Eric Foley’s book The Whole Life Offering is one of those rare books that will surprise because the concepts challenge core faith values of the reader. Most people do not consider themselves to be philanthropists, a designation usually reserved for wealthy people who give money to support worthy causes. However, Foley aptly identifies a growing disciple of Jesus to be just that—a philanthropist. He defines philanthropy as based on Titus 3:4: But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, (NKJV) The Greek word for the English word “love” in the Titus 3:4 passage is literally (philanthropia) transliterated to philanthropia. The Greek word means “friendship love toward man.”
More completely, it is a comprehensive attitude and pattern of direct contact, warm relationship, and unfailing and unwarranted beneficence on the part of the divine toward his human creation. Introduction, 1.
The author builds his case for philanthropy as a definition of discipleship throughout the book and around a visual that represents ten domains of life:
- Reigning
- Doing Good
- Sharing Your Bread
- Opening Your Home
- Visiting and Remembering
- Helping and Comforting
- Proclaiming the Gospel
- Forgiving and Reconciling
- Making Disciples
- Ransoming the Captive
He discusses how a genuine disciple may reflect God’s philanthropy or love toward mankind in each of the ten domains based on one’s attitude and actions together as expressed through:
- Searching the Scriptures
- Learning
- Worshipping
- Praying
- Self-Denial
- Serving
- Giving
The vehicle of expressing one’s love is through the fruit of the Spirit.
WHAT DOES THE WHOLE LIFE OFFERING LOOK LIKE?
Many readers may struggle through the ~300 pages, but it will change one’s perspective of discipleship, serving, and how the church should do ministry. Many churches have ministries through which food is provided to the homeless and indigent. Typically, the people appear at the doorstep between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM and are handed a sack lunch that may include a Bible or salvation tract. In many cases a person from the church prays with and for them before sending them on their way. Foley suggests that while this may soothe the conscience of the Christians from the churches providing such a ministry, it is a poor example of Christ’s vision of reflecting his love toward people. The point is that when Jesus and his disciples fed the >5,000 the fish and bread, they sat down with the people and they all ate and shared themselves as well, suggesting that it really was not about the physical food but about discipleship.
“We must sit with them at the table, as Christ did.” Lisa Carlson
Lisa Carlson is correct! Biblical discipleship as portrayed correctly by The Whole Life Offering is the opposite of the elitism that colors many church efforts today. This may upset some servants in the church who are genuinely helping the poor but here is a convicting point: Christians in the church often feed the poor a can of beanie weenies and then go out for steak. Jesus came to tear down elitism such as this. If church ministries are going to provide the usual inexpensive food through the year since something is better than nothing, at least invite the poor and indigent to eat with the church on special days when celebrating a holiday meal. Make a Holy Day an occasion to treat the needy by serving and eating the same food WITH them. Invite them to eat the same delicacies the members of the church enjoy. You might call it a potluck.
AN APPLICATION OF THE WHOLE LIFE OFFERING
Gretta
Meet Gretta. No, Gretta is not a person but is a twelve-string guitar and it is through Gretta that one church came to understand perceptions of the needy in the community. While it is a story of a small church, in the eyes of the needy of the community, this particular church is important. She is a mega-church because of what the people do rather than because of the number of people who attend. First, we must understand that the true reputation of a church (Christian community) is not always found among the well-to-do families, but among the outcasts, homeless, and indigent of the same community.
Gretta is the affectionate name given to his guitar by a Christian who plays music during children’s church. The church had two worship services in two different buildings each Sunday. One particular Sunday a door was accidentally left unlocked and a homeless person entered and subsequently stole the guitar. The owner of Gretta was heartbroken and the church people were upset. The staff had no hard evidence of the theft but deduced what probably occurred. For several days we told the story of the probable theft to the homeless to whom we served lunches and had invited to eat with the church anytime there was a fellowship meal (BBQ, fish fry, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc). One staff member went to a local shelter and talked with several of the homeless about the guitar. The word got out that no one wanted to press charges if indeed Gretta was stolen, but we wanted the guitar returned.
A local homeless man we affectionately knew as Cowboy informed us that he had seen a new homeless man carrying a guitar and had heard that he tried to sell it at a local pawn shop. As it turned out, the owner of Gretta had left song sheets in the case that had the name of the church clearly printed on them. The owner of the pawn shop refused to buy the guitar and told the man that he should return it to the church. As other homeless people met the man and learned of the story, they also encouraged the man to return the guitar. Their comments were supportive of the church as they said.
“Shady Grove always helps people like us on the street. They invite us for meals and give us all the food we want. They sit down with us and eat, so they are not ashamed of us. They even provide clothes and other things when we need them. How could you take that guitar from that church? Take it back!”
Only after about two weeks following her unexpected departure, Gretta returned. One morning as I drove up to the church, I noticed something unusual on the front steps. There was Gretta inside the guitar case and protected by two large plastic garbage bags in case of rain. Several of us and especially the owner of Gretta cried with humility as we learned the whole story of Gretta as we talked with several of our regular homeless people over the following days. Gretta once again graces the children and the whole church family with beautiful music. Perhaps her music is better because of trial and tribulation and having shown us the real meaning of Christian philanthropy.
While we did not realize it at the time, Gretta is the story of how The Whole Life Offering is applied and worked out in the life of Christians and the church. Eric Foley’s book and teachings on discipleship are consistent with those of Simple Discipleship and I heartily recommend it as your church develops authentic missional ministries.
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QUESTIONS:
- What is the reputation of your church in the community among the outcasts of society?
- Does it matter to the church leaders what the homeless and indigent think about your church?
- How does the story of Gretta the guitar reflect The Whole Life Offering?
- Do the people of your church sit down with the most needy of your community or are they people to be avoided?
SD Blessings,
Dr. Tom Cocklereece, The Disciplist
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Dr. Tom Cocklereece is CEO of RENOVA Coaching and Consulting, LLC
Author “Simple Discipleship,” contributing writer L2L Blogazine
He is a pastor, an author, professional coach, and leadership specialist
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