WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.839 Alright, well we are almost at the end of our series through the New Testament letter of 1 Timothy. 00:00:06.640 --> 00:00:11.839 If you have your Bible with you, you can open it up to 1 Timothy chapter 6. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:18.879 And we will have the words on the screen as well for you to follow along in case you don't have your Bible. 00:00:21.500 --> 00:00:26.300 Here in chapter 6, Paul touches on three significant issues. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:34.520 First of all, he gives some instructions for slaves about how they should treat their masters. 00:00:34.780 --> 00:00:36.719 That's in the first two verses. 00:00:38.039 --> 00:00:43.359 Then he moves on to giving Timothy some wisdom about false teachers and divisive people. 00:00:43.980 --> 00:00:45.799 That's in verse 3-5. 00:00:46.880 --> 00:00:53.780 And finally, we will only go as far as verse 10 today, he gives some wisdom concerning money and materialism. 00:00:53.780 --> 00:00:57.380 Now each of these subjects could probably be its own sermon. 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:04.560 And my first draft of this sermon was 45 minutes long, so the good news is I cut a fair amount out. 00:01:05.019 --> 00:01:07.900 We're going to move very quickly over the instructions to slaves. 00:01:08.700 --> 00:01:12.200 Linger a little longer on the words of wisdom concerning false teachers. 00:01:12.520 --> 00:01:16.599 And spend most of our time on the subject of money and materialism. 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:19.980 Let's start with these instructions to slaves. 00:01:20.960 --> 00:01:22.640 Let me read the passage for us. 00:01:22.640 --> 00:01:23.320 Paul writes, 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:29.760 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:35.140 so that God's name and our teaching may not be slandered. 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:42.439 Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they're fellow believers. 00:01:43.480 --> 00:01:46.040 Instead, they should serve them even better, 00:01:46.040 --> 00:01:49.400 because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers, 00:01:49.720 --> 00:01:52.680 and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves. 00:01:53.620 --> 00:01:56.660 These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 00:01:57.520 --> 00:02:03.280 So this is a whole discussion and topic within the Bible that we're just going to summarize this morning. 00:02:03.280 --> 00:02:13.360 So what follows are a number of statements that we can see when we look at all that the scripture has to say about slavery. 00:02:13.360 --> 00:02:18.680 Slavery was a normal part of the society and culture back in the first century, 00:02:19.320 --> 00:02:24.400 and even before that, all the way back through the history that is in the Bible. 00:02:25.040 --> 00:02:30.840 Many were not slaves because they had been kidnapped or stolen away from their families, 00:02:31.100 --> 00:02:37.020 but because they had sold themselves into slavery to pay off their debts. 00:02:37.020 --> 00:02:45.520 The instructions of God in the Bible about slavery do not condone it or recommend it as a good thing. 00:02:47.260 --> 00:02:53.280 God's word does not call for the immediate release of all slaves by their owners, 00:02:53.879 --> 00:03:03.020 but it does contain the words that point towards the abolition of slavery as a good thing for all. 00:03:03.020 --> 00:03:10.800 Christ instructs both Christian masters and slaves to treat one another well, 00:03:11.420 --> 00:03:16.200 with dignity, kindness, respect, and love. 00:03:18.300 --> 00:03:24.340 This kind of conduct between Christian slaves and their masters honored Christ. 00:03:25.200 --> 00:03:32.460 This kind of conduct between Christian slaves and their masters upheld the established authority and laws of the day. 00:03:33.020 --> 00:03:40.640 And this kind of conduct between Christian slaves and their masters protected the gospel message from slander. 00:03:40.840 --> 00:03:47.700 It allowed it to spread further and faster, meaning many more people saved from an even worse kind of slavery, 00:03:47.920 --> 00:03:50.400 which is slavery to sin and death. 00:03:50.400 --> 00:03:56.000 And finally, the way that God handles human slavery on earth, 00:03:56.219 --> 00:03:58.300 as we see all through the Bible, 00:03:58.860 --> 00:04:03.319 reveals his ability to bring good out of human evil. 00:04:04.219 --> 00:04:08.140 And it highlights his transforming love and power 00:04:08.140 --> 00:04:13.860 over against man's tendency to hurt and abuse and take advantage of one another. 00:04:13.860 --> 00:04:17.759 That's all I'm going to say about it this morning. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:29.420 Let's move on to the next section and consider Paul's wisdom for Timothy about divisive people and false teachers in the church. 00:04:29.980 --> 00:04:30.980 Verse 3. 00:04:30.980 --> 00:04:38.280 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:04:38.280 --> 00:04:39.840 and to godly teaching, 00:04:40.379 --> 00:04:42.600 they are conceited and understand nothing. 00:04:43.340 --> 00:04:48.460 They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words 00:04:48.460 --> 00:04:54.840 that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions, 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:59.319 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:01.099 who have been robbed of the truth 00:05:01.099 --> 00:05:04.359 and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 00:05:06.359 --> 00:05:10.359 So this is a long thought from Paul with a lot of stuff baked into it. 00:05:10.719 --> 00:05:12.219 What is Paul saying here? 00:05:13.159 --> 00:05:15.559 First of all, who is he talking about? 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:19.399 He says, if anyone teaches otherwise. 00:05:19.399 --> 00:05:23.560 So Paul's talking about people who are teaching, 00:05:24.399 --> 00:05:26.399 people who are advocating things, 00:05:26.859 --> 00:05:31.019 people that are seeking to influence others with their words. 00:05:32.079 --> 00:05:33.879 And what defines these people? 00:05:35.079 --> 00:05:37.120 They're teaching otherwise. 00:05:38.120 --> 00:05:43.039 They're teaching contrary to the things that Paul's now saying to Timothy. 00:05:44.739 --> 00:05:47.899 And if we're listening carefully to the flow of Paul's thought here, 00:05:47.899 --> 00:05:51.979 Paul's actually saying that the instruction that he has right now been giving 00:05:51.979 --> 00:05:59.000 to Timothy in the letter is the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:05:59.739 --> 00:06:02.359 Let me just read it one more time and see if you hear that. 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:03.879 He says, 00:06:03.979 --> 00:06:07.000 These are the things you are to teach and insist on. 00:06:07.819 --> 00:06:11.479 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction 00:06:11.479 --> 00:06:14.599 of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 00:06:14.600 --> 00:06:18.840 and we'll finish the thought in a moment. 00:06:19.360 --> 00:06:23.600 So Paul knows that Jesus Christ himself is speaking through him 00:06:23.600 --> 00:06:26.900 as he is writing this letter to Timothy. 00:06:27.640 --> 00:06:28.780 And essentially he's saying, 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:33.879 Timothy, the way that people respond to these words 00:06:33.879 --> 00:06:36.840 is to be a litmus test for you. 00:06:36.839 --> 00:06:40.739 People that rise up against these instructions, 00:06:40.939 --> 00:06:42.339 which come from Christ himself, 00:06:43.819 --> 00:06:44.619 they are, 00:06:45.599 --> 00:06:49.120 and then what follows is a list of things that they are. 00:06:50.959 --> 00:06:51.879 Paul says, 00:06:52.439 --> 00:06:55.979 If anyone does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:06:56.079 --> 00:06:57.019 they are conceited. 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:01.000 Conceited means exceedingly proud. 00:07:01.000 --> 00:07:06.680 Probably the original word here also includes not just the idea of pride, 00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:13.139 but also the blindness and foolishness that goes with being exceedingly proud. 00:07:14.360 --> 00:07:15.560 Pridefully deluded. 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:18.459 He goes on, 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:22.980 If anyone does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:07:23.279 --> 00:07:25.459 they understand nothing. 00:07:25.459 --> 00:07:31.539 So Christ's words are the very foundation of the truth. 00:07:34.099 --> 00:07:38.379 They are the words that the household of God should be built on, 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:41.139 or that the life of a person should be built on. 00:07:41.899 --> 00:07:45.179 And if we're rejecting that foundation, 00:07:46.359 --> 00:07:49.519 then it doesn't matter what we build on top of it. 00:07:50.120 --> 00:07:51.120 There's a problem. 00:07:52.919 --> 00:07:55.000 The way that Paul says it is very strong. 00:07:55.000 --> 00:07:57.759 He says your understanding amounts to zero. 00:07:58.779 --> 00:08:02.000 I mean, what good is the whole framework and structure of religion 00:08:02.000 --> 00:08:05.959 that is built on what is false? 00:08:07.600 --> 00:08:10.680 What at its core is not true is a lie. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:16.839 They understand nothing if they reject the clear instruction of Jesus, says Paul. 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:21.720 They have an unhealthy interest in controversies 00:08:21.720 --> 00:08:23.720 and quarrels about words. 00:08:25.000 --> 00:08:29.439 Some of the other translations bring this out a little stronger. 00:08:29.660 --> 00:08:34.120 Unhealthy interest is a very soft way of saying it or translating it. 00:08:34.379 --> 00:08:39.539 A little more accurate probably is that they have a sick craving for controversy 00:08:39.539 --> 00:08:41.820 or speculations. 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:44.460 Disputes over words? 00:08:45.220 --> 00:08:46.320 They love that. 00:08:46.320 --> 00:08:50.480 This isn't just an unhealthy interest. 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:56.940 These people are vocally teaching otherwise to Paul and to Timothy. 00:08:57.320 --> 00:09:01.400 They're vocally disagreeing with the Lord Jesus' own apostle. 00:09:01.399 --> 00:09:06.059 And they're promoting controversies and speculations 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:10.379 and deviating from the sound teaching, from the godly teaching. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:13.340 They're listening to the words of Paul 00:09:13.340 --> 00:09:16.899 and then they're quibbling over them and twisting them. 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:18.759 Well, he probably doesn't mean that. 00:09:18.899 --> 00:09:20.279 He probably means this. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:28.339 Paul says that the problem with controversies and speculations 00:09:28.339 --> 00:09:34.659 is that they result in envy, strife, malicious talk, 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:38.439 evil suspicions, and constant friction. 00:09:38.440 --> 00:09:41.520 This is quite the list. 00:09:43.040 --> 00:09:48.100 What's the result or the fruit of these pridefully deluded people 00:09:48.100 --> 00:09:51.380 and the controversies and the speculations 00:09:51.380 --> 00:09:53.240 and the arguments that they're promoting? 00:09:54.900 --> 00:09:57.860 It's causing envy to arise in the church. 00:09:58.880 --> 00:10:02.480 We heard in chapter 1 that they were making a big deal of genealogies, 00:10:03.040 --> 00:10:06.180 perhaps suggesting that some are superior to others 00:10:06.179 --> 00:10:08.139 because of their ancestry 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:13.279 and causing envy to arise between the members of the church family. 00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:23.120 It's causing strife, conflict, rivalry between members of the church 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:25.299 or factions within the church. 00:10:27.559 --> 00:10:31.839 The things that they're advocating are stirring up malicious talk. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:37.000 Malicious talk includes things like slander, 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:40.460 saying things that are untrue about other people, 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:47.160 insults, or just disrespectful words that are spoken to lash out or to hurt. 00:10:49.019 --> 00:10:53.200 These pridefully deluded people and the controversies that they're advocating 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:56.639 are causing evil suspicions between people. 00:10:56.639 --> 00:11:02.399 It's leading members of the church to suspect things about one another that aren't true 00:11:02.399 --> 00:11:04.319 and to distrust one another. 00:11:06.460 --> 00:11:09.960 And all this is causing constant friction. 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:14.659 The sense here is that this is an ongoing thing. 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:19.699 That relationships in the church are now characterized by irritation 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:23.960 and arguing and fighting and tension. 00:11:26.259 --> 00:11:30.840 This is quite the impact that these teachers are having. 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:36.820 How would you like to be a part of a church that's characterized by all these things? 00:11:38.280 --> 00:11:38.759 Envy. 00:11:39.900 --> 00:11:40.460 Conflict. 00:11:41.680 --> 00:11:42.759 Constant arguing. 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:44.780 Insulting. 00:11:45.900 --> 00:11:46.480 Disrespect. 00:11:46.480 --> 00:11:48.100 Slander. 00:11:48.200 --> 00:11:52.180 Where everybody is suspicious about one another. 00:11:53.060 --> 00:11:57.840 We get the sense here that there were real factions in the church. 00:11:59.200 --> 00:12:00.519 This is not a good thing. 00:12:00.639 --> 00:12:04.300 This is not a good testimony to the Lord Jesus. 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:12.019 The good news is that it's not everybody in the church who's getting sucked into this stuff. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:21.299 In verse 5 he seems to shift back to attributing these things to those people who are promoting them. 00:12:23.539 --> 00:12:27.659 The bulk of this bad fruit is owing to the teachers themselves. 00:12:28.439 --> 00:12:30.299 And perhaps to their closest followers. 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:33.519 They are the ones who have corrupt minds. 00:12:34.059 --> 00:12:36.059 Who are devoid of the truth. 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:39.000 And these are strong words. 00:12:39.000 --> 00:12:47.580 We get a sense that these false teachers and their most devoted followers maybe even weren't born again. 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:53.539 Somehow they had gotten into those positions in the church. 00:12:53.960 --> 00:13:01.620 But now they're unresponsive to the instruction of the Lord Jesus himself that's coming through Paul. 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:03.299 And through Timothy. 00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:10.279 Now we don't know how bad it got in Ephesus before Paul wrote this letter. 00:13:11.219 --> 00:13:17.899 It was bad enough that right out of the gate in the first chapter Paul said command these men not to teach these things. 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:28.000 But we also notice that here in the passage he says if anyone responds in this way. 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:39.100 And so it sounds like Paul has encountered a lot of these kinds of people before as he's been ministering to the already established churches traveling around. 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:42.519 So what are we to take from this? 00:13:43.340 --> 00:13:46.620 I think the Lord Jesus wants us to be wise to this today. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:50.720 It can happen in the local church. 00:13:50.720 --> 00:13:52.660 Praise the Lord. 00:13:52.660 --> 00:13:52.680 Praise the Lord. 00:13:53.180 --> 00:13:55.379 It's not happening in our local church. 00:13:56.560 --> 00:14:00.300 But here's the danger that Timothy and Ephesus never faced. 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:07.800 In our day and age a false teacher doesn't need to be in the local church. 00:14:08.080 --> 00:14:13.300 And yet can still influence and lead members of the church astray. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:17.279 A false teacher today doesn't even need to attend church. 00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:26.159 And yet there's the real potential for him to cause division and conflict and strife within a local church. 00:14:27.559 --> 00:14:30.299 How many of you have ever fallen for clickbait on YouTube? 00:14:32.299 --> 00:14:36.720 Probably all of us have if we've figured out how to get on there and use it. 00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:43.039 And some of those YouTubers, some of those self-appointed discernment ministry people online, 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:49.159 they know exactly the kinds of titles and exactly the kinds of questions and graphics to put on there 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:55.299 to get people to click here and to watch and to listen and to read. 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:59.860 And if we get listening to these people who we don't really know, 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:03.899 we can easily welcome the false teacher right into our home. 00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:09.000 And we can carry the false teacher around with us in our pocket 00:15:09.000 --> 00:15:12.439 and even get dinged when he has something new to say to us. 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:17.199 But is that person on the screen trustworthy? 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:22.860 Here are some questions we can ask to evaluate and to discern. 00:15:24.939 --> 00:15:26.579 Questions to reflect on. 00:15:26.580 --> 00:15:31.879 Is this online teacher pulling me back into the word of God 00:15:31.879 --> 00:15:35.900 and helping me see what's been here all along? 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:41.580 What's the effect of this online teacher on me? 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:48.400 How is this online teaching affecting the way that I relate to people in my church? 00:15:49.960 --> 00:15:54.320 Is it making me more like this verse 4? 00:15:54.320 --> 00:15:59.660 Or is it whetting my appetite for controversy and speculation? 00:16:01.040 --> 00:16:07.240 Is it making me more contentious, more critical of others, more suspicious of others? 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:15.760 Or is this online teaching me helping me to love the people in my church more? 00:16:16.520 --> 00:16:19.540 Is it encouraging me to strive for peace with them, 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:23.519 to forgive them as the Lord has forgiven me, 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:27.339 to extend grace and compassion towards them? 00:16:28.459 --> 00:16:31.240 Is this online teaching revealing my own pride? 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.740 Is it humbling me? 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:37.959 Is it giving me eyes to see the needs of others? 00:16:37.960 --> 00:16:42.139 These are some questions that we can ask. 00:16:43.540 --> 00:16:49.940 I think if we look at the overall message of this wisdom that Paul gives to Timothy, 00:16:50.560 --> 00:16:52.160 the message is this. 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:53.680 When it comes to false teachers, 00:16:54.920 --> 00:16:58.080 just like Jesus taught to his disciples about false prophets, 00:16:58.620 --> 00:17:01.040 you will know them by their fruit. 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:09.519 At this point, Paul flows into a discussion of money and materialism. 00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:14.700 One of the hallmarks of these teachers is that they're greedy. 00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.920 They're after money. 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:24.759 They think, says Paul, that being devoted to God isn't the goal. 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:27.700 It's a means. 00:17:29.839 --> 00:17:32.180 It's a means to what they really desire, 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:34.940 which is financial gain. 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:41.099 This is maybe another hint that, as we talked about last Sunday, 00:17:41.519 --> 00:17:46.519 that all of the elders in the church were receiving some form of financial compensation from the church, 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:50.200 perhaps an honorarium of some sort. 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:52.759 And so it seems some of these men, 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:55.319 which Paul has run across in his travels, 00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:57.120 are pretending to be devout 00:17:57.120 --> 00:18:00.400 in order to get themselves the honor, 00:18:01.039 --> 00:18:01.960 the gain, 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:05.759 the profit that goes with the position in the church. 00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:09.880 And so Paul now offers Timothy some wisdom 00:18:09.880 --> 00:18:12.940 about this particular ungodly desire 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:15.720 and attitude of greed. 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:18.500 He says, 00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:21.519 they think that godliness is a means to financial gain, 00:18:22.120 --> 00:18:26.860 but godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:18:28.600 --> 00:18:30.200 Being devoted to God, 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:31.460 that's what godliness means, 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:34.900 being devoted to God with contentment 00:18:34.900 --> 00:18:37.440 is great gain. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:41.799 These teachers have the opposite attitude, 00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:43.980 the opposite desires to what they should. 00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:45.220 The true gain, 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:47.599 the great gain that we should strive for 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:50.200 is not financial or material. 00:18:51.220 --> 00:18:55.019 And it comes to us by being devoted to God 00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:58.579 while being content with what we have. 00:19:00.000 --> 00:19:00.620 And now Paul 00:19:00.620 --> 00:19:03.200 adds some more 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:04.720 to back this up, 00:19:04.799 --> 00:19:05.940 to explain why. 00:19:11.120 --> 00:19:12.920 Well, I'm missing the verse there. 00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.200 Verse 7. 00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.259 He says, 00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:19.480 for we brought nothing into the world 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:22.839 and we can take nothing out of it. 00:19:23.160 --> 00:19:25.259 Godliness with contentment is great gain 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:27.400 for we brought nothing into the world 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:30.019 and we can take nothing out of it. 00:19:31.660 --> 00:19:33.319 These are powerful words. 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:36.000 We all started in this world with nothing. 00:19:36.620 --> 00:19:37.220 Think of that. 00:19:37.220 --> 00:19:38.220 completely naked. 00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:39.100 Completely naked. 00:19:40.100 --> 00:19:40.779 No possessions. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:41.839 No money. 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:44.759 Completely dependent on others for everything. 00:19:45.279 --> 00:19:47.779 Which means that life in its greatest meaning 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.640 is not about how much you have. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:52.559 This kind of entrance into the world 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:54.240 reveals that we were made more 00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:55.360 for relationship 00:19:55.360 --> 00:19:57.059 than for ownership. 00:19:58.059 --> 00:19:59.380 It points to the reality 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:01.220 that life is not about 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:02.880 who has the most. 00:20:02.880 --> 00:20:05.600 Paul says, 00:20:05.700 --> 00:20:07.240 we brought nothing into the world 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:09.320 and we can take nothing 00:20:09.320 --> 00:20:10.480 out of it 00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.220 when we die. 00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:15.320 This is one of the most powerful truths 00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:15.940 that there is 00:20:15.940 --> 00:20:17.340 to fight against greed. 00:20:18.880 --> 00:20:20.000 Do you realize 00:20:20.000 --> 00:20:22.560 that the way we all started out in life 00:20:22.560 --> 00:20:24.260 with absolutely nothing 00:20:24.260 --> 00:20:26.680 is the way that we're going to end 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.500 our time 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.620 on this earth? 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:32.419 When it comes to money 00:20:32.419 --> 00:20:34.279 and when it comes to possessions, 00:20:34.719 --> 00:20:37.039 death separates us 00:20:37.039 --> 00:20:38.639 from everything that we have. 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.939 Our possessions, 00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:41.759 our money, 00:20:41.939 --> 00:20:43.219 they don't come with us 00:20:43.219 --> 00:20:44.099 when we die. 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.679 And it's true 00:20:45.679 --> 00:20:46.819 for everyone. 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.399 And so money and possessions 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.699 really only matter 00:20:52.699 --> 00:20:54.559 for that span of life 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:55.939 between birth 00:20:55.939 --> 00:20:57.299 and death. 00:20:58.619 --> 00:20:59.399 For us in Canada, 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:01.679 that's an average of 80 years 00:21:01.679 --> 00:21:03.399 unless there's some kind of accident 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.139 or tragedy. 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:07.059 Here's another perspective 00:21:07.059 --> 00:21:08.079 to work into this. 00:21:09.199 --> 00:21:10.959 Most of the money that we have 00:21:10.959 --> 00:21:12.539 is earned. 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.819 Meaning that we put time 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:16.259 and effort 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.559 into working 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:19.059 in order to get those dollars. 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.559 We give a certain portion 00:21:23.559 --> 00:21:24.399 of our lives 00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:26.599 to doing certain jobs 00:21:26.599 --> 00:21:27.279 and tasks 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.299 in exchange 00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:29.179 for that money. 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.219 And so that money 00:21:31.219 --> 00:21:32.259 represents a part 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:32.839 of our time. 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.679 It represents 00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:35.559 a piece of our life 00:21:35.559 --> 00:21:36.679 put in at work. 00:21:39.059 --> 00:21:39.980 Which means 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:42.179 that with most 00:21:42.179 --> 00:21:42.619 of the money 00:21:42.619 --> 00:21:43.419 that we spend, 00:21:43.879 --> 00:21:45.240 we're actually exchanging 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:46.439 a piece of our lives 00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:48.459 for that thing 00:21:48.459 --> 00:21:49.659 that we're buying. 00:21:49.660 --> 00:21:53.060 which means 00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:54.480 that if I spend 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.880 lots of my money 00:21:55.880 --> 00:21:56.440 on stuff 00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.519 that I don't need 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.420 for myself, 00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.320 for my comfort, 00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.100 for my pleasure, 00:22:01.259 --> 00:22:02.160 for my entertainment, 00:22:02.700 --> 00:22:04.700 for good looks, 00:22:05.040 --> 00:22:05.820 for status, 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.440 if I spend 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.340 lots of my money 00:22:08.340 --> 00:22:08.820 on things 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:09.680 that I don't need, 00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.440 I'm trading 00:22:10.440 --> 00:22:11.560 lots of my life 00:22:11.560 --> 00:22:12.920 for things 00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.340 that I'm going 00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:14.100 to lose someday. 00:22:15.820 --> 00:22:17.279 Things that I can't keep. 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:20.379 This is a sobering thought. 00:22:22.639 --> 00:22:23.599 How much of our 00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:24.299 working lives 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:25.059 have we already 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.740 exchanged 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.019 for things 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.480 that we don't 00:22:27.480 --> 00:22:28.059 really need? 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:30.779 Greed 00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:32.119 leads us 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:33.240 to waste 00:22:33.240 --> 00:22:34.379 our lives. 00:22:36.319 --> 00:22:37.220 We put a lot 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.019 of time and effort 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.720 into working 00:22:38.720 --> 00:22:40.019 to earn money 00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:41.160 only to spend it 00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.619 on things 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.539 that we don't need 00:22:42.539 --> 00:22:43.379 or that don't 00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.000 really matter. 00:22:45.680 --> 00:22:46.379 Things that we 00:22:46.379 --> 00:22:46.980 can't keep. 00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:50.460 Contentment, 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.619 on the other hand, 00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:52.859 is about 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.940 being satisfied 00:22:53.940 --> 00:22:55.700 with having 00:22:55.700 --> 00:22:56.619 the basics. 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:58.680 Look what Paul 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.599 says in verse 8. 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.500 If we have 00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:04.519 food and clothing, 00:23:05.319 --> 00:23:06.559 we will be content 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.099 with that. 00:23:07.980 --> 00:23:09.059 This is probably 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.759 one of the hardest 00:23:09.759 --> 00:23:10.460 things for us 00:23:10.460 --> 00:23:11.039 to accept 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.539 in our North 00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.339 American culture 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.160 which is so 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:15.259 deeply consumed 00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:16.059 and motivated 00:23:16.059 --> 00:23:17.440 by greed 00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.299 and by 00:23:18.299 --> 00:23:19.480 self-pleasure, 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.079 self-entertainment. 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.460 Do we really 00:23:24.460 --> 00:23:25.319 need that thing 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:26.119 that's on sale 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:27.079 for Black Friday? 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.399 Or do we just 00:23:29.399 --> 00:23:30.079 want a new one? 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.539 A better one? 00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:33.519 A shinier one? 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.899 A more comfortable 00:23:34.899 --> 00:23:35.279 one 00:23:35.279 --> 00:23:37.220 for a good price? 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:40.440 For many of us, 00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.240 we're so far 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.860 beyond this 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:42.519 simple statement 00:23:42.519 --> 00:23:43.259 in verse 8. 00:23:44.000 --> 00:23:44.799 If we have 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.660 food and clothing, 00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:47.519 we will be content 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.059 with that. 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.559 I'm convicted. 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.360 Are you? 00:23:52.359 --> 00:23:57.479 Paul goes on 00:23:57.479 --> 00:23:58.019 in verse 9. 00:23:58.139 --> 00:23:58.379 He says, 00:23:58.479 --> 00:23:59.099 Those who want 00:23:59.099 --> 00:23:59.719 to get rich 00:23:59.719 --> 00:24:00.899 fall into temptation 00:24:00.899 --> 00:24:02.539 and a trap 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:04.119 and into many 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.000 foolish and 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.939 harmful desires 00:24:05.939 --> 00:24:06.819 that plunge 00:24:06.819 --> 00:24:07.839 people into 00:24:07.839 --> 00:24:09.059 ruin and 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.639 destruction. 00:24:11.379 --> 00:24:12.179 It's hard to 00:24:12.179 --> 00:24:12.719 imagine how 00:24:12.719 --> 00:24:13.219 Paul could have 00:24:13.219 --> 00:24:13.899 stated this 00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:14.740 any more 00:24:14.740 --> 00:24:15.479 strongly. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:17.019 He just piles 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.859 on the words, 00:24:17.979 --> 00:24:18.759 six words, 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.539 which all together 00:24:19.539 --> 00:24:20.359 paint a picture 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.899 of how the desire 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:22.839 to get rich, 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:24.139 to grow your money, 00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:25.279 to have more 00:24:25.279 --> 00:24:26.039 than you need 00:24:26.039 --> 00:24:27.240 is dangerous 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:29.159 and deadly. 00:24:30.319 --> 00:24:31.279 That desire 00:24:31.279 --> 00:24:32.000 leads you to 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:32.479 fall into 00:24:32.479 --> 00:24:33.219 temptation, 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.419 he says. 00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.679 And it's a trap. 00:24:37.639 --> 00:24:38.479 The more 00:24:38.479 --> 00:24:39.139 that we give 00:24:39.139 --> 00:24:40.319 into greed, 00:24:40.619 --> 00:24:41.619 the less free 00:24:41.619 --> 00:24:42.319 we are. 00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:44.099 We become 00:24:44.099 --> 00:24:44.859 caught up in it 00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:46.419 and it's difficult 00:24:46.419 --> 00:24:47.259 to get out of it, 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.319 almost like an addiction. 00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.979 We're so used 00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.700 to scratching 00:24:50.700 --> 00:24:51.539 that itch 00:24:51.539 --> 00:24:53.339 whenever we feel 00:24:53.339 --> 00:24:53.599 it, 00:24:54.279 --> 00:24:54.819 that we just 00:24:54.819 --> 00:24:55.539 can't stop. 00:24:55.700 --> 00:24:56.420 We just can't 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.339 bring ourselves 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.579 to let that itch 00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.880 go unscratched, 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.259 that desire 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.259 to go unsatisfied. 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:03.099 And it leads us 00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:04.000 to do foolish 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.680 things, 00:25:05.640 --> 00:25:06.579 says Paul. 00:25:07.720 --> 00:25:08.860 Stupid things 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:11.620 and things 00:25:11.620 --> 00:25:12.279 that are harmful. 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:15.339 Now, 00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:15.640 of course, 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:16.059 these things 00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.579 don't look 00:25:16.579 --> 00:25:17.519 or feel stupid 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.619 or harmful 00:25:18.619 --> 00:25:19.440 at the outset. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:20.779 We think, 00:25:21.539 --> 00:25:22.019 yes, 00:25:22.819 --> 00:25:23.639 having this 00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:24.119 thing, 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.460 that'll make me 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:26.779 happy, 00:25:26.859 --> 00:25:27.619 that'll make life 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.000 better. 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:29.319 Or working 00:25:29.319 --> 00:25:30.139 even more hours 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:30.680 or getting a 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:31.460 second or third 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.200 job, 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.759 or changing 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.579 to this much 00:25:33.579 --> 00:25:34.279 higher paying 00:25:34.279 --> 00:25:35.279 job over here, 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:36.359 it's gonna make 00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:37.139 everything better. 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.519 But giving 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:40.180 into greed 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:41.220 always comes 00:25:41.220 --> 00:25:41.980 with a cost. 00:25:41.980 --> 00:25:42.019 cost. 00:25:43.099 --> 00:25:43.940 It takes 00:25:43.940 --> 00:25:44.360 a toll. 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.400 It exacts 00:25:46.400 --> 00:25:46.960 a price. 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:48.940 It does 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.519 damage 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.819 and harm. 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.740 Whole families 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:54.279 have blown 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.759 apart 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:56.599 because they 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.099 spent 00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:58.319 without restraint 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:59.400 on all kinds 00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.819 of things 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:00.180 that they 00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:00.839 didn't need. 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.099 Spending even 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.620 more than they 00:26:02.620 --> 00:26:02.940 had, 00:26:03.039 --> 00:26:03.620 going deep 00:26:03.620 --> 00:26:04.200 into debt 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:04.980 to have 00:26:04.980 --> 00:26:05.360 the bigger 00:26:05.360 --> 00:26:05.819 house, 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:06.920 the nicer 00:26:06.920 --> 00:26:07.380 car, 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:08.539 the holiday 00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:08.980 trailer, 00:26:09.319 --> 00:26:09.900 and the truck 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:10.460 to go with 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.640 it, 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:10.960 and the 00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:11.420 expensive 00:26:11.420 --> 00:26:12.060 toys, 00:26:12.360 --> 00:26:13.040 and gadgets, 00:26:13.420 --> 00:26:13.960 and suddenly 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.400 we're back 00:26:14.400 --> 00:26:14.960 at the beginning 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:15.920 of this passage. 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:16.880 We've become 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.540 slaves 00:26:17.540 --> 00:26:18.940 to our own 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.400 stuff. 00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:21.259 And we have 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.580 to work 00:26:21.580 --> 00:26:22.040 more, 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:24.259 longer hours, 00:26:24.980 --> 00:26:25.480 two or three 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.259 jobs to make 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.759 the payments 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:27.280 in all these 00:26:27.280 --> 00:26:27.600 things, 00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.060 or to cover 00:26:28.060 --> 00:26:28.759 the upkeep 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.460 of all these 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:29.900 things. 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.960 And as we 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.440 work more 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:32.960 and longer, 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.800 what happens 00:26:34.800 --> 00:26:35.620 to the relationships 00:26:35.620 --> 00:26:36.400 in our family? 00:26:37.660 --> 00:26:38.480 We see each 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:38.900 other less 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.360 and less, 00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.779 a toll 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.339 is taken. 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.419 Fathers 00:26:42.419 --> 00:26:43.000 are absent. 00:26:43.199 --> 00:26:43.500 In some 00:26:43.500 --> 00:26:43.859 cases, 00:26:43.979 --> 00:26:44.539 both mother 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.159 and father 00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:45.799 are absent. 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.339 Husbands 00:26:46.339 --> 00:26:46.859 and wives 00:26:46.859 --> 00:26:47.339 don't see 00:26:47.339 --> 00:26:47.779 each other, 00:26:48.519 --> 00:26:49.019 don't spend 00:26:49.019 --> 00:26:49.500 that quality 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.299 time together, 00:26:50.459 --> 00:26:51.139 and the little 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:51.659 time that 00:26:51.659 --> 00:26:52.279 families have 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:52.899 together is 00:26:52.899 --> 00:26:53.299 scarcely 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:53.859 enough to 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.859 have good, 00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.379 strong, 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.240 healthy, 00:26:56.619 --> 00:26:56.859 loving 00:26:56.859 --> 00:26:57.679 relationships. 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.719 Throw a little 00:26:58.719 --> 00:26:59.500 conflict in 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.740 here, 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.379 which we all 00:27:00.379 --> 00:27:01.219 have from 00:27:01.219 --> 00:27:01.639 time to 00:27:01.639 --> 00:27:01.939 time, 00:27:02.179 --> 00:27:02.839 and it's a 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.519 recipe for 00:27:03.519 --> 00:27:04.139 disaster. 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:05.579 Families, 00:27:06.259 --> 00:27:06.639 marriages, 00:27:07.579 --> 00:27:08.059 are blown 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:08.459 apart. 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.719 Paul isn't 00:27:10.719 --> 00:27:11.219 kidding here 00:27:11.219 --> 00:27:11.699 when he says 00:27:11.699 --> 00:27:12.139 that these 00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:13.859 desires do 00:27:13.859 --> 00:27:14.839 harm. 00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.599 Even more, 00:27:16.959 --> 00:27:17.519 he says, 00:27:17.699 --> 00:27:18.679 they plunge 00:27:18.679 --> 00:27:19.599 people into 00:27:19.599 --> 00:27:22.139 ruin and 00:27:22.139 --> 00:27:22.839 destruction. 00:27:25.839 --> 00:27:26.779 Sometimes we 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.179 look at the 00:27:27.179 --> 00:27:28.019 devastation and 00:27:28.019 --> 00:27:28.559 damage in 00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.379 people's lives 00:27:29.379 --> 00:27:30.419 and we see 00:27:30.419 --> 00:27:31.159 them spiraling 00:27:31.159 --> 00:27:31.899 out of control 00:27:31.899 --> 00:27:33.519 and maybe we're 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.119 just wondering 00:27:34.119 --> 00:27:34.459 like, 00:27:34.919 --> 00:27:35.619 what's happening 00:27:35.619 --> 00:27:36.359 in that family? 00:27:36.559 --> 00:27:37.339 What's going 00:27:37.339 --> 00:27:37.599 on? 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:37.959 How did 00:27:37.959 --> 00:27:38.299 they get 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.599 there? 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.159 Could it 00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:40.679 be that in 00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.399 some families 00:27:41.399 --> 00:27:41.799 and some 00:27:41.799 --> 00:27:42.459 people's lives 00:27:42.459 --> 00:27:43.079 there was a 00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.879 silent killer 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:45.039 that they just 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:45.699 kept making 00:27:45.699 --> 00:27:46.519 payments to, 00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:48.419 not realizing 00:27:48.419 --> 00:27:49.819 the damage it 00:27:49.819 --> 00:27:50.240 was doing 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:50.859 until it was 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:51.439 too late? 00:27:53.959 --> 00:27:54.439 Greed. 00:27:57.119 --> 00:27:57.599 Discontentment. 00:27:59.659 --> 00:28:00.500 It's not just 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.139 a bad thing. 00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.719 It's not just 00:28:01.719 --> 00:28:02.379 a sin that we 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:03.000 need to repent 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.240 of. 00:28:03.339 --> 00:28:04.000 It is that. 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.419 It's a deadly 00:28:05.419 --> 00:28:05.859 thing, 00:28:06.079 --> 00:28:06.599 says Paul. 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.359 It's an itch 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:07.839 that if we 00:28:07.839 --> 00:28:08.619 keep scratching 00:28:08.619 --> 00:28:09.639 could completely 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:10.339 undo our 00:28:10.339 --> 00:28:11.299 lives and 00:28:11.299 --> 00:28:12.159 destroy everything. 00:28:16.079 --> 00:28:16.699 And we're 00:28:16.699 --> 00:28:17.119 not just 00:28:17.119 --> 00:28:17.679 talking about 00:28:17.679 --> 00:28:18.219 excessive 00:28:18.219 --> 00:28:18.639 greed. 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.319 We're talking 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.139 about desiring 00:28:21.139 --> 00:28:21.679 and going 00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:22.859 after more 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.919 than the 00:28:23.919 --> 00:28:24.419 basics, 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.719 as we heard 00:28:25.719 --> 00:28:26.259 Paul say 00:28:26.259 --> 00:28:27.199 in verse 00:28:27.199 --> 00:28:27.500 eight. 00:28:33.139 --> 00:28:33.839 Paul goes 00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.379 on in verse 00:28:34.379 --> 00:28:34.679 ten. 00:28:34.899 --> 00:28:35.359 He says, 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:38.000 for the love 00:28:38.000 --> 00:28:38.459 of money 00:28:38.459 --> 00:28:39.579 is a root 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.519 of all kinds 00:28:40.519 --> 00:28:40.959 of evil. 00:28:41.919 --> 00:28:42.480 Some people 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.240 eager for money 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.879 have wandered 00:28:43.879 --> 00:28:44.539 from the faith 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.059 and pierced 00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.539 themselves 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:46.619 with many 00:28:46.619 --> 00:28:47.219 griefs. 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:48.899 There's an 00:28:48.899 --> 00:28:49.740 important distinction 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.319 in this 00:28:50.319 --> 00:28:51.119 verse. 00:28:52.139 --> 00:28:52.679 Paul doesn't 00:28:52.679 --> 00:28:53.359 say that money 00:28:53.359 --> 00:28:53.899 is evil. 00:28:55.719 --> 00:28:56.779 Money itself 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.519 is not 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.459 inherently evil. 00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:58.899 It's just 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.439 bills and 00:28:59.439 --> 00:28:59.859 coins 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.719 that are 00:29:00.719 --> 00:29:01.139 used to 00:29:01.139 --> 00:29:01.699 exchange 00:29:01.699 --> 00:29:03.359 the value 00:29:03.359 --> 00:29:04.299 of service 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.720 for goods 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.879 or for 00:29:06.879 --> 00:29:07.659 other services. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.680 The currency 00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.180 is not 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.559 evil. 00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:11.680 Having money 00:29:11.680 --> 00:29:12.399 is not 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:12.639 evil. 00:29:12.759 --> 00:29:12.940 And we're 00:29:12.940 --> 00:29:13.119 going to 00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.519 hear more 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.000 about that 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.319 in this 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:14.700 chapter 00:29:14.700 --> 00:29:15.539 as we 00:29:15.539 --> 00:29:16.059 go on 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:17.980 in the 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.619 weeks ahead. 00:29:19.619 --> 00:29:20.759 But loving 00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.180 money, 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.720 loving money 00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:24.480 is a root 00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:25.519 of all 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:26.019 kinds 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:27.079 of evil. 00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:27.119 evil. 00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:29.059 And it's 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.439 not just 00:29:29.439 --> 00:29:29.879 loving the 00:29:29.879 --> 00:29:30.439 money itself 00:29:30.439 --> 00:29:30.799 like I 00:29:30.799 --> 00:29:31.259 love to 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:31.659 run my 00:29:31.659 --> 00:29:32.039 fingers 00:29:32.039 --> 00:29:32.639 through the 00:29:32.639 --> 00:29:33.099 bills and 00:29:33.099 --> 00:29:33.559 the coins. 00:29:34.500 --> 00:29:35.460 It's loving 00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:36.720 also the 00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.799 material things 00:29:37.799 --> 00:29:38.480 that money 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.079 buys. 00:29:40.139 --> 00:29:40.839 Or the 00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.379 security, 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:41.960 the sense 00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.579 of peace 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.199 or power 00:29:43.199 --> 00:29:43.839 that money 00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:45.199 gives when 00:29:45.199 --> 00:29:45.639 you have a 00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:46.099 lot of it 00:29:46.099 --> 00:29:46.720 piled up 00:29:46.720 --> 00:29:47.039 there. 00:29:50.659 --> 00:29:51.319 You may 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:51.619 love a 00:29:51.619 --> 00:29:52.240 certain kind 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.819 of material 00:29:52.819 --> 00:29:53.399 thing and 00:29:53.399 --> 00:29:54.199 have this 00:29:54.199 --> 00:29:55.639 desire to 00:29:55.639 --> 00:29:56.399 collect all 00:29:56.400 --> 00:29:56.780 of them or 00:29:56.780 --> 00:29:57.100 to have 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:57.700 several of 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.000 them even 00:29:58.000 --> 00:29:58.360 though you 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:58.820 really only 00:29:58.820 --> 00:29:59.440 need one or 00:29:59.440 --> 00:29:59.800 maybe you 00:29:59.800 --> 00:30:00.140 don't even 00:30:00.140 --> 00:30:00.540 need any 00:30:00.540 --> 00:30:00.880 of them. 00:30:01.960 --> 00:30:02.259 So you 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.840 put down the 00:30:02.840 --> 00:30:03.580 money again 00:30:03.580 --> 00:30:04.160 and again 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.720 and again 00:30:04.720 --> 00:30:05.519 to get more 00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:05.940 and more 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:06.460 and more of 00:30:06.460 --> 00:30:06.840 that thing 00:30:06.840 --> 00:30:07.120 that you 00:30:07.120 --> 00:30:07.500 love. 00:30:07.759 --> 00:30:08.400 That too 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:08.780 is the 00:30:08.780 --> 00:30:09.100 love of 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:09.380 money. 00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.220 For most 00:30:12.220 --> 00:30:12.560 of us, 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.180 money is a 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.140 means to 00:30:14.140 --> 00:30:14.560 an end. 00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:18.380 We love 00:30:18.380 --> 00:30:18.640 what it 00:30:18.640 --> 00:30:19.220 enables us 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:19.680 to do. 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.860 And just 00:30:22.860 --> 00:30:23.340 in case we 00:30:23.340 --> 00:30:23.759 haven't caught 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.360 the seriousness 00:30:24.360 --> 00:30:24.980 of this 00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:26.220 warning yet, 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:26.940 Jesus adds 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.680 in one 00:30:27.680 --> 00:30:28.579 last warning. 00:30:30.140 --> 00:30:30.559 He says, 00:30:30.640 --> 00:30:31.160 some people 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.740 eager for 00:30:31.740 --> 00:30:32.319 money have 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.079 wandered from 00:30:33.079 --> 00:30:33.759 the faith 00:30:33.759 --> 00:30:36.200 and pierced 00:30:36.200 --> 00:30:37.039 themselves with 00:30:37.039 --> 00:30:38.440 many griefs. 00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:40.860 Not only is 00:30:40.860 --> 00:30:41.400 there the high 00:30:41.400 --> 00:30:42.579 price and the 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.279 damage and the 00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:43.839 harm that it 00:30:43.839 --> 00:30:44.720 can do to 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.400 you or to 00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:45.980 your family, 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.480 but some 00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.100 people have 00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:49.100 left off of 00:30:49.100 --> 00:30:50.140 following Jesus 00:30:50.140 --> 00:30:52.339 because of 00:30:52.339 --> 00:30:52.960 that love. 00:30:52.960 --> 00:30:54.980 they've 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:55.579 wandered from 00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.160 the faith. 00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.759 Now we're 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.140 not going to 00:30:59.140 --> 00:30:59.819 speculate about 00:30:59.819 --> 00:31:00.299 whether these 00:31:00.299 --> 00:31:00.740 people were 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.420 born again or 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:02.299 not or whether 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:03.079 they repented 00:31:03.079 --> 00:31:03.819 and came back 00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.299 or not. 00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.100 It doesn't 00:31:05.100 --> 00:31:05.420 say. 00:31:06.420 --> 00:31:07.079 All we know 00:31:07.079 --> 00:31:07.539 is that at 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:08.120 one time they 00:31:08.120 --> 00:31:08.460 were here 00:31:08.460 --> 00:31:08.799 saying, 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.480 I believe, 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.120 and now 00:31:11.120 --> 00:31:12.759 they're gone. 00:31:13.880 --> 00:31:14.559 And what 00:31:14.559 --> 00:31:15.259 led them to 00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.600 leave? 00:31:16.400 --> 00:31:17.259 Paul says it 00:31:17.259 --> 00:31:17.799 was greed. 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:20.000 It was the 00:31:20.000 --> 00:31:20.799 desire for 00:31:20.799 --> 00:31:21.680 other things 00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:23.740 that came in 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:25.119 and choked 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:25.680 out the 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.000 word, 00:31:27.039 --> 00:31:27.539 making it 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.159 unfruitful. 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:31.319 All of this 00:31:31.319 --> 00:31:31.839 calls for 00:31:31.839 --> 00:31:32.680 sober reflection 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.200 and prayer. 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.700 The good 00:31:35.700 --> 00:31:36.639 news is that 00:31:36.639 --> 00:31:37.680 Jesus died 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.759 to cleanse 00:31:38.759 --> 00:31:39.919 us from 00:31:39.919 --> 00:31:40.639 all sin 00:31:40.639 --> 00:31:41.779 and from 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:42.519 all guilt, 00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.700 from all 00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.200 greed, 00:31:44.599 --> 00:31:44.960 and from 00:31:44.960 --> 00:31:45.460 all the 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:45.859 guilt that 00:31:45.859 --> 00:31:46.220 we have 00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:46.759 incurred 00:31:46.759 --> 00:31:47.259 through our 00:31:47.259 --> 00:31:47.599 lives, 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.240 because of 00:31:48.240 --> 00:31:48.599 greed. 00:31:49.319 --> 00:31:49.579 And so 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.079 we run 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:50.699 to the 00:31:50.699 --> 00:31:51.119 cross. 00:31:53.959 --> 00:31:54.559 It's there 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:54.879 that we 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:55.559 find complete 00:31:55.559 --> 00:31:56.019 forgiveness. 00:31:58.839 --> 00:31:59.459 But now 00:31:59.459 --> 00:31:59.879 I wonder 00:31:59.879 --> 00:32:00.419 if even 00:32:00.419 --> 00:32:01.439 on the 00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:01.879 other side 00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:02.119 of the 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:02.419 cross, 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:02.819 for those 00:32:02.819 --> 00:32:03.119 of us 00:32:03.119 --> 00:32:03.579 who believe, 00:32:03.679 --> 00:32:04.059 I wonder 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.459 if some 00:32:04.459 --> 00:32:04.740 of these 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.639 words expose 00:32:05.639 --> 00:32:06.639 for some 00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.000 of us 00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:08.039 maybe a 00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.339 sin in 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:08.779 our lives 00:32:08.779 --> 00:32:09.159 that we've 00:32:09.159 --> 00:32:09.579 been blind 00:32:09.579 --> 00:32:09.899 to, 00:32:10.159 --> 00:32:10.480 that even 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.119 as Christians 00:32:11.119 --> 00:32:12.439 we've been 00:32:12.439 --> 00:32:12.939 blind to, 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.579 a pattern 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.899 of desires 00:32:14.899 --> 00:32:15.659 or behaviors 00:32:15.659 --> 00:32:16.699 that we've 00:32:16.699 --> 00:32:17.099 been giving 00:32:17.099 --> 00:32:17.519 into. 00:32:19.240 --> 00:32:19.759 Everybody 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.279 else in 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:20.599 our world 00:32:20.599 --> 00:32:21.119 around us 00:32:21.119 --> 00:32:21.519 is doing 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:21.740 it. 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.519 We see 00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:23.779 all the 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.480 advertisements 00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:27.259 that promise 00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.459 happiness and 00:32:28.459 --> 00:32:28.879 pleasure, 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.639 if we get 00:32:29.639 --> 00:32:30.219 more and 00:32:30.219 --> 00:32:30.959 have those 00:32:30.959 --> 00:32:31.419 things. 00:32:33.919 --> 00:32:34.659 Could it be 00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.179 that some of 00:32:35.179 --> 00:32:35.779 our griefs and 00:32:35.779 --> 00:32:36.359 sorrows right 00:32:36.359 --> 00:32:36.719 now, 00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:37.219 some of the 00:32:37.219 --> 00:32:37.819 stresses in 00:32:37.819 --> 00:32:38.219 our lives 00:32:38.219 --> 00:32:38.859 right now 00:32:38.859 --> 00:32:40.339 actually trace 00:32:40.339 --> 00:32:41.179 back to 00:32:41.179 --> 00:32:41.579 this? 00:32:41.579 --> 00:32:44.179 choices in 00:32:44.179 --> 00:32:44.759 our lives 00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.679 that we've 00:32:45.679 --> 00:32:46.759 made about 00:32:46.759 --> 00:32:47.419 money or 00:32:47.419 --> 00:32:48.240 for money, 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:50.480 for material 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.059 things that 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:51.679 we don't 00:32:51.679 --> 00:32:52.119 need, 00:32:52.839 --> 00:32:53.480 that we've 00:32:53.480 --> 00:32:54.059 gone after 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:54.539 just out of 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.240 the greediness 00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:56.259 of our 00:32:56.259 --> 00:32:56.639 hearts, 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:57.759 in an effort 00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.539 to scratch 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:59.319 that itch 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.759 and just to 00:33:00.759 --> 00:33:01.099 make our 00:33:01.099 --> 00:33:02.579 lives more 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.000 comfortable, 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:05.279 more pleasurable. 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:07.779 the good 00:33:07.779 --> 00:33:08.160 news is 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:08.559 that however 00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.359 much we've 00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:09.819 blown it, 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.779 however far 00:33:10.779 --> 00:33:11.299 down we've 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:11.500 fallen, 00:33:11.619 --> 00:33:11.980 the Lord 00:33:11.980 --> 00:33:13.019 is gracious 00:33:13.019 --> 00:33:14.460 and compassionate. 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.759 He's slow 00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:17.279 to anger, 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:19.500 he's abounding 00:33:19.500 --> 00:33:20.399 in love, 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:22.119 and so let's 00:33:22.119 --> 00:33:22.680 turn to him 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.079 and let's 00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.420 repent, 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.220 let's find 00:33:24.220 --> 00:33:25.420 freedom from 00:33:25.420 --> 00:33:26.079 the trap of 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:26.359 greed, 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.500 and forgiveness 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:28.299 from the guilt 00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:28.859 of greed, 00:33:29.119 --> 00:33:30.000 and healing 00:33:30.000 --> 00:33:31.299 from the damage 00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:31.759 of greed. 00:33:32.899 --> 00:33:33.579 Let's do 00:33:33.579 --> 00:33:34.000 that now 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:34.420 together. 00:33:35.279 --> 00:33:37.359 Father in 00:33:37.359 --> 00:33:37.539 heaven, 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:39.920 we are 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:40.700 stirred deeply 00:33:40.700 --> 00:33:41.240 by these 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.660 words, 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.339 and convicted 00:33:43.339 --> 00:33:43.819 deeply. 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:46.019 We confess 00:33:46.019 --> 00:33:46.500 to you 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:47.279 for every 00:33:47.279 --> 00:33:47.879 time that 00:33:47.879 --> 00:33:48.319 we have 00:33:48.319 --> 00:33:49.039 scratched 00:33:49.039 --> 00:33:49.539 that itch 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.000 of greed, 00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:53.519 we ask 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:53.899 for your 00:33:53.899 --> 00:33:54.299 cleansing 00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:55.319 and for 00:33:55.319 --> 00:33:55.899 your forgiveness. 00:33:58.379 --> 00:33:59.399 Thank you 00:33:59.399 --> 00:34:00.859 that Jesus' 00:34:01.079 --> 00:34:01.379 blood 00:34:01.379 --> 00:34:02.500 atones 00:34:02.500 --> 00:34:03.599 for our 00:34:03.599 --> 00:34:04.319 sins 00:34:04.319 --> 00:34:05.059 and truly 00:34:05.059 --> 00:34:05.419 wipes 00:34:05.419 --> 00:34:05.619 our 00:34:05.619 --> 00:34:05.980 slates 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:06.399 clean. 00:34:08.559 --> 00:34:09.119 Lord, 00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:09.380 we don't 00:34:09.380 --> 00:34:09.699 want to be 00:34:09.699 --> 00:34:10.340 slaves to 00:34:10.340 --> 00:34:11.059 anything 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:12.579 or anyone 00:34:12.579 --> 00:34:13.400 but you. 00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.679 We ask 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:15.920 that you 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.299 would teach 00:34:16.299 --> 00:34:16.719 us in the 00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:17.099 midst of 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.699 this culture 00:34:17.699 --> 00:34:18.079 that we 00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:18.480 live in 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:19.039 to be 00:34:19.039 --> 00:34:19.759 content 00:34:19.759 --> 00:34:20.840 with the 00:34:20.840 --> 00:34:21.299 basics 00:34:21.299 --> 00:34:23.099 as we 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:23.480 live for 00:34:23.480 --> 00:34:23.739 you. 00:34:25.420 --> 00:34:26.019 May knowing 00:34:26.019 --> 00:34:26.420 you 00:34:26.420 --> 00:34:27.440 and having 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:27.840 you 00:34:27.840 --> 00:34:28.940 and walking 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:29.559 with you 00:34:29.559 --> 00:34:30.460 be the 00:34:30.460 --> 00:34:30.900 end 00:34:30.900 --> 00:34:31.940 goal 00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:33.800 of our 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:34.179 lives 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.700 and not 00:34:34.700 --> 00:34:35.079 just a 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.440 means. 00:34:36.599 --> 00:34:37.200 We want 00:34:37.200 --> 00:34:37.420 you, 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:37.639 Lord, 00:34:37.720 --> 00:34:38.220 to be our 00:34:38.220 --> 00:34:38.539 treasure 00:34:38.539 --> 00:34:38.860 and to 00:34:38.860 --> 00:34:39.460 have all 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:39.860 the love 00:34:39.860 --> 00:34:40.159 of our 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:40.500 hearts. 00:34:42.700 --> 00:34:43.280 We pray 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.679 this in 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:43.940 Jesus' 00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.320 name. 00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:45.840 Amen.