WEBVTT

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 And for the past five months, you know what the number one news story has been about.

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 Something related to the coronavirus pandemic.

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 But do you remember what the top of the news was, number one story was about before the virus?

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 Broad subject, politics.

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 Specifically, the Democratic presidential primary.

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 But since March, the pandemic news has overall, if you balance it out over a week, has overshadowed political news.

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 Before March, when there were over a dozen Democrats running for their party's nomination,

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 all of them were either openly advocating the virtues of socialism in general,

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 or they were promoting socialistic programs like Medicare for All.

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 Those liberal Democrats were so unified in promoting a socialist agenda that some conservative commentators said that this year's election is going to be a referendum on socialism.

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 Now, in many ways, that's an accurate description of what will take place when we go to the polls on November the 3rd.

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 As Christians, it is important for us to understand that socialism is not just a political or economic issue.

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 It is a political issue.

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 It is an economic issue.

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 But it is also an ethical and biblical issue.

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 Socialism is a political and economic system that is contrary to the way God designed human beings to provide for themselves,

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 their families, and people in this country who legitimately cannot take care of themselves.

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 I want us to begin today to think biblically about socialism,

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 because it's something that every Christian needs to be aware of, concerned about, and actively opposing.

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 Let's begin by looking at what it is.

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 What is socialism?

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 I want to give you a couple of definitions that are representative of what you'll find basically anywhere if you do a Google search.

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 Various sources.

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 Here's representative definitions.

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 Socialism is any economic or political system based on government ownership and control of important businesses and methods of production.

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 Another source.

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 Any of various economic and political theories advocating collective or governmental ownership

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 and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.

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 Secondary definition.

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 A system of society or group living in which there is no private property.

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 A system or condition of society in which the means of production are owned and controlled by the state.

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 R.C. Sproul, I think, does a good job of looking at those definitions and stating it in what I think is a helpful way for us to dive into it this morning.

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 Sproul says,

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 Now, liberal Democrats, led by Bernie Sanders and embraced by Joe Biden and Kamala Harris,

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 call their version of socialism democratic socialism.

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 Now, they don't publicly advocate government ownership replacing private ownership,

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 the ownership of companies, businesses, industry.

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 Their plan is for government to so regulate private ownership to the point that the government,

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 for all practical benefits, it does control the companies, the businesses, industry.

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 Democratic socialists also advocate making things like medical care and a college education free to everyone.

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 Now, as thinking people you know, nothing in life is free.

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 Somebody has to pay for everything.

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 So these democratic socialists,

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 they plan to raise the taxes on every dime responsible working people,

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 earn, save, and invest,

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 so that they can make everything free for those who don't earn, save, and invest.

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 These democratic socialists plan to redistribute the wealth of responsible working people

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 by giving it to irresponsible, non-working people.

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 This is how democratic socialists define equality and fairness.

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 Now, before anyone accuses me of preaching politics this morning, which I am not doing,

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 let's look at how the Bible reveals that socialism is contrary to God's design.

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 How is socialism contrary to God's design?

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 That's the question we're going to answer now.

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 Let's begin by looking at the way God created human beings.

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 God created people to be stewards or managers of everything He created.

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 Now, we did a study of stewardship last year in 2019,

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 and we looked at how we are responsible to take what God entrusts to our care,

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 everything, our time, our talents, our treasures,

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 and responsibly manage those things.

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 We're called to steward, to manage everything God has created and given to us.

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 The Bible begins by telling us that God created the world and everything in it.

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 And by the way, I meant to say, we looked at that a year ago,

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 and I'm not going to go into great detail this morning.

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 I want to just sort of hit the high spots for an example.

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 You know, it goes without even having to put it on the screen.

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 God created this world and everything in it.

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 That's how the Bible begins.

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 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

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 The fact that God created everything means that He owns everything,

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 and this is repeated throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

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 Here's a good example from Psalm 24.

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 The psalmist writes, the earth is the Lord's and everything in it.

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 The world and all who live in it.

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 The Apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians,

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 quotes the first part of that verse.

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 The earth is the Lord's and everything in it.

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 God created human beings in His image,

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 and He intends for us to be stewards or managers

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 of all that He has created and owns.

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 I want you to look at two verses from Genesis 1

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 that points out how God created us

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 and put things under our care.

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 For an example, Genesis 1, 26.

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 Then God said,

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 Let us make man in our image after our likeness,

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 and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea,

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 and over the birds of the heavens,

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 and over the livestock,

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 and over all the earth,

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 and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.

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 Then verse 28.

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 And God blessed them,

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 and God said to them,

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 Be fruitful and multiply,

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 and fill the earth,

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 and subdue it,

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 and have dominion over the fish of the sea,

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 and over the birds of the heavens,

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 and over every living thing that moves on earth.

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 God created human beings,

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 and only human beings in His image,

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 and gave them the privilege and the responsibility.

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 Subdue.

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 Get control of what I have created.

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 It is there for you.

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 It is there for you to manage.

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 It is there for you to use.

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 It is there for you to enjoy.

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 You've got to be responsible stewards.

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 Don't waste it.

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 Don't abuse it.

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 But take care of it,

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 and use it in a way that will bring glory to me,

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 and joy to you.

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 That's what God did in creating human beings,

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 and giving them the responsibility to take care of this world.

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 Wayne Grudem explains what this means in terms of stewardship.

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 Look at this.

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 The Hebrew word translated as subdue,

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 means to make the earth useful for human beings' benefit and enjoyment.

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 God was entrusting Adam and Eve,

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 and by implication,

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 the entire human race,

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 with stewardship over the earth.

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 This world that God's put us in,

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 He has given us the authority,

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 the responsibility,

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 and the privilege

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 to use it wisely,

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 to benefit from it.

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 I want you to think.

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 From the very beginning,

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 human beings have been given a God-given privilege

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 and responsibility

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 that no other creature

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 was ever given.

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 We have the privilege of using God's creation

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 for our benefit,

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 for our good,

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 for our enjoyment.

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 Think about that.

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 God created us

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 and said we can enjoy

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 what He's given us.

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 But there's also responsibility.

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 We've got to manage His creation wisely,

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 not abuse it,

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 not do anything to destroy it.

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 Be wise.

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 Take care of it

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 as you enjoy it.

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 Now,

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 when you look at the big picture

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 of creation,

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 the Bible is clear

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 that God owns everything

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 and we're stewards

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 or managers

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 of His creation.

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 But when you look at

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 what the Bible

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 specifically says,

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 what it teaches

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 about how we are

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 to live in this world,

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 the Bible clearly shows

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 that we are owners

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 of stuff.

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 We are private property owners.

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 us,

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 you and me,

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 as people.

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 God gave human beings

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 the privilege and responsibility

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 of having earthly ownership

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 of private property.

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 And this is the clear testimony

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 of Scripture.

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 For example,

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 the very first act of worship

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 that you find in the Bible

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 is in Genesis chapter 4.

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 The giving of offerings to God

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 by Adam and Eve's sons,

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 Abel and Cain,

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 they gave what we would call

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 a first fruit offering

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 from what they owned.

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 Look at it.

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 Now,

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 Abel was a keeper of sheep

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 and Cain,

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 a worker of the ground.

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 Abel was a shepherd.

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 He was a,

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 you know,

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 in today's term,

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 he was a cattle farmer.

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 Cain was a farmer

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 who planted crops.

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 Well,

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 in the course of time,

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 Cain brought to the Lord

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 an offering

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 of the fruit

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 of the ground.

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 And Abel also brought

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 of the firstborn

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 of his livestock.

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 Cain

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 took the land

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 that was his,

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 planted crops,

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 and at harvest time

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 presented an offering

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 to the Lord

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 from his crop

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 that he owned.

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 Abel

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 brought the firstborn

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 of his flock

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 that he owned,

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 presented it to the Lord

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 as an offering,

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 as a sacrifice.

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 R.C. Sproul explains

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 how this demonstrates

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 the existence

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 of human ownership

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 of private property

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 shortly after creation.

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 Look at it.

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 Notice that their offering

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 is validated

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 and that it belongs

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 to the one

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 who offered it.

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 The offertory system

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 of the Old Testament

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 makes no sense

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 when divorced

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 from the system

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 of private property.

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 One of the basic

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 stipulations

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 of making an offering

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 is that you present

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 something

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 which belongs

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 to you.

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 The right

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 of human ownership

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 is something

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 God has assigned

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 as part

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 of our covenant

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 partnership

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 with him

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 in creation.

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 Many of you

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 are familiar

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 with the Old Testament

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 sacrificial system.

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 You're familiar

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 with the giving

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 of tithes

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 and offerings.

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 The people of Israel

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 were required

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 to take

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 something

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 that they owned,

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 something that they

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 produced,

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 and give it

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 to the Lord.

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 They gave

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 of their income,

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 their resources,

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 what we call

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 financial resources,

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 as a tithe

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 to the Lord.

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 This is debatable

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 what I'm going

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 to say.

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 You may condemn

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 me for this

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 and I may have

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 been wrong.

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 I never gave

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 my boys

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 an offering

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 to give

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 at church

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 because they

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 can't give

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 my money

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 as their offering.

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 Now I know

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 the theory,

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 give them money

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 and let them

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 give it,

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 teach them

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 to give.

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 I like the idea

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 of making them

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 earn money

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 or take

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 their money

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 and they

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 give it

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 as an offering

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 to the Lord.

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 That's what the

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 whole sacrificial

00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:42.480
 system is about.

00:14:43.480 --> 00:14:44.240
 If you have

00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.340
 given or give

00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.779
 online or in person

00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:47.740
 of your tithes

00:14:47.740 --> 00:14:48.320
 and offerings,

00:14:48.820 --> 00:14:49.860
 you're giving

00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:50.740
 something that

00:14:50.740 --> 00:14:51.639
 you earned,

00:14:51.720 --> 00:14:52.539
 that you have,

00:14:52.620 --> 00:14:53.440
 that's yours

00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:55.340
 as an offering

00:14:55.340 --> 00:14:55.899
 to the Lord.

00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:57.600
 You can't give

00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.320
 unto God

00:14:58.320 --> 00:14:58.980
 if there's no

00:14:58.980 --> 00:14:59.440
 such thing

00:14:59.440 --> 00:15:00.200
 as private

00:15:00.200 --> 00:15:01.000
 property.

00:15:01.500 --> 00:15:02.820
 Private ownership

00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:04.139
 is the point.

00:15:05.180 --> 00:15:05.980
 The next major

00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.759
 passage of Scripture

00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.240
 that reveals

00:15:07.240 --> 00:15:08.060
 God's approval

00:15:08.060 --> 00:15:09.019
 of the ownership

00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:10.480
 of private property

00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:11.320
 comes from

00:15:11.320 --> 00:15:12.220
 the Ten Commandments.

00:15:12.700 --> 00:15:13.860
 The Eighth Commandment

00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.399
 says,

00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.799
 you shall not steal.

00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.759
 You know what it means

00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.159
 to steal?

00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:18.700
 To take something

00:15:18.700 --> 00:15:19.520
 that rightfully

00:15:19.520 --> 00:15:20.960
 belongs to

00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:21.560
 another person.

00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:23.040
 The Tenth Commandment

00:15:23.040 --> 00:15:23.379
 begins,

00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.700
 you shall not covet.

00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:26.720
 To covet means

00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.200
 that you have

00:15:27.200 --> 00:15:28.420
 an improper desire

00:15:28.420 --> 00:15:29.740
 to have what

00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:31.180
 rightfully belongs

00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:33.420
 to someone else.

00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.460
 God gave these

00:15:35.460 --> 00:15:36.320
 two of the Ten

00:15:36.320 --> 00:15:36.800
 Commandments.

00:15:37.060 --> 00:15:37.759
 Do not steal

00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.780
 and do not covet

00:15:38.780 --> 00:15:40.780
 because people

00:15:40.780 --> 00:15:41.860
 have a right

00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:43.860
 to own

00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:44.780
 possessions

00:15:44.779 --> 00:15:47.639
 and have

00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:48.679
 a law

00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:50.279
 prevent

00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:51.220
 other people

00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:52.139
 from taking

00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.699
 them away

00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.240
 from them.

00:15:54.279 --> 00:15:54.639
 People have

00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:54.899
 a right

00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:55.279
 to own

00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:55.759
 possessions

00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:57.519
 and have

00:15:57.519 --> 00:15:58.579
 those rights

00:15:58.579 --> 00:15:59.600
 protected

00:15:59.600 --> 00:16:00.699
 by law.

00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:02.319
 Now the New

00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:02.779
 Testament

00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:03.879
 repeats

00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.500
 both of these

00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:04.879
 commandments.

00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:06.379
 Paul on more

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.139
 than one occasion

00:16:07.139 --> 00:16:08.259
 will write

00:16:08.259 --> 00:16:09.579
 and talk about

00:16:09.579 --> 00:16:10.659
 do not steal.

00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:10.939
 In fact,

00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:11.860
 he says to the thief

00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.539
 do not steal

00:16:12.539 --> 00:16:13.759
 but work,

00:16:13.879 --> 00:16:14.259
 make a living

00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:14.860
 so you can have

00:16:14.860 --> 00:16:15.659
 something to give

00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:16.580
 of your own.

00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.200
 Do not covet,

00:16:18.700 --> 00:16:19.240
 we are told

00:16:19.240 --> 00:16:19.799
 repeatedly

00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:20.480
 in some of

00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.200
 Paul's letters.

00:16:22.679 --> 00:16:23.539
 The right

00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.319
 of private

00:16:24.319 --> 00:16:24.960
 ownership

00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:25.740
 of property

00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.620
 and possessions

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:28.980
 is a God-given

00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:29.740
 right

00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:31.700
 that is found

00:16:31.700 --> 00:16:32.620
 throughout the Bible.

00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.879
 It begins

00:16:34.879 --> 00:16:36.399
 at creation

00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:36.879
 nearly.

00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:38.460
 Genesis 4

00:16:38.460 --> 00:16:39.759
 is found

00:16:39.759 --> 00:16:40.460
 throughout the Old

00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:40.799
 Testament.

00:16:40.939 --> 00:16:41.179
 It's found

00:16:41.179 --> 00:16:41.840
 throughout the New

00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:42.220
 Testament.

00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:43.539
 Therefore,

00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:45.399
 any economic

00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.120
 system

00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.639
 like socialism

00:16:47.639 --> 00:16:48.600
 or communism

00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:50.399
 that prohibits

00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.639
 private ownership

00:16:51.639 --> 00:16:52.980
 or private

00:16:52.980 --> 00:16:53.799
 control of

00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.340
 property and

00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:54.799
 possessions

00:16:54.799 --> 00:16:56.779
 is unethical.

00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:58.879
 It's unbiblical.

00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.600
 It's contrary

00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.480
 to God's

00:17:01.480 --> 00:17:02.240
 design

00:17:02.240 --> 00:17:03.679
 of how life

00:17:03.679 --> 00:17:04.079
 is supposed

00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.519
 to work.

00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:05.579
 Therefore,

00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.259
 we in this

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:06.640
 country,

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.480
 as Christians,

00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:08.940
 this is a message

00:17:08.940 --> 00:17:10.480
 especially for

00:17:10.480 --> 00:17:10.940
 Christians,

00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:13.120
 we need to

00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:14.279
 get involved

00:17:14.279 --> 00:17:15.480
 in the

00:17:15.480 --> 00:17:16.779
 democratic process

00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.799
 of our

00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:18.200
 country.

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:20.420
 We need to

00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.940
 exert influence.

00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:22.779
 We need to

00:17:22.779 --> 00:17:23.380
 talk to people

00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:24.360
 about why

00:17:24.360 --> 00:17:25.680
 socialism and

00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:26.420
 those who will

00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.620
 advocate advanced

00:17:27.620 --> 00:17:28.680
 socialism are

00:17:28.680 --> 00:17:29.779
 wrong and should

00:17:29.779 --> 00:17:30.840
 not be voted

00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:31.620
 into office.

00:17:32.620 --> 00:17:33.380
 We need to do

00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.200
 whatever we can

00:17:34.200 --> 00:17:35.140
 to oppose any

00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:35.759
 politician,

00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.299
 political party,

00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:38.339
 or government

00:17:38.339 --> 00:17:40.180
 action that

00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.099
 would take away

00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.339
 or regulate

00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:44.879
 away our

00:17:44.879 --> 00:17:45.579
 God-given

00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:47.139
 right to

00:17:47.139 --> 00:17:47.899
 enjoy the

00:17:47.899 --> 00:17:49.019
 private ownership

00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.500
 of property

00:17:50.500 --> 00:17:52.480
 and possessions.

00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:53.899
 Now,

00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:54.779
 let's look at

00:17:54.779 --> 00:17:55.240
 one more

00:17:55.240 --> 00:17:56.319
 foundational matter

00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:57.220
 that reveals how

00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.759
 socialism is

00:17:58.759 --> 00:17:59.379
 contrary to

00:17:59.379 --> 00:18:00.200
 God's design.

00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:02.100
 God calls

00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.680
 human beings

00:18:02.680 --> 00:18:03.140
 to take care

00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:03.400
 of His

00:18:03.400 --> 00:18:04.960
 creation and

00:18:04.960 --> 00:18:06.960
 themselves by

00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.500
 working,

00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.360
 by their

00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:09.960
 labor.

00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:11.580
 A lot of

00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.220
 people don't

00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:13.039
 think of work

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.680
 as a God-given

00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.120
 blessing,

00:18:15.240 --> 00:18:16.519
 but that's how

00:18:16.519 --> 00:18:18.039
 God originally

00:18:18.039 --> 00:18:19.200
 intended that

00:18:19.200 --> 00:18:21.319
 work be seen

00:18:21.319 --> 00:18:22.980
 and done.

00:18:24.299 --> 00:18:25.340
 Work is found

00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:25.880
 in the Bible

00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:27.299
 before sin

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:28.819
 took place,

00:18:28.819 --> 00:18:30.399
 before sin

00:18:30.399 --> 00:18:31.059
 entered the

00:18:31.059 --> 00:18:31.359
 world,

00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:32.319
 God gave

00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:32.839
 Adam and

00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:33.700
 Eve work

00:18:33.700 --> 00:18:34.159
 to do.

00:18:34.240 --> 00:18:34.740
 Look at that

00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.519
 verse 28

00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:35.819
 that we looked

00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.099
 at a while

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:36.379
 ago.

00:18:37.039 --> 00:18:37.359
 And God

00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.039
 blessed them

00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.319
 and God

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.619
 said to

00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:38.779
 them,

00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.759
 be fruitful

00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.799
 and multiply

00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.679
 and fill

00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:42.200
 the earth

00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:43.439
 and subdue

00:18:43.439 --> 00:18:43.839
 it.

00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:45.819
 Have

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:46.740
 dominion.

00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:48.740
 It takes

00:18:48.740 --> 00:18:49.139
 effort.

00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:49.939
 It takes

00:18:49.939 --> 00:18:51.200
 work to

00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.619
 do that.

00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:52.779
 If you have

00:18:52.779 --> 00:18:53.359
 any doubts,

00:18:54.039 --> 00:18:54.720
 Genesis 2,

00:18:54.720 --> 00:18:55.819
 the Lord

00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:56.639
 took the man

00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:57.099
 and put him

00:18:57.099 --> 00:18:57.720
 in the garden

00:18:57.720 --> 00:18:58.259
 of Eden

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:58.660
 2,

00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.720
 work it

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.440
 and keep

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.779
 it.

00:19:02.920 --> 00:19:03.859
 From the

00:19:03.859 --> 00:19:04.400
 very beginning,

00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:08.039
 God created

00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.799
 that first

00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:10.220
 couple with

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:10.920
 responsibility,

00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.319
 with labor,

00:19:13.980 --> 00:19:15.440
 with work

00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.279
 to do

00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.299
 to take care

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.019
 of the creation.

00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.599
 The idea

00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:20.079
 of work

00:19:20.079 --> 00:19:22.240
 being tall,

00:19:23.700 --> 00:19:25.079
 having briars

00:19:25.079 --> 00:19:25.660
 and thistles

00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.160
 and so forth,

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:26.579
 that comes

00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.519
 from Genesis 3.

00:19:28.179 --> 00:19:29.079
 Genesis 3

00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:30.339
 describes the

00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.119
 result of the

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.399
 fall.

00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:31.799
 When sin

00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.159
 entered the

00:19:32.159 --> 00:19:32.379
 world,

00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.220
 it made

00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.119
 work a

00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:34.740
 chore.

00:19:35.439 --> 00:19:35.799
 It made

00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.139
 it much

00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:36.939
 more difficult.

00:19:38.539 --> 00:19:39.279
 But work

00:19:39.279 --> 00:19:40.980
 has always

00:19:40.980 --> 00:19:42.480
 existed for

00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.119
 men and

00:19:43.119 --> 00:19:44.000
 women to

00:19:44.000 --> 00:19:44.159
 do.

00:19:44.539 --> 00:19:45.019
 It was a

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.899
 part of God's

00:19:45.899 --> 00:19:47.980
 original good

00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:49.039
 creation.

00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.099
 salvation.

00:19:50.099 --> 00:19:50.299
 Now,

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.720
 the Bible

00:19:51.720 --> 00:19:52.299
 is filled

00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:52.579
 with

00:19:52.579 --> 00:19:53.339
 statements

00:19:53.339 --> 00:19:55.359
 about the

00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:55.859
 importance

00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:57.700
 of people,

00:19:58.279 --> 00:19:59.019
 all people,

00:19:59.379 --> 00:20:00.059
 but especially

00:20:00.059 --> 00:20:01.039
 Christians,

00:20:01.440 --> 00:20:02.299
 working and

00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:03.159
 taking care of

00:20:03.159 --> 00:20:05.000
 yourself and

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.859
 your family

00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:07.000
 and not

00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.899
 looking outside

00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.720
 of yourself

00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.299
 except to

00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:11.220
 God for

00:20:11.220 --> 00:20:12.019
 what it takes

00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.200
 to make a

00:20:13.200 --> 00:20:13.420
 living.

00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:14.460
 Let me give you

00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.139
 some examples.

00:20:15.140 --> 00:20:16.160
 Paul wrote

00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.060
 this to the

00:20:17.060 --> 00:20:17.680
 Thessalonian

00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.060
 Christians.

00:20:19.020 --> 00:20:19.380
 He says,

00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:19.720
 you should

00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.300
 mind your

00:20:20.300 --> 00:20:21.060
 own business

00:20:21.060 --> 00:20:22.240
 and work

00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.580
 with your

00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.820
 hands just

00:20:23.820 --> 00:20:24.580
 as we told

00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:26.040
 you so that

00:20:26.040 --> 00:20:26.660
 your daily

00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.900
 life may win

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.800
 the respect of

00:20:28.800 --> 00:20:30.600
 outsiders and

00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:31.100
 so that you

00:20:31.100 --> 00:20:31.720
 will not be

00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.660
 dependent on

00:20:32.660 --> 00:20:33.080
 anybody.

00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.480
 It's important

00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.800
 to have a good

00:20:36.800 --> 00:20:38.060
 reputation in the

00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:39.780
 community to be

00:20:39.780 --> 00:20:41.280
 someone who works

00:20:41.280 --> 00:20:42.420
 and takes care of

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.440
 what you have,

00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.180
 takes care of

00:20:45.180 --> 00:20:45.759
 your family,

00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.539
 takes care of

00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.680
 yourself instead

00:20:47.680 --> 00:20:48.420
 of being dependent

00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.300
 on someone else.

00:20:50.300 --> 00:20:51.539
 It is important

00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:53.279
 that we as

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:54.720
 Christians look

00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.800
 to God for the

00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:57.140
 ability to

00:20:57.140 --> 00:20:57.860
 provide for

00:20:57.860 --> 00:21:00.240
 ourselves so

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:00.759
 that no one

00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.340
 else will have

00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:02.120
 the burden,

00:21:03.120 --> 00:21:03.700
 individual,

00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.420
 the community,

00:21:05.600 --> 00:21:06.140
 the government,

00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.560
 of taking care

00:21:07.560 --> 00:21:08.100
 of us.

00:21:08.880 --> 00:21:09.720
 Another example,

00:21:10.840 --> 00:21:11.580
 in 1 Timothy,

00:21:11.579 --> 00:21:12.439
 Paul writes,

00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:13.679
 but if anyone

00:21:13.679 --> 00:21:14.619
 does not provide

00:21:14.619 --> 00:21:15.059
 for his

00:21:15.059 --> 00:21:16.779
 relatives and

00:21:16.779 --> 00:21:17.699
 especially for

00:21:17.699 --> 00:21:18.539
 members of his

00:21:18.539 --> 00:21:20.079
 household, he

00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:21.279
 has denied the

00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:22.240
 faith and is

00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:24.000
 worse than an

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.439
 unbeliever.

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.199
 Here's what Paul

00:21:26.199 --> 00:21:26.619
 is saying to

00:21:26.619 --> 00:21:26.939
 Christians.

00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:28.199
 Let me qualify

00:21:28.199 --> 00:21:28.960
 this first.

00:21:32.399 --> 00:21:34.059
 If a person is

00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:35.339
 unable to work

00:21:35.339 --> 00:21:37.339
 because of health

00:21:37.339 --> 00:21:38.679
 issues, emotional

00:21:38.679 --> 00:21:41.199
 issues, there's a

00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.580
 lot of different

00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:43.660
 reasons why a

00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:45.779
 person is unable

00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:46.799
 to work.

00:21:48.580 --> 00:21:49.519
 And the Bible,

00:21:49.920 --> 00:21:50.220
 we're going to

00:21:50.220 --> 00:21:50.880
 look at this next

00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.160
 week.

00:21:51.900 --> 00:21:53.259
 The Bible charges

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.120
 us as Christians

00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:55.059
 with a responsibility

00:21:55.059 --> 00:21:56.640
 to take care of

00:21:56.640 --> 00:21:57.539
 those who through

00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:58.500
 no fault of their

00:21:58.500 --> 00:22:00.559
 own cannot take

00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:01.220
 care of themselves.

00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.880
 If a person,

00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.160
 anyone here,

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:06.400
 anyone in your

00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.400
 family, who is

00:22:07.400 --> 00:22:09.400
 truly disabled,

00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:12.519
 unable to provide

00:22:12.519 --> 00:22:13.460
 for themselves and

00:22:13.460 --> 00:22:14.040
 their families,

00:22:14.280 --> 00:22:15.280
 that is not a

00:22:15.280 --> 00:22:16.660
 reason for shame.

00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:18.660
 And Paul is not

00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.880
 trying to shame

00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:21.240
 anyone like this.

00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:25.420
 But if a person

00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:28.720
 is able, but just

00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:31.540
 not willing, and

00:22:31.540 --> 00:22:32.240
 look at this verse,

00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:33.420
 and does not provide

00:22:33.420 --> 00:22:34.780
 for his relatives and

00:22:34.779 --> 00:22:36.000
 especially for members

00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.839
 of his household,

00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:38.740
 he has denied the

00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:40.579
 faith and is worse

00:22:40.579 --> 00:22:41.259
 than an unbeliever.

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:44.899
 It is contrary to

00:22:44.899 --> 00:22:45.899
 the Christian way of

00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:48.440
 life to be lazy

00:22:48.440 --> 00:22:50.839
 and refuse to work

00:22:50.839 --> 00:22:52.000
 and provide for

00:22:52.000 --> 00:22:53.299
 yourself and your

00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:53.799
 family.

00:22:54.720 --> 00:22:55.460
 Let me put it even

00:22:55.460 --> 00:22:56.500
 more bluntly.

00:22:57.879 --> 00:22:59.460
 It is a sorry

00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:02.639
 human being who

00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:03.899
 refuses to take the

00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.880
 responsibility to

00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:05.960
 work and provide

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.860
 for himself and

00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:08.980
 his family and

00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:10.920
 expect someone else

00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.640
 to take care of

00:23:11.640 --> 00:23:11.820
 him.

00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:13.200
 It is a sorry

00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:14.400
 human being,

00:23:14.640 --> 00:23:15.259
 according to the

00:23:15.259 --> 00:23:15.920
 Apostle Paul.

00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.519
 Such a person has

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.759
 denied the faith.

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.040
 He's worse than an

00:23:21.040 --> 00:23:21.540
 unbeliever.

00:23:22.560 --> 00:23:23.640
 He's destroyed his

00:23:23.640 --> 00:23:25.000
 Christian testimony and

00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.620
 witness.

00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:26.720
 That's what Paul is

00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.380
 talking about here.

00:23:28.640 --> 00:23:29.820
 And this is not the

00:23:29.820 --> 00:23:30.380
 final word.

00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.000
 One more.

00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.840
 He wrote another

00:23:32.840 --> 00:23:33.320
 letter to the

00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.099
 Thessalonians.

00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.859
 First letter didn't

00:23:35.859 --> 00:23:36.919
 get the job done with

00:23:36.919 --> 00:23:38.639
 some of these who

00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.779
 were unwilling to

00:23:39.779 --> 00:23:40.099
 work.

00:23:41.059 --> 00:23:41.759
 For even when we

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:43.399
 were with you, we

00:23:43.399 --> 00:23:44.220
 would give you this

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.659
 command.

00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:46.399
 If anyone is not

00:23:46.399 --> 00:23:48.159
 willing to work, let

00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:49.279
 him not eat.

00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:52.480
 Now these liberal

00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:55.279
 democratic socialists,

00:23:55.819 --> 00:23:56.720
 they don't agree with

00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:56.939
 Paul.

00:23:56.940 --> 00:24:00.320
 They want you to take

00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:02.120
 your money that you

00:24:02.120 --> 00:24:03.720
 work for and give it

00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:04.480
 to those who won't

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:05.660
 work so that they will

00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.080
 not have to do

00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:06.380
 without.

00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.240
 That's not what Paul

00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:08.620
 says.

00:24:09.100 --> 00:24:10.100
 That's not biblical

00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:10.559
 teaching.

00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.960
 Again, we'll look next

00:24:12.960 --> 00:24:13.259
 week.

00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:16.019
 If people are unable,

00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:16.740
 through no fault of

00:24:16.740 --> 00:24:18.360
 their own, to provide

00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:19.480
 for themselves, they

00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.400
 should not go hungry.

00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.779
 We have a responsibility

00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:23.200
 as Christians to help

00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.059
 such people.

00:24:24.059 --> 00:24:29.119
 But here, if anyone's

00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:29.700
 not willing to work,

00:24:29.779 --> 00:24:30.379
 let him not eat.

00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.879
 For we hear that some

00:24:31.879 --> 00:24:33.179
 among you walk in

00:24:33.179 --> 00:24:34.899
 idleness, not busy at

00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:36.079
 work, but busy bodies.

00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:38.299
 Now such persons we

00:24:38.299 --> 00:24:39.980
 command and encourage

00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.659
 in the Lord Jesus

00:24:40.659 --> 00:24:42.379
 Christ to do their work

00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:44.859
 quietly and to earn

00:24:44.859 --> 00:24:46.659
 their own living.

00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:50.119
 It is vitally important

00:24:50.119 --> 00:24:52.019
 that we as Christians

00:24:52.019 --> 00:24:54.039
 understand we have a

00:24:54.039 --> 00:24:56.460
 God-given responsibility

00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:58.180
 to be productive in

00:24:58.180 --> 00:25:00.319
 this world, in our

00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:02.139
 economy, to work, to

00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:04.399
 make money, to save, to

00:25:04.399 --> 00:25:06.079
 invest, so that we'll be

00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:06.839
 able to take care of

00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.700
 ourselves and our

00:25:07.700 --> 00:25:08.259
 family.

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.500
 And it's important to

00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:11.559
 say and point out today,

00:25:11.879 --> 00:25:12.899
 take care of ourselves

00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:14.079
 when we're no longer

00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:15.619
 able to work in our old

00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:16.039
 age.

00:25:16.159 --> 00:25:17.539
 We need to have savings

00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:19.500
 and investments for that

00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:19.960
 purpose.

00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.879
 Do not expect the

00:25:21.879 --> 00:25:23.480
 government to take care of

00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:24.720
 you for the rest of your

00:25:24.720 --> 00:25:25.079
 life.

00:25:26.360 --> 00:25:26.799
 R.C.

00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:28.019
 Spurl makes an important

00:25:28.019 --> 00:25:29.339
 statement that ties

00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.019
 together with what the

00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:32.539
 Bible says about work and

00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:33.519
 the ownership of private

00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:33.900
 property.

00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:34.500
 Look at this.

00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:38.120
 The sanctity of labor is the

00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.579
 ground basis for private

00:25:39.579 --> 00:25:40.000
 property.

00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.660
 In both the Old and New

00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:43.680
 Covenants, the call to labor

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:46.180
 is an emphatic one bringing

00:25:46.180 --> 00:25:49.640
 fruit as its just reward.

00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:51.540
 We're supposed to reap the

00:25:51.540 --> 00:25:52.460
 benefits of our labor.

00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.700
 We're supposed to be able

00:25:53.700 --> 00:25:55.880
 to work and enjoy the fruit

00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:58.500
 of our labor because it's

00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.160
 ours.

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:03.660
 There's a place to give, but

00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:05.200
 there's a place to enjoy

00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:07.140
 because it's yours, because

00:26:07.140 --> 00:26:08.060
 you worked.

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.880
 That's God's economy.

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.860
 Spurl goes on.

00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:14.220
 The avoidance of labor is

00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.500
 regarded as sin.

00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:18.980
 Paul commands labor as the

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:20.819
 ethical norm.

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:24.140
 God's plan from the

00:26:24.140 --> 00:26:26.559
 beginning was for people to

00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:28.660
 work and provide for

00:26:28.660 --> 00:26:30.220
 themselves and their

00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:32.960
 families and not be dependent

00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:36.200
 on other people or society

00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:39.599
 or the government to meet

00:26:39.599 --> 00:26:40.539
 your needs.

00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.799
 Now, there's a word of

00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:45.019
 caution and order here, I

00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.779
 hope that it's not

00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:48.259
 necessary, but I want to

00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:49.779
 throw it out just in case.

00:26:50.680 --> 00:26:51.819
 We must never think of

00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.519
 ourselves as being

00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.639
 independent from God.

00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:56.019
 I want you to look at what

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:58.240
 is written in Deuteronomy

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:59.700
 chapter 8 about what we're

00:26:59.700 --> 00:27:00.240
 talking about.

00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:02.240
 But remember the Lord your

00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:04.200
 God, for it is He who

00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.839
 gives you the ability to

00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.879
 produce wealth.

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:09.319
 Then in 1 Corinthians, Paul

00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.759
 says, what do you have that

00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.539
 you do not receive?

00:27:11.879 --> 00:27:13.339
 If then you received it,

00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.960
 why do you boast as if you

00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.940
 did not receive it?

00:27:17.180 --> 00:27:18.400
 There's no place for any of

00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.120
 us in this room to be

00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.840
 prideful.

00:27:22.539 --> 00:27:23.720
 If you have thought to

00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:25.740
 yourself, I have worked

00:27:25.740 --> 00:27:28.220
 hard, I've been wise in

00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:30.799
 what I made, I've saved,

00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:35.000
 invested well, and you want

00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:36.200
 to pass yourself on the back,

00:27:36.319 --> 00:27:37.059
 don't do that.

00:27:37.059 --> 00:27:40.279
 There are people who work

00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:45.399
 harder than you, but they

00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:46.259
 haven't done as well as you

00:27:46.259 --> 00:27:46.539
 have.

00:27:50.220 --> 00:27:53.879
 For whatever reason, God

00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:55.379
 blessed you more than some

00:27:55.379 --> 00:27:57.519
 people who have greater

00:27:57.519 --> 00:27:58.399
 ability than you.

00:28:00.259 --> 00:28:01.259
 Just think about it.

00:28:01.299 --> 00:28:02.000
 Look around this room.

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:05.140
 We're all very different.

00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:07.480
 We look different.

00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.299
 We have different levels of

00:28:09.299 --> 00:28:10.579
 intelligence, different

00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:12.460
 abilities, different skills.

00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.940
 It's not a matter of who's the

00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:18.519
 smartest, the best looking,

00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:20.039
 the hardest working person

00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:21.440
 always comes out on top.

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.519
 It doesn't work that way.

00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:27.720
 So whatever it is that we

00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:30.740
 have, don't pass yourself on

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.240
 the back.

00:28:32.240 --> 00:28:33.799
 Thank God that he gave you the

00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:37.700
 wisdom, the skill, the

00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.460
 motivation.

00:28:40.359 --> 00:28:41.440
 You followed through.

00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.539
 You used your intellect.

00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:45.019
 You used your skills.

00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.799
 You acted on that motivation.

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.500
 Thank the Lord.

00:28:49.599 --> 00:28:50.680
 You were responsible.

00:28:50.680 --> 00:28:52.660
 But don't be prideful.

00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:55.600
 Don't brag on yourself.

00:28:57.740 --> 00:29:01.600
 Whatever we have, God gave it

00:29:01.600 --> 00:29:02.120
 to us.

00:29:03.100 --> 00:29:05.680
 And if you've prospered, just

00:29:05.680 --> 00:29:06.340
 thank him.

00:29:06.400 --> 00:29:08.460
 Let it be a reason to praise

00:29:08.460 --> 00:29:10.840
 him for his blessings.

00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:14.640
 But socialism, it is contrary

00:29:14.640 --> 00:29:15.460
 to God's plan.

00:29:16.940 --> 00:29:19.100
 Socialism teaches people the

00:29:19.100 --> 00:29:20.000
 opposite of what we looked at

00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:20.400
 this morning.

00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.400
 Socialism teaches people that

00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.420
 you don't have to work.

00:29:24.160 --> 00:29:26.420
 You don't have to support

00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:27.819
 yourself and your family.

00:29:29.160 --> 00:29:31.500
 Socialism says you can be

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.440
 dependent on other people.

00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:37.099
 Socialism says look to the

00:29:37.099 --> 00:29:37.539
 government.

00:29:39.779 --> 00:29:43.599
 Work for a government check is

00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:44.720
 what socialism says.

00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.880
 Socialism says it's the

00:29:47.880 --> 00:29:50.160
 government's responsibility to

00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.400
 take care of everyone.

00:29:51.400 --> 00:29:54.860
 Even if they can work.

00:29:56.000 --> 00:29:58.060
 But just choose not to.

00:29:59.980 --> 00:30:03.500
 Socialism also robs working

00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:05.860
 people of the fruit of their

00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.260
 labor.

00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:09.300
 The right to own property.

00:30:10.300 --> 00:30:12.900
 The right to have things.

00:30:13.980 --> 00:30:15.720
 The right to save and have

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.059
 money.

00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:20.579
 The right to enjoy what we

00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:20.940
 earn.

00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:24.839
 Next week we're going to look at

00:30:24.839 --> 00:30:25.700
 some of the things the Bible

00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:28.140
 says about the dangers of

00:30:28.140 --> 00:30:28.460
 wealth.

00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:30.180
 You can't cover everything in

00:30:30.180 --> 00:30:30.900
 one message.

00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.799
 But I want to make sure everybody

00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.460
 understands.

00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:36.120
 While the Bible in no way

00:30:36.120 --> 00:30:38.120
 condemns wealth.

00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:43.519
 The Bible in no way teaches us to

00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:46.579
 feel guilty if you have worked and

00:30:46.579 --> 00:30:48.739
 saved and invested well and you

00:30:48.739 --> 00:30:50.059
 have nice things.

00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.139
 That is not wrong.

00:30:51.219 --> 00:30:51.679
 It's not sinful.

00:30:53.179 --> 00:30:58.119
 But the Bible has much to say that

00:30:58.919 --> 00:31:00.819
 wealth can become our God.

00:31:00.819 --> 00:31:05.079
 We can real easily become greedy,

00:31:05.500 --> 00:31:06.839
 covetous people.

00:31:08.179 --> 00:31:10.379
 The Bible has much to say about

00:31:10.379 --> 00:31:12.819
 wealth ruining people.

00:31:14.919 --> 00:31:16.819
 Destroying Christians' homes.

00:31:19.039 --> 00:31:20.579
 Destroying our witness.

00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:23.299
 And we're also going to look at next

00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:24.539
 week about what the Bible says about

00:31:24.539 --> 00:31:27.359
 our responsibility to help those who

00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:29.460
 truly cannot work through no fault of

00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:29.840
 their own.

00:31:30.920 --> 00:31:33.240
 But today we need to understand

00:31:33.240 --> 00:31:37.620
 socialism is not a political or

00:31:37.620 --> 00:31:39.740
 economic system that will help our

00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:42.519
 country solve any problems.

00:31:43.840 --> 00:31:47.799
 Socialism is an unbiblical and

00:31:47.799 --> 00:31:49.539
 unethical political and economic

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:55.079
 system that is a real threat to our

00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:58.720
 country's survival in the future.

00:31:59.460 --> 00:32:04.140
 In time, socialism will destroy our

00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:07.100
 country's economy just like it did

00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:09.220
 Venezuela in more recent times.

00:32:11.079 --> 00:32:13.660
 It will destroy our country's economy

00:32:13.660 --> 00:32:17.100
 and our ability to provide for

00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:21.500
 ourselves and our families as God

00:32:21.500 --> 00:32:23.279
 intends and as we historically have

00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:24.340
 been able to do in this country.

00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:28.119
 We need to pray much.

00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:30.839
 We need to vote.

00:32:32.619 --> 00:32:34.799
 We need to do whatever we can to

00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:39.459
 oppose radical democratic socialism

00:32:39.459 --> 00:32:43.119
 that is the focus of today's extremely

00:32:43.119 --> 00:32:45.220
 liberal democratic party.

00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:49.179
 That's not being politically taken one

00:32:49.179 --> 00:32:49.500
 side.

00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:51.460
 That is being that is just a statement of

00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:52.019
 fact.

00:32:52.019 --> 00:32:56.160
 It is the reality that anyone can see just

00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:59.940
 by reading what the democratic party

00:32:59.940 --> 00:33:01.319
 advocates today.

00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:03.619
 What leading democrats are saying today.

00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.880
 But I want us to end on this thought.

00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:11.100
 John Frame, respected theologian.

00:33:12.100 --> 00:33:13.520
 He talks about some of the things we're

00:33:13.520 --> 00:33:15.140
 talking about today.

00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:18.060
 He talks about some of the same things

00:33:18.060 --> 00:33:19.760
 R.C. Sproul and Wayne Grudem does,

00:33:19.820 --> 00:33:20.560
 agrees with them.

00:33:22.020 --> 00:33:24.260
 But as he comes to the end, some of his

00:33:24.260 --> 00:33:27.020
 discussions about economic issues and the

00:33:27.020 --> 00:33:30.340
 dangers of socialism, he does a good job of

00:33:30.339 --> 00:33:35.339
 helping us always stay focused on the right

00:33:35.339 --> 00:33:36.959
 thing, the most important thing.

00:33:37.099 --> 00:33:37.639
 Look at this.

00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:40.319
 But what the Bible will teach us above all

00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:40.879
 is this.

00:33:41.439 --> 00:33:43.779
 We should not put our trust in government,

00:33:44.599 --> 00:33:47.799
 private industry, or economic theory,

00:33:47.980 --> 00:33:50.619
 whether capitalistic or socialistic.

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:53.659
 We should not be looking to government to

00:33:53.659 --> 00:33:56.699
 make us wealthy or to deal with the sins

00:33:56.699 --> 00:33:59.339
 that have led our nation to this point in

00:33:59.339 --> 00:33:59.659
 history.

00:34:00.319 --> 00:34:04.199
 Now, as never before, we should trust only

00:34:04.199 --> 00:34:09.480
 in the name of the Lord our God, the name

00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:11.319
 of Jesus Christ.

00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:15.619
 Government can never be our God.

00:34:15.619 --> 00:34:21.400
 But our ability to work and save and have,

00:34:22.360 --> 00:34:24.279
 we must never worship that as well.

00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:28.259
 We exist in this world as Christians

00:34:28.260 --> 00:34:32.580
 to glorify God in everything that we do.

00:34:33.580 --> 00:34:36.780
 We exist as Christians to know and do His will.

00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:41.540
 And as the economy is important, it is a

00:34:41.540 --> 00:34:42.220
 spiritual matter.

00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:48.260
 Systems like socialism, capitalism, they're

00:34:48.260 --> 00:34:49.260
 important matters.

00:34:49.260 --> 00:34:52.120
 Take this message to heart.

00:34:52.640 --> 00:34:53.420
 Act on it.

00:34:54.100 --> 00:34:55.100
 Influence others.

00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:59.980
 But when all is said and done, God is sovereign

00:34:59.980 --> 00:35:01.900
 over every nation.

00:35:02.219 --> 00:35:05.279
 The most socialistic, communistic, as well as

00:35:05.279 --> 00:35:06.679
 capitalistic nation.

00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:11.920
 And we need to be known more for our love for Him,

00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:14.719
 our commitment to all of His word,

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.739
 than anything else.

00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:22.879
 So as we go today, now as never before, trust only in the

00:35:22.879 --> 00:35:28.359
 name of the Lord our God, the name of Jesus Christ, our

00:35:28.359 --> 00:35:30.659
 Savior and our Lord.

00:35:31.159 --> 00:35:31.859
 Let's pray together.

00:35:32.739 --> 00:35:37.899
 Father, help us to see now how we should respond,

00:35:37.900 --> 00:35:46.260
 how we should be salt and light, as Jesus called us to be in this

00:35:46.260 --> 00:35:56.400
 world, concerning the election, the economy, socialism, and these

00:35:56.400 --> 00:35:56.920
 matters.

00:35:58.519 --> 00:36:04.980
 But Lord, as we do this, help us to do it in a way that you are

00:36:04.980 --> 00:36:13.460
 honored, that we demonstrate Christlike character.

00:36:15.940 --> 00:36:20.360
 That if people oppose us, they oppose us because of the truth of

00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:23.280
 your word that we proclaim.

00:36:23.280 --> 00:36:28.060
 God, Lord, we're not going to be in this world, not because of our

00:36:28.060 --> 00:36:36.880
 hard-heartedness and bitter words and just plain lack of love and

00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:37.820
 concern for others.

00:36:40.960 --> 00:36:46.200
 Lord, make it clear what you want us to dwell on right now, how you

00:36:46.200 --> 00:36:52.380
 want us to respond, and leave here being influential Christians.

00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:55.960
 about these important matters.

00:36:56.660 --> 00:36:59.260
 Let's just, in an attitude of prayer, listen to the Lord and

00:36:59.260 --> 00:36:59.920
 respond to Him.

00:36:59.920 --> 00:37:00.320
 Amen.

00:37:00.320 --> 00:37:00.920
 Amen.

00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:01.420
 Amen.

00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:01.920
 Amen.

00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:01.980
 Amen.

00:37:01.980 --> 00:37:02.040
 Amen.

00:37:02.040 --> 00:37:02.100
 Amen.

00:37:02.100 --> 00:37:02.140
 Amen.

00:37:02.140 --> 00:37:02.200
 Amen.

00:37:02.200 --> 00:37:02.260
 Amen.

00:37:02.260 --> 00:37:02.280
 Amen.

00:37:02.280 --> 00:37:02.300
 Amen.

00:37:02.300 --> 00:37:02.360
 Amen.

00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:02.380
 Amen.