WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.680 Come to our last sermon in Paul's first letter to Timothy. 00:00:04.080 --> 00:00:07.820 So if you have your Bible, you can open it up to chapter 6 of 1 Timothy. 00:00:09.300 --> 00:00:13.099 And this morning we'll be starting in verse 17. 00:00:14.580 --> 00:00:19.400 For the past couple of weeks, we've been listening to Christ's instructions through Paul 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:26.199 about money, greed, and contentment. 00:00:26.199 --> 00:00:35.340 And last Sunday we heard Jesus command us to flee from greed and the love of money 00:00:35.340 --> 00:00:38.679 and instead to pursue these things. 00:00:38.840 --> 00:00:45.939 Righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. 00:00:47.379 --> 00:00:51.320 And then Paul gave this solemn charge to Timothy to keep this command 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:54.480 and he went into a bit of a reflection of who God is 00:00:54.479 --> 00:00:56.879 and gave a word of praise to God. 00:00:57.640 --> 00:01:02.819 Well now in verse 17, Paul is going to come back for the last time to this issue of money. 00:01:04.099 --> 00:01:06.459 Let me read it for us this morning. 00:01:07.179 --> 00:01:08.539 Starting in verse 17. 00:01:09.539 --> 00:01:10.159 Paul writes, 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:16.519 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, 00:01:17.099 --> 00:01:20.780 nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, 00:01:21.259 --> 00:01:23.420 but to put their hope in God, 00:01:23.780 --> 00:01:27.900 who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 00:01:28.900 --> 00:01:30.459 Command them to do good, 00:01:31.079 --> 00:01:33.599 to be rich in good deeds, 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:37.399 and to be generous and willing to share. 00:01:38.759 --> 00:01:41.919 In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves 00:01:41.919 --> 00:01:45.099 as a firm foundation for the coming age 00:01:45.099 --> 00:01:48.939 so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 00:01:50.759 --> 00:01:54.039 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. 00:01:55.399 --> 00:01:57.340 Turn away from godless chatter 00:01:57.340 --> 00:02:02.760 and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 00:02:03.240 --> 00:02:05.299 which some have professed 00:02:05.299 --> 00:02:08.780 and in so doing have departed from the faith. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:12.080 Grace be with you all. 00:02:14.800 --> 00:02:18.960 I listened to the first few minutes of a sermon on this very passage 00:02:18.960 --> 00:02:21.340 by a pastor friend of mine from Nipawin, 00:02:21.340 --> 00:02:25.379 and he began by asking his church a question. 00:02:26.700 --> 00:02:28.879 Are you rich? 00:02:32.060 --> 00:02:33.780 I want to ask the same question. 00:02:35.000 --> 00:02:37.719 Are you rich? 00:02:43.240 --> 00:02:45.740 These first three verses in our passage today 00:02:45.740 --> 00:02:48.699 contain instructions for the rich. 00:02:48.699 --> 00:02:51.780 Are these instructions for you? 00:02:53.299 --> 00:02:54.159 Or not? 00:02:55.679 --> 00:02:57.939 Are you rich? 00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:03.379 Now the more I thought about this question this week, 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:05.799 I realized it's not the easiest question to answer. 00:03:08.099 --> 00:03:10.079 Many of us would probably answer no. 00:03:11.780 --> 00:03:16.199 After all, there are many people who have much more than I do. 00:03:18.699 --> 00:03:20.599 But if we're comparing ourselves to others, 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:23.479 we also need to look in the opposite direction. 00:03:25.280 --> 00:03:28.619 There are many more people in our world 00:03:28.619 --> 00:03:31.060 who have much less than I do. 00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:35.239 Probably most of you have heard some kind of a statistic 00:03:35.239 --> 00:03:36.479 at some time or another 00:03:36.479 --> 00:03:39.339 that the vast majority of North Americans 00:03:39.339 --> 00:03:42.519 are among the top 10% of people in the world 00:03:42.519 --> 00:03:44.539 when it comes to wealth. 00:03:44.539 --> 00:03:48.579 But that statistic doesn't tell the whole story either. 00:03:49.759 --> 00:03:51.479 Some places in the world 00:03:51.479 --> 00:03:55.019 are a lot more expensive to live than others. 00:03:55.560 --> 00:03:58.180 Could be because of the availability of goods and services 00:03:58.180 --> 00:03:59.620 or because of the climate. 00:04:01.039 --> 00:04:02.399 Some households in the world 00:04:02.399 --> 00:04:04.780 have more mouths to feed than others. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:08.240 What about the small business owner 00:04:08.240 --> 00:04:10.419 who has substantial business assets 00:04:10.419 --> 00:04:12.580 but whose profit margins are thin? 00:04:14.240 --> 00:04:15.340 What about debt? 00:04:16.459 --> 00:04:18.360 Is the person who drives a good car 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:19.779 and has a good house 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:22.779 but can barely afford to pay the bills 00:04:22.779 --> 00:04:24.300 and put food on the table 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:25.680 because of the mortgage payment 00:04:25.680 --> 00:04:27.180 and the car loan payment, 00:04:27.300 --> 00:04:28.339 is that person wealthy 00:04:28.339 --> 00:04:30.379 or broke? 00:04:30.379 --> 00:04:35.699 Statistics paint one picture 00:04:35.699 --> 00:04:38.439 but human realities can paint another. 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:40.439 Some people are poor 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:43.879 or struggling because of bad financial decisions 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:46.399 or greed or addictions. 00:04:47.500 --> 00:04:48.120 Others are poor 00:04:48.120 --> 00:04:49.719 because they've been taken advantage of 00:04:49.719 --> 00:04:53.339 or maybe they lost the breadwinner in their family 00:04:53.339 --> 00:04:54.659 and they can't find work. 00:04:56.600 --> 00:04:58.180 Some people are rich 00:04:58.180 --> 00:05:00.040 because they work hard. 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:02.199 They're skilled in things 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:03.240 that are in high demand. 00:05:04.819 --> 00:05:05.759 Others are rich 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:06.779 because they have cheated 00:05:06.779 --> 00:05:08.079 or stolen, 00:05:08.920 --> 00:05:10.199 taken advantage of others. 00:05:12.219 --> 00:05:14.540 Now the word used here 00:05:14.540 --> 00:05:15.959 for rich in this passage 00:05:15.959 --> 00:05:16.579 means 00:05:16.579 --> 00:05:18.319 to have 00:05:18.319 --> 00:05:19.620 an abundance 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:22.420 either of money 00:05:22.420 --> 00:05:24.980 or of earthly possessions 00:05:24.980 --> 00:05:27.139 or both. 00:05:27.139 --> 00:05:30.459 So let's take that 00:05:30.459 --> 00:05:31.180 into the way 00:05:31.180 --> 00:05:32.159 that we asked the question 00:05:32.159 --> 00:05:32.740 at the beginning. 00:05:32.919 --> 00:05:33.459 Do you 00:05:33.459 --> 00:05:34.899 have an abundance 00:05:34.899 --> 00:05:37.659 of either money 00:05:37.659 --> 00:05:39.339 or possessions 00:05:39.339 --> 00:05:41.259 or both? 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:44.319 Another way to say it is this. 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:45.319 Do you have 00:05:45.319 --> 00:05:46.199 more 00:05:46.199 --> 00:05:47.839 than you need? 00:05:49.620 --> 00:05:51.099 And if your answer is yes, 00:05:52.099 --> 00:05:53.759 then you are among the rich. 00:05:53.759 --> 00:05:56.680 But even here 00:05:56.680 --> 00:05:57.920 I know we can rationalize, 00:05:57.980 --> 00:05:58.899 we can reason our way 00:05:58.899 --> 00:06:00.019 out of answering yes. 00:06:00.379 --> 00:06:01.060 We might say, 00:06:01.439 --> 00:06:02.000 well I don't have 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:03.060 an abundance of money. 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:05.000 Seems like the money 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:05.500 goes out 00:06:05.500 --> 00:06:06.740 as fast as it comes in 00:06:06.740 --> 00:06:08.620 or even faster. 00:06:10.920 --> 00:06:11.980 But what am I using 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:12.839 that money for? 00:06:14.680 --> 00:06:16.000 Is it only for things 00:06:16.000 --> 00:06:16.620 that I need? 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:18.779 Or is there 00:06:18.779 --> 00:06:19.659 a good chunk 00:06:19.659 --> 00:06:20.439 of my cash 00:06:20.439 --> 00:06:21.300 that's going towards 00:06:21.300 --> 00:06:22.079 stuff that I don't 00:06:22.079 --> 00:06:22.740 really need? 00:06:23.819 --> 00:06:25.060 To scratch the itch 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:26.439 of discontentment 00:06:26.439 --> 00:06:27.319 as we talked about 00:06:27.319 --> 00:06:28.959 last week. 00:06:29.719 --> 00:06:30.759 Just to bring 00:06:30.759 --> 00:06:31.599 increased comfort, 00:06:32.579 --> 00:06:32.959 pleasure, 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:33.859 entertainment. 00:06:35.979 --> 00:06:37.300 It's quite possible 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:37.899 that you could be 00:06:37.899 --> 00:06:38.519 making over 00:06:38.519 --> 00:06:40.000 six figures 00:06:40.000 --> 00:06:40.639 a year 00:06:40.639 --> 00:06:41.819 and feel 00:06:41.819 --> 00:06:43.060 nearly broke 00:06:43.060 --> 00:06:44.879 and like the money 00:06:44.879 --> 00:06:45.740 just isn't there. 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:47.339 Is it that you're poor? 00:06:49.199 --> 00:06:50.159 Or do you have 00:06:50.159 --> 00:06:50.979 a spending problem? 00:06:52.919 --> 00:06:54.300 Or we may rationalize 00:06:54.300 --> 00:06:55.319 in a totally different way. 00:06:55.419 --> 00:06:56.539 Perhaps you're very frugal 00:06:56.539 --> 00:06:57.800 and you only 00:06:57.800 --> 00:06:59.379 really buy something 00:06:59.379 --> 00:07:00.519 if you need it. 00:07:01.719 --> 00:07:02.479 You might say, 00:07:02.519 --> 00:07:03.319 I don't have an abundance 00:07:03.319 --> 00:07:03.959 of possessions. 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:04.959 I'm still using 00:07:04.959 --> 00:07:07.000 my great granddad's hammer 00:07:07.000 --> 00:07:08.639 that was passed on down 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:09.620 and you hate 00:07:09.620 --> 00:07:10.319 to spend money. 00:07:12.579 --> 00:07:13.599 I don't have much 00:07:13.599 --> 00:07:14.500 by way of possessions. 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:15.860 But in the bank 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:17.939 and in your investments, 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:18.819 you've got quite 00:07:18.819 --> 00:07:19.299 an abundance. 00:07:19.300 --> 00:07:19.480 abundance. 00:07:21.639 --> 00:07:22.819 But I need all that 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:23.639 for retirement 00:07:23.639 --> 00:07:25.259 and emergencies 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:26.800 and old age 00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:28.139 and just in case. 00:07:29.780 --> 00:07:30.740 Now don't get me wrong. 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:32.160 It is prudent 00:07:32.160 --> 00:07:33.460 to put aside money 00:07:33.460 --> 00:07:35.420 for those years ahead 00:07:35.420 --> 00:07:36.060 when you become 00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:36.980 unable to work 00:07:36.980 --> 00:07:38.960 or for emergencies. 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:41.060 But some people 00:07:41.060 --> 00:07:41.780 have above 00:07:41.780 --> 00:07:42.879 and beyond that 00:07:42.879 --> 00:07:43.639 an abundance. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:45.439 However you came 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:46.000 to have it, 00:07:46.420 --> 00:07:47.019 if that's you, 00:07:47.019 --> 00:07:48.359 you are among 00:07:48.359 --> 00:07:49.139 the rich. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:51.219 To be rich 00:07:51.219 --> 00:07:52.319 is to have more 00:07:52.319 --> 00:07:53.680 than you need. 00:07:55.019 --> 00:07:56.159 That's what abundance 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:57.019 means. 00:07:58.379 --> 00:07:59.120 It means 00:07:59.120 --> 00:08:00.259 to abound, 00:08:00.359 --> 00:08:01.120 to have more 00:08:01.120 --> 00:08:02.359 than you require. 00:08:03.359 --> 00:08:04.180 And if that's you, 00:08:04.959 --> 00:08:05.519 Christ Jesus 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:06.299 has something 00:08:06.299 --> 00:08:07.199 to say to you 00:08:07.199 --> 00:08:08.019 today 00:08:08.019 --> 00:08:08.740 through Paul. 00:08:08.740 --> 00:08:09.740 Paul. 00:08:09.740 --> 00:08:11.620 He says, 00:08:11.920 --> 00:08:12.600 command those 00:08:12.600 --> 00:08:13.660 who are rich 00:08:13.660 --> 00:08:15.040 in this present world 00:08:15.040 --> 00:08:16.019 not 00:08:16.019 --> 00:08:17.480 to be arrogant. 00:08:18.900 --> 00:08:19.879 Paul's referring 00:08:19.879 --> 00:08:20.460 to pride. 00:08:21.519 --> 00:08:22.939 When you have more 00:08:22.939 --> 00:08:24.019 than others 00:08:24.019 --> 00:08:24.680 around you, 00:08:25.800 --> 00:08:26.639 the conditions 00:08:26.639 --> 00:08:27.199 are ripe 00:08:27.199 --> 00:08:27.840 for pride 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:28.319 to grow. 00:08:30.500 --> 00:08:31.660 I'm doing better 00:08:31.660 --> 00:08:32.200 than others. 00:08:33.419 --> 00:08:34.960 I've got more 00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:36.120 than others 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:36.759 around me. 00:08:36.759 --> 00:08:37.419 Why? 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:39.259 Well, 00:08:39.299 --> 00:08:40.100 I must be smarter. 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:41.759 I must be wiser. 00:08:41.919 --> 00:08:42.620 I must be better 00:08:42.620 --> 00:08:43.939 at managing money 00:08:43.939 --> 00:08:45.220 than they are. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:46.600 Or I've worked harder. 00:08:48.539 --> 00:08:49.620 Pride can creep 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:50.460 into our hearts 00:08:50.460 --> 00:08:52.220 and can lead us 00:08:52.220 --> 00:08:52.919 to look down 00:08:52.919 --> 00:08:53.580 on others 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:54.200 around us 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:55.480 who have less. 00:08:57.340 --> 00:08:58.159 Jesus says, 00:08:58.319 --> 00:08:59.259 command those 00:08:59.259 --> 00:09:00.000 who are rich 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:02.220 not to be arrogant, 00:09:02.620 --> 00:09:04.019 not to be proud. 00:09:05.439 --> 00:09:06.059 In other words, 00:09:06.059 --> 00:09:07.899 don't pat yourself 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:09.019 on the back 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.279 and try to take 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:10.899 all the credit 00:09:10.899 --> 00:09:11.979 for why you have 00:09:11.979 --> 00:09:13.259 more than others 00:09:13.259 --> 00:09:13.839 around you. 00:09:15.299 --> 00:09:16.379 As Paul said 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:16.939 in his letter 00:09:16.939 --> 00:09:17.699 to the Corinthians, 00:09:18.139 --> 00:09:19.659 who makes you 00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:20.219 different from 00:09:20.219 --> 00:09:20.899 anyone else? 00:09:22.139 --> 00:09:23.279 What do you have 00:09:23.279 --> 00:09:24.699 that you did not 00:09:24.699 --> 00:09:25.179 receive? 00:09:26.539 --> 00:09:27.459 And if you did 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:27.959 receive it, 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:28.779 why do you boast 00:09:28.779 --> 00:09:29.719 as though you did not? 00:09:29.720 --> 00:09:35.040 Sure, 00:09:35.139 --> 00:09:35.920 you may have worked 00:09:35.920 --> 00:09:36.840 harder than others, 00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:40.680 but will you not 00:09:40.680 --> 00:09:41.399 give the credit 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:43.100 for that strength 00:09:43.100 --> 00:09:44.399 and that ability 00:09:44.399 --> 00:09:45.160 to work 00:09:45.160 --> 00:09:46.920 to the grace of God 00:09:46.920 --> 00:09:48.480 that was with you? 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:51.940 So if you have 00:09:51.940 --> 00:09:53.100 more than you need, 00:09:54.040 --> 00:09:55.300 do not be arrogant, 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.379 do not be proud. 00:09:56.379 --> 00:09:59.100 And he goes on, 00:10:00.299 --> 00:10:00.980 command those 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:01.439 who are rich 00:10:01.439 --> 00:10:02.299 in this present world 00:10:02.299 --> 00:10:03.259 not to be arrogant 00:10:03.259 --> 00:10:04.639 nor to put their 00:10:04.639 --> 00:10:05.879 hope in wealth, 00:10:06.080 --> 00:10:08.519 which is so uncertain. 00:10:09.039 --> 00:10:09.960 Do not put your 00:10:09.960 --> 00:10:11.519 hope in wealth. 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:14.580 For those of you 00:10:14.580 --> 00:10:15.559 who have an abundance, 00:10:16.659 --> 00:10:17.460 do you console 00:10:17.460 --> 00:10:18.399 yourself with it? 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:21.019 Do you look to it 00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:22.519 and lean on it 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:23.500 and take comfort 00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.460 in it? 00:10:25.840 --> 00:10:26.620 Do you see that 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:27.299 number in your 00:10:27.299 --> 00:10:28.139 savings account 00:10:28.139 --> 00:10:28.720 or in your 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:29.759 investment accounts 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:30.759 as your security, 00:10:31.580 --> 00:10:32.980 your safety, 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:33.860 your provision 00:10:33.860 --> 00:10:35.679 for future days? 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:37.580 Or do you look 00:10:37.580 --> 00:10:38.100 at the stuff 00:10:38.100 --> 00:10:38.679 that you have, 00:10:38.740 --> 00:10:39.259 your possessions 00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:40.019 that you've 00:10:40.019 --> 00:10:41.000 accumulated as 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:41.860 your pride 00:10:41.860 --> 00:10:43.179 and your joy, 00:10:45.000 --> 00:10:45.580 the things that 00:10:45.580 --> 00:10:46.039 will ensure 00:10:46.039 --> 00:10:46.519 that you have 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:47.240 a good life 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:48.720 in the days ahead? 00:10:51.580 --> 00:10:52.460 Christ says, 00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:54.540 do not put 00:10:54.540 --> 00:10:55.040 your hope 00:10:55.040 --> 00:10:55.960 in wealth. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:10:58.040 Do not hope 00:10:58.040 --> 00:10:58.860 in your abundance. 00:11:00.100 --> 00:11:00.500 Why? 00:11:01.759 --> 00:11:02.759 Because riches 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:05.220 are so uncertain. 00:11:06.900 --> 00:11:07.920 They're not 00:11:07.920 --> 00:11:09.040 dependable. 00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:10.759 They cannot be 00:11:10.759 --> 00:11:11.480 relied on 00:11:11.480 --> 00:11:12.440 to guarantee 00:11:12.440 --> 00:11:13.660 your security, 00:11:14.200 --> 00:11:14.780 your safety, 00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:16.040 your provision, 00:11:16.220 --> 00:11:16.900 your happiness 00:11:16.900 --> 00:11:17.980 for the future. 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:21.560 God can take 00:11:21.560 --> 00:11:22.279 the earthly 00:11:22.279 --> 00:11:23.620 abundance away 00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:25.620 even faster 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:26.220 than he gave 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:26.800 it to us. 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:29.600 Think back 00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.220 to the story 00:11:30.220 --> 00:11:30.720 of Job. 00:11:33.519 --> 00:11:34.220 Look at what 00:11:34.220 --> 00:11:34.779 happened to the 00:11:34.779 --> 00:11:35.620 children of Israel 00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:37.279 when many successive 00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:38.860 years of famine 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:39.720 came on the land, 00:11:39.840 --> 00:11:40.420 how quickly 00:11:40.420 --> 00:11:41.220 their wealth 00:11:41.220 --> 00:11:42.759 was given up 00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.840 just to stay alive. 00:11:43.840 --> 00:11:45.280 they went 00:11:45.280 --> 00:11:45.759 from living 00:11:45.759 --> 00:11:46.360 like princes 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:48.500 to slavery. 00:11:49.940 --> 00:11:50.600 Look at the 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.000 splendor 00:11:51.000 --> 00:11:51.560 and the wealth 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:52.560 of the people 00:11:52.560 --> 00:11:52.980 in Israel 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:53.700 during the days 00:11:53.700 --> 00:11:54.440 of King Solomon. 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:56.100 Said in those 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:56.759 days silver 00:11:56.759 --> 00:11:57.360 was considered 00:11:57.360 --> 00:11:58.000 to be of little 00:11:58.000 --> 00:11:58.820 value because 00:11:58.820 --> 00:11:59.879 of how much 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.280 of it there 00:12:00.280 --> 00:12:01.160 was in the land 00:12:01.160 --> 00:12:02.139 and yet it 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:02.680 wasn't long 00:12:02.680 --> 00:12:03.280 before it was 00:12:03.280 --> 00:12:03.800 all gone 00:12:03.800 --> 00:12:05.399 and carried 00:12:05.399 --> 00:12:07.040 off as the 00:12:07.040 --> 00:12:07.860 spoils of war 00:12:07.860 --> 00:12:08.400 to other 00:12:08.400 --> 00:12:08.840 kingdoms. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:10.480 In the same 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:12.000 way today 00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:14.000 markets 00:12:14.000 --> 00:12:15.320 can collapse. 00:12:16.320 --> 00:12:17.080 Economies 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:17.940 can fold. 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.700 Commodities 00:12:19.700 --> 00:12:20.320 that were once 00:12:20.320 --> 00:12:21.179 valued highly 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:22.019 can become 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:22.759 utterly worthless. 00:12:23.360 --> 00:12:23.679 Companies 00:12:23.679 --> 00:12:24.159 can go 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:24.700 bankrupt. 00:12:26.460 --> 00:12:26.820 Natural 00:12:26.820 --> 00:12:27.399 disasters 00:12:27.399 --> 00:12:28.799 can strike 00:12:28.799 --> 00:12:30.399 and they 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:31.080 can destroy 00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:31.919 our property 00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:33.179 and our 00:12:33.179 --> 00:12:33.620 possessions. 00:12:34.419 --> 00:12:35.080 Governmental 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:35.440 changes 00:12:35.440 --> 00:12:36.340 can occur. 00:12:37.379 --> 00:12:38.039 The purchasing 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:39.240 ability of the 00:12:39.240 --> 00:12:39.600 dollar 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.860 can dwindle. 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:43.679 wealth is so 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:44.259 uncertain. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:46.740 So don't 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:47.399 put your hope 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:47.940 in your 00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:48.700 abundance 00:12:48.700 --> 00:12:49.440 in your 00:12:49.440 --> 00:12:49.879 wealth 00:12:49.879 --> 00:12:51.500 says Jesus. 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.440 Instead 00:12:52.440 --> 00:12:54.519 put your 00:12:54.519 --> 00:12:55.320 hope in 00:12:55.320 --> 00:12:55.679 God. 00:12:56.059 --> 00:12:56.279 Command 00:12:56.279 --> 00:12:56.740 those who 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:57.080 are rich 00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:57.379 in this 00:12:57.379 --> 00:12:57.960 present world 00:12:57.960 --> 00:12:58.600 not to be 00:12:58.600 --> 00:12:58.960 arrogant 00:12:58.960 --> 00:13:00.019 nor to put 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.419 their hope 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:00.879 in wealth 00:13:00.879 --> 00:13:01.440 which is so 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:01.840 uncertain 00:13:01.840 --> 00:13:02.480 but to put 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.059 their hope 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:04.039 in God. 00:13:05.600 --> 00:13:06.179 Look to 00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:06.480 him 00:13:06.480 --> 00:13:07.679 as your 00:13:07.679 --> 00:13:08.179 security 00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:09.379 and your 00:13:09.379 --> 00:13:09.799 safety. 00:13:09.799 --> 00:13:11.699 your 00:13:11.699 --> 00:13:12.299 refuge 00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:13.199 and your 00:13:13.199 --> 00:13:13.599 rock 00:13:13.599 --> 00:13:14.659 in uncertain 00:13:14.659 --> 00:13:15.219 times. 00:13:16.299 --> 00:13:16.819 He's the 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.219 one that 00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:17.919 provides what 00:13:17.919 --> 00:13:18.399 we need 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.639 in future 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.099 days. 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.139 And the 00:13:21.139 --> 00:13:21.519 Bible is 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.039 full of 00:13:22.039 --> 00:13:22.559 wonderful 00:13:22.559 --> 00:13:23.120 examples 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:24.299 of how 00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:25.759 God 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:26.620 provided 00:13:26.620 --> 00:13:27.979 in a 00:13:27.979 --> 00:13:28.379 perfectly 00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:28.819 timed 00:13:28.819 --> 00:13:29.259 manner 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:30.199 for his 00:13:30.199 --> 00:13:30.559 people 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:30.959 for the 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:31.259 needy 00:13:31.259 --> 00:13:31.639 for the 00:13:31.639 --> 00:13:31.899 poor. 00:13:32.899 --> 00:13:33.319 Look at 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:33.659 the life 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:34.179 of David. 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:35.979 One minute 00:13:35.979 --> 00:13:36.500 he was a 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:36.859 prince. 00:13:36.860 --> 00:13:39.419 he was 00:13:39.419 --> 00:13:39.680 in the 00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:40.000 king's 00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:40.300 court. 00:13:40.460 --> 00:13:40.680 He was 00:13:40.680 --> 00:13:41.159 successful 00:13:41.159 --> 00:13:41.759 in every 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.060 way. 00:13:42.259 --> 00:13:42.600 He was 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:43.120 married to 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:43.639 the king's 00:13:43.639 --> 00:13:43.980 daughter. 00:13:45.100 --> 00:13:45.419 And the 00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:45.960 next moment 00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:46.340 he was 00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:46.720 on the 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:47.080 run 00:13:47.080 --> 00:13:47.800 for his 00:13:47.800 --> 00:13:48.200 life. 00:13:49.060 --> 00:13:49.300 And he 00:13:49.300 --> 00:13:49.840 was asking 00:13:49.840 --> 00:13:50.399 for bread 00:13:50.399 --> 00:13:51.759 from the 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.200 priest at 00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:52.500 Nob. 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.180 Did he 00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:55.840 experience 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:56.500 scarcity? 00:13:58.500 --> 00:13:59.340 He did. 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:01.379 But did 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.060 God provide 00:14:02.060 --> 00:14:02.539 for him 00:14:02.539 --> 00:14:03.600 all along 00:14:03.600 --> 00:14:04.000 the way 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:05.879 wherever 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.500 he ran 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:08.620 he did. 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:10.240 And the 00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:10.600 Bible is 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:10.980 full of 00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:11.659 stories just 00:14:11.659 --> 00:14:12.240 like his. 00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:13.860 What did 00:14:13.860 --> 00:14:14.340 David do 00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:14.759 in the midst 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.059 of all 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:15.320 that? 00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:15.659 We can 00:14:15.659 --> 00:14:15.960 read it 00:14:15.960 --> 00:14:16.220 in the 00:14:16.220 --> 00:14:16.679 Psalms. 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.200 He looked 00:14:18.200 --> 00:14:18.679 to God. 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:19.899 He put 00:14:19.899 --> 00:14:20.299 his hope 00:14:20.299 --> 00:14:20.720 in God. 00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:21.279 He cried 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:21.679 out to 00:14:21.679 --> 00:14:22.120 the Lord 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:24.139 and the 00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:24.720 Lord supplied 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.340 his need. 00:14:27.080 --> 00:14:27.679 This is 00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:28.080 true whether 00:14:28.080 --> 00:14:28.600 we have an 00:14:28.600 --> 00:14:29.240 abundance today 00:14:29.240 --> 00:14:29.820 or not. 00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:30.700 We should 00:14:30.700 --> 00:14:31.019 do the 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.279 same. 00:14:32.940 --> 00:14:33.360 Command 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:33.779 those who 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:34.159 are rich 00:14:34.159 --> 00:14:34.480 in this 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:34.840 present 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.240 world 00:14:35.240 --> 00:14:36.500 to put 00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:36.759 their 00:14:36.759 --> 00:14:37.120 hope 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.200 in God. 00:14:39.019 --> 00:14:39.259 Is 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:39.399 your 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:39.600 hope 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:39.759 in 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:40.039 God? 00:14:42.120 --> 00:14:42.620 There's 00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.120 a reminder 00:14:43.120 --> 00:14:43.680 that comes 00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:44.320 with this. 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:47.200 Put your 00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:47.580 hope in 00:14:47.580 --> 00:14:48.240 God who 00:14:48.240 --> 00:14:48.899 richly 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:49.700 provides us 00:14:49.700 --> 00:14:50.580 with everything 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:51.899 for our 00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.340 enjoyment. 00:14:54.399 --> 00:14:55.039 This is 00:14:55.039 --> 00:14:55.419 maybe the 00:14:55.419 --> 00:14:55.860 last thing 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.440 we expect 00:14:56.440 --> 00:14:56.919 Paul to 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.299 say in 00:14:57.299 --> 00:14:57.480 this 00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:57.840 moment. 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.159 Maybe 00:14:59.159 --> 00:14:59.560 we were 00:14:59.560 --> 00:15:00.039 expecting 00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:01.259 put your 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:01.680 hope in 00:15:01.680 --> 00:15:02.659 God who 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.139 calls us 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:03.519 all to 00:15:03.519 --> 00:15:03.799 live a 00:15:03.799 --> 00:15:04.159 life of 00:15:04.159 --> 00:15:04.860 austerity. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:06.639 God 00:15:06.639 --> 00:15:07.560 cares more 00:15:07.560 --> 00:15:07.960 about our 00:15:07.960 --> 00:15:08.379 holiness 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:08.879 than our 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:09.320 happiness. 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:11.419 But no. 00:15:12.360 --> 00:15:12.919 Paul says 00:15:12.919 --> 00:15:13.759 speaking of 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.740 riches and 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:15.279 abundance 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:16.019 God is 00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.519 the one 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.840 who richly 00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:19.500 abundantly 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.220 provides us 00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:20.879 with everything. 00:15:23.519 --> 00:15:24.500 He's not 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.060 stingy. 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.120 He doesn't 00:15:27.120 --> 00:15:27.639 give us 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.440 just bare 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:28.879 minimum 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:29.740 slim 00:15:29.740 --> 00:15:30.360 pickings. 00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:31.820 His 00:15:31.820 --> 00:15:32.519 provision to 00:15:32.519 --> 00:15:33.220 us is 00:15:33.220 --> 00:15:33.600 abundant. 00:15:33.600 --> 00:15:34.639 His 00:15:34.639 --> 00:15:35.220 giving to 00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:35.580 us is 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.120 more than 00:15:36.120 --> 00:15:36.580 we need. 00:15:38.200 --> 00:15:38.800 And it's 00:15:38.800 --> 00:15:39.560 not only 00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:40.320 so that we 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:40.740 might give 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.320 to others. 00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:42.420 We'll get 00:15:42.420 --> 00:15:42.779 to that in 00:15:42.779 --> 00:15:43.100 a minute. 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:44.940 But His 00:15:44.940 --> 00:15:45.540 giving to us 00:15:45.540 --> 00:15:46.120 abundantly, 00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:47.159 His more 00:15:47.159 --> 00:15:47.580 than we 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:47.860 need 00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.379 provision 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:49.759 is aimed 00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:50.700 at our 00:15:50.700 --> 00:15:51.159 enjoyment. 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:54.180 Do you 00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:54.700 hear this? 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.659 Put your 00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.259 hope in 00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:57.820 God who 00:15:57.820 --> 00:15:58.899 richly provides 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.279 us with 00:15:59.279 --> 00:16:00.580 everything for 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:01.900 our 00:16:01.900 --> 00:16:02.520 enjoyment. 00:16:07.520 --> 00:16:08.360 God wants 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.320 you to 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:09.800 have 00:16:09.800 --> 00:16:10.700 enjoyment 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:11.860 from the 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.259 things that 00:16:12.259 --> 00:16:12.940 He richly 00:16:12.940 --> 00:16:13.660 provides you 00:16:13.660 --> 00:16:14.060 with and 00:16:14.060 --> 00:16:14.440 gives to 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:14.639 you. 00:16:17.700 --> 00:16:18.480 He loves 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:18.700 you. 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.840 He wants 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:21.320 you to be 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:21.639 happy. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:22.160 He wants 00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:22.460 you to 00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:22.960 delight in 00:16:22.960 --> 00:16:23.240 and be 00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:24.100 satisfied with 00:16:24.100 --> 00:16:24.460 the good 00:16:24.460 --> 00:16:24.920 things that 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:25.360 He's filled 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:25.780 this earth 00:16:25.780 --> 00:16:26.120 with. 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:28.420 So it's 00:16:28.420 --> 00:16:28.960 not wrong 00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:29.460 to have 00:16:29.460 --> 00:16:29.980 possessions. 00:16:30.960 --> 00:16:31.500 It's not 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:33.580 bad to 00:16:33.580 --> 00:16:34.240 have good 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.660 things, 00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.120 to have 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.620 means. 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.280 God's the 00:16:37.280 --> 00:16:37.680 one who's 00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:38.160 given those 00:16:38.160 --> 00:16:38.639 things to 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:38.879 you. 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.660 And He's 00:16:41.660 --> 00:16:42.080 done it for 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.259 your 00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:42.660 enjoyment. 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.100 But as 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:45.420 we'll see 00:16:45.420 --> 00:16:46.360 now, the 00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:46.900 abundance He 00:16:46.900 --> 00:16:47.280 gives is 00:16:47.280 --> 00:16:48.019 not just 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:48.560 for our 00:16:48.560 --> 00:16:49.000 enjoyment. 00:16:50.620 --> 00:16:51.480 It's also 00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.040 so that we 00:16:52.040 --> 00:16:52.700 might use 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.440 it to do 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.860 good and 00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.200 to meet 00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.600 the needs 00:16:55.600 --> 00:16:56.100 of others. 00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.900 Verse 18, 00:16:59.460 --> 00:17:01.060 command them 00:17:01.060 --> 00:17:01.840 to do 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.000 good, to 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.220 be rich in 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.880 good deeds, 00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.400 and to be 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:08.039 generous and 00:17:08.039 --> 00:17:08.500 willing to 00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:08.779 share. 00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.380 So God 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:11.720 gives 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.519 abundantly or 00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:13.160 richly to 00:17:13.160 --> 00:17:14.160 us, and 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.640 He has two 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:15.360 purposes in 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:16.000 it at least. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:17.220 One, for our 00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.840 own enjoyment, 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:20.079 and two, so 00:17:20.079 --> 00:17:20.539 that we can 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.079 out of that 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:21.840 abundance do 00:17:21.840 --> 00:17:22.579 good and 00:17:22.579 --> 00:17:22.980 give to 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:23.360 others. 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.160 And I like 00:17:25.160 --> 00:17:25.759 the way Paul, 00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.519 he seems to 00:17:26.519 --> 00:17:27.000 want to work 00:17:27.000 --> 00:17:27.920 the word rich 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:28.819 into everything 00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.240 here. 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:31.159 To those 00:17:31.159 --> 00:17:31.599 among you 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:31.899 who are 00:17:31.899 --> 00:17:33.460 rich, command 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.279 them to 00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:36.599 be rich in 00:17:36.599 --> 00:17:37.339 good deeds. 00:17:38.879 --> 00:17:39.819 To be rich 00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.879 in good deeds. 00:17:43.679 --> 00:17:44.460 It's as though 00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.759 Paul is 00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.639 saying to 00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:47.159 all of us 00:17:47.159 --> 00:17:47.579 who have an 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:47.899 abundance, 00:17:48.099 --> 00:17:48.460 don't just 00:17:48.460 --> 00:17:49.419 ask, what 00:17:49.419 --> 00:17:49.879 can this 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:50.599 abundance do 00:17:50.599 --> 00:17:51.059 for me? 00:17:51.339 --> 00:17:51.839 Oh, I 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.179 have this 00:17:52.179 --> 00:17:52.619 much money, 00:17:52.679 --> 00:17:53.119 what can I 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:53.659 do with it 00:17:53.659 --> 00:17:54.599 for myself? 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.559 Rather ask, 00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.559 what good 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.059 can I do 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:58.839 for others 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:00.599 with this 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:01.960 abundance that 00:18:01.960 --> 00:18:02.440 God has 00:18:02.440 --> 00:18:02.960 given me? 00:18:03.599 --> 00:18:04.519 Be rich in 00:18:04.519 --> 00:18:05.119 good deeds. 00:18:05.659 --> 00:18:06.220 That's the 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:06.859 kind of riches 00:18:06.859 --> 00:18:07.799 we should 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.480 strive for. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.399 What good 00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:11.119 can I do 00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:12.079 for others 00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.539 with this 00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.299 abundance that 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:14.700 God has 00:18:14.700 --> 00:18:15.259 given to 00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.500 me? 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.759 And notice, 00:18:18.059 --> 00:18:18.399 he doesn't 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:18.819 get too 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:19.619 specific here. 00:18:19.899 --> 00:18:20.299 Command them 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:21.019 to do good, 00:18:21.679 --> 00:18:22.720 to be rich in 00:18:22.720 --> 00:18:23.700 good deeds. 00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:25.960 it's pretty 00:18:25.960 --> 00:18:26.420 generic, 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.240 pretty general. 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:27.819 I mean, 00:18:27.840 --> 00:18:28.279 there's all 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.860 kinds of 00:18:28.860 --> 00:18:29.980 good that 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:30.380 we might 00:18:30.380 --> 00:18:31.440 do with 00:18:31.440 --> 00:18:31.920 the abundance 00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:32.400 that God 00:18:32.400 --> 00:18:32.819 has given 00:18:32.819 --> 00:18:33.180 us. 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.080 Are we 00:18:36.080 --> 00:18:36.819 looking for 00:18:36.819 --> 00:18:37.059 those 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:37.700 opportunities 00:18:37.700 --> 00:18:39.019 with 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.840 intentionality? 00:18:42.240 --> 00:18:42.880 I think 00:18:42.880 --> 00:18:43.299 these words 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:43.620 are really 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:44.120 powerful. 00:18:44.460 --> 00:18:44.819 It's almost 00:18:44.819 --> 00:18:45.460 as if Christ 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:45.940 is trying to 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.559 flip our 00:18:46.559 --> 00:18:46.940 view of 00:18:46.940 --> 00:18:47.759 money and 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.200 possessions 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:49.080 upside down. 00:18:49.079 --> 00:18:51.819 if having 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:53.579 money is 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.159 our goal, 00:18:55.199 --> 00:18:56.980 then the 00:18:56.980 --> 00:18:57.599 question that 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.679 we're going 00:18:58.679 --> 00:18:59.599 to ask is, 00:19:00.480 --> 00:19:00.919 what's the 00:19:00.919 --> 00:19:01.559 bare minimum 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:03.179 that I must 00:19:03.179 --> 00:19:03.819 give away 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:04.839 to be as 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:05.319 God wants 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:05.819 me to be? 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:08.779 But if 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:10.119 doing as 00:19:10.119 --> 00:19:10.899 much good as 00:19:10.899 --> 00:19:12.059 possible is 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:12.399 the goal, 00:19:12.500 --> 00:19:13.359 being rich in 00:19:13.359 --> 00:19:14.000 good deeds, 00:19:14.919 --> 00:19:15.460 suddenly we 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.099 got to ask 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:17.119 a different 00:19:17.119 --> 00:19:17.619 question. 00:19:17.619 --> 00:19:19.679 what amount 00:19:19.679 --> 00:19:20.679 should I 00:19:20.679 --> 00:19:21.839 keep for 00:19:21.839 --> 00:19:22.519 myself and 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:22.959 for my 00:19:22.959 --> 00:19:23.359 family, 00:19:23.459 --> 00:19:23.799 for our 00:19:23.799 --> 00:19:24.319 own needs? 00:19:28.899 --> 00:19:29.759 Command them 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.839 to be rich 00:19:30.839 --> 00:19:32.059 in good 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.459 deeds. 00:19:44.699 --> 00:19:45.259 Paul 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:45.919 tacks on 00:19:45.919 --> 00:19:46.699 two more 00:19:46.699 --> 00:19:47.419 commands here. 00:19:47.619 --> 00:19:48.379 rich in 00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:48.979 good deeds 00:19:48.979 --> 00:19:50.339 and, he 00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:50.839 says, be 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.419 generous. 00:19:52.479 --> 00:19:53.279 Be willing 00:19:53.279 --> 00:19:53.799 to share. 00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:56.159 There's a bit 00:19:56.159 --> 00:19:56.579 of a flow 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.099 here if you 00:19:57.099 --> 00:19:57.439 read the 00:19:57.439 --> 00:19:58.099 passage in 00:19:58.099 --> 00:19:59.000 one go. 00:19:59.500 --> 00:19:59.779 And we 00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.139 see the 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:00.659 same flow 00:20:00.659 --> 00:20:01.199 in other 00:20:01.199 --> 00:20:01.819 places in 00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.099 the New 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.519 Testament. 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:03.819 We're 00:20:03.819 --> 00:20:04.399 commanded to 00:20:04.399 --> 00:20:05.379 love as 00:20:05.379 --> 00:20:06.019 Christ has 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:06.679 loved us. 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.819 We're told 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:09.539 to forgive 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:10.579 one another 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.799 as God 00:20:11.799 --> 00:20:12.399 has forgiven 00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:12.839 us. 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:13.859 And here 00:20:13.859 --> 00:20:14.739 we see that 00:20:14.739 --> 00:20:15.299 we're to be 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:15.919 generous. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:17.779 just as 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.220 God has 00:20:18.220 --> 00:20:18.840 been generous 00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.420 to us. 00:20:19.539 --> 00:20:19.880 He has 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.519 richly, 00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.160 abundantly 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:22.539 provided for 00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.019 us. 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.779 And we're 00:20:23.779 --> 00:20:24.380 to take 00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:25.720 now out 00:20:25.720 --> 00:20:26.019 of that 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.500 abundance 00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.200 and be 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:27.900 generous. 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:29.640 Give 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.259 abundantly 00:20:30.259 --> 00:20:32.160 to others. 00:20:32.600 --> 00:20:32.960 Be willing 00:20:32.960 --> 00:20:33.500 to share. 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:37.720 would we 00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:41.299 receive the 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:41.859 abundant 00:20:41.859 --> 00:20:43.700 rich 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:44.519 provision of 00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:44.859 God 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:46.660 and then 00:20:46.660 --> 00:20:47.420 be stingy 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:49.140 and closed 00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.779 fisted 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:51.140 towards 00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:51.559 others. 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.880 That word 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.660 generous is 00:20:57.660 --> 00:20:58.700 I mean we 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.559 throw it out 00:20:59.559 --> 00:20:59.960 and we say 00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.259 it, we 00:21:00.259 --> 00:21:00.980 understand it. 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:02.519 I looked 00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:02.880 it up in 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:03.400 the dictionary 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:03.839 because I 00:21:03.839 --> 00:21:04.140 thought you 00:21:04.140 --> 00:21:04.460 know what 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:05.259 does it 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.819 really mean? 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.440 What's the 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:06.799 way that, 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:07.120 what's the 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:07.440 thing that 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:07.700 we should 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:08.120 be thinking 00:21:08.120 --> 00:21:08.599 of here? 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.559 And it 00:21:09.559 --> 00:21:10.279 said to 00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:10.700 give 00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.480 willingly 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:13.460 more of 00:21:13.460 --> 00:21:14.120 something than 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.680 is strictly 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:16.360 necessary or 00:21:16.360 --> 00:21:16.900 expected. 00:21:18.019 --> 00:21:18.799 To give 00:21:18.799 --> 00:21:19.460 abundantly. 00:21:22.960 --> 00:21:23.880 To give 00:21:23.880 --> 00:21:24.579 willingly 00:21:24.579 --> 00:21:27.500 more than 00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.019 is strictly 00:21:28.019 --> 00:21:29.740 necessary or 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.279 expected. 00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:32.099 to give 00:21:32.099 --> 00:21:33.059 abundantly. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:34.900 And so we 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.400 come back to 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:35.819 that first 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.400 question that 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:36.880 I asked 00:21:36.880 --> 00:21:37.259 earlier. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:39.180 Are you 00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:40.339 rich? 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.120 Do you 00:21:43.120 --> 00:21:43.660 have more 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.440 than you 00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:44.759 need? 00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.200 Do you 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.440 have an 00:21:47.440 --> 00:21:47.740 abundance? 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.059 If so, 00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.799 Christ's command 00:21:50.799 --> 00:21:51.360 to you is 00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.319 this, give 00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.420 willingly 00:21:53.420 --> 00:21:56.740 and generously, 00:21:57.220 --> 00:21:57.839 abundantly 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:58.660 to others. 00:21:58.660 --> 00:21:59.740 Share out of 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.339 that abundance 00:22:00.339 --> 00:22:01.000 with others. 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.679 Accomplish as 00:22:02.679 --> 00:22:03.299 many good 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:03.859 things as 00:22:03.859 --> 00:22:04.399 you can 00:22:04.399 --> 00:22:05.639 without 00:22:05.639 --> 00:22:06.279 abundance. 00:22:10.959 --> 00:22:11.779 In this 00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.899 way, they 00:22:12.899 --> 00:22:13.379 will lay up 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:13.939 treasure for 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:15.139 themselves as 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:15.559 a firm 00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.459 foundation for 00:22:16.459 --> 00:22:16.859 the coming 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.959 age so 00:22:17.959 --> 00:22:18.259 that they 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.779 may take 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.679 hold of 00:22:19.679 --> 00:22:20.139 the life 00:22:20.139 --> 00:22:20.480 that is 00:22:20.480 --> 00:22:21.759 truly life. 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:25.039 here, these 00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.480 words of 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:26.019 Paul hearken 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.500 back to 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.079 what Jesus 00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.799 said in 00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.480 the Sermon 00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:28.740 on the 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.019 Mount. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:29.759 Probably 00:22:29.759 --> 00:22:29.980 you're 00:22:29.980 --> 00:22:30.539 familiar with 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.220 that passage. 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:31.579 Matthew 00:22:31.579 --> 00:22:32.440 chapter 6, 00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:33.960 19 and 00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.220 20. 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:34.940 Jesus said, 00:22:34.940 --> 00:22:35.820 do not store 00:22:35.820 --> 00:22:36.180 up for 00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:37.460 yourselves treasures 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:38.080 on earth 00:22:38.080 --> 00:22:39.400 where moths 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.480 and vermin 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.860 destroy and 00:22:41.860 --> 00:22:42.279 where thieves 00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:42.920 break in and 00:22:42.920 --> 00:22:43.200 steal. 00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:44.940 But store up 00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.480 for yourselves 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.600 treasures in 00:22:46.600 --> 00:22:48.180 heaven where 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:48.700 moths and 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.440 vermin do not 00:22:49.440 --> 00:22:50.720 destroy and 00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.140 where thieves 00:22:51.140 --> 00:22:51.960 do not break 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:53.279 in and steal. 00:22:55.380 --> 00:22:56.380 Well, how do we 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:56.840 do that? 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.680 How do we store 00:22:57.680 --> 00:22:58.440 up treasure in 00:22:58.440 --> 00:22:58.700 heaven? 00:22:59.820 --> 00:23:00.700 Paul tells us 00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:02.059 some of the ways 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.599 that we do 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.200 that in this 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.940 passage here 00:23:03.940 --> 00:23:04.980 in his letter 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.099 to Timothy. 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.859 By doing 00:23:07.859 --> 00:23:09.919 good, by 00:23:09.919 --> 00:23:11.099 giving generously, 00:23:11.899 --> 00:23:12.859 by sharing 00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:14.039 with others 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.599 who are in 00:23:14.599 --> 00:23:16.319 need, in 00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.039 this way 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:17.899 they will lay 00:23:17.899 --> 00:23:18.440 up treasure 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:19.200 for themselves 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.559 as a firm 00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:22.079 foundation for 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:22.500 the coming 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:22.879 age. 00:23:26.099 --> 00:23:27.179 So the good 00:23:27.179 --> 00:23:28.679 deeds that we 00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:29.359 do in this 00:23:29.359 --> 00:23:31.440 life really 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:33.759 matter in 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:35.880 eternity, in 00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:36.380 the age to 00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:36.640 come. 00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:37.080 There's 00:23:37.080 --> 00:23:37.820 something good 00:23:37.820 --> 00:23:38.720 in them, 00:23:38.840 --> 00:23:39.559 something from 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.059 them that 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:41.320 lasts into 00:23:41.320 --> 00:23:42.860 eternity. 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.880 And Paul uses 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:45.779 this language of 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.840 a good foundation 00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.240 here. 00:23:50.779 --> 00:23:51.500 If you were 00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:51.920 going to build 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.559 a house next 00:23:53.559 --> 00:23:56.220 year, first 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:56.759 of all, wow, 00:23:56.880 --> 00:23:57.480 that's a lot of 00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:57.700 money. 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.420 That's a big 00:23:58.420 --> 00:23:58.880 investment. 00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.759 That's a huge 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.320 undertaking. 00:24:02.440 --> 00:24:03.160 Would you go 00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:04.220 cheap and 00:24:04.220 --> 00:24:04.960 save money and 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.720 just pop it 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.200 right on the 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.420 dirt? 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.259 Probably not. 00:24:10.580 --> 00:24:11.299 Or would you 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.779 just get some 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:13.059 old wood and 00:24:13.059 --> 00:24:13.620 shove it under 00:24:13.620 --> 00:24:14.200 there and make 00:24:14.200 --> 00:24:14.759 a little bit of 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:15.820 a thing for it 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.480 to rest on? 00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.640 Probably not. 00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.200 Would you pay 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:22.960 the money and 00:24:22.960 --> 00:24:23.620 have a proper 00:24:23.620 --> 00:24:24.940 concrete foundation 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.620 or basement 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:25.980 poured? 00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.059 Lord? 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.180 I think we all 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:29.920 understand the 00:24:29.920 --> 00:24:30.480 importance of 00:24:30.480 --> 00:24:31.240 having a good 00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.200 foundation when it 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.240 comes to earthly 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:33.799 houses. 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.220 But do we know 00:24:35.220 --> 00:24:36.019 the importance of 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.640 having a good 00:24:36.640 --> 00:24:38.380 foundation when it 00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:39.220 comes to our 00:24:39.220 --> 00:24:41.120 heavenly home in 00:24:41.120 --> 00:24:41.860 the coming age? 00:24:43.380 --> 00:24:44.319 Do you know 00:24:44.319 --> 00:24:46.000 that how you live 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.700 here and now 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:50.360 matters in the 00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:51.000 coming age? 00:24:51.000 --> 00:24:53.319 being generous, 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.140 being willing to 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:54.759 share, being 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.460 rich in good 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:55.859 deeds? 00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.019 It's like doing 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:58.500 work on your 00:24:58.500 --> 00:24:59.700 foundation for the 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.380 age to come. 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.400 I'll just read it 00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:01.720 again. 00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.220 In this way, 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:04.220 they will lay up 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:04.819 treasure for 00:25:04.819 --> 00:25:06.319 themselves as a 00:25:06.319 --> 00:25:08.099 firm foundation for 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.380 the coming age. 00:25:09.380 --> 00:25:12.460 What kind of 00:25:12.460 --> 00:25:13.340 foundation are you 00:25:13.340 --> 00:25:15.040 laying for the 00:25:15.040 --> 00:25:15.700 coming age? 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.540 For the life that 00:25:17.540 --> 00:25:18.460 comes after this 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:18.680 one? 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.900 We got on this 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.560 subject a little 00:25:21.560 --> 00:25:22.240 bit in Adult 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.040 Sunday School last 00:25:23.040 --> 00:25:23.800 Sunday, actually. 00:25:26.160 --> 00:25:27.700 There are real 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:30.000 rewards that God 00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:33.000 holds in store for 00:25:33.000 --> 00:25:33.740 those who, by 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:36.320 faith, do good 00:25:36.320 --> 00:25:38.580 with what he has 00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:39.439 entrusted to them. 00:25:41.899 --> 00:25:42.819 There are real 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:45.419 rewards which God 00:25:45.419 --> 00:25:47.980 holds in store for 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.699 those who, by 00:25:48.699 --> 00:25:50.779 faith, do good 00:25:50.779 --> 00:25:52.619 with what he has 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:53.480 entrusted to them. 00:25:54.039 --> 00:25:54.799 Now, that doesn't 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.419 mean that we have 00:25:55.419 --> 00:25:56.019 to do a certain 00:25:56.019 --> 00:25:56.519 amount of good 00:25:56.519 --> 00:25:57.299 works in order to 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.419 be saved or to 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:59.399 go to heaven. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:00.519 We get that as 00:26:00.519 --> 00:26:01.500 God's gift simply 00:26:01.500 --> 00:26:03.259 by faith and by 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:04.319 asking God for 00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.079 forgiveness and 00:26:05.079 --> 00:26:06.319 believing in Jesus. 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.259 But there are real 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.759 rewards that God 00:26:09.759 --> 00:26:12.279 holds in store for 00:26:12.279 --> 00:26:13.599 those who, by faith, 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.180 persevere in doing 00:26:15.180 --> 00:26:17.500 good works in this 00:26:17.500 --> 00:26:18.180 present world. 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.779 And I hope that we 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.839 maybe can dig into 00:26:20.839 --> 00:26:21.640 some of that in 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:23.980 future, in other 00:26:23.980 --> 00:26:24.440 passages. 00:26:25.279 --> 00:26:26.160 These words are 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.079 intended to motivate 00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:27.579 us. 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:31.079 He's saying, lay up 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.220 treasure for yourself 00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.279 in heaven by doing 00:26:33.279 --> 00:26:35.579 these things, being 00:26:35.579 --> 00:26:37.559 generous, willing to 00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:37.879 share. 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:44.079 If we think back to 00:26:44.079 --> 00:26:44.839 what we heard a couple 00:26:44.839 --> 00:26:48.819 weeks ago, the stuff 00:26:48.819 --> 00:26:50.220 that we have now, our 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:51.439 abundance, our 00:26:51.439 --> 00:26:54.379 possessions, we can't 00:26:54.379 --> 00:26:54.799 keep them. 00:26:54.799 --> 00:26:56.899 death will someday 00:26:56.899 --> 00:26:57.899 separate us from all 00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:58.180 of it. 00:26:59.139 --> 00:26:59.740 And so don't just 00:26:59.740 --> 00:27:00.779 focus on adding to 00:27:00.779 --> 00:27:01.919 that and having more 00:27:01.919 --> 00:27:02.399 of that. 00:27:03.659 --> 00:27:04.980 These things may be 00:27:04.980 --> 00:27:06.200 treasures to us and 00:27:06.200 --> 00:27:07.259 truly God has given 00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.259 them to us for our 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:08.680 enjoyment. 00:27:10.159 --> 00:27:11.119 But when that day 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:13.039 comes, we breathe our 00:27:13.039 --> 00:27:13.480 last. 00:27:15.419 --> 00:27:16.819 It's not ours anymore. 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:19.440 And so instead, focus 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.759 on storing up for 00:27:20.759 --> 00:27:22.720 yourself treasure in 00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:23.059 heaven. 00:27:25.059 --> 00:27:26.160 A treasure that you 00:27:26.160 --> 00:27:26.980 can never lose. 00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.819 That's not uncertain 00:27:29.819 --> 00:27:31.400 or affected by the 00:27:31.400 --> 00:27:32.299 things that go on 00:27:32.299 --> 00:27:32.860 down here. 00:27:34.100 --> 00:27:35.140 Focus on laying that 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:37.039 good foundation for 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:38.500 yourself in the coming 00:27:38.500 --> 00:27:38.900 age. 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:38.960 page. 00:27:47.540 --> 00:27:49.580 Paul ends this letter 00:27:49.580 --> 00:27:51.519 with a final charge and 00:27:51.519 --> 00:27:53.000 warning to Timothy. 00:27:54.580 --> 00:27:56.340 Timothy, guard what has 00:27:56.340 --> 00:27:57.259 been entrusted to your 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:57.560 care. 00:27:58.540 --> 00:27:59.640 Turn away from godless 00:27:59.640 --> 00:28:01.340 chatter and the opposing 00:28:01.340 --> 00:28:02.740 ideas of what is falsely 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:05.380 called knowledge, which 00:28:05.380 --> 00:28:06.460 some have professed and in 00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:07.500 so doing have departed 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.220 from the faith. 00:28:10.440 --> 00:28:11.779 He ends his letter by 00:28:11.779 --> 00:28:13.700 charging Timothy to guard 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:15.140 what has been entrusted 00:28:15.140 --> 00:28:16.000 to his care. 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:18.799 Quite literally, guard the 00:28:18.799 --> 00:28:19.859 entrusted deposit. 00:28:21.299 --> 00:28:22.819 Now this is not Paul's 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:24.000 life savings that he's 00:28:24.000 --> 00:28:24.839 talking about, that 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.839 Timothy's keeping for 00:28:25.839 --> 00:28:26.819 Paul under his bed. 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.259 That would be ironic, 00:28:28.460 --> 00:28:29.440 after what Paul just 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:29.740 said. 00:28:30.480 --> 00:28:32.079 What is this entrusted 00:28:32.079 --> 00:28:32.559 deposit? 00:28:33.900 --> 00:28:35.180 Paul actually reveals it 00:28:35.180 --> 00:28:36.240 to us in his second 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.099 letter to Timothy. 00:28:37.940 --> 00:28:39.059 Second Timothy chapter 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.240 one, verse 13. 00:28:41.120 --> 00:28:42.180 Paul writes to Timothy 00:28:42.180 --> 00:28:44.240 there, what you heard 00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:46.200 from me, keep as the 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:47.039 pattern of sound 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:48.339 teaching with faith and 00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.420 love in Christ Jesus. 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.339 Guard the good deposit 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.579 that was entrusted to 00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:52.819 you. 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:54.519 Guard it with the help 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:56.519 of the Holy Spirit who 00:28:56.519 --> 00:28:57.220 lives in us. 00:28:58.220 --> 00:29:00.160 So the good deposit, the 00:29:00.160 --> 00:29:02.319 entrusted deposit, is the 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.680 sound teaching that 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.920 Timothy heard from Paul. 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:06.120 It's the gospel. 00:29:06.600 --> 00:29:07.800 It's the good news about 00:29:07.800 --> 00:29:08.880 Jesus and all the 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.960 teaching of Christ that 00:29:09.960 --> 00:29:10.680 goes with it. 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.640 That Paul is an apostle of 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:14.180 Christ Jesus has given to 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:14.580 Timothy. 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.519 And so here as he draws 00:29:16.519 --> 00:29:17.560 this first letter to a 00:29:17.560 --> 00:29:18.580 close, Paul is saying, 00:29:19.120 --> 00:29:21.000 guard that message, that 00:29:21.000 --> 00:29:22.060 teaching, that truth. 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:23.740 Preserve it. 00:29:25.360 --> 00:29:26.160 Protect it. 00:29:26.160 --> 00:29:28.900 Don't let it be lost. 00:29:29.040 --> 00:29:29.960 Don't let it slip away 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.779 into the background. 00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:32.160 Don't let it become 00:29:32.160 --> 00:29:35.500 confused or mixed up with 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:38.420 all these other ideas and 00:29:38.420 --> 00:29:40.080 false teachings, these 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:41.600 controversial speculations 00:29:41.600 --> 00:29:42.820 of others. 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:44.759 Keep this truth about Jesus 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:49.300 as the main message, the 00:29:49.300 --> 00:29:50.340 marching orders of the 00:29:50.340 --> 00:29:50.680 church. 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:50.740 knowledge. 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:54.320 Turn away from godless 00:29:54.320 --> 00:29:55.360 chatter and the opposing 00:29:55.360 --> 00:29:56.779 ideas of what is falsely 00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:57.740 called knowledge. 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:01.259 Another warning from Paul 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:03.019 concerning the ideas and 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.160 teachings of the false 00:30:04.160 --> 00:30:04.560 teachers. 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.140 Just turn away from those 00:30:06.140 --> 00:30:06.860 things, Timothy. 00:30:07.360 --> 00:30:08.840 Stay true to the deposit 00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:10.799 from Christ which I have 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.519 given to you. 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:13.759 That other stuff is not 00:30:13.759 --> 00:30:14.920 knowledge. 00:30:14.920 --> 00:30:17.480 those who profess these 00:30:17.480 --> 00:30:18.880 ideas which oppose the 00:30:18.880 --> 00:30:20.160 gospel and oppose the 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:21.900 words of Christ, they've 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:23.100 departed from the faith. 00:30:24.860 --> 00:30:25.940 So don't listen to them. 00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:27.039 Turn away from them. 00:30:29.880 --> 00:30:31.259 Stay true to that good 00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:34.720 deposit, that gospel, that 00:30:34.720 --> 00:30:35.800 truth that I have given to 00:30:35.800 --> 00:30:36.019 you. 00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:39.400 And he closes with grace be 00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.019 with you all. 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:41.380 A blessing. 00:30:42.640 --> 00:30:43.940 May the grace of God, may 00:30:43.940 --> 00:30:45.799 the giving kindness of 00:30:45.799 --> 00:30:47.759 God be with you all. 00:30:49.820 --> 00:30:51.299 So for those of you who 00:30:51.299 --> 00:30:54.360 have an abundance, what 00:30:54.360 --> 00:30:55.180 will you do with it? 00:30:57.259 --> 00:30:59.940 Are there good deeds that 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:01.720 God has been laying on your 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:04.660 heart that are yet undone? 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:08.420 Are there people that you 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:11.519 know could be in our midst or 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.700 could be outside of these 00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:14.819 walls, in our community or 00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.299 family? 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.519 Are there people you know 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:19.580 who do not have an abundance 00:31:19.580 --> 00:31:20.900 and are struggling just to 00:31:20.900 --> 00:31:22.900 pay the bills and keep food 00:31:22.900 --> 00:31:23.480 on the table? 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:31.240 But if I give away the 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.400 stuff that I've received or 00:31:32.400 --> 00:31:33.259 the stuff that I've earned, 00:31:33.340 --> 00:31:34.400 how will I have enough for me 00:31:34.400 --> 00:31:35.380 and for my family? 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:39.200 Is your hope in the Lord? 00:31:41.280 --> 00:31:42.620 Or is it in what you have? 00:31:46.500 --> 00:31:48.160 My grandparents often said, 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:50.560 often say this to me, they 00:31:50.560 --> 00:31:53.080 say, you can't out give God. 00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:57.140 God owns the cattle on a 00:31:57.140 --> 00:31:57.900 thousand hills. 00:31:58.080 --> 00:31:58.820 He owns it all. 00:31:59.400 --> 00:31:59.780 Everything. 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.540 Will he not supply your need 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:05.240 just as he does the birds of 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:07.259 the air and the critters of 00:32:07.259 --> 00:32:07.659 the field? 00:32:09.319 --> 00:32:10.759 And so I hope and pray that 00:32:10.759 --> 00:32:12.440 with what we've heard this 00:32:12.440 --> 00:32:14.200 morning, we don't go home 00:32:14.200 --> 00:32:15.799 today and say, well, that was 00:32:15.799 --> 00:32:17.839 convicting and then just do 00:32:17.839 --> 00:32:18.619 nothing about it. 00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:21.659 What real, tangible action 00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:23.700 will you take this Christmas 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.960 with the abundance that you 00:32:24.960 --> 00:32:25.319 have? 00:32:25.319 --> 00:32:29.759 What real, tangible action 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:31.279 will you take in this year 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:34.519 ahead of us, 2024, with the 00:32:34.519 --> 00:32:35.720 abundance that you have 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.200 received? 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:39.519 We are stewards, managers, all 00:32:39.519 --> 00:32:39.960 of us. 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:43.079 And the King will come back 00:32:43.079 --> 00:32:45.099 someday and he's going to ask 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:47.279 what we have done with what 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:48.379 he's entrusted to us. 00:32:49.700 --> 00:32:53.220 May we all reflect the grace and 00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:55.819 the generosity of our God 00:32:55.819 --> 00:32:57.900 well on that day. 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.360 Let's pray. 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:08.160 Father, we thank you for 00:33:08.160 --> 00:33:09.380 these words that you've given 00:33:09.380 --> 00:33:09.940 to us. 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:12.140 And yes, we admit that they are 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:13.200 challenging to us. 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:16.039 They strike deeply into our 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:18.799 hearts because we do live in a 00:33:18.799 --> 00:33:21.380 culture that is all about 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:25.860 greed, having more, having 00:33:25.860 --> 00:33:26.260 better. 00:33:27.580 --> 00:33:28.920 And so I pray that you would 00:33:28.920 --> 00:33:30.680 do your work in us by your 00:33:30.680 --> 00:33:33.740 Holy Spirit, that you would 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:35.000 teach us the way of 00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:38.220 contentment and that we truly 00:33:38.220 --> 00:33:40.060 would be willing to give 00:33:40.060 --> 00:33:43.280 generously and to share with 00:33:43.280 --> 00:33:44.120 those who are in need. 00:33:44.620 --> 00:33:46.080 Do that work in us, we pray. 00:33:46.700 --> 00:33:48.620 Make us to shine and to reflect 00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:51.539 your glory for the glory of 00:33:51.539 --> 00:33:51.899 Christ. 00:33:53.099 --> 00:33:53.459 Amen. 00:33:53.459 --> 00:33:53.559 Amen.