The Eye Of A Needle

The Eye of a Needle Rock Formation, Sylvan Lake, South Dakota

'What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?' 1 Corinthians 4:7 (NLT)

'But who am I and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!' 1 Chronicles 29:14

He was a young entrepreneur, a self-made billionaire, a very confident upstart. On hearing of a preacher of the same age attracting crowds in his home town, the rich young man approached Jesus, with some audacity, to ask whether he would qualify for eternal life. Firstly, Jesus told this man to keep the commandments, to which the smug gentleman proclaimed that he had kept all the commandments and almost boasted then what more was needed. Then, Jesus went for the weak spot, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come follow me."

This encounter was recorded for us in Matthew 19:16-24. It did not have a happy ending for the young man rejected the chance of a life-time to follow Jesus and  went away sad because he had great wealth. Bishop Solomon in his book 'Practical Christianity' concluded, "He was, unfortunately, a prisoner of his wealth and his greed that lay behind its accumulation."

The Eye of a Needle Gate

Referring to the Needle's Eye or  the smaller doorway of a Riad, the rest station of the caravans that prevents camels and other animals from entering, Jesus said

'I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I'll say it again - it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!' Matthew 19:23-24 (NLT)

This young and rich man had a choice to make, God or Money and he chose money. He could not afford to part with his money so he parted with God.

To be sure not all wealthy people are like that young man. Many are very good people who are very humanitarian in nature. Many are philanthropists, very generous with their wealth, giving to the poor, supporting missions and social concerns projects. But wealth has its downsides, although many will not admit it.

Why did the rich young ruler walk away? Why can't the wealthy part with their money? The problem was not wealth per se but the insatiable accumulation of money and possessions leading to avarice, greed and selfishness. The Apostle James wrote of this, rather forcefully, in his epistle, James 5:1-6 

Money corrupts:

• The Encumbrance. The rich young man not only wanted to get to heaven but he also wanted to bring along all his hoarding and riches with him. He wanted to secure his future not only spiritually but materialistically. That hoard weighed him down, encumbered him and he is trapped, never free, 

'You have hoarded wealth in the last days' James 5:3b 

• The Excessive Greed. Despite the hoarding and accumulation of money, it is never enough. The Bishop Robert Solomon commented, 'Such greed can never satisfy. Like drinking sea water when one is dying of thirst, it will only make matters worse and finally destroy the greedy.' 

'You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves for the days of slaughter.' James 5:5 

• The Exploitation. The hoarding and greed for money can create in the wealthy, an insensitivity for the needs of others, an antipathy to the poor. Apostle James said that there is exploitation of workers by the wealthy, robbing them of just wages.

'Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your field are crying out against you.' James 5:4    

How do we deal with the problem of money? Jesus told the rich young man to sell all his goods and give to the poor. Jesus was saying that the wealthy should empathize with the poor and needy, to share their wealth. The wealthy is expected to give generously, Jesus is making a case for Radical Generosity, not just a trifle giving. Why?

• Our money belongs to God. Timothy Keller stated 'While secular individualism says that your money belongs to you, and socialism says your money belongs to the State, the Bible says that all your money belongs to God, who then entrusts it to you.' 

'Everything comes from You and we have given You only what comes from Your hand.' 1 Chronicles 29:14b

 

 'What do you have that God hasn't given to you. And if everything you have come from God, why boast as though it were not a gift.' 1 Corinthians 4:7b (NLT)

• Our money does not last. We may think money and possessions bring honour, prestige and fame. But these things are merely temporal, they do not have everlasting value. These material and lavish things cannot guarantee our future. Jesus said

'Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal.' Matthew 6:19 (NLT)

• Our money should be generously donated. The type of giving amounting to Radical Generosity is described in two verses of the Bible

'One person gives freely and gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.' Proverbs 11:24 (NLT)

'They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor.' Psalms 112:9a (NLT)

In the Hebrew text, the meaning and nuances of the type of giving found in these two verses describe Radical Generosity. We are used to understand Biblical giving as Tithes, Offerings and Sacrifices. But the meaning in the above verses convey an exuberance, excessive, lavish almost wanton way of giving, a fourth type -  Shock Giving.

In amount the giving here is described as shocking, unbelievably large. In attitude the giving here is described as throwing it away; giving and forgetting that one had given. Once given, there is no need to control the use of the gift. It described the way the Jewish farmers would sow their crops, scattering liberally, extensively and freely on the ground.

'The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and who ever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must decide in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.' 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 (ESV)

So give cheerfully, after all that money you give away really belongs to God. There is a hymn often sung after during the offering in church, 'We Give Thee But Thine Own.' 

We give Thee but Thine own,

Whate'er the gift may be;

All that we have is Thine alone,

A trust, O Lord, from Thee.

May we Thy bounties thus

As stewards true receive,

And gladly, as Thou blessest us,

To Thee our firstfruits give.

O hearts are bruised and dead,

And homes are bare and cold,

And lambs for whom the Shepherd bled

Are straying from the fold.

To comfort and to bless,

To find a balm for woe,

To tend the lone and fatherless

Is angels' work below.

The captive to release,

To God the lost to bring,

To teach the way of life and peace-

It is a Christ-like thing.

And we believe Thy Word,

Though dim our faith may be;

Whate'er for Thine we do, O Lord,

We do it unto Thee.

Lionel  

Ref 1: Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon. Practical Christianity Chap 12: A Warning to the Wealthy. Cru Asia Ltd, IMprint Edition, 2022 

Ref 2: Tim Keller on Justice in the Bible

https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/justice-in-the-bible/

God's Lively People

 

Intergenerational Activities at MWS-Charis ACE

'Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. The one who falls alone is in real trouble' Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)

When my late father was alive, on the first day of every Chinese New Year we celebrated two birthdays, his and my grandson, James. They were both born on first day of the New Year which means that at every CNY we will be celebrating their Chinese birthdays. Such birthday celebrations are a big deal to our extended family, altogether 43 of us spanning three generations. We count it very fortunate that we are a close knit family and will find reasons, ever so often, to be together. 

Such extended family gatherings are becoming a rarity in modern urban societies. Today, many families are separated, fiercely independent more nuclear than extended. The old people in these families become secluded in their small apartments in empty nests as the children leave home to establish their own nuclear families.  This world has lost its sense of community. The ‘kampong’ (village) spirit is long gone. In its place is a selfish, ego-centric individualistic modern reality; the old left alone at home.

The song by Ralph McTell, 'The Streets of London' describes a pathetic loneliness amongst the old, that exists in our crowded cities. There is a very tragic line in the song, 'The rain cries little pity for one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn’t care.'

Have you seen the old man

In the closed down market

Kicking up the papers

With his worn out shoes?

In his eyes, you see no pride

Hand held loosely at his side

Yesterday's paper

Telling yesterday's news

So, how can you tell me you're lonely

And say for you that the sun don't shine?

Let me take you by the hand

And lead you through the streets of London

Show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old girl

Who walks the streets of London

Dirt in her hair

And her clothes in rags?

She's no time for talking

She just keeps right on walking

Carrying her home

In two carrier bags

So, how can you tell me you're lonely

And say for you that the sun don't shine?

Let me take you by the hand

And lead you through the streets of London

Show you something to make you change your mind

In the all night cafe

At a quarter past eleven

Same old man

Sitting there on his own

Looking at the world

Over the rim of his tea cup

Each tea lasts an hour

And he wanders home alone

So, how can you tell me you're lonely?

Don't say for you that the sun don't shine

Let me take you by the hand

And lead you through the streets of London

Show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old man

Outside the seaman's mission

Memory fading with

The medal ribbons that he wears?

In our winter city

The rain cries a little pity

For one more forgotten hero

And a world that doesn't care

So, how can you tell me you're lonely

And say for you that the sun don't shine?

Let me take you by the hand

And lead you through the streets of London

I'll show you something to make you change your mind

Erich Fromme in his book “The Sane Society” wrote, “There is not much love to be found in the world of today. There is a superficial friendliness that rather conceals a distance and indifference, a subtle mistrust.” Psychologist Karen Horney wrote, “The average individual today, even when they have many contacts with others and are happily married nevertheless feel comparatively emotionally isolated. They are hungering for a great deal of affection and yet find great difficulty in obtaining it.”

Can the church fill this gap? Is there a Christian community spirit today? 

Some years ago my church the Charis Methodist Church started a Activity Centre for Elders together with the Methodist Welfare Society, MWS-Charis ACE. At a neighbourhood of high rise apartments, we established this centre on the ground floor of one of the blocks. We had three objectives in 3 phases:

• Phase 1: Growing Old Gracefully. We invited the elderly in the community to join us at our centre and participate in the activities organised from 9 a.m to 5 p.m, Mondays thru Fridays. Until then they were mostly alone in their apartments whilst their children are out working and the grandchildren in school. Today we have about 200 members with different 80 members attending the centre daily. They are interacting with each other, exercising, playing board games, singing Karaoke, playing Ukelele, having happy hours celebrating their birthdays. Excursions to various attractions and shopping centres are organised. 

• Phase 2: Growing Old Healthily. The staff from the local hospitals and the Healthy Promotion Board gave lectures on health issues of the elderly. They started to monitor their blood pressures and weight. Everyone is given a annual health screening. Supervised exercise classes are held three mornings a week. A nurse will visit the centre for consultations if required. Each member takes personal responsibility over personal health

• Phase 3: Growing Old, Reaching Out. Under supervision by the Health agency, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), the centre started reaching out to elderly sick who may be less mobile. Staff and members are trained in Health Befriender Programmes and given a list of elderly people in the neighbourhood to visit and inquire into their health issues. This phase attempts to empower the capable elders to reach out to their neighbours by telephone communications or home visits

This engagement is how love and community is expressed by the church written in the Bible as Koinonia. As we worship God in a vertical relationship, we also establish fellowship with others in a horizontal relationships. We can then face future challenges undaunted, the elderly will grow old together gracefully as:

A Sharing People

Firstly, Koinonia describes a people whose relationships with one another are so deep that they share many things in common. It embraces the concept of joint participation, sharing together, caring of one another. The Bible describes this phenomenon like a living body with all the different parts gelled in unity.

A Generous People
Secondly, Koinonia means a generous community. It is interesting that the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians used the same word for the offering he was raising from the Greek churches in aid of their fellow Christians in impoverished Judea. The church is a fellowship of people who exhibit the principle of generosity. We should give freely as we see the needs of others within and without the church.

A Engaged People
Thirdly Koinonia carries the principle of Engagement; of Total Commitment. We are not afraid to live lives of interdependence with one another. Engagement goes beyond just church members or Christians but to the community and society at large. We are true neighbours, brothers and sisters. We are comrades, sharing our joys and pains. We are united by common experiences, interests and goals. We are God’s Lively People

The Bible states 

'And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.' Hebrews 10:24-25

The apostle Peter wrote, 

“Love each other deeply, because love will cause many sins to be forgiven. Open your homes to each other, without complaining. Each of you has a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.” 1 Pet 4:8-10.

That main objective of the Methodist Welfare Society - Charis Methodist Church Activity Centre for Elders is to 'Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand.'

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand

Make this world a better place

If you can

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand

Make this world a better place

If you can

Take a little time out your busy day

To give encouragement

To someone who's lost the way (Just try)

Or would I be talking to a stone

If I asked you

To share a problem that's not your own (Oh no)

We can change things if we start giving

Why don't you

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand

Make this world a better place

If you can

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand

Make this world a better place

If you can

If you see an old friend on the street

And he's down

Remember his shoes could fit your feet (Just try)

Try a little kindness and you'll see

It's something that comes

Very naturally (Oh yeah)

We can change things if we start giving

Why don't you (Why don't you)

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand

Reach out and touch (reach out)

Somebody's hand

Make this world a better place

If you can

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand (touch somebody's hand)

Make this world a better place

If you can (why don't you)

Reach out and touch

Somebody's hand (somebody's hand)

Make this world a better place

If you can

Lionel

Justice and Righteousness - Never-Ending Streams

 

Lady Justice, Singapore Supreme Court

'Let justice roll on like a river and righteousness like a never failing stream!' Amos 5:24

We tend to make a display of our piety, paying so much attention to ceremonies, rituals, praises and worships. Our temple worships can be like Chinese Opera with clanging symbols and beating of drums. Our church worship can be like Taylor Swift Concerts with electric guitars, electronic keyboards and electric drums. There is no denying that when we worship God together we want to put in our best efforts. However this show of religiosity can be very insincere, and if so it is repugnant to God who used the strongest words through the Prophet Amos.

'I hate, I despise  your religious festivals; you assemblies are a stench to me. Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them. Though you bring choice fellowship offerings, I will have no regard form them. Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen listen to the music of your harps.' Amos 5:21-23

We may wonder why this litany of pronouncements against false, insincere and showy worship. The Lord prefers His people to 'walk the talk' with sincere justice and righteousness marking their daily living.

'But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream' Amos 5:24

The Hebrew word for justice is Mishpat. The meaning goes beyond just rightness or wrongness, nor punishment of wrongdoing. It also means to treat others with equity, giving people what they are due.

Timothy Keller in his essay on Justice in the Bible (Ref 1) noted, "Biblical justice is not a set of bullet points or a set of rules and guidelines. It is rooted in the very character of God and it is the outworking of that character, which is never less than just." One attribute of the Triune God, noted Keller,  is the immaculate equity and justness in all His dealings with man at all times and in all ways.

Tim Keller wrote, "One principle of biblical justice is universal equality which means that every person should be treated by the same standards and the same respect regardless of class, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender or of any other social category." 

'You shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbour.' Leviticus 19:15

The Hebrew word for righteousness is Tzadegah means being upright, as in someone who is straight in his dealings with God and others. Timothy Keller in a short article on Biblical righteousness (Ref 2) noted that it is not just about private morality; it is not personal but inevitably social. Tim Keller noted that Tzadegah refers to day by day living in which a person conducts all his relationships in family and society with fairness, generosity and equity.'

When the Prophet Amos wrote, "Let justice roll like a river and righteousness like a never failing stream" he was referring not about personal nor corporate piety but personal and corporate conduct, the way we treat others. 

Both Micah 6 and Amos 5 told us not to be preoccupied by the practices or rituals of our faith but to put the faith that we have to right practices. The practical expressions of our belief in and love for God should be lived out naturally, abundantly and evidently, like never-ending streams.

The hymn 'Brother, Sister, Let Me Serve' is the Christian call to selfless service and community. We have the chance to show justice, kindness, righteousness and humility in walking alongside others and bearing one another's joys and sorrows. God will be pleased if we learn to treat each other with justice and righteousness.

'To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.' Proverbs 21:3

 

Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You.

Let Me Be As Christ To You;

Pray That I May Have The Grace To

Let You Be My Servant Too.

Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You.

Let Me Be As Christ To You;

Pray That I May Have The Grace To

Let You Be My Servant Too.

We Are Pilgrims On A Journey,

And Companions On The Road;

We Are Here To Help Each Other

Walk The Mile And Bear The Load.

I Will Hold The Christ-Light For You

In The Night-Time Of Your Fear;

I Will Hold My Hand Out To You,

Speak The Peace You Long To Hear.

I Will Weep When You Are Weeping;

When You Laugh I’ll Laugh With You;

I Will Share Your Joy And Sorrow

Till We’ve Seen This Journey Through.

When We Sing To God In Heaven

We Shall Find Such Harmony,

Born Of All We’ve Known Together

Of Christ’s Love And Agony.

Brother, Sister Let Me Serve You.

Let Me Be As Christ To You;

Pray That I May Have The Grace To

Let You Be My Servant Too.

Lionel

Ref 1: Timothy Keller: https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/justice-in-the-bible/

Ref 2: Timothy Keller: https://generositymonk.com/2016/09/14/tim-keller-biblical-righteousness-exhibits-generosity/

Who Am I? God's Vision of Humanity

Vitruvian Man

'Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our own image, in our own likeness so that they may rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created mankind in His own image, in the image of God He created them, male and female He created them.' Genesis 1:26 -27 

The Vitruvian Man is a drawing by Leonardo Da Vinci dated 1490. He wanted to draw a man with perfect proportions and placed the naked figure with arms and and legs outstretched inscribed within both a circle and a square. He was inspired by the notion of the ideal human figure first conceptualised by the Roman architect, Vitruvius.

The Renaissance artists, Raphael, Leonardo, Botticelli, Da Vinci and others, in their paintings and sculptures, contrived to depict men and women as beautiful, perfect human beings. That inspiration produced many works of art; these monumental representations of the creative Italian Renaissance and its celebration of man. 

These artists were influenced by the popular philosophy of their day, which promoted the primacy of Man. That philosophy gave rise to Humanism, a belief that placed man at the centre of the universe. Humanism is a secular view of life that affirms that we humans have the right, responsibility to give shape and meaning to life outside of any notion and influence of God. It is wholly man-centred and sought to define man and the universe from human discovery, knowledge and science instead of revelation from supernatural sources.

It gave birth to the idea of the Renaissance Man, a thinker, who has grappled with the questions Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? and who rests in thinking that humans have the answers to these questions outside of God. 

The 2023 Keswick Convention addressed these same questions. In stark contrast to humanism the take home message of this year's Keswick teaching is quite the opposite, 'Don't forge your own identity. Discover what God has in store for you.' 

The Convention elaborated on the doctrine Imago Dei, found on the first page of the Bible. God declared, "Let us make mankind in our own image in our likeness." From creation God made His vision and purpose for humankind, absolutely clear. The Convention explored what it means to be created in God's image, how it is to be lived out, how this truth is being challenged and how this sin-marred image is renewed in Jesus Christ.

Three core truths were iterated by Rev Jeremy McQuoid, the current chair of Keswick Ministries, in the message entitled, 'Image Bearers.' 

• God created us with dignity. The creation of mankind is treated differently from the rest of creation. Mankind was created at the apex of all creation on the sixth day, after God created all physical elements, nature and all living things. The narrative in Genesis 1 changes from the third person to the first person 'Let us' and in the plural, referring to the Holy Trinity at creation. This is the value God places on the creation of man and woman  

'Let us make mankind in our own image in our likeness.' Genesis 1:26a

• God gave us Authority. God told man to subdue the earth. We are to explore, discover and exploit it but as caretakers, not destroyers of the earth. We have a mandate to look after the earth. 

'God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the  fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and every living creature that moves on the ground."

• God destined us for Glory. Creation was very good when God made it. Even though it is marred by the fall there is still much beauty in creation, so much of its original glory for us to enjoy. In the mandate to caretake the earth, God gave us the privilege of looking after this marvellous creation. After this, we can look forward to a glorious new heaven and new earth. 

'God saw all that He had made, and it was very good.' Genesis 1:31

This is God's plan, His grand design and it is very good. So why would the humanist think otherwise? In defining what it takes to be a man, the humanist preferred to leave God out of the picture. They fall into a trap as old as the hills, the trap of the original sin, the trap to be like God,

"You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." Genesis 3:4-5

When man disregard God and think the world of ourselves, there is no more standards, no more restrictions. St Paul said that there is no fear of God in their eyes. This accounts for man's loss of his humanity and dignity,

'All have turned away, they have altogether become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of God before their eyes.' Romans 3:10-18

This is the outcome when we try to establish our own identity such as the humanist try to do, it will lead to confusion, chaos even evil. 

What does it mean to be a human being? In God's vision we are made in the 'In the Image of God'

In The Image Of God,

We Were Made Long Ago,

With The Purpose Divine,

Here His Glory To Show;

But We Failed Him One Day,

And Like Sheep Went Astray,

Thinking Not Of The Cost,

We His Likeness Had Lost.

But From Eternity God Had In Mind,

The Work Of Calvary, The Lost To Find,

From His Heaven So Broad,

Christ Came Down Earth To Trod,

So That Men Might Live Again,

In The Image Of God.

Now That I Have Believed,

And The Saviour Received,

Now That I From The Cry,

Of My Guilt Am Relieved,

I Will Live For The Lord,

Not For Gain Nor Reward,

But For Love, Thinking Of What,

His Grace Has Restored!

I’ll Never Comprehend Redemption’s Plan,

How Christ Could Condescend To Die For Man

Such A Saviour I’ll Praise,

To The End Of My Days,

As A Upward, Onward Trod,

In The Image Of God.

Lionel

Ref: The lectures dealing with Imago Dei at the convention can be found in this website (Click on Imago Dei).