Jonathan Edwards: Calamity

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13

“Giving to the needy is like laying up against winter, or against a time of calamity. It is the best way of laying up for yourselves and for your children. Children in a time of need very often find their fathers’ bread, that bread which their fathers had cast upon the waters.

Psalm 37:25, “I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Why? What is the reason of it? It follows in the next verse, “He is ever merciful and lendeth, and his seed is blessed.”

Whether the time will ever come or not, that we or our children shall be in distressing want of bread; yet doubtless evil will be on the earth. We shall have our times of calamity, wherein we shall stand in great need of God’s pity and help, if not of that of our fellow creatures. And God hath promised that at such a time, he that hath been of a charitable spirit and practice, shall find help.

Psalm 41:1-4, “Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive, and he shall be blessed upon the earth; and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness.”

Such as have been merciful and liberal to others in their distress, God will not forget it, but will so order it, that they shall have help when they are in distress. Yea, their children shall reap the fruit of it in the day of trouble. God hath threatened uncharitable persons, that if ever they come to be in calamity and distress they shall be left helpless.”

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

Edwards continues to offer us timeless wisdom. Today, he repeatedly draws from the wisdom literature to alert us to the best way to prepare for calamity.

How? Simply hear and respond to the cries of those in need. Uncharitable persons will be left helpless but those who hear the cries of the poor will also be themselves heard.

Do you know any people or ministries in need? How might you help them with your time or resources? Edwards reminds us that those “of a charitable spirit and practice” will find help.

Father, help those who live, give, serve, and love generously. Restore their strength. Replenish their resources. Let the charitable spirits always find the help they need. Amen.

Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses. Proverbs 28:27

God hath threatened to follow with his curse those who are uncharitable to the poor…It is said, he that hideth his eyes, because this is the way of uncharitable men. They hide their eyes from seeing the wants of their neighbor. A charitable person, whose heart disposes him to bounty and liberality, will be quick-sighted to discern the needs of others. They will not be at any difficulty to find out who is in want. They will see objects enough of their charity, let them go whither they will.

But, on the contrary, he that is of a niggardly spirit, so that it goes against the grain to give anything, he will be always at a loss for objects of his charity. Such men excuse themselves with this, that they find not anyone to give to. They hide their eyes, and will not see their neighbor’s wants. If a particular object is presented, they will not very readily see his circumstances. They are a long while in being convinced that he is an object of charity. They hide their eyes. And it is not an easy thing to make them sensible of the necessities and distresses of their neighbor, or at least to convince them, that his necessities are such that they ought to give him any great matter.”

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

Today’s post calls for further self-assessment.

Think of behavior that could be labeled “quick-sighted” to notice the needs around us. Such a person might anticipate and give without direct knowledge of need.

This person says, “That young mom needs a helping hand.” Or “We should think of ways to help that new family who just moved into the neighborhood.”

Conversely, consider the one of “niggardly” spirit, who “excuse themselves” of any responsibility or opportunity to give. And don’t just picture Scrooge in this role.

It marks those who live self-absorbed, insulated lives. They are not “sensible of the necessities and distresses of their neighbor” because they don’t even know their neighbor’s name. This is me sometimes. Perhaps you too?

This post aims not to point fingers but to awaken sleepers. Don’t hide your eyes. Ask God to open them and show you people or ministries to support.

The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. Proverbs 22:9

“It is a remarkable evidence how little many men realize the things of religion, whatever they pretend; how little they realize that the Scripture is the Word of God, or if it be, that he speaks true; that notwithstanding all the promises made in the Scripture to bounty to the poor, yet they are so backward to this duty, and are so afraid to trust God with a little of their estates. Observation may confirm the same thing which the Word of God teaches on this head. God, in his providence, generally smiles upon and prospers those men who are of a liberal, charitable, bountiful spirit.”

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

Let’s lean into these biblical ideas, that God prospers those who are of a “liberal, charitable, and bountiful” spirit.

The word liberal points the measure of the giving. It suggests that it appears excessive or beyond expected amount. The term charitable implies grace. The abundance of our sharing appears as beyond what those around us deserve. And the descriptor bountiful relates to the term bounty. It takes shape as a blessed reward for behavior. So, think of bountiful as a person who living has gained them rich blessing.

Taken together, God smiles upon and prospers those whose bent leans toward sharing excessively and graciously as conduits of divine provision. Do these three terms reflect your generous spirit?

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

“It is easy with God to make up to men what they give in charity. Many but little consider how their prosperity or ill success in their outward affairs depends upon Providence. There are a thousand turns of Providence, to which their affairs are liable, whereby God may either add to their outward substance, or diminish from it, a great deal more than they are ordinarily called to give to their neighbors. How easy is it with God to diminish what they possess by sickness in their families, by drought, or frost, or mildew, or vermin; by unfortunate accidents, by entanglements in their affairs, or disappointments in their business! And how easy is it with God to increase their substance, by suitable seasons, or by health and strength; by giving them fair opportunities for promoting their interest in their dealings with men; by conducting them in his providence, so that they attain their designs; and by innumerable other ways which might be mentioned! How often is it, that only one act of providence in a man’s affairs either adds to his estate, or diminishes from it, more than he would need to give to the poor in a whole year.”

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

Jenni and I have chosen to rest this weekend at her parent’s place. We put some of those frequent flyer miles to work.

That’s the purpose of the resources we steward. To use them for enjoyment or sharing. Imagine how silly it would be to die with frequent flyer miles. Can’t take those to heaven.

But think about it. Most people live like they can control the host of factors surrounding their stewardship. This post reflects how little control we have.

The “thousand turns” of Providence can remove or replenish a steward’s resources in a heartbeat. Our role is to use them rightly the moment we possess them.

Some who read this have amassed wealth on earth. They say they need it to live the next 30 years. But, as my friend Michael Blue says, what about the next 30 million years?

Use what you have for giving, living, serving, and loving. God will, in one turn or a thousand, refill your cup and coffer. That’s what I am asking Him to do to mine right now.

He will. He is faithful. He can do it.

But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, “Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.” Luke 14:13-15

“Men, when they have laid up their money in their chests, do not suppose that they have thrown it away. But, on the contrary, that it is laid up safe. Much less is treasure thrown away, when it is laid up in heaven. What is laid up there is much safer than what is laid up in chests or cabinets. You cannot lay up treasure on earth, but that it is liable to be stolen, or otherwise to fail. But there no thief approaches nor moth corrupts. It is committed to God’s care, and he will keep it safely for you. And when you die, you shall receive it with infinite increase. Instead of a part of your earthly substance thus bestowed, you shall receive heavenly riches, on which you may live in the greatest fullness, honor, and happiness, to all eternity; and shall never be in want of anything. After feeding with some of your bread those who cannot recompense you, you shall be rewarded at the resurrection, and eat bread in the kingdom of God.

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

Jenni and I flew to California for the weekend to spend time with her parents.

Surely, we will eat bread and more with John and Wilma Pickrell, who have spent their lives as followers of Jesus and active in their local church. They’ve made it to point to make space at their table for people.

Do we? Do we make space at our tables for those society labels as outcasts?

I had another friend call me recently. He’s had hard times and was not looking forward to the upcoming holiday season. Why? He will likely spend it alone.

Immediately I made plans to be with him on his birthday. It falls between American Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Do you know anyone who may be lonely that you could invite to your table? Can you include more charities in your giving this year rather than increasing your spending at year end?

Do this and find blessing this season and consider the reward in heaven as an added bonus.

Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back. Divide your means seven ways, or even eight, for you do not know what disaster may happen on earth. Ecclesiastes 11:1-2

“Many persons are ready to look upon what is bestowed for charitable uses as lost. But we ought not to look upon it as lost, because it benefits those whom we ought to love as ourselves. And not only so, but it is not lost to us, if we give any credit to the Scriptures.

See the advice that Solomon gives in Ecclesiastes 11:1…By casting our bread upon the waters, Solomon means giving it to the poor, as appears by the next words, “Give a portion to seven, and also to eight.” Waters are sometimes put for people and multitudes.

What strange advice would this seem to many, to cast their bread upon the waters, which would seem to them like throwing it away! What more direct method to lose our bread, than to go and throw it into the sea? But the wise man tells us, No, it is not lost; you shall find it again after many days. It is not sunk, but you commit it to Providence.

You commit it to the winds and waves. However it will come about to you, and you shall find it again after many days. Though it should be many days first, yet you shall find it at last, at a time when you most need it. He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord. And God is not one of those who will not pay again what is lent to him…God will not only pay you again, but he will pay you with great increase.”

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

When I was in the Philippines, I visited a home which had a large fountain with fish in the pond. When I walked near, the fish surfaced seeking food.

I thought, “They are waiting for me to cast my bread upon the water.” They wanted me to feed them. Notice the parallel here.

When we cast what we have on those in need, plenty will return to us. It requires faith. And those who commit what they have to Providence find gain.

They discover that through the many they have served God supplies more than what they need, when they need it. What better plan for our resources.

Cast your bread upon those who surface before you, like the fish I was looking at. See what happens. Give it time. And report back.

And remember GTP in your giving. God’s opened remarkably doors to serve persecuted and underserved Christians worldwide.

In response, we launched the 100 Countries Campaign. We pray God raises up country coordinators for 100 countries. We have 35 so far.

And we are asking God for financial support from 100 countries. Last year we had gifts come from 53 countries.

To respond to demand we pray everyone steps up and entrusts what they have to Providence, casting their bread on those in need.

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

“Consider what abundant encouragement the Word of God gives, that you shall be no losers by your charity and bounty to them who are in want. As there is scarce any duty prescribed in the Word of God, which is so much insisted on as this; so there is scarce any to which there are so many promises of reward made. This virtue especially hath the promises of this life and that which is to come. If we believe the Scriptures, when a man charitably gives to his neighbor in want, the giver has the greatest advantage by it, even greater than the receiver.”

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

Scripture speaks clearly about the paradox of generosity. And we only figure it out as we it out. We don’t become losers by our charity but winners. We don’t end up empty, but rather enriched.

Edwards emphasizes here an important nuance of this point. God’s Word gives us “abundant encouragement” to live this way. He adds that there is “scarce any duty” as insisted as giving.

Why? It’s for our good and God’s glory. It offers promises in this life and the life to come. And it reaps more benefits to the giver than the receiver.

Regardless of where you find yourself today, as you approach this calendar year end, stretch your giving to a level of sacrifice and report back to me what happens.

I predict that the only losers will be those who fail to try.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

“Consider that there is an absolute necessity of our complying with the difficult duties of religion. To give to the poor in the manner and measure that the gospel prescribes is a difficult duty, i.e. it is very contrary to corrupt nature, to that covetousness and selfishness of which there is so much in the wicked heart of man. Man is naturally governed only by a principle of self-love. And it is a difficult thing to corrupt nature, for men to deny themselves of their present interest, trusting in God to make it up to them hereafter.

But how often hath Christ told us the necessity of doing difficult duties of religion, if we will be his disciples; that we must sell all, take up our cross daily, deny ourselves, renounce our worldly profits and interests, etc. And if this duty seem hard and difficult to you, let not that be an objection with you against doing it. For you have taken up quite a wrong notion of things if you expect to go to heaven without performing difficult duties; if you expect any other than to find the way to life a narrow way.”

Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) in Christian Charity or The Duty of Charity to the Poor, Explained and Enforced (1732) section III.3.

The biggest thing I have learned about the difficult duties of the Christian life, is that they aim not to take away from us but release us from what seems like good things so we can grasp better things.

But we don’t figure it out until we live it out.

Edwards nails it when he states that our nature leans toward covetousness, selfishness, and wickedness. It does. This leads us to trust ourselves and focus on worldly interests.

So, what’s the lesson today for those who want to grow in generosity?

If there is a difficult duty in the Christian life or a step God is calling you to take to trust Him, then ask God to help you in your unbelief. Then take the step relying on Him and see what happens.

Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out and not be answered. Proverbs 21:13

“God tells us, that he shall look upon what is done in charity to our neighbors in want, as done unto Him; and what is denied unto them, as denied unto Him. Pro. 19:17, “He that hath pity on the poor lendeth to the Lord.” God hath been pleased to make our needy neighbors his receivers. He in His infinite mercy hath so interested himself in their case, that he looks upon what is given in charity to them, as given to Himself. And when we deny them what their circumstances require of us, he looks upon it that we therein rob Him of His right.

Christ teaches us, that we are to look upon our fellow Christians in this case as Himself, and that our giving or withholding from them, shall be taken, as if we so behaved ourselves towards Him; see Mat. 25:40. There Christ says to the righteous on his right hand, who had supplied the wants of the needy, “In that ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” In like manner He says to the wicked who had not shown mercy to the poor, verse 45, “Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these, ye did it not to Me.” — Now what stronger enforcement of this duty can be conceived, or is possible, than this, that Jesus Christ looks upon our kind and bountiful, or unkind and uncharitable, treatment of our needy neighbors, as such a treatment of Himself?”

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

These thoughts on Christian charity move me. We don’t hear such strong language often, though all he does is recite what the Word teaches us.

Consider the implications of our treatment of the poor. Proverbs notes plainly that if we ignore their cries for help, our cries will be ignored. That’s significant.

Moreover, Jesus looks on our treatment of those in need as if we do it to Him. Sit with the Lord. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you in your treatment of those in need as if you serve Christ himself.

Jesus told His disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ Luke 16:1-2

“Your money and your goods are not your own. They are only committed to you as stewards, to be used for him who committed them to you. 1 Pet. 4:9, 10, “Use hospitality one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” A steward has no business with his master’s goods, to use them any otherwise than for the benefit of his master and his family, or according to his master’s direction. He hath no business to use them, as if he were the proprietor of them. He hath nothing to do with them, only as he is to use them for his master. He is to give everyone of his master’s family their portion of meat in due season.

But if instead of that, he hoards up his master’s goods for himself, and withholds them from those of the household, so that some of the family are pinched for want of food and clothing. He is therein guilty of robbing his master and embezzling his substance. And would any householder endure such a steward? If he discovered him in such a practice, would he not take his goods out of his hands, and commit them to the care of some other steward, who should give everyone of his family his portion of meat in due season? Remember that all of us must give account of our stewardship, and how we have disposed of those goods which our Master has put into our hands. And if when our Master comes to reckon with us, it be found that we have denied some of his family their proper provision, while we have hoarded up for ourselves, as if we had been the proprietors of our Master’s goods, what account shall we give of this?”

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

A dear friend passed away whilst I was in the Philippines, Hugh Fowler. I knew him as the patriarch of our Tuesday morning Bible study. Others knew him as father, grandfather, great grandfather, or senator.

He loved Jesus deeply and was a faithful and generous manager of God’s resources. When I read this post with its deep and pressing words, it moved me to think of Hugh, who has just given account for his stewardship.

I am confident he heard the words, “Well done!” but the question is, will you?

The other place my mind went this morning was the manna story of the Old Testament. God provided enough for each person. Those who tried to hoard for future days had it all turn to maggots.

The word for today’s post is account. Whatever path we choose with the master resources, we will have to give an account for our stewardship. For years I rationalized my disobedience as good stewardship.

Don’t let it happen to you. Put them in play. Map a plan to give generously this year end.