WEBVTT

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 Welcome to Ontario Community Church, where we are encouraging, equipping, and engaging lives for Christ.

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! I'm Pastor Patrick Daly, and each week I share sermons that balance the grace and love of Jesus Christ with the truth of the Word of God.

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 Together, we'll explore Scripture using observation, interpretation, and application.

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 This helps us discover practical ways to live out our faith every single day.

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 Let's dive in together into God's Word.

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 Well, good morning, everyone.

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 What an interesting parable we have going on.

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 This parable of the dishonest manager.

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 You know, when you read that title, you have different translations.

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 Some say the dishonest steward or the dishonest manager.

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 And it just makes me think for a moment, you know, before we even begin of, you know, that had to have been a problem back then.

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 And we don't really have dishonest managers nowadays, do we?

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 Well, certainly we do, right?

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 And so when you're reading this, you can't help but think, well, this guy was just kind of a bozo kind of thing.

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 There's a lot to this, though.

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 When we open God's Word, there's a lot of patterns.

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 There's a lot of wisdom.

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 There are a lot of pieces that we are to read, that we are to discover, learn, and grow.

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 And also, how in the world are we going to apply these lessons to our very lives?

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 We see that in the beginning here, that this parable is happening.

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 I want you to go ahead and open your Bibles if you have them open already.

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 And I want you to see what's kind of going on here.

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 It's on page 1040.

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 As you're turning there, you'll see that this parable is happening after the three lost parables.

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 In chapter 15, you have the parable of the lost sheep.

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 You then have the parable of the lost coin.

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 And in the ESVP Bible, it will say the parable of the prodigal son.

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 But it's also known as the parable of the lost son.

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 So this is happening right after these things, where Jesus is continuing to speak to his disciples.

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 But you also have the presence of the Pharisees that are there.

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 And we start off in all the verses 1 and 2, right?

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 The rich man who had a manager, and the charges are being brought before him.

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 Saying that he was squandering, or he was wasting his possessions.

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 Right?

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 So the rich man is calling him.

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 And I want you to keep this in mind.

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 That same language that's being used about a manager is very similar language to what we find in a steward.

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 That's something that's very important for us to know.

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 When we think of being a good steward, right?

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 The parable of the talents, the parable of the minas.

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 Because here, it's a little bit more about management.

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 But it's also about stewardship.

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 So, the steward, right, was accused of mismanagement.

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 In verse 2, what is this that I hear about you?

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 Turn in the account, right?

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 I want to see, show me the books kind of thing.

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 Turn in an account of your management.

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 You can no longer be manager.

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 And so, it's this threat of dismissal, of losing your job.

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 And I think that's pretty, we can think about that nowadays.

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 If you misuse funds, you're probably not going to have a job even nowadays.

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 So that's pretty obvious that we can see.

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 Relevant in business today.

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 So, the manager said to himself, what shall I do?

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 My master is taking the management away from me.

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 I'm not strong enough to dig.

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 And I am ashamed to beg.

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 Which is, God has a funny sense of humor.

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 We can think of people who are in management may not be used to being in the trenches, right?

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 We can think about that back then and even now.

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 That it's different when you're in management than being on the front lines, as it were.

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 And so, I'm ashamed to beg.

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 So, he's used to a certain way of living.

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 And in verse 4, I've decided what to do.

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 So that when I'm removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.

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 All right.

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 So, he's trying to have some sort of plan, some sort of exit strategy, as it were.

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 So, summoning his master's debtor one by one, he said to the first, how much do you owe my master, right?

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 So, the manager is in this predicament where he can have this loss of job.

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 But he's going out and it's very interesting.

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 He is reducing the debts that are owed.

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 Now, in biblical scholars, there's two arguments about what's going on here.

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 One of them is that the guy is going and say, you haven't paid your debt.

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 Just pay a little bit.

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 Just give something back to the debt that's owed.

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 Giving them a discount, right?

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 The other argument is that the manager would receive a, basically like, we would call it like a commission nowadays, right?

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 You think of real estate agents or car salesmen, right?

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 That they get a commission on top of the service that's rendered.

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 So, part of the debate is he's not receiving any payment.

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 He's just collecting the debt that is owed, not the commission, not the interest.

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 So, there is some debate on that.

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 We don't know specifically what exactly it is.

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 But he is receiving some sort of payment that is owed.

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 And if you think about it, well, when you're owed a debt, it's better to have some sort of payment than to get nothing at all.

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 And that's what we're seeing in this sense.

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 So, we then go along, right?

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 So, he's going off saying, how much do you owe?

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 A hundred measures of oil.

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 Just sit down quickly and write 50.

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 Just give 50.

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 And the next one, he's saying, how much do you owe?

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 A hundred measures of wheat.

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 Well, take your bill, write down 80.

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 So, he's negotiating some sort of discount for them.

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 And so, what's interesting in this, when we look at this, we're thinking, well, wait a minute.

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 This guy's about to be fired, but yet he's going out and he's collecting money's owed to his master.

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 And he's getting praised for that?

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 That's kind of an interesting thing that's happening there, right?

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 I mean, look at verse 8.

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 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness.

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 Which, I read that, I know from my own modern lens, I think, well, that's kind of strange.

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 But there's a lesson that's with that.

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 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness, for his wisdom.

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 For the sons of this world are more shrewd.

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 This is where it gets into kind of the meat of it.

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 People that are in the world are more wise with dealing with their own generation.

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 The people within the world, as it were.

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 Then, the sons of light.

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 And who are the sons of light?

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 That's a question that may come.

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 Those are the ones that, in this case, would be the Jewish people.

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 The ones that know the Lord.

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 So, basically, what Christ is teaching is, look at this man, who's part, basically, a worldly person, as it were.

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 He's more wise when it comes to business dealings than you guys are.

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 That's kind of an ouch.

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 It's kind of an ouch truth.

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 But, you know, when we think about it, there are things that are in Scripture that can convict us.

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 It can be a stinger, as it were.

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 But it helps us with our understanding, nonetheless.

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 Verse 9 goes on, then, and I tell you.

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 Now, this is a weird one.

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 Make friends with yourself by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into eternal dwellings.

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 That's kind of a weird language.

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 What is this unrighteous wealth that we're talking about, and why should I get it?

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 Well, that is speaking of worldly resources, earthly things that are not necessarily pure.

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 In other words, we think of our earthly payments, right?

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 Jobs that we have.

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 I mean, don't raise your hand, but I'm sure that a lot of us here have jobs.

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 We get some sort of payment for services that are rendered, okay.

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 So, that would be earthly wealth.

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 That would be the unrighteous wealth.

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 So, what he's saying in here is that use earthly wealth so that when it...

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 How you steward earthly wealth is a reflection of how you should and can steward what God gives to you.

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 Does that make sense, church?

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 It's important for us when we consider the parable of the minas, the parable of the talents.

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 It all has to do with stewardship, with what God has given to us.

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 And here it's talking specifically about earthly wealth and stewarding that well.

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 And in the same way that we are to steward what God gives us here on the earth, you know,

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 for some of you, you may have a really good job.

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 You may even be a manager.

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 Steward those resources well.

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 Because what we find just like on the earth is also similar with heaven.

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 Steward the things of the earth well.

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 And it will show how well you can steward the things of heaven.

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 So, it's showing this parallel that's happening here.

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 Verse 10 helps us understand this even more.

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 One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much.

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 That should be the light bulb moment.

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 That's what we're talking about here.

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 And one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.

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 As we have talked about before, we've used this parabolic language,

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 the seed that gets planted into the ground and grows,

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 the stone that knocks over a statue in Daniel 2 and grows into a mountain,

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 is this idea that things expand when it comes to God.

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 And so, how many of you think of this every day?

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 There's a saying out there that who you are before you get famous,

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 who you are before you get rich,

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 you've got to consider your character.

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 You have to consider who you are.

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 Because that gets magnified as you attain wealth.

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 We think of things here on the earth.

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 It's very similar to what we're finding in Scripture.

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 If you're dishonest with what God has given to you here on the earth,

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 it's saying you're going to be dishonest with what God has given to you.

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 And that's kind of a little hard for us.

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 But it's true nonetheless.

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 All of this, how we understand this, is a matter of the heart.

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 Let me repeat myself.

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 What matters is on the inside in how we deal with earthly treasures,

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 as well as treasures in heaven.

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 We have got to consider what is our mind,

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 what is our heart posture towards the Lord.

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 Some of you may know someone who is dishonest in their business dealings,

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 or they're just a dishonest person.

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 How will they handle the things of God?

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 That is the kind of question you have to think for a moment.

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 And so this unrighteous wealth that we've been talking about

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 is talking about earthly riches.

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 How are you going to steward the things on the earth?

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 How are you going to steward the things of heaven?

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 So verse 10, once again,

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 one who is faithful with very little is also faithful in much.

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 And one who is dishonest in a very little is dishonest in much.

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 It then takes us to verse 11.

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 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth,

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 who will entrust you with true riches?

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 So there's even more explanation.

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 If you're being a crook with wealth,

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 if you're being dishonest with wealth,

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 that's the question.

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 Who will entrust you with true riches?

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 Verse 12,

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 And if you have not been faithful in what is another's,

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 who will give you that which is your own?

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 Verse 13,

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 No servant can serve two masters,

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 for either he will hate one and love the other,

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 or he will be devoted to one and despise the other.

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 This is where we see that famous verse

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 that you cannot serve God and money.

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 We consider money and wealth as a tool.

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 Many of us,

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 for those of you that work with your hands and building things,

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 you have many different tools to build a shed

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 or to put something together.

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 You don't worship the tool.

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 Don't make the tool your God.

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 Well, what can be a tool for us nowadays?

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 Well, certainly money can be one of them.

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 Artificial intelligence can be another one.

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 Right?

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 We can think of many things.

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 We can think of the pursuit of knowledge

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 in of itself can become a God.

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 So when Christ is saying

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 you cannot serve God and money,

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 it's talking about who is,

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 who do you serve?

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 So it's not money in of itself.

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 Just as scripture says,

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 it is the love of money.

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 You can think of,

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 there's many examples we see in culture, right?

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 Where you have movies

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 where their eyes turn into dollar signs, right?

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 Or we can think of people who just cut corners,

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 are dishonest in their work.

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 Those kind of things that happen.

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 And we have to think about,

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 have we made,

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 what have we made an idol?

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 Have we?

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 I hope that,

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 I hope the answer is no for all of us, right?

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 We need to have God.

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 That's who we worship.

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 That's who we love.

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 Money will fade away.

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 It is that which is created.

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 The material will fade away.

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 Much like how we age, right?

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 We don't like admitting that, for sure.

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 We trust in the living God,

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 who is everlasting to everlasting.

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 God does not change.

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 He is constant.

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 And he is our firm foundation.

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 And so,

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 I also want to point out that

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 it is not stewardship that saves you,

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 but it's showing,

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 how is your heart?

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 That's something we also need to factor in.

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 So the Pharisees,

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 in verse 14,

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 who were lovers of money,

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 heard all these things,

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 and they ridiculed him.

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 They scoffed at him.

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 And he said to them,

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 you are those who justify yourselves before men,

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 but God knows your hearts.

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 When you think of someone who is dishonest

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 or who is a lover of money,

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 God knows their heart.

00:16:20.580 --> 00:16:22.560
 God knows our hearts as well.

00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:25.399
 Not to say you're lovers of money,

00:16:25.540 --> 00:16:28.320
 but to still show that God knows.

00:16:28.320 --> 00:16:31.580
 For what is exalted among men

00:16:31.580 --> 00:16:33.500
 is an abomination in the sight of God,

00:16:33.540 --> 00:16:34.420
 which is just showing,

00:16:34.780 --> 00:16:39.040
 you guys have made an idol of yourself

00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:41.060
 or the pursuit of money.

00:16:42.040 --> 00:16:43.340
 God doesn't like that.

00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:46.820
 What's very interesting

00:16:46.820 --> 00:16:49.560
 is that this parable,

00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:54.200
 it shows us that we cannot hide

00:16:54.200 --> 00:16:58.000
 our true intentions from God.

00:16:59.020 --> 00:17:00.040
 We simply cannot.

00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:03.020
 It's similar to the parable

00:17:03.020 --> 00:17:04.519
 of the talents and the minas.

00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:07.640
 And I just find that this is a very,

00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:10.759
 this parable can be very controversial,

00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:12.259
 but it's really not.

00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:14.500
 It's just the question of,

00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.440
 where is your heart

00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:17.600
 for the things of this earth

00:17:17.600 --> 00:17:18.819
 and the things of God?

00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.279
 That's it.

00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:22.620
 There's nothing controversial of that.

00:17:22.619 --> 00:17:24.619
 And certainly when you read it

00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:24.939
 and you see,

00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:26.259
 well, this guy is trying to,

00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.779
 you know,

00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:29.059
 fix the wrong that he's done.

00:17:30.219 --> 00:17:31.079
 Well, how many of us,

00:17:31.139 --> 00:17:32.779
 we try to fix the wrong that we've done?

00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:37.899
 We have to think

00:17:37.899 --> 00:17:39.879
 this isn't a salvation thing though.

00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:40.939
 And I,

00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.879
 in my humble opinion,

00:17:42.879 --> 00:17:44.339
 I would think that's the controversy.

00:17:45.779 --> 00:17:48.399
 But it certainly is a stewardship thing

00:17:48.399 --> 00:17:49.479
 for us.

00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:51.920
 And so,

00:17:52.319 --> 00:17:54.740
 what does all of the,

00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:56.500
 what can we learn from this?

00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:00.259
 The manager mismanaged what was given.

00:18:00.380 --> 00:18:01.319
 That's the first one.

00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:04.440
 The Stuart,

00:18:06.019 --> 00:18:07.799
 his mismanagement

00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:09.940
 resulted in being accountable

00:18:09.940 --> 00:18:11.480
 with the potential loss

00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:13.339
 of his position.

00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:17.339
 We can think of how God gives us so much.

00:18:18.019 --> 00:18:18.740
 This life,

00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.459
 this time,

00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.279
 our resources,

00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.019
 as it were.

00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:26.059
 We are to be wise

00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:28.000
 in what God has given to us.

00:18:29.379 --> 00:18:30.740
 The second thing then

00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:33.419
 is that the manager changed

00:18:33.419 --> 00:18:34.959
 and acted wisely.

00:18:34.959 --> 00:18:36.699
 That is his shrewness.

00:18:36.700 --> 00:18:40.819
 So the manager was being held accountable.

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:43.720
 It required a course correction.

00:18:44.840 --> 00:18:45.840
 And I know for a lot of us,

00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:47.799
 when we have the threat of being fired,

00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.340
 I hope that we change our ways,

00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:49.759
 certainly.

00:18:50.340 --> 00:18:50.980
 Which is why

00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:53.279
 we can think of a parallel

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.299
 even for us today.

00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:57.460
 So the manager changed his course.

00:18:57.580 --> 00:18:58.600
 He acted wisely

00:18:58.600 --> 00:19:00.080
 and it pleased the rich man.

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:01.200
 Now here's the other thing.

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:04.779
 The rich man

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:06.840
 was not pleased

00:19:06.840 --> 00:19:07.880
 with the dishonesty.

00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.059
 Okay?

00:19:09.539 --> 00:19:11.080
 But he was pleased

00:19:11.080 --> 00:19:12.180
 with the shrewdness.

00:19:12.840 --> 00:19:14.400
 With the turning things around

00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:16.440
 and being wise.

00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:17.460
 Okay?

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:19.759
 The text does not say

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:22.480
 that the rich man

00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.480
 was applauding

00:19:23.480 --> 00:19:24.819
 the dishonesty.

00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:25.500
 And I want to make that

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.319
 very clear here.

00:19:28.100 --> 00:19:29.640
 And so God values

00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:30.440
 wisdom,

00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.420
 action,

00:19:32.299 --> 00:19:33.980
 wise stewardship

00:19:33.980 --> 00:19:34.620
 as it were.

00:19:35.480 --> 00:19:36.259
 In other words,

00:19:37.000 --> 00:19:37.759
 many of you guys

00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.680
 that have watched

00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.660
 Indiana Jones

00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:41.860
 choose wisely.

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:42.820
 Right?

00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:44.460
 You think of that scene

00:19:44.460 --> 00:19:45.960
 where there's all of those cups,

00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.420
 right?

00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.340
 All of those chalices.

00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:49.140
 And you're like,

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:49.720
 well, wait a minute.

00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:49.980
 You know,

00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.860
 you want to get the

00:19:50.860 --> 00:19:52.940
 most beautiful looking one?

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.680
 Are you sure?

00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.400
 The idea was

00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:58.299
 choosing wisely

00:19:58.299 --> 00:19:59.140
 and humility.

00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:01.000
 Well,

00:20:01.080 --> 00:20:02.440
 when we think of this parable,

00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.660
 we are to act

00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:05.019
 wisely.

00:20:05.140 --> 00:20:06.360
 We are to be wise.

00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:08.559
 We are to choose wisely.

00:20:09.340 --> 00:20:10.779
 And the third thing then

00:20:10.779 --> 00:20:11.720
 is that God

00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:13.059
 measures our heart.

00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.240
 This is very important.

00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:17.180
 That God wants to

00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.600
 transform us

00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:19.940
 and to soften our hearts

00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.620
 to live

00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:22.160
 and to love like him.

00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:23.800
 to continue

00:20:23.800 --> 00:20:24.960
 to be molded

00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:25.700
 by him

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:27.340
 every single day.

00:20:28.360 --> 00:20:29.779
 And part of this,

00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:30.940
 well,

00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:33.420
 people can see,

00:20:33.580 --> 00:20:34.519
 God can see,

00:20:35.100 --> 00:20:37.160
 where is your loyalty at?

00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:39.680
 Is it towards God

00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.440
 or is it to,

00:20:41.019 --> 00:20:41.860
 well, in this case,

00:20:41.920 --> 00:20:42.340
 an idol?

00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:46.060
 We cannot serve God.

00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:48.099
 We cannot place God

00:20:48.099 --> 00:20:49.200
 as our Lord and Savior

00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:50.639
 and money.

00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.460
 You will fundamentally

00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.779
 have to make that decision.

00:20:54.359 --> 00:20:55.480
 And so God examines

00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.099
 our hearts,

00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.679
 our motives.

00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.919
 He knows what's

00:20:57.919 --> 00:20:58.740
 on the inside.

00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:01.799
 That's something

00:21:01.799 --> 00:21:03.379
 for us to consider.

00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.359
 Let's now go

00:21:04.359 --> 00:21:06.319
 into the application.

00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.919
 What can I do?

00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.179
 How do I live this out?

00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:09.559
 Remember,

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:11.279
 at Ontario Community Church,

00:21:11.279 --> 00:21:13.099
 we observe the text,

00:21:13.240 --> 00:21:13.879
 we read it.

00:21:14.460 --> 00:21:15.079
 What in the world

00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:15.940
 is going on here?

00:21:16.700 --> 00:21:18.119
 We then look at the lessons

00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:18.799
 that help us

00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:20.200
 in our own spiritual walk

00:21:20.200 --> 00:21:20.819
 with the Lord.

00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:22.079
 And the third thing,

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.920
 the application,

00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:24.420
 is what do we do

00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.220
 about this?

00:21:25.920 --> 00:21:26.819
 Well, the first thing,

00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:27.559
 if you're not,

00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.720
 if you don't believe

00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.240
 in the Lord,

00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.119
 belong to God.

00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.899
 Make a decision for Him.

00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.559
 Respond to the invitation

00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:38.940
 that God has given to you

00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:40.420
 to say yes to Christ.

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:42.980
 Respond in faith.

00:21:45.099 --> 00:21:46.619
 Everything that you have

00:21:46.619 --> 00:21:49.259
 and everything that you are

00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:51.359
 belongs to God.

00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:53.879
 And it is important for us

00:21:53.879 --> 00:21:55.740
 to recognize that

00:21:55.740 --> 00:21:57.180
 and to know

00:21:57.180 --> 00:21:59.160
 that we need Christ.

00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:01.920
 And when we think about things

00:22:01.920 --> 00:22:03.480
 that have happened back then

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.559
 and even things

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:06.960
 that happen in our world today,

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:09.859
 it is so important for us

00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:11.619
 to turn to Christ.

00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:14.379
 And here's the thing.

00:22:15.679 --> 00:22:18.059
 No matter what you have been through,

00:22:18.939 --> 00:22:21.139
 no matter what you are going through,

00:22:21.679 --> 00:22:23.059
 no matter what your

00:22:23.059 --> 00:22:26.199
 behind-the-scenes story is,

00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:29.179
 God extends this invitation

00:22:29.179 --> 00:22:31.419
 to the table of plenty.

00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:34.160
 He calls for you

00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:35.920
 to respond in faith

00:22:35.920 --> 00:22:38.380
 that whosoever believes

00:22:38.380 --> 00:22:40.400
 shall not perish

00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:42.320
 but have eternal life.

00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:43.600
 So that is the first thing,

00:22:43.759 --> 00:22:45.860
 is to belong to God.

00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:48.720
 Have I,

00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.680
 ask yourself,

00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:50.759
 have I responded

00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:52.279
 to the invitation

00:22:52.279 --> 00:22:54.300
 to salvation in Christ?

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:56.000
 The second thing then

00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.619
 is to steward every gift.

00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.480
 Just as it says,

00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.480
 I think it's in James,

00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:01.259
 that every perfect gift

00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:03.319
 comes from the Lord above.

00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:05.339
 We are to steward it well.

00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:07.940
 As we're being transformed,

00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:09.680
 as we're being changed,

00:23:10.940 --> 00:23:12.200
 there's spiritual gifts.

00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:14.000
 There's spiritual fruit.

00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.720
 We are to steward that

00:23:15.720 --> 00:23:17.159
 just like we are to steward

00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:20.319
 that which comes from the earth.

00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:24.240
 In other words,

00:23:24.619 --> 00:23:27.339
 use all of your resources wisely.

00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.859
 Time, talent, treasure,

00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.859
 consider that.

00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:34.480
 And give back

00:23:34.480 --> 00:23:37.059
 to build the kingdom.

00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.119
 Steward for God,

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:40.179
 and it may even require for you

00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:41.460
 to take inventory

00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:43.119
 of what it is you have.

00:23:43.700 --> 00:23:45.419
 Just a simple pad and paper.

00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.379
 Sometimes when I get down,

00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:50.400
 when I'm human

00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.520
 just like all of you,

00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:52.840
 I have my down days.

00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.020
 I remember I learned

00:23:55.020 --> 00:23:55.740
 from my parents,

00:23:55.840 --> 00:23:56.780
 get a pad and paper

00:23:56.780 --> 00:23:57.500
 and write down

00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.620
 what you're grateful for.

00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.820
 Usually like by the fifth

00:24:01.820 --> 00:24:02.580
 or the tenth one,

00:24:02.660 --> 00:24:04.500
 you start turning it around.

00:24:05.820 --> 00:24:07.340
 But sometimes it's appropriate

00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:09.060
 to take inventory,

00:24:09.740 --> 00:24:11.900
 to consider what you're thankful

00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:13.200
 or what your blessings is.

00:24:13.260 --> 00:24:14.500
 That doesn't change the fact

00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:17.780
 that you're going through emotions,

00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.619
 but it's something

00:24:18.619 --> 00:24:20.259
 that can help you in that.

00:24:22.220 --> 00:24:23.399
 So take inventory

00:24:23.399 --> 00:24:24.879
 and consider that

00:24:24.879 --> 00:24:26.180
 when you are saved

00:24:26.180 --> 00:24:27.460
 by grace through faith,

00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:28.740
 the things that you do,

00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:30.000
 the words that you say,

00:24:30.099 --> 00:24:30.740
 the actions,

00:24:30.920 --> 00:24:31.920
 all of these things

00:24:31.920 --> 00:24:34.539
 help build up treasures

00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.759
 in heaven.

00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:40.039
 That's important for us.

00:24:40.680 --> 00:24:42.500
 To live in love like Christ

00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:44.460
 and to help others

00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:46.319
 respond to the gospel message,

00:24:46.440 --> 00:24:48.180
 to be that ambassador

00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.740
 for Christ for other people,

00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:51.700
 we can think of our neighbor.

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:54.720
 How are you being salt

00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.880
 and light to the world?

00:24:56.559 --> 00:24:58.880
 How are you living out the gospel?

00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.119
 And here's the thing.

00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.519
 None of us,

00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.519
 is anyone perfect here?

00:25:05.720 --> 00:25:06.220
 Right?

00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:10.019
 We are still being

00:25:10.019 --> 00:25:11.440
 a work in progress.

00:25:12.940 --> 00:25:14.700
 We're still going to make mistakes.

00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.839
 None of us are perfect.

00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:19.920
 And let God work in and through you

00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:22.140
 to make you more like Him.

00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:25.360
 The third thing then,

00:25:25.940 --> 00:25:27.000
 what does it say, church?

00:25:29.360 --> 00:25:30.860
 Serve God, not the world.

00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:33.439
 And I specifically put the world

00:25:33.439 --> 00:25:34.179
 and not money.

00:25:36.439 --> 00:25:38.139
 Because we think of how

00:25:38.139 --> 00:25:40.179
 money being a tool,

00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.879
 well, there's many things

00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:44.039
 that are of the world

00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:45.219
 that people seek.

00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:48.319
 Do they find fulfillment?

00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:51.299
 Very often,

00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:53.919
 it always has interested me

00:25:53.919 --> 00:25:57.319
 when you hear about actors,

00:25:57.699 --> 00:25:58.599
 actresses,

00:25:58.959 --> 00:26:00.139
 famous people,

00:26:00.859 --> 00:26:01.779
 rich people

00:26:01.779 --> 00:26:06.000
 who say they're empty.

00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.459
 That there's something

00:26:08.459 --> 00:26:09.819
 missing in their life.

00:26:11.439 --> 00:26:11.679
 It's like,

00:26:11.719 --> 00:26:12.539
 I have all the money

00:26:12.539 --> 00:26:13.019
 in the world,

00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.979
 but I don't know why

00:26:13.979 --> 00:26:14.899
 I feel empty.

00:26:16.119 --> 00:26:16.919
 Or I could have,

00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:17.219
 you know,

00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.899
 I'm the most beautiful person.

00:26:18.979 --> 00:26:19.419
 I'm not,

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.699
 but you understand.

00:26:21.679 --> 00:26:22.639
 I'm certainly not.

00:26:23.819 --> 00:26:24.839
 You can think about

00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:26.639
 all of these statuses,

00:26:27.639 --> 00:26:28.799
 how there's that sense

00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.939
 of emptiness

00:26:29.940 --> 00:26:30.140
 happiness.

00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:32.039
 And it's the strangest thing

00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:33.059
 if you don't know the Lord.

00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.400
 You're like,

00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.019
 well, wait a minute.

00:26:35.140 --> 00:26:35.539
 Logically,

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.460
 you would think

00:26:36.460 --> 00:26:37.600
 being the most beautiful,

00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.620
 being the wealthiest,

00:26:39.759 --> 00:26:41.500
 having the most knowledge,

00:26:42.539 --> 00:26:43.720
 any of these things

00:26:43.720 --> 00:26:46.500
 would give you fulfillment,

00:26:46.759 --> 00:26:47.860
 would give you peace,

00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.900
 would give you joy,

00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.600
 would give you any of these things.

00:26:50.599 --> 00:26:52.839
 but they don't.

00:26:54.659 --> 00:26:56.099
 We have to consider

00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:57.519
 how it is God

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.799
 that gives us

00:26:58.799 --> 00:27:00.639
 joy that's unspeakable.

00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:02.759
 That how the Lord

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:03.839
 gives us peace

00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:05.099
 that surpasses

00:27:05.099 --> 00:27:06.019
 all understanding.

00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.839
 That it is God

00:27:07.839 --> 00:27:08.619
 who gives us

00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.740
 salvation,

00:27:11.159 --> 00:27:12.199
 eternal life.

00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:14.199
 And if that's not enough

00:27:14.199 --> 00:27:14.599
 for you,

00:27:14.959 --> 00:27:16.319
 just think of all the other things

00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.339
 that the Lord gives you.

00:27:18.199 --> 00:27:19.779
 The softening of your heart,

00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:20.500
 the putting on

00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.699
 of the new self,

00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.819
 the confidence

00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.579
 in the Lord

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:25.500
 that no matter

00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.639
 what happens,

00:27:27.199 --> 00:27:28.319
 I'm going to trust

00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.919
 in God.

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.099
 And I don't know

00:27:31.099 --> 00:27:31.679
 about you,

00:27:31.779 --> 00:27:32.379
 with everything

00:27:32.379 --> 00:27:33.379
 that goes on

00:27:33.379 --> 00:27:34.079
 in the news

00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:35.039
 and social media,

00:27:35.179 --> 00:27:35.980
 I don't want to talk

00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.939
 too much about it.

00:27:38.319 --> 00:27:39.879
 It goes to show

00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:41.959
 where do you turn to

00:27:41.959 --> 00:27:43.899
 in crisis.

00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:45.560
 whether that's

00:27:45.560 --> 00:27:46.519
 a personal crisis

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.440
 or things that are

00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.220
 just going on

00:27:48.220 --> 00:27:49.140
 and you don't

00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:50.840
 understand or agree with.

00:27:52.940 --> 00:27:54.060
 In other words,

00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.120
 serve the Lord.

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.000
 Consider to serve

00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.300
 and have God

00:27:59.300 --> 00:28:00.180
 at the center

00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.900
 of your life.

00:28:02.840 --> 00:28:04.360
 And consider how you live

00:28:04.360 --> 00:28:05.060
 and love.

00:28:05.960 --> 00:28:06.740
 Serve the Lord

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.860
 and serve others.

00:28:08.060 --> 00:28:09.200
 Much like how Scripture

00:28:09.200 --> 00:28:11.220
 calls us to love God

00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:12.280
 and to love others.

00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.779
 be that ambassador

00:28:13.779 --> 00:28:14.500
 for Christ

00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.960
 and to be salt

00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.460
 and light.

00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.720
 Jesus clearly

00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.660
 shows us

00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:21.339
 that stewardship

00:28:21.339 --> 00:28:22.700
 is about

00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.960
 what matters

00:28:23.960 --> 00:28:25.119
 in the heart.

00:28:26.720 --> 00:28:27.440
 So,

00:28:27.759 --> 00:28:29.639
 as we close here,

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:31.279
 use your resources

00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.059
 wisely.

00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:34.160
 Come to know

00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:34.579
 the Lord,

00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:35.559
 belong to Him.

00:28:36.759 --> 00:28:37.680
 Steward what God

00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:38.779
 has given to you.

00:28:38.779 --> 00:28:41.700
 and may you

00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:43.299
 clearly choose God

00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:45.220
 as your Savior

00:28:45.220 --> 00:28:46.619
 and Lord.

00:28:46.899 --> 00:28:47.879
 Let's pray together.

00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.180
 And Father,

00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.139
 we thank you

00:28:51.139 --> 00:28:52.059
 for this time

00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:53.379
 for us to gather together

00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.420
 going over this

00:28:54.420 --> 00:28:55.819
 very interesting

00:28:55.819 --> 00:28:56.940
 parable

00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:59.920
 about a dishonest

00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.339
 manager

00:29:00.339 --> 00:29:01.539
 or a dishonest

00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.000
 steward,

00:29:02.059 --> 00:29:02.539
 as it were.

00:29:02.539 --> 00:29:06.220
 may we,

00:29:06.819 --> 00:29:08.180
 first off,

00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.339
 know you.

00:29:10.099 --> 00:29:10.619
 May we have

00:29:10.619 --> 00:29:11.539
 that relationship

00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.240
 with you.

00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.659
 May we grow

00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:14.119
 in you.

00:29:14.539 --> 00:29:15.480
 May we be moved

00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:16.079
 to do good,

00:29:16.200 --> 00:29:17.000
 but in that

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:18.339
 entire process,

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:20.200
 may we steward

00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:20.920
 well

00:29:20.920 --> 00:29:22.259
 what you have

00:29:22.259 --> 00:29:23.139
 given to us,

00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:24.319
 the things that

00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.519
 are of the earth

00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.259
 and the things

00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:27.480
 that are of God,

00:29:28.299 --> 00:29:28.920
 things that are

00:29:28.920 --> 00:29:29.339
 of you.

00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:33.559
 may we

00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:35.759
 examine

00:29:35.759 --> 00:29:36.659
 our hearts

00:29:36.659 --> 00:29:38.779
 if there is

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.419
 something that

00:29:39.419 --> 00:29:39.959
 is wrong

00:29:39.959 --> 00:29:40.679
 with our hearts.

00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:41.579
 Father,

00:29:41.679 --> 00:29:42.159
 if we

00:29:42.159 --> 00:29:44.000
 have evil

00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.619
 intent,

00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:47.199
 I pray that

00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:47.519
 there will be

00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:48.379
 a change of heart,

00:29:49.039 --> 00:29:50.519
 much like how

00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:52.639
 there is a change

00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.579
 of mind.

00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.399
 May you

00:29:55.399 --> 00:29:56.339
 soften our hearts

00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.500
 and change our minds

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.359
 on who you are

00:29:58.359 --> 00:29:59.419
 and continue

00:29:59.419 --> 00:30:00.439
 to mold us

00:30:00.439 --> 00:30:01.279
 and to change us

00:30:01.279 --> 00:30:01.879
 into who you

00:30:01.879 --> 00:30:02.740
 want us to be.

00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.979
 May we not be

00:30:04.979 --> 00:30:06.039
 afraid of

00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:07.339
 turning to you

00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.719
 and may we

00:30:08.719 --> 00:30:09.779
 recognize that

00:30:09.779 --> 00:30:12.539
 what matters

00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:13.139
 is that we

00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:13.879
 turn to you

00:30:13.879 --> 00:30:14.399
 today.

00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:17.019
 That you

00:30:17.019 --> 00:30:17.719
 love us

00:30:17.719 --> 00:30:18.979
 regardless of

00:30:18.979 --> 00:30:19.459
 what we have

00:30:19.459 --> 00:30:19.919
 been through

00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:20.240
 and you're

00:30:20.240 --> 00:30:21.079
 there for us

00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:22.659
 in the hills

00:30:22.659 --> 00:30:23.439
 and the valleys

00:30:23.439 --> 00:30:24.919
 and the highs

00:30:24.919 --> 00:30:25.679
 and the lows

00:30:25.679 --> 00:30:27.459
 or as that song

00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.440
 says, the highways

00:30:28.440 --> 00:30:29.380
 and the byways

00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:30.019
 of life.

00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:33.180
 May we take

00:30:33.180 --> 00:30:33.779
 this parable

00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.299
 to heart

00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:36.259
 considering

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:38.100
 how we know

00:30:38.100 --> 00:30:38.799
 you and how

00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.500
 we steward

00:30:39.500 --> 00:30:41.100
 the things

00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:41.660
 of the earth

00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.840
 and the things

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.319
 of you.

00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:45.480
 We love you,

00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.380
 we praise you,

00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.340
 we glorify you,

00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:48.160
 and we honor you.

00:30:48.299 --> 00:30:49.500
 It is in the name

00:30:49.500 --> 00:30:50.180
 of Jesus

00:30:50.180 --> 00:30:51.039
 that we pray

00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.059
 and we all say

00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:52.440
 together,

00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:52.820
 amen.

00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:53.799
 Amen.

00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.380
 Thank you for

00:30:56.380 --> 00:30:57.140
 listening for this

00:30:57.140 --> 00:30:57.840
 week's message

00:30:57.840 --> 00:30:58.460
 from Ontario

00:30:58.460 --> 00:30:59.299
 Community Church.

00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.779
 I pray that

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.799
 you are encouraged

00:31:01.799 --> 00:31:02.799
 and strengthened

00:31:02.799 --> 00:31:03.539
 in your walk

00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.080
 with Christ.

00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.340
 For more sermons

00:31:05.340 --> 00:31:06.120
 and resources,

00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:07.039
 visit

00:31:07.039 --> 00:31:09.440
 OntarioCommunityChurch.org.

00:31:09.820 --> 00:31:11.059
 May God bless you

00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:11.940
 as you live out

00:31:11.940 --> 00:31:13.259
 his grace and truth

00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.440
 every single day.

00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:38.580
 Thank you for

00:31:38.580 --> 00:31:38.580


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