven and the vision of glory, now darkly and as in a mirror but then with greater fullness and purity. You have been made a child of God, a co-heir with Christ. Where did you get all this and from whom?

Now let me turn to what is of less importance: the visible world around us. What benefactor has enabled you to look out upon the beauty of the sky, the sun in its course, the circle of the moon, the countless number of stars, with the harmony and order that are theirs, like the music of a harp? Who has blessed you with rain, with the art of husbandry, with different kinds of food, with the arts, with houses, with laws, with states, with a life of humanity and culture, with friendship and the easy familiarity of kinship?

Who has given you dominion over animals, both those that are tame and those that provide you with food? Who has made you master of everything on earth? In short, who has endowed you with all that makes mankind superior to all other living creatures? Is it not God who asks you now in your turn to show yourself generous above all other creatures and for the sake of all other creatures? Because we have received from God so many wonderful gifts, will we not be ashamed to refuse him this one thing only, our generosity? Though He is God and Lord, He is not afraid to be known as our Father. Shall we for our part repudiate those who are our kith and kin?

Friends let us never allow ourselves to misuse what has been given by God’s gift. If we do, we shall hear St. Peter say: ‘Be ashamed of yourselves for holding on to what belongs to someone else. Resolve to imitate God’s justice, and no one will be poor,’ Let us not labor to heap up and hoard riches while others remain in need. If we do, the prophet Amos will speak out against us with sharp and threatening words: ‘Come now you that say: When will the new moon be over, so that we may start selling? When will sabbath be over, so that we may start opening our treasures?’

Let us put into practice the supreme and primary law of God. He sends down rain on the righteous and sinful alike and causes the sun to rise on all without distinction. To all earth’s creatures, he has given the broad earth, the springs, the rivers, and the forests. He has given the air to the birds, and the waters to those who live in water. He has given abundantly all the basic needs of life, not as a private possession, not restricted by law, not divided by boundaries, but as common to all, amply, and in rich measure. His gifts are not deficient in any way because He wanted to give equality of blessing to equality of worth and to show the abundance of His generosity.”

Gregory of Nazianzus from his oration ‘On the Love of the Poor’ in Celebrating the Seasons: Daily Spiritual Readings for the Christian Year, compiled by Robert Atwell (Norwich: Canterbury Press, 1999) Tuesday after Epiphany 1.

While his remarks are ancient, they seem totally relevant for our modern world. Read it again. What key words stand out to you?

This is my list: Recognize. Benefactor. Dominion. Endowed. Misuse. Repudiate. Ashamed. Resolve. Equality, Abundance. Generosity.

Now ask the Holy Spirit to help you center on one word, or perhaps a few that mark the message in this oration for you. I’ve got mine. You pick yours.

Now consider what action or actions you need to take in light of that word or phrase. God help this oration not fall on deaf ears. Amen.

Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. Luke 12:33

“Not one of this world’s blessings belongs to its owner securely enough to prevent time destroying it or envy transferring it elsewhere… Let us profit by them in the only good way we can, that is, let us gain possession of our souls by giving alms, and share our earthly goods with the poor so as to enrich ourselves with the wealth of heaven.”

Gregory of Nazianzus (329-391) as recounted in “The Catholic Storeroom.”

Again I am exploring the thinking of Gregory because he was in the room pictured above in the year 381 for the proceedings so I want his words to echo today.

How do we provide for ourselves purses in eternity? How do we enrich ourselves with the wealth of heaven? How do we secure resources so time neither destroys them nor envy transfer them elsewhere?

We share them. But you may ask, how do I do that in practical terms so that it does not take shape as a handout that creates dependency but serves as a hand up to build disciples?

Support ministries like GTP that empower national workers to build trust and grow local giving like we did this week in Istanbul. Listen to a summary of their retreat feedback from the trip report.

Sher (Nepal) – “I liked Handful of Rice and Palmful of Maize. I will share it with my church and spread it to the 6,000 churches I serve.”

Palmira (Angola) – “As God provides enough, I see that stewardship and standards are the keys to solving the problem of sustainability.”

Vazgen (Armenia) – “Stations of Generosity has great stories that inspire us to action.”

Pavel (Uzbekistan) – “We can be both receivers and givers. We need to make a transparent church that gives and receives to develop the culture of generosity.”

Ujjwal (Nepal) – “I plan to follow these 4 steps to multiply stewards: I do, you watch. I do, you help. You do, I help. You do, I watch.”

Adeel (Pakistan) – “I will try my very best to show that sharing is caring. To share is to care and let others see how God is caring for us.”

Talant (Kazakhstan) – “Generosity is about money and seeking God’s kingdom first.”

Vitali (Turkey/Bulgaria) – “Together with God we can do anything. Nothing is impossible.”

Shalom (Kenya) – “God is sending out an invitation to raise stewards that will bring His kingdom on earth. Will I join him in this?”

Right now we have opportunities to do program work to multiply stewards and mobilize peer accountability groups in Malaysia, Bangladesh, Qatar, Pakistan, Ireland, Albania, Nepal, and an invitation to Uzbekistan, but we lack the funds. Help send us. Give to GTP today and you will enrich yourself for eternity.

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings. Hosea 6:6

“Let us visit Christ wherever we may be. Let us care for Him, feed Him, clothe Him, welcome Him, honor Him – not only at a meal, as some have done, or by anointing Him, as Mary did, not only by lending him a tomb, like Joseph of Arimathea did, or by arranging for His burial, like Nicodemus, not only by giving Him gold, frankincense and myrrh, like the Magi did before all the others. The Lord of all asks for mercy and sacrifice, and mercy is greater… Let us then show Him mercy in the persons of the poor and those who today are lying on the ground, so that when we come to leave this world, we may be received into an everlasting dwelling place, by Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Gregory of Nazianzus (329-391) in Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches.

How we treat the poor has eternal implications.

A lot of people don’t realize that. How we treat those undeserving of our aid shows whether or not we understand the mercy that has been extended to each of us.

Our retreat has been an indescribable success in Istanbul.

Workers from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Armenia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Angola, Kenya, and Nepal want to collaborate to multiply stewards and set up peer accountability groups in their countries.

Want to help those in countries needing mercy?

Through this retreat in Turkey, GTP has identified country coordinators. Your gifts here help us translate resources and do program work to shape the future in these place.

Or in plain terms, your sacrifice shows mercy to those who need it.

Don’t close this email, please. Gregory says, “Visit Christ wherever He may be.” Don’t hold on to resources. Put them to work while you have time and opportunity to show mercy.

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Colossians 3:2-4

“Let us not esteem worldly prosperity or adversity as things real or of any moment, but let us live elsewhere, and raise all our attention to Heaven; esteeming sin as the only true evil, and nothing truly good, but virtue which unites us to God.”

Gregory of Nazianzus (329-391) in The Voice of the Saints: Counsels from the Saints to Bring Comfort and Guidance in Daily Living by Francis W. Johnston (Tan Books, 2003).

I am having a heavenly time with this group of influencers from Nepal, Pakistan, Angola, Kenya, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, Turkey, Armenia, and the Philippines.

Their receptivity coupled with their connectivity in their countries will open the door to program work in largely closed places. With invitations and visas we can collaborate.

And yesterday we went to the room pictured above, Hagia Irene (older than Hagia Sophia) where 152 servants of God edited the Nicene Creed which has shaped the Church ever since.

We read the creed together and talked about the impact of that small group and the impact each of us can have. They pathway for doing this is not to live elsewhere.

What about you? Are you settled comfortably in the world? What will happen when you realize your stay here is short? Does your use of money connect to the earthly or the eternal?