Does God Sing?

 "The Lord your God is with you, a Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you but rejoice over you with singing." Zephaniah 3: 17

The best picture of all times, the widely acclaimed, "The Sound of Music" opens with a spectacular view of the Austrian hillsides. And on top of one of these hills, the lead actress Julie Andrews burst into song,

'The hills are alive with the sound of music

With songs they have sung for a thousand years

The hills fill my heart with the sound of music

My heart wants to sing every song it hears.'

Does God sing you may ask? According to the prophet Zephaniah, the evidence that God is with us is in God singing. God's singing is an expression of His love for us. Music in the heavens shows that God rejoices over His creation.

The music is everywhere. This music sung by the whole of nature can be heard by the contemplative soul who seeks God's presence, hears God's harmony, finds God's love and sings in time with the joyful noises,

'My heart wants to beat like the wings of the birds 

that rise from the lakes to the trees.

My heart wants to sigh like a chime 

that flies from a church on the breeze.'

 

'To laugh like a brook when it trips and falls

over stones on its way

To sing through the night like a lark

who is learning to pray.' 

The Christian church, especially the Methodist Church in the tradition of John and Charles Wesley, echoes God's music by making music ourselves and singing during our worship. On 24 November 2024 Bishop Emeritus Robert Solomon spoke of this great tradition of making melody unto the Lord at the Music Sunday of Charis Methodist Church in his sermon entitled 'Songs of the Faithful.' (Ref 1).

Charis Choir and Orchestra

The Bishop reminded us that since the days of the early church, singing is in the hearts of all Christians. This was written by St Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians. 

'Don't be drunk with wine because that will ruin your life. Instead  be filled with the Holy Spirit singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.' Ephesians 5: 18-20 (NLT)

The Bishop drew several lessons from this passage.

• We sing with our hearts full of the Spirit, Spirit-filled singing. Spirit led and spirit enabled music can lead us into experiencing the inspirational moment of worship.

• We sing to the Triune God, the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Our songs and lyrics can express theology and doctrine during worship just as the Word of Christ dwell in us richly (Colossians 3:16)

• We sing from the depths of our heart. Worship is whole hearted involvement, the expression of real not theoretical Christian experience. This has to come from the heart, from the very centre of our being.

• We sing comprehensively using the whole repertoire of church music lexicon and not only from a small segment of praise songs. This expresses what is in the depths of our hearts and the wideness of our Christian experiences.

That Sunday, led by the 34-member Charis Choir and a 16-member Charis Orchestra, the whole congregation celebrated worship with joyful singing and music. Indeed, we the church sing, making music from the depths of our hearts and the height of our spirits.

Our inner beings, our very souls tuned to the singing of our God, the music of the universe, the sound of music!

'I'll go to the hills when my heart is lonely

I know I will hear what I've heard before

My heart will be blessed with the sound of music

And I'll sing once more.'

A recording of the Music Sunday is available on You-Tube should you wish to listen.

Lionel

Ref 1: Bishop Emeritus (Dr) Robert Solomon, Sermon: Songs of the Faithful, 24 Nov 2024

Updated 1st Published 1 Dec 2024

Let There Be Praise

'Praise the Lord

Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens

Praise Him for His acts of power; praise Him for His surpassing greatness.

Praise Him with the sounding of the trumpet, Praise Him with the harp and lyre, praise Him with timbrel and dancing, praise Him with the strings and pipe, praise Him with the clash of cymbals, praise Him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.' Psalm 150.

  

Is there any reason to praise God? 

Today, the wars in Gaza and Ukraine rage on. Countries such as Algeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, and Yemen are all currently experiencing some form of terrorist insurgency. Others like Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Somalia, South Sudan, and Syria are all currently experiencing civil wars and ethnic cleansing. In many places in the world there are racial and religious persecutions. 

In the Israel-Hamas war, Israeli tanks surround Gaza's hospitals with patients still inside and others seeking refuge. Israel claims that hospital and schools sit atop a labyrinth of underground tunnels housing the Hamas control centre, fighters and caches of weapons. They say that Hamas had contravened the Geneva Convention and use civilians and patients as human shields. Hamas denies this vehemently.

A seven-day humanitarian truce allowing for exchange of hostages and prisoners and the delivery of much needed disaster relief, food, fuel, etc ended. The fighting resumes. In the fog and wounds of war, many of us are left broken hearted at the untold human suffering. We question, What is there to be happy about? Where is God? Why would we sing praises?

There is a rather strange incident recorded in 2 Chronicles 20 during the time when Israel was at war with the surrounding nations. It was a time much like what is happening today in Israel's southern and northern borders. The armies of the Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites declared war on King Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was terrified by the news and begged the Lord for guidance. As they went out to face the enemies they were led to sing and praise the Lord.

'The king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising Him for His holy splendour. This is what they sang:

"Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!"

At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves.' 2 Chronicles 20:21-22

The Israelites learnt that even in the times of war to give praise. By the time the army of Jehoshaphat arrived on the battlefield all they saw were the dead bodies of their enemies on the ground. The war was over.

It is strange that at hard times Christians are told to praise God. Eugene Petersen in his book Answering God admitted that this is not the easiest thing to do, "It is easy to be honest before God with our hallelujahs; it is somewhat more difficult to be honest in our hurts; it is nearly impossible to be honest before God in the dark emotions of our hate."

Yes the Bible tells us that in all circumstances, in good times and bad, the Lord God is to be praised. Timothy Keller gave a series of 7 short meditations entitled 'Trusting God in Difficult Times' (Ref 1) which are worth listening to, if you are in the predicament of asking God, Why the suffering? And there is no answer yet forthcoming.

Even so we need to continue praying. Prayer is the most honest way to face these difficult circumstances, these difficult times. By praying we come face to face with reality, dealing with our problems, viewing the world with honesty and with the very depths of our hearts. Yes, we travail and agonise.

But Eugene Petersen concluded, “No matter how much we suffer, no matter our doubts, no matter how angry we get, no matter how many times we have asked in desperation or doubt, ‘How long?’, prayer develops finally into praise. Everything finds its way to the doorsteps of praise. Praise is the consummating prayer. This is not to say that other prayers are inferior to praise, only that all prayer pursued far enough, becomes praise."

This brings us to the very last Psalm, Psalm 150. Timothy Keller emphatically explained this Psalm,

• Where should God be praise?     Everywhere
• Why should we praise God?  for Everything
• How should we praise Him?    in Everyway
• Who should praise Him?            Everyone    

Petersen wrote “Prayer is the language of the people who are in trouble and know it, and who believe or hope that God can get them out." That is why your prayer will end in praise. 

Christians are often told to praise God in every situation, even in deprivation, our vocation is to praise God. Let everything that has breath, praise God.

'I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for Myself that they may proclaim My praise.' Isaiah 43:20b-21

'So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out to us who belong to His dear Son.' Ephesians 1:6 (NLT)

'The Spirit is God's guarantee that He will give us the inheritance He promised and that He purchased us to be His own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify Him.' Ephesians 11:14 (NLT) 

   'But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.' 1 Peter 2:9

That is why the Psalms, a book of prayer and worship ends finally with praise; 'Let There Be Praise'

Let there be praise

Let there be joy in our hearts

Sing to the Lord

Give Him the glory

Let there be praise, let there be joy in our hearts

Forevermore, let His love fill the air

And let there be praise, let there be praise

Let there, let there be praise

He inhabits the praise of His people

And dwells deep within

The peace that He gives none can equal

His love, it knows no end

So lift your voices

With gladness sing

Proclaim through all the earth

That Jesus Christ is King

When the Spirit of God is within us

We will overcome

In our weakness His strength will defend us

When His praise is on our tongue

So lift your voices

With gladness sing

Proclaim through all the earth

That Jesus Christ is King

Let there be praise

Let there be joy in our hearts

Sing to the Lord

Give Him the glory

Let there be praise

Let there be joy in our hearts

Forevermore, let His love fill the air

And let there be praise

And let there be praise

Let there be singing

Let there be music

Let there be honor

Let there be glory

Majesty worship and praise

Let there be praise

Lionel

Ref 1; Timothy Keller, Trusting God in Difficult Times

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjQM7uZcbbM&list=PLqdAeLCMehGFJ0Q-8Ll1y0t5ml6qWYHiz

Updated 1st Published 3 Dec 2023

Sing to the Dawn

Dawn@WanlapaFarm, Lopburi Thailand

'From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.' Psalm 113:3

The dawn and sunrise over Wanlapa Farm, a rice field we stayed in at Lopburi, Thailand on the 28 Nov 2022, was a spectacular experience. The sun rose and suddenly the rice fields became alive as the egrets and birds flew about as if to heat up their wings. The dragonflies and insects started flittering and all life awoke, singing to the dawn.

It is a time to praise the Lord.

Emily Dickinson described a similar experience,

The birds begun at four o'clock

Their period for dawn.

A music numerous as space

And measureless as noon

I could not count their force

Their voices did expend

As brook by brook bestows itself

To magnify the pond

Their witnesses were not

Except occasional man

In homely industry arrayed

To overtake the morn

Nor was it for applause

That I could ascertain

But independent ecstasy

Of Deity and Men

Like Emily, I realised that dawn is a time of freshness, a time to ecstatically praise God.  Early in the morning, life stirs. It is a time when 'all nature sings and round me rings the music of the sphere' A time to celebrate that 'This is my Father's World.' 

This is my Father's world

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres

This is my Father's world

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas

His hand the wonders wrought

This is my Father's world

The birds their carols raise

The morning bright, the lily white

Declare their maker's praise

This is my Father's world

He shines in all that's fair

In rustling grass I hear Him pass

He speaks to me everywhere

This is my Father's world

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong

God is the ruler yet

This is my Father's world

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!

God reigns, let earth be glad!

This is 2023 and the new dawn of the New Year will rise with the sun. What will it bring? 2022 has not been a good year with its tragedies, wars, economic downturn, pandemic. 2023 promises hope and better tomorrows. Hopefully the world will be rid of the Covid scourge. Hopefully there will be peace in Europe.

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed

'Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.' Isaiah 60:1

Every new year on 6 January, Christians remember the light that shines in the darkness, the Epiphany. It commemorates the Adoration of the Magi, the wise men from the East who were guided to Bethlehem by the bright star to the baby Jesus. This was predicted by Isaiah 

'The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.' Isaiah 9:2 

Epiphany, a light shining in the darkness, assures us of God's guidance as life continues into the new year; new roads appear up ahead. New roads that will lead us into new adventures, new opportunities and new challenges.

The Hymn, 'Morning Has Broken' celebrates the dawn of the new year. It was written by Eleanor Farjeon in 1931 and popularise by Cat Stevens in the 1970s.

Morning has broken like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning

Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven

Like the first dewfall on the first grass

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden

Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning

Born of the one light, Eden saw play

Praise with elation, praise every morning

God's recreation of the new day

Morning has broken like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning

Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Updated 1st Published 1 Jan 2023

Lionel

O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing!

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns." Rev 19:6

Five years ago, the Hallelujah! Chorus, presented by 300 members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir combined with over 2,000 voices worldwide brought Charles Wesley's opening sentence 'O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing' into sharp focus. 

The resounding sound of many voices singing 'Hallelujah' in Hebrew or 'Alleluia' in Greek which is 'Praise The Lord' is just wonderful to the ears! 

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

The kingdom of this world

Is become the kingdom of our Lord

And of His Christ, and of His Christ

And He shall reign for ever and ever

And He shall reign for ever and ever

And He shall reign for ever and ever

For ever and ever, forever and ever

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

King of kings (Forever and ever Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And Lord of lords (King of kings and Lord of lords)

And He shall reign

And He shall reign

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings (Forever and ever)

And He shall reign (Hallelujah! Hallelujah!)

And He shall reign forever and ever

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

King of kings! and Lord of lords!

And He shall reign forever and ever

Forever and ever

Forever and ever

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

Handel was probably thinking of the heavenly chorus of praise mentioned in Revelations. And yes! Let the praises and lyrics be repetitive, overflowing, loud and joyful. The same litany of praises can be found in the Book of Psalms. There are 150 Psalms of which 14 or nearly 10% has Praise the Lord as the first sentence; many more are found in the verses. 

'Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name.' Psalm 103:1

'Praise the Lord, my soul. Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendour and majesty.' Psalm 104:1 

'Praise the Lord, for he is good; His love endures forever.' Psalm 106:1

'Praise the Lord. I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.' Psalm 111:1

'Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in His commands.' Psalm 112:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, you His servants; praise the name of the Lord' Psalm 113:1

'Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol Him, all you peoples.' Psalm 117:1

'Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who ministers by night in the house of the Lord.' Psalm 134:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise Him, you servants of the Lord.' Psalm 135:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord, my soul.' Psalm 146:1

'Praise the Lord. How good it is to sing praises to our God, how pleasant and fitting to praise Him!' Psalm 147:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights above.' Psalm 148:1

'Praise the Lord. Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His people.' Psalm 149:1

'Praise the Lord. Praise God in His sanctuary; praise Him in His mighty heavens.' Psalm 150:1

The psalms instruct us on the how, who, why and where for praising God. We should praise God from the depths of our souls with the voices of praise that are exuberant and refreshing.

Yet in these days of texting on mobile phones we have reduced this exuberance to a trite PTL. Using just the acronym PTL texted in a perfunctory manner is insincere and may even be disrespectful. In the light of the energy of the Hallelujah Chorus one should take umbrage at reducing this praise to three letters - PTL. Let us not allow it to enter the Christian vocabulary. 

By contrast the same means of modern virtual communications can afford us a different outcome. Not to be cowed by the Covid restrictions to public singing many have circumvented these restrictions by doing virtual choir presentations. Many choirs have now taken to singing praises in the virtual space with voices being recorded individually then stitched together digitally. 

Unable to sing and play together physically and in public, hundreds and thousands of singers and musicians found alternative solutions to harmonise their praises. Here is a rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus now completely in the digital space. 

These productions will enable us to shout out the words Hallelujah! and Praise The Lord! joyfully at bleak and oppressive times. The greatness of God, the sacrifice of Christ and the ministry of the Holy Spirit should leave us not only astounded but with such sincere gratitude that we will let out a spontaneous, Alleluia!

Digital communications have allowed us to demonstrate Charles Wesley's intentions and inspiration when he wrote a thousand tongues will sing.

Like the psalmists, Charles had much to praise God. On the 21 May 1738, Charles was taken ill with pneumonia. On that day a group of friends took turns taking care of him. He was deeply affected by the love and care shown him by these Christians. After recovery, he wrote in his journal counting this experience as a renewal of his faith, Charles' heartwarming experience. 

His brother John Wesley had the same experience on 24 May 1738. John went on to found the Methodist movement. Charles went on to write a 14 stanza hymn expressing his great joy O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing and he became famous as a great hymn writer.

O for a thousand tongues to sing

My great redeemer's praise

The glories of my God and King

The triumphs of His grace

Jesus! the name that charms our fears

That bids our sorrows cease

'Tis music in the sinner's ears,

'Tis life and health and peace

He breaks the power of cancelled sin

He sets the prisoner free

His blood can make the foulest clean

His blood availed for me

He speaks and listening to His voice

New life the dead receive

The mournful broken hearts rejoice

The humble poor believe

Hear him ye deaf; His praise ye dumb

Your loosened tongues employ

Ye blind behold your saviour comes

And leap ye lame for joy!

My gracious Master and my God

Assist me to proclaim

And spread through all the earth abroad

The honours of Thy name

Truly, when we praise God, our spirits are renewed and our lives revived! Praise the Lord!

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 11 Jul 21

A Church Without Borders

Brain Storming for a Church Without Borders

'And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased' Hebrews 13:16

My church, Charis Methodist Church is currently undergoing extensive renovations. When completed we aspire to be an 'Attractive Community' to our neighbours and become a church without borders. We could learn from St John's short third epistle to his friend, Gaius. This letter is about relationships within and without the church, amongst Christians and neighbours.

The action, described in this letter is of welcome and hospitality. It is not just a principle or theory but a practice and skill; the ability to make a stranger feel welcomed and well looked after. 

'We therefore ought to show hospitality..' 3 John 1:8

Hospitality contributed to the success of the early church. The early church grew by the witness and preaching itinerant believers, early missionaries going about to various cities and villages preaching and witnessing in order to spread the Christian message. These itinerant preachers were poor and could ill afford to stay in hotels and inns. They were dependent on the believers in cities to welcome them into their own homes and provide free board and lodging.

What is Christian Hospitality? It is that action of being welcoming and helpful to friends and even strangers, lending assistance in practical ways. John wrote,

'Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you.' 3 John 1:5

John further commended his friend Gaius and informed that others are telling the church of Gaius’ love. 

'They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honours God.' 3 John 1:6

Gaius showed a graciousness that superseded self-interest. This was the spirit of the early church and this resource stoked the fires of Church growth, not necessarily in any dramatic fashion but insidiously, ubiquitously and very tangible.

The Practice of Hospitality. Henri Nouwen a Catholic priest in his book 'Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life' wrote “If there is any concept worth restoring to its original depth and evocative potential, it is the concept of hospitality." 

Welcoming strangers. When we think of hospitality, we picture having family and friends over for a pleasant meal. Or we think of the ‘hospitality industry’ of hotels and restaurants which are open to strangers so long as they can pay. But Churches could give shelter and support to the homeless, poor and needy - people who cannot return the favour.

“Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers for by doing so some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

Share your meal with others. The church father Jerome challenged the medieval church to “let poor men and strangers be acquainted with your modest table, and with them Christ shall be your guest” He warned that Christian leaders may be likely to entertain only the powerful and the rich but Jesus advocated the opposite.

'Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives or your rich neighbours; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind and you will be blessed." Luke 14:12-14

Give generously to those in need. It was this early and continuing teaching in the New Testament which sparked off the generosity in Christians which then established many charitable organisations that serve the poor and needy. Many institutions were started simply at first without much resources, by persons who were led by God and who were conscience- stricken to heed the call to share what little or plenty they have with people in need.

'Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.' Romans 12:13

Jean Vanier lived in the small French village of Trosly-Breuil in Canada. One day, Jean invited two men with intellectual disabilities who were staying in a local institution to create home with him. They called their home L’Arche, meaning the Ark. Jean said, “Those who are weak have great difficulties finding their place in society. The image of the ideal human as powerful and capable disenfranchises the old, the sick and less able. So many in our world are suffering from isolation, war and oppression. I believe that those we most exclude from the normal life of society, people with disabilities, have profound lessons to teach us."

This was the dynamics of the early church. Two millenniums later, People still need us, 'People need the Lord.' It is this imperative that will spur Charis Methodist Church to become a Church without Borders. 

Everyday they pass me by

I can see it in their eyes

Empty people filled with care

Headed who knows where

On they go through private pain

Living fear to fear

Laughter hides their silent cries

Only Jesus hears

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light

To a world where wrong seems right

What could be too great a cost

For sharing life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel

All the grief they bear

They must hear the words of life

Only we can share

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door

People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize that we must give our lives?

For people need the Lord, people need the Lord

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 13 Nov 2022

Generosity - the Joy of Giving

Generosity
Originally Uploaded by richbeechina

‘Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them?’ Ecc 5:10-11  

In today's materialistic society, we are tempted to buy more than we actually need. Going home after shopping, we are carrying lots of shopping bags full of things we will seldom use. We shoppers do not open our eyes. We fail to see that in the same places where the shopping is good, there are also many people who are very poor and needy. Many of our neighbours struggle to put food on the table. Yet we go around wasting our money and showing off our wealth.

Can we give up our spendthrift ways? Can we help others in need? Someone shared:

Why should we give money to save the heathen abroad 

when there are heathens in our own country yet to be saved.

Why should we give money to those in other parts of this country 

when there are needy ones in my own state.

Why should I give to those in other parts of the state 

when there are needy ones in my hometown.

Why should I give to the poor in the town 

when my own church needs the money.

Why should I give to the church 

when I should give to the family

Why should I give to the family what I want for myself.

Why?

Because I am a Christian and I am not a heathen. 

And a Christian is called to be generous.

 

What is generosity? It is the act of helping and giving willingly without expecting anything in return.

The first offerings described in the Bible is that by Cain and Abel in Gen 4:3-7. Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. God’s preference of Abel's to Cain's offering has nothing to do with meat over crop offering. Cain’s attitude in giving back to the Lord mirrors the attitudes of many Christians, we give what we think is good enough for God but not the best, not our first fruits.

Proverbs 3:9-10 encourages us to ‘Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.’ The Christians who expound the prosperity gospel see this as a guarantee to wealth; give and you will get more. Grace and Blessings are not the results of bargain or tit-for-tat. To give generously and not expect anything in return is to honour God.

How can we be generous Christians?

Generosity comes by Purpose: John Wesley in his sermon “The Use of Money " had this to say “The love of money, we know, is the root of all evil; but not the thing itself. The fault does not lie in the money, but in them that use it. It may be used ill: and what may not? But it may likewise be used well: It is full(y) as applicable to the best, as to the worst uses.” The first lesson about being generous is to learn to use money for the good that can come from it. Cor 8:3,4 notes, "For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing the gospel." Instead of giving impulsively, give purposefully. 

Dr David Livingston, missionary and explorer extraordinaire said “I will place no value on anything I have or may possess except in relation to the kingdom of Christ. If anything I have will advance the interest of the kingdom it shall be used or given away. Only as by giving or using it, I may promote the glory of him who I owe all my hopes in time and eternity.” Another great doctor-missionary Albert Schweitzer said, “One thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.” 

Generosity comes by Grace. 2 Cor 8:6 notes “ .. we urge Titus that as he begun so he would also complete this grace in you as well…meaning he would continue to encourage you to give as God’s grace enables you to.” We think that only rich people can be generous. When we meet a truly generous person – we know that it is a gift from God, a person given by God the gift of generosity.  Those who really give a lot don’t boast about it. They can be rich and they can be poor but they know deep inside that they can give only because they have experienced the love of God, the touch of God and they feel gratitude.

Hudson Taylor, a poor medical student, once chanced upon a widow with many children. One child was sick and in need of medicine. Hudson Taylor was filled with compassion; he started to pray. As he was praying he heard a voice whispering to him, “hypocrite.” He continued praying but the voice again said, ‘hypocrite.’ Hudson reached into his pocket and he felt a half a crown which was the next week’s tuition fees. Hudson gave that half crown to the widow and left, not knowing when he would eat his next meal. The next day, in the mail Hudson received a letter from a friend. The friend had written that he was moved to hand some money to Hudson. In that envelop was money seven times that half a crown.

Generosity comes by Giving. 2 Cor 8: 5 “And this they did not as we had expected but they first gave themselves to God and then to us by the will of God." John Wesley in the same sermon on the use of money said, “Let not any man imagine that he has done anything, barely by going thus far, by "gaining and saving all he can," if he were to stop here. All this is nothing, if a man go not forward. Add the third rule to the two preceding. Having, first, gained all you can, and, secondly saved all you can, then give all you can."

This is the time to give. The Corona virus pandemic is not just a threat to public health but also to economic livelihood. The requirement to stay at home and to close all businesses in order to break the cycle of transmission will bring untold suffering, loss of income and savings. Many Singaporeans will have difficulty to make ends meet. Furthermore thousands of foreign workers have been afflicted by the virus. Many of them are not able to work as the government shuts down all construction work. These people will need help.

If there is someone who has given generously, we will find in this person someone given to God. Our lives are in God’s hands. If you are truly consecrated to God what do you have to fear? That you have no money?

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 26 Apr 2020

Upon This Rock....

The Garbage City of Cairo

On the 29 Nov 2010, our tourist bus meandered slowly through narrow streets lined by three-storey shop houses. This is Manshiyat Nasir or 'Garbage City', where several thousands of Egyptian Christian families, the Zabaleens, eked out a living by collecting and recycling the refuse of metropolitan Cairo. We could see children playing and families living out their lives amidst garbage piled ceiling high in their homes, spilling out into the streets. We were thankful that the bus windows were all up. Otherwise, none of us could possibly bear with the smell and stench of these streets.

At the turn of the 19th Century, there was an influx of very poor Christians from Upper Egypt to Cairo. They made a living out of collecting and recycling garbage, a common occupation for many a refugee family in many cities in the world. In 1969, the Egyptian government moved the rubbish collectors to this district under the Mugattam Mountain.

The Egyptian official who made the decision to relocate the poor Christians of Cairo here must have a wry sense of humour. Mugattam Mountain was the site of one of the most celebrated miracle in the history of the Egyptian Coptic Church, known as ‘The Moving of the Mountain’.

According to Coptic traditions, during the reign of the first Fatimid Caliph in the 11th Century a challenge was thrown to the Coptic Church. During a debate between the Islamic, Jewish and Christian religious leaders of the day, the Jews invoked the verse 

“If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to the mountain move from here to there, and it will move” Mark 11:23

They demanded the Coptic Patriarch, Abraam to demonstrate this. Al-Muizz, the Muslim Caliph then threatened to persecute the Copts if the church failed in this test.

In a dream, Patriarch Abraam was guided by the Virgin Mary, to seek out a holy man, Simon the shoemaker, who would have the required faith to move this mountain. Recruiting Simon, the Christian congregation and Pope marched to Mugattam Mountain along with the religious leaders of the day. As the congregation prayed, the mountain shook violently as if a strong earthquake had hit the city. Each time the congregation rose from prayer, the mountain was lifted upwards. When they knelt down, the mountain came down with a deafening roar. This happened three times and with each time the rays of sunlight from the other side of the mountain could clearly be seen through the gap.

Then, Caliph Al Muizz proclaimed, “God is Great!” and turning to Abraam he said, “This is enough to prove your faith is true”. From then on, he allowed the Christians freedom to practice their faith in Egypt. The Coptic Church survived one of the severest persecution periods in their history.

Relocating the Zabaleen Christians to live out a miserable existence in a stench-hole at the holy site of the Coptic Church, is an affront and insult to Christianity. However, our Lord Jesus would see otherwise. 

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven”. Matt 5:3 

For the poor and destitutes on Mugattam Mountain, a modern day miracle started from 1974.

After 3 miles through garbage lined alleys, none of the Singaporean tourists were ready for the sight as our bus turned the last corner. Before us, stood a large monastery, churches, hospital and social community complex which these garbage collectors had hewn out of the barren rock. On the rock faces on the mountain sides, they had sculptured various illustrative episodes described in the Bible.

To understand the miracle that has taken place at this site and the many everyday miracle testimonies in the lives of these simple Christian folks, please view a two part commentary on Youtube, ‘Fr. Samaan and Garbage City (Zabaleen)’. 

A chance meeting of a Christian brother, Farahat (later Father Samaan) and a garbage collector, Edis Agib in 1974 led to the transformation and miracle. Edis had approached Farahat to teach him to become a Christian. This led Farahat to minister to the physical and spiritual needs of the Zabaleen.


Worshipping at St Sammaan Church



One day whilst standing at the barren summit and staring down at the squatters below, Farahat was overwhelmed by a sense of lost and grief at the impossible situation of the people living on the slopes. As he cried out to God for direction, there was a strong gush of wind and pieces of paper were blown upwards from the garbage below. One of these papers that flew towards him was a tattered page from the Bible 

‘One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9,10

Farahat persevered and many of the garbage collectors turned to Jesus. A transformation and miracle occurred with God using the hands and labours of these destitute and poor people. The Lord saved them out of most pitiful conditions and allowed them to manifest their faith in a most inspiring and uplifting manner

It is a story of the indomitable faith of one man and the garbage collectors. It reminds me of the faith statement by St Peter, to which Jesus responded, 

“Upon this rock, I'll build my church and the gates of hell will not overcome it”.

What did Christ meant when He uttered these words? Christ was not referring to solid rock formations but the unshakeable faith and confession of many Christians throughout history when they proclaimed Him as Lord and Savour just as Peter did. 

I stood there at the mountain top, after visiting two of seven rock churches, staring at the sculptures on hill side and the garbage city below. I realised that the prophecy of Jesus on the establishment and success of His church was and is being fulfilled by the poor labourers on Mugattam mountain in Cairo, “Upon this rock, I’ll build my church”.

When others see with earthly eyes

Just what they want to see

You will see the things that never die

You will know and recognize

By simple child-like faith

The priceless truth that

Others will deny.

When others say I'm just a man

Who likes to dream His dreams

When others call a miracle a myth

You'll listen for eternity

In moments as they pass

And see with spirit eyes

What others miss.

Upon this rock I'll build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

And all the powers of Hell itself

Shall never more prevail against it

For Satan's thrones are built on sinking sand

Upon this rock I'll build My kingdom

And on this rock forever and ever it shall stand

Upon this rock of revelation

I'll build a strong and mighty nation

And it shall stand the storms of time

Upon this rock.

If in a simple carpenter

You see the Son of God

If you would chose to lose

When you could win

If you would give your life away

For nothing in return

Then you are where

My kingdom will begin.

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 19 Dec 2010

In November 2010, Bishop Robert Solomon led a group of Christians to tour Egypt and the Sinai visiting historic churches and the desert monasteries