Mother Teresa: Support and Service

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 2 Corinthians 9:12

“One day an Australian man came and made a substantial donation. But as he did this he said, “This is something external. Now I want to give something of myself.” He now comes regularly to the house of the dying to shave the sick men and to converse with them. This man gives not only his money but also his time. He could have spent on himself, but what he wants is to give of himself.

I often ask for gifts that have nothing to do with money. There are so many other things one can give. What I desire is the presence of the giver, for him or her to touch those to whom they give, to smile at them, for him or her to pay attention to them. All of this is very meaningful for those people.

I urge people to join our work, for our profit and for the profit of everyone…I ask them to bring their love, to over the sacrifice of their hands… I think that a person who is attached to riches, who lives with the worry of riches, is actually very poor. If this person puts his or her money at the service of others, then he or she is rich, very rich.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 69-70.

The generosity in this story takes two forms: support and service. The Aussie gave a big financial gift and gave of himself. He helped shave the sick with humble service.

What might this look like at your church? You might give generously but also do tasks that others may not find popular or glamorous to help the gospel go out this Christmas season.

How about your community or region? What might it look like to support and serve there? And just imagine the impact of others getting involved with you.

Now think your global participation in God’s work. It could take shape as offering wisdom and expertise or providing a blanket of prayer and intercession along with sharing financial resources.

Why dream like this today? I am learning from John Stanley to shift from telling people what they “should” do to inviting them to wonder and imagine what can be.

I feel this approach positions the Spirit to guide us regarding specific applications that match our specific resources related to support and our giftedness and margin linked to service.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

“One day I was walking down the street in London, and I saw a tall, thin man sitting on the corner, all huddled up, looking most miserable. I went up to him, shook his hand, and asked how he was. He looked up at me and said, “Oh! After such a long, long time I feel the warmth of a human hand!” And he sat up.

There was such a beautiful smile on his face because somebody was kind to him. Just shaking his hand had made him feel like somebody. For me, he was Jesus in a distressing disguise. I gave him the feeling of being loved by somebody, the joy of being loved. Somebody loves us too — God Himself. We have been created to love and be loved.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 67-68.

As Advent begins, let’s resolved to show love in warm ways.

Around us, many represent “Jesus in a distressing disguise” and a helping hand often coupled with kind words or a prayer might make all the difference in their day.

Notice this scene happened in London, one of the most prominent cities in the world.

That tells us that even in seemingly wealthy or prosperous places, people may feel empty, lonely, hurting. Showing love is the gateway, as Teresa teaches us for helping them discover the love of God.

As disciples of Jesus, let’s be known for generous love this Advent.

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12

“One day, we picked up a man off the streeet who looked like a fairly well-to-do person. He was completely drunk. He couldn’t event stand up because he was so drink! We took him to our home. The sisters treated him with love, care, and kindness.

After a fortnight, he told the sisters, “Sisters, my heart is open. Through you I have come to realize that God loves me. I’ve felt His tender love for me. I want to go home.” And we helped him get ready to go home.

After a month, he cane back to our home and gave the sisters his first paycheck. He told the sisters, “Do to others what you have done to me.” And he walked away a different person. Love had brought him back to his family, to his children’s tenderness, to his wife’s understanding love.

Teach us how to love and how to have the courage to share.”

Mother Teresa (1910-1997) in In the Heart of the World, ed. by Becky Benenate (New York: Fine Communications, 1997) 61-62.

Ponder today’s post thinking about the drunk man. He was well off, but not thinking clearly. He could not stand the pressures of life. Know anyone like this?

I ask you to ponder because we may not literally pick up a drunk from the gutter. But we may know someone not thinking clearly and collapsing under the weight of the burdens of life.

It might be a neighbor, a loved one, a relative, or a friend. Now notice what transformed the man in the story. He received a generous dose of love, care, and kindness.

Love: it does not judge or condemn. Care: it supplies exactly what a person needs. Kindness: it does all this as a conduit of God’s grace with joy and a smile.

I did this mental exercise for a reason. Now I want you to think of someone in your life who showed you love, care, and kindness when you did not deserve it or when you were unable to stand.

Now think of charities that exist to serve the underserved, to lift up the poor and broken, to care for the forgotten. Have courage and give your next paycheck to them.

If you were in the gutter or in a bad place, would you want an army deployed to find you and lift you up. If so, do to others as you would have them do to you.

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.