WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.220 Great. That's awesome. Wow. I mean, we've seen this happen for several years now, 00:00:08.759 --> 00:00:13.740 having different church planners come through in our community center and just seeing them. 00:00:13.839 --> 00:00:19.219 It's just such an honor, guys, to be worshiping with you, to kind of partner with you, to support 00:00:19.219 --> 00:00:27.039 you guys in that. And these are men and women who are responding to God's call, 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:32.579 responding to God's call. And I'm sure if they haven't already counted the cost, they've begun 00:00:32.579 --> 00:00:41.280 counting the cost and the value of what they're doing, going out into the cities, planting 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:49.640 gospel-centered churches and starting gospel-centered movements, investing their lives into this great 00:00:49.640 --> 00:00:56.399 adventure called church planting. And I'm not quite sure if it's the same thing, but for me, 00:00:56.399 --> 00:01:02.100 I've been thinking about money and resources a lot this week, too. And see, I've got money 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:10.439 on my mind. Money on my mind. And the reason is that this sermon today is all about money. 00:01:11.859 --> 00:01:15.200 First of all, in case you're tempted to just kind of tune me out already because you've 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:21.180 heard a million sermons on preaching and preaching on money and possessions, or if you've heard, 00:01:21.439 --> 00:01:25.000 you've never heard one, and you're thinking, oh my goodness, there's watermark in debt or 00:01:25.000 --> 00:01:31.640 something, do we just need more money? Well, I just want to say, first of all, that we take 00:01:31.640 --> 00:01:38.359 the whole counsel of God seriously. And we take all of God's word, the entire Bible seriously. So when we 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:44.159 actually look at the whole Bible, the topic of money and possessions is actually addressed in the Bible 00:01:44.159 --> 00:01:51.920 well over 2,000 times. And, well, faith, for example, just to give you a basis for comparison, 00:01:51.920 --> 00:01:59.079 faith is mentioned about 500 times, prayer about 500 times. And I know those raw stats, 00:01:59.240 --> 00:02:04.379 they don't tell the whole picture, but I think we need to pause and recognize when we're reading 00:02:04.379 --> 00:02:11.439 Scripture that God talks about money a lot, probably more than I'm comfortable with, to be honest with 00:02:11.439 --> 00:02:19.819 you. We also want you to see as a staff team and as leaders in this church and elders that, you know, 00:02:19.859 --> 00:02:25.020 this isn't kind of a sermon in isolation. We've been taking you on a journey over the last few weeks. 00:02:25.120 --> 00:02:33.159 We started with a series a few weeks ago on called In Christ, being in Christ, in our identity in 00:02:33.159 --> 00:02:39.379 Christ, how Jesus gives us a new identity and how we live that identity out and walk in relationship 00:02:39.379 --> 00:02:46.259 with our Heavenly Father. And then we moved on to look at Exodus, talking about slavery, the things 00:02:46.259 --> 00:02:54.719 that, as we live out this relationship with God, still enslave us, still hold us back, the idols 00:02:54.719 --> 00:03:04.099 that Jesus continues to free us from. And so as we look at freedom, as we discover that freedom that 00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:12.400 God gives us, we now look at a series called A Life Well Lived. And last week, Alfie shared a little 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:19.219 bit about gracious words. How do gracious words overflow from the depths of our hearts when God 00:03:19.219 --> 00:03:28.759 speaks gracious words, unconditional love, into our hearts? And today we turn to gracious accounting, 00:03:28.759 --> 00:03:40.539 the sense of how we use our money, how we use our possessions. The use of money affects every single 00:03:40.539 --> 00:03:49.079 one of us in this room. Whether you earn an income actually today or not, I'm pretty sure you use money 00:03:49.079 --> 00:03:57.219 in some way. You have possessions that you use. We all have possessions, things we own. And today, 00:03:57.219 --> 00:04:04.419 regardless of what faith or what worldview you have, you know, Christian, non-Christian, I think there's 00:04:04.419 --> 00:04:11.099 a range of perspectives on money that all of us can kind of identify with. You see, on one end of the 00:04:11.099 --> 00:04:17.819 spectrum, if you follow with me, I think some of us see money as inherently bad. I don't think there's 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:23.639 that many people in Hong Kong who see it that way, but I have met people who see it as kind of the root 00:04:23.639 --> 00:04:31.779 of all evil. I've met people in my life, like ascetics, who give away everything they have and just leave 00:04:31.779 --> 00:04:40.500 enough for them to physically survive because they see money as corrupting, as evil. And then on the other 00:04:40.500 --> 00:04:47.099 hand of the spectrum, you have people who see money as inherently good. It's a good thing. Their goal is to 00:04:47.100 --> 00:04:55.840 accumulate wealth. In the prophetic words of my man, 50 cent, it's get rich or die trying, right? 00:04:56.900 --> 00:05:04.460 More is better. The bigger the number, the better. And then between these two extremes, I mean, there's a 00:05:04.460 --> 00:05:09.379 whole mix of mixed motives and different perspectives, but I think you can kind of boil it down to two views. 00:05:09.379 --> 00:05:15.219 There's a kind of people who just really doesn't care about money. They don't think about it. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:22.420 You know, he just earns it and he uses it. And then there's the person who values money, 00:05:22.980 --> 00:05:27.060 but not in and of itself, but as a means to an end. 00:05:29.339 --> 00:05:36.180 She sees great value in money, but only as a way to achieve something more important. 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:43.079 So I trust everyone should be able to identify with at least one of these four perspectives, 00:05:43.519 --> 00:05:50.240 if we're honest with ourselves. You know, the lover, the hater, the I don't care, and the means to an end. 00:05:52.300 --> 00:05:58.040 So let's focus on that last perspective, the person who sees it as a means to an end. And let me share 00:05:58.040 --> 00:06:06.139 a story about that kind of person. So there was the CEO, chief executive officer of a large tech company. 00:06:07.139 --> 00:06:14.319 Let's call him John. Not the most original, but we can remember. So John, for a number of reasons, 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:22.079 I think including his own selfishness and his own incompetence, I'd say John squandered a lot of money 00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:26.079 through some bad decision making, bad business decisions. 00:06:27.139 --> 00:06:33.060 Then one day he gets word from his friend, who's on the board of directors. Let's call her Jane. 00:06:33.060 --> 00:06:42.360 Jane. Jane tells him, John, the board's going to fire you. It's kind of a heads up. So knowing his days 00:06:42.360 --> 00:06:49.800 are numbered, John's like, oh, what do I do? And he has this idea. John immediately uses the company's 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:58.840 resources to secure deals with a major buyer. The terms of the deal, really good for the buyer, 00:06:59.100 --> 00:07:04.800 but pretty bad for the company. And there's also this implied condition that they're going to hire 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:12.500 John as soon as possible. The buyer's going to hire John. So now the time comes. Time of reckoning comes, 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:18.780 and the board has a meeting with John. And the board by now obviously has found out about this deal. 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:25.339 But instead of taking action against John, you know, for bad faith or acting in bad faith or whatnot, 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:34.279 they actually praise him. They say, good job. And they release him with this glowing recommendation 00:07:34.279 --> 00:07:38.579 for his cleverness. The end. 00:07:40.959 --> 00:07:44.839 Now some of you guys are thinking this is ridiculous. This can't be a true story. 00:07:44.839 --> 00:07:52.219 And you're right. Because that was just an updated version of the parable of the dishonest manager 00:07:52.219 --> 00:07:58.959 that we find in Luke 16. But I want to give you that kind of, just to give you a gist of the story. 00:07:59.079 --> 00:08:04.219 So when I actually read the parable for you, hopefully you can kind of follow along with what's 00:08:04.219 --> 00:08:12.039 happening. So this is Jesus talking in Luke 16. He said to the disciples, so Jesus' disciples is the 00:08:12.040 --> 00:08:19.400 audience. There was a rich man who had a manager. And charges were brought to him that this man was 00:08:19.400 --> 00:08:25.379 wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, what is this that I hear about you? 00:08:25.540 --> 00:08:33.860 Turn in the accounts of your management. For you can no longer be manager. The manager said to himself, 00:08:34.100 --> 00:08:37.659 what shall I do since my master is taking the management away from me? 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:41.740 I'm not strong enough to dig. I'm ashamed to beg. 00:08:42.740 --> 00:08:44.419 I've decided what to do. 00:08:44.919 --> 00:08:47.839 So that when I am removed from management, 00:08:48.500 --> 00:08:52.379 people may receive me into their houses. 00:08:54.799 --> 00:08:55.779 It's a story 00:08:55.779 --> 00:08:57.559 right there. 00:08:58.740 --> 00:09:01.980 Now this is one of those trickier parables, I think, 00:09:02.100 --> 00:09:04.339 that can often leave people with big questions. 00:09:04.340 --> 00:09:08.220 Especially, why would the master commend 00:09:08.220 --> 00:09:09.740 this scumbag? 00:09:11.080 --> 00:09:12.700 This dishonest manager? 00:09:12.980 --> 00:09:16.360 I mean, the story in the parable itself says he was 00:09:16.360 --> 00:09:17.420 dishonest. 00:09:18.040 --> 00:09:20.740 And he did some serious financial damage 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.100 to the master's wealth. 00:09:23.120 --> 00:09:25.500 You know, that amount of debt that he wrote off? 00:09:26.180 --> 00:09:28.460 I think it's around 20 months 00:09:28.460 --> 00:09:30.280 of someone's wages back then. 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:34.899 But I think as we look at the plain meaning of the text, 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:37.159 the most straightforward understanding 00:09:37.159 --> 00:09:40.500 is not that the manager was commending, 00:09:41.059 --> 00:09:43.779 the master was commending the manager's dishonesty, 00:09:44.159 --> 00:09:47.220 but he was commending his shrewdness. 00:09:48.639 --> 00:09:50.139 Commending his shrewdness. 00:09:50.220 --> 00:09:52.939 So let's take a look at the next little bit. 00:09:52.940 --> 00:09:57.500 Summoning his master's debtors one by one, 00:09:57.980 --> 00:09:58.860 he said to the first, 00:09:59.400 --> 00:10:01.080 how much do you owe my master? 00:10:01.740 --> 00:10:03.560 He said, a hundred measures of oil. 00:10:04.380 --> 00:10:06.540 He said to him, take your bill, 00:10:07.440 --> 00:10:09.020 sit down quickly and write 50. 00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:11.180 Then he said to another, 00:10:11.540 --> 00:10:12.500 how much do you owe? 00:10:13.160 --> 00:10:14.700 He said, a hundred measures of wheat. 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:17.040 And he said to him, take your bill 00:10:17.040 --> 00:10:18.240 and write 80. 00:10:18.240 --> 00:10:21.899 The master commended the dishonest manager 00:10:21.899 --> 00:10:24.320 for his shrewdness. 00:10:25.460 --> 00:10:28.700 So there, the difference between commending someone 00:10:28.700 --> 00:10:30.519 for their dishonesty 00:10:30.519 --> 00:10:33.879 and for their shrewdness. 00:10:36.860 --> 00:10:40.799 There's a lot of content there. 00:10:41.759 --> 00:10:43.259 I just want to remember now that 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:45.360 Jesus isn't condoning again. 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:46.700 I just want to be so clear. 00:10:46.860 --> 00:10:48.139 Don't walk away from this and saying, 00:10:48.240 --> 00:10:49.139 wow, the master is, 00:10:49.460 --> 00:10:50.440 I can do whatever I want 00:10:50.440 --> 00:10:51.500 as long as I'm shrewd. 00:10:53.200 --> 00:10:55.019 Look at how Jesus explains it. 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:57.120 Let's take a look at the next part. 00:10:59.060 --> 00:11:01.440 This is Jesus now explaining the parable. 00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:01.799 He says, 00:11:01.879 --> 00:11:03.240 for the sons of this world 00:11:03.240 --> 00:11:05.639 are more shrewd in dealing 00:11:05.639 --> 00:11:07.360 with their own generation 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:08.500 than the sons of light. 00:11:09.180 --> 00:11:09.820 And I tell you, 00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:11.180 make friends for yourself 00:11:11.180 --> 00:11:13.700 by means of unrighteous wealth 00:11:14.080 --> 00:11:15.680 so that when it fails, 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:17.239 they may receive you 00:11:17.239 --> 00:11:19.779 into the eternal dwellings. 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:23.219 One who is faithful in a very little 00:11:23.219 --> 00:11:24.459 is also faithful in much. 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:28.219 And one who is dishonest in a very little 00:11:28.219 --> 00:11:30.599 is also dishonest in much. 00:11:31.599 --> 00:11:33.939 If then you have not been faithful 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:35.599 in the unrighteous wealth, 00:11:36.239 --> 00:11:38.620 who will entrust you the true riches? 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:42.200 And if you have not been faithful 00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:43.919 in that which is another's, 00:11:44.100 --> 00:11:47.940 who will give you that which is your own? 00:11:47.940 --> 00:11:53.140 In the rest of our time, 00:11:53.200 --> 00:11:55.120 I want to walk us through 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:57.500 what Jesus is trying to explain here. 00:11:59.380 --> 00:12:01.340 And there's three key concepts, 00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:01.840 I think, 00:12:01.900 --> 00:12:03.360 that can help us guide 00:12:03.360 --> 00:12:05.180 our time through there. 00:12:05.280 --> 00:12:06.120 There's shrewdness, 00:12:07.220 --> 00:12:08.960 there's unrighteous wealth, 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:11.620 and the true riches. 00:12:11.740 --> 00:12:13.000 And they're closely connected. 00:12:13.280 --> 00:12:15.900 They're kind of built upon each other. 00:12:16.260 --> 00:12:17.400 There's a progression there. 00:12:17.940 --> 00:12:19.940 I think as we look at these three concepts, 00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:21.200 it'll shed a lot of light 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:23.200 on what Jesus is trying to say 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:24.740 about shrewdness 00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:26.720 and faithfulness to God. 00:12:28.040 --> 00:12:29.420 So let's start with shrewdness. 00:12:29.500 --> 00:12:30.640 I don't know about you, 00:12:30.820 --> 00:12:32.480 but I don't know how, 00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:33.440 when's the last time 00:12:33.440 --> 00:12:34.660 you used the word shrewd? 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:35.140 Anybody? 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:36.880 Did anyone even use it 00:12:36.880 --> 00:12:37.600 in the last week? 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:39.000 Last month? 00:12:39.380 --> 00:12:40.760 Yeah, I had to actually look this up 00:12:40.760 --> 00:12:41.780 because when I think of shrewd, 00:12:41.780 --> 00:12:42.740 I think of like a rodent. 00:12:43.900 --> 00:12:45.000 And so I just, 00:12:45.180 --> 00:12:45.340 you know, 00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:46.400 not rocket science, 00:12:46.500 --> 00:12:47.440 I looked it up. 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:49.860 Merriam-Webster dictionary, 00:12:50.000 --> 00:12:51.360 what is shrewdness? 00:12:51.520 --> 00:12:52.600 And there's a lot of talk 00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:54.480 about discernment, 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.620 a keen awareness. 00:12:58.200 --> 00:13:00.160 And then in the actual Greek, 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:00.380 you know, 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:01.440 it carries the sense 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:02.440 of being wise, 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:03.420 being prudent, 00:13:04.780 --> 00:13:07.200 acting with great practical intelligence. 00:13:07.200 --> 00:13:07.820 intelligence. 00:13:07.820 --> 00:13:09.420 So it's clear that shrewdness 00:13:09.420 --> 00:13:10.960 is meant to be 00:13:10.960 --> 00:13:12.640 an admirable trait. 00:13:12.780 --> 00:13:12.940 I mean, 00:13:13.020 --> 00:13:14.220 who wouldn't want wisdom? 00:13:14.379 --> 00:13:16.360 Who wouldn't want prudence? 00:13:17.020 --> 00:13:18.620 Who wouldn't want intelligence? 00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:21.000 And so when it comes 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:22.560 to our use of money 00:13:22.560 --> 00:13:23.300 and possessions, 00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.580 shrewdness indicates 00:13:25.580 --> 00:13:26.900 that there is this clear 00:13:26.900 --> 00:13:29.340 intentionality behind it. 00:13:31.040 --> 00:13:31.680 Shrewdness, 00:13:31.960 --> 00:13:32.740 when we look at those 00:13:32.740 --> 00:13:34.020 four perspectives on money 00:13:34.020 --> 00:13:35.080 that I was sharing before, 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:36.400 shrewdness is that one 00:13:36.400 --> 00:13:37.520 that recognizes 00:13:37.520 --> 00:13:39.440 the value of money 00:13:39.440 --> 00:13:41.020 for something greater. 00:13:41.680 --> 00:13:43.560 Just like that dishonest manager. 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:44.540 You know, 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:45.280 it's distinguished 00:13:45.280 --> 00:13:47.000 from the one 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:48.200 who just loves money 00:13:48.200 --> 00:13:49.440 or just hates money 00:13:49.440 --> 00:13:51.340 or disregards money. 00:13:52.780 --> 00:13:54.000 But in the parable, 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.259 we see that shrewdness, 00:13:55.460 --> 00:13:57.520 it's not the ultimate goal, 00:13:57.620 --> 00:13:57.780 right? 00:13:57.800 --> 00:13:58.800 I'm not walking around 00:13:58.800 --> 00:13:59.300 just saying, 00:13:59.980 --> 00:14:00.680 my life's purpose 00:14:00.680 --> 00:14:01.879 is to be shrewd. 00:14:01.879 --> 00:14:03.899 There's something more 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:05.659 in the parable 00:14:05.659 --> 00:14:06.639 because in the parable, 00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.519 shrewdness is just 00:14:07.519 --> 00:14:09.139 a commendable approach 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:11.000 to the use of money. 00:14:11.639 --> 00:14:12.480 It's got nothing to do 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.399 with your motives 00:14:13.399 --> 00:14:14.139 or your goals. 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:15.019 You could be shrewd 00:14:15.019 --> 00:14:15.519 in anything. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.919 You could be shrewd 00:14:16.919 --> 00:14:19.580 in saving for your retirement. 00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:20.860 You can be shrewd 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:22.620 in providing 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:24.100 for your kids' education. 00:14:24.279 --> 00:14:25.259 You can be shrewd 00:14:25.259 --> 00:14:27.179 in ripping people off. 00:14:27.740 --> 00:14:28.600 You can be shrewd 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.659 in just finding 00:14:29.659 --> 00:14:30.379 the best deal 00:14:30.379 --> 00:14:31.759 on the new iPhone 7 00:14:31.759 --> 00:14:32.620 that's going to come out 00:14:32.620 --> 00:14:33.339 very soon. 00:14:34.559 --> 00:14:36.159 Shrewdness is more 00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.120 of an approach 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:39.939 than a goal 00:14:39.939 --> 00:14:40.839 or motive 00:14:40.839 --> 00:14:41.879 and Jesus is a, 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:44.719 he's commending 00:14:44.719 --> 00:14:46.179 that approach, 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.559 that wisdom, 00:14:48.199 --> 00:14:49.059 that discernment, 00:14:49.159 --> 00:14:49.679 that awareness 00:14:49.679 --> 00:14:50.879 that comes with 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:51.600 using your money. 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:54.019 So I think we can all 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:54.879 agree therefore 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:56.459 that trueness 00:14:56.459 --> 00:14:57.519 is something 00:14:57.519 --> 00:14:58.620 that is desirable. 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:01.019 But the question 00:15:01.019 --> 00:15:02.139 we then turn to then 00:15:02.139 --> 00:15:02.399 is, 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.779 is shrewdness 00:15:03.779 --> 00:15:05.159 for what purpose? 00:15:06.039 --> 00:15:07.079 For what ends? 00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.439 And guys, 00:15:09.500 --> 00:15:10.240 the question 00:15:10.240 --> 00:15:12.079 we effectively answer 00:15:12.079 --> 00:15:13.620 every single day, 00:15:13.719 --> 00:15:15.139 whether you consciously 00:15:15.139 --> 00:15:17.259 realize it or not, 00:15:17.539 --> 00:15:18.100 is this. 00:15:19.219 --> 00:15:20.500 What do I use 00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:21.399 my money for 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.679 and why? 00:15:22.679 --> 00:15:25.779 the way you spend 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.159 your money, 00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:26.959 the way you think 00:15:26.959 --> 00:15:27.479 about money, 00:15:27.579 --> 00:15:28.399 the way you save 00:15:28.399 --> 00:15:29.039 your money, 00:15:29.099 --> 00:15:29.779 you're answering 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:30.500 that question 00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.239 for yourself 00:15:31.239 --> 00:15:33.739 day after day. 00:15:34.579 --> 00:15:35.459 And if I'm honest, 00:15:35.599 --> 00:15:37.000 it's especially true 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:38.139 in a culture 00:15:38.139 --> 00:15:39.019 like Hong Kong. 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.979 That's just your, 00:15:41.120 --> 00:15:42.659 just barrage 00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:45.459 of telling you 00:15:45.459 --> 00:15:46.419 that you need this 00:15:46.419 --> 00:15:47.139 and that. 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.279 It's materialistic, 00:15:48.419 --> 00:15:49.519 it's consumeristic. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.819 And this is where 00:15:51.819 --> 00:15:52.679 that concept 00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.519 of wealth 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.699 in the parable 00:15:54.699 --> 00:15:55.340 can really 00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.579 help us 00:15:56.579 --> 00:15:57.460 because wealth 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:59.179 includes all money, 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.879 all possessions. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:02.899 And I think 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:03.500 the pursuit 00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:04.139 of wealth 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:04.779 is something 00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.759 that just seems 00:16:05.759 --> 00:16:06.860 ingrained 00:16:06.860 --> 00:16:08.000 in society. 00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:09.819 Some of you 00:16:09.819 --> 00:16:10.460 may have heard 00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:10.960 the idea 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:11.539 that no matter 00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.480 how much money 00:16:12.480 --> 00:16:13.579 a person has, 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:15.340 it's never enough. 00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:17.320 It's never enough. 00:16:18.540 --> 00:16:19.680 Came across an article 00:16:19.680 --> 00:16:21.320 in Esquire magazine 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:23.340 just about two weeks ago. 00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:24.660 Profiled four men 00:16:24.660 --> 00:16:26.540 from four completely 00:16:26.540 --> 00:16:28.139 different income brackets. 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:28.820 So you're ranging 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:29.519 from someone 00:16:29.519 --> 00:16:30.060 who's right on 00:16:30.060 --> 00:16:30.920 the poverty line 00:16:30.920 --> 00:16:32.860 up to a millionaire 00:16:32.860 --> 00:16:33.980 in the U.S. 00:16:34.980 --> 00:16:36.060 And as these men 00:16:36.060 --> 00:16:37.300 shared their lifestyles, 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.340 shared what they were, 00:16:38.620 --> 00:16:39.620 what they could afford, 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.300 they were all basically 00:16:41.300 --> 00:16:43.180 asked this question. 00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:43.720 And it was, 00:16:43.720 --> 00:16:45.139 well, so how much 00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:45.759 do you need 00:16:45.759 --> 00:16:47.279 or do you think 00:16:47.279 --> 00:16:48.180 you'll need 00:16:48.180 --> 00:16:49.560 to have the life 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:49.940 you want? 00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:52.220 Guess what they all said? 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.300 They just needed 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:55.100 a little more 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.200 than what they had 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:56.660 right now. 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:00.160 That's the incredible 00:17:00.160 --> 00:17:01.300 allure 00:17:01.300 --> 00:17:04.220 of wealth. 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.259 It's never enough. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:12.220 Jesus is very blunt 00:17:12.220 --> 00:17:13.440 when he talks 00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.100 about wealth. 00:17:15.440 --> 00:17:15.759 You see, 00:17:15.799 --> 00:17:16.339 in this parable, 00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.160 he calls it 00:17:17.160 --> 00:17:19.759 unrighteous wealth. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.160 And that basically 00:17:22.160 --> 00:17:22.740 means 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:24.660 that the wealth 00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.500 is unjust, 00:17:25.620 --> 00:17:26.380 maybe even 00:17:26.380 --> 00:17:27.519 immoral. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:29.180 And I believe 00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:29.740 the reason 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:31.039 why that wealth 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.559 is unrighteous 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.220 is because 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:34.839 it has no ability 00:17:34.839 --> 00:17:36.559 to get us 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.600 what we really 00:17:37.600 --> 00:17:38.360 need 00:17:38.360 --> 00:17:39.360 in the depths 00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:40.000 of our hearts. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.900 and what do we need? 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:43.099 And I'd submit 00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.599 to you 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.480 this morning 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:45.880 that we need 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:46.700 perfect, 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:47.859 unconditional 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.980 love 00:17:48.980 --> 00:17:50.019 as human beings, 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:51.539 which can only 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.740 come from the God 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:54.180 that created us. 00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.380 A couple years ago, 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.940 Harvard University 00:17:58.940 --> 00:17:59.539 released 00:17:59.539 --> 00:18:01.519 a study, 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:03.640 a 75-year study. 00:18:03.640 --> 00:18:05.020 the data 00:18:05.020 --> 00:18:05.500 was gathered 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:06.920 for 75 years 00:18:06.920 --> 00:18:07.640 and they released 00:18:07.640 --> 00:18:08.660 this study 00:18:08.660 --> 00:18:10.040 and they found 00:18:10.040 --> 00:18:10.800 two pillars 00:18:10.800 --> 00:18:11.840 to human happiness. 00:18:13.000 --> 00:18:13.480 First, 00:18:14.080 --> 00:18:14.520 love. 00:18:16.280 --> 00:18:16.920 Second, 00:18:17.920 --> 00:18:19.000 to live life 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:19.580 and cope 00:18:19.580 --> 00:18:20.240 in a way 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:21.220 that doesn't 00:18:21.220 --> 00:18:22.400 push love away. 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.259 So really, 00:18:23.340 --> 00:18:24.120 it's just one pillar. 00:18:24.940 --> 00:18:25.280 Love. 00:18:26.600 --> 00:18:27.740 Loving relationships, 00:18:28.300 --> 00:18:29.820 interconnectedness. 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:30.500 Now, 00:18:30.520 --> 00:18:30.940 this isn't even 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.620 the Bible's thing. 00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:32.299 The Bible talks 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.139 tons about 00:18:33.139 --> 00:18:33.839 how we need love, 00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:34.339 but this is 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:35.819 the Harvard University's 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:37.179 75-year study 00:18:37.179 --> 00:18:37.799 saying that 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:39.119 we need love 00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:40.439 as human beings. 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.899 It's all about 00:18:41.899 --> 00:18:42.719 those relationships. 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:43.199 And today, 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.019 if you're wondering 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.219 why your wealth 00:18:45.219 --> 00:18:46.299 doesn't satisfy you, 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:46.479 well, 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:48.399 the truth is 00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:49.239 it was never 00:18:49.239 --> 00:18:50.179 designed 00:18:50.179 --> 00:18:51.199 to make you happy. 00:18:53.399 --> 00:18:54.359 Describing wealth, 00:18:54.500 --> 00:18:55.199 Jesus says, 00:18:55.919 --> 00:18:57.359 when it fails. 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.879 Not if it fails, 00:18:59.000 --> 00:19:00.500 but when it fails. 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:03.220 All the wealth 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.740 in the world 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.019 can't stop 00:19:05.019 --> 00:19:06.460 me from dying. 00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:08.440 All the wealth 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.259 in this world 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.039 can't make me 00:19:10.039 --> 00:19:11.779 perfect and righteous. 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.539 The wealth 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:15.119 in the world, 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:15.779 it can make me 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.279 look good 00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.319 and say nice things 00:19:17.319 --> 00:19:18.380 and learn what to say, 00:19:18.779 --> 00:19:19.579 but when I'm angry 00:19:19.579 --> 00:19:21.160 and that anger 00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:21.980 and those cuss words 00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:22.640 are building up 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.740 from inside my heart, 00:19:23.839 --> 00:19:24.920 the money can't change 00:19:24.920 --> 00:19:25.759 my heart. 00:19:26.740 --> 00:19:27.700 It can't make me 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.559 right with God. 00:19:28.640 --> 00:19:29.099 All the money 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:29.480 in the world 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.480 can't buy me 00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.559 into heaven. 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:33.339 It can't buy me 00:19:33.339 --> 00:19:34.459 unconditional love. 00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:36.319 I mean, 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:37.059 even the Beatles 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.799 knew that. 00:19:39.699 --> 00:19:41.819 It cannot buy me 00:19:41.819 --> 00:19:42.419 love. 00:19:42.559 --> 00:19:43.319 It can't buy me 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:44.539 unconditional love. 00:19:45.659 --> 00:19:46.819 So the only way 00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:48.059 today that we can have 00:19:48.059 --> 00:19:48.879 that perfect, 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.699 loving relationship 00:19:50.699 --> 00:19:51.399 with God 00:19:51.399 --> 00:19:53.740 is to simply accept 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.679 that He already 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:56.299 loves us unconditionally 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:57.480 by His choice, 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.720 by His volition. 00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:01.500 How do we know that? 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.579 We know that God 00:20:02.579 --> 00:20:03.660 loves us unconditionally 00:20:03.660 --> 00:20:04.660 because He came 00:20:04.660 --> 00:20:05.680 to this earth 00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:06.759 as a real 00:20:06.759 --> 00:20:08.160 historical person, 00:20:08.579 --> 00:20:08.860 Jesus, 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.940 and He died 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.920 on the cross for us 00:20:10.920 --> 00:20:11.700 just like we heard 00:20:11.700 --> 00:20:12.160 in communion. 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.759 He reached down 00:20:14.759 --> 00:20:15.440 to us 00:20:15.440 --> 00:20:16.220 because we 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.680 were not good enough 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.720 and we could never 00:20:18.720 --> 00:20:19.599 be good enough 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:20.539 to reach up to Him. 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:23.299 Our unrighteous wealth, 00:20:23.400 --> 00:20:23.860 what good 00:20:23.860 --> 00:20:25.059 is unrighteous wealth 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.079 in the eyes 00:20:26.079 --> 00:20:27.559 of a righteous God? 00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.859 A righteous God 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:33.419 who is perfect 00:20:33.419 --> 00:20:33.940 and holy 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:34.759 but chooses 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:36.039 to love, 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.500 to love us. 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.139 So guys, 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:41.059 when we start 00:20:41.059 --> 00:20:41.799 to grasp 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.859 the fact 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.799 that we can have 00:20:43.799 --> 00:20:44.700 eternal life, 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:46.359 eternal life, 00:20:46.519 --> 00:20:47.619 eternal dwellings 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:48.940 through God's 00:20:48.940 --> 00:20:49.779 perfect love, 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.500 now then, 00:20:51.599 --> 00:20:52.379 your life today, 00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.919 your unrighteous wealth, 00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.580 they begin 00:20:54.580 --> 00:20:55.800 to take on 00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:57.200 new meaning. 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.400 Everything 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:01.640 in this life 00:21:01.640 --> 00:21:03.759 you start to realize 00:21:03.759 --> 00:21:04.580 is temporary, 00:21:05.580 --> 00:21:06.420 is passing 00:21:06.420 --> 00:21:07.740 and will fade. 00:21:10.060 --> 00:21:10.740 Everything 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.440 is temporary 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.600 and given 00:21:12.600 --> 00:21:13.539 by God 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.140 for us 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:15.279 to manage. 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:17.160 You know, 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.940 sometimes I wish 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.820 that all our money 00:21:18.820 --> 00:21:20.560 and all our credit cards 00:21:20.560 --> 00:21:21.360 and all my things 00:21:21.360 --> 00:21:22.060 were stamped 00:21:22.060 --> 00:21:23.080 with God's name 00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:23.439 on it. 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.460 You know, 00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:24.960 Yahweh 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:26.000 or Christ 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:27.000 or what have you. 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.559 Because it would 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.659 remind me. 00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:31.460 You know, 00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:31.939 I was looking 00:21:31.939 --> 00:21:32.839 at a $100 bill 00:21:32.839 --> 00:21:33.339 this week. 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:34.759 If you're familiar, 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:36.399 the HSBC bills 00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:37.399 have a lion on it. 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:37.720 I'm like, 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:37.939 ooh, 00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.779 a lion of Judah. 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:40.220 It's a good reminder. 00:21:40.679 --> 00:21:41.099 But then I looked 00:21:41.099 --> 00:21:42.159 at the Bank of China bills 00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:42.679 and it just has 00:21:42.679 --> 00:21:43.480 the building on it. 00:21:43.720 --> 00:21:45.119 So it doesn't work 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:45.720 totally. 00:21:46.220 --> 00:21:47.299 But you get my point, 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:47.579 right? 00:21:47.579 --> 00:21:48.779 if there are ways 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:50.000 for us to remember 00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:52.339 who our possessions 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:54.819 really belong to. 00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.960 Every dollar, 00:21:56.419 --> 00:21:57.019 every cent, 00:21:57.419 --> 00:21:58.879 everything you owe 00:21:58.879 --> 00:22:00.299 is a gift 00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:01.299 from God 00:22:01.299 --> 00:22:02.199 to manage. 00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.079 And we have 00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:07.199 a far more lasting 00:22:07.199 --> 00:22:08.819 and secure place 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.419 to invest. 00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:13.019 Something that will yield 00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:14.439 better than the highest 00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:15.399 yielding investment 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:16.640 portfolio in this world. 00:22:18.180 --> 00:22:18.940 In this parable, 00:22:19.080 --> 00:22:20.140 Jesus is pointing us 00:22:20.140 --> 00:22:22.980 to eternal dwellings 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:25.620 and true riches. 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:27.440 So that's the third concept. 00:22:28.080 --> 00:22:29.480 The true riches. 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:31.080 Who will entrust 00:22:31.080 --> 00:22:32.800 to you the true riches? 00:22:35.300 --> 00:22:36.420 Now the true riches 00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:37.740 comes from the word 00:22:37.740 --> 00:22:38.200 in Greek. 00:22:38.320 --> 00:22:40.140 It literally means 00:22:40.140 --> 00:22:40.900 the true. 00:22:41.620 --> 00:22:42.440 It means the true. 00:22:42.560 --> 00:22:43.180 So you can't really 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.360 get any more true 00:22:44.359 --> 00:22:45.439 than the true. 00:22:45.579 --> 00:22:46.519 This is the truest 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:47.719 of true. 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:49.000 And so compared 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.359 to unrighteous wealth, 00:22:50.519 --> 00:22:50.759 you know, 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:51.859 which is going to fade 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:53.079 and pass away, 00:22:53.219 --> 00:22:53.839 true riches 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:55.500 will be ours to keep 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.579 because it's eternal. 00:22:57.439 --> 00:22:58.979 It's that which is 00:22:58.979 --> 00:22:59.679 your own. 00:22:59.839 --> 00:23:00.719 It's our own. 00:23:02.299 --> 00:23:02.919 True riches 00:23:02.919 --> 00:23:04.279 are all the things 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.639 that you will experience, 00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.839 that we will experience 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:07.619 and obtain 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:10.059 in heaven, 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:11.119 in eternity, 00:23:11.459 --> 00:23:13.099 because of our faithfulness 00:23:13.099 --> 00:23:14.759 today in using 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:16.459 unrighteous wealth. 00:23:17.659 --> 00:23:19.099 Those are the investments 00:23:19.099 --> 00:23:21.359 today that will actually 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:23.259 have eternal returns. 00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:26.839 Those are the heavenly rewards. 00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.679 Going back to the parable, 00:23:29.819 --> 00:23:31.379 Jesus calls the manager 00:23:31.379 --> 00:23:33.279 a son of this world 00:23:33.279 --> 00:23:34.980 because he's living 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.719 for this lifetime only. 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:37.959 You know, 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:40.179 his shrewdness enables him 00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:41.279 to deal well with 00:23:41.279 --> 00:23:42.279 the people around him 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:44.039 and they'll welcome him 00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.160 in this lifetime. 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.940 Christians are called 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.900 sons of light 00:23:48.900 --> 00:23:51.560 and they need to have 00:23:51.560 --> 00:23:52.779 that kind of shrewdness, 00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:54.240 but in contrast, 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.680 their goal is to be 00:23:55.680 --> 00:23:57.200 faithful to God. 00:23:59.299 --> 00:24:00.840 Faithful to God. 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.700 Using their unrighteous 00:24:02.700 --> 00:24:04.100 wealth in view 00:24:04.100 --> 00:24:05.560 of those eternal dwellings, 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:07.480 in view of eternity, 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:10.279 in view of true riches. 00:24:11.899 --> 00:24:12.839 So the question 00:24:12.839 --> 00:24:13.740 that we need to ask 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.460 when we think about 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.000 true riches 00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:16.919 is what does it mean 00:24:16.919 --> 00:24:17.859 to be faithful 00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:19.940 in using unrighteous wealth? 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.679 Jesus says really clearly 00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:24.500 that we need to use 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.039 our wealth 00:24:25.039 --> 00:24:26.279 to make friends 00:24:26.279 --> 00:24:28.099 who will welcome us 00:24:28.099 --> 00:24:30.740 into eternal dwellings. 00:24:32.379 --> 00:24:33.559 And what this obviously means 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:34.619 is that you need to treat me 00:24:34.619 --> 00:24:35.299 like your friend 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:37.599 and spend lots of money 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.519 on me 00:24:38.519 --> 00:24:39.739 and then I'll welcome you 00:24:39.739 --> 00:24:41.119 into eternal dwellings, right? 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:43.399 That's the application point. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:43.939 Let's pray. 00:24:47.139 --> 00:24:47.959 I'm kidding. 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:50.339 In case... 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.959 I am your friend. 00:24:53.439 --> 00:24:54.519 I am your friend, 00:24:54.679 --> 00:24:57.179 but this really isn't about me. 00:24:58.099 --> 00:24:59.559 I think what this really means 00:24:59.559 --> 00:25:00.319 is that we, 00:25:00.539 --> 00:25:01.719 Jesus is calling us 00:25:01.719 --> 00:25:03.259 to use our money 00:25:03.259 --> 00:25:05.660 in a way that advances 00:25:05.660 --> 00:25:06.500 the gospel. 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.700 The gospel, 00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:09.559 the good news 00:25:09.559 --> 00:25:10.859 that people can have 00:25:10.859 --> 00:25:12.339 a relationship with God, 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.279 a perfect God, 00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:16.960 through Jesus Christ. 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:20.180 Because when the people 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.299 around you 00:25:21.299 --> 00:25:23.240 start coming to know 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.440 God's amazing love, 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:26.980 when they grow in faith 00:25:26.980 --> 00:25:28.160 through God's community, 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:29.839 a community like Watermark 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:31.139 or the churches 00:25:31.139 --> 00:25:32.079 that are being planted 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:33.919 all around Asia, 00:25:34.459 --> 00:25:35.980 and when they start 00:25:35.980 --> 00:25:37.639 taking part in God's mission 00:25:37.639 --> 00:25:39.019 to share his love, 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:40.980 then we can start 00:25:40.980 --> 00:25:41.539 being sure 00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:42.519 that those people 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:43.639 will welcome you 00:25:43.639 --> 00:25:46.039 into eternal dwellings 00:25:46.039 --> 00:25:47.939 when you enter into heaven. 00:25:50.199 --> 00:25:51.339 Now hear me clearly. 00:25:51.480 --> 00:25:52.439 I'm not saying 00:25:52.439 --> 00:25:53.199 that we're just supposed 00:25:53.199 --> 00:25:53.859 to run around 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:55.339 and throw money at people 00:25:55.339 --> 00:25:57.039 with this agenda 00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:58.159 that they become Christians. 00:25:58.160 --> 00:25:59.259 You know, 00:25:59.300 --> 00:25:59.980 we're not trying 00:25:59.980 --> 00:26:01.400 to bribe people 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.700 to say a sinner's prayer. 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.600 Making friends 00:26:06.600 --> 00:26:07.840 and being faithful, 00:26:08.220 --> 00:26:08.580 I believe, 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.519 simply means 00:26:09.519 --> 00:26:11.040 being generous. 00:26:12.560 --> 00:26:13.620 Being generous 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.140 with others 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:15.400 because you've 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:16.400 experienced 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:17.420 God's generosity. 00:26:18.920 --> 00:26:19.900 It means that 00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:20.560 your wealth 00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:21.700 is shared openly 00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.480 with others 00:26:22.480 --> 00:26:23.800 because God 00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:25.040 shares his wealth 00:26:25.040 --> 00:26:26.960 so openly with us. 00:26:26.960 --> 00:26:28.880 You know, 00:26:28.920 --> 00:26:29.680 when you're generously 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.840 loving others, 00:26:30.940 --> 00:26:31.519 your motive 00:26:31.519 --> 00:26:32.279 is simply 00:26:32.279 --> 00:26:32.840 to give them 00:26:32.840 --> 00:26:33.559 a taste, 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.360 a taste 00:26:34.360 --> 00:26:36.559 of God's love. 00:26:37.860 --> 00:26:38.880 You're recognizing 00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.840 that your wealth 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:41.059 actually belongs 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.640 to God 00:26:41.640 --> 00:26:42.819 and he's shaping 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.340 your heart 00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:43.960 to care 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:45.180 about the people 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.279 and the things 00:26:46.279 --> 00:26:47.420 that God cares about. 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.200 And who does 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:50.980 God care about? 00:26:52.259 --> 00:26:53.019 Jesus declares 00:26:53.019 --> 00:26:53.720 that he came 00:26:53.720 --> 00:26:54.460 to seek 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.640 and save 00:26:55.640 --> 00:26:56.520 the lost, 00:26:56.600 --> 00:26:57.000 all those 00:26:57.000 --> 00:26:57.540 who don't know 00:26:57.540 --> 00:26:57.780 him. 00:26:58.759 --> 00:26:59.320 If you think 00:26:59.320 --> 00:26:59.660 about it, 00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.660 when you really 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.520 start to love 00:27:01.520 --> 00:27:01.860 others, 00:27:01.980 --> 00:27:03.020 even in a fraction 00:27:03.020 --> 00:27:04.000 of the way 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:04.680 that God loves 00:27:04.680 --> 00:27:04.820 them, 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:05.000 I mean, 00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.840 how could you 00:27:05.840 --> 00:27:07.000 not be generous 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.440 with them? 00:27:07.640 --> 00:27:08.120 Why would you, 00:27:08.280 --> 00:27:08.720 how could you 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.480 not be generous 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:09.920 with someone 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:10.259 you love? 00:27:10.300 --> 00:27:11.360 It's not contrived, 00:27:11.680 --> 00:27:12.900 it's not premeditated, 00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.600 it's not fake, 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:15.500 it overflows 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.320 from the love 00:27:16.320 --> 00:27:17.140 that you have 00:27:17.140 --> 00:27:18.140 for them. 00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:21.000 God also 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.560 tells us 00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.000 that he 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.720 has a heart 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.920 for the poor, 00:27:24.620 --> 00:27:25.460 the marginalized, 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:27.200 the disenfranchised. 00:27:29.020 --> 00:27:29.560 And so today 00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.280 if we're thinking 00:27:30.280 --> 00:27:31.640 about shrewdness 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:34.759 in using 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:35.720 our unrighteous 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:36.140 wealth 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:38.560 for the purpose 00:27:38.560 --> 00:27:39.660 of true riches, 00:27:39.840 --> 00:27:40.759 God's telling us, 00:27:40.820 --> 00:27:41.200 I think he's 00:27:41.200 --> 00:27:41.940 challenging us 00:27:41.940 --> 00:27:42.740 to really think 00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:44.240 about how we 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:44.940 give to those 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.520 who are really 00:27:45.520 --> 00:27:46.540 in need. 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:48.099 Because guys, 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:48.759 there are people 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.460 in this city, 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.220 in this world 00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:50.859 who need 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:52.000 unrighteous wealth 00:27:52.000 --> 00:27:53.079 a lot more 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:53.659 than we do. 00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.259 There's over 00:27:54.259 --> 00:27:55.539 a million people 00:27:55.539 --> 00:27:56.259 in Hong Kong 00:27:56.259 --> 00:27:56.899 who are under 00:27:56.899 --> 00:27:57.720 the poverty line 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.139 right now. 00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.019 There's people 00:28:00.019 --> 00:28:00.960 in desperate need 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:01.720 in the Philippines. 00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:02.599 I mean, 00:28:02.639 --> 00:28:03.159 that's why we're 00:28:03.159 --> 00:28:04.379 sending a 00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:05.980 university ministry 00:28:05.980 --> 00:28:06.960 mission trip 00:28:06.960 --> 00:28:07.379 down there 00:28:07.379 --> 00:28:08.940 later this month. 00:28:10.259 --> 00:28:10.839 That's why 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:11.659 in the next few weeks 00:28:11.659 --> 00:28:12.019 we're going to 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.399 spotlight a number 00:28:13.399 --> 00:28:14.819 of outreach ministries 00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:16.339 to Hong Kong 00:28:16.339 --> 00:28:16.799 and beyond 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:17.240 that we're going 00:28:17.240 --> 00:28:17.679 to collect 00:28:17.679 --> 00:28:18.399 a love offering 00:28:18.399 --> 00:28:18.759 for. 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:23.039 There is a need 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:24.740 both in our 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.179 community 00:28:25.179 --> 00:28:26.220 and beyond. 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:28.240 And this is where 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.079 the rubber hits 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.480 the road. 00:28:30.639 --> 00:28:31.419 This is where 00:28:31.419 --> 00:28:32.259 we get practical 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:34.919 because we need 00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:35.699 to ask ourselves 00:28:35.699 --> 00:28:36.359 this question. 00:28:37.159 --> 00:28:38.299 If someone looked 00:28:38.299 --> 00:28:39.319 at your spending 00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:41.379 this past week, 00:28:41.559 --> 00:28:42.419 this past month, 00:28:42.639 --> 00:28:43.699 this past year, 00:28:44.480 --> 00:28:44.919 he looked at 00:28:44.920 --> 00:28:45.700 every dollar 00:28:45.700 --> 00:28:46.160 and cent 00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:46.620 spent 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:48.120 or saved, 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:50.420 what would 00:28:50.420 --> 00:28:51.039 that person 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:51.620 say is the 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:52.580 most important 00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.240 thing in your 00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.680 life based 00:28:54.680 --> 00:28:55.039 on where 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.400 your money 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:55.740 is being? 00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.480 Is it 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.920 more unrighteous 00:29:00.920 --> 00:29:01.279 wealth? 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.259 Is it true 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.539 riches? 00:29:04.539 --> 00:29:08.579 guys, 00:29:08.659 --> 00:29:09.359 this is convicting 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:09.819 for me 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.659 because as I've 00:29:10.659 --> 00:29:11.039 been thinking 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.420 about this, 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.059 I've realized 00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.839 that I really 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:13.440 don't think 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:14.680 I have that 00:29:14.680 --> 00:29:15.319 shrewdness, 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:17.059 that wisdom 00:29:17.059 --> 00:29:19.259 that Jesus 00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:19.879 is really 00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.519 talking about. 00:29:20.599 --> 00:29:20.940 I'm still 00:29:20.940 --> 00:29:22.059 struggling with 00:29:22.059 --> 00:29:22.799 that and thinking 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.359 about it. 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:24.420 Too often, 00:29:24.559 --> 00:29:25.200 I just use 00:29:25.200 --> 00:29:26.220 my resources 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.680 kind of 00:29:27.680 --> 00:29:28.659 haphazardly, 00:29:29.180 --> 00:29:30.059 unintentionally, 00:29:30.379 --> 00:29:31.019 without 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:32.160 shrewdness. 00:29:34.440 --> 00:29:35.039 So this 00:29:35.039 --> 00:29:35.599 should be a 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.160 hard truth. 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:36.779 This should be 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:37.279 a difficult 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.680 thing because 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.599 all Christians 00:29:39.599 --> 00:29:40.619 and non-Christians, 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:41.779 we will 00:29:41.779 --> 00:29:43.220 wrestle with 00:29:43.220 --> 00:29:43.920 our unrighteous 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:44.299 wealth. 00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.740 If I'm honest 00:29:45.740 --> 00:29:46.019 with you, 00:29:46.079 --> 00:29:46.480 there's a part 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:46.859 of me that 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:48.079 really believes 00:29:48.079 --> 00:29:48.779 that life will 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:49.599 be better if I 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:50.160 just have a 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.500 little bit 00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:50.740 more. 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:52.920 The truth 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.180 is that 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:53.980 probably some 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.480 things might 00:29:54.480 --> 00:29:54.859 get a little 00:29:54.859 --> 00:29:55.160 better, 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.279 probably could 00:29:56.279 --> 00:29:56.960 improve some 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:57.319 things, 00:29:58.299 --> 00:29:58.819 could get that 00:29:58.819 --> 00:29:59.539 next phone or 00:29:59.539 --> 00:29:59.859 whatnot. 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.680 But then I 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:02.240 think about 00:30:02.240 --> 00:30:04.099 what I imagine 00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:04.700 like if I'm 00:30:04.700 --> 00:30:06.000 on my deathbed 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.859 sitting there, 00:30:07.000 --> 00:30:07.259 I just, 00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:07.599 guys, 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.240 I don't want 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:10.220 to be there 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.240 and thinking 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:12.139 and have this 00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:13.259 sense in my 00:30:13.259 --> 00:30:13.480 heart, 00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:14.019 this sinking 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:14.799 feeling that I 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.859 spent way too 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:17.180 much time and 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:19.119 energy on 00:30:19.119 --> 00:30:19.660 things that 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.019 will just 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:21.200 vanish like 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.539 vapor. 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:25.079 Thankfully, 00:30:25.279 --> 00:30:25.660 as Christians, 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.240 I don't think 00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:27.299 we have to 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:29.039 worry about 00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.700 that future. 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.680 because great 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:33.460 is God's 00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:34.139 faithfulness 00:30:34.139 --> 00:30:36.400 and he has 00:30:36.400 --> 00:30:37.400 an eternal 00:30:37.400 --> 00:30:38.639 life for us. 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:40.240 Scripture 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.980 tells us that 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:41.799 God who did 00:30:41.799 --> 00:30:42.639 not spare his 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.779 own son Jesus 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.299 but gave him 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.220 up for all of 00:30:46.220 --> 00:30:46.879 us, how will 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:47.819 he not also 00:30:47.819 --> 00:30:49.480 graciously give 00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:51.099 us all things? 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.279 And that's the 00:30:52.279 --> 00:30:52.539 point. 00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.200 I want you guys 00:30:53.200 --> 00:30:54.059 to imagine if 00:30:54.059 --> 00:30:55.099 you are clinging 00:30:55.099 --> 00:30:57.079 so closely 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.619 two hands to 00:30:58.619 --> 00:31:00.359 God because you 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.279 know he's your 00:31:01.279 --> 00:31:02.419 only way to 00:31:02.419 --> 00:31:02.959 eternity. 00:31:03.679 --> 00:31:04.439 Jesus is the 00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:05.919 only way that 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:06.619 we can have a 00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.500 loving relationship 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.259 with God. 00:31:08.639 --> 00:31:09.299 Then do you 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:10.119 have an open 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.339 hand to hold 00:31:11.339 --> 00:31:11.799 on to your 00:31:11.799 --> 00:31:12.419 wealth today? 00:31:13.479 --> 00:31:14.339 Do you have 00:31:14.339 --> 00:31:15.159 an open hand 00:31:15.159 --> 00:31:16.559 if you're clinging 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.339 to the cross? 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:17.459 God's love. 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.059 So how do we 00:31:24.059 --> 00:31:25.399 respond to God's 00:31:25.399 --> 00:31:25.599 love? 00:31:25.659 --> 00:31:26.019 And I want to 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:26.839 close with this 00:31:26.839 --> 00:31:28.240 thought because 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.419 in all of this 00:31:29.419 --> 00:31:30.359 I realize 00:31:30.359 --> 00:31:32.039 there is 00:31:32.039 --> 00:31:33.299 a huge element 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.279 of faith 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:35.859 in responding 00:31:35.859 --> 00:31:36.779 to God's love. 00:31:37.500 --> 00:31:38.619 Faith that ties 00:31:38.619 --> 00:31:39.480 us all together. 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.279 It's not a blind 00:31:40.279 --> 00:31:40.679 faith. 00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:42.319 It's a faith 00:31:42.319 --> 00:31:43.179 that's based on a 00:31:43.179 --> 00:31:44.379 true historical 00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:45.319 person, Jesus, 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:48.039 that came and 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:48.839 died for us. 00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:50.119 It's faith that 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:51.220 God loves you 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:52.639 unconditionally and 00:31:52.639 --> 00:31:53.899 he has eternal 00:31:53.899 --> 00:31:56.119 life and true 00:31:56.119 --> 00:31:56.960 riches prepared 00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.419 for you. 00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:01.240 And as you use 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.200 your unrighteous 00:32:02.200 --> 00:32:04.119 wealth in a 00:32:04.119 --> 00:32:04.919 faithful way, 00:32:05.960 --> 00:32:07.059 you'll also need 00:32:07.059 --> 00:32:07.759 to take a step 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.200 of faith. 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:10.840 because the 00:32:10.840 --> 00:32:11.420 truth is you 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.480 might not know 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:14.019 all those 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:15.539 friends that 00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.120 are going to 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:17.559 receive you into 00:32:17.559 --> 00:32:18.600 eternal dwellings. 00:32:18.620 --> 00:32:19.059 You might not 00:32:19.059 --> 00:32:19.600 know who they 00:32:19.600 --> 00:32:20.059 are today. 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.420 When I was 00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.440 preparing for 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:24.960 this sermon, 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:26.940 God brought a 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:27.620 memory to my 00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:28.019 mind. 00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.620 Several years 00:32:29.620 --> 00:32:31.240 ago, we were 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:32.360 doing anti-trafficking 00:32:32.360 --> 00:32:33.559 work in India, 00:32:34.559 --> 00:32:35.759 in Calcutta, 00:32:35.840 --> 00:32:36.279 in the area, 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:37.079 and my team 00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.500 had the 00:32:37.500 --> 00:32:38.500 opportunity to 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:40.240 escort 15 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:41.039 girls back 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.700 into Nepal. 00:32:42.960 --> 00:32:43.539 They had been 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:44.379 trafficked out of 00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:46.279 Nepal to Calcutta, 00:32:46.879 --> 00:32:47.639 forced into 00:32:47.639 --> 00:32:48.460 prostitution, 00:32:49.720 --> 00:32:50.819 but they were 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:51.220 rescued. 00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.859 And after a fair 00:32:52.859 --> 00:32:53.579 bit of drama, 00:32:54.579 --> 00:32:55.500 they could finally 00:32:55.500 --> 00:32:57.039 get repatriated 00:32:57.039 --> 00:32:58.099 and go back. 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.180 But they 00:32:59.180 --> 00:32:59.700 couldn't go back 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.359 to their homes 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.879 because they 00:33:01.879 --> 00:33:02.379 weren't safe, 00:33:02.460 --> 00:33:02.920 because there 00:33:02.920 --> 00:33:03.539 were relatives, 00:33:03.720 --> 00:33:04.399 family members 00:33:04.400 --> 00:33:05.180 involved in 00:33:05.180 --> 00:33:06.980 trafficking them. 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:07.700 And so instead, 00:33:07.840 --> 00:33:08.600 we were placing 00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:09.360 them in this 00:33:09.360 --> 00:33:10.280 children's home 00:33:10.280 --> 00:33:11.620 in Nepal. 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:13.220 And understandably, 00:33:13.300 --> 00:33:13.620 they were 00:33:13.620 --> 00:33:14.540 apprehensive about 00:33:14.540 --> 00:33:14.840 it. 00:33:15.800 --> 00:33:15.960 Right? 00:33:16.080 --> 00:33:16.960 15 girls being 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.840 sent to this 00:33:17.840 --> 00:33:19.759 children's home. 00:33:21.040 --> 00:33:21.780 But as we 00:33:21.780 --> 00:33:22.540 brought them in, 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.720 as they were 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:25.600 received by the 00:33:25.600 --> 00:33:26.460 staff there and 00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.240 the children in 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:27.640 the home, 00:33:27.800 --> 00:33:29.080 just with the 00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:30.120 amazing love of 00:33:30.120 --> 00:33:31.360 Jesus, just with 00:33:31.360 --> 00:33:33.259 great grace and 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.420 friendliness, 00:33:34.640 --> 00:33:35.160 you could just 00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:36.099 see within a 00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:36.700 few days, 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.019 they were 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.640 starting to get 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.279 more chatty. 00:33:40.200 --> 00:33:40.740 They were 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.180 starting to 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:41.859 smile a little 00:33:41.859 --> 00:33:42.140 bit. 00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.200 They became 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:45.900 more talkative. 00:33:46.460 --> 00:33:46.759 And then we 00:33:46.759 --> 00:33:47.079 said our 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:47.680 goodbyes and 00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.119 my team, 00:33:48.400 --> 00:33:49.059 we headed back 00:33:49.059 --> 00:33:49.599 to India. 00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.220 And sometime 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:51.720 later, we 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:52.259 received a 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:53.339 letter, just a 00:33:53.339 --> 00:33:53.720 little letter, 00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:54.119 and I just 00:33:54.119 --> 00:33:54.660 wanted to share 00:33:54.660 --> 00:33:56.480 a portion to 00:33:56.480 --> 00:33:56.720 you. 00:33:58.420 --> 00:33:59.039 She said, 00:33:59.119 --> 00:33:59.480 to lawyer, 00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.299 uncle, and 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.740 aunties, a 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.640 big thank you to 00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.180 all of you. 00:34:04.400 --> 00:34:05.080 You've gone 00:34:05.080 --> 00:34:05.620 through a lot 00:34:05.620 --> 00:34:06.340 of trouble for 00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:06.620 us. 00:34:08.000 --> 00:34:08.780 If we made 00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:09.500 any mistakes, 00:34:09.720 --> 00:34:10.380 please do 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.019 forgive us. 00:34:12.380 --> 00:34:13.200 We pray that 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:13.840 you'll continue 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.559 to fight for 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.460 girls like us. 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.740 I love all of 00:34:16.740 --> 00:34:17.220 you a lot. 00:34:18.180 --> 00:34:18.880 I'm very happy 00:34:18.880 --> 00:34:19.460 that I'm going 00:34:19.460 --> 00:34:20.119 to school now. 00:34:21.220 --> 00:34:21.780 Here, people 00:34:21.780 --> 00:34:22.599 also love us 00:34:22.599 --> 00:34:23.220 the same way 00:34:23.220 --> 00:34:23.599 you do. 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.140 And I'm 00:34:25.140 --> 00:34:25.619 writing this 00:34:25.619 --> 00:34:26.119 letter in a 00:34:26.119 --> 00:34:27.640 hurry since I'm 00:34:27.640 --> 00:34:28.220 in school right 00:34:28.220 --> 00:34:28.480 now. 00:34:29.160 --> 00:34:29.940 Next time, I'll 00:34:29.940 --> 00:34:30.519 write it nicely 00:34:30.519 --> 00:34:31.220 on a card and 00:34:31.220 --> 00:34:31.920 send it to you. 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:33.279 I hope that 00:34:33.279 --> 00:34:33.960 even with this 00:34:33.960 --> 00:34:34.539 scribbled letter 00:34:34.539 --> 00:34:35.400 of mine, you'll 00:34:35.400 --> 00:34:35.900 be happy. 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:37.480 I hope that 00:34:37.480 --> 00:34:37.879 you're doing 00:34:37.879 --> 00:34:38.179 well. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:43.019 As I reflected 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:44.239 on this this 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:45.059 past week, I 00:34:45.059 --> 00:34:45.619 prayed a prayer 00:34:45.619 --> 00:34:46.319 for those girls 00:34:46.319 --> 00:34:46.679 again. 00:34:48.259 --> 00:34:48.719 The truth is 00:34:48.719 --> 00:34:49.900 I'll probably 00:34:49.900 --> 00:34:51.379 never see those 00:34:51.379 --> 00:34:51.960 girls in this 00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.379 lifetime. 00:34:53.779 --> 00:34:54.559 If I'm honest, 00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.379 I don't know 00:34:55.379 --> 00:34:56.219 for sure if 00:34:56.219 --> 00:34:56.599 they'll be 00:34:56.599 --> 00:34:58.000 welcoming me 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:58.639 into eternal 00:34:58.639 --> 00:34:59.179 dwellings. 00:34:59.179 --> 00:35:02.299 but I know 00:35:02.299 --> 00:35:03.079 how much 00:35:03.079 --> 00:35:04.159 they were 00:35:04.159 --> 00:35:05.019 moved by 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.639 God's love 00:35:05.639 --> 00:35:07.119 when I met 00:35:07.119 --> 00:35:07.359 them. 00:35:09.199 --> 00:35:09.940 So I wouldn't 00:35:09.940 --> 00:35:10.839 be surprised if 00:35:10.839 --> 00:35:12.039 one day as we 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:13.159 move into 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:14.480 eternity, 00:35:15.079 --> 00:35:16.199 those girls 00:35:16.199 --> 00:35:16.619 will welcome 00:35:16.619 --> 00:35:17.019 me into 00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.399 eternal 00:35:17.399 --> 00:35:17.960 dwellings. 00:35:19.960 --> 00:35:20.839 The real 00:35:20.839 --> 00:35:21.839 reason I'm 00:35:21.839 --> 00:35:22.379 sharing this 00:35:22.379 --> 00:35:22.960 story is 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:24.019 because I 00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.399 don't think 00:35:24.399 --> 00:35:24.799 they'd only 00:35:24.799 --> 00:35:25.399 welcome me. 00:35:25.400 --> 00:35:27.639 I think 00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.099 they'd welcome 00:35:28.099 --> 00:35:28.940 every team 00:35:28.940 --> 00:35:30.240 member that 00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:30.740 was there. 00:35:31.680 --> 00:35:32.340 They'd welcome 00:35:32.340 --> 00:35:33.280 every single 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:34.960 donor who 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:35.639 made that 00:35:35.639 --> 00:35:37.519 work possible, 00:35:38.200 --> 00:35:38.619 who made 00:35:38.619 --> 00:35:39.440 that ministry 00:35:39.440 --> 00:35:40.760 possible, 00:35:40.920 --> 00:35:41.360 people who 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:41.639 may have 00:35:41.639 --> 00:35:42.559 never met 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.460 them ever 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:44.340 in this 00:35:44.340 --> 00:35:44.880 lifetime. 00:35:48.200 --> 00:35:48.579 See, when 00:35:48.579 --> 00:35:49.260 our Heavenly 00:35:49.260 --> 00:35:50.220 Father welcomes 00:35:50.220 --> 00:35:51.059 us into 00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:51.519 eternal 00:35:51.519 --> 00:35:52.119 dwellings, 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:53.300 I believe 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:53.800 He'll show 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.599 us how He 00:35:54.599 --> 00:35:56.480 used our 00:35:56.480 --> 00:35:58.860 faithfulness 00:35:58.860 --> 00:36:00.360 to impact 00:36:00.360 --> 00:36:02.019 nations and 00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:02.639 generations. 00:36:05.159 --> 00:36:05.599 And so for 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:06.279 us to step 00:36:06.279 --> 00:36:07.139 out today in 00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:09.259 faith, to 00:36:09.259 --> 00:36:09.980 trust God 00:36:09.980 --> 00:36:10.679 that He knows 00:36:10.679 --> 00:36:11.039 what He's 00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:13.000 doing, that 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:13.420 He's in 00:36:13.420 --> 00:36:14.000 control, that 00:36:14.000 --> 00:36:15.239 He loves the 00:36:15.239 --> 00:36:16.139 lost infinitely 00:36:16.139 --> 00:36:16.839 more than you 00:36:16.839 --> 00:36:17.339 do, He loves 00:36:17.339 --> 00:36:17.980 the nations 00:36:17.980 --> 00:36:18.960 more than you 00:36:18.960 --> 00:36:19.440 do, and He 00:36:19.440 --> 00:36:20.519 will take your 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.259 offering, your 00:36:21.259 --> 00:36:22.039 step of faith, 00:36:22.319 --> 00:36:23.019 and multiply 00:36:23.019 --> 00:36:23.380 it. 00:36:24.599 --> 00:36:26.279 And look 00:36:26.279 --> 00:36:26.960 forward in 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.460 faith to 00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:27.880 eternal 00:36:27.880 --> 00:36:29.500 dwellings, to 00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:30.920 the future, to 00:36:30.920 --> 00:36:31.679 true riches. 00:36:35.159 --> 00:36:35.759 What's the 00:36:35.759 --> 00:36:36.380 next step for 00:36:36.380 --> 00:36:37.839 you guys today, 00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:38.699 for every single 00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:39.219 one of you? 00:36:39.759 --> 00:36:40.659 What is that 00:36:40.659 --> 00:36:41.480 step of faith 00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:44.420 as you look 00:36:44.420 --> 00:36:44.799 forward to 00:36:44.799 --> 00:36:45.119 eternal 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:45.639 dwellings? 00:36:47.000 --> 00:36:47.619 Let's pray 00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:47.940 together. 00:36:47.940 --> 00:36:51.760 God, every 00:36:51.760 --> 00:36:52.599 single one of 00:36:52.599 --> 00:36:53.420 us here this 00:36:53.420 --> 00:36:55.260 morning has a 00:36:55.260 --> 00:36:56.139 next step of 00:36:56.139 --> 00:36:56.460 faith. 00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:58.099 Lord, if that 00:36:58.099 --> 00:37:00.320 step of faith is 00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:01.159 to put faith in 00:37:01.159 --> 00:37:01.840 your Son, Jesus, 00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.760 Lord, I pray that 00:37:02.760 --> 00:37:03.440 now you would 00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:05.260 convict and 00:37:05.260 --> 00:37:06.400 draw people to 00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:07.119 know your love. 00:37:10.260 --> 00:37:11.179 God, if it's a 00:37:11.179 --> 00:37:12.079 step of faith to 00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:13.059 love people who 00:37:13.059 --> 00:37:13.840 are unlovable 00:37:13.840 --> 00:37:14.619 around us, 00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:16.119 Lord, I pray 00:37:16.119 --> 00:37:16.599 that you would 00:37:16.599 --> 00:37:17.420 lead us to 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:19.960 love generously, 00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:22.259 with wisdom, 00:37:22.440 --> 00:37:23.159 with shrewdness, 00:37:23.319 --> 00:37:23.460 Lord. 00:37:25.960 --> 00:37:27.099 Lord, if it is a 00:37:27.099 --> 00:37:28.079 step to love 00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:28.960 the nations, 00:37:29.440 --> 00:37:31.579 to invest and 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:33.179 share and 00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:34.420 overflow to the 00:37:34.420 --> 00:37:35.380 nations, Lord, to 00:37:35.380 --> 00:37:36.719 church planners, to 00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:38.239 outreach ministries, 00:37:38.400 --> 00:37:39.420 to social justice, 00:37:39.420 --> 00:37:40.299 that people would 00:37:40.299 --> 00:37:41.699 know your great 00:37:41.699 --> 00:37:42.519 name and your love 00:37:42.519 --> 00:37:43.239 for them, I pray 00:37:43.239 --> 00:37:44.079 that we would take 00:37:44.079 --> 00:37:44.940 that next step. 00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:52.460 Lord, speak to 00:37:52.460 --> 00:37:52.799 us. 00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.840 Convict us, Lord, 00:37:55.920 --> 00:37:56.219 through your 00:37:56.219 --> 00:37:56.900 spirit, God. 00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:57.920 What is the next 00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:59.380 step for every 00:37:59.380 --> 00:38:00.179 one of us here? 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.840 God, great is your 00:38:12.840 --> 00:38:13.840 faithfulness, Lord. 00:38:14.960 --> 00:38:15.860 Pray that we would 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.760 respond today, 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:20.600 whatever that looks 00:38:20.600 --> 00:38:21.100 like, Lord, 00:38:21.200 --> 00:38:22.180 whatever that one 00:38:22.180 --> 00:38:23.059 next step is, 00:38:23.180 --> 00:38:23.340 Lord. 00:38:25.720 --> 00:38:26.500 In your precious 00:38:26.500 --> 00:38:27.440 son's name we pray. 00:38:28.019 --> 00:38:28.280 Amen.