The flow of generostiy

Over the years I have read and listened to debates about the how we go about helping people with our treasure, talents and time. Most of the discussions are focused on giving money to people standing on the street corner. There also discussions about who are more generous: the poor or the wealthy. Ken Stern argues that the poor almost three times as generous as the wealthy. St. Paul congratulated the poor followers of Jesus in Macedonia for their generosity:

“And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:1-2).

Notice that generosity of spirit and the pocket book is a spiritual fruit of experiencing God’s generosity. If you believe that your wealth is only the product of your hard work and intelligence; then you know that your wealth is limited to your capacity to create it. Finite beings cannot create infinite wealth. If you believe that your bank account and assets are gifts from an Infinite Being, you know that you can never out give the Giver. St. Paul reinforces this thought with these words:

“And they exceeded our expectations: They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God also to us” (2 Corinthians 8:5).

The Macedonian followers of Jesus realized they needed to give their very lives to the Creator who gave them the gift of their breath. If you are your own creator, you have to hold onto your life. It is all you have. When you understand that life flows from a Divine source, you know the One who gives life will sustain and keep you. Generosity flows from an abundant heart when life comes from an Abundant Giver.

Ronald Friesen © 2015

The road to transformation

How do we react when someone catches us in a mistake? Defensive? Who me? Angry? You don’t know what you are talking about? If we are caught in a moral failure, well we don’t call it a moral failure, we call it a peccadillo. David Brooks in his book, The Road to Character, reminds that we need to rediscover the word, sin. Brooks observes, “Today, the word ‘sin’ has lost its power and awesome intensity. It’s used most frequently in the context of fattening desserts” (p. 53). If we are going to rebuild virtue, we need know that we are part of the “crooked timber” of humanity. The way to rebuilding virtue is to travel the road of confession and repentance. St. Paul said it this way,

“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death” (2 Corinthians 7:10)

When confronted by our human failing, by our sin, instead of wishing we had not been caught, we need to acknowledge our deeds and to seek redress. This is what St. Paul means “godly sorrow.” Frank admission of our moral failings opens the door to moral reformation and the growth of character our world needs.

Ronald Friesen © 2015

Bless me?

It strikes me that many American Christians think they are exempt from any kinds of struggles and afflictions. In many churches people hear messages about how they deserve to be blessed and free of troubles. It is true there are verses in the Bible that do say that those who follow God will experience blessing. However, there are many other verses that describe the challenges faced by those who follow God. Here St. Paul talks about his experience as a follower of God:

“Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;...” (2 Corinthians 6:4)

As I worship with refugees every Sunday, I am reminded that many of my fellow believers in Jesus Christ around the world do not have easy lives. We sit in an air conditioned room on comfortable chairs; in Africa they would be sitting on wooden planks under a tin room or on the ground under a tree. We worship in freedom; in China we would be sitting in fear that we would be found and imprisoned.

Yes, there are blessings for following Jesus; but, the blessings come to those who understand that suffering is part of journey:

“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him”( James 1:12).

Ronald Friesen © 2015