WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.500
 money. You have material prosperity. Is it a blessing or is it a curse?

00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:19.179
 Well, my prayer is that we will be able to accurately answer that question on an individual

00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:27.280
 level as we conclude what has turned into a mini-series on thinking biblically about socialism.

00:00:27.280 --> 00:00:32.679
 We're really going to do a sort of a transition from thinking about socialism to thinking about

00:00:32.679 --> 00:00:39.600
 money, what the Bible teaches about money today. I want you, if you would, to go ahead and open your

00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:46.799
 Bible to 1 Timothy chapter 6. 1 Timothy chapter 6 and just leave it open until we get there

00:00:46.799 --> 00:00:55.579
 in a few more minutes. But as we go through this message, is your money, your wealth,

00:00:55.579 --> 00:01:07.439
 your material possessions, your prosperity? Has it been, is it a true blessing? Or has it been,

00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:16.780
 is it a curse? I want us to begin with a very quick overview of some of the things we've looked at the

00:01:16.780 --> 00:01:25.340
 last two weeks. And to expedite things, when we come to the section where we've looked at a lot of

00:01:25.340 --> 00:01:30.740
 different scriptures, I'm not going to show the scripture on the screen again today. I want to

00:01:30.740 --> 00:01:35.859
 encourage you to look back at the last two weeks. There's notes online. Plus, if you haven't heard

00:01:35.859 --> 00:01:46.520
 the messages, go back and listen to them because we've been trying to analyze why, how socialism is

00:01:46.520 --> 00:01:52.620
 contrary to the way God designed life to work in this world. For us to be able to provide for

00:01:52.620 --> 00:01:58.460
 ourselves and our families and even people who are in need. Let's look quickly. What is socialism?

00:01:58.800 --> 00:02:04.820
 Here's a definition. Any economic or political system based on government ownership and or control

00:02:04.820 --> 00:02:12.780
 of important businesses, methods of production, distribution of goods, etc. R.C. Sproul does a good

00:02:12.780 --> 00:02:20.120
 job putting this together. He says, socialism seeks as its premier goal, the equality of wealth and

00:02:20.120 --> 00:02:27.060
 equality of ownership within a society. To accomplish this, government must be involved in the redistribution

00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:37.860
 of wealth. Now, until recently, our nation's leaders have never considered socialism to be a desirable

00:02:37.860 --> 00:02:47.040
 or workable economic system. Throughout the history of our country, we have not had reputable,

00:02:47.039 --> 00:03:03.079
 trustworthy leaders who talked about the goodness, the value of socialism, politically or economically.

00:03:03.979 --> 00:03:09.919
 And there's good reason for that. Look at what Sproul says about the failure of this, these systems.

00:03:09.919 --> 00:03:17.339
 Virtually every significant effort aimed at improving people's standard of living invented by socialistic

00:03:17.339 --> 00:03:25.899
 or communistic theories of economics has failed miserably. In his book on ethics, Wayne Grudem has done a lot

00:03:25.899 --> 00:03:35.299
 of research on communism and socialism and how they failed various countries throughout the 20th century.

00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:48.540
 This is how he concluded his research. No matter the plan, it is not been and cannot be made to work. Now, you can verify

00:03:48.540 --> 00:04:01.020
 what both Grudem and Sproul have said here by just looking at what has happened in the last 50 to 100 years around the world.

00:04:01.020 --> 00:04:12.760
 Look at the Soviet Union. Look at the Soviet Union. Look at Cuba. Look at North Korea. Look at Venezuela.

00:04:14.520 --> 00:04:24.560
 Their communistic slash socialistic systems brought misery to their people and failure to their economy.

00:04:24.560 --> 00:04:36.500
 Nothing good, nothing productive came from those systems. I think Cal Thomas provides one of the best reasons why

00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:43.300
 socialism has never worked anywhere in the world at any time in history. He says,

00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:51.259
 perhaps the best line I have heard on the subject is from our 30th president, Calvin Coolidge. Don't expect to build up the weak

00:04:51.259 --> 00:05:03.620
 by pulling down the strong. That's exactly what socialism seeks to do. Build up the financially weak by pulling down the financially strong.

00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:18.980
 It has never been successful anywhere in the world over history. Now, there are many reasons why socialism has always failed.

00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:33.180
 But one of the main reasons is because it is contrary to God's design. How he intends human beings to take care of themselves, provide for themselves, their families, and even people in need.

00:05:33.780 --> 00:05:41.000
 So let's look now, again quickly, how is socialism contrary to God's design? What we're going to look at in these next points,

00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:47.379
 we've looked at several different passages of Scripture that I want you to go back and look at if you weren't here.

00:05:47.379 --> 00:05:56.060
 As God created human beings in His image to be stewards or managers of all that He created and owns,

00:05:57.060 --> 00:06:00.800
 here are some of the ways God has blessed us.

00:06:01.800 --> 00:06:06.959
 God gives us the privilege and responsibility of having earthly ownership of private property.

00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:14.300
 It is a part of God's design for you to work and own property.

00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:15.579
 God gives us the privilege of having earthly stuff.

00:06:16.860 --> 00:06:19.079
 That's why the Eighth Commandment says, do not steal.

00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:23.280
 Because what belongs to you, I'm supposed to leave alone.

00:06:23.540 --> 00:06:26.180
 What belongs to me, you're supposed to leave alone.

00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:31.780
 Number two, God calls us to take care of His creation and ourselves by working.

00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:34.120
 Work is a creation ordinance.

00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:37.800
 It's part of God's good creation before the fall.

00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:42.600
 God intends for our work to be fruitful or productive.

00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:45.180
 He wants us to produce something.

00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:51.180
 He wants us to create value in this world through our labor.

00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:58.019
 And then number four, God intends for us to enjoy the fruits of faithful labor as a reward.

00:06:59.300 --> 00:07:00.259
 You reap what you sow.

00:07:00.340 --> 00:07:01.680
 That's a principle of life.

00:07:02.580 --> 00:07:04.900
 A lot of times we just talk about it in a negative way.

00:07:04.899 --> 00:07:07.939
 You reap what you sow in terms of sinful things we do.

00:07:08.019 --> 00:07:12.399
 But it also applies we reap what we sow when we work productively.

00:07:14.079 --> 00:07:19.620
 Now, our God-given freedom to own property, to work productively,

00:07:19.620 --> 00:07:23.699
 to enjoy some of the fruits of our labor,

00:07:24.699 --> 00:07:32.579
 is the foundation of the economic system called free markets or capitalism.

00:07:32.579 --> 00:07:36.859
 Now, that word capitalism to a lot of liberals,

00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:41.839
 socialistic thinking people is a four-letter word.

00:07:43.379 --> 00:07:45.800
 It's an awful concept.

00:07:47.740 --> 00:07:52.899
 Socialists consider capitalism or the free market economy

00:07:52.899 --> 00:07:56.599
 to be a greedy, materialistic system

00:07:56.600 --> 00:08:00.120
 that allows some people to become wealthy

00:08:00.120 --> 00:08:05.460
 at the expense of the majority of people remaining poor.

00:08:06.060 --> 00:08:06.800
 That's not true.

00:08:08.240 --> 00:08:11.000
 That is not true historically.

00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:13.560
 It's not true in terms of how it works.

00:08:13.720 --> 00:08:15.120
 Now, certainly there are people,

00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:17.780
 there are capitalists.

00:08:17.779 --> 00:08:21.779
 Maybe some of us in this room at times,

00:08:21.779 --> 00:08:25.399
 we're greedy and we're materialistic.

00:08:26.159 --> 00:08:30.119
 It's true that some capitalists take advantage of the system

00:08:30.119 --> 00:08:35.079
 and take advantage of people.

00:08:36.079 --> 00:08:37.679
 But as a system,

00:08:38.319 --> 00:08:42.919
 it is not designed to just reward a few people

00:08:42.919 --> 00:08:44.720
 at the expense of most people.

00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:47.800
 There's nothing about a free market system

00:08:47.800 --> 00:08:49.600
 that prevents anyone

00:08:49.600 --> 00:08:52.480
 from acquiring wealth

00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:56.180
 if they'll participate and go about it the right way.

00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:57.379
 For an example,

00:08:58.279 --> 00:09:00.639
 I'm just going to use a farmer as an example.

00:09:01.300 --> 00:09:02.240
 As you think about it,

00:09:02.279 --> 00:09:04.180
 think of any other business owner

00:09:04.180 --> 00:09:05.860
 that comes to mind.

00:09:07.300 --> 00:09:09.800
 A farmer who owns land,

00:09:10.759 --> 00:09:12.960
 plants a large crop of corn,

00:09:12.960 --> 00:09:16.519
 and sells it for a considerable profit

00:09:16.519 --> 00:09:19.740
 does not force anyone

00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:23.980
 to suffer for his profit.

00:09:24.780 --> 00:09:26.720
 The truth is just the opposite.

00:09:27.980 --> 00:09:30.280
 Many people will benefit

00:09:30.280 --> 00:09:32.800
 from the successful farmer,

00:09:33.360 --> 00:09:34.040
 builder,

00:09:34.620 --> 00:09:36.680
 any kind of business person.

00:09:37.800 --> 00:09:38.580
 Think about how.

00:09:38.580 --> 00:09:41.980
 This farmer will employ other people

00:09:41.980 --> 00:09:43.780
 to help him plant,

00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:44.620
 take care of,

00:09:44.639 --> 00:09:46.120
 and harvest his crop.

00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:49.040
 This farmer will buy seed,

00:09:49.280 --> 00:09:49.840
 fertilizer,

00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:51.280
 and farm machinery

00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:53.320
 from other business owners.

00:09:53.540 --> 00:09:55.020
 And every one of those businesses

00:09:55.020 --> 00:09:56.900
 that has the seed,

00:09:57.040 --> 00:09:57.639
 the fertilizer,

00:09:57.800 --> 00:09:58.400
 and the machinery,

00:09:58.700 --> 00:09:59.980
 they employ people.

00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:03.400
 The farmer will produce food

00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:04.659
 for many,

00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:05.459
 many people

00:10:05.459 --> 00:10:07.480
 who do not have the ability

00:10:07.480 --> 00:10:09.259
 to grow the corn

00:10:09.259 --> 00:10:10.179
 for themselves.

00:10:11.179 --> 00:10:12.840
 If the farmer is a faithful Christian,

00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:14.879
 he'll give a tithe of his income

00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:15.759
 to his church,

00:10:16.019 --> 00:10:17.340
 and if his church is faithful,

00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.819
 they'll be about fulfilling

00:10:18.819 --> 00:10:19.679
 the great commission

00:10:19.679 --> 00:10:20.779
 that our Lord has given us,

00:10:21.059 --> 00:10:21.939
 making disciples,

00:10:22.360 --> 00:10:23.500
 teaching the word of God,

00:10:23.959 --> 00:10:25.819
 having a positive impact

00:10:25.819 --> 00:10:26.679
 in the community

00:10:26.679 --> 00:10:28.100
 through their godly character

00:10:28.100 --> 00:10:28.879
 and influence.

00:10:28.879 --> 00:10:30.039
 That's what Jesus called

00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:32.059
 being salt and light.

00:10:32.899 --> 00:10:33.200
 Also,

00:10:33.340 --> 00:10:34.320
 if this faithful farmer,

00:10:35.120 --> 00:10:35.799
 or if this farmer

00:10:35.799 --> 00:10:36.700
 is a faithful Christian,

00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:38.960
 he'll be helping other people

00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:41.299
 that God brings into his life

00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:42.379
 that he knows

00:10:42.379 --> 00:10:43.700
 and sees their need

00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:45.639
 and has the means to help.

00:10:47.399 --> 00:10:49.519
 R.C. Sproul does a great job

00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:50.759
 of pointing out

00:10:50.759 --> 00:10:51.559
 the advantages

00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:53.720
 of a free market economy,

00:10:53.720 --> 00:10:55.980
 even if a wealthy person

00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:57.080
 is an unbeliever

00:10:57.080 --> 00:10:58.779
 and greedy

00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.779
 and materialistic.

00:11:01.580 --> 00:11:02.160
 It's a long,

00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:03.560
 somewhat long quote.

00:11:03.759 --> 00:11:04.340
 I'm not going to put it

00:11:04.340 --> 00:11:04.720
 on the screen.

00:11:04.800 --> 00:11:05.580
 I want you to listen to this.

00:11:06.519 --> 00:11:07.000
 Sproul says,

00:11:07.060 --> 00:11:07.899
 in a free market,

00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:09.740
 even if a man

00:11:09.740 --> 00:11:12.160
 is a crass materialist,

00:11:12.660 --> 00:11:14.240
 avidly pursuing riches

00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.320
 out of greed,

00:11:15.820 --> 00:11:16.879
 even his greed

00:11:16.879 --> 00:11:18.899
 can work for the general welfare.

00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:20.120
 How?

00:11:20.960 --> 00:11:22.180
 Listen to what Sproul says.

00:11:22.179 --> 00:11:23.839
 Suppose a man makes

00:11:23.839 --> 00:11:25.439
 a billion dollars.

00:11:26.059 --> 00:11:27.319
 What can he do with it?

00:11:27.939 --> 00:11:29.159
 Well, he can't eat

00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:31.359
 a billion dollars worth of food.

00:11:32.120 --> 00:11:33.939
 He may hoard his money

00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:36.039
 by putting it in the bank.

00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:38.559
 Well, that just makes

00:11:38.559 --> 00:11:41.879
 society have a stronger bank

00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:44.639
 to assist other businesses

00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.740
 and individuals.

00:11:49.219 --> 00:11:51.299
 A stronger bank helps you

00:11:51.299 --> 00:11:52.459
 have the loan

00:11:52.459 --> 00:11:54.539
 to buy or build a house

00:11:54.539 --> 00:11:55.819
 for an example.

00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:57.759
 Sproul says,

00:11:58.179 --> 00:11:59.299
 he can waste his money

00:11:59.299 --> 00:12:01.799
 on self-gratifying extravagances.

00:12:02.240 --> 00:12:03.919
 He can buy 10 Rolls Royces,

00:12:04.599 --> 00:12:05.559
 three Learjets,

00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:08.740
 and have five plush condominiums

00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:09.359
 in Florida.

00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:10.279
 Who benefits?

00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:12.199
 The automobile industry,

00:12:13.120 --> 00:12:14.219
 the Learjet people,

00:12:14.859 --> 00:12:16.639
 and the condominium builders.

00:12:16.639 --> 00:12:18.659
 It takes people

00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:20.120
 to build Rolls Royces,

00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.220
 Learjets,

00:12:21.860 --> 00:12:22.779
 and condominiums.

00:12:23.439 --> 00:12:24.960
 By his lavish lifestyle,

00:12:25.600 --> 00:12:26.480
 purchasing things

00:12:26.480 --> 00:12:27.480
 he does not need,

00:12:27.620 --> 00:12:28.639
 being a materialist,

00:12:30.299 --> 00:12:31.539
 he's contributing

00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:32.220
 to the economy

00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.500
 by buying that stuff.

00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.639
 People work

00:12:36.159 --> 00:12:37.480
 and build those things.

00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.360
 Sproul says,

00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.299
 the worst thing

00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:40.939
 that can happen

00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:41.759
 to a man's money

00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:42.639
 is to be taxed

00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:43.939
 heavily

00:12:43.939 --> 00:12:44.980
 by the government.

00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:45.500
 Why?

00:12:45.920 --> 00:12:46.620
 Governments

00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:48.460
 are not producers.

00:12:49.800 --> 00:12:50.620
 They produce

00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:52.539
 no value.

00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:55.659
 I want you to think.

00:12:57.000 --> 00:12:58.060
 The farmer,

00:12:58.899 --> 00:13:00.779
 he takes the land,

00:13:00.940 --> 00:13:01.560
 the seed,

00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:02.680
 the fertilizer,

00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:03.700
 his machinery,

00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:05.639
 he produces value

00:13:05.639 --> 00:13:07.159
 in that corn crop.

00:13:08.580 --> 00:13:10.779
 If you build something,

00:13:11.519 --> 00:13:12.480
 you take those

00:13:12.480 --> 00:13:13.560
 raw materials,

00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:15.959
 you build a house

00:13:15.959 --> 00:13:16.959
 or whatever.

00:13:17.739 --> 00:13:18.359
 We've got a lot

00:13:18.359 --> 00:13:18.779
 of teachers

00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:19.659
 in our church.

00:13:20.879 --> 00:13:22.299
 You are investing

00:13:22.299 --> 00:13:23.219
 your time,

00:13:23.419 --> 00:13:23.799
 talents,

00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:24.339
 and efforts

00:13:24.339 --> 00:13:25.359
 in students.

00:13:25.819 --> 00:13:26.919
 You are helping them

00:13:26.919 --> 00:13:28.019
 learn to read,

00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:28.639
 to write,

00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.299
 to think,

00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:30.039
 to do math,

00:13:30.099 --> 00:13:31.279
 to become productive

00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:32.539
 members of society.

00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:34.119
 You are adding value

00:13:34.119 --> 00:13:35.099
 to the lives

00:13:35.099 --> 00:13:36.019
 of those students

00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:36.959
 every day

00:13:36.959 --> 00:13:37.639
 as a teacher.

00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:40.619
 Look around this room.

00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:43.019
 every person here,

00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:43.740
 no matter what

00:13:43.740 --> 00:13:45.019
 your work was

00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.220
 or is right now,

00:13:47.120 --> 00:13:49.799
 unless you work

00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:50.419
 for the government,

00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:53.460
 you provide value.

00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:56.779
 You provide something

00:13:56.779 --> 00:13:58.360
 of value

00:13:58.360 --> 00:14:01.320
 through your efforts.

00:14:03.019 --> 00:14:03.759
 Sproul says,

00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.480
 to be sure,

00:14:05.899 --> 00:14:07.039
 government redistributes

00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:07.519
 money,

00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.899
 but a terrible waste

00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.379
 of administrative overhead.

00:14:12.460 --> 00:14:13.519
 Government-controlled

00:14:13.519 --> 00:14:15.159
 economics,

00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:16.679
 like socialism

00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:17.379
 and communism,

00:14:18.039 --> 00:14:19.039
 are notoriously

00:14:19.039 --> 00:14:20.580
 less efficient

00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.360
 in raising

00:14:21.360 --> 00:14:22.559
 national standards

00:14:22.559 --> 00:14:23.179
 of living

00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:24.559
 than is the free market

00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:26.200
 of voluntary exchange

00:14:26.200 --> 00:14:26.919
 of goods

00:14:26.919 --> 00:14:27.679
 and services.

00:14:27.679 --> 00:14:31.219
 there is no

00:14:31.219 --> 00:14:32.799
 example

00:14:32.799 --> 00:14:35.459
 of socialism

00:14:35.459 --> 00:14:36.939
 or communism

00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:39.359
 raising the standards

00:14:39.359 --> 00:14:40.659
 of living

00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:42.579
 for the people

00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:44.099
 under those systems.

00:14:45.339 --> 00:14:46.319
 Sproul concludes,

00:14:46.739 --> 00:14:47.979
 Christians must work

00:14:47.979 --> 00:14:49.379
 for a free market

00:14:49.379 --> 00:14:51.039
 regulated by

00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:53.039
 just laws.

00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:56.359
 In our last two studies,

00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:57.240
 the last two weeks,

00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.419
 and to this point

00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:58.820
 today,

00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:01.639
 I have done

00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:03.060
 my best,

00:15:03.580 --> 00:15:05.019
 I have tried

00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:06.600
 to make it clear

00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:07.799
 that socialism

00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:09.120
 is not

00:15:09.120 --> 00:15:10.519
 just another

00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:11.100
 political

00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.799
 or economic system

00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:14.659
 that's being

00:15:14.659 --> 00:15:15.519
 talked about,

00:15:16.080 --> 00:15:16.580
 promoted,

00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.740
 proposed

00:15:17.740 --> 00:15:19.700
 today

00:15:19.700 --> 00:15:20.960
 by some politicians.

00:15:22.659 --> 00:15:23.379
 Socialism

00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:25.019
 is

00:15:25.019 --> 00:15:25.860
 an

00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:26.639
 immoral

00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.480
 unethical,

00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:29.840
 unbiblical

00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.740
 system

00:15:30.740 --> 00:15:35.039
 that helps

00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:36.199
 no one

00:15:36.199 --> 00:15:38.480
 and hurts

00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.699
 many.

00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:41.960
 Therefore,

00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:43.059
 Sproul is right.

00:15:43.519 --> 00:15:44.480
 Christians must

00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.460
 work for

00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.639
 a free market

00:15:46.639 --> 00:15:47.779
 regulated

00:15:47.779 --> 00:15:48.319
 by

00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:50.259
 just laws.

00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:53.419
 that is the way

00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:55.519
 God intended

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.659
 life to work

00:15:56.659 --> 00:15:57.679
 in this world

00:15:57.679 --> 00:15:59.519
 with people

00:15:59.519 --> 00:16:00.139
 working,

00:16:00.720 --> 00:16:01.220
 producing,

00:16:01.720 --> 00:16:02.319
 and enjoying

00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:02.819
 the fruits

00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:03.659
 of their labor

00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:05.120
 justly

00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:07.279
 according to

00:16:07.279 --> 00:16:07.919
 the other

00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:09.039
 things that the

00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:09.639
 Bible teaches

00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:11.340
 about ethical

00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:11.819
 conduct

00:16:11.819 --> 00:16:12.500
 and the way

00:16:12.500 --> 00:16:13.279
 we treat people

00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:14.120
 and do business.

00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.279
 Now,

00:16:16.279 --> 00:16:17.200
 we cannot

00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:17.960
 be faithful

00:16:17.960 --> 00:16:18.779
 to Scripture

00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.799
 and stop

00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:20.560
 here

00:16:20.560 --> 00:16:22.799
 just thinking

00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.679
 about what

00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:24.139
 we've looked at

00:16:24.139 --> 00:16:24.560
 so far

00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:25.159
 about money

00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:25.539
 and material

00:16:25.539 --> 00:16:25.940
 possessions.

00:16:26.860 --> 00:16:27.539
 The Bible

00:16:27.539 --> 00:16:27.980
 is real

00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.360
 clear.

00:16:28.360 --> 00:16:30.639
 It is

00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:32.580
 clear

00:16:32.580 --> 00:16:34.659
 that money

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.539
 and material

00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.299
 prosperity

00:16:36.299 --> 00:16:37.919
 can be

00:16:37.919 --> 00:16:39.180
 a blessing,

00:16:40.019 --> 00:16:40.960
 a reward

00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:42.780
 for faithful

00:16:42.780 --> 00:16:43.480
 work

00:16:43.480 --> 00:16:44.300
 and faithful

00:16:44.300 --> 00:16:45.639
 production.

00:16:47.160 --> 00:16:48.040
 But here's

00:16:48.040 --> 00:16:48.400
 where we've

00:16:48.400 --> 00:16:48.720
 got to be

00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:50.259
 real honest

00:16:50.259 --> 00:16:51.620
 and spend

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:52.139
 some time.

00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:53.720
 The Bible's

00:16:53.720 --> 00:16:54.680
 main emphasis

00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:55.700
 concerning money

00:16:55.700 --> 00:16:56.220
 and material

00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:56.800
 prosperity

00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:58.480
 is to warn

00:16:58.480 --> 00:16:59.080
 us,

00:16:59.320 --> 00:17:00.139
 God's people,

00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:01.680
 of its dangers.

00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:03.379
 Money

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.980
 and material

00:17:03.980 --> 00:17:04.680
 prosperity

00:17:04.680 --> 00:17:06.140
 are powerful

00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:07.140
 sources of

00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:07.700
 temptation

00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.500
 to sin

00:17:08.500 --> 00:17:09.480
 against God

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:11.500
 and other

00:17:11.500 --> 00:17:11.839
 people.

00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.200
 So let's look

00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.660
 now at one

00:17:13.660 --> 00:17:14.259
 more question

00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.579
 today.

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.660
 How can

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.120
 money and

00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:16.400
 material

00:17:16.400 --> 00:17:17.019
 prosperity

00:17:17.019 --> 00:17:18.140
 be temptations

00:17:18.140 --> 00:17:18.700
 to sin?

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.839
 Now look

00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:20.599
 at 1 Timothy

00:17:20.599 --> 00:17:21.620
 chapter 6.

00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:22.640
 Let's begin

00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.539
 in verse 6.

00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:25.680
 But godliness

00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:26.759
 with contentment

00:17:26.759 --> 00:17:28.180
 is great gain.

00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:29.319
 For we brought

00:17:29.319 --> 00:17:30.000
 nothing into

00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:30.559
 the world

00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.519
 and we cannot

00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.299
 take anything

00:17:32.299 --> 00:17:33.059
 out of the world.

00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.279
 But if we have

00:17:34.279 --> 00:17:35.620
 food and clothing

00:17:35.620 --> 00:17:36.860
 with these

00:17:36.860 --> 00:17:37.640
 we will be content.

00:17:38.440 --> 00:17:39.240
 But those

00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:39.819
 who desire

00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.539
 to be rich

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.160
 fall into

00:17:41.160 --> 00:17:41.740
 temptation,

00:17:42.059 --> 00:17:43.019
 into a snare,

00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:43.980
 into many

00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.819
 senseless

00:17:44.819 --> 00:17:45.799
 and harmful

00:17:45.799 --> 00:17:46.480
 desires

00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:47.599
 that plunge

00:17:47.599 --> 00:17:48.259
 people into

00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.319
 ruin and

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:49.819
 destruction.

00:17:50.779 --> 00:17:51.400
 For the love

00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:51.880
 of money

00:17:51.880 --> 00:17:52.819
 is a root

00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:54.099
 of all kinds

00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:54.759
 of evils.

00:17:55.440 --> 00:17:56.019
 It is through

00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:56.920
 this craving

00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:57.599
 that some

00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.259
 have wandered

00:17:58.259 --> 00:17:58.799
 away from

00:17:58.799 --> 00:17:59.380
 the faith

00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.500
 and pierced

00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.160
 themselves

00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:02.059
 with many

00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.680
 pangs,

00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:04.259
 many griefs,

00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:05.680
 many miseries.

00:18:07.620 --> 00:18:08.220
 Here's what

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.559
 I want us to

00:18:08.559 --> 00:18:09.059
 look at now.

00:18:10.480 --> 00:18:11.000
 Wealth

00:18:11.000 --> 00:18:12.460
 can become

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:14.519
 an obsession.

00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.240
 It does

00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.019
 become an

00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.480
 obsession

00:18:17.480 --> 00:18:18.359
 for some

00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:18.759
 people.

00:18:20.139 --> 00:18:20.899
 Some people

00:18:20.899 --> 00:18:21.399
 can become

00:18:21.399 --> 00:18:22.279
 so obsessed

00:18:22.279 --> 00:18:22.839
 with getting

00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:24.480
 more that

00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:24.960
 they never

00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.460
 reach a point

00:18:25.460 --> 00:18:25.720
 where they

00:18:25.720 --> 00:18:26.460
 have enough.

00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.559
 Paul stresses

00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.399
 the importance

00:18:29.399 --> 00:18:30.359
 of two

00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.679
 character qualities

00:18:31.679 --> 00:18:32.379
 that we need

00:18:32.379 --> 00:18:32.879
 to develop

00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:33.500
 and demonstrate

00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.880
 that will

00:18:34.880 --> 00:18:35.359
 help us

00:18:35.359 --> 00:18:36.599
 avoid becoming

00:18:36.599 --> 00:18:37.619
 obsessed

00:18:37.619 --> 00:18:39.519
 with money

00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:41.000
 or material

00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:41.619
 possessions.

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:42.500
 It's in

00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.180
 verse 6.

00:18:43.819 --> 00:18:44.160
 He says,

00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.059
 but godliness

00:18:45.059 --> 00:18:46.779
 with contentment

00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:48.619
 is great gain.

00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.059
 Two character

00:18:50.059 --> 00:18:50.740
 qualities that

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:51.480
 will help us

00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.900
 guard against

00:18:52.900 --> 00:18:54.480
 becoming

00:18:54.480 --> 00:18:55.299
 obsessed

00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:56.799
 with wealth,

00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.200
 godliness,

00:18:58.200 --> 00:18:59.819
 and contentment.

00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:01.080
 In his book,

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.660
 The Practice

00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.380
 of Godliness,

00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:03.600
 Jerry Bridges

00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.620
 describes godliness

00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:05.299
 like this,

00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:06.920
 devotion to God

00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:08.120
 which results

00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:08.799
 in a life

00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.819
 that is pleasing

00:19:09.819 --> 00:19:10.360
 to him.

00:19:10.359 --> 00:19:12.519
 A godly person

00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.759
 is devoted

00:19:13.759 --> 00:19:14.279
 to God

00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.819
 in the sense

00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:16.659
 that they

00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.299
 have a true

00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:17.759
 desire,

00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.639
 heartfelt desire

00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:20.240
 to know God,

00:19:20.859 --> 00:19:21.839
 to love him,

00:19:22.439 --> 00:19:23.819
 to enjoy

00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.519
 a real

00:19:24.519 --> 00:19:25.259
 relationship

00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.059
 with him,

00:19:26.459 --> 00:19:27.859
 to serve him,

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.319
 and to

00:19:29.319 --> 00:19:30.099
 please him.

00:19:31.339 --> 00:19:32.359
 That kind

00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.079
 of devotion

00:19:33.079 --> 00:19:35.599
 will cause

00:19:35.599 --> 00:19:36.399
 us more

00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:37.039
 than anything

00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:38.599
 to want to

00:19:38.599 --> 00:19:39.119
 know and do

00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:39.859
 God's will.

00:19:40.359 --> 00:19:42.199
 to want to

00:19:42.199 --> 00:19:42.879
 live our lives

00:19:42.879 --> 00:19:43.359
 in a way

00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.679
 that's going

00:19:43.679 --> 00:19:43.879
 to bring

00:19:43.879 --> 00:19:44.419
 a smile

00:19:44.419 --> 00:19:45.299
 to his face.

00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:47.359
 God will

00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.139
 truly be

00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:49.079
 first in our

00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.500
 lives,

00:19:49.699 --> 00:19:50.559
 not money

00:19:50.559 --> 00:19:51.819
 and not

00:19:51.819 --> 00:19:52.699
 stuff.

00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.039
 Now the next

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.439
 one is

00:19:54.439 --> 00:19:55.719
 very important

00:19:55.719 --> 00:19:56.279
 as well.

00:19:56.659 --> 00:19:57.079
 Paul says

00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.699
 that godliness

00:19:57.699 --> 00:19:58.000
 will need a

00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:58.599
 great gain

00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.359
 when it is

00:19:59.359 --> 00:20:00.199
 accompanied

00:20:00.199 --> 00:20:01.639
 by contentment.

00:20:02.559 --> 00:20:03.259
 Chuck Swindoll

00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:04.259
 describes contentment

00:20:04.259 --> 00:20:05.519
 as an attitude

00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:06.659
 of satisfaction

00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.539
 and peace

00:20:07.539 --> 00:20:08.339
 within

00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.740
 regardless

00:20:09.740 --> 00:20:11.039
 of circumstances.

00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.859
 Paul described

00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.640
 his contentment

00:20:13.640 --> 00:20:14.059
 in the book

00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:14.539
 of Philippians

00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:15.319
 chapter 4.

00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:16.640
 He'd learned

00:20:16.640 --> 00:20:17.200
 to be content

00:20:17.200 --> 00:20:17.640
 when he had

00:20:17.640 --> 00:20:18.039
 plenty.

00:20:18.180 --> 00:20:18.480
 He'd learned

00:20:18.480 --> 00:20:18.920
 to be content

00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.579
 when he had

00:20:19.579 --> 00:20:21.019
 not enough.

00:20:21.579 --> 00:20:22.160
 When he was

00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:22.680
 in want

00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.279
 and when he

00:20:23.279 --> 00:20:24.359
 was having

00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:24.779
 plenty,

00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:26.400
 he was content

00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.660
 with the

00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:28.460
 circumstances

00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:28.880
 which he

00:20:28.880 --> 00:20:29.700
 found himself.

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.140
 Now,

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:31.420
 contentment

00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:31.960
 doesn't mean

00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.740
 that we blindly

00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.519
 accept whatever

00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:34.099
 is going on

00:20:34.099 --> 00:20:34.900
 in our lives

00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:36.060
 or in the

00:20:36.060 --> 00:20:36.620
 lives of people

00:20:36.620 --> 00:20:37.620
 around us

00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:38.840
 if there's

00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.259
 something we

00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:39.680
 can do to

00:20:39.680 --> 00:20:40.220
 change it,

00:20:40.380 --> 00:20:40.820
 to make it

00:20:40.820 --> 00:20:41.300
 better.

00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:43.400
 Being content

00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:44.080
 never means

00:20:44.080 --> 00:20:46.640
 that you

00:20:46.640 --> 00:20:47.000
 don't make

00:20:47.000 --> 00:20:47.660
 changes.

00:20:48.600 --> 00:20:49.160
 You just

00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:49.580
 sort of

00:20:49.580 --> 00:20:51.060
 go with the

00:20:51.060 --> 00:20:51.360
 flow.

00:20:51.360 --> 00:20:53.560
 Here in

00:20:53.560 --> 00:20:54.340
 verse 6,

00:20:55.519 --> 00:20:56.080
 Paul is

00:20:56.080 --> 00:20:56.440
 talking

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.220
 specifically

00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:58.040
 about being

00:20:58.040 --> 00:20:58.740
 content

00:20:58.740 --> 00:21:00.340
 not to

00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:01.620
 be rich.

00:21:01.619 --> 00:21:04.559
 being content

00:21:04.559 --> 00:21:05.219
 to the point

00:21:05.219 --> 00:21:05.539
 that you

00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:06.639
 don't pursue

00:21:06.639 --> 00:21:07.519
 wealth

00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.679
 as your

00:21:08.679 --> 00:21:09.899
 ultimate goal

00:21:09.899 --> 00:21:10.699
 in life.

00:21:12.239 --> 00:21:12.459
 Now,

00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:12.959
 one reason

00:21:12.959 --> 00:21:13.419
 why we need

00:21:13.419 --> 00:21:13.819
 to focus

00:21:13.819 --> 00:21:14.719
 more on

00:21:14.719 --> 00:21:15.579
 being godly

00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:16.859
 with contentment

00:21:16.859 --> 00:21:18.559
 instead of

00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.699
 pursuing wealth

00:21:19.699 --> 00:21:20.899
 is because

00:21:20.899 --> 00:21:21.539
 wealth is not

00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.199
 going to last.

00:21:23.599 --> 00:21:24.279
 You know

00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:24.479
 that.

00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.119
 Wealth is

00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:25.939
 not eternal

00:21:25.939 --> 00:21:26.699
 and Paul

00:21:26.699 --> 00:21:27.479
 basically says

00:21:27.479 --> 00:21:28.119
 in verse 7,

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:28.679
 you can't

00:21:28.679 --> 00:21:29.179
 take it with

00:21:29.179 --> 00:21:29.299
 you.

00:21:29.359 --> 00:21:29.659
 Look at

00:21:29.659 --> 00:21:29.799
 him.

00:21:30.179 --> 00:21:30.379
 For we

00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:30.579
 brought

00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:30.979
 nothing

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.380
 into the

00:21:31.380 --> 00:21:31.759
 world

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.440
 and we

00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:32.660
 cannot

00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:33.160
 take

00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:33.660
 anything

00:21:33.660 --> 00:21:34.660
 out of

00:21:34.660 --> 00:21:35.120
 the world.

00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:36.220
 Here's a

00:21:36.220 --> 00:21:36.779
 sobering

00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.140
 thought,

00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:37.980
 maybe

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.579
 depressing

00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.019
 thought.

00:21:41.420 --> 00:21:42.140
 Has it

00:21:42.140 --> 00:21:42.559
 ever crossed

00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:43.000
 your mind

00:21:43.000 --> 00:21:43.319
 that the

00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:43.920
 day you

00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:44.440
 die,

00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:46.640
 everything

00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:47.519
 you own,

00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.160
 your money,

00:21:48.339 --> 00:21:48.880
 your land,

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.680
 your possessions

00:21:49.680 --> 00:21:51.380
 will no

00:21:51.380 --> 00:21:52.220
 longer be

00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:52.940
 yours?

00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.960
 The day

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.620
 you die

00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:59.660
 and because

00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.160
 of the

00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:01.460
 probate

00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:01.840
 and all

00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.100
 the kind

00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:02.279
 of stuff

00:22:02.279 --> 00:22:02.519
 I know

00:22:02.519 --> 00:22:02.820
 that happens

00:22:02.820 --> 00:22:03.400
 after death

00:22:03.400 --> 00:22:04.700
 but sometime

00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.380
 after you

00:22:05.380 --> 00:22:05.759
 die,

00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.200
 somebody

00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:08.860
 else is

00:22:08.860 --> 00:22:09.060
 going to

00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:09.279
 take

00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.920
 possession

00:22:09.920 --> 00:22:11.380
 of your

00:22:11.380 --> 00:22:11.880
 money,

00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.820
 your

00:22:14.820 --> 00:22:15.480
 possessions,

00:22:16.440 --> 00:22:16.779
 your

00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:17.940
 land.

00:22:21.540 --> 00:22:21.900
 And you

00:22:21.900 --> 00:22:22.120
 know,

00:22:23.120 --> 00:22:23.840
 we think

00:22:23.840 --> 00:22:24.360
 about some

00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:24.779
 things like

00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.040
 that.

00:22:25.040 --> 00:22:26.660
 One of my

00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.400
 hobbies is

00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:28.540
 making my

00:22:28.540 --> 00:22:29.120
 yard look

00:22:29.120 --> 00:22:29.280
 good.

00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:29.780
 I love

00:22:29.780 --> 00:22:30.340
 green,

00:22:30.620 --> 00:22:30.980
 neat

00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:31.860
 grass.

00:22:35.280 --> 00:22:35.840
 Somebody

00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:36.940
 may get

00:22:36.940 --> 00:22:37.460
 my house

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:37.700
 and let

00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.120
 it grow

00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:39.640
 up and

00:22:39.640 --> 00:22:40.100
 that breaks

00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:40.560
 my heart

00:22:40.560 --> 00:22:41.100
 right now to

00:22:41.100 --> 00:22:41.480
 think about

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:41.820
 all that

00:22:41.820 --> 00:22:42.259
 work going

00:22:42.259 --> 00:22:42.600
 down the

00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:42.860
 drain.

00:22:44.200 --> 00:22:45.040
 Not really.

00:22:45.140 --> 00:22:45.460
 I won't

00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.280
 care after

00:22:46.280 --> 00:22:46.780
 I'm dead.

00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:48.480
 But just

00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:48.840
 think,

00:22:49.780 --> 00:22:50.380
 all the

00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:50.740
 things that

00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.180
 we concern

00:22:51.180 --> 00:22:52.100
 ourselves with

00:22:52.100 --> 00:22:52.480
 about,

00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.259
 I'm talking

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.540
 about being

00:22:53.540 --> 00:22:54.180
 obsessed,

00:22:54.380 --> 00:22:55.259
 just consumed

00:22:55.259 --> 00:22:56.240
 with money

00:22:56.240 --> 00:22:56.599
 and making

00:22:56.599 --> 00:22:56.960
 more,

00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:57.940
 with our

00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.039
 stuff acquiring

00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.539
 more.

00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.259
 Today's going

00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.259
 to come when

00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.539
 it's all

00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:03.980
 going to be

00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:05.680
 gone.

00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.400
 Isn't it

00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:10.420
 really foolish

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:12.079
 for us to

00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:13.319
 be obsessed

00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:15.079
 with the

00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:15.400
 things of

00:23:15.400 --> 00:23:15.879
 this world?

00:23:17.640 --> 00:23:18.480
 It's important

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.180
 that we care.

00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.059
 It's important

00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:21.799
 that we care

00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.920
 and work

00:23:22.920 --> 00:23:23.339
 and be

00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:23.819
 productive

00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.279
 and enjoy

00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.640
 the fruits

00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:24.880
 of our

00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:25.080
 labor.

00:23:25.160 --> 00:23:25.300
 It's like

00:23:25.300 --> 00:23:25.580
 we've been

00:23:25.580 --> 00:23:26.140
 talking about.

00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.320
 That matters

00:23:27.320 --> 00:23:27.980
 to God.

00:23:30.060 --> 00:23:30.780
 But we

00:23:30.780 --> 00:23:31.500
 cannot be

00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.340
 obsessed

00:23:32.340 --> 00:23:34.620
 with working

00:23:34.620 --> 00:23:35.500
 and producing

00:23:35.500 --> 00:23:37.320
 and having

00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:37.780
 more and more

00:23:37.780 --> 00:23:38.800
 fruit from

00:23:38.800 --> 00:23:39.300
 our labor.

00:23:40.900 --> 00:23:41.759
 Our real

00:23:41.759 --> 00:23:42.320
 obsession

00:23:42.320 --> 00:23:44.280
 should be

00:23:44.280 --> 00:23:44.920
 with developing

00:23:44.920 --> 00:23:45.840
 the godliness

00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:47.960
 and contentment

00:23:47.960 --> 00:23:49.080
 that Paul

00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:49.680
 describes at

00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.120
 the first of

00:23:50.120 --> 00:23:50.860
 this section

00:23:50.860 --> 00:23:51.100
 that we've

00:23:51.100 --> 00:23:51.520
 looked at.

00:23:53.060 --> 00:23:53.820
 Our real

00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.379
 obsession

00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.419
 should be

00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:56.339
 not only

00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.599
 that we

00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:56.960
 develop

00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.500
 godliness

00:23:57.500 --> 00:23:58.059
 and contentment

00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.980
 but teach

00:23:58.980 --> 00:23:59.559
 those we

00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.299
 have influence

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:02.059
 over to be

00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:03.679
 godly and

00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.099
 content.

00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:06.379
 You know,

00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:06.759
 on the day

00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.460
 of judgment

00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.099
 and throughout

00:24:09.099 --> 00:24:09.779
 eternity,

00:24:10.159 --> 00:24:11.559
 that will be

00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.139
 all we care

00:24:12.139 --> 00:24:12.419
 about.

00:24:12.419 --> 00:24:12.519
 Now,

00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:16.099
 I'll never

00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.639
 think about

00:24:16.639 --> 00:24:17.680
 zoysia grass

00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.599
 in my yard

00:24:18.599 --> 00:24:19.460
 from the day

00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:19.960
 of judgment

00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.299
 on.

00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:24.379
 But I

00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:25.000
 will

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:27.920
 be

00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.000
 totally

00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:30.279
 consumed

00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:30.859
 with

00:24:30.859 --> 00:24:32.680
 my relationship

00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.400
 with God,

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.799
 being with

00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.139
 him,

00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.139
 pleasing

00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:38.759
 him

00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:41.059
 on that day

00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:41.319
 and for

00:24:41.319 --> 00:24:41.919
 all eternity.

00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:44.039
 If that's

00:24:44.039 --> 00:24:45.419
 what we

00:24:45.419 --> 00:24:45.899
 all will

00:24:45.899 --> 00:24:46.399
 wind up

00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:46.779
 doing,

00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:48.819
 if we're

00:24:48.819 --> 00:24:49.019
 going to be

00:24:49.019 --> 00:24:49.740
 obsessed with

00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.139
 anything,

00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.839
 shouldn't our

00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.659
 obsession be

00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:53.299
 with knowing

00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:53.940
 and loving

00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:54.379
 and drawing

00:24:54.379 --> 00:24:55.059
 closer to

00:24:55.059 --> 00:24:55.559
 and pleasing

00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.279
 God now?

00:24:58.119 --> 00:24:58.379
 You know,

00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:59.559
 pursuing wealth

00:24:59.559 --> 00:24:59.980
 for the sake

00:24:59.980 --> 00:25:00.419
 of becoming

00:25:00.419 --> 00:25:02.519
 rich is the

00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.319
 first step

00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.220
 of a downward

00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.460
 spiral to

00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:05.859
 ruin.

00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:07.399
 I want you

00:25:07.399 --> 00:25:07.779
 to look at it

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:08.399
 in verse 9.

00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:09.980
 But those

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:10.620
 who desire

00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.420
 to be rich

00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:11.840
 fall into

00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.340
 temptation.

00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.060
 I want you

00:25:13.060 --> 00:25:13.240
 to say,

00:25:13.300 --> 00:25:14.420
 that is clear,

00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:15.220
 that is just

00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:15.880
 what it says.

00:25:18.600 --> 00:25:19.680
 If God

00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.540
 blesses your

00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:21.500
 work and

00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.060
 productivity

00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:22.920
 to the point

00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:23.940
 that you

00:25:23.940 --> 00:25:25.000
 become wealthy,

00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.380
 even a

00:25:26.380 --> 00:25:26.960
 billionaire,

00:25:28.560 --> 00:25:29.440
 thank him,

00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:31.380
 be wise

00:25:31.380 --> 00:25:32.000
 in how you

00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.620
 manage it

00:25:32.620 --> 00:25:34.040
 and enjoy it.

00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:37.259
 but it is

00:25:37.259 --> 00:25:38.019
 sinfully

00:25:38.019 --> 00:25:38.920
 wrong

00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:42.059
 to truly

00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.680
 just

00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:43.799
 desire,

00:25:44.460 --> 00:25:45.759
 be obsessed

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:48.139
 with becoming

00:25:48.139 --> 00:25:48.599
 wealthy.

00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:50.859
 And it'll

00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.319
 lead to your

00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:51.779
 downfall,

00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.759
 mine too.

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:54.759
 But those

00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:55.159
 who desire

00:25:55.159 --> 00:25:55.740
 to be rich,

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.359
 he writes,

00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.440
 fall into

00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:57.960
 temptation,

00:25:58.379 --> 00:25:59.559
 into a snare,

00:26:00.139 --> 00:26:00.779
 into many

00:26:00.779 --> 00:26:02.159
 senseless and

00:26:02.159 --> 00:26:03.399
 harmful desires

00:26:03.400 --> 00:26:04.600
 that plunge

00:26:04.600 --> 00:26:05.320
 people into

00:26:05.320 --> 00:26:06.700
 ruin and

00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.320
 destruction.

00:26:08.280 --> 00:26:08.860
 Paul is

00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:10.060
 warning us

00:26:10.060 --> 00:26:11.100
 of the

00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:11.840
 sinful and

00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.380
 dangerous

00:26:12.380 --> 00:26:13.120
 desire

00:26:13.120 --> 00:26:15.480
 to be rich

00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:17.040
 for the

00:26:17.040 --> 00:26:17.420
 sake of

00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:17.960
 living a

00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:18.600
 selfish,

00:26:18.780 --> 00:26:19.620
 materialistic

00:26:19.620 --> 00:26:20.940
 life of

00:26:20.940 --> 00:26:22.000
 wealth and

00:26:22.000 --> 00:26:22.640
 privilege.

00:26:22.640 --> 00:26:22.740
 marriage.

00:26:25.740 --> 00:26:26.560
 There is

00:26:26.560 --> 00:26:27.000
 no,

00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:28.259
 there is

00:26:28.259 --> 00:26:28.560
 nothing

00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:29.500
 commendable

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:31.040
 about

00:26:31.040 --> 00:26:32.400
 desires

00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.660
 to become

00:26:33.660 --> 00:26:34.180
 a billionaire

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:35.560
 or even

00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:36.080
 a millionaire

00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:37.680
 for the

00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.200
 sake of

00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:39.320
 just having

00:26:39.320 --> 00:26:39.700
 it

00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:41.759
 and not

00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.220
 having to

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.640
 work,

00:26:43.680 --> 00:26:44.080
 just being

00:26:44.080 --> 00:26:44.720
 a bum.

00:26:46.560 --> 00:26:47.100
 Paul

00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:48.960
 is

00:26:48.960 --> 00:26:49.680
 condemning

00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:50.539
 by

00:26:50.539 --> 00:26:51.279
 warning

00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.100
 the

00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:52.480
 person

00:26:52.480 --> 00:26:52.660
 who

00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:52.840
 is

00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:53.380
 determined

00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:53.680
 to

00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:53.940
 get

00:26:53.940 --> 00:26:54.580
 rich

00:26:54.580 --> 00:26:55.240
 at

00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.480
 any

00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:55.980
 cost.

00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.480
 That's

00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.700
 what we're

00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:56.980
 talking

00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.259
 about.

00:26:58.539 --> 00:26:58.860
 Such a

00:26:58.860 --> 00:26:59.200
 person

00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.200
 makes

00:27:00.200 --> 00:27:00.700
 obtaining

00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.279
 wealth

00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.440
 their

00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:03.000
 ultimate

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.680
 priority

00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:04.500
 and goal

00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.120
 in life.

00:27:05.900 --> 00:27:06.200
 Again,

00:27:07.400 --> 00:27:08.920
 don't feel

00:27:08.920 --> 00:27:09.779
 guilty if

00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.180
 you are

00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.700
 rich or

00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:11.519
 become rich

00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:12.580
 by working

00:27:12.580 --> 00:27:12.900
 and being

00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.480
 productive,

00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:14.400
 doing something

00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.120
 useful with

00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.560
 your life

00:27:15.560 --> 00:27:15.980
 that God's

00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.400
 called you

00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:16.799
 to do.

00:27:17.340 --> 00:27:17.900
 Just thank

00:27:17.900 --> 00:27:18.259
 him for

00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:18.440
 it.

00:27:19.879 --> 00:27:21.140
 But guard

00:27:21.140 --> 00:27:21.900
 against the

00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.420
 temptation

00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:24.200
 to just

00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:24.819
 want more

00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:25.359
 and more

00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:26.440
 just for the

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:26.900
 sake of

00:27:26.900 --> 00:27:27.839
 your own

00:27:27.839 --> 00:27:28.559
 selfish

00:27:28.559 --> 00:27:29.779
 desires.

00:27:31.059 --> 00:27:31.379
 Let's look

00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:31.799
 at how Paul

00:27:31.799 --> 00:27:32.480
 describes this

00:27:32.480 --> 00:27:34.180
 downward spiral

00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:35.039
 to ruin

00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:37.279
 that desiring

00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:37.960
 to be rich

00:27:37.960 --> 00:27:39.420
 will cause.

00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.180
 Number one,

00:27:40.680 --> 00:27:41.400
 pursuing wealth

00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.180
 will expose us

00:27:42.180 --> 00:27:42.740
 to greater

00:27:42.740 --> 00:27:43.279
 temptation.

00:27:43.500 --> 00:27:43.859
 That's what we

00:27:43.859 --> 00:27:44.140
 looked at.

00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:44.839
 But those who

00:27:44.839 --> 00:27:45.519
 desire to be rich

00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:45.839
 fall into

00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.240
 temptation.

00:27:46.740 --> 00:27:47.099
 People who

00:27:47.099 --> 00:27:47.980
 make wealth

00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:48.980
 their goal

00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:50.860
 are tempted

00:27:50.860 --> 00:27:51.400
 to make

00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.180
 all kinds

00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:53.660
 of unhealthy

00:27:53.660 --> 00:27:54.500
 risks.

00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.279
 They'll risk

00:27:56.279 --> 00:27:56.920
 their health.

00:27:57.900 --> 00:27:58.759
 They'll risk

00:27:58.759 --> 00:27:59.860
 their marriage.

00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.339
 They'll risk

00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.019
 their relationship

00:28:02.019 --> 00:28:02.460
 with their

00:28:02.460 --> 00:28:02.940
 children.

00:28:04.000 --> 00:28:04.900
 They'll risk

00:28:04.900 --> 00:28:05.339
 the money

00:28:05.339 --> 00:28:05.920
 that they do

00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.259
 have.

00:28:07.740 --> 00:28:08.059
 What I'm

00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.519
 talking about,

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.059
 a person who

00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:09.720
 is obsessed

00:28:09.720 --> 00:28:10.440
 with just,

00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.140
 I'm going

00:28:11.140 --> 00:28:11.779
 to be rich.

00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.160
 They're going

00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:12.500
 to do whatever

00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:13.220
 it takes

00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.960
 to be that.

00:28:14.220 --> 00:28:14.480
 They're going

00:28:14.480 --> 00:28:15.039
 to ignore

00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.819
 their relationship

00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.259
 with God.

00:28:16.379 --> 00:28:16.700
 They're going

00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.059
 to ignore

00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:17.859
 their spouse,

00:28:17.980 --> 00:28:18.720
 their children.

00:28:19.599 --> 00:28:19.960
 They're going

00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.799
 to be less

00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.559
 than wise

00:28:21.559 --> 00:28:22.099
 in using

00:28:22.099 --> 00:28:22.759
 their money.

00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.099
 They'll be

00:28:23.099 --> 00:28:23.819
 too risky.

00:28:25.659 --> 00:28:26.319
 It gets

00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.740
 worse.

00:28:28.019 --> 00:28:28.500
 Many people

00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.359
 get so focused

00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:29.960
 on making

00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:32.319
 money that

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:33.039
 they give

00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.799
 in to the

00:28:33.799 --> 00:28:34.759
 temptations to

00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.159
 compromise

00:28:35.159 --> 00:28:36.460
 their integrity,

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.179
 their

00:28:37.179 --> 00:28:37.960
 honesty,

00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:41.139
 their

00:28:41.139 --> 00:28:41.859
 truthfulness.

00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:42.720
 They'll lie

00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.400
 for a dollar.

00:28:44.759 --> 00:28:45.660
 They'll deceive

00:28:45.660 --> 00:28:46.200
 to make

00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:46.660
 money.

00:28:48.259 --> 00:28:48.680
 They'll be

00:28:48.680 --> 00:28:49.539
 less than

00:28:49.539 --> 00:28:51.019
 Christ-like

00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:52.480
 in the way

00:28:52.480 --> 00:28:53.160
 they treat

00:28:53.160 --> 00:28:54.819
 people and

00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.380
 do business

00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:55.940
 with people

00:28:55.940 --> 00:28:57.500
 so they can

00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:57.940
 come out

00:28:57.940 --> 00:28:58.660
 on top

00:28:58.660 --> 00:29:00.200
 in their

00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:00.640
 financial

00:29:00.640 --> 00:29:01.440
 transactions.

00:29:05.039 --> 00:29:05.799
 If you'll

00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.480
 lie to make

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:06.759
 money,

00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.319
 you'll lie

00:29:07.319 --> 00:29:07.980
 about anything.

00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:10.799
 If you're

00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.460
 dishonest when

00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:11.799
 it comes to

00:29:11.799 --> 00:29:12.380
 your finances,

00:29:12.380 --> 00:29:12.780
 you're

00:29:12.780 --> 00:29:13.360
 dishonest

00:29:13.360 --> 00:29:13.640
 about

00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.300
 anything

00:29:14.300 --> 00:29:17.720
 because it's

00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:17.940
 a matter

00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.220
 of the

00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.560
 heart.

00:29:19.260 --> 00:29:19.440
 It's a

00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:19.800
 matter of

00:29:19.800 --> 00:29:19.980
 our

00:29:19.980 --> 00:29:20.580
 character.

00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:22.240
 It means

00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:22.700
 money is

00:29:22.700 --> 00:29:23.240
 our God.

00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:23.580
 We've

00:29:23.580 --> 00:29:24.520
 sold out.

00:29:28.520 --> 00:29:29.280
 Many

00:29:29.280 --> 00:29:29.680
 people

00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:32.040
 end up

00:29:32.040 --> 00:29:32.900
 only

00:29:32.900 --> 00:29:33.460
 concerned

00:29:33.460 --> 00:29:34.560
 about their

00:29:34.560 --> 00:29:35.280
 wealth

00:29:35.280 --> 00:29:37.320
 and they

00:29:37.320 --> 00:29:37.740
 have no

00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.560
 real interest

00:29:38.560 --> 00:29:40.000
 in anyone

00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.620
 or anything

00:29:40.620 --> 00:29:41.180
 including a

00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:41.500
 relationship

00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.180
 with God.

00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:44.100
 that's

00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:44.700
 outside of

00:29:44.700 --> 00:29:45.180
 that pursuit

00:29:45.180 --> 00:29:45.640
 of wealth.

00:29:46.640 --> 00:29:47.340
 So let's

00:29:47.340 --> 00:29:47.900
 just pause

00:29:47.900 --> 00:29:48.440
 here and ask

00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:48.920
 ourselves a

00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:49.200
 question.

00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.300
 What are

00:29:51.300 --> 00:29:51.680
 you most

00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.180
 concerned about

00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.660
 right now?

00:29:54.700 --> 00:29:55.580
 What most

00:29:55.580 --> 00:29:56.920
 occupies your

00:29:56.920 --> 00:29:58.500
 thinking when

00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:58.980
 you're riding

00:29:58.980 --> 00:29:59.720
 down the road?

00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.640
 When you're

00:30:01.640 --> 00:30:02.220
 outside just

00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:02.860
 cutting grass,

00:30:02.940 --> 00:30:03.220
 just sort of

00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.760
 letting your mind

00:30:03.760 --> 00:30:04.140
 wonder.

00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:06.620
 what most

00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.940
 occupies your

00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.840
 mind?

00:30:08.840 --> 00:30:11.700
 Your wealth?

00:30:13.700 --> 00:30:14.660
 Growing it?

00:30:14.940 --> 00:30:15.540
 Keeping it?

00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.620
 Or your

00:30:18.620 --> 00:30:19.300
 relationship with

00:30:19.300 --> 00:30:19.680
 God?

00:30:20.960 --> 00:30:21.820
 Growing in your

00:30:21.820 --> 00:30:22.440
 relationship with

00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:22.600
 Him?

00:30:24.280 --> 00:30:25.740
 Enjoying a

00:30:25.740 --> 00:30:26.460
 relationship with

00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:26.700
 Him?

00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:28.460
 number two,

00:30:28.559 --> 00:30:29.180
 pursuing wealth

00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.840
 changes our

00:30:29.840 --> 00:30:30.539
 desires,

00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.500
 but those who

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.019
 desire to be

00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.700
 rich fall into

00:30:32.700 --> 00:30:33.180
 temptation,

00:30:33.539 --> 00:30:34.200
 into a snare,

00:30:34.480 --> 00:30:35.019
 into many

00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:36.440
 senseless and

00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.799
 harmful desires

00:30:37.799 --> 00:30:39.400
 that plunge

00:30:39.400 --> 00:30:40.200
 people into ruin

00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:40.779
 and destruction.

00:30:40.779 --> 00:30:44.180
 If we become

00:30:44.180 --> 00:30:44.879
 obsessed with

00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.420
 wealth, if we

00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:46.139
 just pursue

00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:47.019
 wealth for its

00:30:47.019 --> 00:30:47.899
 sake, here's

00:30:47.899 --> 00:30:48.139
 what will

00:30:48.139 --> 00:30:48.720
 change.

00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:49.960
 We'll put more

00:30:49.960 --> 00:30:50.740
 value on

00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:52.619
 things than

00:30:52.619 --> 00:30:53.019
 people.

00:30:53.799 --> 00:30:54.759
 We don't want

00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.200
 to mention

00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.680
 that, we don't

00:30:55.680 --> 00:30:56.160
 want to admit

00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:57.879
 that, but our

00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.759
 actions will show

00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.059
 it.

00:31:00.759 --> 00:31:01.399
 We're more

00:31:01.399 --> 00:31:01.920
 concerned about

00:31:01.920 --> 00:31:03.799
 things than we

00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:04.460
 are about people.

00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.059
 We'll put more

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.619
 emphasis on the

00:31:06.619 --> 00:31:07.220
 things of this

00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:09.119
 world and little

00:31:09.119 --> 00:31:10.079
 to no emphasis

00:31:10.079 --> 00:31:11.439
 on the eternal

00:31:11.439 --> 00:31:12.259
 things of God.

00:31:13.639 --> 00:31:14.679
 You can tell

00:31:14.679 --> 00:31:15.119
 where your

00:31:15.119 --> 00:31:16.119
 emphasis is right

00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:18.659
 now by just

00:31:18.659 --> 00:31:21.539
 looking at what

00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:21.980
 do you do with

00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:24.759
 your time, your

00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:27.279
 talents, how do

00:31:27.279 --> 00:31:27.960
 you spend your

00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:28.500
 treasures?

00:31:31.159 --> 00:31:32.099
 Where is the

00:31:32.099 --> 00:31:32.619
 focus?

00:31:32.980 --> 00:31:33.819
 Where is the

00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.220
 emphasis?

00:31:35.359 --> 00:31:36.339
 That tells you a

00:31:36.339 --> 00:31:38.199
 lot about where

00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:39.199
 your desires are.

00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:41.059
 The end result of

00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:41.519
 this downward

00:31:41.519 --> 00:31:42.480
 spiral is this,

00:31:42.779 --> 00:31:43.839
 pursuing wealth

00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.980
 causes ruin and

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.539
 destruction.

00:31:46.899 --> 00:31:47.819
 One more time,

00:31:47.879 --> 00:31:48.799
 verse 9, but

00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:49.519
 those who desire to

00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.319
 be rich fall into

00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.359
 temptation, into a

00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.619
 snare, into many

00:31:52.619 --> 00:31:53.500
 senseless and

00:31:53.500 --> 00:31:55.299
 harmful desires that

00:31:55.299 --> 00:31:56.500
 plunge people into

00:31:56.500 --> 00:31:57.639
 ruin and destruction.

00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:58.899
 Money is like a

00:31:58.899 --> 00:32:01.439
 drug, and to

00:32:01.439 --> 00:32:03.819
 blindly seek it is

00:32:03.819 --> 00:32:04.480
 an addiction.

00:32:05.980 --> 00:32:06.639
 Like all

00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.240
 addictions, the

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.819
 more you have, the

00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.579
 more you want.

00:32:08.579 --> 00:32:10.539
 You never get

00:32:10.539 --> 00:32:10.960
 enough.

00:32:12.279 --> 00:32:12.919
 You know, it may be

00:32:12.919 --> 00:32:14.119
 that Paul uses these

00:32:14.119 --> 00:32:15.899
 two terms to point

00:32:15.899 --> 00:32:17.919
 to the ruin of our

00:32:17.919 --> 00:32:18.939
 lives here on earth

00:32:18.939 --> 00:32:20.759
 and the destruction

00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:23.799
 of our lives in

00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:24.259
 hell.

00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:28.019
 Let's not kid

00:32:28.019 --> 00:32:29.000
 ourselves by thinking

00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:31.220
 that we can pursue

00:32:31.220 --> 00:32:32.480
 both God and money.

00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:35.000
 It's an impossibility

00:32:35.000 --> 00:32:36.039
 because Jesus said it

00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.299
 was.

00:32:36.400 --> 00:32:36.900
 Look at this.

00:32:37.799 --> 00:32:39.039
 No one can serve

00:32:39.039 --> 00:32:40.140
 two masters.

00:32:40.620 --> 00:32:41.200
 For either he'll hate

00:32:41.200 --> 00:32:42.299
 the one and love the

00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.039
 other, or he'll be

00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.980
 devoted to the one and

00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.720
 despise the other.

00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:46.319
 You cannot serve God

00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.039
 and money.

00:32:49.319 --> 00:32:50.720
 Paul reinforces this

00:32:50.720 --> 00:32:51.299
 warning about the

00:32:51.299 --> 00:32:53.880
 danger of money by

00:32:53.880 --> 00:32:55.099
 referring to what was

00:32:55.099 --> 00:32:56.319
 probably a well-known

00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:57.700
 proverb in his day.

00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.519
 Verse 10, look at

00:32:58.519 --> 00:32:58.700
 this.

00:32:59.039 --> 00:32:59.980
 For the love of money is

00:32:59.980 --> 00:33:01.059
 the root of all kinds of

00:33:01.059 --> 00:33:01.500
 evils.

00:33:02.179 --> 00:33:03.059
 It is through this

00:33:03.059 --> 00:33:04.579
 craving that some have

00:33:04.579 --> 00:33:05.619
 wandered away from the

00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.839
 faith and pierced

00:33:06.839 --> 00:33:07.599
 themselves with many

00:33:07.599 --> 00:33:08.359
 pains.

00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:10.659
 Now note what this

00:33:10.659 --> 00:33:11.319
 verse does not say.

00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:12.599
 This may be, this is

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.859
 one of the most

00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:15.919
 misquoted verses in

00:33:15.919 --> 00:33:16.259
 the Bible.

00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.599
 It does not say money

00:33:18.599 --> 00:33:19.319
 is the root of all

00:33:19.319 --> 00:33:19.559
 evil.

00:33:20.740 --> 00:33:23.159
 Money is not the root

00:33:23.159 --> 00:33:23.659
 of all evil.

00:33:24.539 --> 00:33:26.460
 In fact, money is not

00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:27.139
 the problem here.

00:33:28.599 --> 00:33:30.799
 It's the love of money.

00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:32.559
 That is sinful.

00:33:35.419 --> 00:33:39.700
 The love of money is not

00:33:39.700 --> 00:33:42.859
 the root of all evil.

00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:44.700
 It's just one of them.

00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:46.319
 It is a root of all

00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:46.919
 kinds of evil.

00:33:47.859 --> 00:33:48.619
 Again, I want to make

00:33:48.619 --> 00:33:49.039
 it clear.

00:33:50.399 --> 00:33:52.339
 Money can be a blessing

00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.179
 from God.

00:33:54.000 --> 00:33:54.759
 Money is not evil.

00:33:54.839 --> 00:33:55.720
 It is just a medium of

00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.240
 exchange.

00:33:57.179 --> 00:33:58.319
 Everybody has to have it.

00:33:58.319 --> 00:33:59.339
 It is a good.

00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:01.980
 It is worthwhile.

00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:04.859
 It is a blessing from

00:34:04.859 --> 00:34:05.779
 God a lot of times.

00:34:06.259 --> 00:34:07.480
 And we can use our money

00:34:07.480 --> 00:34:08.179
 in a lot of different

00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.599
 ways that will please

00:34:09.599 --> 00:34:10.019
 God.

00:34:10.739 --> 00:34:11.539
 We can serve Him.

00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:12.659
 We can serve Him with it.

00:34:13.659 --> 00:34:15.039
 The problem comes when we

00:34:15.039 --> 00:34:18.460
 think too highly of money

00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:21.019
 and allow it to control us

00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:22.059
 instead of us controlling

00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.659
 it.

00:34:22.659 --> 00:34:25.579
 Now I want you to note,

00:34:26.059 --> 00:34:27.539
 Paul says that this had

00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:29.279
 happened in the church

00:34:29.279 --> 00:34:30.739
 at Ephesus.

00:34:31.039 --> 00:34:31.899
 That's where Timothy is.

00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:33.319
 This is Paul's letter to

00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:33.759
 Timothy.

00:34:34.679 --> 00:34:36.139
 He is serving the church,

00:34:36.279 --> 00:34:37.279
 leading the church at

00:34:37.279 --> 00:34:37.659
 Ephesus.

00:34:38.239 --> 00:34:39.199
 And Paul says there are

00:34:39.199 --> 00:34:40.420
 some there who had

00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.879
 wandered away from the

00:34:41.879 --> 00:34:42.159
 faith.

00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.579
 There are Christians,

00:34:44.039 --> 00:34:45.219
 or professing Christians

00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:46.779
 anyway, church members,

00:34:47.779 --> 00:34:50.119
 who had forsaken their

00:34:50.119 --> 00:34:51.839
 relationship with God and

00:34:51.840 --> 00:34:52.660
 their commitment to the

00:34:52.660 --> 00:34:53.760
 truth of God's Word.

00:34:55.920 --> 00:34:57.260
 And by doing so, they'd

00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:58.340
 hurt themselves more than

00:34:58.340 --> 00:34:58.920
 anyone else.

00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.440
 Look at it.

00:34:59.740 --> 00:35:01.280
 And pierced themselves with

00:35:01.280 --> 00:35:03.160
 many pains or many griefs.

00:35:05.280 --> 00:35:06.380
 Let me ask you one more

00:35:06.380 --> 00:35:06.700
 time.

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.260
 Money and material

00:35:09.260 --> 00:35:09.840
 prosperity.

00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:15.220
 It can be a blessing or it

00:35:15.220 --> 00:35:16.059
 can be a curse.

00:35:17.559 --> 00:35:18.640
 What is it for you?

00:35:18.639 --> 00:35:22.019
 You know, if our focus,

00:35:23.099 --> 00:35:24.659
 if our real obsession,

00:35:25.659 --> 00:35:27.639
 our true heartfelt desire is

00:35:27.639 --> 00:35:28.900
 to know, love, serve, and

00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:31.699
 please God, and be a

00:35:31.699 --> 00:35:33.119
 faithful steward of all that

00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:35.179
 He entrusts to our care,

00:35:36.139 --> 00:35:39.980
 money-wise, prosperity-wise,

00:35:41.139 --> 00:35:43.480
 the money and material

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:45.500
 prosperity is a blessing.

00:35:45.500 --> 00:35:47.440
 Don't feel guilty.

00:35:48.880 --> 00:35:50.340
 If God has blessed you

00:35:50.340 --> 00:35:52.800
 tremendously, don't feel

00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:53.179
 guilty.

00:35:53.699 --> 00:35:54.400
 If you've had the right

00:35:54.400 --> 00:35:56.280
 motives, you've gone about

00:35:56.280 --> 00:35:57.960
 it the right way in

00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:59.139
 acquiring what you have,

00:36:00.019 --> 00:36:00.760
 enjoy it.

00:36:01.579 --> 00:36:02.900
 Realize you're a steward of

00:36:02.900 --> 00:36:03.119
 God.

00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:04.199
 God holds you responsible.

00:36:04.360 --> 00:36:05.340
 Be wise with it.

00:36:05.579 --> 00:36:06.219
 Please Him.

00:36:06.320 --> 00:36:07.059
 Honor Him with it.

00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:08.239
 But don't feel guilty.

00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:12.380
 It can be a blessing.

00:36:12.380 --> 00:36:16.760
 But if our real focus,

00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:19.019
 heartfelt desire is on the

00:36:19.019 --> 00:36:20.720
 money and the material

00:36:20.720 --> 00:36:24.740
 prosperity, and pursuing it

00:36:24.740 --> 00:36:29.559
 is the goal and joy of our

00:36:29.559 --> 00:36:33.539
 lives, the money and prosperity

00:36:33.539 --> 00:36:35.760
 is a curse.

00:36:35.760 --> 00:36:41.100
 It very well may lead to your

00:36:41.100 --> 00:36:46.780
 ruin in some way in this life.

00:36:48.440 --> 00:36:52.120
 But most assuredly, it'll lead to

00:36:52.120 --> 00:36:53.380
 your destruction of the day of

00:36:53.380 --> 00:36:54.560
 judgment unless you repent.

00:36:54.559 --> 00:37:03.659
 So, what is the nature right now of

00:37:03.659 --> 00:37:06.799
 your money and your material

00:37:06.799 --> 00:37:07.940
 prosperity?

00:37:08.940 --> 00:37:12.739
 Is it a blessing or is it a

00:37:12.739 --> 00:37:13.159
 curse?

00:37:14.159 --> 00:37:15.019
 Let's pray together.

00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:19.900
 Father, show us the truth.

00:37:19.900 --> 00:37:25.119
 show us the real answer to that

00:37:25.119 --> 00:37:25.700
 question.

00:37:29.180 --> 00:37:31.980
 And Father, help us to be honest.

00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:35.820
 Help us to admit if we are

00:37:35.820 --> 00:37:37.519
 obsessed with money and material

00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:39.220
 possessions and acquiring more.

00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:42.200
 And if it is, help us, dear God, to

00:37:42.200 --> 00:37:43.760
 see that it's wrong, it's sinful.

00:37:44.680 --> 00:37:46.200
 It does not please you and

00:37:46.200 --> 00:37:47.820
 ultimately it'll ruin us.

00:37:47.820 --> 00:37:50.920
 So, help us to repent of it and

00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:51.840
 seek your forgiveness.

00:37:53.180 --> 00:37:54.820
 Help us to rearrange our

00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:55.480
 priorities.

00:37:57.460 --> 00:38:00.960
 Help us to make you the object of

00:38:00.960 --> 00:38:04.440
 our strongest heartfelt desire.

00:38:08.980 --> 00:38:10.320
 But Father, where it is a

00:38:10.320 --> 00:38:15.960
 blessing, help that person to just

00:38:15.960 --> 00:38:17.320
 say thank you to you.

00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:21.200
 And seek to be faithful to use it

00:38:21.200 --> 00:38:25.440
 as you direct without guilt.

00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:28.580
 Father, if there are people in

00:38:28.580 --> 00:38:30.340
 this room who do not know you

00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:31.300
 because they do not have a

00:38:31.300 --> 00:38:35.100
 relationship with Jesus, help them

00:38:35.100 --> 00:38:37.559
 to understand that regardless of

00:38:37.559 --> 00:38:41.620
 their attitude toward money, they

00:38:41.620 --> 00:38:44.240
 are separated from you by their sin,

00:38:44.380 --> 00:38:46.820
 their selfishness, their self-centeredness.

00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:51.200
 Help them, dear God, to truly turn from

00:38:51.200 --> 00:38:53.100
 that, repent of that.

00:38:54.880 --> 00:38:57.420
 And to put their faith in Jesus as

00:38:57.420 --> 00:38:58.420
 their Savior and Lord.

00:39:00.500 --> 00:39:03.880
 Help them, dear God, to make a total

00:39:03.880 --> 00:39:09.260
 commitment of themselves to you right now

00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:11.960
 to live in life your way.

00:39:15.380 --> 00:39:16.700
 Lord, show us what we need to do.

00:39:17.140 --> 00:39:18.520
 And now it's just an attitude of prayer.

00:39:18.760 --> 00:39:21.380
 Listen to the Lord and respond to him

00:39:21.380 --> 00:39:22.340
 as he speaks to us.

00:39:22.340 --> 00:39:33.960
 you

00:39:33.960 --> 00:39:34.640
 you

00:39:34.640 --> 00:39:35.100
 you

00:39:35.100 --> 00:39:36.360
 you

00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:37.019
 you