WEBVTT

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 greed, wealth, a lot, which is in Luke's Gospels where we're going to be in the next month.

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 One third of his parables are on this topic.

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 He warns of the dangers and what it looks like to live a life of pervasive generosity.

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 He wants us to see how the good news of what he has done for us changes everything in our world,

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 including how we see wealth and possessions.

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 The second reason is we've just finished our pledging project for Mission Month.

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 Our vision series, which is our annual pledging time, is six months away,

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 and we don't have any capital fundraising program on right now.

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 So that's the reason why we're talking about money.

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 When there is a sermon or a series of sermons during any sort of fundraising campaign at all,

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 it's way too easy for us just to think about the thing.

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 You know, it's the pledging for the next year, the budget for next year,

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 or raising a target for Mission, or raising money to build buildings.

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 We focus on the thing we are raising the money for.

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 When our minds and our hearts engage with the Bible on the issue,

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 we default to the value of the thing we're raising money for,

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 rather than the spiritual life and the habits and the values of the gospel of the Lord Jesus calls us to.

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 We concentrate on the thing of the campaign and not our hearts.

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 And so this is a deliberate focus on heart work in the next four weeks.

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 Our perspective on money and possessions and wealth,

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 how we handle them, lie at the very heart of the Christian life.

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 Does that sound like an overstatement?

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 I want to say it's not at all.

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 The Bible emphatically demonstrates that how we view our money and our possessions is of utmost importance.

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 What we do with them will influence eternity.

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 God has recorded in the Bible everything that we need to know about his investment priorities,

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 his high standards of management,

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 and the rewards he offers his faithful stewards.

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 So this sermon series won't be about how to achieve your financial goals.

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 But it will provide the light in which your financial goals should be evaluated and formulated.

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 And that's why the central focus of this series is not insurance, but assurance.

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 It's not securities, but security.

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 It's not trust funds, but faith.

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 It's not principle, but principles.

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 It's not real estate, it's your eternal home.

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 That's the focus.

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 You will not find any net worth calculations in the next four weeks,

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 which we easily mistake for self-worth calculations,

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 but you will see how God measures your life's worth.

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 The issue of riches and wealth and money come up again and again as Jesus walks this journey from Jerusalem.

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 Sorry, he walks the road to Jerusalem on his way to his death for the salvation of humanity.

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 And as he teaches his disciples again and again and again,

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 what does it mean to be on the road with him?

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 What does it mean to be his disciple?

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 What does it mean to declare him as Lord?

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 And we find one of these encounters in Luke 18.

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 Grab your Bibles.

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 Luke 18.

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 Young man comes up to Jesus and asks him a question.

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 In verse 18, it says that the person is a ruler.

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 And we are told that he's rich in verse 23.

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 And throughout the centuries, he's been known as the rich young ruler.

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 Not known by his name, but by all of his classifications.

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 Rich young ruler.

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 And with this particular interaction with Jesus,

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 there are three things that we learn about wealth and money and possessions.

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 And if you've got one of the outlines, you can follow it along this morning on paper form or in the St. Paul's app.

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 You'll also find it there and you can take your notes and type them in.

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 So three things.

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 First of all, the danger of wealth.

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 That's the first thing we see.

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 It's in the middle of the passage.

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 Verse 24.

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 Jesus looks right at this young man and he says to him,

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 how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.

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 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle

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 than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.

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 Now, Jesus is using a metaphor here.

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 It's what is known as a metaphor of impossibility.

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 The camel was the biggest land animal that people knew at that time.

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 And the eye of the needle was the smallest hole that people could imagine at that time.

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 It's a metaphor of impossibility.

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 It's the metaphor where we might say they've got a snowball's chance in hell.

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 Metaphor of impossibility.

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 No chance whatsoever.

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 Virtually impossible, it says here, for the rich to get into heaven.

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 Now, from my Google attempt the other day,

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 the world's richest person at the moment has a personal fortune of 145.3 billion US dollars.

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 Amazingly, he's also given less than 1% of his wealth away.

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 So, you might also call him a greedy man as well, possibly.

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 Now, I don't appear on that rich list.

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 I went down the list, and I'm not there anywhere.

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 I'm not published on any rich list, not even published on the Chatswood rich list.

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 But when I put my wealth, and I've told you this before,

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 and you can do exactly the same thing.

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 You go on a website called Global Rich List,

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 and I type mine and Nat's combined income, we put it in that rich list.

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 I'm ranked, or together we are ranked,

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 in the top 6 million richest people in the world.

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 The top 6 million people in the world.

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 That is, we're in the top 0.09% of the world's population when it comes to wealth.

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 And as a financial advisor said to Nat and I a little while ago,

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 you're a teacher and you're a pastor.

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 You're not giving me much to work with here.

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 When Jesus speaks about rich people, he's talking about me.

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 He's talking about you.

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 Even if you are a student in this country, he's talking about you.

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 And he's saying it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of an eagle

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 than it is for you and for me to get into his kingdom.

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 See the reaction of those who were listening to this incident?

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 Verse 26.

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 Well, who then can be saved?

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 Who can be saved?

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 Izzy, can you get me my water bottle, please?

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 Sorry, I've had a throat infection this week.

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 You wouldn't notice it.

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 But I feel it.

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 Who can be saved?

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 You see, the disciples in this moment are confused by the words of Jesus.

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 Jesus, aren't the rich ones the ones who are particularly blessed by you?

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 Haven't you particularly blessed them?

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 That's their cultural thinking.

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 Jesus responds, what is impossible with men is possible with God.

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 Now, notice that Jesus didn't say here, what is impossible for rich people.

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 He says, what is impossible with all people is possible with God.

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 He's saying that all of salvation is a miracle.

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 It is impossible that anyone would be saved because as Romans chapter 3 says,

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 all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

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 It is not possible for anyone to be saved unless God himself intervenes

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 and does the impossible for us.

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 But the reason Jesus raised it here with this rich man

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 is because the same thing that makes salvation impossible for us all

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 makes it worse when you've got money.

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 The Old Testament book of Proverbs is primarily concerned

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 about how to navigate life well in God's world.

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 It says a lot about money and in particular,

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 two really important things that it talks about

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 when it says about the spiritual power of money.

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 Firstly, it says that money has the spiritual power to distract you

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 from what really matters in life.

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 So distracted, we don't have time in fact to ask really the important questions like,

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 what am I really here for and what am I really attempting to accomplish with my life.

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 Proverbs 11 verse 4 says,

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 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,

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 but righteousness delivers from death.

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 Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath means that money can't help us

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 when troubles hit us in life.

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 It does attempt to give us a deep delusion

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 that if we have enough of it, then we are safe.

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 It attempts to do that.

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 But we are not safe from grief and bereavement,

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 from illness, from disaster.

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 We are not even safe from financial ruin

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 when you've got lots of money.

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 Oh, the irony.

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 Money can't stop death.

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 It can't stop tragedy.

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 It can't stop heartbreak.

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 And when they come, we're not ready for it.

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 Money has the power to distract us

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 from the really important questions of life

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 and distract us to the point

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 to delude us into thinking that if we have money,

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 then these things won't hit us.

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 They become our security.

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 They become, in fact, Jesus says, our God.

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 Secondly, Proverbs says

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 that money has the ability to distort our self-image.

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 In Proverbs 30, verses 8 and 9, it says,

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 Give me neither poverty nor riches,

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 but give me only my daily bread.

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 Otherwise, I may have too much

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 and disown you and say,

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 Who is the Lord?

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 To see a person humbled under prosperity

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 is the greatest rarity in the world.

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 Let me just repeat that.

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 To see a person humbled under prosperity

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 is the greatest rarity in the world.

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 Wealth leads to pride.

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 I read this sometime.

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 I can't quote who it was,

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 but I remember reading some time ago

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 a philosophical paper on wealth

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 and what it does to you in terms of spiritual pride.

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 And it's interesting that a person

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 who's particularly skilled,

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 like a skilled engineer,

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 can take pride in the fact

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 they're a skilled engineer

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 and they're really good.

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 For some reason,

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 that when it comes to wealth,

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 a person who has become a self-made person,

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 built their own personal fortune,

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 has a delusion into thinking

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 that they are skilled at everything.

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 An engineer might be skilled in the engineer

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 and have certain pride in that,

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 but don't think for a moment

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 they're a great dentist.

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 But a person who has built their personal wealth

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 has for some reason

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 an inbuilt thing in them,

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 in their heart,

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 to lead them to pride in every area of life.

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 Give you advice on every area of life.

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 Wealth leads to pride.

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 And it puts us in a place where we say,

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 who is God?

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 Why do I need him?

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 That's the first point.

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 Secondly, why wealth is so dangerous.

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 Let's go back to the beginning of this passage

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 in Luke 18

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 and unpack why wealth is so dangerous for us.

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 So verse 18,

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 certain ruler asked him,

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 good teacher,

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 what must I do to inherit eternal life?

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 Why do you call me good?

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 Jesus answered,

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 no one is good except God alone.

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 You know the commandments.

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 You shall not commit adultery.

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 You shall not murder.

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 You shall not steal.

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 You shall not give false testimony.

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 Honor your father and your mother.

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 All of these I've kept since I was a boy,

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 he said.

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 Now,

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 we should be shocked,

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 first of all,

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 by Jesus' answer to the question,

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 what must I do to inherit eternal life?

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 Jesus says to him,

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 go and obey the Ten Commandments.

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 And the implication is,

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 to Jesus' answer,

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 well, that's how you get eternal life.

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 You just obey the Ten Commandments.

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 This should shock us.

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 Because immediately before this,

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 Jesus tells the story

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 of this parable

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 and this tax collector,

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 this parable of the Pharisee and tax collector,

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 where the

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 obedient religious man

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 went home,

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 went home,

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 not saved.

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 He was not saved.

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 And yet the sinner,

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 the tax collector,

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 is saved.

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 And Jesus says,

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 again and again,

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 that we cannot save ourselves.

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 He says it right here.

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 It's impossible for any person

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 to save themselves.

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 So why does he say here,

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 obey the Ten Commandments?

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 Why doesn't Jesus just be consistent

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 to this rich young ruler?

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 Well,

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 I'm on my way to Jerusalem,

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 to Zion a cross,

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 to pay a ransom,

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 and to pay the penalty

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 that you deserve for your sin,

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 and if you put your trust in me,

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 you'll have eternal life.

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 Why doesn't Jesus do that?

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 I mean,

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 I could have done that.

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 That would be consistent

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 with what Jesus has said elsewhere

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 in the rest of the New Testament.

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 But to say,

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 I've come to die for your sins

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 would have been incomprehensible

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 to this young man.

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 Like the majority of people,

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 he doesn't think

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 he's got a problem.

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 Look at what he says

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 in verse 21.

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 I've done all that.

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 All this I've done.

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 I've kept them all

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 since I was a boy.

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 In other words,

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 Jesus,

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 I don't need a rescuer.

00:16:42.279 --> 00:16:43.500
 I'm a good person.

00:16:44.459 --> 00:16:45.419
 Might not be perfect,

00:16:45.599 --> 00:16:47.339
 but I don't need a rescuer.

00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.459
 And so Jesus is just going,

00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:51.280
 he's just digging deeper

00:16:51.280 --> 00:16:51.860
 and deeper

00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:53.700
 into this young man's heart.

00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.700
 Deep down,

00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.400
 he must have some feeling

00:16:56.400 --> 00:16:57.960
 that something wasn't right.

00:16:59.040 --> 00:16:59.980
 Something was wrong.

00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.800
 Something was missing.

00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.259
 Otherwise,

00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.220
 why was he there

00:17:02.220 --> 00:17:02.900
 in front of Jesus

00:17:02.900 --> 00:17:03.940
 asking this question?

00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:09.640
 You see,

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.360
 if we think

00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:11.700
 that we can get right with God

00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.759
 by being good enough,

00:17:12.840 --> 00:17:15.380
 we will always feel insecure.

00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:17.780
 We will always see someone

00:17:17.780 --> 00:17:19.200
 who's more righteous than us

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.340
 and we'll always be left

00:17:20.340 --> 00:17:20.900
 with a question,

00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.020
 have I done enough?

00:17:22.260 --> 00:17:23.140
 Have I done enough?

00:17:25.580 --> 00:17:26.440
 Even though

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:28.740
 those who project

00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.780
 an image

00:17:29.780 --> 00:17:31.400
 that they've got it all together

00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.340
 on the outside,

00:17:32.540 --> 00:17:33.420
 on the inside,

00:17:33.980 --> 00:17:34.900
 they know better.

00:17:36.040 --> 00:17:37.040
 And on the inside,

00:17:37.160 --> 00:17:37.940
 we know better too.

00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:40.360
 Every single one of us

00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:41.600
 knows the things

00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:42.380
 that we have done

00:17:42.380 --> 00:17:42.820
 and thought

00:17:42.820 --> 00:17:43.820
 that we could hide,

00:17:45.220 --> 00:17:47.440
 but we can't even hide them

00:17:47.440 --> 00:17:48.500
 from our own conscience,

00:17:49.120 --> 00:17:49.960
 let alone God.

00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:54.140
 And Jesus is reminding

00:17:54.140 --> 00:17:55.120
 this young man

00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:56.220
 that his first

00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:58.500
 and fundamental problem

00:17:58.500 --> 00:17:59.700
 that is

00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:01.340
 that he is in fact

00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:02.400
 not good.

00:18:05.540 --> 00:18:07.060
 No mere mortal is,

00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.840
 which is the point

00:18:07.840 --> 00:18:09.520
 of verse 19.

00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:12.740
 And so Jesus goes on

00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:13.500
 just a little bit further

00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.960
 just to push him

00:18:14.960 --> 00:18:15.720
 to help him to see

00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:17.160
 where he is not good.

00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.460
 Verse 22,

00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:22.039
 when Jesus heard this,

00:18:22.139 --> 00:18:22.759
 he said to him,

00:18:23.460 --> 00:18:24.180
 you still lack

00:18:24.180 --> 00:18:25.359
 one thing,

00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.180
 one thing.

00:18:27.180 --> 00:18:28.139
 Sell everything

00:18:28.139 --> 00:18:29.039
 that you have,

00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.200
 give it to the poor

00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:30.859
 and you'll have

00:18:30.859 --> 00:18:31.700
 treasury in heaven,

00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:33.980
 then come follow me.

00:18:35.940 --> 00:18:38.019
 Jesus has never suggested

00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:39.400
 to anyone else

00:18:39.400 --> 00:18:41.900
 that the way

00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:42.859
 to be saved

00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.559
 is to give all

00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.000
 of your money

00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.599
 to the poor.

00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.480
 Never suggested

00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:47.539
 that to anyone else.

00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.319
 So why here?

00:18:51.460 --> 00:18:52.539
 He's doing it

00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.680
 because it is

00:18:53.680 --> 00:18:55.440
 a brilliant strategy

00:18:55.440 --> 00:18:57.579
 to help this

00:18:57.579 --> 00:18:59.220
 rich young ruler

00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.400
 to see that

00:19:00.400 --> 00:19:01.740
 he needs rescuing.

00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:05.099
 Jesus targets

00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:06.859
 this man's idol,

00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.919
 the one of his heart.

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.899
 This is the thing

00:19:08.899 --> 00:19:10.199
 that he's looking to,

00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:11.159
 to give him

00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:12.079
 that only God

00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:12.879
 can give him.

00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.039
 You see,

00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:15.240
 money is not just

00:19:15.240 --> 00:19:16.879
 a mere currency

00:19:16.879 --> 00:19:17.179
 to him.

00:19:17.240 --> 00:19:17.539
 It's not just

00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:18.439
 a tool for him.

00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:20.240
 It is an identity

00:19:20.240 --> 00:19:21.139
 scorecard.

00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:23.139
 It is his security

00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:24.000
 and his hope.

00:19:24.259 --> 00:19:25.000
 This is the thing

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:26.079
 that is squeezing God

00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:27.099
 out of his life.

00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.139
 And when Jesus

00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:29.339
 presses him on it,

00:19:30.899 --> 00:19:32.399
 he sees he,

00:19:32.699 --> 00:19:33.039
 in fact,

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:35.500
 hasn't obeyed

00:19:35.500 --> 00:19:36.099
 the commandments

00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:37.059
 at all.

00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.639
 He is not good

00:19:39.639 --> 00:19:40.480
 at all.

00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:44.299
 Jesus pushed him

00:19:44.299 --> 00:19:45.379
 to give it all up

00:19:45.379 --> 00:19:46.000
 for the poor.

00:19:46.519 --> 00:19:47.299
 Give it all up

00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:47.680
 for God.

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.559
 Give it all up

00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.539
 and follow me,

00:19:49.639 --> 00:19:50.220
 he says.

00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.599
 And he couldn't.

00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:54.539
 Verse 23 says

00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:56.500
 he became very sad.

00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.480
 He was deeply

00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.059
 grieved.

00:19:58.159 --> 00:19:58.819
 He was deeply

00:19:58.819 --> 00:19:59.480
 distressed.

00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.339
 His money

00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.380
 is not just

00:20:01.380 --> 00:20:02.440
 money to him.

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:03.180
 His money

00:20:03.180 --> 00:20:03.720
 to him

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.380
 is, well,

00:20:04.799 --> 00:20:05.519
 just simply

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.480
 more important.

00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.059
 And he did not

00:20:11.059 --> 00:20:11.539
 want God

00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.420
 to get in the way

00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.440
 of what was

00:20:13.440 --> 00:20:14.960
 more important.

00:20:16.880 --> 00:20:18.160
 He wasn't good.

00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:19.839
 In fact,

00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.799
 he didn't actually

00:20:20.799 --> 00:20:21.579
 obey the Ten

00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.279
 Commandments.

00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:24.000
 He couldn't even

00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:24.660
 get past

00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:25.920
 the very first one.

00:20:26.579 --> 00:20:27.360
 You shall have

00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:28.759
 no other gods.

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:30.160
 You couldn't

00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:30.759
 even get past

00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.200
 that one.

00:20:31.259 --> 00:20:31.680
 And when you

00:20:31.680 --> 00:20:33.140
 break the first

00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.640
 one, you've

00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.539
 broken them all.

00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:37.420
 His money

00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.440
 was his God.

00:20:41.400 --> 00:20:42.380
 Money can so

00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:43.000
 easily become

00:20:43.000 --> 00:20:44.000
 a pseudo-savior.

00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.720
 Of all the things

00:20:44.720 --> 00:20:45.660
 that Jesus said,

00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.360
 you cannot serve

00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:47.940
 both God

00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:49.539
 and he chose

00:20:49.539 --> 00:20:49.940
 money.

00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:50.660
 Could have chosen

00:20:50.660 --> 00:20:51.240
 anything else,

00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:51.680
 but he chose

00:20:51.680 --> 00:20:52.019
 money.

00:20:52.740 --> 00:20:53.559
 Because he knew

00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.640
 it is the pseudo-savior.

00:20:56.319 --> 00:20:57.220
 It's the false

00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:57.579
 savior.

00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:59.699
 Jesus sets

00:20:59.699 --> 00:21:00.019
 it up.

00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:00.519
 There's the

00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.480
 alternative God.

00:21:02.159 --> 00:21:02.699
 We are devoted

00:21:02.699 --> 00:21:03.319
 to the one

00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:04.039
 or the other,

00:21:04.139 --> 00:21:04.679
 but you can't

00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:05.299
 have both.

00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.539
 Wealth is

00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.659
 that dangerous.

00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:14.980
 And so

00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:16.220
 for two-thirds

00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.819
 of this sermon,

00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.339
 I just wanted

00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:18.079
 to raise that

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.139
 issue for us.

00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.480
 Do you

00:21:21.480 --> 00:21:22.379
 realize how

00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:23.099
 dangerous

00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:23.899
 your wealth

00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:24.439
 is?

00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.259
 Just think

00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.740
 it's important

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.359
 to raise it,

00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.599
 how dangerous

00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:29.120
 it is.

00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.059
 Do you

00:21:32.059 --> 00:21:32.400
 see it

00:21:32.400 --> 00:21:33.000
 as dangerous

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:35.240
 as it

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.380
 slips through

00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:36.920
 your fingers

00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.380
 and your

00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.620
 bank accounts?

00:21:42.700 --> 00:21:43.380
 How do we

00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.000
 escape the

00:21:44.000 --> 00:21:44.319
 danger?

00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:45.160
 That's the

00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:45.759
 third point.

00:21:48.480 --> 00:21:49.220
 The first

00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:49.579
 thing,

00:21:49.779 --> 00:21:51.000
 first thing

00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.500
 here is to

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.000
 assume that

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:52.279
 you're in

00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:52.640
 denial.

00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:53.940
 That's the

00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.420
 first thing.

00:21:54.740 --> 00:21:55.599
 Always assume

00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:55.899
 you're in

00:21:55.899 --> 00:21:56.259
 denial.

00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:58.779
 Jesus is

00:21:58.779 --> 00:21:59.399
 pretty blunt

00:21:59.399 --> 00:21:59.879
 because this

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:00.659
 rich young

00:22:00.659 --> 00:22:01.179
 ruler here

00:22:01.179 --> 00:22:01.779
 was in

00:22:01.779 --> 00:22:02.159
 denial.

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.699
 That is

00:22:03.699 --> 00:22:04.159
 the very

00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:05.119
 nature of

00:22:05.119 --> 00:22:05.899
 addiction.

00:22:06.779 --> 00:22:07.299
 An addiction

00:22:07.299 --> 00:22:07.859
 will say,

00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:08.379
 I'm not

00:22:08.379 --> 00:22:08.740
 addicted,

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.379
 I don't

00:22:09.379 --> 00:22:09.699
 have a

00:22:09.699 --> 00:22:10.039
 problem.

00:22:10.559 --> 00:22:10.799
 And so

00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.279
 the first

00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:11.659
 thing here

00:22:11.659 --> 00:22:11.939
 is to

00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:13.059
 assume that

00:22:13.059 --> 00:22:13.480
 we are

00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.339
 all living

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.819
 in a

00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:15.099
 Western

00:22:15.099 --> 00:22:15.759
 materialistic

00:22:15.759 --> 00:22:16.399
 society

00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:17.480
 under the

00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.219
 influence.

00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:19.839
 Assume that

00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.279
 the amount

00:22:20.279 --> 00:22:20.659
 of money

00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:21.279
 you think

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:22.079
 you need

00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.460
 is more

00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.159
 than what

00:22:24.159 --> 00:22:24.699
 you really

00:22:24.699 --> 00:22:25.119
 need.

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:26.299
 Let me

00:22:26.299 --> 00:22:26.619
 just say

00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.159
 that again.

00:22:28.079 --> 00:22:28.659
 Assume

00:22:28.659 --> 00:22:29.500
 that the

00:22:29.500 --> 00:22:30.119
 amount of

00:22:30.119 --> 00:22:30.599
 money you

00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.339
 think you

00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.720
 need is

00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:34.179
 more than

00:22:34.179 --> 00:22:35.019
 you really

00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.759
 need.

00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:37.619
 And

00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.259
 secondly,

00:22:39.079 --> 00:22:39.460
 I'll say

00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.019
 this twice

00:22:40.019 --> 00:22:40.460
 as well,

00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:42.460
 assume that

00:22:42.460 --> 00:22:42.939
 the amount

00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.539
 of money you

00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.059
 think you

00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.419
 can give

00:22:44.419 --> 00:22:46.319
 away is

00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:47.179
 less than

00:22:47.179 --> 00:22:47.559
 what you

00:22:47.559 --> 00:22:48.139
 really can

00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:48.639
 in fact give

00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:48.960
 away.

00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:52.140
 I'll say

00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:52.460
 it again,

00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:52.819
 I said I

00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.059
 was going

00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.539
 to assume

00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:56.180
 also that

00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:56.700
 the amount

00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.380
 of money you

00:22:57.380 --> 00:22:58.059
 think you

00:22:58.059 --> 00:22:58.400
 can give

00:22:58.400 --> 00:22:59.660
 away is

00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.900
 less than

00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.340
 what you

00:23:01.340 --> 00:23:02.240
 actually can

00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.779
 give away.

00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.620
 Assume

00:23:06.620 --> 00:23:06.819
 it.

00:23:09.880 --> 00:23:10.779
 The Bible

00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.940
 says money

00:23:11.940 --> 00:23:12.900
 makes us

00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.740
 blind.

00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.559
 That's the

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.039
 first thing.

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:16.700
 Assume

00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:16.960
 you're in

00:23:16.960 --> 00:23:17.259
 denial.

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.660
 The second

00:23:19.660 --> 00:23:20.360
 thing to

00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:22.819
 do here

00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.500
 to escape

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.100
 the danger

00:23:24.100 --> 00:23:25.460
 of money

00:23:25.460 --> 00:23:26.779
 and wealth

00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:28.319
 is to

00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:29.160
 look to

00:23:29.160 --> 00:23:29.640
 the rich

00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.319
 young ruler.

00:23:32.819 --> 00:23:33.319
 Now

00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:33.799
 why do

00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.900
 that when

00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:35.220
 the rich

00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.660
 young ruler

00:23:35.660 --> 00:23:36.200
 walks away

00:23:36.200 --> 00:23:36.759
 sad and

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.279
 rejects

00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:37.539
 Jesus?

00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:37.880
 Surely

00:23:37.880 --> 00:23:38.220
 he's not

00:23:38.220 --> 00:23:38.660
 someone to

00:23:38.660 --> 00:23:39.240
 follow here.

00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:40.680
 You're

00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:40.960
 absolutely

00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.380
 right.

00:23:41.640 --> 00:23:42.059
 I'm not

00:23:42.059 --> 00:23:42.579
 referring to

00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:42.779
 him.

00:23:42.940 --> 00:23:43.140
 I'm

00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.539
 referring to

00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:43.960
 the other

00:23:43.960 --> 00:23:44.440
 rich young

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:44.840
 ruler in

00:23:44.840 --> 00:23:45.400
 this story.

00:23:48.960 --> 00:23:49.799
 Jesus is

00:23:49.799 --> 00:23:50.460
 around 30,

00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:52.100
 32 when

00:23:52.100 --> 00:23:52.480
 he is

00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:52.940
 heading to

00:23:52.940 --> 00:23:53.440
 Jerusalem.

00:23:54.100 --> 00:23:54.720
 The Bible

00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.740
 says he

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.600
 existed with

00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.120
 God for

00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:57.620
 eternity.

00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.840
 He made

00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.440
 everything.

00:24:00.079 --> 00:24:00.900
 He rules

00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.640
 and sustains

00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.360
 everything by

00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:02.920
 the power of

00:24:02.920 --> 00:24:03.940
 his word.

00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.200
 He owns

00:24:05.200 --> 00:24:06.720
 everything.

00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.759
 Everything

00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.559
 is his.

00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.360
 He left

00:24:12.360 --> 00:24:13.000
 that aside,

00:24:13.160 --> 00:24:13.620
 came from

00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.079
 heaven to

00:24:14.079 --> 00:24:14.920
 identify with

00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.440
 the spiritual

00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.100
 poverty of

00:24:16.100 --> 00:24:16.519
 the human

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:16.940
 race.

00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:18.720
 He is

00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:19.039
 on his

00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:19.400
 way to

00:24:19.400 --> 00:24:19.920
 Jerusalem

00:24:19.920 --> 00:24:20.580
 to die

00:24:20.580 --> 00:24:20.980
 on a

00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.400
 cross

00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:22.340
 and into

00:24:22.340 --> 00:24:22.920
 a deeper

00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.539
 poverty

00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.299
 than anyone

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:24.900
 else has

00:24:24.900 --> 00:24:25.580
 ever gone

00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:26.019
 before.

00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:28.440
 He will

00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:28.920
 be stripped

00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.980
 of everything

00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:31.480
 including

00:24:31.480 --> 00:24:32.340
 his life.

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.059
 And 2

00:24:34.059 --> 00:24:34.900
 Corinthians 8

00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.279
 and 9

00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:37.200
 puts his

00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:38.920
 sacrifice on

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.559
 the cross

00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.200
 for us

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.059
 in economic

00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.840
 terms.

00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.779
 For you

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.220
 know the

00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:44.740
 grace of

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.140
 our Lord

00:24:45.140 --> 00:24:46.140
 Jesus Christ

00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:47.420
 that though

00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:47.880
 he was

00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.420
 rich,

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.500
 yet for

00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.259
 your sake

00:24:50.259 --> 00:24:50.880
 he became

00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.500
 poor,

00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.740
 so that

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.340
 you through

00:24:53.340 --> 00:24:54.120
 his poverty

00:24:54.120 --> 00:24:56.000
 might become

00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:57.400
 rich.

00:24:58.980 --> 00:24:59.820
 It's in

00:24:59.820 --> 00:25:00.420
 those songs

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.100
 we sang this

00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:01.460
 morning,

00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:02.840
 because of

00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:03.680
 his poverty

00:25:03.680 --> 00:25:05.100
 we have

00:25:05.100 --> 00:25:06.100
 everything

00:25:06.100 --> 00:25:07.640
 in Jesus

00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.880
 already.

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.660
 Everything

00:25:10.660 --> 00:25:11.380
 that we

00:25:11.380 --> 00:25:12.600
 are looking

00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.280
 to money

00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:13.859
 to give

00:25:13.859 --> 00:25:14.339
 us

00:25:14.339 --> 00:25:16.059
 and we

00:25:16.059 --> 00:25:16.259
 are

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:16.920
 labouring

00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.559
 for money

00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.339
 to provide

00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:19.139
 for us,

00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.859
 security,

00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:21.579
 identity,

00:25:23.319 --> 00:25:23.639
 Jesus

00:25:23.639 --> 00:25:25.000
 gives it

00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.680
 to us

00:25:25.680 --> 00:25:27.619
 already

00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.839
 as a

00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.059
 gift.

00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:32.079
 he was

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.579
 drained

00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:32.960
 of all

00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:33.299
 of his

00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.679
 riches

00:25:33.679 --> 00:25:34.200
 so that

00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:34.419
 we

00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:34.960
 through

00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.859
 his

00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.359
 poverty

00:25:36.359 --> 00:25:36.720
 can

00:25:36.720 --> 00:25:37.220
 receive

00:25:37.220 --> 00:25:37.539
 his

00:25:37.539 --> 00:25:38.039
 riches.

00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.079
 In

00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.399
 Jesus

00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:39.799
 we get

00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:40.279
 adoption

00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:40.679
 into

00:25:40.679 --> 00:25:41.019
 God's

00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.500
 family,

00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.440
 forgiveness

00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.079
 parted

00:25:43.079 --> 00:25:43.440
 eternal

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:43.940
 life.

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.440
 It is

00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:44.940
 the only

00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:45.299
 wealth

00:25:45.299 --> 00:25:45.679
 that makes

00:25:45.679 --> 00:25:46.200
 us truly

00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.759
 secure,

00:25:47.319 --> 00:25:48.159
 even in

00:25:48.159 --> 00:25:48.839
 death

00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:49.419
 and beyond

00:25:49.419 --> 00:25:49.859
 death.

00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.339
 We need

00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:52.700
 to look

00:25:52.700 --> 00:25:53.019
 to the

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:53.419
 true

00:25:53.419 --> 00:25:53.819
 rich

00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.079
 young

00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.379
 ruler

00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:54.839
 until

00:25:54.839 --> 00:25:55.939
 we get

00:25:55.939 --> 00:25:58.939
 weepingly

00:25:58.939 --> 00:25:59.659
 excited.

00:26:02.459 --> 00:26:03.179
 Weepingly

00:26:03.179 --> 00:26:03.859
 excited

00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:05.379
 over what

00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.000
 he has

00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.500
 achieved

00:26:06.500 --> 00:26:07.199
 for us

00:26:07.199 --> 00:26:08.039
 and what

00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.539
 he has

00:26:08.539 --> 00:26:09.000
 gifted

00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.599
 us.

00:26:10.559 --> 00:26:11.139
 Look to

00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.839
 the glorious

00:26:11.839 --> 00:26:12.519
 news of

00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:12.879
 God's

00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.559
 grace and

00:26:13.559 --> 00:26:14.039
 his riches

00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:14.459
 to us

00:26:14.459 --> 00:26:14.699
 in the

00:26:14.699 --> 00:26:14.879
 Lord

00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.240
 Jesus

00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:15.899
 until

00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:16.500
 it drains

00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.839
 all power

00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.299
 out of

00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.919
 money and

00:26:18.919 --> 00:26:19.500
 possessions

00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:21.159
 until

00:26:21.159 --> 00:26:22.240
 they just

00:26:22.240 --> 00:26:22.939
 become mere

00:26:22.939 --> 00:26:24.019
 currency that

00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.700
 goes through

00:26:24.700 --> 00:26:25.400
 our hands

00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:25.720
 for the

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.139
 glory of

00:26:26.139 --> 00:26:26.480
 God.

00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.420
 Just

00:26:27.420 --> 00:26:27.900
 money,

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.039
 that's all

00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.539
 it is.

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:30.099
 It's no

00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:30.579
 longer

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.019
 eternal

00:26:31.019 --> 00:26:31.579
 security,

00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.440
 it's no

00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:32.839
 longer

00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.400
 identity,

00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.039
 it's no

00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.440
 longer

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.220
 self-esteem,

00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:36.639
 it's no

00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.019
 longer

00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.700
 comfort.

00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:44.980
 The third

00:26:44.980 --> 00:26:45.359
 thing you

00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:48.139
 do is

00:26:48.139 --> 00:26:48.619
 to have a

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.119
 plan to

00:26:49.119 --> 00:26:49.639
 use your

00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.160
 wealth with

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:50.680
 purpose.

00:26:52.559 --> 00:26:53.480
 To use

00:26:53.480 --> 00:26:53.839
 it with

00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.319
 eternity

00:26:54.319 --> 00:26:55.099
 in mind

00:26:55.099 --> 00:26:55.400
 as

00:26:55.400 --> 00:26:55.839
 stewards

00:26:55.839 --> 00:26:56.059
 of

00:26:56.059 --> 00:26:56.420
 God's

00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:56.900
 resources.

00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.200
 So,

00:27:00.059 --> 00:27:00.360
 let me

00:27:00.360 --> 00:27:00.500
 get

00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:00.839
 practical.

00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:01.440
 A few

00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:01.940
 steps here.

00:27:02.039 --> 00:27:02.279
 Step

00:27:02.279 --> 00:27:02.660
 one,

00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.160
 investigate

00:27:05.160 --> 00:27:07.220
 today what

00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.120
 percentage of

00:27:08.120 --> 00:27:08.779
 your income

00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:09.380
 are you giving

00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:09.779
 away.

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.720
 How much

00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.160
 goes to

00:27:12.160 --> 00:27:12.460
 Christian

00:27:12.460 --> 00:27:13.720
 ministry and

00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.299
 to charity?

00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.200
 Christian

00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.900
 ministry to

00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:16.480
 help people

00:27:16.480 --> 00:27:16.960
 out of

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.480
 spiritual

00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.920
 poverty and

00:27:18.920 --> 00:27:19.440
 charity to

00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:19.860
 help people

00:27:19.860 --> 00:27:20.160
 out of

00:27:20.160 --> 00:27:20.500
 physical

00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:20.980
 poverty.

00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:22.539
 step

00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:22.940
 two,

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:23.880
 if it's

00:27:23.880 --> 00:27:24.420
 not at

00:27:24.420 --> 00:27:25.599
 least 10%,

00:27:25.599 --> 00:27:26.140
 which is

00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:26.940
 the baseline

00:27:26.940 --> 00:27:27.779
 commandment in

00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.339
 the scriptures,

00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:31.519
 work out

00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.380
 how you

00:27:32.380 --> 00:27:33.319
 could aggressively

00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.299
 move towards

00:27:34.299 --> 00:27:36.440
 10% in the

00:27:36.440 --> 00:27:37.099
 second half of

00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.579
 this year.

00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.000
 Step

00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.380
 three,

00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.380
 figure out

00:27:40.380 --> 00:27:41.640
 what sacrifices

00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.640
 you are going

00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.299
 to make in

00:27:43.299 --> 00:27:44.200
 order to take

00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.059
 that step.

00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:45.400
 Number

00:27:45.400 --> 00:27:45.880
 two,

00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.039
 what are you

00:27:47.039 --> 00:27:47.640
 going to stop

00:27:47.640 --> 00:27:48.020
 doing?

00:27:49.140 --> 00:27:49.780
 If you

00:27:49.780 --> 00:27:50.460
 don't need to

00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:51.360
 make sacrifices

00:27:51.360 --> 00:27:52.020
 in order to

00:27:52.020 --> 00:27:53.140
 give away 10%

00:27:53.140 --> 00:27:53.720
 and the reality

00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.800
 is 10% is not

00:27:54.800 --> 00:27:55.560
 your benchmark,

00:27:55.980 --> 00:27:56.540
 you need to

00:27:56.540 --> 00:27:57.140
 go higher.

00:27:58.780 --> 00:27:59.340
 You need to

00:27:59.340 --> 00:27:59.800
 keep working

00:27:59.800 --> 00:28:00.200
 higher.

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.480
 Sacrificial

00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:03.680
 giving is not

00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.660
 about percentage,

00:28:05.520 --> 00:28:06.420
 it's when our

00:28:06.420 --> 00:28:07.280
 standard of

00:28:07.280 --> 00:28:08.680
 living changes

00:28:08.680 --> 00:28:09.680
 in such a

00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.800
 way that we

00:28:10.800 --> 00:28:12.140
 feel loss.

00:28:12.980 --> 00:28:13.460
 That's

00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:13.940
 sacrificial

00:28:13.940 --> 00:28:14.300
 giving.

00:28:14.880 --> 00:28:15.660
 That's radical

00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:16.240
 generosity.

00:28:16.240 --> 00:28:17.299
 It's when

00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:18.240
 our giving

00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:21.259
 changes,

00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:21.940
 our standard

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.259
 of living

00:28:22.259 --> 00:28:23.319
 changes in

00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.039
 order for us

00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.720
 to feel

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:26.079
 loss as

00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.700
 we give.

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:28.000
 That's

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.480
 sacrificial

00:28:28.480 --> 00:28:28.859
 giving.

00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:31.680
 Just let

00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.259
 me add

00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.500
 what Jesus

00:28:33.500 --> 00:28:34.099
 says at the

00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:34.620
 end of these

00:28:34.620 --> 00:28:35.079
 verses.

00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:37.200
 Having seen

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:37.700
 the rich young

00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.160
 man walk

00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.960
 away sad,

00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:39.700
 Peter pipes

00:28:39.700 --> 00:28:40.180
 in and says,

00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:41.440
 hey, we

00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:42.019
 have left

00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.240
 everything to

00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.660
 follow you.

00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.140
 In other

00:28:44.140 --> 00:28:44.380
 words, we're

00:28:44.380 --> 00:28:44.880
 not like

00:28:44.880 --> 00:28:45.940
 him, we've

00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:46.320
 given up

00:28:46.320 --> 00:28:46.660
 everything,

00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.080
 Jesus.

00:28:47.340 --> 00:28:47.559
 Do we

00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:47.980
 get eternal

00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.380
 life?

00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.640
 And Jesus

00:28:50.640 --> 00:28:51.460
 reassures the

00:28:51.460 --> 00:28:52.279
 disciples that

00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.779
 though they

00:28:52.779 --> 00:28:53.240
 may have

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:53.980
 sacrificed many

00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:55.840
 things, they

00:28:55.840 --> 00:28:56.660
 have left

00:28:56.660 --> 00:28:57.720
 many things.

00:28:58.680 --> 00:28:59.100
 They will

00:28:59.100 --> 00:29:00.100
 not fail to

00:29:00.100 --> 00:29:00.840
 receive many

00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:01.580
 more blessings

00:29:01.580 --> 00:29:02.340
 now and

00:29:02.340 --> 00:29:02.880
 forever.

00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.960
 Truly I

00:29:03.960 --> 00:29:04.299
 tell you,

00:29:04.360 --> 00:29:05.080
 Jesus said to

00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:06.039
 them, no one

00:29:06.039 --> 00:29:07.000
 who has left

00:29:07.000 --> 00:29:08.019
 home or wife

00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:08.500
 or brothers

00:29:08.500 --> 00:29:09.039
 or sisters

00:29:09.039 --> 00:29:09.620
 or parents

00:29:09.620 --> 00:29:10.039
 or children

00:29:10.039 --> 00:29:10.660
 for the sake

00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.180
 of the kingdom

00:29:11.180 --> 00:29:12.220
 of God will

00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:13.039
 fail to receive

00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:13.799
 many times as

00:29:13.799 --> 00:29:14.360
 much in this

00:29:14.360 --> 00:29:15.299
 age and in

00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:15.899
 the age to

00:29:15.899 --> 00:29:16.639
 come eternal

00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.139
 life.

00:29:19.240 --> 00:29:19.899
 Step four,

00:29:21.299 --> 00:29:22.299
 decide what

00:29:22.299 --> 00:29:22.859
 you are giving

00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:24.039
 to and follow

00:29:24.039 --> 00:29:24.720
 through with

00:29:24.720 --> 00:29:24.899
 it.

00:29:25.399 --> 00:29:26.859
 Make yourself

00:29:26.859 --> 00:29:27.480
 accountable.

00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:28.079
 That's partly

00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:28.539
 one of the

00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:29.159
 reasons why we

00:29:29.159 --> 00:29:29.700
 do pledging

00:29:29.700 --> 00:29:29.940
 here.

00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:30.240
 It's a

00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:30.779
 spiritual issue,

00:29:30.839 --> 00:29:31.159
 it's not a

00:29:31.159 --> 00:29:31.859
 financial issue.

00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:32.839
 It's one of

00:29:32.839 --> 00:29:33.339
 the reasons why

00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:34.139
 we do pledging

00:29:34.139 --> 00:29:34.559
 here at St.

00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:34.980
 Paul's.

00:29:35.519 --> 00:29:36.399
 Giving is a

00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:37.460
 spiritual issue

00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.599
 and like every

00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:39.299
 single spiritual

00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.779
 issue, we are

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.720
 accountable for it

00:29:41.720 --> 00:29:42.359
 in the same

00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:42.879
 way that I

00:29:42.879 --> 00:29:43.139
 am.

00:29:44.519 --> 00:29:45.559
 To live

00:29:45.559 --> 00:29:46.119
 radically

00:29:46.119 --> 00:29:46.899
 generous lives

00:29:46.899 --> 00:29:47.179
 with our

00:29:47.179 --> 00:29:47.579
 money, with

00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:47.939
 our wealth

00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:48.500
 and possessions,

00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:50.039
 we don't need

00:29:50.039 --> 00:29:50.740
 courage.

00:29:50.899 --> 00:29:51.500
 That's the point

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:51.759
 here.

00:29:51.859 --> 00:29:52.399
 We don't need

00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:53.079
 courage.

00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.319
 What we need

00:29:54.319 --> 00:29:55.039
 is joy.

00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.579
 That's what we

00:29:56.579 --> 00:29:56.839
 need.

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.199
 We need to be

00:29:58.199 --> 00:29:59.079
 relaxed and at

00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.179
 peace and secure

00:30:00.179 --> 00:30:02.079
 in Jesus enough

00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:02.819
 in order to live

00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.579
 a life of radical

00:30:03.579 --> 00:30:04.119
 generosity.

00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.819
 This joy only

00:30:05.819 --> 00:30:06.539
 comes when we

00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:06.979
 look at the

00:30:06.979 --> 00:30:08.179
 true rich young

00:30:08.179 --> 00:30:09.419
 ruler who lost

00:30:09.419 --> 00:30:10.759
 everything so that

00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.519
 we would gain

00:30:11.519 --> 00:30:12.119
 everything.

00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:13.960
 And the more

00:30:13.960 --> 00:30:14.579
 we look to

00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:16.220
 Jesus and the

00:30:16.220 --> 00:30:17.119
 riches we have

00:30:17.119 --> 00:30:18.579
 in him, the

00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:20.779
 more free we

00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.940
 will be to

00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:23.980
 live a life of

00:30:23.980 --> 00:30:24.940
 pervasively

00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:27.680
 generous life,

00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.680
 radical

00:30:28.680 --> 00:30:29.319
 generosity,

00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.639
 including giving

00:30:31.639 --> 00:30:33.259
 our money away

00:30:33.259 --> 00:30:35.480
 in eye-popping

00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:37.220
 proportions with

00:30:37.220 --> 00:30:37.720
 joy.

00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:40.299
 thoughts and

00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.100
 mooden Morgan

00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:41.259
 lost Apple

00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:41.640
 chanting

00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:42.440
sorry

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.100
 stor Musimy

00:30:43.100 --> 00:30:43.819
 laughed

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.120
 awfully

00:30:44.120 --> 00:30:44.500
 roll

00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:46.100
 Pens by

00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.339
 madly

00:30:46.900 --> 00:30:48.100
 gratitude

00:30:48.100 --> 00:30:51.299
 Marvin

00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:52.100
 är

00:30:52.720 --> 00:30:55.059
 en kanje

00:30:55.059 --> 00:30:55.279
 dag

00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:55.920
 Vi

00:30:55.920 --> 00:31:04.839
 amb