WEBVTT

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 How would you describe your personal financial condition right now?

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 Are you struggling? Are you comfortable? Or are you well off?

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 If you compare yourself with people who are at or below the poverty line in this country,

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 most all of us in this room are at least comfortable.

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 If we compared ourselves with most people in this world, then all of us are well off.

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 Now right now in this room, our levels of income, the size of our bank accounts vary widely.

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 And I don't know what anybody has. I just know in a gathering this size, it will vary widely.

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 But if you compare what we have right now, all of us, to people in the first century, in the town of Ephesus,

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 that Paul is writing Timothy, where Paul's writing to Timothy, all of us will be considered wealthy people.

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 That's who Paul is addressing in 1 Timothy chapter 6, where I want us to look this morning, verse 17.

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 We are among the wealthy type that Paul points out.

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 That Timothy, you should talk to him about this.

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 I want them to understand this.

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 Paul is writing to people like us, Christians who have money,

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 and some of the things that money can buy.

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 Now I realize that we're not a church full of rich people.

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 In American terms, we are not a wealthy group of people in here.

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 But in the larger world context,

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 considering the money we make or have,

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 the kind of houses we live in,

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 the cars we drive,

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 the clothes we have packed into multiple closets,

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 we are wealthy people.

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 So what we're going to read in 1 Timothy 6, beginning in verse 17,

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 it applies to you and me as Christians

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 who are fairly well off.

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 Let's read it.

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 As for the rich in this present age,

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 charge them not to be haughty,

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 nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches,

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 but on God,

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 who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.

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 They are to do good,

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 to be rich in good works,

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 to be generous and ready to share,

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 thus storing up treasure for themselves

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 as a good foundation for the future

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 so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.

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 We spent about half the time last week

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 looking at this same chapter,

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 but verses 6 through 10.

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 And what Paul was writing there

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 was really a warning

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 to people who wanted to get rich

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 for the sake of being rich.

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 Paul warned against the temptations that come

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 if you're just obsessed with money

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 and getting it any way you can

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 just to make your life simpler, more comfortable,

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 just to live really basically a self-indulgent kind of life.

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 Paul was writing that

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 because there were some false teachers

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 who were trying to make money off the church.

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 They were taking advantage of people.

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 And so Paul is basically condemning

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 that greedy, can't ever get enough,

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 I gotta get rich no matter what mentality.

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 But here, what we've just read,

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 Paul's not being negative.

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 He is certainly not being negative about rich people.

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 He is addressing them who were in the church,

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 members of the church.

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 And while he's got some warnings,

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 he has some positive things to say about it.

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 And then he says, do some good things with it.

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 So as we look at this,

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 understand this is a positive word overall

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 to people like us, Christians,

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 who have some money and material things.

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 Number one, here's a question.

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 How has your wealth affected your overall attitude?

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 How has your wealth affected the way

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 that you think of yourself?

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 The way that you think of your future,

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 your security,

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 the way you think about God?

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 You know, wealth, he talks about first,

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 can have a negative influence on us.

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 Money makes some people

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 have an inflated opinion of themselves.

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 Money makes some people

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 think too highly of themselves.

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 And that's what Paul's talking about in verse 17.

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 He says, as for the rich in this present age,

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 charge them not to be haughty.

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 To be haughty literally means

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 to think exalted thoughts about yourself.

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 It means to think too highly of yourself,

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 to have an inflated opinion of yourself.

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 That's arrogance.

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 He's talking about pride.

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 Pride's a deadly sin

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 that everyone must guard against.

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 Pride is not something that is

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 especially a problem for wealthy people.

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 The poorest of the poor.

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 The total middle class.

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 Everyone battles pride at times

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 over something that we are

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 or something that we have.

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 But Paul knew that wealth

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 does have a way of fanning

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 the flames of pride in people.

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 Now, before we go any further,

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 I want to point out,

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 Paul's not saying

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 that every wealthy person is prideful.

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 As I was studying,

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 getting ready to prepare this,

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 I thought about,

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 from a day gone by,

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 one of the most humble

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 Christian leaders and servants

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 that I have ever known in my life

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 was a wealthy man.

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 He grew up in poverty.

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 But the Lord blessed him

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 in his work,

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 in his ability to save

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 and invest

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 and take care of his money.

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 And while I don't know what he had,

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 I just knew him.

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 Knew where he lived.

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 Knew some of the things that he had.

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 And knew some of the things

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 that he did with his money.

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 He had to be a very wealthy person.

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 But he didn't let anybody know.

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 Now, he didn't hide where he lived,

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 what he drove,

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 and that kind of things.

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 But he gave money

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 to our church,

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 not here,

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 but in another town,

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 another day gone by.

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 He would give money

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 for specific things in the church

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 that were needed.

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 He did it in a way

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 that no one knew but me.

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 I was his source

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 to get it contributed.

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 He never did it in a way

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 to try to make me impressed.

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 He gave of himself,

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 his time,

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 his work,

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 his involvement,

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 and his resources

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 to help small Christian organizations,

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 especially that worked with children,

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 did all that he could

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 behind the scenes.

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 He was a wealthy man,

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 but he was a humble man.

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 And he truly saw

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 what he had

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 as being given to him

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 from God.

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 And he wanted,

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 as we'll see in a little bit later,

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 he wanted to do all the good

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 that he could with it,

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 truly for the glory of God

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 and the benefit

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 of other people

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 and especially

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 the Christian cause,

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 the kingdom of God.

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 Now,

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 going back to what Paul

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 was talking about,

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 wealth can

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 make us proud.

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 Some wealthy people

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 pridefully think

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 that they have acquired

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 what they have

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 because there's something

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 superior

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 about themselves

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 above other people.

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 Some people think

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 they have what they have

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 because they're just smarter.

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 They've worked harder.

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 Or maybe they've manipulated

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 the system.

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 But for whatever reason,

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 some people just think

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 I am what I am

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 because of me.

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 And this is a warning.

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 One of the dangers,

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 what Paul's talking about,

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 one of the dangers

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 of thinking too highly

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 of ourselves

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 is that we start

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 thinking less

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 of others.

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 Or we stop thinking

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 about other people

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 altogether.

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 For a prideful person,

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 life's all about me.

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 I'm the center

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 of the attention.

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 Everyone should revolve

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 around me.

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 Everything should revolve

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 around me.

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 And it's not just

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 pride over money.

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 That's just what

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 a prideful person is.

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 Let's just think about it.

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 If you think

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 a whole lot

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 of yourself,

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 if you think

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 a whole lot

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 about yourself,

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 you think

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 that everyone

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 in your family,

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 where you work,

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 in all your circles,

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 they're supposed

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 to look to you,

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 please you,

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 make sure you're happy,

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 or at least

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 get your approval.

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 You're a prideful person.

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 You think too highly

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 of yourself.

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 You're arrogant.

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 And if this

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 describes you,

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 let it sink in

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 that God has

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 a problem with you.

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 You do not have

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 close fellowship

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 with God,

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 even if He is

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 your Heavenly Father,

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 if everything's

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 about you.

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 Both James

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 and Peter

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 warn us,

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 back to back

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 New Testament letters,

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 look at this,

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 God resists

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 the proud.

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 You can't be

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 close to God.

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 You can't serve

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 His purpose

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 when you're

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 jockeying for position

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 as being the God

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 of your own life

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 and maybe wanting

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 other people

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 to sort of

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 bow down

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 to you as well.

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 I want you to think,

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 if your money,

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 your material possessions,

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 or anything

00:11:04.159 --> 00:11:07.059
 has made you proud

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 like this,

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 life's really

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 all about me.

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 I want to encourage

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 you to humble

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 yourself now.

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 Don't wait

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 for God

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 to humble you.

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 Confess your sin

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 of pride.

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 God will forgive you.

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 God will help you

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 to change

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 the way you think

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 and act

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 about being

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 the center of attention.

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 God will help you

00:11:34.860 --> 00:11:35.799
 to become

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 a more humble

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 servant

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 and child

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 of His.

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 And I want you

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 to look at this,

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 both James and Peter,

00:11:42.220 --> 00:11:43.420
 in that same verse

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 they go on

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 to assure us

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 that while God

00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:46.759
 resists the proud,

00:11:46.920 --> 00:11:48.100
 God gives grace

00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:49.639
 to the humble.

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 You can experience

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 God's grace

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 at work in your life

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 helping you

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 just sort of

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 to calm down,

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 die to self

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 in this self-centered

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 way of life

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 and truly

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 make Jesus

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 your Lord

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 and become

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 a humble servant

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 of His

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 confidence

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 if you want

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 to be that.

00:12:12.600 --> 00:12:13.519
 Paul also

00:12:13.519 --> 00:12:14.220
 addresses another

00:12:14.220 --> 00:12:15.000
 negative attitude

00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:15.560
 that comes from

00:12:15.560 --> 00:12:15.820
 wealth.

00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:16.800
 Money makes

00:12:16.800 --> 00:12:17.480
 some people

00:12:17.480 --> 00:12:18.639
 too confident

00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:20.019
 about their

00:12:20.019 --> 00:12:20.580
 future.

00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:22.440
 Paul warns us

00:12:22.440 --> 00:12:22.980
 here about putting

00:12:22.980 --> 00:12:23.680
 our hope

00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:24.860
 in riches.

00:12:24.980 --> 00:12:25.379
 Look at it.

00:12:25.580 --> 00:12:26.300
 Nor to set

00:12:26.300 --> 00:12:26.800
 their hopes

00:12:26.800 --> 00:12:27.639
 on the uncertainty

00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:28.259
 of riches.

00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.259
 Then IV says,

00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:29.600
 nor to put

00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.000
 their hope

00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:30.540
 in wealth

00:12:30.540 --> 00:12:31.159
 which is so

00:12:31.159 --> 00:12:31.540
 uncertain.

00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:32.720
 The word hope

00:12:32.720 --> 00:12:33.379
 just about every

00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:33.960
 time you see it

00:12:33.960 --> 00:12:34.480
 in the Bible

00:12:34.480 --> 00:12:36.379
 does not mean

00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:37.759
 wishful thinking

00:12:37.759 --> 00:12:39.000
 but it means

00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:40.759
 confident expectation.

00:12:41.960 --> 00:12:43.080
 The word hope

00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:43.639
 in the Bible

00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:44.960
 is similar to the

00:12:44.960 --> 00:12:46.320
 idea of trusting.

00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:47.540
 So Paul is saying

00:12:47.540 --> 00:12:48.820
 don't set your

00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:49.420
 hope,

00:12:49.820 --> 00:12:50.540
 don't set your

00:12:50.540 --> 00:12:51.220
 trust,

00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.400
 don't set your

00:12:52.400 --> 00:12:53.400
 confidence

00:12:53.400 --> 00:12:55.280
 in wealth

00:12:55.280 --> 00:12:58.120
 because it can

00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:58.600
 give you a

00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:59.340
 false sense

00:12:59.340 --> 00:13:00.139
 of security.

00:13:01.460 --> 00:13:01.940
 Wealth is

00:13:01.940 --> 00:13:02.400
 uncertain.

00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:04.539
 Some people

00:13:04.539 --> 00:13:05.179
 understand this

00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:05.639
 better than

00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:05.959
 others.

00:13:06.120 --> 00:13:06.659
 Some of us

00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.000
 in here

00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:07.799
 understand it

00:13:07.799 --> 00:13:08.179
 better than

00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:08.519
 others.

00:13:09.519 --> 00:13:10.179
 Let's think

00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:10.539
 about it this

00:13:10.539 --> 00:13:10.720
 way.

00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:11.740
 If you have

00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:12.879
 always had

00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:13.959
 a good job,

00:13:14.840 --> 00:13:15.639
 a comfortable

00:13:15.639 --> 00:13:16.539
 home,

00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.559
 and many of

00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:19.559
 the nicer

00:13:19.559 --> 00:13:20.399
 things in

00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:20.919
 life,

00:13:22.019 --> 00:13:22.759
 you may be

00:13:22.759 --> 00:13:23.980
 tempted not

00:13:23.980 --> 00:13:24.459
 to take this

00:13:24.459 --> 00:13:25.199
 warning seriously.

00:13:26.279 --> 00:13:27.000
 You may have

00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.980
 only seen

00:13:27.980 --> 00:13:30.319
 where wealth

00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:31.779
 has always been

00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.120
 there.

00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.860
 I've always

00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.600
 had what I

00:13:34.600 --> 00:13:35.639
 needed plus

00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.139
 more.

00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:37.740
 And from my

00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:38.500
 experience,

00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:40.259
 why should I

00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.139
 not trust in

00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:41.319
 it?

00:13:42.319 --> 00:13:42.919
 I want you to

00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:44.379
 think if life's

00:13:44.379 --> 00:13:44.740
 been that

00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.100
 comfortable,

00:13:45.379 --> 00:13:46.179
 just thank the

00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:46.539
 Lord.

00:13:48.199 --> 00:13:48.939
 But life's not

00:13:48.939 --> 00:13:49.679
 always going to be

00:13:49.679 --> 00:13:50.120
 that way.

00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:52.259
 There are people

00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:52.860
 in this room,

00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:55.319
 some of us,

00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:55.779
 some of our

00:13:55.779 --> 00:13:56.840
 family members,

00:13:57.539 --> 00:13:59.199
 lost a job,

00:14:00.039 --> 00:14:00.860
 a house,

00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:02.879
 comforts of

00:14:02.879 --> 00:14:03.320
 what we would

00:14:03.320 --> 00:14:03.800
 call our

00:14:03.800 --> 00:14:04.440
 middle or

00:14:04.440 --> 00:14:05.039
 upper middle

00:14:05.039 --> 00:14:06.200
 class standard

00:14:06.200 --> 00:14:06.779
 of living,

00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:07.539
 through no

00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.100
 fault of our

00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:08.360
 own.

00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:11.360
 It happened

00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:13.080
 when we got

00:14:13.080 --> 00:14:13.720
 laid off.

00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.000
 The economy

00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:15.779
 tanked.

00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:19.399
 And we know

00:14:19.399 --> 00:14:20.740
 what Paul is

00:14:20.740 --> 00:14:22.200
 saying here is

00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:22.879
 very, very

00:14:22.879 --> 00:14:23.500
 true.

00:14:23.500 --> 00:14:26.480
 don't put your

00:14:26.480 --> 00:14:27.059
 hope in

00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:27.539
 wealth.

00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:29.639
 It has a

00:14:29.639 --> 00:14:31.639
 place, but it

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.820
 is certainly not

00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:34.659
 eternally secure.

00:14:35.419 --> 00:14:36.440
 It's not even

00:14:36.440 --> 00:14:37.480
 promised till

00:14:37.480 --> 00:14:38.259
 next week.

00:14:39.100 --> 00:14:39.379
 You know, we

00:14:39.379 --> 00:14:39.899
 need to pause

00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:40.559
 here and understand

00:14:40.559 --> 00:14:41.480
 that Paul is not

00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:43.500
 telling us, not

00:14:43.500 --> 00:14:45.139
 telling us, that

00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.980
 it's wrong to

00:14:45.980 --> 00:14:46.759
 think about the

00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.799
 future and prepare

00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:49.120
 financially for the

00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.639
 future.

00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:49.679
 future.

00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:52.199
 Wisdom, the

00:14:52.199 --> 00:14:53.620
 wisdom of God, the

00:14:53.620 --> 00:14:54.419
 wisdom found in the

00:14:54.419 --> 00:14:55.379
 book of Proverbs, for

00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:58.500
 example, tells us we

00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.759
 need to plan for the

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:00.059
 future.

00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:01.120
 We need to

00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:03.139
 financially plan for

00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.539
 the future.

00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:05.120
 For example, everyone

00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:06.419
 needs an emergency

00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:09.519
 fund of three to six

00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:12.039
 months, monthly, three

00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:12.879
 to six months of

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:16.460
 income set aside for

00:15:16.460 --> 00:15:18.379
 unexpected expenses.

00:15:18.379 --> 00:15:21.240
 get laid off from

00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:21.820
 your job.

00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.360
 Everybody needs to

00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.240
 have this reserve

00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:26.399
 fund that if you

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:27.279
 need a new roof,

00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:30.100
 heating and AC goes

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:32.179
 out, or you get

00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:33.799
 cut back or laid off

00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:35.899
 from work, you're not

00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:38.120
 going to just fold up

00:15:38.120 --> 00:15:39.019
 right then.

00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.939
 That is just being

00:15:40.939 --> 00:15:41.620
 wise.

00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:42.700
 And if you doubt

00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:43.720
 that, look in the

00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:45.600
 book of Proverbs, over

00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:47.080
 and over again, it's a

00:15:47.080 --> 00:15:48.039
 fool who doesn't think

00:15:48.039 --> 00:15:48.719
 about the future.

00:15:48.839 --> 00:15:49.459
 It's a fool who

00:15:49.459 --> 00:15:51.219
 doesn't wisely use

00:15:51.219 --> 00:15:51.939
 their, manage their

00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.219
 money.

00:15:52.559 --> 00:15:53.799
 He even says, Solomon

00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.860
 talks about, look at the

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:57.360
 ant and how he works

00:15:57.360 --> 00:15:58.959
 and prepares and stores

00:15:58.959 --> 00:15:59.759
 up for the future.

00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:05.059
 Paul is warning us.

00:16:06.199 --> 00:16:07.740
 Don't put your hope or

00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.719
 your trust or your

00:16:08.719 --> 00:16:10.399
 confidence in money or

00:16:10.399 --> 00:16:11.199
 material things.

00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:12.319
 They have a place.

00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:14.840
 They are important.

00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:16.860
 I also wanted to point

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:18.720
 out over, skipped over

00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:19.160
 this part.

00:16:19.940 --> 00:16:20.680
 We not only need an

00:16:20.680 --> 00:16:21.560
 emergency fund, but

00:16:21.560 --> 00:16:22.640
 everybody needs to be

00:16:22.640 --> 00:16:25.280
 saving, investing for

00:16:25.280 --> 00:16:25.840
 retirement.

00:16:27.200 --> 00:16:28.540
 That is something that is

00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:29.800
 very, very important

00:16:29.800 --> 00:16:31.820
 because most people,

00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:33.060
 there's going to come a

00:16:33.060 --> 00:16:34.320
 day where you're not

00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:36.160
 able to work or no one's

00:16:36.160 --> 00:16:37.180
 going to let you work.

00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:38.599
 How are you going to

00:16:38.599 --> 00:16:39.419
 provide for yourself?

00:16:40.659 --> 00:16:44.639
 Social security is not a

00:16:44.639 --> 00:16:45.519
 retirement plan.

00:16:46.099 --> 00:16:47.139
 It's certainly not an

00:16:47.139 --> 00:16:48.439
 adequate retirement plan.

00:16:48.559 --> 00:16:49.639
 It's designed to be a

00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.139
 supplement.

00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:52.299
 And most of us in this

00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:55.239
 room, we know there's no

00:16:55.239 --> 00:16:56.000
 guarantee it's going to be

00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:57.179
 there tomorrow.

00:16:58.859 --> 00:17:02.039
 We have no certainty about

00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.399
 that kind of thing for the

00:17:03.399 --> 00:17:03.699
 future.

00:17:04.299 --> 00:17:05.740
 And so wisdom would

00:17:05.740 --> 00:17:08.220
 dictate that we plan for

00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:10.500
 our future, seeking God's

00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:12.019
 help, his wisdom, but we

00:17:12.019 --> 00:17:13.240
 need to plan that way.

00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:15.599
 But at the same time, you

00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.779
 cannot be confident.

00:17:17.379 --> 00:17:19.339
 There's nothing you can do to

00:17:19.339 --> 00:17:21.160
 assure yourself, I'm going

00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:23.519
 to be financially secure.

00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.960
 Wealth is going to always be

00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.339
 there.

00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:29.859
 Nothing could ever cause me to

00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:30.539
 worry.

00:17:30.700 --> 00:17:31.599
 That's foolish.

00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:34.399
 The only proper object of our

00:17:34.399 --> 00:17:36.959
 trust and confidence is a

00:17:36.959 --> 00:17:37.399
 person.

00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:41.679
 Is God not a thing?

00:17:42.319 --> 00:17:43.459
 And when we put our focus on

00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:45.179
 God instead of money, wealth

00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:47.119
 can have a positive influence on

00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:47.639
 our attitude.

00:17:47.819 --> 00:17:48.419
 Let's look at this.

00:17:48.899 --> 00:17:50.099
 We develop a thankful attitude

00:17:50.099 --> 00:17:52.039
 when we honor God as the source

00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:53.859
 of our money and material

00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:54.500
 prosperity.

00:17:55.740 --> 00:17:57.599
 Let's don't fail to see this

00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:00.219
 positive part of Paul's

00:18:00.219 --> 00:18:00.459
 command.

00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.980
 Some people have the idea that

00:18:01.980 --> 00:18:03.480
 the Bible is just totally

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:05.840
 negative about money, about

00:18:05.840 --> 00:18:09.039
 having something that always

00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.519
 makes people proud or something

00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:11.059
 like that.

00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:13.039
 Or, you know, you never can

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:14.299
 depend on it no matter what.

00:18:15.840 --> 00:18:17.420
 Wealth and money and material

00:18:17.420 --> 00:18:19.299
 possessions can be great

00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:23.340
 sources of thankfulness and as

00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.579
 we'll see in a moment, joy.

00:18:24.759 --> 00:18:25.500
 But look at what he says.

00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:37.400
 As long as we acquire what we have

00:18:37.400 --> 00:18:38.480
 the right way.

00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.579
 And that's very important.

00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.700
 We need to look at what we have as

00:18:42.700 --> 00:18:44.519
 gifts from God.

00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:48.059
 Thank God for the wisdom that you

00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.980
 have to do what you do.

00:18:48.980 --> 00:18:52.220
 Thank God for the abilities that you

00:18:52.220 --> 00:18:53.940
 have and have been able to develop.

00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:56.160
 Thank God for the opportunities to

00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:58.740
 use your wisdom and abilities.

00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:02.680
 Thank God because he is the source

00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.039
 of it all.

00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:04.640
 As Paul says in another place in

00:19:04.640 --> 00:19:06.940
 1 Corinthians 4, what do you have

00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.940
 that you've not been given?

00:19:09.620 --> 00:19:11.920
 And then don't overlook the other

00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.360
 positive influence of wealth in this

00:19:13.360 --> 00:19:13.640
 verse.

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:16.299
 We develop a joyful attitude when we

00:19:16.299 --> 00:19:17.579
 honor God as the source of our money

00:19:17.579 --> 00:19:18.720
 and material prosperity.

00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:21.119
 He richly provides us with everything

00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.339
 to enjoy.

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:27.000
 God gives us many good things in life

00:19:27.000 --> 00:19:33.480
 for us to smile, enjoy, benefit from.

00:19:33.879 --> 00:19:35.779
 Jesus even talked about how God likes

00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.359
 to do this.

00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.639
 Look at this from the Sermon on the

00:19:37.639 --> 00:19:38.559
 Mount, Matthew 7.

00:19:39.319 --> 00:19:41.399
 If you then who are evil know how to

00:19:41.399 --> 00:19:43.159
 give good gifts to your children, how

00:19:43.159 --> 00:19:44.559
 much more will your Father who is in

00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:46.720
 heaven give good things to those who

00:19:46.720 --> 00:19:47.259
 ask him?

00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:51.240
 James, he says, every good and perfect

00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:53.099
 gift is from above.

00:19:53.859 --> 00:19:55.919
 Learn to think of the good things in

00:19:55.919 --> 00:19:58.259
 life that you have, that you've acquired

00:19:58.259 --> 00:20:03.720
 the right way as gifts from God.

00:20:04.419 --> 00:20:07.119
 That will motivate you to be thankful to

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:09.879
 him, to acknowledge him as the giver.

00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:13.359
 And it will help us to enjoy those

00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:13.679
 gifts.

00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:16.259
 You know, think about it.

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:20.560
 How would you feel if you gave a gift to

00:20:20.560 --> 00:20:21.960
 someone that you loved?

00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:25.640
 Say a child at Christmas.

00:20:26.640 --> 00:20:31.460
 How would you feel if you gave them a gift and

00:20:31.460 --> 00:20:35.700
 they just laid it aside and forgot about it?

00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:40.440
 Or they just took it, but there's no smile on her

00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:43.580
 face, no apparent pleasure in it.

00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:45.920
 It would disappoint you greatly, wouldn't it?

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:49.700
 Well, think about God gives us, his children, good

00:20:49.700 --> 00:20:54.400
 gifts because he wants us to enjoy them.

00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:56.759
 They're coming from him.

00:20:57.080 --> 00:21:00.420
 Our heavenly father, they're gifts of grace and

00:21:00.420 --> 00:21:01.940
 gifts of love.

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:04.660
 Learn to enjoy what God gives you.

00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:07.540
 You know, what Paul is saying here helps us to see that

00:21:07.540 --> 00:21:11.900
 what Paul is saying here helps us see that he is not

00:21:11.900 --> 00:21:15.800
 condemning wealth or wealthy people.

00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:17.960
 Being rich is not a sin.

00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:23.819
 It can be a blessing as long as we think about it the

00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:27.579
 right way, get it the right way, and use it the right way.

00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.659
 And that's what we're going to look at next.

00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.579
 Look at this next question.

00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:32.259
 What are you doing with your money?

00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.940
 That's what he's going to be talking about now in verses

00:21:34.940 --> 00:21:35.700
 18 and 19.

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:40.480
 We have responsibility to use our money for good.

00:21:40.839 --> 00:21:41.879
 Look at this, verse 18.

00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:46.320
 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be

00:21:46.320 --> 00:21:48.560
 generous and ready to share.

00:21:49.940 --> 00:21:52.660
 And a lot of what we've been looking at over the last few

00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:56.480
 weeks and talking about socialism, providing for

00:21:56.480 --> 00:22:01.080
 ourselves and our family falls under this category of doing

00:22:01.080 --> 00:22:01.500
 good.

00:22:02.880 --> 00:22:04.560
 I want you to understand that first.

00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:07.800
 Paul has already stressed this to Timothy, and we looked at it

00:22:07.800 --> 00:22:08.580
 a couple of weeks ago.

00:22:08.580 --> 00:22:11.180
 Look at this in 1 Timothy 6 or 5, 8.

00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:14.720
 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and

00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:17.960
 especially for members of his household, he has denied the

00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:20.560
 faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

00:22:21.260 --> 00:22:23.660
 But that's not all he said about taking care of family.

00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:27.120
 Look on, verses 3 and 4, 1 Timothy 5 again.

00:22:28.120 --> 00:22:31.060
 Honor widows who are truly widows.

00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:35.840
 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first

00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:39.220
 learn to show godliness to their own household.

00:22:39.220 --> 00:22:43.220
 Let them, that's their children and grandchildren, first learn to

00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:47.319
 show godliness to their own household and to make some return

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:52.019
 to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God.

00:22:53.640 --> 00:22:59.019
 I want to make sure that my children, daughters-in-law and

00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:00.420
 grandchildren hear this.

00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:04.019
 It's important for them to get it.

00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:12.820
 But no, seriously, we do have a responsibility to our family, to our

00:23:12.820 --> 00:23:14.320
 immediate family in particular.

00:23:14.880 --> 00:23:21.140
 We can never just forget them, ignore them, act like they don't have

00:23:21.140 --> 00:23:24.120
 needs, and be pleasing to God.

00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:30.899
 Now, I want to make it clear that this does not mean that we should only do

00:23:30.899 --> 00:23:32.119
 good for our families.

00:23:33.219 --> 00:23:37.679
 There is nothing in Scripture that says, take care of your family and

00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.899
 forget about everyone else.

00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:42.759
 That is not what the emphasis is in this section.

00:23:43.219 --> 00:23:47.479
 The emphasis is on doing good to be rich in good deeds, period.

00:23:47.480 --> 00:23:54.420
 That means we need to keep our eyes open to people and situations around us

00:23:54.420 --> 00:23:58.099
 where there is a need, we see it, we understand it, and we have the

00:23:58.099 --> 00:23:59.740
 resources to meet that need.

00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:03.480
 You know, as Christians indwelled by the Spirit of God, I truly believe that

00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:10.339
 there are times we see needs, it's legitimate, we can meet that need.

00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:15.519
 I truly believe if we are sensitive to the Spirit of God, He will impress upon us,

00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:19.559
 you need to help, you need to give, you need to get involved.

00:24:20.639 --> 00:24:27.680
 So I want to ask you, what good are you doing with the wealth that God has given you?

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:34.700
 What good are you doing with the wealth that God has given you?

00:24:35.639 --> 00:24:41.319
 I want you to name some of them, not out loud, but name some of the good things

00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:48.819
 that you are doing with that which God has put in your hands.

00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:52.359
 What are you doing?

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:55.200
 And not calling attention to yourself about it.

00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:59.819
 What are you doing not to put a band-aid on somebody's problem,

00:24:59.919 --> 00:25:01.359
 but to really help someone?

00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.899
 You know, some of us need to think in terms of,

00:25:05.659 --> 00:25:07.319
 there may be some people that we know,

00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:12.759
 maybe they're related to work situation or just in the community,

00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:15.559
 and we know the situation, we know the real need,

00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:18.000
 and we know that unless somebody gets involved,

00:25:18.159 --> 00:25:20.099
 takes a real interest,

00:25:20.379 --> 00:25:23.759
 they're never going to be able to get up out of the hole they're in.

00:25:24.939 --> 00:25:29.279
 So it may be that if we'll truly be faithful to the Lord,

00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:33.099
 we'll make some kind of long-term investment in some people.

00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:37.259
 Maybe help them to get a job or a better job

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.959
 where they can actually provide for themselves.

00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:41.159
 Maybe get some training.

00:25:44.659 --> 00:25:46.459
 Pay for them to go to Tri-County Tech.

00:25:47.859 --> 00:25:50.039
 Maybe get involved in their lives

00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:53.899
 to help them get a decent place to live.

00:25:55.179 --> 00:25:58.099
 We're not making promises we're going to keep people up.

00:25:58.319 --> 00:26:01.480
 We're helping people to get up out of the hole they're in,

00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:05.099
 to get on their feet and be productive.

00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.380
 And if you have the resources,

00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.400
 and God lays it on your heart to do that,

00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:12.279
 that's just an example of some of the good

00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:15.339
 that we could be doing for people.

00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:18.099
 Name some of the good things in your mind.

00:26:18.860 --> 00:26:19.799
 Here's what I want to ask you.

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:22.940
 Would God call them good?

00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.980
 Are they pleasing to Him?

00:26:28.980 --> 00:26:30.339
 Could you say, right now,

00:26:30.339 --> 00:26:37.500
 that you are rich in good deeds in this way?

00:26:40.199 --> 00:26:42.480
 Let's look at how Paul clarifies our responsibility.

00:26:42.639 --> 00:26:43.179
 Verse 18,

00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:45.959
 we have a responsibility to be generous with our money,

00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:48.519
 to be generous and ready to share.

00:26:49.279 --> 00:26:51.619
 Are you generous in your actual giving?

00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:55.139
 Maybe to the Lord's work in and through this church,

00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:58.360
 or through other Christian ministries?

00:26:58.360 --> 00:27:03.100
 Are you generous in giving to people in need,

00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:04.500
 just on your own?

00:27:05.940 --> 00:27:08.800
 Not asking anybody else to get involved with you.

00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:10.340
 On your own.

00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:15.179
 You know, the Bible repeatedly says

00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:17.659
 that God takes a special interest

00:27:17.659 --> 00:27:21.220
 in widows, orphans, aliens,

00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:23.799
 and people who have been abused, cheated,

00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:27.019
 or ignored by wealthy and powerful people

00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.980
 in their lives.

00:27:28.980 --> 00:27:30.119
 These are the kind of people

00:27:30.119 --> 00:27:33.099
 that the Bible describes as the poor.

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:36.099
 When the Bible talks about the poor,

00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:38.939
 it's not talking about people

00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:40.779
 who just won't work.

00:27:42.019 --> 00:27:43.539
 When the Bible talks about people

00:27:43.539 --> 00:27:45.359
 who could work but won't,

00:27:46.459 --> 00:27:49.099
 they're called sluggards, slothful.

00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.119
 Lazy people in Scripture

00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:53.259
 are not referred to as the poor.

00:27:54.519 --> 00:27:55.240
 They're referred to,

00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:56.699
 in a more derogatory term,

00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:59.339
 sluggards throughout Proverbs.

00:27:59.339 --> 00:28:01.359
 That's the kind of person

00:28:01.359 --> 00:28:02.459
 we're not supposed to help.

00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:04.179
 If a man won't work,

00:28:04.240 --> 00:28:05.059
 let him eat, Paul said.

00:28:05.299 --> 00:28:07.679
 But what it says about helping the poor people

00:28:07.679 --> 00:28:09.839
 is talking about helping people

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:13.599
 who just are never going to be able to make it

00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:15.379
 because of life's circumstances

00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:18.259
 unless somebody gets involved

00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.980
 and helps them.

00:28:22.679 --> 00:28:24.279
 Are there people that you are

00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:26.980
 trying to help this way?

00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:30.799
 Are you open to being used by God this way?

00:28:31.860 --> 00:28:33.980
 Some people are getting involved

00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.839
 in organizations like the Dream Center.

00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:37.319
 One thing I like about the Dream Center,

00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.980
 their motto is they don't give handouts,

00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.759
 they give hand-ups.

00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.599
 And they really help people

00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:44.440
 sometimes get job training,

00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:46.160
 get a decent place to live,

00:28:46.480 --> 00:28:47.240
 get on their feet,

00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:48.400
 and be on their own.

00:28:49.900 --> 00:28:51.519
 Paul describes how some Christians

00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:54.339
 were generous givers in another letter,

00:28:54.620 --> 00:28:55.960
 2 Corinthians chapter 8.

00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.960
 He commended those Corinthians

00:28:57.960 --> 00:28:59.900
 or he commended a group of people

00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.960
 called Macedonians

00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:03.019
 because they were not wealthy people

00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.960
 but they gave so generously,

00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:06.460
 sacrificially even.

00:29:07.120 --> 00:29:08.240
 And here's the reason they gave.

00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.440
 Look at this in verse 5,

00:29:09.759 --> 00:29:10.519
 2 Corinthians 8.

00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:13.340
 They gave themselves first to the Lord

00:29:13.340 --> 00:29:15.819
 and then by the will of God to us.

00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:17.460
 That's the key to all our giving.

00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:20.360
 If you don't give,

00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:24.840
 the reason is you don't have the commitment

00:29:24.840 --> 00:29:26.160
 to the Lord that you ought to have.

00:29:27.860 --> 00:29:29.759
 The key to giving of our money,

00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:34.120
 the key to giving of our time and service,

00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:36.779
 the key to using the gifts and talents

00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.779
 God has given us

00:29:37.779 --> 00:29:42.660
 is that it is first a commitment to the Lord.

00:29:42.660 --> 00:29:47.580
 Generous givers have a close relationship

00:29:47.580 --> 00:29:48.000
 with the Lord.

00:29:48.840 --> 00:29:49.720
 And what they give,

00:29:49.800 --> 00:29:51.100
 their time, talents, and treasures

00:29:51.100 --> 00:29:54.440
 is an overflow of their commitment to the Lord.

00:29:55.820 --> 00:29:58.720
 I have all my life,

00:29:59.120 --> 00:30:01.580
 as an older teenager and as an adult,

00:30:02.080 --> 00:30:02.779
 and Lisa did too,

00:30:03.460 --> 00:30:05.120
 we have always given a tithe,

00:30:05.980 --> 00:30:07.440
 started with a tithe.

00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:09.740
 But I have never thought

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:12.340
 in terms of giving to the church.

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.279
 I love this church,

00:30:13.360 --> 00:30:14.539
 but I don't give to this church.

00:30:16.100 --> 00:30:17.360
 We've always thought,

00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.680
 I think every time,

00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:20.539
 I am giving to the Lord

00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:23.039
 through this church.

00:30:24.259 --> 00:30:25.539
 And that's how you should give

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.440
 when you're giving

00:30:26.440 --> 00:30:29.080
 tithes and offerings,

00:30:29.320 --> 00:30:30.559
 your time, talents, and treasures

00:30:30.559 --> 00:30:32.220
 to meet people's needs.

00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.600
 Think of it, first of all,

00:30:33.640 --> 00:30:34.519
 I'm giving to God.

00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:36.460
 I'm showing gratitude to Him.

00:30:38.440 --> 00:30:40.080
 I'm seeking to please Him

00:30:40.080 --> 00:30:44.039
 and help this person

00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:45.100
 or help this organization.

00:30:46.320 --> 00:30:47.880
 God has blessed all of us

00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:49.200
 with something to give.

00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.740
 But I want you to note

00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.299
 the last part here

00:30:52.299 --> 00:30:53.299
 provides us with some

00:30:53.299 --> 00:30:55.000
 special motivation for giving.

00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:56.279
 We have an opportunity

00:30:56.279 --> 00:30:58.720
 to make eternal investments

00:30:58.720 --> 00:31:00.960
 with our money.

00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.500
 Look at this last part,

00:31:02.600 --> 00:31:03.100
 verse 19.

00:31:03.440 --> 00:31:05.240
 Thus, storing up treasure

00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.240
 for themselves

00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.799
 as a good foundation

00:31:07.799 --> 00:31:08.940
 for the future.

00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:11.120
 I want you to make a statement

00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:11.900
 and I want you to hear this,

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:13.160
 but don't take it the wrong way.

00:31:13.900 --> 00:31:15.660
 The way we use our money

00:31:15.660 --> 00:31:17.920
 will affect our reward in heaven.

00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:20.759
 That's what he's talking about.

00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:22.160
 But let's be clear

00:31:22.160 --> 00:31:23.940
 about what this does not mean.

00:31:24.640 --> 00:31:25.279
 Paul is saying

00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:26.140
 that you can't buy

00:31:26.140 --> 00:31:27.180
 your spot in heaven.

00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:29.860
 You cannot buy favors

00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:30.799
 from God

00:31:30.799 --> 00:31:32.460
 as rewards

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.080
 with what you do

00:31:33.080 --> 00:31:33.460
 with your money.

00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:36.460
 Salvation is by the grace of God

00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.420
 through faith in Jesus.

00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:39.700
 Salvation is a gift of God.

00:31:40.700 --> 00:31:41.820
 But what we do

00:31:41.820 --> 00:31:42.460
 with our lives,

00:31:42.560 --> 00:31:43.539
 our good works,

00:31:44.180 --> 00:31:45.860
 they give evidence

00:31:45.860 --> 00:31:46.960
 of our faith.

00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:49.080
 That includes the good works

00:31:49.080 --> 00:31:50.279
 we do with our money.

00:31:50.820 --> 00:31:51.519
 Kent Hughes

00:31:51.519 --> 00:31:52.740
 has some helpful comments

00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.539
 about what Paul

00:31:53.539 --> 00:31:54.220
 is talking about here.

00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:54.720
 Look at this.

00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:56.019
 Paul is emphasizing

00:31:56.019 --> 00:31:57.000
 that true riches

00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:58.259
 have nothing to do

00:31:58.259 --> 00:31:59.500
 with earthly wealth,

00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:01.100
 which is uncertain

00:32:01.100 --> 00:32:02.759
 and for this age only.

00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.680
 The only true riches

00:32:04.680 --> 00:32:06.440
 that will survive this world

00:32:06.440 --> 00:32:07.759
 are those invested

00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.900
 by God's people

00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:11.039
 through generous giving.

00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:13.279
 God reconciles us

00:32:13.279 --> 00:32:14.620
 through his free grace,

00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:16.360
 moves us to serve him,

00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:17.400
 and then accepts

00:32:17.400 --> 00:32:18.600
 our services,

00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:20.360
 flawed as they are,

00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:22.480
 and bestows on our services

00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:26.059
 a reward they do not merit.

00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.319
 We never want

00:32:28.319 --> 00:32:29.740
 what we deserve from God.

00:32:31.299 --> 00:32:32.579
 What Paul is saying here

00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.680
 at the end of this section

00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:35.519
 is essentially the same thing

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:36.319
 Jesus taught

00:32:36.319 --> 00:32:37.380
 in the Sermon on the Mount.

00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:37.940
 Look at this.

00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:38.799
 Jesus said,

00:32:38.860 --> 00:32:39.960
 Do not lay up for yourselves

00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:41.019
 treasures on earth

00:32:41.019 --> 00:32:42.579
 where moth and rust destroy

00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.779
 and where thieves break in

00:32:43.779 --> 00:32:44.079
 and steal,

00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:45.539
 but lay up for yourselves

00:32:45.539 --> 00:32:46.860
 treasures in heaven

00:32:46.860 --> 00:32:48.339
 where neither moth

00:32:48.339 --> 00:32:49.880
 nor rust destroys

00:32:49.880 --> 00:32:50.960
 and where thieves

00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.099
 do not break in and steal.

00:32:52.099 --> 00:32:53.599
 For where your treasure is,

00:32:53.919 --> 00:32:55.500
 there your heart will be also.

00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:56.559
 You know,

00:32:56.579 --> 00:32:57.179
 there's many ways

00:32:57.179 --> 00:32:58.079
 we can lay up for ourselves

00:32:58.079 --> 00:32:58.939
 treasures in heaven

00:32:58.939 --> 00:33:00.079
 by the way we live here on earth.

00:33:01.379 --> 00:33:02.519
 But being generous

00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:04.619
 with our giving

00:33:04.619 --> 00:33:07.740
 is one of those ways.

00:33:08.679 --> 00:33:09.819
 As long as we're giving

00:33:09.819 --> 00:33:11.039
 for the right reason,

00:33:12.039 --> 00:33:13.480
 it's one of those ways.

00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:15.519
 What Paul and Jesus said

00:33:15.519 --> 00:33:17.779
 about laying up treasures in heaven

00:33:17.779 --> 00:33:20.559
 brings up some good questions.

00:33:20.559 --> 00:33:22.639
 What is really and truly

00:33:22.639 --> 00:33:23.579
 more valuable?

00:33:24.139 --> 00:33:25.279
 To be rich in this age

00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:26.339
 or the age to come?

00:33:29.379 --> 00:33:30.839
 What matters most?

00:33:31.379 --> 00:33:34.000
 To accumulate wealth on earth

00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:37.399
 or to have it stored up in heaven?

00:33:39.019 --> 00:33:40.940
 What is more valuable?

00:33:41.619 --> 00:33:43.720
 To take hold of a lot of money

00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:45.519
 and material things now

00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:47.940
 or as Paul says,

00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.359
 to take hold of that

00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:53.019
 which is truly life forever?

00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:56.259
 Do you have the right attitude

00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:56.879
 about money?

00:33:58.519 --> 00:34:00.180
 Do you look at what you have

00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:02.920
 as a gift from God?

00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:07.000
 Do you make it a habit

00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:09.259
 of thanking God

00:34:09.259 --> 00:34:11.500
 for those gifts?

00:34:12.179 --> 00:34:13.759
 Money, material possessions,

00:34:13.760 --> 00:34:14.640
 everything.

00:34:15.940 --> 00:34:17.440
 And are you without guilt

00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:18.820
 enjoying the gifts

00:34:18.820 --> 00:34:19.900
 that God has given you

00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:22.020
 because they come from Him?

00:34:23.100 --> 00:34:24.300
 You want to bring a smile

00:34:24.300 --> 00:34:25.040
 to His face

00:34:25.040 --> 00:34:27.280
 by rightly using

00:34:27.280 --> 00:34:29.400
 what He's given you.

00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:32.240
 Are you using the money

00:34:32.240 --> 00:34:33.240
 that God has given you

00:34:33.240 --> 00:34:34.340
 wisely

00:34:34.340 --> 00:34:36.560
 and responsibly?

00:34:36.559 --> 00:34:38.980
 Are you giving tithes

00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:39.599
 and offerings

00:34:39.599 --> 00:34:41.460
 as you should?

00:34:43.079 --> 00:34:44.320
 Are you giving

00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:45.779
 to meet needs

00:34:45.779 --> 00:34:47.659
 in other people's lives

00:34:47.659 --> 00:34:49.299
 that God brings

00:34:49.299 --> 00:34:50.179
 across your path

00:34:50.179 --> 00:34:52.039
 as you should?

00:34:54.440 --> 00:34:54.860
 You know,

00:34:55.199 --> 00:34:56.739
 if we're having

00:34:56.739 --> 00:34:58.820
 problems with money,

00:34:59.559 --> 00:35:00.059
 whether it be

00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:01.400
 our attitude or actions,

00:35:02.199 --> 00:35:04.039
 it may not in any way

00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:06.219
 really be a financial problem.

00:35:07.779 --> 00:35:08.980
 It could just be

00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:10.019
 a spiritual problem.

00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.920
 So let me ask you,

00:35:13.619 --> 00:35:14.699
 have you given yourself

00:35:14.699 --> 00:35:16.759
 first to God?

00:35:17.579 --> 00:35:19.639
 Is Jesus the Lord

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.820
 of your life?

00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:23.980
 Do you have a relationship

00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.599
 with Him?

00:35:25.559 --> 00:35:26.360
 If you don't,

00:35:26.480 --> 00:35:27.279
 that's where you begin

00:35:27.279 --> 00:35:27.820
 this morning.

00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.619
 Turning from your sin,

00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.860
 calling upon Him

00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.620
 to save you

00:35:31.620 --> 00:35:33.120
 or coming back to Him

00:35:33.120 --> 00:35:36.160
 and truly seeking

00:35:36.160 --> 00:35:37.120
 to honor Him

00:35:37.120 --> 00:35:39.440
 as the Lord

00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:40.220
 of your life,

00:35:41.680 --> 00:35:42.700
 seeking to be a steward

00:35:42.700 --> 00:35:43.480
 of all that God

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.220
 has given you.

00:35:45.680 --> 00:35:46.559
 What would you have

00:35:46.559 --> 00:35:47.640
 to do right now

00:35:47.640 --> 00:35:50.720
 to start thinking

00:35:50.720 --> 00:35:52.840
 and acting biblically

00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:54.740
 with your money,

00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.440
 with your wealth?

00:35:57.620 --> 00:35:58.380
 Well, that's what

00:35:58.380 --> 00:35:59.000
 you need to do.

00:35:59.620 --> 00:36:00.360
 Let's pray together.

00:36:00.860 --> 00:36:01.700
 Father,

00:36:02.539 --> 00:36:03.720
 show us now

00:36:03.720 --> 00:36:05.660
 how you want us

00:36:05.660 --> 00:36:06.360
 to respond

00:36:06.360 --> 00:36:08.579
 so that we can

00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.320
 leave here

00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:11.480
 pleasing you

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:12.820
 by the attitude

00:36:12.820 --> 00:36:13.660
 we have

00:36:13.660 --> 00:36:14.519
 to our wealth

00:36:14.519 --> 00:36:16.800
 and by the actions

00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:17.840
 we demonstrate

00:36:17.840 --> 00:36:20.039
 in the way

00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:22.200
 that we use it.

00:36:23.400 --> 00:36:23.800
 Let's just,

00:36:23.880 --> 00:36:24.620
 in an attitude of prayer,

00:36:25.360 --> 00:36:25.980
 listen to

00:36:25.980 --> 00:36:27.160
 and respond to the Lord.

00:36:27.160 --> 00:36:27.220
 Amen.