WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.839 As Chris said right at the beginning that there is an agenda tonight and so I'm going to pray about that because it's not an agenda that we like to hear about when you start talking about money. 00:00:14.259 --> 00:00:18.199 So let's pray and commit our time together to God as we open up the scriptures. 00:00:23.780 --> 00:00:25.879 Father God, we need your help tonight. 00:00:25.879 --> 00:00:35.719 Your word is just so clear on the issue that we are about to look at from your scriptures. 00:00:37.119 --> 00:00:42.159 Lord, from the words, from the very mouths of the Lord Jesus, he said, 00:00:42.259 --> 00:00:47.039 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet to forfeit his soul? 00:00:48.420 --> 00:00:53.239 From the mouth of Jesus, he also said that it is impossible to serve both God and money. 00:00:53.240 --> 00:00:57.600 And yet, Father, we have tried. 00:00:59.320 --> 00:01:02.280 And Lord, so we need your help to see this issue clearly. 00:01:03.480 --> 00:01:08.000 We need to see what a treasure we have in you 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:17.260 and what trifling in comparison it is to have our treasures in this world. 00:01:18.760 --> 00:01:23.299 How much we give up when we pursue things of this world instead of you. 00:01:24.039 --> 00:01:28.319 Lord, we want to be content and our contentment needs to come from you. 00:01:28.319 --> 00:01:38.979 And so we ask you, Father, now as we open your word that by your spirit that you might enable us to see and believe and obey. 00:01:40.019 --> 00:01:42.139 Change us, we pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:01:42.140 --> 00:01:52.299 A couple of months ago, we had our diocesan mission, sorry, our diocesan synod, 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:54.799 sort of like the parliament of the Anglican Church in Sydney. 00:01:55.659 --> 00:02:01.060 And the highlight for me was what they call Mission Hour. 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:04.599 And there was a Bible college lecturer there, 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:08.000 he might have even been the principal, I think, of a Bible college, I'm not really sure, in Uganda. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:13.319 And he was talking about the significant impact that our partnership, 00:02:13.520 --> 00:02:15.000 that is the partnership of Sydney Diocese, 00:02:15.879 --> 00:02:20.020 had with this Ugandan college and the Ugandan church. 00:02:20.659 --> 00:02:22.719 I can't remember a lot of stuff that he said. 00:02:22.819 --> 00:02:25.139 He was certainly enthusiastic and quite funny. 00:02:26.020 --> 00:02:32.460 But one thing that he did say was he quoted a Ugandan proverb which goes like this. 00:02:33.500 --> 00:02:36.219 If you want to go fast, go alone. 00:02:36.219 --> 00:02:39.719 If you want to go far, go together. 00:02:40.800 --> 00:02:43.099 If you want to go fast, go alone. 00:02:43.740 --> 00:02:46.280 If you want to go far, go together. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:52.780 And I thought that that is a great summary of this commitment series. 00:02:53.979 --> 00:02:59.599 This whole commitment series has been tied together with the idea of partnership. 00:03:00.979 --> 00:03:04.319 In fact, it's been titled, the title of it has been Partners for Life. 00:03:04.319 --> 00:03:06.900 It's in the end about going far together. 00:03:07.620 --> 00:03:12.599 And today we have Commitment Sunday and it is the climax of the series. 00:03:13.519 --> 00:03:18.599 And what we will see is that as Paul started on the note of partnership, 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:21.379 so he ends on the note of partnership. 00:03:21.819 --> 00:03:25.060 And specifically he ends with financial partnership. 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:31.219 And so we're going to talk about money and about financial partnership here at St. Paul's tonight. 00:03:34.259 --> 00:03:40.939 I do that being mindful that Christians have had varying views and attitudes towards money over the years. 00:03:40.939 --> 00:03:47.159 There are those who believe that, in fact, poverty was a sign of being truly Christian. 00:03:47.780 --> 00:03:51.500 And so many people made vows of poverty, gave away all their possessions. 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:57.199 We won't dwell too much on that level because most of us don't think that's a popular option nowadays. 00:03:58.139 --> 00:03:59.740 Certainly not in the Western world. 00:03:59.740 --> 00:04:05.719 On the other hand, many have gone to the opposite extreme and say that God wants you to be rich. 00:04:05.820 --> 00:04:11.320 In fact, if you're not rich, then you're clearly not displaying enough faith in God. 00:04:11.560 --> 00:04:14.100 He's not pushing you enough and you're not trusting him enough. 00:04:14.099 --> 00:04:18.659 Now, of course, you know, they're two extreme opinions. 00:04:19.060 --> 00:04:23.339 And, of course, we can see the failures of the poverty one and we can see the failure of the rich one. 00:04:23.779 --> 00:04:28.219 You know, we can certainly name people potentially who have taken that to extreme 00:04:28.219 --> 00:04:32.920 or teachers who have taken it to extreme and said that God wants them to have private jets 00:04:32.920 --> 00:04:37.360 and luxury cars and fancy hotels and, you know, that sort of stuff. 00:04:39.279 --> 00:04:43.719 And, of course, most of us would see that and go, we don't agree with that. 00:04:44.100 --> 00:04:47.760 Now, that's just way at the other end. 00:04:47.820 --> 00:04:48.660 That's an extreme. 00:04:49.280 --> 00:04:50.540 We wouldn't agree with that. 00:04:50.660 --> 00:04:53.040 But it would be good if we came back a couple of steps. 00:04:53.840 --> 00:04:57.360 And, you know, God wants us to be nicely comfortable. 00:04:57.760 --> 00:04:59.180 That would be a good Christian position. 00:04:59.680 --> 00:05:02.520 Because in the end, that's where most of us sit in the Western world. 00:05:03.020 --> 00:05:04.100 How do we respond? 00:05:04.480 --> 00:05:10.980 In the end, we're stuck in the middle there somewhere making excuses and getting confused about money. 00:05:11.620 --> 00:05:13.760 And so we launch into Philippians 4. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:16.439 And Paul's got some good stuff to say to us about money. 00:05:17.379 --> 00:05:20.519 He's got some good stuff to say to us about financial partnership. 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:22.019 Let's begin in verse 10. 00:05:22.319 --> 00:05:27.860 So you need to get your Bibles and open and turn to Philippians 4 if you're not already there. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:29.980 Verse 10. 00:05:29.980 --> 00:05:55.720 So Paul takes the opportunity right at the end of this letter to thank the Philippian church for their partnership and their supporting of him financially. 00:05:55.720 --> 00:06:01.520 He also tells them something here really interesting in giving thanks to them. 00:06:01.580 --> 00:06:01.900 He says, 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:04.640 I have learned the secret of contentment. 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:14.240 Let me say that that is something that our world and dare say potentially all of us sitting in this room right now need to learn. 00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:15.600 We still need to learn this one. 00:06:16.259 --> 00:06:19.980 A few verses earlier, Paul talks about anxiety. 00:06:20.259 --> 00:06:21.400 We looked at that last week. 00:06:21.500 --> 00:06:27.400 Do not be anxious in anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving present your request to God. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:32.620 And anxiety is a fearful uncertainty about the future. 00:06:32.720 --> 00:06:34.740 It might be a short-term future or a long-term future. 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:37.939 It's a fearful uncertainty over the future. 00:06:38.900 --> 00:06:48.540 Discontentment, on the other hand, normally arises from ongoing and unchanging circumstances that we can do nothing about. 00:06:48.960 --> 00:06:53.519 It's a feeling of powerlessness about circumstances that I don't like. 00:06:54.280 --> 00:06:57.280 It might be an unfulfilling or a low-paying job. 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:58.720 It might be singleness. 00:06:59.079 --> 00:07:01.199 It might be the inability to bear children. 00:07:01.439 --> 00:07:02.939 It might be an unhappy marriage. 00:07:02.939 --> 00:07:04.540 It might be physical disabilities. 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:06.180 It might be poor health. 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:07.680 It might be the in-laws. 00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:08.180 Who knows? 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:09.400 I mean, it could be anything, really. 00:07:10.519 --> 00:07:15.379 Now, I don't want to minimize the pain and the complexities and the difficulties of those issues. 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:24.379 But what the Bible says clearly here is that it is possible to be content in spite of those issues. 00:07:25.660 --> 00:07:31.740 In any and every circumstance, it is possible to know contentment. 00:07:31.740 --> 00:07:36.040 What then is the secret of this contentment? 00:07:36.639 --> 00:07:38.620 Notice first what Paul says in verse 12. 00:07:38.680 --> 00:07:40.259 I know what it is to be in need. 00:07:40.480 --> 00:07:42.100 I know what it is to have plenty. 00:07:42.100 --> 00:07:49.340 I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well-fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 00:07:49.339 --> 00:07:54.439 He says, it doesn't matter if I'm wealthy or whether I'm bankrupt. 00:07:54.599 --> 00:07:57.239 It doesn't matter if I pass my exams or fail my exams. 00:07:57.319 --> 00:07:59.379 It doesn't matter if I've got a job or I'm on welfare. 00:07:59.719 --> 00:08:03.659 It doesn't matter if I'm driving the Mercedes or I'm taking public transport. 00:08:03.660 --> 00:08:06.660 It doesn't matter if I shop at DJ's or at the $2 shop. 00:08:07.280 --> 00:08:08.260 It doesn't matter. 00:08:09.960 --> 00:08:19.440 He's saying that his contentment has not got anything to do with his circumstances of his life, the external circumstances. 00:08:20.820 --> 00:08:25.500 How then is it possible for him to be content in any and every circumstance? 00:08:25.920 --> 00:08:26.680 Verse 13. 00:08:26.680 --> 00:08:31.019 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 00:08:32.799 --> 00:08:34.980 That's how it's possible for a boy to be content. 00:08:35.399 --> 00:08:39.060 I can do everything through him who gives me strength. 00:08:39.399 --> 00:08:44.539 So he says, I've learned contentment in any and every circumstance. 00:08:46.360 --> 00:08:52.580 And I can do it because in everything he gives me the strength. 00:08:52.580 --> 00:08:58.020 Now, it's important not to take this verse out of context. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:03.660 It's one of those verses which gets thrown around, applied to all sorts of different circumstances of life. 00:09:03.740 --> 00:09:06.420 You go to Coorong, it's on mugs and all that sort of stuff. 00:09:06.580 --> 00:09:09.259 You know, it's just one of those things that gets brandished around. 00:09:09.379 --> 00:09:10.139 Don't worry, brother. 00:09:10.280 --> 00:09:12.280 You know, you can do everything through him who gives you strength. 00:09:12.700 --> 00:09:15.400 I can leap tall buildings through him who gives me strength. 00:09:15.740 --> 00:09:17.840 I mean, that's not how this verse should be applied. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:23.960 Paul is saying, God strengthens me to be content in any and every situation. 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:30.580 His contentment is wrapped up with God's enabling of him to be content. 00:09:30.980 --> 00:09:35.340 That is, his contentment is wrapped up in his relationship with God. 00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:42.560 Paul could be content in every circumstance, whatever the circumstance, 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:48.019 because he is thoroughly assured that God is at work in and through them. 00:09:49.339 --> 00:09:55.299 And therefore, there is a willingness to accept God's hand no matter what it is. 00:09:56.579 --> 00:09:58.659 Because God disciplines those he loves. 00:10:00.439 --> 00:10:02.519 God is at work in this situation. 00:10:03.039 --> 00:10:08.139 And so there's a willingness to accept God's hand in whatever the circumstance is. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:12.639 As one writer put it, or one person, 00:10:13.220 --> 00:10:15.840 actually, this little quote, this little prayer, 00:10:16.480 --> 00:10:19.360 captures contentment so beautifully. 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:24.059 This was a prayer that was written by one Christian man to another Christian man 00:10:24.059 --> 00:10:25.460 who had just lost his wife. 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:29.960 And frankly, if I was in this sort of scenario, 00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:32.519 I would hope someone would write a similar note to me. 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:35.720 And he said, my friend, pray this prayer. 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:41.700 Lord, I am willing to receive what you give, 00:10:42.519 --> 00:10:44.680 lack what you withhold, 00:10:45.560 --> 00:10:47.820 and relinquish what you take. 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:52.000 Isn't that powerful? 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:57.200 Lord, I am willing to receive what you give, 00:10:57.660 --> 00:10:59.460 to lack what you withhold, 00:10:59.899 --> 00:11:02.379 and relinquish what you take. 00:11:02.379 --> 00:11:06.120 It is possible to do all of those things, 00:11:06.259 --> 00:11:07.799 to receive, to lack, 00:11:08.059 --> 00:11:13.240 and to relinquish through him who gives me the strength. 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.879 That is the secret of contentment. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:22.340 And it is the promise for all Christians. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:25.799 Flick back in your Bibles to chapter 1 where we began. 00:11:25.799 --> 00:11:29.859 Six weeks ago. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:31.819 Verse 4. 00:11:33.479 --> 00:11:35.899 In all my prayers for all of you, 00:11:36.059 --> 00:11:37.759 I always pray with joy 00:11:37.759 --> 00:11:40.679 because of your partnership in the gospel 00:11:40.679 --> 00:11:42.339 from the first day until now, 00:11:42.719 --> 00:11:44.059 being confident of this, 00:11:44.439 --> 00:11:46.859 that he who began a good work in you 00:11:46.859 --> 00:11:48.719 will carry it on to completion 00:11:48.719 --> 00:11:51.699 until the day of Christ Jesus. 00:11:51.700 --> 00:11:54.740 What Paul is saying there is 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:57.480 that when God starts a work in someone, 00:11:57.700 --> 00:11:58.980 he finishes the job. 00:11:59.840 --> 00:12:03.400 God is at work in all the circumstances of life, 00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:06.660 shaping and directing our lives 00:12:06.660 --> 00:12:09.600 for our good and for his glory. 00:12:10.560 --> 00:12:12.640 Things will always work out 00:12:12.640 --> 00:12:14.060 according to God's plan. 00:12:15.040 --> 00:12:16.900 He's never got his hands 00:12:16.900 --> 00:12:19.180 off the steering wheel of our lives. 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:21.899 He's directing it always. 00:12:26.319 --> 00:12:27.179 And so, 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:29.879 in amongst all of those issues, 00:12:30.159 --> 00:12:31.739 in amongst all the difficulties, 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:33.899 in amongst all the things that would cause me 00:12:33.899 --> 00:12:35.919 to want to be discontent, 00:12:36.299 --> 00:12:37.719 the promise of God 00:12:37.719 --> 00:12:39.279 and the challenge, I think, for us 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:41.419 is in chapter 4, verse 19. 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:44.879 And my God will meet all your needs 00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:47.719 according to his glorious riches 00:12:47.719 --> 00:12:49.019 in Christ Jesus. 00:12:49.179 --> 00:12:52.419 You see, Paul says that he is content. 00:12:53.199 --> 00:12:54.799 He's learnt the secret of contentment. 00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:58.099 And we too can be content 00:12:58.099 --> 00:12:59.299 if, like Paul, 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:03.500 we trust that all our needs 00:13:03.500 --> 00:13:06.079 are met in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:07.739 All of them. 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:14.220 You can't do better than that. 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:17.519 Money can't meet your needs. 00:13:18.200 --> 00:13:21.039 A relationship can't meet your needs. 00:13:22.100 --> 00:13:24.500 Significance doesn't meet your needs. 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:29.440 And how does God meet our needs? 00:13:29.500 --> 00:13:30.419 It says it right there. 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:33.059 According to his glorious riches 00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:34.580 in Christ Jesus. 00:13:35.379 --> 00:13:37.279 Everything that we need 00:13:37.279 --> 00:13:38.539 right now 00:13:38.539 --> 00:13:40.460 for a life of contentment 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:42.440 has already been given to us 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.879 in Christ. 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:46.259 There is, therefore, 00:13:46.539 --> 00:13:47.259 no excuse. 00:13:47.259 --> 00:13:52.879 This is such an important promise 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:54.259 for us to hear again 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:54.860 and again 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.539 and again 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:56.179 and again 00:13:56.179 --> 00:13:58.120 because we live in a culture 00:13:58.120 --> 00:13:59.740 that is driving us 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:01.500 to a life of discontentment. 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:03.899 it pushes us 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:04.720 in that direction. 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.700 The bottom line is 00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.620 that the accumulation 00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.639 of possessions 00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.879 is where happiness is. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.740 I hope you realise 00:14:12.740 --> 00:14:13.940 that that's what advertising 00:14:13.940 --> 00:14:14.679 is all about. 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:17.879 Advertising has the state of desire 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:19.539 to make you discontent. 00:14:21.000 --> 00:14:23.100 It wants you to be discontent. 00:14:23.240 --> 00:14:23.559 Otherwise, 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.000 how else is it going to sell 00:14:25.000 --> 00:14:25.960 its product to you 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:28.399 unless you think you need this 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:30.940 for your happiness? 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:33.399 for your security? 00:14:33.840 --> 00:14:35.179 For your significance? 00:14:36.559 --> 00:14:38.480 They tap into that bit 00:14:38.480 --> 00:14:41.720 where I need to be happy. 00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:43.039 I need to be secure. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:44.620 I need to feel significant. 00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:47.639 And so the advertising industry 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:49.100 drives you 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:51.379 towards discontentment. 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:53.779 And the consequence is 00:14:53.779 --> 00:14:55.220 that there is this 00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:57.860 almost infallible human rule. 00:14:57.860 --> 00:15:01.440 spending expands 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:03.039 to fill the income. 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:08.220 If you make more money, 00:15:08.779 --> 00:15:11.820 you buy more things. 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:14.240 And the things that you buy 00:15:14.240 --> 00:15:15.519 have to be stored, 00:15:15.740 --> 00:15:16.480 insured, 00:15:16.600 --> 00:15:17.279 or repaired. 00:15:18.279 --> 00:15:19.460 Or unrepaired. 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:23.379 In other words, 00:15:23.780 --> 00:15:25.540 spending begets spending. 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.800 If you have less 00:15:28.800 --> 00:15:29.660 at your disposal, 00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:30.780 you spend less. 00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.800 Most of the time 00:15:32.800 --> 00:15:34.200 we don't even think about it. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.960 And we, 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:37.700 my friends, 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:40.360 have followed the world. 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:42.879 We have followed our culture. 00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:47.899 If this is true, 00:15:48.019 --> 00:15:48.919 if expenses 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.919 almost inevitably 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:51.539 expand to fill the income, 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.559 how will we 00:15:53.559 --> 00:15:54.879 restrain ourselves 00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:57.259 from accumulating 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:59.220 more and more stuff? 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:01.200 And not just more and more stuff, 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.059 but more and more 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:03.559 expensive stuff. 00:16:03.559 --> 00:16:06.619 The answer is 00:16:06.619 --> 00:16:08.299 that as our income 00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.099 grows, 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:10.879 we resolve 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.179 to give a greater 00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:13.759 and greater percentage 00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:15.159 of our income 00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:16.379 to advance the kingdom. 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:18.459 Let me tell you, 00:16:18.699 --> 00:16:19.979 that is what puts 00:16:19.979 --> 00:16:21.219 the brakes on 00:16:21.219 --> 00:16:22.739 our natural impulse 00:16:22.739 --> 00:16:23.899 towards luxury. 00:16:25.559 --> 00:16:26.979 We all have 00:16:26.979 --> 00:16:28.159 a natural impulse 00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.199 towards luxury. 00:16:29.200 --> 00:16:33.580 once upon a time 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.259 you used to just 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.080 buy a couch. 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.600 Now you can buy 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.320 a couch 00:16:38.320 --> 00:16:39.600 that becomes 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.780 your body temperature 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:42.160 within seven seconds. 00:16:44.140 --> 00:16:45.100 That's impressive. 00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:47.160 That's the kind of couch 00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:47.900 I want to sit on 00:16:47.900 --> 00:16:48.480 in the middle of winter. 00:16:54.800 --> 00:16:55.900 When we pursue 00:16:55.900 --> 00:16:57.100 radical generosity, 00:16:57.440 --> 00:16:58.420 as I'm suggesting 00:16:58.420 --> 00:16:59.120 we should, 00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.759 it puts a 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:02.240 restrictor 00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.540 on our 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:04.920 ever-expanding 00:17:04.920 --> 00:17:05.620 spending. 00:17:06.160 --> 00:17:06.740 And so friends, 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:08.279 let me challenge you 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.059 with the life 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:10.000 of John Wesley. 00:17:10.420 --> 00:17:11.039 Let's pick him 00:17:11.039 --> 00:17:11.720 as an example. 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:12.860 He was one of the 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:13.799 greatest evangelists 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.220 in the 18th century. 00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:17.519 In 1731, 00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.819 he began 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.519 to limit 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.600 his expenses 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:22.039 so that he would 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:22.860 have more money 00:17:22.860 --> 00:17:23.960 to give to the poor. 00:17:25.779 --> 00:17:27.299 In the first year, 00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:28.180 his income 00:17:28.180 --> 00:17:29.320 was 30 pounds 00:17:29.320 --> 00:17:31.680 and he found 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:32.200 he could live 00:17:32.200 --> 00:17:33.460 on 28 pounds 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.440 and so he gave 00:17:34.440 --> 00:17:35.600 away 2 pounds. 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:38.460 In the second year, 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.259 his income 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:39.799 doubled 00:17:39.799 --> 00:17:41.440 but he held 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.200 his expenses 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:42.820 even 00:17:42.820 --> 00:17:44.500 and so 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:46.180 he had 32 pounds 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:47.000 to give away. 00:17:48.320 --> 00:17:48.920 Equivalent 00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:50.940 and at that time, 00:17:51.840 --> 00:17:52.340 equivalent 00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.400 to a comfortable 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:54.519 life's income. 00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:54.700 income. 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.579 So in other words, 00:17:56.660 --> 00:17:57.359 he had two 00:17:57.359 --> 00:17:58.740 and he had 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.359 enough income 00:17:59.359 --> 00:18:00.599 to support 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:02.500 two comfortable 00:18:02.500 --> 00:18:03.779 family lives 00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:06.079 and so he gave 00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.639 away one. 00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.579 In the third year, 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:09.220 his income 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:10.639 jumped to 90 pounds 00:18:10.639 --> 00:18:11.559 and he gave away 00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.940 62 pounds. 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.859 In his long life, 00:18:15.379 --> 00:18:16.599 Wesley's income 00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:18.119 advanced as high 00:18:18.119 --> 00:18:19.980 as 1,400 pounds 00:18:19.980 --> 00:18:20.759 in a year 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:23.120 but he rarely 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:24.880 ever allowed 00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:25.700 his expenses 00:18:25.700 --> 00:18:26.559 to rise 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.700 above 30 pounds 00:18:27.700 --> 00:18:28.160 a year. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.200 He said that 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:32.819 he seldom 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.559 had more than 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.599 100 pounds 00:18:34.599 --> 00:18:35.559 in his possession 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.819 at any time 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:38.399 and this 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:39.299 so baffled 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.039 the English 00:18:40.039 --> 00:18:41.419 tax commissioners 00:18:41.419 --> 00:18:42.119 that they 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.879 decided to 00:18:42.879 --> 00:18:43.819 investigate him 00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:45.179 in 1776 00:18:45.179 --> 00:18:47.079 insisting 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:48.939 that for a man 00:18:48.939 --> 00:18:49.579 of his 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:50.819 substantial income 00:18:50.819 --> 00:18:52.159 he must have 00:18:52.159 --> 00:18:53.039 silver dishes 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:54.079 that he was 00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.720 not paying 00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.859 excise tax on 00:18:55.859 --> 00:18:58.000 and so he 00:18:58.000 --> 00:18:58.599 wrote to the 00:18:58.599 --> 00:18:59.799 English tax collectors 00:18:59.799 --> 00:19:01.000 I have two 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:01.839 silver spoons 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.519 in London 00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.559 and two 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.339 in Bristol. 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:05.960 This is all 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.519 the plate 00:19:06.519 --> 00:19:07.099 that I have 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.639 at present 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.660 I shall not 00:19:08.660 --> 00:19:09.660 buy any more 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.779 while so many 00:19:10.779 --> 00:19:11.539 around me 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.920 want bread. 00:19:15.619 --> 00:19:16.940 I will not 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.900 buy another 00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:18.740 plate to put 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.279 bread on 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:19.799 when people 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.339 around me 00:19:20.339 --> 00:19:20.779 don't even 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.099 have the 00:19:21.099 --> 00:19:21.460 bread. 00:19:24.460 --> 00:19:25.299 When he 00:19:25.299 --> 00:19:26.500 died in 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.680 1791 00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.259 at the age 00:19:28.259 --> 00:19:28.940 of 87 00:19:28.940 --> 00:19:30.400 the only 00:19:30.400 --> 00:19:31.139 money that 00:19:31.139 --> 00:19:31.799 is mentioned 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.500 in his 00:19:32.500 --> 00:19:33.019 will 00:19:33.019 --> 00:19:35.279 are the 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.859 coins 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.179 that were 00:19:36.179 --> 00:19:36.500 in his 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:36.919 pocket 00:19:36.919 --> 00:19:37.339 when he 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:37.819 died 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:39.479 and the 00:19:39.479 --> 00:19:40.019 coins 00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.500 in his 00:19:40.500 --> 00:19:40.979 dresser 00:19:40.979 --> 00:19:41.399 drawer. 00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:45.579 The thing 00:19:45.579 --> 00:19:46.119 that filled 00:19:46.119 --> 00:19:46.799 his will 00:19:46.799 --> 00:19:47.259 was his 00:19:47.259 --> 00:19:47.719 theological 00:19:47.719 --> 00:19:48.299 works 00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:48.639 and his 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.059 books. 00:19:49.479 --> 00:19:50.059 He figured 00:19:50.059 --> 00:19:50.719 someone ought 00:19:50.719 --> 00:19:51.059 to get 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.619 those. 00:19:52.179 --> 00:19:52.639 The rest 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:52.879 of it 00:19:52.879 --> 00:19:53.139 didn't 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:53.439 matter. 00:19:55.439 --> 00:19:56.159 Most of 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:57.199 the 30,000 00:19:57.199 --> 00:19:57.879 pounds he 00:19:57.879 --> 00:19:58.359 had earned 00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:58.699 in his 00:19:58.699 --> 00:19:59.279 life had 00:19:59.279 --> 00:19:59.779 been given 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:01.619 away and 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:02.039 he had 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.539 not 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.339 needed 00:20:03.339 --> 00:20:04.000 for 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.799 anything. 00:20:08.399 --> 00:20:09.180 Should we 00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:09.819 be surprised 00:20:09.819 --> 00:20:10.359 by that 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:11.899 when God 00:20:11.899 --> 00:20:12.539 says I 00:20:12.539 --> 00:20:13.019 will meet 00:20:13.019 --> 00:20:13.940 all of 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.599 your needs? 00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:18.299 And so 00:20:18.299 --> 00:20:18.740 Paul's 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.139 attitude 00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:19.980 towards money 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.440 here is 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.039 tied up 00:20:21.039 --> 00:20:22.019 in his 00:20:22.019 --> 00:20:22.700 relationship 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.379 with God. 00:20:23.920 --> 00:20:24.519 His attitude 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.759 towards contentment 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:26.799 is tied up 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.059 in his 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.599 relationship 00:20:27.599 --> 00:20:28.219 with God. 00:20:28.699 --> 00:20:29.099 We also 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.539 notice that 00:20:29.539 --> 00:20:29.759 Paul's 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.019 attitude 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.419 to money 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:30.819 is also 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.319 tied up 00:20:31.319 --> 00:20:31.539 in his 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.099 relationship 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.459 with the 00:20:32.459 --> 00:20:32.819 Philippian 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.419 church. 00:20:34.179 --> 00:20:34.679 Have a look 00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:34.939 there at 00:20:34.939 --> 00:20:35.619 verse 14. 00:20:36.679 --> 00:20:37.299 Yet it was 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:37.859 good of you 00:20:37.859 --> 00:20:38.379 to share 00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:38.679 in my 00:20:38.679 --> 00:20:39.119 troubles. 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:39.539 Moreover, 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:40.339 as you 00:20:40.339 --> 00:20:41.039 Philippians 00:20:41.039 --> 00:20:41.319 know, 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.740 in the early 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.240 days of 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:42.379 your 00:20:42.379 --> 00:20:42.919 acquaintance 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:43.199 with the 00:20:43.199 --> 00:20:43.539 gospel, 00:20:43.980 --> 00:20:44.339 when I 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.859 set out 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.139 from 00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:45.719 Macedonia, 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.319 not one 00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:46.659 church 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:47.139 shared 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:47.679 with me 00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:48.079 in the 00:20:48.079 --> 00:20:48.299 matter 00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.759 of giving 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.459 and receiving 00:20:49.459 --> 00:20:50.740 except you 00:20:50.740 --> 00:20:51.159 only. 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:52.519 For even 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:52.899 when I 00:20:52.899 --> 00:20:53.279 was in 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.059 Thessalonica, 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.759 you sent 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.459 me aid 00:20:55.459 --> 00:20:56.459 again and 00:20:56.459 --> 00:20:56.959 again 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.920 when I 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.400 was in 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:58.759 need. 00:20:59.460 --> 00:20:59.980 I want 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.220 you to 00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.920 notice two 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.680 words there. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:04.380 Verse 14, 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:04.799 the word 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:05.360 share. 00:21:05.840 --> 00:21:06.779 Verse 15, 00:21:06.920 --> 00:21:07.279 the word 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:07.759 share. 00:21:08.400 --> 00:21:08.980 Both of 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.960 those words 00:21:09.960 --> 00:21:12.720 are the 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.579 exact same 00:21:13.579 --> 00:21:14.460 word which 00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:14.960 in chapter 00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:15.660 one is 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.220 translated 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.900 partnership. 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:18.660 And so 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:19.440 Paul begins 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:19.900 on the note 00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.460 of partnership 00:21:20.460 --> 00:21:20.900 in chapter 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:21.720 one and 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.400 he ends 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:22.860 on the note 00:21:22.860 --> 00:21:23.519 of partnership 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.640 towards the 00:21:24.640 --> 00:21:24.819 end of 00:21:24.819 --> 00:21:25.480 chapter four. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:27.200 it's the 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:27.660 same word 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:27.900 that we 00:21:27.900 --> 00:21:28.319 use for 00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:28.740 fellowship, 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:29.599 for sharing, 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.319 for partnership, 00:21:30.620 --> 00:21:31.099 it's the 00:21:31.099 --> 00:21:31.539 same word 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:31.759 that he 00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.120 has in 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:32.480 mind here. 00:21:32.539 --> 00:21:32.660 The 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.220 partnership 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:33.980 that he 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.440 has in 00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.099 mind here 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.700 is that 00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.579 of expressing 00:21:36.579 --> 00:21:39.200 the matter 00:21:39.200 --> 00:21:39.660 of giving 00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.660 and receiving 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.799 of financial 00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.259 help. 00:21:42.980 --> 00:21:43.279 This 00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.839 partnership 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.660 is seen 00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:45.079 in the 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.440 willingness 00:21:45.440 --> 00:21:46.880 of God's 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:47.400 people 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.420 parting 00:21:48.420 --> 00:21:48.900 with their 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:49.339 money, 00:21:50.200 --> 00:21:50.759 their God 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.620 given money 00:21:51.620 --> 00:21:52.660 to help 00:21:52.660 --> 00:21:53.220 them support 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.079 gospel ministry. 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.519 is that 00:21:55.519 --> 00:21:55.980 what comes 00:21:55.980 --> 00:21:56.379 in mind 00:21:56.379 --> 00:21:56.779 when you 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.139 think of 00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.480 the word 00:21:57.480 --> 00:21:58.000 fellowship? 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.039 I mean 00:21:59.039 --> 00:22:00.039 because for 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.579 some of us 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.500 it's kind 00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.839 of what we 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.240 do on the 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:02.740 deck over 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:03.159 tea and 00:22:03.159 --> 00:22:03.480 biscuits. 00:22:04.199 --> 00:22:04.720 For some 00:22:04.720 --> 00:22:04.919 of us 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:05.199 it's what 00:22:05.199 --> 00:22:05.579 we call 00:22:05.579 --> 00:22:06.019 the youth 00:22:06.019 --> 00:22:06.339 group, 00:22:06.699 --> 00:22:07.039 the youth 00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.460 fellowship. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.539 For some 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:09.839 of us 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:10.279 it's just 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.799 the nice 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.399 feeling of 00:22:11.399 --> 00:22:11.980 intimacy we 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.460 have between 00:22:12.460 --> 00:22:12.879 Christian 00:22:12.879 --> 00:22:13.379 people. 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.439 I had a 00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:14.879 strong sense 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.299 of fellowship 00:22:15.299 --> 00:22:15.639 with that 00:22:15.639 --> 00:22:15.980 person. 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:19.000 Now it 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.659 may include 00:22:19.659 --> 00:22:19.980 some of 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.460 those things 00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:20.839 but when 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.339 the Bible 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.919 often talks 00:22:22.919 --> 00:22:23.159 about 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.620 fellowship 00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:24.640 as being 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:25.400 a partner 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:25.940 that is 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.640 expressed 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.660 in terms 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.259 of dollars 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.140 and cents. 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.320 Maybe that 00:22:32.320 --> 00:22:32.759 means that 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.140 we should 00:22:33.140 --> 00:22:33.840 start using 00:22:33.840 --> 00:22:34.120 the word 00:22:34.120 --> 00:22:34.740 partnership 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.340 rather than 00:22:35.340 --> 00:22:35.779 fellowship 00:22:35.779 --> 00:22:36.820 so that 00:22:36.820 --> 00:22:37.300 we as a 00:22:37.300 --> 00:22:37.580 church 00:22:37.580 --> 00:22:38.380 grasp 00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:39.460 the need 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:39.940 to put 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:40.840 our money 00:22:40.840 --> 00:22:41.460 where our 00:22:41.460 --> 00:22:42.240 mouth is. 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.220 So let 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:44.560 me give you 00:22:44.560 --> 00:22:45.360 three things 00:22:45.360 --> 00:22:45.980 that lead 00:22:45.980 --> 00:22:46.940 Christian people 00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:47.500 to part 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:47.960 with their 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:48.420 money for 00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:49.220 gospel ministry. 00:22:50.100 --> 00:22:50.800 Number one, 00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:51.880 an understanding 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:52.300 that your 00:22:52.300 --> 00:22:52.860 money is 00:22:52.860 --> 00:22:53.340 not your 00:22:53.340 --> 00:22:53.660 own. 00:22:53.780 --> 00:22:54.040 It is 00:22:54.040 --> 00:22:54.500 God's. 00:22:54.580 --> 00:22:54.940 It comes 00:22:54.940 --> 00:22:55.560 from God's. 00:22:55.640 --> 00:22:56.040 It's all 00:22:56.040 --> 00:22:56.420 his. 00:22:56.760 --> 00:22:57.140 It is 00:22:57.140 --> 00:22:57.560 purely as 00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.140 John said 00:22:58.140 --> 00:22:58.840 a gift 00:22:58.840 --> 00:22:59.440 from God 00:22:59.440 --> 00:23:00.120 for the 00:23:00.120 --> 00:23:00.480 glory of 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.000 his name. 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.600 Not for 00:23:02.600 --> 00:23:03.180 your comfort 00:23:03.180 --> 00:23:03.700 but his 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.660 glory. 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:06.560 It is 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:06.980 God's 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.260 gift. 00:23:08.260 --> 00:23:08.840 You've got 00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:09.320 your job 00:23:09.320 --> 00:23:10.160 because God 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:10.600 gives you 00:23:10.600 --> 00:23:10.940 that job. 00:23:11.020 --> 00:23:11.220 You've got 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.680 your welfare 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.540 because God 00:23:12.540 --> 00:23:13.120 allows the 00:23:13.120 --> 00:23:13.420 government 00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:13.680 to have 00:23:13.680 --> 00:23:14.080 enough money 00:23:14.080 --> 00:23:14.420 to pay 00:23:14.420 --> 00:23:14.700 for that 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.100 welfare 00:23:15.100 --> 00:23:15.740 and the 00:23:15.740 --> 00:23:16.120 laws that 00:23:16.120 --> 00:23:16.580 allow it. 00:23:17.780 --> 00:23:18.360 You've got 00:23:18.360 --> 00:23:18.940 your skills 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.460 because God 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:19.820 has given 00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:20.220 you those 00:23:20.220 --> 00:23:20.779 skills. 00:23:22.120 --> 00:23:22.640 It's 00:23:22.640 --> 00:23:22.880 all 00:23:22.880 --> 00:23:23.319 God's. 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:24.160 Number two, 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.660 the gospel 00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.200 itself. 00:23:26.620 --> 00:23:26.920 When you 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.720 recognize the 00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.680 enormous generosity 00:23:28.680 --> 00:23:29.339 of God 00:23:29.339 --> 00:23:29.940 towards you 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:30.960 in rescuing 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:31.600 from eternal 00:23:31.600 --> 00:23:32.299 punishment in 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.360 hell and 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:34.019 giving you 00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.880 all the 00:23:34.880 --> 00:23:35.440 riches 00:23:35.440 --> 00:23:36.740 of the 00:23:36.740 --> 00:23:37.299 Lord Jesus 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:37.860 Christ, 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.559 it moves 00:23:38.559 --> 00:23:39.160 your heart 00:23:39.160 --> 00:23:39.740 towards 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.519 generosity. 00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:42.819 Gratitude. 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:45.000 Number three, 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:45.759 contentment. 00:23:45.759 --> 00:23:48.319 contentment 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.920 will lead 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.420 you to 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.079 part with 00:23:50.079 --> 00:23:50.539 money and 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:50.859 to give 00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.119 it to 00:23:51.119 --> 00:23:51.539 others 00:23:51.539 --> 00:23:52.779 because when 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.180 you can 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:54.220 trust God 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:55.759 whatever the 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.619 circumstances 00:23:56.619 --> 00:23:57.359 that you 00:23:57.359 --> 00:23:57.960 find in 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:58.680 your life, 00:23:58.940 --> 00:23:59.619 then you 00:23:59.619 --> 00:24:00.379 realize that 00:24:00.379 --> 00:24:00.859 you don't 00:24:00.859 --> 00:24:01.480 actually have 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:01.879 to hang 00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:02.359 on to 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:02.960 your last 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.519 dollars and 00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:03.859 cents. 00:24:05.599 --> 00:24:06.319 He's in 00:24:06.319 --> 00:24:06.720 control. 00:24:08.440 --> 00:24:08.920 My friends, 00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:09.960 Christ has 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.559 set us free 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.140 from the 00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:12.440 love of 00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:12.660 money, 00:24:12.799 --> 00:24:13.559 the slavery 00:24:13.559 --> 00:24:15.019 to money 00:24:15.019 --> 00:24:16.240 in order 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:16.559 that we 00:24:16.559 --> 00:24:17.099 might be 00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.639 able to 00:24:17.639 --> 00:24:18.139 be givers, 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.460 that we 00:24:18.460 --> 00:24:18.799 might be 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.079 generous 00:24:19.079 --> 00:24:20.759 people and 00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.579 it is so 00:24:21.579 --> 00:24:22.519 liberating not 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:22.839 to be 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:24.579 enslaved by 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:25.019 the thing 00:24:25.019 --> 00:24:25.679 that enslaves 00:24:25.679 --> 00:24:26.259 our culture. 00:24:28.659 --> 00:24:29.339 It helps 00:24:29.339 --> 00:24:29.700 us to get 00:24:29.700 --> 00:24:30.059 out of the 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:30.740 spiral of 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.139 looking to 00:24:31.139 --> 00:24:31.759 my needs 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:32.440 first, 00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:33.740 considering my 00:24:33.740 --> 00:24:34.200 needs before 00:24:34.200 --> 00:24:34.659 I consider 00:24:34.659 --> 00:24:35.079 even the 00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.419 needs of 00:24:35.419 --> 00:24:36.000 other people. 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.359 So if 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.039 that is the 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:41.779 case, if 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.259 it is such 00:24:42.259 --> 00:24:42.759 an enormous 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.480 privilege, 00:24:43.559 --> 00:24:43.919 to be 00:24:43.919 --> 00:24:44.759 involved in 00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.099 gospel 00:24:45.099 --> 00:24:45.720 partnership 00:24:45.720 --> 00:24:47.200 in such 00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:47.619 a way, 00:24:48.139 --> 00:24:48.940 why is it 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.440 that churches 00:24:49.440 --> 00:24:49.839 are nearly 00:24:49.839 --> 00:24:50.799 always under 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.359 resourced? 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:54.240 Why is it 00:24:54.240 --> 00:24:54.899 that missionaries 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.679 have to return 00:24:55.679 --> 00:24:56.899 home because 00:24:56.899 --> 00:24:57.419 of lack of 00:24:57.419 --> 00:24:57.819 funds? 00:24:58.179 --> 00:24:58.519 Why do 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:58.819 Christian 00:24:58.819 --> 00:24:59.559 organisations 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:01.220 waste time 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:02.220 on fundraisers 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.000 and fairs 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.839 and Lamington 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:05.480 drives in order 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.079 just to raise 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.700 a few bucks 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.200 to pay the 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:07.500 bills? 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.240 Why is 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:08.539 that? 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.659 I can only 00:25:10.659 --> 00:25:11.399 imagine that 00:25:11.399 --> 00:25:11.980 we have lost 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.779 the wonder of 00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.339 the gospel 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.019 and the 00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.680 privilege of 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:15.019 gospel 00:25:15.019 --> 00:25:15.619 partnership. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.359 And so 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:19.700 what we're 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:20.420 doing today 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.839 is we are 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.339 putting it 00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:22.899 out there 00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:23.460 as we did 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.160 last year 00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:26.740 on display 00:25:26.740 --> 00:25:28.359 that we 00:25:28.359 --> 00:25:29.180 treasure Jesus 00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:29.859 more than the 00:25:29.859 --> 00:25:30.399 things of this 00:25:30.399 --> 00:25:30.720 world. 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.660 Today we are 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.319 pledging our 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:34.960 giving for the 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.839 next year on 00:25:35.839 --> 00:25:36.359 the commitment 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.779 cards and 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:39.339 it's not 00:25:39.339 --> 00:25:39.980 about having 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.500 a balanced 00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.160 budget for 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.759 next year. 00:25:42.480 --> 00:25:43.259 That is not 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.799 what this is 00:25:43.799 --> 00:25:44.160 about. 00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.259 This is about 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:47.399 partnership in 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.019 the gospel 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:48.759 here at St. 00:25:48.819 --> 00:25:49.359 Paul's and 00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:49.779 beyond. 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.839 What we want 00:25:50.839 --> 00:25:52.160 to see is 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:52.740 we want to 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.440 see Christ 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:54.399 treasured by 00:25:54.399 --> 00:25:55.200 more and 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.059 more people. 00:25:59.059 --> 00:25:59.859 And so let 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.440 me read to 00:26:00.440 --> 00:26:00.940 you our 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.579 core value 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.099 of radical 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.740 generosity. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:02.859 generosity. 00:26:03.960 --> 00:26:04.900 Our gifts, 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.539 possessions, 00:26:05.759 --> 00:26:06.359 finances and 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.440 time belong 00:26:07.440 --> 00:26:08.099 to God. 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:08.980 We will 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.819 therefore use 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.519 them for his 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.400 glory and not 00:26:11.400 --> 00:26:11.859 for our 00:26:11.859 --> 00:26:12.279 comfort. 00:26:12.900 --> 00:26:13.599 We desire to 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:14.039 be like the 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.759 Macedonians 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.759 whose joy in 00:26:15.759 --> 00:26:16.460 Christ through 00:26:16.460 --> 00:26:17.660 extremely difficult 00:26:17.660 --> 00:26:18.500 circumstances 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:20.019 resulted in 00:26:20.019 --> 00:26:20.980 rich generosity 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.079 towards others. 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.599 We believe that 00:26:23.599 --> 00:26:24.339 in a world that 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:25.180 loves money a 00:26:25.180 --> 00:26:25.920 lifestyle of 00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.980 radical generosity 00:26:26.980 --> 00:26:27.960 proclaims that 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.819 Jesus is our 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.680 greatest treasure. 00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:32.299 We believe that 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:32.700 it is the 00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.640 responsibility of 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:34.180 all Christians 00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.819 to pay what 00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:35.240 they owe, 00:26:35.600 --> 00:26:36.259 support those 00:26:36.259 --> 00:26:36.880 who teach the 00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:37.519 word of God, 00:26:37.880 --> 00:26:38.799 provide faithfully 00:26:38.799 --> 00:26:39.559 for their family 00:26:39.559 --> 00:26:40.220 and be generous 00:26:40.220 --> 00:26:40.860 to the poor and 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.840 needy and support 00:26:41.840 --> 00:26:42.600 the wider work 00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:43.160 of the gospel 00:26:43.160 --> 00:26:43.799 in the world. 00:26:44.319 --> 00:26:45.180 We value 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.140 sacrificial, 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.120 enthusiastic, 00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.200 joyful, 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:49.600 regular giving 00:26:49.600 --> 00:26:51.220 in response to 00:26:51.220 --> 00:26:52.279 the gospel of 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:52.779 grace. 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.080 My friends, 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.340 when it all 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:56.360 boils down, 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.740 money is a 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.840 matter of faith 00:26:58.840 --> 00:26:59.340 for the 00:26:59.340 --> 00:26:59.759 Christian. 00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:01.200 It is not a 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.160 financial issue. 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:02.840 It is a 00:27:02.840 --> 00:27:03.740 spiritual issue. 00:27:04.100 --> 00:27:04.620 And the 00:27:04.620 --> 00:27:05.519 question is, 00:27:05.860 --> 00:27:06.779 do we 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:08.040 actually trust 00:27:08.040 --> 00:27:08.860 the promises 00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:09.759 of God? 00:27:10.100 --> 00:27:10.759 Do we 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.019 treasure Jesus 00:27:12.019 --> 00:27:13.700 more than 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.300 the gifts 00:27:14.300 --> 00:27:15.140 that he gives 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.600 us? 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.779 In such a way 00:27:22.779 --> 00:27:23.320 that if he 00:27:23.320 --> 00:27:24.220 removed all 00:27:24.220 --> 00:27:24.779 the gifts, 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.600 I would still 00:27:27.600 --> 00:27:28.160 be able to 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.040 say rejoice 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.279 in the Lord, 00:27:30.319 --> 00:27:30.819 I say it 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.119 again, 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:31.759 rejoice, 00:27:32.720 --> 00:27:34.720 because my 00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.440 contentment is 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:35.960 in Christ. 00:27:38.859 --> 00:27:39.680 And so I 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.379 appeal to you 00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.079 some pause to 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:41.779 trust God. 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.299 He will never 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.180 leave you or 00:27:43.180 --> 00:27:43.899 forsake you. 00:27:44.259 --> 00:27:45.099 He will supply 00:27:45.099 --> 00:27:46.039 all of your 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.480 needs. 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.399 And so 00:27:49.399 --> 00:27:50.059 tonight we've 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:51.059 heard an 00:27:51.059 --> 00:27:51.680 encouraging 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:52.659 testimony from 00:27:52.659 --> 00:27:53.019 John. 00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:54.019 God's 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.019 love. 00:27:55.019 --> 00:27:55.680 It's great to 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:56.079 hear those 00:27:56.079 --> 00:27:56.480 words. 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.079 After the 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.460 10 o'clock 00:27:58.460 --> 00:27:59.359 service this 00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.920 morning, I 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.599 was out on 00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:03.160 the deck and 00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:05.660 a lady came 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.460 up to me who 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.500 is a pensioner 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.700 and she said, 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:09.740 I was so 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.579 challenged last 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:12.779 year that I 00:28:12.779 --> 00:28:14.180 too decided to 00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:14.759 double my 00:28:14.759 --> 00:28:15.119 giving. 00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:18.279 And she 00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:18.579 said, you 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:18.779 know what 00:28:18.779 --> 00:28:19.359 God did? 00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.259 Gave me two 00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:22.899 more dogs. 00:28:25.199 --> 00:28:25.739 And I 00:28:25.739 --> 00:28:26.279 went, you 00:28:26.279 --> 00:28:26.579 need to 00:28:26.579 --> 00:28:27.239 explain that 00:28:27.239 --> 00:28:27.479 one. 00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:28.819 What did 00:28:28.819 --> 00:28:29.279 you sell the 00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.599 dogs or 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:29.779 something? 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.339 No, she 00:28:31.339 --> 00:28:32.339 said, I 00:28:32.339 --> 00:28:33.599 walk dogs. 00:28:34.199 --> 00:28:34.679 That's how I 00:28:34.679 --> 00:28:35.000 get some 00:28:35.000 --> 00:28:35.339 cash. 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:37.059 I walk 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.599 people's dogs 00:28:37.599 --> 00:28:38.039 for them. 00:28:38.559 --> 00:28:39.139 And God 00:28:39.139 --> 00:28:39.599 gave me two 00:28:39.599 --> 00:28:40.159 more dogs to 00:28:40.159 --> 00:28:41.099 walk and I 00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:41.599 was able to 00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:42.000 meet my 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:42.379 commitment. 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:45.000 What a 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.320 wonderful 00:28:45.320 --> 00:28:45.780 testimony. 00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:48.020 A year ago 00:28:48.020 --> 00:28:49.140 I stood here 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:49.940 and I declared 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:50.460 that Natalie 00:28:50.460 --> 00:28:51.660 and I would 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.260 be contributing 00:28:52.260 --> 00:28:53.520 $650 a 00:28:53.520 --> 00:28:54.180 month to the 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:54.680 ministry of 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.260 St Paul's. 00:28:55.540 --> 00:28:56.140 I did that 00:28:56.140 --> 00:28:56.700 because 1 00:28:56.700 --> 00:28:57.600 Chronicles 29 00:28:57.600 --> 00:28:59.100 leads me to 00:28:59.100 --> 00:28:59.560 do that. 00:28:59.900 --> 00:29:00.480 I've written 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.080 about this, 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.140 1 Chronicles 29 00:29:02.140 --> 00:29:02.720 where King 00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:03.920 David led 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.520 the people of 00:29:04.520 --> 00:29:05.280 God in 00:29:05.280 --> 00:29:06.020 giving generously 00:29:06.020 --> 00:29:06.360 to the 00:29:06.360 --> 00:29:06.700 building of 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.160 the temple. 00:29:08.120 --> 00:29:08.740 And I 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.320 said then, 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.160 as I say 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:10.880 again now, 00:29:11.260 --> 00:29:11.920 that I'm the 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:12.340 only one 00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:12.599 who will 00:29:12.599 --> 00:29:12.939 publicly 00:29:12.939 --> 00:29:13.740 declare my 00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.459 giving because 00:29:14.459 --> 00:29:15.019 I am your 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.359 leader. 00:29:16.939 --> 00:29:17.699 I want you 00:29:17.699 --> 00:29:18.139 to know that 00:29:18.139 --> 00:29:18.740 this issue is 00:29:18.740 --> 00:29:19.179 one about 00:29:19.179 --> 00:29:20.359 accountability and 00:29:20.359 --> 00:29:21.059 so you need 00:29:21.059 --> 00:29:22.359 to know that 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.059 I am seeking 00:29:23.059 --> 00:29:23.759 to put my 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.220 money where 00:29:24.220 --> 00:29:24.779 my mouth 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.139 is. 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.179 I'm seeking 00:29:26.179 --> 00:29:27.119 to lead us 00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:27.619 in radical 00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.679 generosity as 00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:29.099 I'm seeking 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:29.740 to lead us 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.419 in all the 00:29:30.419 --> 00:29:30.879 other core 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.459 values of 00:29:31.459 --> 00:29:32.039 this church. 00:29:34.879 --> 00:29:35.819 Last year, 00:29:35.959 --> 00:29:36.220 or sorry, 00:29:36.359 --> 00:29:36.819 this year, 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.740 this past year 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.339 has been 00:29:38.339 --> 00:29:39.859 tough financially 00:29:39.859 --> 00:29:40.879 for Natalie 00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.279 and I. 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.980 for a few 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.359 months, 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:44.119 we lived 00:29:44.119 --> 00:29:44.619 week by 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.059 week, 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.099 juggling 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.720 the timing 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.180 of paying 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:47.700 the bills 00:29:47.700 --> 00:29:48.599 and even 00:29:48.599 --> 00:29:48.960 juggling 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.299 when we 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.579 could go 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:49.859 and buy 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.339 groceries. 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:51.559 We literally 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.180 lived week 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.700 by week. 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.599 By God's 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:55.059 grace, 00:29:55.779 --> 00:29:56.399 as much as 00:29:56.399 --> 00:29:56.680 we were 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:57.379 tempted in 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:57.859 amongst the 00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:58.240 course of 00:29:58.240 --> 00:29:58.759 this year, 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.279 we did 00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:01.160 not pull 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.740 back on 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.319 the 650 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.180 a month. 00:30:04.039 --> 00:30:04.819 We made 00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:05.399 a decision 00:30:05.399 --> 00:30:05.899 that you 00:30:05.899 --> 00:30:06.379 do not 00:30:06.379 --> 00:30:06.819 pull back 00:30:06.819 --> 00:30:07.240 on that, 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:07.720 we've got to 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.299 pull back on 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.919 the spending 00:30:08.919 --> 00:30:09.419 instead. 00:30:10.559 --> 00:30:11.159 That's where 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:11.500 we pull 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:11.839 back. 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:13.079 We start 00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:13.839 cutting stuff 00:30:13.839 --> 00:30:14.299 out of our 00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:14.740 life. 00:30:16.940 --> 00:30:17.619 And by 00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:18.440 God's grace, 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:20.639 we are on 00:30:20.639 --> 00:30:21.139 track to 00:30:21.139 --> 00:30:21.759 finish this 00:30:21.759 --> 00:30:22.720 year better 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.480 than what 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:24.599 we started 00:30:24.599 --> 00:30:25.119 this year. 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:27.139 And I say 00:30:27.139 --> 00:30:27.799 it's by God's 00:30:27.799 --> 00:30:28.200 grace because 00:30:28.200 --> 00:30:28.579 I've got no 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.019 idea how it 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.240 happened. 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.399 It's not 00:30:31.399 --> 00:30:32.039 because of my 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:32.460 wheeling and 00:30:32.460 --> 00:30:32.819 dealing or 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.480 anything else. 00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:36.400 And in 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:36.620 fact, 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.059 we would 00:30:37.059 --> 00:30:37.759 say that 00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:39.019 we're 00:30:39.019 --> 00:30:39.319 finishing 00:30:39.319 --> 00:30:39.740 this year 00:30:39.740 --> 00:30:40.120 better than 00:30:40.120 --> 00:30:40.400 we can 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:40.920 think of 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:41.160 in the 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:41.860 last five 00:30:41.860 --> 00:30:42.200 years. 00:30:44.880 --> 00:30:45.539 God has 00:30:45.539 --> 00:30:46.140 done it and 00:30:46.140 --> 00:30:46.559 he's done 00:30:46.559 --> 00:30:46.900 it in 00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:47.420 unexpected 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:48.259 ways. 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.279 Our 00:30:49.279 --> 00:30:49.920 response to 00:30:49.920 --> 00:30:50.240 God's 00:30:50.240 --> 00:30:51.120 generosity to 00:30:51.120 --> 00:30:51.700 us this 00:30:51.700 --> 00:30:53.400 year is 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.259 to pledge 00:30:54.259 --> 00:30:56.559 $675 a 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:57.220 month next 00:30:57.220 --> 00:30:57.480 year. 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:57.740 We're going 00:30:57.740 --> 00:30:58.120 to up it 00:30:58.120 --> 00:30:58.640 just a bit, 00:30:59.220 --> 00:30:59.640 but we're 00:30:59.640 --> 00:30:59.860 going to 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.480 up it in 00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.120 view of 00:31:01.120 --> 00:31:01.559 Nat's 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:02.140 income 00:31:02.140 --> 00:31:03.299 decreasing by 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.000 $10,000. 00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:04.700 So we're 00:31:04.700 --> 00:31:04.919 going to 00:31:04.919 --> 00:31:05.680 lose money 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:06.079 and we're 00:31:06.079 --> 00:31:06.460 tending to 00:31:06.460 --> 00:31:06.899 give more. 00:31:08.599 --> 00:31:09.419 I expect 00:31:09.419 --> 00:31:09.899 God's going 00:31:09.899 --> 00:31:10.399 to push 00:31:10.399 --> 00:31:10.940 us again 00:31:10.940 --> 00:31:11.839 in this 00:31:11.839 --> 00:31:12.619 next year, 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:13.599 but by 00:31:13.599 --> 00:31:14.000 God's 00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.440 grace, 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:14.859 he will 00:31:14.859 --> 00:31:15.680 enable us 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.099 as he 00:31:16.099 --> 00:31:16.500 says he 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:16.899 would to 00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:17.519 be content 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.180 in any 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:19.039 and every 00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:19.659 circumstance. 00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:25.259 Do you 00:31:25.259 --> 00:31:25.740 trust the 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.359 promises of 00:31:26.359 --> 00:31:26.619 God? 00:31:29.059 --> 00:31:29.940 I appeal 00:31:29.940 --> 00:31:30.319 to you, 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:30.680 Sir Paul, 00:31:30.740 --> 00:31:31.159 to trust 00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:31.480 God. 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:32.480 God's 00:31:32.480 --> 00:31:33.180 love. 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.480 He will 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.099 never fail 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.440 you, 00:31:34.900 --> 00:31:35.259 he will 00:31:35.259 --> 00:31:35.960 never forsake 00:31:35.960 --> 00:31:36.319 you, 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.259 and the 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:37.799 promise is 00:31:37.799 --> 00:31:38.120 he will 00:31:38.120 --> 00:31:39.339 supply all 00:31:39.339 --> 00:31:39.940 of your 00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:40.440 needs. 00:31:40.579 --> 00:31:41.180 In Christ 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.720 you have 00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.480 everything 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.860 you need 00:31:43.860 --> 00:31:44.259 for a 00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:44.819 life of 00:31:44.819 --> 00:31:45.500 contentment. 00:31:46.440 --> 00:31:46.740 And so 00:31:46.740 --> 00:31:47.460 my friends, 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.559 you know 00:31:48.559 --> 00:31:49.319 my pledge. 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.079 You know 00:31:51.079 --> 00:31:51.539 that of the 00:31:51.539 --> 00:31:51.920 leaders. 00:31:52.079 --> 00:31:52.620 I told you 00:31:52.620 --> 00:31:53.240 last week, 00:31:53.360 --> 00:31:55.500 $6,260 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:56.599 a week 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:57.900 from the 00:31:57.900 --> 00:31:58.460 leadership of 00:31:58.460 --> 00:31:58.940 St Paul's 00:31:58.940 --> 00:31:59.420 staff and 00:31:59.420 --> 00:32:00.140 parish council. 00:32:01.340 --> 00:32:01.779 And so 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.319 now I 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:03.059 call you 00:32:03.059 --> 00:32:04.160 to follow 00:32:04.160 --> 00:32:05.559 them into 00:32:05.559 --> 00:32:06.120 a life of 00:32:06.120 --> 00:32:06.400 radical 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:06.980 generosity. 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.140 Thank you. 00:32:07.140 --> 00:32:07.180 Thank you. 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:07.220 Thank you. 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.259 Thank you. 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.299 Thank you. 00:32:07.299 --> 00:32:07.380 Thank you.