WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.060 Well, this morning, I want us to talk about a problem, 00:00:05.139 --> 00:00:11.599 a major problem in this country, money problems. 00:00:13.339 --> 00:00:19.660 Many people struggle with money matters. 00:00:20.940 --> 00:00:25.240 A lot of it, really, as we're going to see here in a moment, 00:00:25.240 --> 00:00:29.620 a lot of it is with money management. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:37.500 And you see that because it happens across the board, all walks of life. 00:00:38.200 --> 00:00:45.120 Single people, I'm talking about single adults working, making good money. 00:00:46.200 --> 00:00:50.879 You see it in married couples with both of them working. 00:00:50.879 --> 00:00:59.000 You see money problems, obviously, in some people's lives who have low-paying jobs, 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:06.280 but you see it a lot in people who have high-paying jobs. 00:01:08.500 --> 00:01:12.819 And money problems is no respecter of race. 00:01:12.819 --> 00:01:21.019 There's money problems in white and black homes and every race. 00:01:21.019 --> 00:01:29.819 The source of many people's problem is not that they don't have enough money. 00:01:31.519 --> 00:01:33.159 Now, it is for some people. 00:01:33.159 --> 00:01:39.759 But the source of the problem for many people is they don't know how to manage it 00:01:39.759 --> 00:01:45.340 or they're not willing to exercise the self-control and personal discipline necessary 00:01:45.340 --> 00:01:49.299 to wisely manage their resources. 00:01:49.299 --> 00:01:58.159 As I look back on my grandparents that I grew up right beside and knew very, very well, 00:01:58.239 --> 00:02:00.280 they were like another set of parents to me. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:06.019 They never had a lot of money. 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:14.259 They both worked hard all their lives, but they both, neither one ever had high-paying jobs. 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:19.159 My grandfather had a, what you'd call a decent-paying job, 00:02:19.159 --> 00:02:23.759 and my grandmother, it was not as good as his. 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:32.259 But they never, never ceased, as far as I could tell, 00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:37.780 to live what they considered to be a comfortable life. 00:02:39.379 --> 00:02:41.239 Now, you understand what I said. 00:02:41.739 --> 00:02:46.620 They lived what I observed to be, they thought it was a comfortable life 00:02:46.620 --> 00:02:48.639 because it didn't take a whole lot to make them comfortable. 00:02:49.340 --> 00:02:52.259 It didn't take a whole lot to make them happy. 00:02:53.759 --> 00:02:59.259 They were content to work, to save, to give to their church, their family, 00:02:59.359 --> 00:03:05.479 and to neighbors in need, and to always live within their income. 00:03:05.479 --> 00:03:13.439 They lived 65 years in what, when they started out, 00:03:14.199 --> 00:03:18.199 was an old five-room frame house. 00:03:18.199 --> 00:03:24.379 They never owned two cars at the same time. 00:03:25.579 --> 00:03:27.379 They didn't take vacations. 00:03:29.919 --> 00:03:31.539 Now, I'm not exaggerating here. 00:03:32.579 --> 00:03:39.079 They always seemed to be just happy and content with who they were and what they had, 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:43.180 never complained about what they didn't have, 00:03:43.180 --> 00:03:49.420 and never said anything of a negative nature about people who had more than them, 00:03:49.500 --> 00:03:52.980 people who were obviously better off than they were. 00:03:54.620 --> 00:03:59.540 They always managed to give to people in need and just to the people they wanted to. 00:03:59.760 --> 00:04:02.800 When I was in seminary, and we were in seminary for three years, 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:08.080 every month, my grandmother sent me a letter with a $5 bill in that letter, 00:04:08.460 --> 00:04:10.840 every month for three years. 00:04:12.480 --> 00:04:15.620 And you know, even back, I know that's a long time ago, 00:04:16.939 --> 00:04:19.939 but even back then, back then, $5 was not a whole lot, 00:04:20.860 --> 00:04:24.540 but $5 meant a whole lot to us, 00:04:25.540 --> 00:04:27.600 knowing it came from Nan, 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:30.640 because she just didn't have a lot. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:33.460 It was a gift of love more than anything. 00:04:35.540 --> 00:04:37.560 My grandfather died at age 88. 00:04:38.400 --> 00:04:40.900 Three years later, my grandmother died at age 85. 00:04:42.379 --> 00:04:45.400 They had $20,000 in the bank. 00:04:46.320 --> 00:04:48.160 They had 60 acres of land. 00:04:49.160 --> 00:04:50.600 They had no debt. 00:04:50.600 --> 00:04:57.060 But their real legacy was one of love, generosity, 00:04:57.640 --> 00:05:00.439 and a model of contentment. 00:05:01.460 --> 00:05:04.340 Now, I have known of other people, 00:05:05.220 --> 00:05:07.200 and so have you, 00:05:08.040 --> 00:05:09.640 who were very wealthy, 00:05:09.879 --> 00:05:14.939 but either wouldn't or couldn't manage their money wisely. 00:05:15.620 --> 00:05:19.160 Most of you in here know who Mike Tyson is. 00:05:19.160 --> 00:05:23.420 He's a world heavyweight boxing champion. 00:05:24.439 --> 00:05:28.260 Well, he made over $400 million in his boxing career. 00:05:28.640 --> 00:05:29.800 $400 million. 00:05:30.760 --> 00:05:32.700 When he filed for bankruptcy, 00:05:33.300 --> 00:05:35.960 he owed $27 million. 00:05:38.260 --> 00:05:40.680 I know everybody here knows Willie Nelson. 00:05:42.379 --> 00:05:43.920 You were always on my mind. 00:05:44.020 --> 00:05:45.560 I could sing that for you right now. 00:05:45.560 --> 00:05:50.160 He made, I don't want to put Brian, 00:05:50.240 --> 00:05:52.079 I don't want to make him feel bad, you know, 00:05:52.220 --> 00:05:54.399 if I got up here and sang that. 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:56.920 If we have a fire, I will sing that, 00:05:56.980 --> 00:05:58.879 because that will evacuate the building very quickly. 00:05:59.920 --> 00:06:02.220 But Willie Nelson made millions of dollars 00:06:02.220 --> 00:06:05.939 during his country music hall of fame career. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:09.420 But he had to file for bankruptcy. 00:06:10.939 --> 00:06:11.519 You know why? 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:13.579 Some of you, a lot of you maybe remember, 00:06:14.459 --> 00:06:17.160 the IRS found out he didn't pay his taxes. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:22.300 He owed $16 million in back taxes in 1990. 00:06:22.779 --> 00:06:25.279 To pay it off, he released this album 00:06:25.279 --> 00:06:26.319 with the title, 00:06:26.680 --> 00:06:28.300 The IRS Tapes, 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:30.560 Who Will Buy My Memories? 00:06:30.560 --> 00:06:33.560 And he sold a lot of tapes, 00:06:33.639 --> 00:06:36.860 and every dollar went to pay his back taxes. 00:06:38.139 --> 00:06:39.720 Many people in this country 00:06:39.720 --> 00:06:44.160 who have serious financial problems 00:06:44.160 --> 00:06:46.019 work every day. 00:06:47.519 --> 00:06:50.480 Their problem is not that they don't make enough money. 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:54.399 Their problem is that they don't wisely manage 00:06:54.399 --> 00:06:55.699 the money they have. 00:06:55.699 --> 00:06:58.699 They don't discipline themselves 00:06:58.699 --> 00:07:01.360 to live within their means. 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:03.920 The book of Proverbs 00:07:03.920 --> 00:07:08.120 provides us with much wise counsel 00:07:08.120 --> 00:07:11.360 for dealing with financial issues, 00:07:11.779 --> 00:07:13.539 financial problems. 00:07:14.279 --> 00:07:15.300 In fact, this book 00:07:15.300 --> 00:07:17.620 just has a tremendous amount to say 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:19.039 about money, 00:07:19.199 --> 00:07:20.719 all aspects of money. 00:07:20.899 --> 00:07:23.019 From any angle you want to look at money 00:07:23.019 --> 00:07:23.959 and wealth, 00:07:23.959 --> 00:07:26.219 Proverbs has something to say. 00:07:26.799 --> 00:07:28.579 We have spent the past eight weeks 00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:29.319 looking at 00:07:29.319 --> 00:07:31.180 what Proverbs has to say 00:07:31.180 --> 00:07:32.120 about our speech, 00:07:32.259 --> 00:07:33.139 our words, 00:07:33.259 --> 00:07:34.459 how we use our tongue, 00:07:34.699 --> 00:07:36.000 because there's so much there 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:37.379 about that. 00:07:37.959 --> 00:07:39.939 Well, we cannot be in a study 00:07:39.939 --> 00:07:40.939 of the book of Proverbs 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:43.779 and not touch on the subject of wealth. 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:45.740 We're just going to do it in one message. 00:07:45.959 --> 00:07:47.240 I know it gets some people uptight 00:07:47.240 --> 00:07:48.279 to talk too much about money, 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:50.599 so we won't do an eight-week series now, 00:07:50.819 --> 00:07:52.099 maybe later on. 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:54.040 But this morning what I want us to do 00:07:54.040 --> 00:07:57.000 is look at what Proverbs has to say 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:00.400 in a general kind of way. 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:02.340 But I want to challenge you 00:08:02.340 --> 00:08:04.080 to read the book of Proverbs. 00:08:04.640 --> 00:08:05.900 There's 31 chapters. 00:08:06.439 --> 00:08:07.860 Read a chapter a day. 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:10.420 And as you read through it, 00:08:10.500 --> 00:08:11.220 read through it, 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:13.600 looking for what does it say 00:08:13.600 --> 00:08:15.360 about money, 00:08:15.879 --> 00:08:17.340 about material possessions, 00:08:18.060 --> 00:08:19.600 about wealth. 00:08:19.600 --> 00:08:21.740 Because you're going to find 00:08:21.740 --> 00:08:22.600 it has things in there 00:08:22.600 --> 00:08:23.980 about how to make it, 00:08:24.620 --> 00:08:25.540 how to save it, 00:08:25.980 --> 00:08:27.120 how to give it away, 00:08:28.120 --> 00:08:29.640 how to spend it. 00:08:30.600 --> 00:08:32.899 It also tells us some things 00:08:32.899 --> 00:08:35.519 about disciplining ourselves 00:08:35.519 --> 00:08:38.480 in the way that we use our money. 00:08:38.480 --> 00:08:42.000 It may be that 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:45.279 if you have some real financial problems, 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:49.139 in addition to reading the book of Proverbs, 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:52.399 you need to find some real practical help 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:54.320 by looking at some resources 00:08:54.320 --> 00:08:56.360 by somebody like Dave Ramsey. 00:08:57.800 --> 00:08:59.800 Crown Financial Ministries 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:01.259 has good material. 00:09:01.480 --> 00:09:02.360 Ron Blue. 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:05.120 There's a lot of things out there today 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:06.759 written from a Christian perspective, 00:09:06.759 --> 00:09:07.939 a biblical perspective 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:10.139 that will help a person 00:09:10.139 --> 00:09:11.840 get their spending under control, 00:09:12.100 --> 00:09:13.200 retire some debt, 00:09:13.519 --> 00:09:15.120 learn to save, invest, 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:18.179 learn to manage their money wisely. 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:20.799 And if you have that kind of issue, 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:24.819 I encourage you to find someone. 00:09:24.939 --> 00:09:26.259 It may be a friend that you know. 00:09:26.519 --> 00:09:28.039 They may have less money than you do. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:29.600 They manage it more wisely. 00:09:29.939 --> 00:09:30.639 Talk to them. 00:09:31.139 --> 00:09:32.120 Seek help. 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:35.299 But this morning, 00:09:35.799 --> 00:09:37.060 what I want us to do 00:09:37.060 --> 00:09:39.080 is look at what Proverbs has to say 00:09:39.080 --> 00:09:43.560 about money in terms of valuing it. 00:09:44.539 --> 00:09:46.039 We ought to value money. 00:09:47.039 --> 00:09:48.980 But also, we're going to see 00:09:48.980 --> 00:09:50.759 there's some warnings 00:09:50.759 --> 00:09:51.840 about what we do with money. 00:09:52.440 --> 00:09:54.820 There's even some dangers about money 00:09:54.820 --> 00:09:56.519 found in Proverbs. 00:09:57.200 --> 00:09:58.919 So, let's look at it. 00:09:58.919 --> 00:10:00.259 Let's look first of all 00:10:00.259 --> 00:10:01.879 at the value of money. 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:03.479 And I want to say 00:10:03.479 --> 00:10:04.419 at the very beginning, 00:10:05.559 --> 00:10:07.539 money has value. 00:10:08.039 --> 00:10:09.539 And it's just foolish 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:12.659 for some people, 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:13.439 some Christians, 00:10:13.599 --> 00:10:14.279 well-meaning, 00:10:14.699 --> 00:10:15.719 to say things like, 00:10:15.819 --> 00:10:17.399 well, money doesn't matter to me. 00:10:18.620 --> 00:10:19.819 The Bible teaches 00:10:19.819 --> 00:10:21.120 that money matters. 00:10:22.199 --> 00:10:24.199 It has value. 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:26.879 Money is an important part 00:10:26.879 --> 00:10:27.519 of our lives. 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:28.799 In order for you to continue 00:10:28.799 --> 00:10:30.419 living where you're living, 00:10:31.220 --> 00:10:32.480 you've got to have money. 00:10:33.320 --> 00:10:34.019 You've got to either 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:34.980 make a house payment 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.960 or you're going to pay rent. 00:10:37.700 --> 00:10:38.879 If you've already paid 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.659 your house off, 00:10:39.860 --> 00:10:41.100 you've still got to pay 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:42.240 your utility bills. 00:10:42.720 --> 00:10:44.279 You've still got to maintain 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:44.820 that home. 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:46.340 There's going to be repairs 00:10:46.340 --> 00:10:47.740 that you have to make. 00:10:49.100 --> 00:10:51.100 If your car breaks down today, 00:10:51.700 --> 00:10:53.759 you're going to need money 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:55.720 to get it repaired. 00:10:55.720 --> 00:10:57.399 You've got to go to work. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.399 You've got to go to school. 00:10:58.560 --> 00:10:59.820 You've got places to go 00:10:59.820 --> 00:11:01.080 and you need that car. 00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:03.840 So you've got to get it repaired. 00:11:05.139 --> 00:11:07.259 If your oven goes out today, 00:11:07.379 --> 00:11:08.580 many families won't know it 00:11:08.580 --> 00:11:09.259 for a month. 00:11:13.399 --> 00:11:14.420 And that, 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:17.180 eating out all the time, 00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:21.080 may be contributing 00:11:21.080 --> 00:11:22.800 to some money problems. 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:27.079 The writers of Proverbs 00:11:27.079 --> 00:11:30.019 understood the importance 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:32.559 of money or wealth 00:11:32.559 --> 00:11:34.059 as it's sometimes referred to. 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:37.199 And they made several observations 00:11:37.199 --> 00:11:38.979 about its value. 00:11:39.839 --> 00:11:40.939 That's what we're going to look at now. 00:11:41.319 --> 00:11:43.399 I want you to look at several things 00:11:43.399 --> 00:11:44.779 that Proverbs says 00:11:44.779 --> 00:11:46.819 that talks about money 00:11:46.819 --> 00:11:47.740 in a positive way. 00:11:47.740 --> 00:11:50.180 It's a valuable thing. 00:11:50.899 --> 00:11:51.419 Number one, 00:11:52.060 --> 00:11:53.180 money can be used 00:11:53.180 --> 00:11:54.139 to honor God. 00:11:54.139 --> 00:11:56.600 I want you to look at Proverbs 3, 00:11:56.659 --> 00:11:57.720 verses 9 and 10. 00:11:58.560 --> 00:12:00.180 Honor the Lord with your wealth 00:12:00.180 --> 00:12:02.139 and with the first fruits 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:03.340 of all your produce. 00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.840 Then your barns 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:06.060 will be filled with plenty 00:12:06.060 --> 00:12:07.019 and your vats 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:08.620 will be bursting with wine. 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:11.340 We looked at that in detail 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:12.139 back in November. 00:12:12.139 --> 00:12:12.659 November. 00:12:14.179 --> 00:12:15.860 But I want you to notice that 00:12:15.860 --> 00:12:16.740 and understand that 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:17.819 everything the Bible says 00:12:17.819 --> 00:12:19.319 about the positive use 00:12:19.319 --> 00:12:20.340 of our wealth 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:23.399 talks about putting God 00:12:23.399 --> 00:12:24.620 first with it. 00:12:25.919 --> 00:12:26.939 Honoring God 00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:28.759 with our wealth. 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:31.059 Giving to God 00:12:31.059 --> 00:12:32.299 should be our first 00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:34.159 financial priority. 00:12:35.600 --> 00:12:37.080 Anyplace you look in Scripture 00:12:37.080 --> 00:12:38.299 and find something 00:12:38.299 --> 00:12:39.819 about our money, 00:12:39.960 --> 00:12:40.439 our wealth, 00:12:40.440 --> 00:12:41.240 our material things. 00:12:41.320 --> 00:12:42.660 What God gives us. 00:12:43.320 --> 00:12:44.420 We need to acknowledge Him 00:12:44.420 --> 00:12:45.520 as the source of it 00:12:45.520 --> 00:12:47.440 and we need to honor Him 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:49.220 by giving back to Him 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.860 a portion of it. 00:12:51.560 --> 00:12:52.360 But we've looked at that 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:53.680 in detail in days gone by 00:12:53.680 --> 00:12:55.020 so let's move on this morning. 00:12:55.580 --> 00:12:57.000 Look more broadly 00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:57.720 at the subject. 00:12:57.880 --> 00:12:58.260 Number two, 00:12:58.840 --> 00:12:59.920 money can keep us 00:12:59.920 --> 00:13:01.280 from living in poverty 00:13:01.280 --> 00:13:03.680 which can become 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:04.820 a stumbling block 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:06.020 to a right relationship 00:13:06.020 --> 00:13:06.760 with God 00:13:06.760 --> 00:13:07.880 and I want to add 00:13:07.880 --> 00:13:09.900 and to other people. 00:13:10.440 --> 00:13:12.660 money is good. 00:13:13.660 --> 00:13:15.640 It can help us avoid 00:13:15.640 --> 00:13:17.480 living in poverty. 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:19.240 Look at what it says 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:21.100 in Proverbs chapter 30 00:13:21.100 --> 00:13:22.360 verses 7 through 9. 00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:25.680 Two things I ask of you Lord. 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.640 Do not refuse me 00:13:27.640 --> 00:13:28.520 before I die. 00:13:29.680 --> 00:13:31.140 Keep falsehood 00:13:31.140 --> 00:13:32.560 and lies 00:13:32.560 --> 00:13:34.180 far from me. 00:13:34.179 --> 00:13:36.120 We know 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.719 that's important. 00:13:38.719 --> 00:13:39.659 We know that's 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:40.479 an important prayer. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:42.079 Hopefully we have prayed 00:13:42.079 --> 00:13:43.399 something like that. 00:13:44.479 --> 00:13:45.439 But look at the next. 00:13:46.719 --> 00:13:48.519 Give me neither poverty 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:50.659 nor riches 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:53.239 but give me only 00:13:53.239 --> 00:13:54.839 my daily bread. 00:13:54.840 --> 00:13:58.480 I bet a lot of us 00:13:58.480 --> 00:13:58.759 in here 00:13:58.759 --> 00:13:59.580 we have prayed 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:00.500 something along 00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.540 the lines of 00:14:01.540 --> 00:14:02.580 Lord 00:14:02.580 --> 00:14:04.000 keep me out of poverty. 00:14:05.560 --> 00:14:06.780 Give me this. 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:07.879 Meet my needs. 00:14:08.160 --> 00:14:08.920 But how many of us 00:14:08.920 --> 00:14:09.759 have ever prayed 00:14:09.759 --> 00:14:11.440 give me neither poverty 00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:13.580 nor riches 00:14:13.580 --> 00:14:18.580 but give me only 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:19.480 my daily bread. 00:14:20.280 --> 00:14:20.860 Verse 9 00:14:20.860 --> 00:14:21.340 move on. 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.220 Otherwise 00:14:22.220 --> 00:14:24.740 I may have too much 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.460 and disown you 00:14:26.460 --> 00:14:27.580 and say 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:29.320 who is the Lord 00:14:29.320 --> 00:14:31.519 or I may become 00:14:31.519 --> 00:14:33.120 poor and still 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:35.100 and so dishonor 00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:36.360 the name of my God. 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.379 We're going to come back 00:14:38.379 --> 00:14:39.139 to this verse 00:14:39.139 --> 00:14:40.759 later in this message 00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:42.879 and look at that part 00:14:42.879 --> 00:14:44.279 that says 00:14:44.279 --> 00:14:45.600 give me neither poverty 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.700 nor riches 00:14:46.700 --> 00:14:48.700 but only my daily bread. 00:14:49.600 --> 00:14:50.420 But right now 00:14:50.420 --> 00:14:50.920 I want us to look 00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:51.980 at that other part. 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:54.139 Give me 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:55.980 neither poverty 00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:58.800 and look at the last line. 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.519 Or I may become 00:15:01.519 --> 00:15:03.639 poor and still 00:15:03.639 --> 00:15:06.259 and so dishonor 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.899 the name of my God. 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.560 Now I want to make 00:15:09.560 --> 00:15:10.540 something real clear here. 00:15:11.660 --> 00:15:13.060 The writer is not 00:15:13.060 --> 00:15:14.680 even implying 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:16.639 that most poor people 00:15:16.639 --> 00:15:17.879 are thieves. 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.940 Some of the most godly 00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:22.640 and honest people 00:15:22.640 --> 00:15:23.820 in the world 00:15:23.820 --> 00:15:25.520 are poor. 00:15:25.520 --> 00:15:27.400 In fact scripture 00:15:27.400 --> 00:15:28.680 repeatedly 00:15:28.680 --> 00:15:30.120 tells us 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:31.620 God has a special place 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.160 in his heart 00:15:32.160 --> 00:15:33.280 for the poor. 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:35.180 And we're supposed to. 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.940 We're supposed to be generous. 00:15:38.060 --> 00:15:38.800 We're supposed to meet 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:40.040 the needs of those 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:40.960 who are poor. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:42.980 So this is not talking about 00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:43.900 poor people 00:15:43.900 --> 00:15:44.940 are dishonest. 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:46.000 but 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:48.680 let's don't miss the point. 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:51.180 Living in poverty 00:15:51.180 --> 00:15:53.440 can tempt someone 00:15:53.440 --> 00:15:55.000 to be dishonest 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:56.380 to cheat 00:15:56.380 --> 00:15:57.860 or to steal. 00:15:58.140 --> 00:15:59.120 And you think about it. 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:02.320 If your children 00:16:02.320 --> 00:16:03.040 are hungry 00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:06.060 your children 00:16:06.060 --> 00:16:06.760 don't have 00:16:06.760 --> 00:16:08.180 adequate clothes 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:08.600 don't have 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:10.000 a heavy coat 00:16:10.000 --> 00:16:10.680 to wear to school 00:16:10.680 --> 00:16:11.240 this week 00:16:11.240 --> 00:16:11.900 when it gets down 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.919 in the low 20's 00:16:12.919 --> 00:16:16.899 if your children 00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:18.699 do not have 00:16:18.699 --> 00:16:20.319 any heat 00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:21.179 in their home 00:16:21.179 --> 00:16:23.819 there would be 00:16:23.819 --> 00:16:24.759 a great temptation 00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.740 to steal 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:27.379 to lie 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:28.480 to cheat 00:16:28.480 --> 00:16:29.360 to do whatever 00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.000 you could 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.340 to keep your hungry 00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:32.500 child from starving 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:34.079 to keep your 00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:35.720 cold child 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.919 or spouse 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:39.139 from being cold. 00:16:39.139 --> 00:16:41.100 that's just 00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:42.179 common sense. 00:16:43.039 --> 00:16:43.819 When things 00:16:43.819 --> 00:16:44.779 get bad 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:45.840 there's all kinds 00:16:45.840 --> 00:16:46.720 of temptations 00:16:46.720 --> 00:16:48.840 even honest 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.399 people 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:51.539 to steal 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:53.740 when necessary 00:16:53.740 --> 00:16:54.720 to meet 00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.340 some needs. 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:55.960 And so this is 00:16:55.960 --> 00:16:56.559 legitimate 00:16:56.559 --> 00:16:57.539 prayer. 00:16:59.259 --> 00:17:00.100 He's saying 00:17:00.100 --> 00:17:00.620 here we should 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.039 pray 00:17:01.039 --> 00:17:01.679 that we don't 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.539 live in poverty 00:17:02.539 --> 00:17:04.139 and the idea 00:17:04.139 --> 00:17:04.720 is writing 00:17:04.720 --> 00:17:05.619 to God's people 00:17:05.619 --> 00:17:06.599 because we don't 00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:07.240 want to dishonor 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:07.720 the Lord. 00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:10.040 We don't want 00:17:10.040 --> 00:17:10.860 to be unfaithful 00:17:10.860 --> 00:17:11.320 to Him 00:17:11.320 --> 00:17:12.740 and we don't 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.600 want to defraud 00:17:13.600 --> 00:17:14.520 people. 00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.600 Money can keep 00:17:16.600 --> 00:17:17.020 us from living 00:17:17.020 --> 00:17:17.800 in poverty. 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.900 That's good. 00:17:20.680 --> 00:17:21.700 Number three 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:23.280 money used 00:17:23.280 --> 00:17:23.940 correctly 00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.600 can lead 00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.660 to a life 00:17:25.660 --> 00:17:26.660 of blessing. 00:17:27.540 --> 00:17:28.380 Look at this 00:17:28.380 --> 00:17:28.980 from Proverbs 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.480 11 00:17:29.480 --> 00:17:31.140 One man 00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:32.160 gives freely 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:34.020 yet gains 00:17:34.020 --> 00:17:34.740 even more. 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:35.440 Another 00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:36.420 withholds 00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:37.080 unduly 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:38.080 but comes 00:17:38.080 --> 00:17:38.759 to poverty. 00:17:39.140 --> 00:17:40.100 A generous 00:17:40.100 --> 00:17:40.759 man will 00:17:40.759 --> 00:17:41.420 prosper. 00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:42.620 He who 00:17:42.620 --> 00:17:43.280 refreshes 00:17:43.280 --> 00:17:43.680 others 00:17:43.680 --> 00:17:44.759 will himself 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.600 be refreshed. 00:17:46.500 --> 00:17:47.360 People curse 00:17:47.360 --> 00:17:47.860 the man 00:17:47.860 --> 00:17:48.800 who hoards 00:17:48.800 --> 00:17:49.540 grain 00:17:49.540 --> 00:17:51.440 but blessing 00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:52.580 crowns him 00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.240 who is willing 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:53.820 to sell. 00:17:54.680 --> 00:17:55.360 This is similar 00:17:55.360 --> 00:17:55.840 to the law 00:17:55.840 --> 00:17:56.500 of the harvest. 00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:58.280 We reap 00:17:58.280 --> 00:17:59.759 what we sow. 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.380 You understand 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:03.620 Proverbs 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.380 not promises. 00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.280 Proverbs 00:18:05.280 --> 00:18:06.580 are general 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:07.140 statements 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:07.960 of how life 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.900 normally 00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.800 works. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.160 And the 00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:12.660 general 00:18:12.660 --> 00:18:14.140 teaching here 00:18:14.140 --> 00:18:14.880 is God 00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.020 blesses 00:18:16.020 --> 00:18:17.000 generosity. 00:18:19.480 --> 00:18:20.420 Generous 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.020 people 00:18:21.020 --> 00:18:22.340 often 00:18:22.340 --> 00:18:23.520 prosper 00:18:23.520 --> 00:18:25.340 in all 00:18:25.340 --> 00:18:26.060 kinds of 00:18:26.060 --> 00:18:26.660 ways. 00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.940 They develop 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.820 more wealth. 00:18:30.300 --> 00:18:31.280 They develop 00:18:31.280 --> 00:18:32.400 good relationships. 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:34.720 look at the 00:18:34.720 --> 00:18:35.360 passage there. 00:18:36.560 --> 00:18:37.280 He's talking 00:18:37.280 --> 00:18:37.940 about someone 00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:39.080 who's been 00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:39.900 blessed and 00:18:39.900 --> 00:18:40.320 they're not 00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:41.000 stingy. 00:18:41.080 --> 00:18:41.400 They don't 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:42.100 hoard what 00:18:42.100 --> 00:18:43.080 they have. 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.460 They're willing 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:45.180 to give 00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:46.240 or sell. 00:18:46.620 --> 00:18:46.940 They're willing 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:47.400 to meet 00:18:47.400 --> 00:18:48.460 people's needs 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.240 as they 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:50.120 can. 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:52.640 Some of 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:54.519 the wealthiest 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:54.980 people, 00:18:55.300 --> 00:18:55.640 some of the 00:18:55.640 --> 00:18:56.120 wealthiest 00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:57.160 Christians that I 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:57.840 have ever known 00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.640 over the years 00:18:58.640 --> 00:19:00.420 were very, 00:19:00.540 --> 00:19:01.200 very generous. 00:19:02.640 --> 00:19:03.420 I've known 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:04.500 some men 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.220 in particular 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:06.300 that God 00:19:06.300 --> 00:19:06.660 has just 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.900 blessed them 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:09.860 in what 00:19:09.860 --> 00:19:10.460 they did. 00:19:10.820 --> 00:19:11.340 Their goal 00:19:11.340 --> 00:19:11.800 in life 00:19:11.800 --> 00:19:12.380 was not just 00:19:12.380 --> 00:19:13.120 to be rich. 00:19:13.600 --> 00:19:14.140 Their goal 00:19:14.140 --> 00:19:14.800 in life 00:19:14.800 --> 00:19:15.400 was to do 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.000 something, 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:17.280 one particular 00:19:17.280 --> 00:19:18.200 job, 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:19.380 this career 00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:19.940 path they 00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:20.259 took, 00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:22.000 and God 00:19:22.000 --> 00:19:22.800 blessed them 00:19:22.800 --> 00:19:24.120 with real 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.680 wealth. 00:19:25.680 --> 00:19:26.080 And these 00:19:26.080 --> 00:19:26.500 men I'm 00:19:26.500 --> 00:19:27.100 thinking about, 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:28.019 they were 00:19:28.019 --> 00:19:29.139 serious-minded 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:29.619 Christians. 00:19:29.819 --> 00:19:30.159 They truly 00:19:30.159 --> 00:19:30.699 loved the 00:19:30.699 --> 00:19:30.959 Lord. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.459 They looked 00:19:31.459 --> 00:19:31.740 at what 00:19:31.740 --> 00:19:32.319 they had. 00:19:32.459 --> 00:19:32.799 It was a 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.579 blessing from 00:19:33.579 --> 00:19:33.899 Him. 00:19:35.079 --> 00:19:35.419 And they 00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:35.859 sought to 00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.339 bless as 00:19:36.339 --> 00:19:36.899 many people 00:19:36.899 --> 00:19:37.179 as they, 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.559 let me 00:19:37.559 --> 00:19:38.099 rephrase it. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:38.859 They sought 00:19:38.859 --> 00:19:39.519 to bless 00:19:39.519 --> 00:19:41.159 other people 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:42.379 that were 00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:43.319 obviously in 00:19:43.319 --> 00:19:43.879 need. 00:19:45.359 --> 00:19:46.279 They were a 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.939 blessing a lot 00:19:46.939 --> 00:19:47.659 of times behind 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.459 the scene. 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.339 And I truly 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.359 believe you 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:51.959 can see in 00:19:51.959 --> 00:19:52.519 their lives 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.039 how God 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:54.019 blessed them 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.039 and used 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:56.419 them to touch 00:19:56.419 --> 00:19:56.740 some 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.779 children's 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.160 homes, 00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:58.680 for an 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.019 example, 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.759 to touch 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:01.839 some single 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:03.599 parents who 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:04.420 needed help 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:06.380 to do some 00:20:06.380 --> 00:20:06.960 things for 00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:08.200 their church 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:09.880 that they 00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:10.660 could do 00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:10.980 and the 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.519 church could 00:20:11.519 --> 00:20:12.880 benefit from. 00:20:14.319 --> 00:20:15.079 Money, 00:20:15.740 --> 00:20:16.140 as you see 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:16.339 that, 00:20:16.460 --> 00:20:17.420 used correctly 00:20:17.420 --> 00:20:19.480 can lead to 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:20.220 a life of 00:20:20.220 --> 00:20:20.960 blessing for 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:21.519 the one who 00:20:21.519 --> 00:20:22.059 has it, 00:20:23.059 --> 00:20:24.279 but oftentimes 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.779 it's a life 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.420 of blessing 00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:26.859 for the one 00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:27.539 who has it 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:29.119 because he's 00:20:29.119 --> 00:20:29.579 willing or 00:20:29.579 --> 00:20:30.220 she's willing 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.740 to be a 00:20:30.740 --> 00:20:31.379 blessing to 00:20:31.379 --> 00:20:32.059 other people. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:33.980 Number four, 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:34.859 money can 00:20:34.859 --> 00:20:35.539 give us a 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.579 certain degree 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.740 of security. 00:20:38.599 --> 00:20:39.259 We're going to 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.879 come back to 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:40.539 this idea about 00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.319 security in a 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:41.960 minute, but I 00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.200 want you to 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:42.579 look at it. 00:20:42.879 --> 00:20:43.420 Money can 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:44.099 give us a 00:20:44.099 --> 00:20:44.920 certain degree 00:20:44.920 --> 00:20:45.599 of security. 00:20:45.819 --> 00:20:46.160 Look in 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:46.879 chapter 10, 00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.700 verse 15. 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:49.000 The wealth 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:50.080 of the rich 00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:51.059 is their 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:52.420 fortified city, 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.900 but poverty 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:56.019 is the ruin 00:20:56.019 --> 00:20:57.340 of the poor. 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.400 The wealth 00:20:59.400 --> 00:21:00.240 of the rich 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:02.140 is their 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:03.720 fortified city. 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.279 It's talking 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:06.700 about somebody 00:21:07.319 --> 00:21:08.539 who has money 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.240 because they've 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.380 saved, they've 00:21:10.380 --> 00:21:11.720 invested, they've 00:21:11.720 --> 00:21:12.920 managed it well. 00:21:13.759 --> 00:21:14.279 We need to learn 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.000 to save for both 00:21:15.000 --> 00:21:15.880 short-term and 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.700 long-term need. 00:21:17.700 --> 00:21:20.580 It's a blessing 00:21:20.580 --> 00:21:21.799 for you to so 00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.400 manage your 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:24.000 money that when 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.620 an emergency 00:21:24.620 --> 00:21:26.940 arises, you've 00:21:26.940 --> 00:21:27.799 got the money 00:21:27.799 --> 00:21:29.759 to pay for it, 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:31.180 to take care of 00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.600 the need. 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.940 It is a blessing 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:34.819 for you to save 00:21:34.819 --> 00:21:36.980 and have a 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.039 retirement account 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:40.100 building up so 00:21:40.100 --> 00:21:40.660 that when the day 00:21:40.660 --> 00:21:41.279 comes and you 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:43.620 can't work, you 00:21:43.620 --> 00:21:45.160 will have a way 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:47.220 to have a living, 00:21:47.220 --> 00:21:48.019 to have your 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:49.400 needs met. 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.380 These kinds 00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.140 of things, 00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.579 that's the kind 00:21:54.579 --> 00:21:55.420 of security 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:57.620 that money 00:21:57.620 --> 00:21:58.799 can provide 00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:00.100 for us. 00:22:00.860 --> 00:22:01.360 But hold that 00:22:01.360 --> 00:22:01.740 thought. 00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:03.039 That's not the 00:22:03.039 --> 00:22:03.940 last thing Proverbs 00:22:03.940 --> 00:22:04.759 says along this 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.079 line. 00:22:06.120 --> 00:22:06.839 Proverbs teaches 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:07.420 us that it's 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:08.380 wise for us to 00:22:08.380 --> 00:22:09.400 value money 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.839 and wealth 00:22:10.839 --> 00:22:12.380 to a degree 00:22:12.380 --> 00:22:14.080 because it 00:22:14.080 --> 00:22:14.660 does have an 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:15.440 important place 00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.260 in our lives. 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:17.880 We need to 00:22:17.880 --> 00:22:18.700 value money 00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:20.540 enough to 00:22:20.540 --> 00:22:21.240 see it as a 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:22.320 precious resource. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.120 Something not 00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:26.220 to squander. 00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.720 Something not 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.840 to just take 00:22:28.840 --> 00:22:29.420 lightly. 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.760 Something that 00:22:30.760 --> 00:22:31.360 needs to be 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:33.360 managed well, 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:35.060 managed wisely. 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:37.200 If you just 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.659 read through the 00:22:37.659 --> 00:22:38.259 book of Proverbs 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.599 you're going to 00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.379 see things like 00:22:39.379 --> 00:22:40.079 the importance 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.919 of working 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:44.039 and acquiring 00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:45.960 money or wealth 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.659 honestly. 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:47.859 We're not going 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.500 to go, we're not 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:48.960 going to spend a 00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.579 whole week on 00:22:49.579 --> 00:22:50.079 this or anything 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.619 like this. 00:22:52.059 --> 00:22:52.799 Proverbs has a 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.500 lot to say, 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:54.519 just absolutely 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.319 condemning 00:22:55.319 --> 00:22:56.319 laziness. 00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:58.819 Referring to such 00:22:58.819 --> 00:22:59.720 person as a 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:00.579 sluggard. 00:23:00.579 --> 00:23:03.779 You don't 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.220 want to be 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:05.720 known as a 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.799 sluggard type 00:23:06.799 --> 00:23:07.259 person. 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:07.879 You don't 00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.159 want to be 00:23:08.159 --> 00:23:08.659 lazy. 00:23:09.799 --> 00:23:10.079 You don't 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:10.619 want to be a 00:23:10.619 --> 00:23:12.220 bum who 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:12.859 refuses to 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.799 take responsibility 00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:15.059 to work, 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:15.799 to save, 00:23:15.919 --> 00:23:16.539 to try to 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.159 take care of 00:23:17.159 --> 00:23:18.019 yourself and 00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.879 your family and 00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:19.879 your needs. 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:23.799 God made 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:25.980 us in such 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.519 a way in 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.679 His image to 00:23:27.679 --> 00:23:28.639 be responsible. 00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.339 to manage 00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.759 His creation, 00:23:32.939 --> 00:23:33.679 to manage our 00:23:33.679 --> 00:23:34.419 own resources 00:23:34.419 --> 00:23:36.539 and with 00:23:36.539 --> 00:23:37.419 dependence upon 00:23:37.419 --> 00:23:39.159 Him, provide 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:39.819 for ourselves 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.159 and our 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:40.619 families. 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.639 That is 00:23:41.639 --> 00:23:42.159 important. 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.159 We need to 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:43.960 learn to work, 00:23:44.299 --> 00:23:45.379 to work and 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:45.939 make money 00:23:45.939 --> 00:23:46.539 honestly. 00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.039 We need to 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.720 learn to save, 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.399 to invest it 00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:48.819 wisely. 00:23:49.179 --> 00:23:49.519 We need to 00:23:49.519 --> 00:23:49.939 learn to be 00:23:49.939 --> 00:23:51.819 generous in 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.659 giving to God 00:23:52.659 --> 00:23:53.379 and to people 00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:54.199 in need. 00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:56.019 We need to 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.839 learn to spend 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.699 what we spend 00:23:57.699 --> 00:23:58.699 wisely. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:23:59.679 We need to 00:23:59.679 --> 00:24:00.419 know when to 00:24:00.420 --> 00:24:03.180 borrow cautiously 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:05.480 and wisely. 00:24:06.860 --> 00:24:07.539 Debt is a 00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:07.920 trap. 00:24:09.240 --> 00:24:10.440 Debt is 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.960 part of the 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:12.660 reasons why 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:13.019 people are 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:13.460 having so many 00:24:13.460 --> 00:24:14.480 money problems, 00:24:14.600 --> 00:24:15.360 living above 00:24:15.360 --> 00:24:16.160 their means. 00:24:16.539 --> 00:24:17.720 Proverbs warns 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.340 us, God's 00:24:18.340 --> 00:24:19.820 word warns us 00:24:19.820 --> 00:24:20.740 about such 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:21.259 things. 00:24:22.380 --> 00:24:23.160 I want to be 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.539 clear. 00:24:24.580 --> 00:24:25.340 God does not 00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:25.900 condemn the 00:24:25.900 --> 00:24:26.800 accumulation of 00:24:26.800 --> 00:24:27.140 wealth. 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:27.280 wealth. 00:24:28.080 --> 00:24:29.040 God does not 00:24:29.040 --> 00:24:30.080 condemn wealthy 00:24:30.080 --> 00:24:30.620 people. 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:32.759 But he does 00:24:32.759 --> 00:24:33.720 hold all of us 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.780 responsible for 00:24:34.780 --> 00:24:35.540 what he gives 00:24:35.540 --> 00:24:35.960 us. 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:37.540 He holds us 00:24:37.540 --> 00:24:38.500 responsible for 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:40.220 the wealth that 00:24:40.220 --> 00:24:40.980 he entrusts to 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.460 our care. 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.500 He expects us to 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.500 be good stewards, 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:45.440 good managers. 00:24:46.120 --> 00:24:46.600 I want you to 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:47.080 look at what I 00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.780 think is sort of 00:24:47.779 --> 00:24:49.740 a summary statement 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:51.519 of how we 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.399 should think of 00:24:52.399 --> 00:24:53.119 wealth and 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.940 wealthy people. 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:55.200 In 1 Timothy 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:56.399 chapter 6, 00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.500 Paul is 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.139 writing to 00:24:58.139 --> 00:24:58.559 Timothy, 00:24:59.359 --> 00:25:00.200 who is sort of 00:25:00.200 --> 00:25:02.139 the overseer of 00:25:02.139 --> 00:25:02.819 the church at 00:25:02.819 --> 00:25:03.420 Ephesus, 00:25:03.799 --> 00:25:04.579 that obviously 00:25:04.579 --> 00:25:05.379 has some 00:25:05.379 --> 00:25:06.119 wealthy people 00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.579 in it. 00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.240 Look at what 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.680 he says. 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:09.340 As for the 00:25:09.340 --> 00:25:09.900 rich in this 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.900 present age, 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.600 charge them 00:25:12.600 --> 00:25:13.279 not to be 00:25:13.279 --> 00:25:14.279 haughty, 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:16.259 nor to set 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.320 their hopes 00:25:17.320 --> 00:25:18.480 on the 00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.820 uncertainty of 00:25:19.820 --> 00:25:20.279 riches, 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:22.460 but on God 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.920 who richly 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.880 provides us 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:25.560 with everything 00:25:25.560 --> 00:25:26.920 to enjoy. 00:25:28.360 --> 00:25:29.240 Notice that. 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.920 Just stop for a 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.100 moment. 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:33.060 Rich people 00:25:33.060 --> 00:25:34.820 should not be 00:25:34.820 --> 00:25:35.700 prideful, 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:37.299 should not 00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.860 put their 00:25:37.860 --> 00:25:39.019 hope on the 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:39.860 uncertainty of 00:25:39.860 --> 00:25:40.299 riches. 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.160 Our hope 00:25:42.160 --> 00:25:42.660 should be on 00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.779 God, the 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.080 one who 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:44.880 provides us 00:25:44.880 --> 00:25:45.220 with the 00:25:45.220 --> 00:25:45.580 riches. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.279 But look, 00:25:47.640 --> 00:25:48.340 he provides 00:25:48.340 --> 00:25:48.980 us with these 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:50.039 things to 00:25:50.039 --> 00:25:50.880 enjoy. 00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:53.860 If you 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:55.000 work, you 00:25:55.000 --> 00:25:55.740 have income, 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.420 you invest, 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.180 you have income, 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.059 however it is, 00:26:00.600 --> 00:26:01.660 there's nothing 00:26:01.660 --> 00:26:02.400 wrong with 00:26:02.400 --> 00:26:03.620 using it wisely, 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.580 spending it, 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:06.179 and enjoying 00:26:06.179 --> 00:26:08.399 what, the 00:26:08.399 --> 00:26:08.879 things that 00:26:08.879 --> 00:26:09.639 money can 00:26:09.639 --> 00:26:09.960 buy. 00:26:10.539 --> 00:26:11.240 That's not 00:26:11.240 --> 00:26:11.839 wrong. 00:26:12.179 --> 00:26:12.799 That's not 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.379 sinful. 00:26:14.339 --> 00:26:14.980 We shouldn't 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:15.579 have to 00:26:15.579 --> 00:26:17.879 explain every 00:26:17.879 --> 00:26:18.519 dollar we 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.179 spend, 00:26:20.179 --> 00:26:21.519 especially on 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:21.960 something that 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.699 might bring us 00:26:22.699 --> 00:26:24.059 joy or 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:24.819 pleasure, or 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.480 someone else's 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.399 joy or 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:26.879 pleasure. 00:26:27.659 --> 00:26:28.379 God gives 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:29.679 us, richly 00:26:29.679 --> 00:26:30.599 provides us with 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:31.619 everything to 00:26:31.619 --> 00:26:32.359 enjoy. 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:34.559 But look at 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:35.019 the rest of 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.179 it. 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.740 Talking about 00:26:37.740 --> 00:26:38.059 people who 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:38.659 have something, 00:26:38.899 --> 00:26:39.419 and in light 00:26:39.419 --> 00:26:39.979 of the world, 00:26:40.099 --> 00:26:40.699 that's all of 00:26:40.699 --> 00:26:41.259 us in here, 00:26:41.319 --> 00:26:41.740 by the way. 00:26:42.819 --> 00:26:43.399 They are to 00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:45.240 do good, to 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:46.119 be rich in 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:48.879 good works, to 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.899 be generous and 00:26:49.899 --> 00:26:51.039 ready to share, 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.219 thus storing up 00:26:53.219 --> 00:26:54.139 treasure for 00:26:54.139 --> 00:26:55.659 themselves as a 00:26:55.659 --> 00:26:56.579 good foundation 00:26:56.579 --> 00:26:57.679 for the future. 00:26:58.159 --> 00:26:58.699 That's talking 00:26:58.699 --> 00:26:59.479 about heaven. 00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:01.900 so that they 00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:02.839 may take hold 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.539 of that which 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:05.440 is truly life. 00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:07.200 If God 00:27:07.200 --> 00:27:08.140 blesses you with 00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:10.880 resources, use 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.759 it in a way 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:13.259 that He will 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.880 consider it to 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.579 be good. 00:27:15.860 --> 00:27:17.140 Be generous. 00:27:18.039 --> 00:27:19.440 Be ready to 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:19.940 give. 00:27:21.640 --> 00:27:22.620 Our wisely 00:27:22.620 --> 00:27:23.839 using the 00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.559 resources God 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:25.140 gives us. 00:27:25.299 --> 00:27:26.039 Our having the 00:27:26.039 --> 00:27:26.599 right attitude 00:27:26.599 --> 00:27:27.140 toward it. 00:27:27.400 --> 00:27:28.400 Using it wisely. 00:27:28.400 --> 00:27:29.160 Using it to 00:27:29.160 --> 00:27:29.860 benefit others. 00:27:30.100 --> 00:27:30.680 Use it to 00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.460 honor God. 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.840 That's helping 00:27:32.840 --> 00:27:33.120 us. 00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:33.940 That's a part 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.660 of, only a 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:36.340 part of, storing 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:37.280 up treasures in 00:27:37.280 --> 00:27:39.360 heaven for one 00:27:39.360 --> 00:27:39.620 day. 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.940 That's what He's 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:41.460 saying here. 00:27:41.780 --> 00:27:42.600 A good summary 00:27:42.600 --> 00:27:42.960 statement. 00:27:43.100 --> 00:27:43.519 Look at it. 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:44.259 Write it down. 00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:46.040 1 Timothy 6, 17 00:27:46.040 --> 00:27:46.580 through 19. 00:27:47.100 --> 00:27:47.840 Money has 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:48.300 value. 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.820 Christians should 00:27:51.820 --> 00:27:53.820 not say foolish 00:27:53.820 --> 00:27:54.820 things like, 00:27:55.360 --> 00:27:56.019 money doesn't 00:27:56.019 --> 00:27:56.300 matter. 00:27:56.299 --> 00:27:58.019 I don't care 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:58.559 about it. 00:27:58.919 --> 00:27:59.379 We should 00:27:59.379 --> 00:27:59.720 care. 00:28:00.399 --> 00:28:01.180 It's important. 00:28:02.500 --> 00:28:03.480 But money does 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:04.440 not have ultimate 00:28:04.440 --> 00:28:04.919 value. 00:28:06.319 --> 00:28:07.119 And the truth 00:28:07.119 --> 00:28:07.700 is there are 00:28:07.700 --> 00:28:08.579 more warnings 00:28:08.579 --> 00:28:09.879 in the Bible 00:28:09.879 --> 00:28:11.539 and in Proverbs 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:12.259 about the 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:14.079 limitations of 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:15.419 wealth and the 00:28:15.419 --> 00:28:16.940 dangers of wealth 00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:18.579 than anything else. 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.919 So let's look now 00:28:19.919 --> 00:28:20.859 at the limitations 00:28:20.859 --> 00:28:22.019 and dangers of 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.319 money. 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:23.500 Look at two 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:23.899 things. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.580 Number one, 00:28:25.680 --> 00:28:26.400 money can give 00:28:26.400 --> 00:28:26.920 us false 00:28:26.920 --> 00:28:27.560 security. 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:29.780 We talked about 00:28:29.780 --> 00:28:30.400 security a while 00:28:30.400 --> 00:28:30.620 ago. 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.740 Money can give 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.259 us a certain 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:33.420 level of security, 00:28:33.420 --> 00:28:34.519 but money can 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.160 also give us 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:36.920 false security. 00:28:37.180 --> 00:28:37.780 We saw in 00:28:37.780 --> 00:28:38.860 Proverbs 10, 15 00:28:38.860 --> 00:28:39.660 that wealth can 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:40.280 give us a certain 00:28:40.280 --> 00:28:41.220 degree of security, 00:28:41.220 --> 00:28:42.380 but it's not 00:28:42.380 --> 00:28:43.540 high level security. 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:44.600 Look at 00:28:44.600 --> 00:28:45.880 Proverbs 18. 00:28:45.880 --> 00:28:47.780 The name of the 00:28:47.780 --> 00:28:48.880 Lord is a fortified 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.460 tower. 00:28:51.040 --> 00:28:53.140 The righteous run 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:54.760 to it and are 00:28:54.760 --> 00:28:55.220 safe. 00:28:55.860 --> 00:28:57.260 The wealth of the 00:28:57.260 --> 00:28:58.760 rich is their 00:28:58.760 --> 00:28:59.900 fortified city. 00:29:00.560 --> 00:29:02.040 They imagine it a 00:29:02.040 --> 00:29:04.500 wall too high to 00:29:04.500 --> 00:29:04.860 scale. 00:29:05.820 --> 00:29:06.540 These verses 00:29:06.540 --> 00:29:08.420 contrast the 00:29:08.420 --> 00:29:09.480 security of a 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.640 true godly 00:29:10.640 --> 00:29:13.220 person with the 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:15.079 imagined security 00:29:15.079 --> 00:29:16.900 of a rich 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:18.779 person who's 00:29:18.779 --> 00:29:19.319 not concerned 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:19.880 about being a 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:20.440 godly person. 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:22.180 Some people 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.839 think of money 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:24.759 or wealth being 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.860 strong and 00:29:25.860 --> 00:29:27.220 secure like a 00:29:27.220 --> 00:29:29.740 wall that will 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.559 always protect 00:29:30.559 --> 00:29:31.140 us. 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:33.559 But money is 00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.200 not that way. 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:36.220 Money is very 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:37.480 limited in what 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:38.519 it can do for us. 00:29:38.920 --> 00:29:39.480 I don't know who 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.220 came up with what 00:29:40.220 --> 00:29:40.980 I'm about to share, 00:29:41.039 --> 00:29:41.539 what will be on the 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.819 screen, but it's 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.279 good. 00:29:43.799 --> 00:29:44.440 Look at it. 00:29:45.519 --> 00:29:46.839 What money can 00:29:46.839 --> 00:29:47.680 and cannot do. 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:48.839 Money can buy a 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.559 house but not a 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:49.839 home. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.399 Money can buy a 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:52.720 bed but not sleep. 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:54.019 Money can buy a 00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:55.440 clock but not time. 00:29:55.859 --> 00:29:56.700 Money can buy a 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:57.440 book but not 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:58.000 knowledge. 00:29:58.519 --> 00:29:59.079 Money can buy 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.059 medicine but not 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.379 health. 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.460 Money can buy 00:30:01.460 --> 00:30:03.000 sex but not love. 00:30:03.399 --> 00:30:04.000 Money can buy 00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:05.119 insurance but not 00:30:05.119 --> 00:30:05.619 safety. 00:30:07.480 --> 00:30:08.180 There's a lot of 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.839 things money can 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.119 do. 00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:11.920 But the most 00:30:11.920 --> 00:30:12.720 important things 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.680 in all of life, 00:30:14.899 --> 00:30:16.180 money cannot buy. 00:30:18.240 --> 00:30:19.220 Our ultimate 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:20.220 source of security 00:30:20.220 --> 00:30:21.240 is found in Jesus 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:22.720 Christ and Him 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.099 alone. 00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:24.920 I want you to 00:30:24.920 --> 00:30:25.460 understand that. 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:28.259 Our ultimate 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:30.879 source of security 00:30:30.879 --> 00:30:33.579 is found in having 00:30:33.579 --> 00:30:34.559 a right relationship 00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:35.639 with Jesus Christ. 00:30:35.639 --> 00:30:38.299 He is the only one 00:30:38.299 --> 00:30:40.180 who can provide us 00:30:40.180 --> 00:30:41.359 with eternal 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.200 security. 00:30:43.220 --> 00:30:43.960 And we should 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.899 never, must never 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:45.599 forget that. 00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.240 Money is not only 00:30:47.240 --> 00:30:48.139 limited what it can 00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:50.279 provide, money also 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:51.099 has many dangers 00:30:51.099 --> 00:30:52.079 associated with it. 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:54.039 And if you will read 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:54.460 through the book of 00:30:54.460 --> 00:30:55.899 Proverbs, you will 00:30:55.899 --> 00:30:57.059 find several but I 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:57.500 want to look at the 00:30:57.500 --> 00:30:58.019 one that's at the 00:30:58.019 --> 00:30:58.720 top of the list. 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:00.759 Money can become 00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.500 our God. 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:03.200 Let's go back now 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:04.180 to Proverbs 30. 00:31:04.180 --> 00:31:06.100 Two things I ask 00:31:06.100 --> 00:31:06.560 of you, Lord. 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.700 Do not refuse me 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.340 before I die. 00:31:08.840 --> 00:31:10.120 Keep falsehood and 00:31:10.120 --> 00:31:11.460 lies far from me. 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:13.140 Give me neither 00:31:13.140 --> 00:31:15.620 poverty nor riches, 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.759 but give me only 00:31:17.759 --> 00:31:19.400 my daily bread. 00:31:20.140 --> 00:31:22.400 Otherwise I may have 00:31:22.400 --> 00:31:25.220 too much and disown 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.380 you and say, 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:27.840 who is the Lord? 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:30.299 The writer of 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:33.600 Proverbs knew that 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:35.359 having too much 00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:37.779 can ruin a person's 00:31:37.779 --> 00:31:38.099 life. 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:41.679 Having too much 00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:43.679 for some people 00:31:43.679 --> 00:31:45.219 can be just as bad 00:31:45.219 --> 00:31:46.019 or even worse than 00:31:46.019 --> 00:31:47.379 having too little. 00:31:48.599 --> 00:31:49.919 I have seen, and I'm 00:31:49.919 --> 00:31:50.740 sure you have too, 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.959 how people change 00:31:52.959 --> 00:31:55.019 as they make more 00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:56.039 money and become 00:31:56.039 --> 00:31:56.859 more prosperous. 00:31:59.919 --> 00:32:01.019 There's one person 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.980 that sticks out in my 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.559 past. 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.240 He was committed, 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.819 not in this church, 00:32:05.959 --> 00:32:06.879 not in this county. 00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.099 Don't try to put a 00:32:08.099 --> 00:32:09.199 name and face to it. 00:32:09.879 --> 00:32:10.439 You cannot. 00:32:11.879 --> 00:32:12.639 But this one man 00:32:12.639 --> 00:32:13.779 was in church with us, 00:32:14.619 --> 00:32:15.639 dedicated Christian, 00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:17.439 involved in everything, 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.759 great family. 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:20.959 But he was in a 00:32:20.959 --> 00:32:22.699 profession where he 00:32:22.699 --> 00:32:24.299 could move up and do 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:26.079 very well, and he did. 00:32:26.719 --> 00:32:27.659 Sharp guy. 00:32:28.419 --> 00:32:29.379 Worked hard. 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:31.420 And I noticed over 00:32:31.420 --> 00:32:32.980 several years, 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:35.160 as he advanced up 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:36.480 the ladder of success 00:32:36.480 --> 00:32:37.380 at his company, 00:32:38.560 --> 00:32:41.180 he fell down the 00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:42.480 ladder of church 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.180 involvement. 00:32:45.460 --> 00:32:46.720 I don't know what was 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.640 going on in his 00:32:47.640 --> 00:32:48.960 personal life, 00:32:49.960 --> 00:32:51.140 but it seemed it 00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:52.140 wasn't just his 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:54.300 church involvement 00:32:54.300 --> 00:32:55.400 that was sliding. 00:32:55.400 --> 00:32:57.460 It seemed like it 00:32:57.460 --> 00:32:57.960 was his whole 00:32:57.960 --> 00:32:58.759 relationship with 00:32:58.759 --> 00:32:59.180 God. 00:33:00.360 --> 00:33:01.900 Because as he 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.620 dropped out, 00:33:02.780 --> 00:33:04.140 he avoided me, 00:33:04.300 --> 00:33:05.000 and he avoided 00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:05.920 some others in the 00:33:05.920 --> 00:33:06.720 church that he had 00:33:06.720 --> 00:33:08.460 served in various 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.440 ways with. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:10.860 And eventually, 00:33:11.420 --> 00:33:12.700 he and his 00:33:12.700 --> 00:33:14.759 family dropped 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.600 out of church. 00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:20.480 Success hurt him 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:21.980 spiritually. 00:33:23.240 --> 00:33:24.519 Success hurt him 00:33:24.519 --> 00:33:26.599 in more ways 00:33:26.599 --> 00:33:27.360 than it really 00:33:27.360 --> 00:33:28.099 helped him. 00:33:28.779 --> 00:33:29.180 Now let me say, 00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:29.880 that's not true 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:30.599 about everybody 00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:31.620 who does well. 00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:33.160 That may not be 00:33:33.160 --> 00:33:34.120 true about anyone 00:33:34.120 --> 00:33:34.960 you know. 00:33:36.079 --> 00:33:37.339 But it does happen. 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.140 For some people, 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:41.279 money pushes God 00:33:41.279 --> 00:33:42.420 out of their life. 00:33:43.319 --> 00:33:44.000 Money becomes, 00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:44.240 see, 00:33:44.400 --> 00:33:45.640 their love, 00:33:46.640 --> 00:33:47.759 their joy, 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:49.480 their goal, 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:50.960 money. 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:51.960 For some people, 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.640 money really does 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:53.519 become their God. 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.519 That's why Jesus 00:33:55.519 --> 00:33:57.279 warns us 00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:58.559 about the dangers 00:33:58.559 --> 00:33:59.420 of money in Matthew 00:33:59.420 --> 00:33:59.880 6. 00:33:59.960 --> 00:34:00.420 Look at it. 00:34:01.319 --> 00:34:02.400 Jesus said this, 00:34:03.360 --> 00:34:04.279 no one can 00:34:04.279 --> 00:34:05.620 serve two masters. 00:34:06.420 --> 00:34:07.120 For either he will 00:34:07.120 --> 00:34:07.740 hate the one 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:08.460 and love the other, 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:09.039 or he will be 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.740 devoted to the one 00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:10.920 and despise the other. 00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:12.920 You cannot serve 00:34:12.920 --> 00:34:13.880 God and money. 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:16.260 When it comes to 00:34:16.260 --> 00:34:17.079 your relationship 00:34:17.079 --> 00:34:17.599 with God 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.199 and your relationship 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.099 with money, 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:23.079 God must be 00:34:23.079 --> 00:34:23.940 first, 00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:24.799 supreme. 00:34:25.699 --> 00:34:26.799 He must be 00:34:26.799 --> 00:34:27.299 Lord, 00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:31.159 not money. 00:34:33.159 --> 00:34:34.259 Proverbs helps us 00:34:34.259 --> 00:34:34.960 to see that there 00:34:34.960 --> 00:34:36.539 is value in money 00:34:36.539 --> 00:34:38.239 and there's 00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:38.980 absolutely nothing 00:34:38.980 --> 00:34:40.139 wrong with acquiring 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:41.900 wealth as long 00:34:41.900 --> 00:34:42.360 as we do it 00:34:42.360 --> 00:34:43.599 the right way, 00:34:44.299 --> 00:34:45.239 God's way. 00:34:45.239 --> 00:34:47.099 So I want to ask 00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:48.219 you real quickly 00:34:48.219 --> 00:34:48.559 here. 00:34:49.759 --> 00:34:51.000 Are you honoring 00:34:51.000 --> 00:34:51.619 God 00:34:51.619 --> 00:34:54.299 with your wealth? 00:34:55.839 --> 00:34:56.579 Think about it 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:56.979 this way. 00:34:57.479 --> 00:34:58.119 Are you honoring 00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:58.959 God in the way 00:34:58.959 --> 00:34:59.500 that you are 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.619 acquiring your wealth? 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.479 In the way that 00:35:02.479 --> 00:35:03.399 you're saving it 00:35:03.399 --> 00:35:04.459 and investing it? 00:35:05.219 --> 00:35:06.119 Are you honoring 00:35:06.119 --> 00:35:06.699 God in the way 00:35:06.699 --> 00:35:07.819 that you give it 00:35:07.819 --> 00:35:08.919 to him and 00:35:08.919 --> 00:35:09.500 other people? 00:35:10.379 --> 00:35:11.179 Are you honoring 00:35:11.179 --> 00:35:11.959 God in the way 00:35:11.959 --> 00:35:12.959 that you spend 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:14.099 your money? 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:15.559 You know, 00:35:15.559 --> 00:35:16.300 sometimes I think 00:35:16.300 --> 00:35:17.280 we as Christians, 00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:18.059 some Christians, 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:19.099 have a mistaken 00:35:19.099 --> 00:35:20.420 notion about tithing. 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:20.980 The idea, 00:35:21.380 --> 00:35:21.480 well, 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.679 God gets 10%, 00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:23.400 another 90% 00:35:23.400 --> 00:35:23.820 is mine. 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:24.280 No, 00:35:24.380 --> 00:35:25.019 that's not true 00:35:25.019 --> 00:35:25.579 at all. 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.920 God owns it 00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:29.300 all. 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.380 100%. 00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:34.059 And if you 00:35:34.059 --> 00:35:35.000 give faithfully 00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:36.139 a tithe of all 00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:36.880 that you make, 00:35:37.059 --> 00:35:37.599 good. 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:39.679 But you need 00:35:39.679 --> 00:35:40.099 to seek 00:35:40.099 --> 00:35:41.400 his wisdom 00:35:41.400 --> 00:35:43.320 as you spend 00:35:43.320 --> 00:35:44.400 the other 90%. 00:35:44.400 --> 00:35:46.280 And do that 00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:46.760 in a way 00:35:46.760 --> 00:35:47.599 that honors him 00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:48.240 and serves his 00:35:48.240 --> 00:35:48.980 purpose for your 00:35:48.980 --> 00:35:49.300 life. 00:35:50.500 --> 00:35:51.139 Are you honoring 00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:51.700 God in the way 00:35:51.700 --> 00:35:52.599 you spend your 00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:53.000 money? 00:35:53.619 --> 00:35:54.320 Are you honoring 00:35:54.320 --> 00:35:55.039 God in the way 00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:56.039 that you borrow 00:35:56.039 --> 00:35:56.860 money? 00:35:59.039 --> 00:35:59.960 Let's back up 00:35:59.960 --> 00:36:00.360 a little bit. 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:02.300 Are you honoring 00:36:02.300 --> 00:36:02.980 God in the way 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.900 you think 00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:05.420 of money? 00:36:07.099 --> 00:36:07.920 Proverbs also 00:36:07.920 --> 00:36:08.579 points out the 00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.400 limitations and 00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:09.920 dangers 00:36:09.920 --> 00:36:11.340 of money. 00:36:12.340 --> 00:36:12.840 The truth is 00:36:12.840 --> 00:36:13.619 money is very 00:36:13.619 --> 00:36:14.460 limited. 00:36:15.539 --> 00:36:16.320 It cannot buy 00:36:16.320 --> 00:36:16.920 the things that 00:36:16.920 --> 00:36:17.880 we value most 00:36:17.880 --> 00:36:18.460 or the things 00:36:18.460 --> 00:36:19.159 we should value 00:36:19.159 --> 00:36:19.599 most. 00:36:20.559 --> 00:36:21.599 That's a right 00:36:21.599 --> 00:36:22.300 relationship with 00:36:22.300 --> 00:36:23.139 God, a right 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:23.840 relationship with 00:36:23.840 --> 00:36:24.480 other people. 00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:26.180 You know, 00:36:26.220 --> 00:36:26.700 many people have 00:36:26.700 --> 00:36:27.220 found out the 00:36:27.220 --> 00:36:28.059 hard way 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:30.599 that money 00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:32.139 is causing 00:36:32.139 --> 00:36:32.800 more problems 00:36:32.800 --> 00:36:33.559 in their life, 00:36:34.079 --> 00:36:34.659 in their 00:36:34.659 --> 00:36:35.480 relationships, 00:36:36.000 --> 00:36:36.700 both with God 00:36:36.700 --> 00:36:37.079 and others 00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:37.500 than anything 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.039 else. 00:36:38.039 --> 00:36:39.840 that's why 00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.400 money is 00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:41.000 dangerous. 00:36:42.159 --> 00:36:43.539 It can blind 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:44.159 us and cause 00:36:44.159 --> 00:36:45.179 us to lose 00:36:45.179 --> 00:36:45.920 sight of what 00:36:45.920 --> 00:36:46.779 really and truly 00:36:46.779 --> 00:36:47.460 matters, 00:36:48.460 --> 00:36:49.800 of what our 00:36:49.800 --> 00:36:51.259 priorities really 00:36:51.259 --> 00:36:51.820 ought to be. 00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:53.900 Do you have the 00:36:53.900 --> 00:36:54.940 right perspective 00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:56.340 on money? 00:36:58.340 --> 00:36:59.940 Is money 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:01.000 serving you 00:37:01.000 --> 00:37:01.519 or are you 00:37:01.519 --> 00:37:02.219 serving it? 00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:04.719 is money a 00:37:04.719 --> 00:37:05.439 tool in your 00:37:05.439 --> 00:37:07.959 life or is 00:37:07.959 --> 00:37:08.419 money your 00:37:08.419 --> 00:37:08.899 God? 00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:11.059 A Christian 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:11.939 organization ran 00:37:11.939 --> 00:37:12.919 an ad in a 00:37:12.919 --> 00:37:13.599 magazine with a 00:37:13.599 --> 00:37:15.699 picture of 00:37:15.699 --> 00:37:17.319 stacks of 00:37:17.319 --> 00:37:18.819 cash, stacks 00:37:18.819 --> 00:37:19.679 of $100 bills, 00:37:19.779 --> 00:37:20.480 $50 bills, 00:37:20.599 --> 00:37:21.299 $20 bills, 00:37:21.399 --> 00:37:22.299 $10 bills. 00:37:23.219 --> 00:37:23.879 And the 00:37:23.879 --> 00:37:24.779 caption beneath 00:37:24.779 --> 00:37:26.459 the picture read 00:37:26.459 --> 00:37:27.000 this, 00:37:27.000 --> 00:37:28.000 throughout 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:28.800 history, 00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:29.699 countless 00:37:29.699 --> 00:37:30.519 Christians have 00:37:30.519 --> 00:37:31.320 fallen victim 00:37:31.320 --> 00:37:32.179 to the power 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:32.880 of money. 00:37:33.420 --> 00:37:34.099 So if you've 00:37:34.099 --> 00:37:34.659 been struggling 00:37:34.659 --> 00:37:35.400 to find the 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.139 balance between 00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:37.000 finance and 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:37.380 faith, 00:37:38.219 --> 00:37:39.039 remember this, 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.719 real security 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:42.059 is not a matter 00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:42.800 of what's in 00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:43.420 your pocket, 00:37:44.519 --> 00:37:45.320 but who's in 00:37:45.320 --> 00:37:45.900 your heart. 00:37:47.340 --> 00:37:48.099 The most 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:48.840 important thing 00:37:48.840 --> 00:37:50.000 right now 00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:51.880 is not what 00:37:51.880 --> 00:37:52.340 we've got in 00:37:52.340 --> 00:37:52.860 our pocket, 00:37:53.019 --> 00:37:53.639 in our wallet, 00:37:53.800 --> 00:37:54.199 or in our 00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:54.920 bank account, 00:37:55.000 --> 00:37:55.599 or investment 00:37:55.599 --> 00:37:55.980 account. 00:37:55.980 --> 00:37:57.639 The most 00:37:57.639 --> 00:37:58.199 important thing 00:37:58.199 --> 00:37:58.460 is that we 00:37:58.460 --> 00:37:58.920 have a right 00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.719 relationship with 00:37:59.719 --> 00:38:00.579 God through 00:38:00.579 --> 00:38:01.320 faith in Jesus 00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:01.840 Christ. 00:38:02.900 --> 00:38:03.940 Make sure 00:38:03.940 --> 00:38:05.699 that your 00:38:05.699 --> 00:38:07.519 God is the 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:08.360 living God, 00:38:09.519 --> 00:38:10.099 the Father of 00:38:10.099 --> 00:38:10.699 our Lord Jesus 00:38:10.699 --> 00:38:11.260 Christ. 00:38:11.699 --> 00:38:12.820 Make sure your 00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:14.240 Lord is Christ 00:38:14.240 --> 00:38:14.679 Jesus, 00:38:15.760 --> 00:38:18.400 not money. 00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:19.559 Let's pray 00:38:19.559 --> 00:38:19.900 together. 00:38:20.740 --> 00:38:21.139 Dear God, 00:38:22.179 --> 00:38:23.559 all of us in 00:38:23.559 --> 00:38:24.119 this room, 00:38:24.119 --> 00:38:28.380 have, 00:38:28.799 --> 00:38:29.279 need, 00:38:29.400 --> 00:38:30.299 and use 00:38:30.299 --> 00:38:31.279 money. 00:38:33.599 --> 00:38:34.339 We are 00:38:34.339 --> 00:38:35.119 accumulating 00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:35.880 wealth. 00:38:38.460 --> 00:38:39.019 Father, 00:38:39.119 --> 00:38:39.679 help us to 00:38:39.679 --> 00:38:40.400 see that it 00:38:40.400 --> 00:38:41.719 can be very 00:38:41.719 --> 00:38:42.319 good, 00:38:43.319 --> 00:38:44.199 and that it 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:45.059 is valuable. 00:38:46.900 --> 00:38:47.159 But Lord, 00:38:47.219 --> 00:38:47.839 help us to 00:38:47.839 --> 00:38:49.440 clearly see it 00:38:49.440 --> 00:38:51.559 has many 00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:52.380 limitations, 00:38:52.380 --> 00:38:55.220 and it can 00:38:55.220 --> 00:38:56.659 be very, 00:38:56.780 --> 00:38:57.960 very dangerous. 00:38:59.820 --> 00:39:00.519 So Lord, 00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:00.980 we pray that 00:39:00.980 --> 00:39:01.800 you will teach 00:39:01.800 --> 00:39:02.320 us, 00:39:02.700 --> 00:39:04.220 or convict us, 00:39:04.280 --> 00:39:05.519 or confirm to 00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:09.679 us what we 00:39:09.679 --> 00:39:11.440 need to know, 00:39:14.099 --> 00:39:15.159 experience right 00:39:15.159 --> 00:39:16.440 now concerning 00:39:16.440 --> 00:39:17.639 concerning our 00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.740 attitude and 00:39:18.740 --> 00:39:19.519 actions toward 00:39:19.519 --> 00:39:20.579 money and 00:39:20.579 --> 00:39:21.019 wealth. 00:39:22.679 --> 00:39:23.200 And Lord, 00:39:23.320 --> 00:39:23.940 help us to 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:24.860 respond to 00:39:24.860 --> 00:39:26.000 you, to 00:39:26.000 --> 00:39:26.780 make commitments, 00:39:26.980 --> 00:39:27.500 decisions, 00:39:27.760 --> 00:39:29.920 changes that 00:39:29.920 --> 00:39:30.760 will enable us 00:39:30.760 --> 00:39:31.599 to leave here 00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:33.800 pleasing you 00:39:33.800 --> 00:39:35.360 with our 00:39:35.360 --> 00:39:37.000 attitude toward 00:39:37.000 --> 00:39:38.059 and actions 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:39.700 with our 00:39:39.700 --> 00:39:40.019 money. 00:39:40.860 --> 00:39:41.200 And then in 00:39:41.200 --> 00:39:41.679 an attitude of 00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.679 prayer, listen 00:39:42.679 --> 00:39:43.179 to the Lord and 00:39:43.179 --> 00:39:43.820 respond to him. 00:39:44.000 --> 00:39:45.380 Please do what 00:39:45.380 --> 00:39:46.039 he wants you to 00:39:46.039 --> 00:39:46.279 do. 00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:47.719 I'd be happy to 00:39:47.719 --> 00:39:48.139 pray with you 00:39:48.139 --> 00:39:48.539 here at the 00:39:48.539 --> 00:39:49.019 front if you 00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:49.400 want to come 00:39:49.400 --> 00:39:49.759 during this 00:39:49.759 --> 00:39:50.099 time. 00:39:50.940 --> 00:39:51.599 But just do 00:39:51.599 --> 00:39:52.079 what God's 00:39:52.079 --> 00:39:52.539 telling you to 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:53.539 do about your 00:39:53.539 --> 00:39:54.579 money and wealth.