Pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was executed at the age of 39 on April 9, 1945, at the hands of the Nazi regime.
He is best known for his book, The Cost of Discipleship, a commentary on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as presented in the Gospel of Matthew.
As he reflected on generosity’s connection with Christian discipleship, Bonhoeffer wrote: Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected. In the wilderness God gave Israel the manna every day, and they had no need to worry about food and drink. Indeed, if they kept any of the manna over until the next day, it went bad.
In the same way, the disciple must receive his portion from God every day. If he stores it up as a permanent possession, he spoils not only the gift, but himself as well, for he sets his heart on accumulated wealth, and makes it a barrier between himself and God.
Howard Bess, an author and retired minister, reflected on Bonhoeffer’s writings: In the typical American church, people regularly express thanksgiving for the worldly goods that they possess. The amount of this world’s wealth that is held by a Christian is considered an indication of God’s blessing.
Bonhoeffer would not have anything to do with that kind of thinking. A person’s wealth, rather than an occasion for thanksgiving, was an occasion for seeking God’s wisdom about how the wealth was to be shared. The blessing of God was not in a person’s wealth. Rather the blessing of God was found in the giving away of the wealth.
How do Bonhoeffer’s sentiments – written at a time when the world seemed on the brink of disaster – intersect with our own challenges today?
He is best known for his book, The Cost of Discipleship, a commentary on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount as presented in the Gospel of Matthew.
As he reflected on generosity’s connection with Christian discipleship, Bonhoeffer wrote: Earthly goods are given to be used, not to be collected. In the wilderness God gave Israel the manna every day, and they had no need to worry about food and drink. Indeed, if they kept any of the manna over until the next day, it went bad.
In the same way, the disciple must receive his portion from God every day. If he stores it up as a permanent possession, he spoils not only the gift, but himself as well, for he sets his heart on accumulated wealth, and makes it a barrier between himself and God.
Howard Bess, an author and retired minister, reflected on Bonhoeffer’s writings: In the typical American church, people regularly express thanksgiving for the worldly goods that they possess. The amount of this world’s wealth that is held by a Christian is considered an indication of God’s blessing.
Bonhoeffer would not have anything to do with that kind of thinking. A person’s wealth, rather than an occasion for thanksgiving, was an occasion for seeking God’s wisdom about how the wealth was to be shared. The blessing of God was not in a person’s wealth. Rather the blessing of God was found in the giving away of the wealth.
How do Bonhoeffer’s sentiments – written at a time when the world seemed on the brink of disaster – intersect with our own challenges today?