WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.540 Gracious Father, we thank you for the indescribable gift that you've given to us in the Lord Jesus. 00:00:07.759 --> 00:00:15.540 We thank you that we who, deserving of separation from you for all of eternity, have been brought, 00:00:16.559 --> 00:00:22.080 that we might worship you for all of eternity because of the work of the Lord Jesus. 00:00:22.080 --> 00:00:26.039 Thank you for your radical generosity towards us. 00:00:26.039 --> 00:00:41.979 And we pray, Father, that you would impress upon us what you've done for us in such a way that our hearts would be overflowing with generosity towards others, towards you. 00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:45.700 Make us, we pray, a church of radical generosity. 00:00:46.359 --> 00:00:50.439 For the glory of your name we pray in Jesus' sake. Amen. 00:00:50.439 --> 00:01:04.640 On Sunday the 10th of July this year I told a fictitious story about Wendy J, our treasurer, squeezing juice out of an orange as part of a carnival sideshow. 00:01:05.239 --> 00:01:07.439 I want to emphasise it was a fictitious story. 00:01:07.560 --> 00:01:13.299 Someone asked me afterwards, when was that carnival down at the concourse? 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:14.979 I said it was a fictitious story. 00:01:14.980 --> 00:01:27.200 The punchline was that she was able to squeeze half a cup more juice out of an orange after a 150 kilogram hulk of a man got all of he could out of it. 00:01:27.760 --> 00:01:33.380 And it was because she is the church treasurer, that's what she does each week with the offertory. 00:01:33.379 --> 00:01:45.719 The reality is that all too often raising funds for ministry and charity is in fact like squeezing out those last drops and making a little bit go too far or stretch far. 00:01:46.179 --> 00:01:50.819 This is certainly what's been happening for us as a church this year. 00:01:51.299 --> 00:02:00.479 And so this core value that we're looking at tonight, number six in our series of seven of our core values, has particular relevance for us now. 00:02:00.480 --> 00:02:07.579 But it's not just for that, that we're looking at it tonight. 00:02:08.379 --> 00:02:15.759 And as we look at this core value of radical generosity, I'm basically going to say what I said in July. 00:02:16.140 --> 00:02:23.439 I looked at this core value again and figured I couldn't come up with anything better than what I'd said last July. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:27.240 And with a few adjustments, we're going to hit it again. 00:02:27.240 --> 00:02:31.060 And so there'll be things in this that will be familiar to you if you heard me in July. 00:02:31.260 --> 00:02:39.360 We're going to see how money exercises power over us, why money exercises power over us and how we can break that power. 00:02:40.480 --> 00:02:47.860 It seems that money is a big deal to God, probably because it's a very big deal to us. 00:02:48.640 --> 00:02:55.020 Jesus talked about money 10 to 20 times more than he talked about sex, twice as much as he talked about prayer and faith. 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:57.500 One third of his parables are about money. 00:02:57.680 --> 00:03:05.180 And of all the things that he could have picked, Jesus sets money up as the alternative God when he says you cannot serve both God and money. 00:03:06.980 --> 00:03:16.680 Now, given that money is a big deal to God, it shouldn't surprise us that what the Bible does is it revolutionizes our view of money and possessions and generosity. 00:03:16.680 --> 00:03:30.400 For instance, 1 Chronicles 28 and 29, King David is praying in response to the overwhelming generosity of the people of God to build the temple in Jerusalem. 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:34.780 And he says, everything in heaven and earth is yours. 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:37.960 Wealth and honor come from you. 00:03:38.659 --> 00:03:39.939 Everything comes from you. 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:44.400 And we have given only what comes from your hand. 00:03:46.560 --> 00:03:50.840 What that means is that everything that we have is a gift from God. 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:51.759 Everything. 00:03:53.300 --> 00:03:54.520 Totally everything. 00:03:55.280 --> 00:03:59.419 Now, that might seem a little bit offensive because you might have worked pretty hard for what you have. 00:03:59.419 --> 00:04:11.560 But those verses from 1 Chronicles and others like them in the Bible say that you've been working very hard with abilities, opportunities, circumstances and health that God's provided. 00:04:11.659 --> 00:04:13.619 A bunch of other stuff that God himself has provided. 00:04:15.079 --> 00:04:25.259 But it's not just that everything that we have comes from God, but that everything that comes from God is still God's. 00:04:25.419 --> 00:04:27.399 He still has ownership of it. 00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:32.839 God does not give up ownership of something when he gives it to us. 00:04:33.560 --> 00:04:42.299 And so we relate to our money and possessions and resources the way an investment manager relates to the wealth of their clients. 00:04:42.959 --> 00:04:50.799 If you're an investment manager, you don't operate as if the money that you have been entrusted with is yours to do whatever you want. 00:04:51.199 --> 00:04:52.639 There is an accountability. 00:04:52.639 --> 00:05:01.959 If you have to invest, you have to invest the money in line with the purposes and the desires and directions and values of the investor. 00:05:01.959 --> 00:05:09.859 And so if you take their money and ignore their directions and decide instead to go and buy Ferrari with it, it's called fraud. 00:05:10.500 --> 00:05:12.279 And there's an accountability for that. 00:05:13.120 --> 00:05:21.000 And so if we deny the investment manager role we have with God's resources and regard ourselves as the owner of it to do what we want with it. 00:05:21.000 --> 00:05:24.120 Well, that's called robbing God. 00:05:25.220 --> 00:05:28.740 That's how strong the language is that God uses in Malachi 3. 00:05:29.399 --> 00:05:31.800 If you've got your Bibles there, Malachi 3. 00:05:32.860 --> 00:05:41.000 When referring to God's people's failure to be generous, he says, you have robbed me. 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:43.819 And so chapter 3, verse 8, God poses a question. 00:05:44.300 --> 00:05:48.040 Will a man rob God, yet you rob me? 00:05:50.120 --> 00:05:54.639 The word rob there is a very rare word in the Bible. 00:05:55.620 --> 00:05:57.600 In fact, it's used in only one other place. 00:05:58.060 --> 00:06:03.180 It's in Zechariah 5, verse 3, where it's translated as curse. 00:06:03.180 --> 00:06:09.519 And it's a word that really means to oppress, to pillage, to plunder. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:12.639 It's quite a violent word. 00:06:13.900 --> 00:06:18.540 And this is what the people of God were doing to God when they weren't being generous. 00:06:18.759 --> 00:06:21.240 And so they hear this and they're shocked. 00:06:21.399 --> 00:06:23.680 Verse 8 says, how do we rob you? 00:06:24.019 --> 00:06:27.980 How could we possibly be doing that to you, God? 00:06:28.259 --> 00:06:30.259 What on earth are you talking about? 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:34.300 And God comes back and says in verse 8, in tithes and offerings, 00:06:34.539 --> 00:06:39.719 that is how you are pillaging and plundering and raping my purposes for the world. 00:06:40.719 --> 00:06:42.920 He says, you are robbing me. 00:06:43.639 --> 00:06:48.139 When I say that, I'm talking about your lack of generosity, you know, with the money that I'm giving you. 00:06:48.199 --> 00:06:50.980 I'm talking about the fact that you hold on to too much of it. 00:06:51.019 --> 00:06:54.159 You spend too much of it on yourself and you don't give enough away. 00:06:55.039 --> 00:06:58.199 So when they're keeping it for themselves, they are robbing God. 00:06:58.199 --> 00:07:01.920 They're plundering, pillaging, raping God's purpose for his world. 00:07:02.800 --> 00:07:07.459 And what's interesting is that according to verse 8, they're oblivious to this sin. 00:07:07.979 --> 00:07:09.039 Quite a serious sin. 00:07:09.800 --> 00:07:12.019 It's like, what are you talking about, God? 00:07:13.800 --> 00:07:15.060 We're confused here. 00:07:15.060 --> 00:07:23.399 You see, a great deal of the power that money has over us is that it blinds us to the power that it has over us. 00:07:24.540 --> 00:07:29.540 Money is different to other things because we are blind to the hold that it has on us. 00:07:29.680 --> 00:07:32.399 Greed is a sin that blinds you to its presence. 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:33.060 I'll show you what I mean. 00:07:33.160 --> 00:07:34.840 Verse, Luke chapter 12. 00:07:34.839 --> 00:07:38.039 Jesus says, watch out. 00:07:38.119 --> 00:07:40.119 And it's a massive explanation, Mark. 00:07:40.139 --> 00:07:41.099 I won't yell it at you. 00:07:41.419 --> 00:07:45.060 But Jesus says, watch out against all kinds of greed. 00:07:46.939 --> 00:07:52.120 There's no other place where Jesus says, watch out for all kinds of sexual immorality. 00:07:52.719 --> 00:07:54.979 Watch out for all kinds of adultery. 00:07:54.980 --> 00:07:59.520 It's not because adultery is any less sinful. 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:08.080 It's because we're blind to greed and materialism in a way that we're not blind to sexual immorality or adultery. 00:08:08.580 --> 00:08:10.580 Jesus doesn't say, watch out. 00:08:10.660 --> 00:08:11.759 You might be committing adultery. 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:12.460 You don't know it. 00:08:14.160 --> 00:08:17.980 I mean, the reality is, of course, you know it if you're committing adultery. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:22.920 But we are blind to the sin of greed and materialism. 00:08:22.920 --> 00:08:26.020 No one thinks it's their problem. 00:08:26.160 --> 00:08:30.879 To this day, and I've had a whack of sin confessed to me over the years, 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:35.779 no one to this day has ever said, Steve, I think I've got a problem in the way I handle my money. 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:37.019 No one. 00:08:37.899 --> 00:08:39.000 Not a single person. 00:08:41.440 --> 00:08:43.759 But if we take the text of the Bible seriously, 00:08:43.879 --> 00:08:47.860 then we should work on the assumption that we are blind to. 00:08:48.039 --> 00:08:49.159 Just work on that assumption. 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:52.200 I'm not saying it's necessarily true of you. 00:08:52.200 --> 00:08:56.160 I'm saying that the only way to give credence to the text of Scripture 00:08:56.160 --> 00:09:00.160 is to always be looking for the blind spot. 00:09:01.160 --> 00:09:04.460 And I would say, ask other people to help you look for the blind spot. 00:09:04.920 --> 00:09:05.940 I don't think it's anything. 00:09:06.040 --> 00:09:08.940 Because it's a blind spot, by nature, we need other people to help us. 00:09:10.259 --> 00:09:13.100 Fortunately, the Bible does give us at least one guideline 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:19.480 that we can check ourselves to whether or not our use of money or our money has a hold on us. 00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:25.980 It helps us to see if our understanding and generosity and giving to ministry and charity 00:09:25.980 --> 00:09:30.600 is in any way in the ballpark of what God thinks it should be. 00:09:31.060 --> 00:09:33.980 And it's right there in Malachi 3 verse 8. 00:09:34.159 --> 00:09:35.360 It's called the tithe. 00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:39.379 Now, the Old Testament Scriptures require that God's people gave 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:43.379 10% of their annual income to the temple. 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:46.720 In actual fact, that was the minimum. 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:49.360 I mean, when you take on all the offerings and festivals and everything else, 00:09:49.639 --> 00:09:54.320 it was kind of more like 30% is kind of what they gave away in reality. 00:09:55.200 --> 00:09:57.139 Now, historically, it's been raised. 00:09:57.220 --> 00:10:02.299 It raised a question of whether or not that tithe is an obligation for Christians. 00:10:03.159 --> 00:10:06.919 Because the tithe is only mentioned once in the New Testament. 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:11.279 It's in Luke chapter 11 verse 42, Jesus talking to the Pharisees. 00:10:11.339 --> 00:10:11.759 And he says, 00:10:12.199 --> 00:10:12.860 Woe to you. 00:10:12.939 --> 00:10:14.199 There's that word curse again. 00:10:14.539 --> 00:10:15.979 Curse you Pharisees. 00:10:16.439 --> 00:10:20.500 Because you give God a tenth of your mint, your rue and other kinds of garden herbs, 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:23.620 but you neglect justice and the love of God. 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:27.199 You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone. 00:10:28.519 --> 00:10:30.479 You see, the trouble with the Pharisees 00:10:30.479 --> 00:10:35.620 is that they were operating with a legalistic limitation mindset. 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:38.899 They give God 10% and they say, 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:40.120 This 90% is mine. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:41.940 So God, you can have 10% of the herb garden. 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:43.279 The rest of the veggie patch is mine. 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:46.299 And so God gets the herb garden. 00:10:46.460 --> 00:10:47.659 And when all of a sudden there's a need, 00:10:47.740 --> 00:10:49.419 you know, there's a family over here that needs food. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:49.679 They go, 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:52.419 Well, actually, you take it out of the 10% God. 00:10:52.519 --> 00:10:53.740 This 90% is mine. 00:10:55.120 --> 00:10:57.120 I'm not sharing my veggies with anyone else. 00:10:59.740 --> 00:11:02.340 They refuse to go beyond the tithe. 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:05.740 They aren't being motivated by the gospel, 00:11:05.879 --> 00:11:06.259 by love, 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:06.920 by justice, 00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:08.960 but by a legalistic code of conduct that says, 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.399 I've done my bit. 00:11:10.500 --> 00:11:11.879 And the 90% is mine. 00:11:12.780 --> 00:11:17.220 Now, I don't think we could ever expect God to say to his New Testament people 00:11:17.220 --> 00:11:20.860 with greater blessing and greater privileges 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:22.220 and greater hope in the gospel 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:23.620 that you, in fact, 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:27.540 can give less than the Old Testament people. 00:11:27.539 --> 00:11:35.199 And I suspect the reason tithing isn't mentioned a whole lot in the New Testament 00:11:35.199 --> 00:11:40.539 is because we're not meant to see it as a legalistic mindset, 00:11:40.740 --> 00:11:42.159 limitation to our giving. 00:11:42.939 --> 00:11:44.740 I believe it's meant to be a baseline, 00:11:45.059 --> 00:11:45.839 a guide, 00:11:45.939 --> 00:11:46.480 a rule of thumb, 00:11:46.539 --> 00:11:46.919 a beginning. 00:11:47.059 --> 00:11:52.500 It helps us to see whether we at all are in the range God expects us to be 00:11:52.500 --> 00:11:56.500 and from there to see what we can do beyond it. 00:11:58.460 --> 00:12:01.080 Now, I also think that Malachi 3 gives us a clue 00:12:01.080 --> 00:12:03.480 as to why money has such power over us. 00:12:03.559 --> 00:12:04.120 Verse 10, 00:12:04.580 --> 00:12:07.600 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse 00:12:07.600 --> 00:12:10.480 that there may be food in my house. 00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:14.139 Now, the word house there at the end of that 00:12:14.139 --> 00:12:16.720 means God's temple. 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:20.240 And God's instruction here is for his people 00:12:20.240 --> 00:12:24.200 to give of their gold and their silver and so on 00:12:24.200 --> 00:12:27.600 into the storehouse of his temple. 00:12:28.420 --> 00:12:30.139 The word house means temple. 00:12:30.620 --> 00:12:34.320 The word storehouse in the Hebrew language means treasury. 00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:35.759 In other words, 00:12:36.420 --> 00:12:40.620 bring your treasure into my treasury. 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:44.720 And when God says bring your whole tithe, 00:12:44.820 --> 00:12:46.899 bring your treasure into me, 00:12:47.080 --> 00:12:48.179 into my treasury, 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.360 into my temple, 00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:51.080 into the service of my salvation, 00:12:51.500 --> 00:12:52.700 into the worship of me, 00:12:53.139 --> 00:12:56.399 the implication is that if you are not taking it 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.980 and putting it there, 00:12:58.220 --> 00:13:00.259 you've actually got it somewhere else. 00:13:00.620 --> 00:13:04.039 Your treasure is in another treasury, 00:13:04.399 --> 00:13:06.039 in another temple somewhere. 00:13:07.940 --> 00:13:10.139 I'll give you two examples of what I mean by that. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:11.480 Firstly, 00:13:12.320 --> 00:13:14.379 if you find it very hard, 00:13:14.539 --> 00:13:16.320 I mean really hard to give money away, 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:16.560 you know, 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:17.940 it's just hard to give money away, 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:20.399 but so incredibly easy to spend money 00:13:20.399 --> 00:13:23.060 on clothes and cars and travel 00:13:23.060 --> 00:13:24.539 and renovations and entertainment, 00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:31.080 then those things are the real treasury of your temple. 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:35.180 You're looking to those things 00:13:35.180 --> 00:13:38.080 to give you a sense of identity 00:13:38.080 --> 00:13:39.879 identity and desirability 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:41.620 and acceptability and lovability 00:13:41.620 --> 00:13:43.400 and awe and experiences 00:13:43.400 --> 00:13:45.620 rather than looking to the knowledge and love of God. 00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:46.980 Secondly, 00:13:47.560 --> 00:13:49.100 there are those who look at people 00:13:49.100 --> 00:13:50.060 who spend money on, 00:13:50.180 --> 00:13:50.400 you know, 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:51.000 stuff like that 00:13:51.000 --> 00:13:52.759 and clothes and homes and cars and travel 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.040 and you just sneer. 00:13:54.220 --> 00:13:54.320 You know, 00:13:54.420 --> 00:13:54.600 you're, 00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:59.000 you're kind of proud of the fact 00:13:59.000 --> 00:13:59.820 that you've been wearing 00:13:59.820 --> 00:14:01.139 and repairing the same pair of undies 00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:02.279 for the last 10 years. 00:14:02.759 --> 00:14:04.920 You hang out your tea bags to dry 00:14:04.920 --> 00:14:06.040 and so you can reuse them again 00:14:06.040 --> 00:14:08.440 and you don't own a mobile phone. 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.259 You get really, 00:14:09.420 --> 00:14:10.040 really frugal 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:10.680 and what you do 00:14:10.680 --> 00:14:12.139 is you squirrel all your money away 00:14:12.139 --> 00:14:12.800 into the bank, 00:14:13.460 --> 00:14:14.820 into investments and savings 00:14:14.820 --> 00:14:15.740 and stuff like that, 00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:17.620 all for a rainy day. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.960 You're still under the power 00:14:19.960 --> 00:14:20.820 and control of money. 00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:22.940 You see, 00:14:23.060 --> 00:14:24.940 if you find it very hard 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:26.220 to give money away 00:14:26.220 --> 00:14:28.639 but very easy to save money, 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.860 then ultimately 00:14:29.860 --> 00:14:31.240 your bank is your temple. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:34.220 Rather than God, 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:35.460 you're looking to your bank, 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:36.139 to your accounts 00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.539 to give you a sense of control 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.560 in a very, 00:14:38.700 --> 00:14:39.480 very chaotic 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:40.919 and unpredictable world. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.120 Instead of God, 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:43.659 I get beauty and acceptance 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:45.039 because of the clothes that I wear. 00:14:45.120 --> 00:14:45.700 Instead of God, 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.259 I get control 00:14:46.259 --> 00:14:47.700 because of the investments that I have. 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:50.120 It's easy to give money 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:52.720 to whatever is your saviour, 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:54.379 whatever is your hope, 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:55.299 your happiness, 00:14:55.539 --> 00:14:56.139 your identity, 00:14:56.360 --> 00:14:56.879 your meaning, 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:57.620 your significance, 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.799 your security. 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.220 Now, 00:15:02.299 --> 00:15:03.100 I like 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:05.720 giving money away. 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.759 Sort of. 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.399 I'll say sort of. 00:15:11.399 --> 00:15:11.919 Sometimes 00:15:11.919 --> 00:15:13.259 it's a battle. 00:15:14.360 --> 00:15:16.240 It's not always joyful. 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:20.120 But I don't have 00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.279 the same battle 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:22.960 with everything 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.720 that I buy. 00:15:25.059 --> 00:15:26.059 There's not always 00:15:26.059 --> 00:15:26.759 a battle for me 00:15:26.759 --> 00:15:27.460 to spend money. 00:15:28.439 --> 00:15:29.720 My ongoing battle 00:15:29.720 --> 00:15:31.399 is with the temple 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.379 called Bunnings. 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:34.720 That's my ongoing battle. 00:15:35.539 --> 00:15:38.019 I find it terribly easy 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:39.659 to pay homage 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:41.379 in Bunnings 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.519 with my money 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:44.039 in exchange for tools. 00:15:44.039 --> 00:15:44.219 tools. 00:15:45.219 --> 00:15:46.259 I don't 00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:49.480 I find it easy 00:15:49.480 --> 00:15:50.179 to spend money 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:50.740 on tools. 00:15:52.459 --> 00:15:53.139 Why? 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:55.059 Why is that? 00:15:56.879 --> 00:15:57.539 Because 00:15:57.539 --> 00:16:00.679 in my family context 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:02.019 and in where I grew up, 00:16:02.419 --> 00:16:03.439 I got a sense 00:16:03.439 --> 00:16:04.259 of identity. 00:16:05.620 --> 00:16:06.059 I got 00:16:06.059 --> 00:16:07.819 praise and congratulations 00:16:07.819 --> 00:16:09.099 for being useful 00:16:09.099 --> 00:16:09.860 and practical. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:13.419 That's 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:14.360 ultimately the issue. 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:14.899 That's why 00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.539 I spend money 00:16:15.539 --> 00:16:16.259 in that direction 00:16:16.259 --> 00:16:17.740 because my identity 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.680 is wrapped up in it 00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:19.919 in some subconscious 00:16:19.919 --> 00:16:20.620 kind of way. 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.279 And so the question 00:16:23.279 --> 00:16:23.840 for me is, 00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.740 is my identity 00:16:24.740 --> 00:16:26.259 wrapped up in Christ 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.159 and who I am 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:27.700 in Him 00:16:27.700 --> 00:16:28.740 and what God 00:16:28.740 --> 00:16:29.480 thinks of me 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.399 or is it because 00:16:30.399 --> 00:16:31.220 people think 00:16:31.220 --> 00:16:31.820 that I'm useful 00:16:31.820 --> 00:16:32.419 and practical? 00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.220 Where's my identity? 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.080 And 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:37.539 the reality is 00:16:37.539 --> 00:16:38.819 it's both. 00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.399 And that's why 00:16:40.399 --> 00:16:41.319 the battle rages. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.539 The battle rages 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:47.719 in tools. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.319 In a way, 00:16:48.399 --> 00:16:49.039 the battle does it. 00:16:49.079 --> 00:16:50.199 I walk into spotlight, 00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:52.240 the battle's not raging 00:16:52.240 --> 00:16:52.699 for me. 00:16:53.980 --> 00:16:55.259 There's no battle there 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.299 when I walk into spotlight. 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:57.879 You know, 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.000 Nat walks into Bunnings 00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.419 with me 00:16:59.419 --> 00:16:59.919 and she goes, 00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:02.059 she walks into spotlight 00:17:02.059 --> 00:17:02.839 and I go, 00:17:03.079 --> 00:17:06.019 I can easily 00:17:06.019 --> 00:17:06.700 spend $100 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.480 at Bunnings. 00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.519 I want her to justify 00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.559 every cent 00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:10.159 that she spends 00:17:10.159 --> 00:17:10.819 at spotlight 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:13.139 because there's my battle 00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:13.980 but it's not there. 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.039 For some, 00:17:18.599 --> 00:17:19.679 it's a bookstore. 00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:22.039 You find it terribly easy 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:24.720 to buy books 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:26.299 because your identity 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:26.899 is wrapped up 00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:27.659 in what people, 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.179 people like thinking 00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:29.700 that you're smart 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:30.099 or something. 00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:32.579 For some, 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:33.279 it's clothes. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.419 That's where 00:17:35.419 --> 00:17:36.359 you pay homage 00:17:36.359 --> 00:17:38.500 because your identity 00:17:38.500 --> 00:17:39.459 is wrapped up 00:17:39.459 --> 00:17:40.819 in your appearance. 00:17:43.439 --> 00:17:44.719 The point is 00:17:44.719 --> 00:17:46.159 money reveals 00:17:46.159 --> 00:17:47.859 what we really 00:17:47.859 --> 00:17:48.539 worship. 00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.959 And for me personally, 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:53.439 right now, 00:17:53.500 --> 00:17:54.240 the battle's raging. 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.359 I've got two bids 00:17:55.359 --> 00:17:56.119 on things on eBay. 00:17:56.879 --> 00:17:57.899 Two tools. 00:17:57.900 --> 00:18:00.280 And I'm kind of hoping 00:18:00.280 --> 00:18:00.700 right now 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.060 I'm going to get 00:18:01.060 --> 00:18:01.860 outbid on them. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:04.660 Otherwise, 00:18:04.780 --> 00:18:05.700 I've got some justifying 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.420 to do tonight. 00:18:09.140 --> 00:18:09.740 You see, 00:18:09.820 --> 00:18:10.600 radical generosity 00:18:10.600 --> 00:18:11.900 is not just about 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.060 what you give away 00:18:13.060 --> 00:18:14.380 but about 00:18:14.380 --> 00:18:15.420 what you keep 00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.040 for yourself 00:18:16.040 --> 00:18:17.180 and what you spend 00:18:17.180 --> 00:18:17.920 on yourself. 00:18:18.259 --> 00:18:18.820 And that is why 00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.600 Jesus says 00:18:19.600 --> 00:18:20.820 you cannot serve 00:18:20.820 --> 00:18:21.600 both God and money. 00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.420 He sets up money 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.880 as the alternative God 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:25.220 because it promises 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.060 you identity. 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:27.460 It promises you 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.440 security and hope 00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:28.919 and freedom 00:18:28.919 --> 00:18:29.859 and a clear conscience 00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:30.859 and control 00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:31.679 and good health 00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:33.019 but it will never 00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:34.220 ever deliver 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.059 what it promises 00:18:35.059 --> 00:18:35.519 to deliver. 00:18:36.960 --> 00:18:37.940 The biggest 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:38.559 saving count 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:38.960 of the world 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:40.079 cannot stop cancer. 00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:41.059 It cannot stop 00:18:41.059 --> 00:18:41.799 traffic accidents. 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:43.159 It cannot stop 00:18:43.159 --> 00:18:44.179 family disintegration. 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.059 It cannot stop 00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:45.720 broken hearts 00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.579 and broken marriages. 00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.879 God is the only one 00:18:48.879 --> 00:18:50.039 who can give us 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:50.539 security. 00:18:50.960 --> 00:18:52.119 The only significance 00:18:52.119 --> 00:18:52.720 we can get 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.839 and the only love 00:18:53.839 --> 00:18:55.099 that we can never lose. 00:18:56.059 --> 00:18:59.279 So it seems to me 00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.460 that if we do not 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.559 have the freedom 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:03.779 because money 00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.559 enslaves you 00:19:04.559 --> 00:19:06.200 if we do not 00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:07.039 have the freedom 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:08.139 to joyfully 00:19:08.139 --> 00:19:09.119 give our money away 00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:10.240 in eye-popping 00:19:10.240 --> 00:19:10.759 proportions 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.839 it's because 00:19:11.839 --> 00:19:12.579 something 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:14.240 besides the Lord 00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:14.679 Jesus 00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:15.679 is in fact 00:19:15.679 --> 00:19:16.460 our functional 00:19:16.460 --> 00:19:17.359 Lord and Saviour. 00:19:19.359 --> 00:19:20.399 And so how do we 00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:21.179 break the power 00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:21.799 that money has 00:19:21.799 --> 00:19:22.279 over us? 00:19:22.639 --> 00:19:23.799 The only answer 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:25.259 is the gospel 00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.000 of the Lord Jesus. 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:27.039 You see radical 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.579 generosity 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.339 this core value 00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:29.180 of radical generosity 00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:30.759 is not a different 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.059 subject to the gospel 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:33.180 of the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:19:33.659 --> 00:19:34.559 Radical generosity 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.639 is a value 00:19:35.639 --> 00:19:36.799 that displays 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.819 the wonder 00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.940 of the gospel 00:19:38.940 --> 00:19:39.720 in a world 00:19:39.720 --> 00:19:40.619 enslaved to money. 00:19:42.200 --> 00:19:43.039 Paul puts it 00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:43.379 like this 00:19:43.379 --> 00:19:44.299 in 2 Corinthians 8 00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.379 when the Corinthians 00:19:45.379 --> 00:19:46.000 were failing 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.779 to follow through 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.379 in their commitment 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:48.019 to raise money 00:19:48.019 --> 00:19:48.960 for ministry of mission. 00:19:49.299 --> 00:19:49.619 He says 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:50.579 see that you also 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:51.659 excel in this grace 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.040 of giving. 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.240 I'm not commanding 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.779 you but I want 00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.800 to test the sincerity 00:19:54.800 --> 00:19:55.420 of your love 00:19:55.420 --> 00:19:56.400 for you know 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:56.900 the grace 00:19:56.900 --> 00:19:58.000 of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.300 that though he was rich 00:19:59.300 --> 00:20:00.840 yet for your sakes 00:20:00.840 --> 00:20:02.080 he became poor 00:20:02.080 --> 00:20:03.120 so that you 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:04.740 through his poverty 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.759 might become rich. 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:07.900 There's the gospel 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:09.140 right there. 00:20:10.820 --> 00:20:11.940 Now everyone 00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:13.180 in this room 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:15.140 has set their heart 00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.140 on something. 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.660 Something has your heart. 00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:19.120 It could be children, 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.600 grandchildren, 00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:20.340 status, 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:20.880 career, 00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:21.940 physical beauty, 00:20:22.080 --> 00:20:22.320 leisure, 00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.140 investments, 00:20:23.600 --> 00:20:24.640 great Australian dream, 00:20:25.280 --> 00:20:25.680 tools, 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.680 it could be anything 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:30.500 and whatever it is 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:33.980 we will do battle 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:35.740 in order to get it. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.420 We will pay 00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.520 any cost for it 00:20:39.520 --> 00:20:41.040 anything to maintain it 00:20:41.040 --> 00:20:41.740 sustain it 00:20:41.740 --> 00:20:42.580 and reclaim it. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.680 We will give our lives 00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.340 for it ultimately. 00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.220 We will sacrifice 00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:47.000 for it. 00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:49.060 Some in you know 00:20:49.060 --> 00:20:49.860 I will sacrifice 00:20:49.859 --> 00:20:50.639 for tools 00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:51.619 but I will give 00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:52.439 my life away 00:20:52.439 --> 00:20:53.000 for my wife 00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:53.659 and my kids 00:20:53.659 --> 00:20:59.259 because they got my heart. 00:21:00.979 --> 00:21:02.759 Jesus came 00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.519 and he died 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.179 for us. 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:06.719 Why would he do that? 00:21:08.319 --> 00:21:10.259 At least one answer 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:11.179 is that you 00:21:11.179 --> 00:21:12.059 and I 00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:14.079 are his heart's treasure. 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:17.559 every other treasure 00:21:17.559 --> 00:21:18.379 will insist 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.759 that you die 00:21:19.759 --> 00:21:21.039 in order to 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.899 sacrifice, 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:23.839 in order to purchase it. 00:21:23.919 --> 00:21:24.939 You will sacrifice 00:21:24.939 --> 00:21:26.740 in order to purchase it 00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.740 but Jesus 00:21:27.740 --> 00:21:29.460 is the only treasure 00:21:29.460 --> 00:21:30.619 that sacrificed 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:31.720 to purchase us. 00:21:34.919 --> 00:21:36.199 And so the way 00:21:36.199 --> 00:21:37.240 we break the hold 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.779 of money 00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.980 over our life 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:40.480 is to think 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.319 and to think 00:21:41.319 --> 00:21:42.059 and to think 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:43.240 on the radical 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.919 generosity 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:46.339 of Jesus Christ 00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:47.179 on the cross 00:21:47.179 --> 00:21:48.220 until we get 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.799 the freedom 00:21:48.799 --> 00:21:49.799 to joyfully 00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:51.299 give generously. 00:21:51.980 --> 00:21:52.859 There is no 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.639 other motivation. 00:21:55.159 --> 00:21:55.859 When we see 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.940 Jesus dying 00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.679 because he so 00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:58.700 loved the world 00:21:58.700 --> 00:22:00.460 only then 00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.700 will we 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.839 actually love him. 00:22:03.899 --> 00:22:04.919 When we see 00:22:04.919 --> 00:22:05.819 we are his 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:06.759 greatest treasure 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:08.240 then he 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.019 will become 00:22:09.019 --> 00:22:10.059 our greatest 00:22:10.059 --> 00:22:10.500 treasure 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.579 which is 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.400 part of our 00:22:12.400 --> 00:22:13.119 mission statement 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:13.819 as a church. 00:22:14.900 --> 00:22:15.779 The advice 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.460 of the Apostle 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.119 Paul here 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.619 is 00:22:17.619 --> 00:22:18.880 don't sit down 00:22:18.880 --> 00:22:19.779 with a calculator 00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:20.619 if you want 00:22:20.619 --> 00:22:21.180 to break 00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:21.599 the power 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:21.920 of money 00:22:21.920 --> 00:22:22.640 over your life 00:22:22.640 --> 00:22:22.980 and to grow 00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:23.599 in generosity. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:24.900 Sit down 00:22:24.900 --> 00:22:25.539 with the cross 00:22:25.539 --> 00:22:26.740 and think 00:22:26.740 --> 00:22:27.680 about what 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.440 Jesus did 00:22:28.440 --> 00:22:28.960 what he has 00:22:28.960 --> 00:22:29.240 given 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.819 and what he has 00:22:29.819 --> 00:22:30.140 promised 00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.440 until it 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.319 causes us 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.500 to be generous 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.700 like he 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.119 has been 00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:35.980 generous to us. 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.000 Now I 00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.640 recently read 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:39.060 the sad 00:22:39.060 --> 00:22:39.800 reality is 00:22:39.800 --> 00:22:40.240 that many 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:40.620 Christians 00:22:40.620 --> 00:22:41.120 are in fact 00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.720 not radically 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.200 generous. 00:22:43.100 --> 00:22:43.940 What that 00:22:43.940 --> 00:22:44.600 means is 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.180 that although 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.020 they profess 00:22:46.020 --> 00:22:46.840 faith in 00:22:46.840 --> 00:22:47.220 Jesus 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.500 they haven't 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.540 fully grasped 00:22:49.540 --> 00:22:50.540 the significance 00:22:50.540 --> 00:22:52.060 of the radical 00:22:52.060 --> 00:22:52.660 generosity 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:53.660 of the Lord 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:54.340 Jesus on the 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:54.680 cross. 00:22:56.340 --> 00:22:57.259 Same recent 00:22:57.259 --> 00:22:57.720 survey 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:59.060 20% of those 00:22:59.060 --> 00:22:59.660 who regarded 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.480 themselves as 00:23:00.480 --> 00:23:01.300 mature or 00:23:01.300 --> 00:23:01.960 very mature 00:23:01.960 --> 00:23:02.480 Christians 00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.340 had never 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:03.840 given a 00:23:03.840 --> 00:23:04.700 single cent 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.960 to any 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.299 Christian 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.680 ministry 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.059 at all. 00:23:10.120 --> 00:23:10.640 And what's 00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:11.039 more the 00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:11.319 average 00:23:11.319 --> 00:23:11.880 Christian 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:13.400 gave just 00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.460 2.7% 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.759 of their 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.480 income away 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.539 to anything 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.920 not just 00:23:17.920 --> 00:23:18.319 to mission 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:18.680 but to 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:19.259 charity work 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:19.940 and anything. 00:23:23.660 --> 00:23:24.539 Because of 00:23:24.539 --> 00:23:25.059 the gospel 00:23:25.059 --> 00:23:26.380 we should 00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:26.980 seek this 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.660 core value 00:23:27.660 --> 00:23:28.559 of radical 00:23:28.559 --> 00:23:29.120 generosity 00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:29.940 to shape 00:23:29.940 --> 00:23:31.680 our attitudes 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:32.039 and our 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:32.519 actions in 00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.960 our life 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.360 here as a 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:33.680 church. 00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.440 Radical 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:34.980 generosity 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.620 is not 00:23:35.620 --> 00:23:36.000 just about 00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:36.360 what you 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:36.799 give 00:23:36.799 --> 00:23:37.700 it's also 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.100 about what 00:23:38.100 --> 00:23:38.700 you keep. 00:23:39.380 --> 00:23:39.820 Now let's 00:23:39.820 --> 00:23:40.160 be frank 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.160 we're all 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.620 at different 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.340 levels here. 00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:43.100 Some of us 00:23:43.100 --> 00:23:43.980 are sitting 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:44.920 fairly securely 00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:46.160 financially 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:48.779 let me just 00:23:48.779 --> 00:23:49.500 restate that 00:23:49.500 --> 00:23:50.060 every single 00:23:50.060 --> 00:23:50.580 one of us 00:23:50.580 --> 00:23:50.860 here is 00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.500 sitting secure 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.080 financially 00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:53.620 given that 00:23:53.620 --> 00:23:54.860 every member 00:23:54.860 --> 00:23:55.100 of the 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.320 Australian 00:23:55.320 --> 00:23:55.980 population 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.640 is in the 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.660 top 1.5% 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.240 of wealthy 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:58.740 people in the 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:58.980 world. 00:23:59.600 --> 00:24:00.440 So it doesn't 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:00.900 matter where you 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.600 are you're in 00:24:01.600 --> 00:24:02.480 1.5% 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:03.080 wealthiest people 00:24:03.080 --> 00:24:03.519 in the world. 00:24:03.680 --> 00:24:04.279 If you own 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.820 one motor 00:24:04.820 --> 00:24:05.460 vehicle you're 00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:05.840 in the top 00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.460 half a percent 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:08.620 of wealthiest 00:24:08.620 --> 00:24:09.100 people in the 00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:09.299 world. 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.940 So on one 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:11.240 level 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:12.620 taken in 00:24:12.620 --> 00:24:13.060 perspective 00:24:13.060 --> 00:24:13.620 we're all 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.060 sitting fairly 00:24:14.060 --> 00:24:14.500 securely 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.740 but some 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.380 more secure 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:16.740 than others 00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:17.019 you might 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.299 say. 00:24:19.060 --> 00:24:19.660 And the 00:24:19.660 --> 00:24:20.200 Bible says 00:24:20.200 --> 00:24:20.680 those have 00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.000 been given 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.560 much as 00:24:21.560 --> 00:24:22.019 expected. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.080 Some of 00:24:23.080 --> 00:24:24.420 further down 00:24:24.420 --> 00:24:24.960 the scale 00:24:24.960 --> 00:24:25.400 on that 00:24:25.400 --> 00:24:25.860 some of us 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.120 are sitting 00:24:26.120 --> 00:24:27.039 here thinking 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.880 our small 00:24:27.880 --> 00:24:28.480 contribution 00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:29.279 won't make 00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:29.799 any sort 00:24:29.799 --> 00:24:30.259 of difference. 00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.740 I want 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:31.000 to say 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:31.400 radical 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.000 generosity 00:24:32.000 --> 00:24:33.099 is not 00:24:33.099 --> 00:24:33.640 about the 00:24:33.640 --> 00:24:34.079 size of 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:34.420 your bank 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:34.759 account. 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.579 It's not 00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.220 about that. 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.160 It doesn't 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:39.660 matter what 00:24:39.660 --> 00:24:40.119 end of the 00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:40.720 spectrum you're 00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:40.900 on. 00:24:41.119 --> 00:24:41.519 Equal 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.240 sacrifice 00:24:42.240 --> 00:24:43.720 but unequal 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.700 giving is the 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:44.920 biblical 00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.440 principle. 00:24:46.220 --> 00:24:46.599 Equal 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.319 sacrifice 00:24:47.319 --> 00:24:48.160 unequal 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:48.539 giving. 00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.960 So sit 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.400 down. 00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:50.759 I want to 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.359 encourage you 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:51.680 tonight. 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.180 Sit down 00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.460 with the 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.819 cross on 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:54.000 this 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.319 commitment 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:54.759 Sunday. 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:55.299 Make a 00:24:55.299 --> 00:24:55.759 decision 00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.700 to take 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.619 one step 00:24:57.619 --> 00:24:58.059 forward 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.639 in showing 00:24:58.639 --> 00:25:00.720 gratitude 00:25:00.720 --> 00:25:02.139 in showing 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:04.740 gratitude 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.200 of what 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:05.779 Christ has 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.159 done for 00:25:06.159 --> 00:25:06.359 you. 00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:06.940 The 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:07.480 gospel 00:25:07.480 --> 00:25:08.339 is to 00:25:08.339 --> 00:25:09.000 be your 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.579 motivation. 00:25:09.839 --> 00:25:10.259 Not even 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.759 our current 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.700 financial issues 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.500 are to be 00:25:12.500 --> 00:25:13.139 your motivation. 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:13.980 The gospel 00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:14.919 has to be 00:25:14.919 --> 00:25:15.559 your motivation. 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.440 I want us 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:16.759 to be 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.500 joyfully 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:18.440 radically 00:25:18.440 --> 00:25:18.919 generous 00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:19.559 because it 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.559 reflects the 00:25:20.559 --> 00:25:21.559 hearts that 00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:22.019 are aligned 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:22.579 with God's 00:25:22.579 --> 00:25:22.819 heart. 00:25:23.759 --> 00:25:24.279 So our 00:25:24.279 --> 00:25:25.180 grasp of 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:25.700 the great 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.100 eternal 00:25:26.100 --> 00:25:26.700 treasure that 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.340 Jesus is 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:27.680 will be 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.360 reflected in 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.080 a life of 00:25:29.080 --> 00:25:29.440 radical 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:30.039 generosity. 00:25:30.539 --> 00:25:31.500 Especially so 00:25:31.500 --> 00:25:32.060 in a world 00:25:32.060 --> 00:25:32.480 that loves 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:32.799 money. 00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.680 And so here's 00:25:33.680 --> 00:25:34.039 what I want 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.380 you to do 00:25:34.380 --> 00:25:34.700 today. 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:36.840 If you are 00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:37.580 not, you 00:25:37.580 --> 00:25:38.140 might be one 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.799 of those 20% 00:25:38.799 --> 00:25:39.240 never give 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.480 anything. 00:25:39.840 --> 00:25:40.519 If you are 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.160 not currently 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:42.180 giving, start 00:25:42.180 --> 00:25:42.480 giving. 00:25:43.460 --> 00:25:44.500 If you are 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.700 giving 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.420 irregularly, 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.200 spasmodically, 00:25:47.580 --> 00:25:48.180 start giving 00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.640 regularly. 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.539 Take one step 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:49.980 towards that 00:25:49.980 --> 00:25:50.320 direction. 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:51.299 If you are 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:51.960 regularly given 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.519 but you're 00:25:52.519 --> 00:25:53.019 only giving 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.820 a pretty small 00:25:53.820 --> 00:25:54.259 portion, 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:55.579 take further 00:25:55.579 --> 00:25:56.519 steps towards 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:58.299 that 10% 00:25:58.299 --> 00:25:59.700 ballpark that 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.420 God seems to 00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.879 have had there 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.220 in the Old 00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:01.619 Testament. 00:26:01.879 --> 00:26:02.400 If you're 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.400 irregular and 00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.079 already hitting 00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.680 the 10%, 00:26:04.680 --> 00:26:05.180 then just go 00:26:05.180 --> 00:26:05.759 beyond it. 00:26:06.379 --> 00:26:07.039 It's not 00:26:07.039 --> 00:26:07.579 meant to be a 00:26:07.579 --> 00:26:08.000 legalistic 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.559 limitation. 00:26:08.819 --> 00:26:09.559 Take a step 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.720 towards extravagant 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.279 giving beyond 00:26:11.279 --> 00:26:12.119 that 10%. 00:26:12.119 --> 00:26:13.960 And so with 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.420 the crossing 00:26:14.420 --> 00:26:16.200 view and the 00:26:16.200 --> 00:26:17.259 principle of 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.299 equal sacrifice 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.940 but unequal 00:26:18.940 --> 00:26:19.799 giving in mind, 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:20.419 I want to 00:26:20.419 --> 00:26:21.000 encourage you 00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:21.720 to apply the 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.220 big gulp 00:26:22.220 --> 00:26:23.279 principle to 00:26:23.279 --> 00:26:23.940 your pledge 00:26:23.940 --> 00:26:24.379 today. 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.639 Write a 00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.399 figure on a 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:26.799 piece of 00:26:26.799 --> 00:26:28.559 paper and 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.019 your big 00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.519 gulp is 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:29.799 going to be 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.200 different than 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:30.639 my big 00:26:30.639 --> 00:26:30.940 gulp. 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.139 That is, 00:26:33.220 --> 00:26:33.460 write a 00:26:33.460 --> 00:26:33.799 piece of 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:35.240 paper, a 00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.759 figure, and 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:36.240 if it doesn't 00:26:36.240 --> 00:26:36.619 cause you to 00:26:36.619 --> 00:26:36.799 go, 00:26:37.460 --> 00:26:39.819 then maybe you 00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.180 should try 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.799 writing something 00:26:40.799 --> 00:26:41.759 else on the 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.059 piece of 00:26:42.059 --> 00:26:42.339 paper. 00:26:42.339 --> 00:26:44.659 And then 00:26:44.659 --> 00:26:46.799 pray for the 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.740 grace and 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:48.799 enabling of 00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.720 God to 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.419 fulfill it 00:26:50.419 --> 00:26:50.839 joyfully 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.319 throughout the 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:51.619 year. 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:52.240 You see, 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:52.759 writing something 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.059 on a piece 00:26:53.059 --> 00:26:53.399 of paper is 00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:54.019 one thing. 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.339 To joyfully 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.279 fulfill that 00:26:56.279 --> 00:26:57.419 week after week 00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:57.839 throughout the 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.199 course of the 00:26:58.199 --> 00:26:59.319 year, that's 00:26:59.319 --> 00:26:59.799 where it gets 00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.179 hard. 00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:01.799 You know, 00:27:01.819 --> 00:27:02.199 when the bills 00:27:02.199 --> 00:27:02.539 are racking 00:27:02.539 --> 00:27:03.319 up and there's 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.779 things you want 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.299 to do and 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.720 other people 00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:05.159 are buying 00:27:05.159 --> 00:27:05.720 stuff and 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.179 you're not, 00:27:06.639 --> 00:27:07.359 that's when 00:27:07.359 --> 00:27:07.699 it gets 00:27:07.699 --> 00:27:08.199 hard. 00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.220 Do it 00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.339 because of 00:27:12.339 --> 00:27:12.799 the radical 00:27:12.799 --> 00:27:13.559 generosity of 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:13.839 the Lord 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.380 Jesus going 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:14.740 to cross 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.079 for you? 00:27:16.460 --> 00:27:17.240 I firmly 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.819 believe that 00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.140 when the 00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:18.579 cross of 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.559 Christ is 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.640 our motivation, 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.500 our experience 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.200 in giving 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:24.039 will in fact 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.799 be a joy. 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.200 So let me 00:27:27.200 --> 00:27:27.720 read to you 00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.180 what Paul 00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.940 says about 00:27:28.940 --> 00:27:29.680 the Macedonian 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.240 church in 00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:30.720 2 Corinthians 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.160 8. 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.079 And now 00:27:32.079 --> 00:27:32.400 brothers, 00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:32.900 we want you 00:27:32.900 --> 00:27:33.360 to know 00:27:33.360 --> 00:27:33.839 about the 00:27:33.839 --> 00:27:34.460 grace that 00:27:34.460 --> 00:27:35.019 God has 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.480 given the 00:27:35.480 --> 00:27:36.059 Macedonian 00:27:36.059 --> 00:27:36.600 churches. 00:27:37.140 --> 00:27:37.240 Out of 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:37.579 the most 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.500 severe trial, 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.799 their overflowing 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:40.600 joy and 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.240 their extreme 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.119 poverty welled 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.779 up in rich 00:27:42.779 --> 00:27:43.379 generosity. 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.319 For I 00:27:44.319 --> 00:27:45.000 testify that 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.419 they gave 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:45.939 as much 00:27:45.939 --> 00:27:46.379 as they 00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:46.899 were able 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.419 and even 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:48.079 beyond their 00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:48.500 ability, 00:27:49.359 --> 00:27:50.439 entirely on 00:27:50.439 --> 00:27:51.059 their own, 00:27:51.419 --> 00:27:52.240 they urgently 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.919 pleaded with 00:27:52.919 --> 00:27:53.439 us for the 00:27:53.439 --> 00:27:54.119 privilege of 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:54.899 sharing in 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:56.000 this service 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:56.379 to the 00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:56.740 saints. 00:27:57.679 --> 00:27:58.079 The 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.980 Macedonians 00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:01.719 are models 00:28:01.719 --> 00:28:02.439 of radical 00:28:02.439 --> 00:28:03.719 generosity and 00:28:03.719 --> 00:28:04.839 Paul shares 00:28:04.839 --> 00:28:05.399 their radical 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:06.219 generosity with 00:28:06.219 --> 00:28:06.599 the church 00:28:06.599 --> 00:28:07.619 of Corinth in 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.039 order to 00:28:08.039 --> 00:28:09.000 inspire them 00:28:09.000 --> 00:28:09.299 into the 00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:09.659 lives of 00:28:09.660 --> 00:28:09.900 radical 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.340 generosity 00:28:10.340 --> 00:28:10.720 themselves. 00:28:11.060 --> 00:28:11.340 And I 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:11.800 believe they're 00:28:11.800 --> 00:28:12.140 meant to be 00:28:12.140 --> 00:28:12.700 an inspiration 00:28:12.700 --> 00:28:13.200 for us 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.519 too. 00:28:15.400 --> 00:28:16.140 In great 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:16.600 poverty, 00:28:16.820 --> 00:28:17.900 they pleaded 00:28:17.900 --> 00:28:18.259 for the 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.860 privilege of 00:28:18.860 --> 00:28:19.220 giving. 00:28:20.340 --> 00:28:20.759 They saw it 00:28:20.759 --> 00:28:20.980 as a 00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.300 privilege, 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:21.660 not a 00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:21.980 burden. 00:28:24.320 --> 00:28:24.580 And so 00:28:24.580 --> 00:28:25.019 our core 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.440 value of 00:28:25.440 --> 00:28:26.000 radical 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.600 generosity 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.320 reads like 00:28:27.320 --> 00:28:27.720 this. 00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:28.860 Our 00:28:28.860 --> 00:28:29.180 gifts, 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.140 possessions, 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.060 finances and 00:28:31.060 --> 00:28:31.700 time belong 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:32.220 to God. 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.060 We will 00:28:33.060 --> 00:28:33.820 therefore use 00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:34.060 them for 00:28:34.060 --> 00:28:34.980 his glory and 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.460 not for 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:36.040 our comfort. 00:28:36.680 --> 00:28:37.360 We desire 00:28:37.360 --> 00:28:37.800 to be like 00:28:37.800 --> 00:28:38.640 the Macedonians 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.259 whose joy in 00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.259 Christ through 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.300 extremely difficult 00:28:41.300 --> 00:28:42.580 circumstances resulted 00:28:42.580 --> 00:28:43.660 in rich generosity 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.620 towards others. 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.540 We believe that in 00:28:46.540 --> 00:28:47.140 a world that 00:28:47.140 --> 00:28:47.840 loves money, 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:49.200 a lifestyle of 00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.160 radical generosity 00:28:50.160 --> 00:28:51.100 proclaims that 00:28:51.100 --> 00:28:52.820 Jesus is our 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:53.620 greatest treasure. 00:28:54.340 --> 00:28:54.900 And so as a 00:28:54.900 --> 00:28:55.420 church we are 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:55.880 committed to 00:28:55.880 --> 00:28:56.520 sacrificial, 00:28:56.780 --> 00:28:57.480 enthusiastic, 00:28:58.080 --> 00:28:58.460 joyful, 00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.840 regular giving in 00:28:59.840 --> 00:29:00.880 response to the 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.759 gospel of grace. 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:02.700 We're committed to 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:03.560 supporting those who 00:29:03.560 --> 00:29:04.280 teach the word of 00:29:04.280 --> 00:29:04.580 God. 00:29:04.840 --> 00:29:05.440 We're committed to 00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.600 the responsibility of 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.300 all Christians to 00:29:07.300 --> 00:29:07.840 pay what they 00:29:07.840 --> 00:29:08.100 owe. 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.339 We're committed to 00:29:09.339 --> 00:29:10.500 the responsibility of 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.119 all Christians to 00:29:11.119 --> 00:29:12.240 provide faithfully for 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.939 their family, 00:29:13.219 --> 00:29:14.399 being generous to 00:29:14.399 --> 00:29:14.980 the poor and 00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.980 needy and supporting 00:29:15.980 --> 00:29:17.819 the wider work of 00:29:17.819 --> 00:29:18.639 the advancement of 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:19.379 the gospel in the 00:29:19.379 --> 00:29:19.679 world. 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.659 So brothers and 00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.359 sisters, as you 00:29:22.359 --> 00:29:23.459 submit your pledge 00:29:23.459 --> 00:29:25.539 tonight and as you 00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.539 under God seek to 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:27.740 fulfill it in the 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:29.000 coming year, may 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:30.299 Paul's words to the 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.839 Corinthian church be 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:33.359 ever on your minds 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:34.339 and your hearts. 00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:36.559 Excel in this grace 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:37.019 of giving. 00:29:37.019 --> 00:29:38.519 I'm not commanding 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.839 you, but I want to 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.980 test the sincerity of 00:29:40.980 --> 00:29:42.339 your love for you 00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:43.500 know the grace of our 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:45.139 Lord Jesus Christ that 00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:46.460 though he was rich, 00:29:46.879 --> 00:29:48.759 yet for your sakes he 00:29:48.759 --> 00:29:50.920 became poor so that 00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:52.500 you through his poverty 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:54.220 might become rich. 00:29:54.220 --> 00:29:55.039 Amen.