WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.300 We are in lesson number two on stewardship. 00:00:11.380 --> 00:00:21.859 ! And I have to tell you, I remember at one point in ministry being very hesitant to teach 00:00:21.859 --> 00:00:23.000 ! 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:25.000 on stewardship. 00:00:25.000 --> 00:00:30.280 And the honest truth of that is that I was a little troubled by the fact that it seemed 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:36.200 a little over the top for me as a pastor, who, by the way, I want you to know you do pay 00:00:36.200 --> 00:00:39.420 me, and I'm very thankful for that. 00:00:39.820 --> 00:00:46.120 And I felt as a pastor it was a little embarrassing to talk about giving because I was a recipient 00:00:46.120 --> 00:00:47.260 of your generosity. 00:00:47.260 --> 00:00:48.659 And I thought, well, I ought not to do that. 00:00:48.679 --> 00:00:50.100 And then it dawned on me, you know what? 00:00:50.100 --> 00:00:56.380 But whether you pay me or not doesn't change the fact that the Word of God is explicit 00:00:56.380 --> 00:00:59.420 and consistent about giving. 00:01:00.960 --> 00:01:06.060 And here is a spiritual truth that you need to get your arms around, and giving is one 00:01:06.060 --> 00:01:10.060 of the starting places of genuine spiritual progress. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:14.560 So last week we talked about the why. 00:01:14.560 --> 00:01:14.600 Why? 00:01:15.240 --> 00:01:16.180 Why do we give? 00:01:17.299 --> 00:01:19.740 We give to glorify God. 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:26.159 I think about that passage in 1 Corinthians 10, verse 31, where it says this, 00:01:26.540 --> 00:01:29.400 Whatsoever you do, whether it is an eat or drink, what? 00:01:30.120 --> 00:01:31.020 Come on, say it with me. 00:01:31.900 --> 00:01:33.640 All to the glory of God, right? 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:41.219 So the way in which we give, truthfully, is a reflection of our view of God. 00:01:41.219 --> 00:01:41.260 God. 00:01:41.859 --> 00:01:42.719 That's a fact. 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:48.019 How many of you know that Valentine's is already over? 00:01:49.579 --> 00:01:50.299 It's gone. 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:57.319 And I bring that up because I remember deciding that I should do something for Valentine's, 00:01:57.340 --> 00:01:58.219 which I normally do. 00:01:58.759 --> 00:02:02.340 And I thought that I would go look for cards. 00:02:02.759 --> 00:02:03.659 Don't raise your hand. 00:02:03.819 --> 00:02:04.359 Don't do that. 00:02:04.359 --> 00:02:15.060 But, you know, when I went to look for cards, I found myself laboring over the right kind 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:17.580 of card to give my wife of 43 years. 00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:19.020 How many of you understand that process? 00:02:19.180 --> 00:02:20.379 You know, I was like, well, should I get it? 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:22.319 No, you read those sappy things. 00:02:22.479 --> 00:02:23.000 I don't know. 00:02:23.280 --> 00:02:27.199 There must be little people that sit in cubicles, you know, that, all right, let's see. 00:02:27.419 --> 00:02:30.000 I have to have four Valentine's cards done by noon. 00:02:30.000 --> 00:02:33.240 And then they crank these absolutely inane things out. 00:02:33.479 --> 00:02:35.180 And then I'm there reading them. 00:02:36.099 --> 00:02:41.139 Their lack of creativity was very stifling for my card-picking process. 00:02:41.800 --> 00:02:43.599 But you know what? 00:02:43.599 --> 00:02:49.759 I was pretty determined that I was going to find a card that was appropriate for my bride. 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:50.519 You follow that? 00:02:50.840 --> 00:02:51.819 Because, you know what? 00:02:51.859 --> 00:02:52.439 I love her. 00:02:53.579 --> 00:02:55.419 And so just any card won't do. 00:02:57.400 --> 00:03:02.379 Well, what actually happened is I ended up picking a card that was a relatively simple, 00:03:02.919 --> 00:03:06.719 unadorned card that didn't have much to say on the outside. 00:03:06.879 --> 00:03:07.759 And guess what I did? 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:11.039 I penned her one of my own little notes. 00:03:11.039 --> 00:03:14.599 You know, I said, hey, I let her know how much I appreciate her. 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:19.919 You're reading into that more than you probably should, but, you know, it's a fact. 00:03:26.099 --> 00:03:31.120 I have to tell you, it would have been so inappropriate. 00:03:31.859 --> 00:03:32.560 Everybody smile. 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:37.620 It would have been so inappropriate for me just to give her one of those off-the-cuff 10-cent cards, right? 00:03:38.620 --> 00:03:39.439 Would you agree with that? 00:03:41.039 --> 00:03:42.479 That would have been really tacky. 00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:51.759 The reason I bring this up is because your giving is a reflection of what you think of God. 00:03:53.479 --> 00:03:54.459 That's the way it is. 00:03:55.500 --> 00:04:00.079 Your giving is a reflection of what you think of God. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:09.640 Now, last week we talked about why the believer should give, but this week we want to talk about how. 00:04:10.980 --> 00:04:12.620 We want to fill it out a little bit more. 00:04:12.620 --> 00:04:21.480 And I do want to take the time to explain to you that giving is one of those things that the Scripture is quite clear on. 00:04:21.860 --> 00:04:23.540 The Scripture brings up often. 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:33.060 And surprisingly, you will find the subject of giving to be one of the early lessons that the apostles evidently taught to the church. 00:04:33.060 --> 00:04:41.439 That suggests that it is more important than some of us might think it is. 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:49.240 And so what I want you to do this morning is turn in your Bible to 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and 9. 00:04:49.379 --> 00:04:58.300 And we're going to spend most of our time in this passage listening to the apostle as he addresses the matter of giving in the church at Corinth. 00:04:58.300 --> 00:05:05.800 And by the way, the church at Corinth would really not be all that different from the church in Columbus. 00:05:09.920 --> 00:05:11.400 So we look at the passage. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:16.379 And we begin there in chapter 8, verse 1. 00:05:16.460 --> 00:05:22.740 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia. 00:05:22.740 --> 00:05:33.939 Now, so that we understand what Paul is saying from the very beginning, understand that in most of our thinking, when we think about the grace of God, 00:05:34.100 --> 00:05:39.220 we think about something we have received from God, in particular our salvation. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:39.879 Isn't that right? 00:05:41.000 --> 00:05:44.480 The grace of God has brought salvation to us. 00:05:44.680 --> 00:05:49.360 And we have been blessed by His grace in our relationship with Him. 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:54.060 And I have to tell you, this morning as we were singing, my heart was just into it. 00:05:54.540 --> 00:06:00.720 I love singing songs that remind me of the glory of Christ and His salvation. 00:06:00.960 --> 00:06:02.639 It's my joy and it's satisfying. 00:06:04.160 --> 00:06:06.680 And by the way, I like listening to you sing behind me. 00:06:08.400 --> 00:06:10.100 And here, this is a sidebar. 00:06:10.400 --> 00:06:13.319 I hope you just blast it out every time. 00:06:13.680 --> 00:06:16.319 And here's the reason I ask that of you. 00:06:16.319 --> 00:06:22.040 It's this, those people who are Spirit-filled sing enthusiastically. 00:06:22.680 --> 00:06:24.219 It's just the way it is. 00:06:25.219 --> 00:06:26.459 And so, here we are. 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:31.219 We're reminding ourselves of the glory of Christ in salvation. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:34.139 And we're reminding ourselves of His goodness to us. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.319 And we sing enthusiastically. 00:06:36.459 --> 00:06:37.579 And our giving should be the same. 00:06:38.699 --> 00:06:45.360 And here, the grace of God is actually spoken of in this passage to be a matter of giving. 00:06:45.360 --> 00:06:47.480 And so, here you sit this morning and you're thinking, 00:06:47.879 --> 00:06:51.699 Well, I really am not interested in listening to a sermon about giving. 00:06:51.900 --> 00:06:52.920 I'm not into that. 00:06:53.139 --> 00:06:54.199 I want to tell you something. 00:06:56.400 --> 00:06:58.480 Truthfully, it might be that you don't know Christ. 00:07:00.660 --> 00:07:03.660 Because here's one of the things that I know about salvation. 00:07:03.860 --> 00:07:06.300 Salvation changes the way you think. 00:07:06.740 --> 00:07:07.560 Would you agree with that? 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:11.020 Salvation changes your value structure. 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:15.099 Salvation changes the certainty of your destiny. 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:20.979 And if He has your heart, He has your wallet. 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:22.060 Would you agree with that? 00:07:22.799 --> 00:07:25.479 If He has your heart, say it with me. 00:07:25.919 --> 00:07:27.439 He has your wallet. 00:07:27.439 --> 00:07:36.680 I want you to recognize this morning that God honoring giving is joyful. 00:07:37.800 --> 00:07:39.620 That's something I want you to recognize. 00:07:40.639 --> 00:07:43.399 Now, we're in 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians chapter 8. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:48.819 But I want you also to go a little further and go to 2 Corinthians chapter 9 verse 7. 00:07:48.819 --> 00:08:04.019 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 00:08:06.240 --> 00:08:08.639 I want you to follow the flow of the text here. 00:08:08.639 --> 00:08:17.019 Giving is a biblical duty that shows in practical terms what our interest is in His glory. 00:08:17.800 --> 00:08:28.360 And at the same time, I want you to recognize that the passage of Scripture makes it clear that our giving is to be a personal decision that each individual believer makes without coercion. 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:38.320 I'll never forget at one point in pastoral ministry, actually stopping in to visit in a home of individuals that had been visiting in the church. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:43.800 And in the flow of conversation, I discovered that they were members of another church. 00:08:45.259 --> 00:08:47.440 And a little bit of a surprise. 00:08:47.659 --> 00:08:50.580 And so we actually got to talking about their experience. 00:08:50.659 --> 00:08:54.259 And they said, oh, well, you're not the first pastor who has visited here lately. 00:08:54.259 --> 00:08:58.120 Our pastor stopped by and also one of our deacons. 00:08:58.240 --> 00:09:04.980 And they came by to talk to us about the faithfulness of our giving and how much we should be doing. 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:09.139 And I was a little curious. 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:11.639 It was a new thought to me. 00:09:12.519 --> 00:09:14.519 And I said, what does that mean? 00:09:14.580 --> 00:09:20.639 And he said, well, our church, if you're a member, the stewardship committee, 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:32.620 figures out what your proportion is, and then they go around to all the homes and they talk to each member about what their input is supposed to be. 00:09:32.720 --> 00:09:33.419 Do you follow that? 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:39.939 Now, I decided that it was inappropriate for me to launch at that moment. 00:09:40.899 --> 00:09:43.220 And so I just kind of stood there and nodded. 00:09:43.299 --> 00:09:45.100 And really, that's rather it. 00:09:45.159 --> 00:09:46.080 Is that what they do? 00:09:46.179 --> 00:09:46.679 Yeah, yeah. 00:09:46.779 --> 00:09:49.480 You know, so that's not the way it is here. 00:09:49.480 --> 00:09:56.759 But the way it is here is not governed just by the fact that deacons and pastors sat around and arbitrarily decided on, 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:58.759 well, let's try it a different way and see if that works. 00:09:58.800 --> 00:09:59.539 That's not how it ended. 00:10:00.980 --> 00:10:04.800 The reason our giving is the way it is here is because we are informed by Scripture 00:10:04.800 --> 00:10:07.420 and we want to be faithful to what the Word of God dictates. 00:10:07.539 --> 00:10:13.039 And so recognize in this passage, there you're looking, 2 Corinthians 9, verse 7, 00:10:13.379 --> 00:10:17.759 each one must give as he has decided in his heart. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:26.240 There's not a single one of you here that can say I have ever talked to you personally about what you should give. 00:10:27.819 --> 00:10:30.879 Furthermore, probably you know that I'm a little perverse about touching money. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:33.319 How many of you know that about Pastor Knoyer? 00:10:34.139 --> 00:10:35.379 Try to give me a check. 00:10:35.460 --> 00:10:40.379 If I know what it is for, I don't take it as a general rule. 00:10:40.439 --> 00:10:41.039 Do you know what I do? 00:10:41.080 --> 00:10:42.039 How many of you know what I do? 00:10:42.039 --> 00:10:43.659 Come on. 00:10:45.099 --> 00:10:46.839 I say, give it to... 00:10:46.839 --> 00:10:48.159 We have deacons. 00:10:48.719 --> 00:10:49.899 We have Pastor Saul. 00:10:50.059 --> 00:10:51.339 And listen, it's just me. 00:10:52.500 --> 00:10:53.620 That's just the way I am. 00:10:53.699 --> 00:11:01.559 I don't want ever to have any kind of attachment to what your particular frame is. 00:11:01.559 --> 00:11:08.239 And you recognize in the passage there, it says, hey, listen, as he decides in his heart, 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:14.679 there is no place in the Scripture for manipulation or pressure regarding giving. 00:11:16.279 --> 00:11:19.559 Probably the best illustration of this would be over in the book of Exodus. 00:11:19.739 --> 00:11:21.739 And so I want you to turn back just for a moment. 00:11:22.339 --> 00:11:25.579 And in Exodus chapter 25, and then we're going to look at 35 as well. 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:33.879 But in Exodus chapter 25, the nation of Israel is taking up an offering for the building of the tabernacle. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.379 This was big time. 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:39.600 How many of you here have been through building programs in other churches? 00:11:40.480 --> 00:11:41.020 Raise your hands. 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:42.360 Building programs in other churches. 00:11:43.100 --> 00:11:46.700 Building programs can become major fundraisers, right? 00:11:47.240 --> 00:11:49.280 A lot of pressure, a lot of attention put on it. 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:55.720 And so here's how the nation of Israel went about fundraising for the tabernacle. 00:11:57.299 --> 00:12:00.899 Exodus chapter 25, looking at verse 2. 00:12:02.639 --> 00:12:06.159 Speak to the people of Israel that they take for me a contribution. 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:10.299 In other words, hey, we need money. 00:12:11.379 --> 00:12:15.639 From every man whose heart moves him, you shall receive the contribution for me. 00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:17.659 In other words, who was to give? 00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:19.779 Give those who wanted to. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:23.579 Now, turn forward, if you will, to Exodus chapter 35. 00:12:23.980 --> 00:12:27.079 One of the things that I've done in my Bible, you may not want to do in yours, 00:12:27.219 --> 00:12:29.819 but it's helped me to kind of pick up on the thread. 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:33.959 In Exodus chapter 35, you look at verse 5. 00:12:34.679 --> 00:12:36.919 Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:42.360 Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord's contribution. 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:50.200 And then we look also in verse 21, 22, 24, 26, and 29. 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:57.279 And the recurring theme in each one of these verses is that the matter of giving is left to the individual 00:12:57.279 --> 00:13:00.639 and to the willingness of that person's heart. 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:09.600 The reason that I have never pressured this congregation and their giving isn't because I'm indifferent to the matter of stewardship. 00:13:10.399 --> 00:13:15.939 But it is because I am sensitive to the authority and the sufficiency of the model of Scripture, 00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:19.720 and I want to follow the example that we find in the text. 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:25.960 So let me say how neat it is that Scripture has this organic unity. 00:13:26.120 --> 00:13:31.300 And what I mean by that is that when you find a theme displayed and worked through in the Old Testament, 00:13:31.420 --> 00:13:33.660 there's a high probability you're going to find it somewhere else. 00:13:34.360 --> 00:13:35.420 Things fit together. 00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:41.000 And they stay together because they come from the mind of God and the wisdom of God. 00:13:41.160 --> 00:13:46.740 And what He presents at one point is going to match up consistently with something else we find elsewhere in the text. 00:13:46.740 --> 00:13:53.180 And we're going to see that as we work our way in particular through the passage in 2 Corinthians. 00:13:53.320 --> 00:13:59.840 So turn back there if you will now and understand that our giving is not only just to be something that is not manipulated, 00:14:00.779 --> 00:14:04.180 but it is also to be something that is joyful to us. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:09.440 Our giving is to be marked by a personal joy and satisfaction. 00:14:10.220 --> 00:14:14.060 Look at verse 7 again in 2 Corinthians chapter 9. 00:14:14.059 --> 00:14:15.259 And it says, 00:14:15.599 --> 00:14:25.019 In other words, do not give reluctantly. 00:14:25.079 --> 00:14:25.839 What does that mean? 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:28.539 If you are reluctant, what? 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.399 Try this. 00:14:32.619 --> 00:14:39.759 So, you bring flowers to your wife, but you have an obvious reluctance. 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:41.519 How would you communicate reluctance? 00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:46.120 I'll give you an illustration. 00:14:46.319 --> 00:14:49.439 One of the biggest challenges I have in my marriage is moving furniture. 00:14:50.059 --> 00:14:50.279 Okay? 00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:52.740 I just got to admit it. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:54.379 I'm working on it. 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:56.340 And I'm not home yet. 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:56.659 Right? 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.340 Do you follow that? 00:14:58.059 --> 00:15:05.659 You know that at one point in my life, I decided that I would help my wife understand this by putting dates on the bottom of couches and chairs. 00:15:06.299 --> 00:15:07.240 I stopped. 00:15:07.939 --> 00:15:09.579 It wasn't helping her at all. 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:10.920 It was just irritating me. 00:15:12.680 --> 00:15:17.879 So, you know, probably early in my prayer life in the morning, the Lord helped me if I have to move furniture. 00:15:18.020 --> 00:15:18.860 No, that's not that bad. 00:15:19.280 --> 00:15:23.420 But she knows when I'm reluctant. 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:24.420 You follow that? 00:15:24.419 --> 00:15:38.819 And the sad thing is, and I'm working on this, the sad thing is, because she knows I'm reluctant, guess how it makes her feel when she can't lift that couch and she needs my help. 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:39.819 What do you think? 00:15:39.820 --> 00:15:49.540 Now, my wife doesn't hyperventilate about anything, but if you know her, it's like, okay, we'll get there. 00:15:49.640 --> 00:15:50.460 Tim, move it. 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:59.080 You know, it's like, you see, reluctance is something God doesn't want us to have. 00:15:59.400 --> 00:16:04.220 And he says, hey, if you have a reluctant heart, don't give. 00:16:04.460 --> 00:16:08.100 By the way, the rest of the text is change your attitude, right? 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.300 Because this is about God's glory. 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:12.979 But let's go back at the passage here. 00:16:13.120 --> 00:16:20.219 It says, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 00:16:21.759 --> 00:16:24.679 The word cheerful actually is the word hilarion. 00:16:25.939 --> 00:16:26.839 What's that sound like? 00:16:28.219 --> 00:16:29.159 Hilarious, yeah. 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:31.639 I mean, here's the deal. 00:16:31.959 --> 00:16:34.679 When you give, giggling is not a bad thing. 00:16:36.799 --> 00:16:38.639 I'll give you an illustration of that, too. 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:45.019 Two weeks ago, my wife called me and she says, honey, you bought me a birthday present. 00:16:46.480 --> 00:16:48.220 Now, her birthday is on this Friday. 00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:50.019 I know that date is coming. 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:52.720 It's in my calendar, et cetera. 00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:57.519 But, you know, she let me know she bought me a gift ahead of time. 00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:59.860 Or she bought herself a gift ahead of time. 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.399 Do you follow that? 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:05.539 It's not that she didn't trust me, I think. 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:11.460 It's that she had discovered just the incredible bargain that couldn't be passed on. 00:17:11.839 --> 00:17:13.359 And so she went ahead and bought it. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:16.519 And then she advised me, you're going to love it. 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:22.680 I actually laughed. 00:17:22.899 --> 00:17:23.700 Yeah, right. 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:27.740 So who needs Swarovski crystals in their bathroom, right? 00:17:27.740 --> 00:17:32.380 You understand that? 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.180 Okay. 00:17:46.460 --> 00:17:53.120 You know why I chuckled when I started into this conversation with her? 00:17:53.200 --> 00:17:55.059 It's like, because I do love her. 00:17:55.059 --> 00:17:55.460 I love her. 00:17:55.460 --> 00:17:56.619 I love her. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:18:00.899 And I just, I got the biggest kick out of it. 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:03.440 Well, if it makes her happy, that's good. 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:12.819 So, you know, when God receives your free will contribution, 00:18:13.980 --> 00:18:18.379 He wants you to enjoy doing it. 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:23.420 I want to recognize a second thing. 00:18:25.060 --> 00:18:28.360 God honoring giving is quietly generous. 00:18:29.560 --> 00:18:30.660 Quietly generous. 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:32.800 Turn back in your Bible. 00:18:32.940 --> 00:18:35.420 We're going to go to Matthew chapter 6 just for a moment. 00:18:38.120 --> 00:18:40.820 And Matthew chapter 6, verse 1 through 4, it says, 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:45.339 Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them. 00:18:46.619 --> 00:18:50.379 For then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. 00:18:51.819 --> 00:18:55.799 Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:58.779 as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, 00:18:58.939 --> 00:19:00.879 that they may be praised by others. 00:19:01.000 --> 00:19:04.079 Truly I say to you, they have received their reward. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:09.460 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.939 so that your giving may be seen in secret, 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:14.899 and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:17.460 You know what it's saying? 00:19:18.939 --> 00:19:24.099 It's saying that the giving of believers is to be different from the giving of the world. 00:19:26.019 --> 00:19:30.980 I chuckled the other day when I read the news 00:19:30.980 --> 00:19:36.140 and found out that there are a number of senators who are opposed to the Keystone Pipeline. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:38.400 And I'm not getting into a political issue here. 00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:42.860 But it was discovered that a number of the people who are opposing the Keystone Pipeline 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:48.440 actually had investments that would tank if the Keystone Pipeline went through. 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:51.960 They're directly connected. 00:19:52.880 --> 00:19:58.519 And so what they were doing in their voting was representing their self-interest. 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:01.680 I don't think it's just senators that do that. 00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:10.059 You see, all over the world, people's giving and people's efforts are always directed to, 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:11.359 so what am I getting out of this? 00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:13.940 One of the questions in the back of people's minds is, 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:18.000 so what's my return for the investment that I am engaging in? 00:20:19.319 --> 00:20:21.599 The world gives with an eye on return, 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:24.500 either financial or some kind of public credit. 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:27.680 That's what Jesus is talking about here in Matthew chapter 6. 00:20:28.619 --> 00:20:34.920 And Jesus instructs that our giving is to be done quietly and without men's reward. 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:39.559 That's the reason that you're giving here. 00:20:40.299 --> 00:20:43.900 We don't post on the bulletin board what you're giving is, 00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:48.160 and there's only a select number of individuals that know what that is, 00:20:48.180 --> 00:20:50.000 and they're the ones who give you that annual report, 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:52.599 so you can handle it in with the tax people. 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:57.819 I want you to go back, if you will, again to 2 Corinthians chapter 8, 00:20:57.980 --> 00:21:00.599 and we want to mark something else that is noted here. 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.920 2 Corinthians chapter 8, 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:06.720 verse 2 and 3, 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:12.460 says that biblical giving is marked by personal, personal generosity. 00:21:12.460 --> 00:21:16.539 He talks about the grace of God in giving, 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:16.980 and he says, 00:21:17.160 --> 00:21:19.160 For in a severe test of affliction, 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:22.140 their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty 00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:26.480 have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 00:21:27.640 --> 00:21:31.019 For they gave according to their means, 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:32.279 and as I can testify, 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:35.400 beyond their means of their own accord. 00:21:35.400 --> 00:21:43.580 It was very interesting to do some research on the matter of generous giving 00:21:43.580 --> 00:21:45.640 on the part of our culture, 00:21:45.780 --> 00:21:49.240 and recognize that the largest amount of giving 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:53.480 actually comes from people that are not wealthy. 00:21:54.940 --> 00:21:56.040 That's interesting, isn't it? 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:59.259 You would think that the more you have, 00:21:59.519 --> 00:22:02.380 the more you can afford to give. 00:22:02.420 --> 00:22:02.940 Isn't that right? 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:02.980 Right? 00:22:04.340 --> 00:22:06.380 Ironically, the truth of the matter is, 00:22:06.420 --> 00:22:07.840 is that as a general rule, 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:09.400 the more people have, 00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:11.559 the more self-focused they become, 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:15.299 and the less they're inclined to give. 00:22:16.880 --> 00:22:17.980 And in the Bible, 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:21.980 we find here that the matter of giving 00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:25.120 is to be something that is marked by personal generosity, 00:22:26.080 --> 00:22:29.519 and a generosity that finds satisfaction 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:32.360 in what that generosity represents. 00:22:32.940 --> 00:22:36.080 There's another point that I want you to recognize 00:22:36.080 --> 00:22:37.440 as we think about the matter of giving, 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:40.400 and mark the fact that in this passage, 00:22:40.539 --> 00:22:42.400 in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:45.420 where the apostle is laying out in broad terms 00:22:45.420 --> 00:22:46.940 for two whole chapters, 00:22:47.340 --> 00:22:49.960 the matter of giving to instruct the church at Corinth, 00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:53.660 he makes this point that God-honoring giving 00:22:53.660 --> 00:22:55.519 is a matter of confidence. 00:22:55.519 --> 00:23:01.079 Godly giving not only affirms our desire for God's glory, 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:05.099 but it also says that we are confident in his provision. 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:07.720 Here's what I mean. 00:23:08.639 --> 00:23:10.980 I want you to look at 2 Corinthians 9, 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.579 verse 8 through 11, 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:15.240 and let's just track the passage just for a moment. 00:23:15.240 --> 00:23:19.059 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, 00:23:19.380 --> 00:23:22.519 so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:24.539 you may abound in every good work. 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.740 As it is written, 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:28.539 he has distributed freely, 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:30.700 he has given to the poor, 00:23:31.019 --> 00:23:33.079 his righteousness endures forever. 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:35.940 He who supplies seed to the sower 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:37.620 and bread for food will supply 00:23:37.620 --> 00:23:39.900 and multiply your seed for sowing 00:23:39.900 --> 00:23:42.820 and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 00:23:44.420 --> 00:23:46.500 You'll be enriched in every way 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:48.519 to be generous in every way, 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:52.320 which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 00:23:53.660 --> 00:23:57.120 Now, what this passage explains to us 00:23:57.120 --> 00:24:02.080 is that our giving actually gives an opportunity 00:24:02.080 --> 00:24:06.280 for God to show his sufficiency and his provision. 00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:11.399 Now, we're not all gifted at math, 00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:14.519 but we can do simple numbers 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:15.940 without taking our shoes off. 00:24:16.019 --> 00:24:17.779 And so, I want you to imagine here 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:20.139 that if you have five apples 00:24:20.139 --> 00:24:23.539 and you give someone else three of them, 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:25.220 how many are you left? 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:29.440 Now, another question, a very complex one, 00:24:29.519 --> 00:24:31.920 but are five apples generally better than two? 00:24:33.319 --> 00:24:35.960 If you like apples, that's very true, right? 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:39.200 I mean, I would rather have five nice honey crisp apples 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:41.200 that have been picked in the prime of life 00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:43.059 and maybe refrigerated just for a couple hours 00:24:43.059 --> 00:24:46.380 so they're really at the top end of flavor and, 00:24:46.519 --> 00:24:47.220 you know what I'm saying? 00:24:48.480 --> 00:24:50.319 And even if I can't, being a diabetic, 00:24:50.480 --> 00:24:51.860 eat all five of them in one sitting, 00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:54.160 I like to think about them in the refrigerator. 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:56.220 I can't eat them when I want to, right? 00:24:56.380 --> 00:24:59.039 And five is better than two. 00:25:02.100 --> 00:25:05.160 And so, when you give three apples away, 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:07.040 what goes through your little pea brain? 00:25:08.240 --> 00:25:12.860 Loss, loss, loss, loss. 00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:21.840 And some people get caught in that mindset 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:24.100 when they think about giving to God. 00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:29.119 If I am faithful in my stewardship, 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:32.500 I will have less money for pizza 00:25:32.500 --> 00:25:34.839 or for whatever else that it is 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:37.240 that I am inclined to involve myself in 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:39.199 that I've just got to have 00:25:39.199 --> 00:25:41.219 if I'm going to be happy in life. 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:47.939 God honoring giving always says, 00:25:47.940 --> 00:25:50.680 I trust Him to provide what I need 00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:52.559 even as I give. 00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.799 How many of you think about that with me? 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:58.799 I trust Him to provide what I need 00:25:58.799 --> 00:26:02.120 even as I give. 00:26:02.119 --> 00:26:07.439 I shared with you last week 00:26:07.439 --> 00:26:11.639 the experience that Judith and I went through 00:26:11.639 --> 00:26:13.979 when we, for the first time in our married life, 00:26:14.039 --> 00:26:16.739 began to become faithful in the matter of stewardship. 00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:19.539 I grew up in a wonderful Christian home. 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:22.419 But for whatever reason, 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.759 it really never connected me, 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:25.259 connected with me, 00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:28.000 that stewardship was really something 00:26:28.000 --> 00:26:29.159 that was a hard attitude. 00:26:29.160 --> 00:26:31.759 And I can remember hearing Randy Patton 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.940 teach on the matter of stewardship 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:33.700 for the first time. 00:26:34.060 --> 00:26:34.759 And Judith and I, 00:26:34.820 --> 00:26:35.560 I remember going home 00:26:35.560 --> 00:26:36.720 and talking about it and deciding, 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.420 all right, 00:26:37.540 --> 00:26:39.240 we're going to be faithful in our giving 00:26:39.240 --> 00:26:40.740 from this time forward. 00:26:43.440 --> 00:26:45.259 And as I said last week, 00:26:45.880 --> 00:26:48.380 we did not get any checks in the mail 00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:50.920 or a raise or any windfall. 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.700 No aunt in Tucson died 00:26:52.700 --> 00:26:53.860 and left me a chunk of money. 00:26:54.340 --> 00:26:55.920 In fact, what we noticed 00:26:55.920 --> 00:26:57.120 is for about six months, 00:26:57.119 --> 00:27:00.199 our giving consistent, 00:27:00.939 --> 00:27:02.539 our reserves going down. 00:27:02.619 --> 00:27:02.979 It was like, 00:27:04.319 --> 00:27:05.399 do you know what we learned? 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:08.559 We learned that we had to change 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.559 our spending patterns. 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.839 How many of you realize 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:13.619 that you ultimately can outspend 00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:14.799 whatever income you have? 00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:18.019 Trick statement, I know, 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.679 but it's true. 00:27:19.939 --> 00:27:22.699 And so we began to change our giving, 00:27:23.259 --> 00:27:24.919 our giving first, 00:27:24.920 --> 00:27:26.320 and then we began to change our spending. 00:27:26.980 --> 00:27:29.360 But here's what giving does. 00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.440 Giving says, 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:32.140 I trust God to provide 00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:33.340 what I need 00:27:33.340 --> 00:27:35.600 as I give. 00:27:37.279 --> 00:27:38.740 Paul reminds the believers, 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:40.580 we're in 2 Corinthians 9, 00:27:40.700 --> 00:27:41.600 verse 8 through 11, 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:42.680 Paul reminds the believer 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.620 that God can be trusted 00:27:44.620 --> 00:27:46.220 to meet our needs. 00:27:47.800 --> 00:27:50.039 When we give away what we have, 00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.740 think with me, 00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:54.799 it's a challenge to our selfish heart 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:57.160 for it cuts into what we think 00:27:57.160 --> 00:27:59.599 is going to provide our own pleasure 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.680 and our own satisfaction. 00:28:01.440 --> 00:28:03.180 And over and over again in Scripture, 00:28:03.319 --> 00:28:06.059 we find that God insists 00:28:06.059 --> 00:28:08.140 on being first. 00:28:10.640 --> 00:28:12.240 I think about the illustration 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:14.559 of the widow. 00:28:15.519 --> 00:28:15.839 Remember, 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:18.259 the prophet comes out of nowhere, 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.960 walks up to her house, 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.059 Elijah, 00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:22.420 and the prophet says, 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.720 hey, 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:24.099 why don't you make me 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.079 something little to eat? 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:26.200 You know what she says to him? 00:28:26.599 --> 00:28:27.019 She says, 00:28:27.099 --> 00:28:27.279 hey, 00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.920 all I have is enough 00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:30.460 to make one little cake 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.879 for my son and I, 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:33.619 and then after we're finished eating that, 00:28:33.680 --> 00:28:34.779 we're going to starve to death. 00:28:35.279 --> 00:28:36.160 What does he say? 00:28:36.799 --> 00:28:37.079 Oh, 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:38.859 I am sorry to ask. 00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.700 You guys go ahead 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:41.500 and eat it and die. 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:41.900 No, 00:28:41.940 --> 00:28:42.660 that's not what he says. 00:28:42.660 --> 00:28:43.359 He says, 00:28:43.839 --> 00:28:44.640 feed me first, 00:28:45.099 --> 00:28:46.559 and God will take care of the rest. 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.819 And what happens? 00:28:48.559 --> 00:28:49.039 Faith. 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:51.299 She bakes him that little old 00:28:51.299 --> 00:28:52.440 eensy-weensy cake, 00:28:52.859 --> 00:28:54.480 and do you know what happens? 00:28:54.519 --> 00:28:55.000 This is amazing. 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.299 She has enough the day after, 00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.039 the day after that, 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:59.779 and just God cares for her 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.960 throughout the entire famine. 00:29:02.700 --> 00:29:04.420 God wants to be first. 00:29:05.859 --> 00:29:06.319 And so, 00:29:06.519 --> 00:29:07.940 here in this passage, 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:09.799 in 2 Corinthians 9, 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:11.900 the apostle is explaining, 00:29:11.900 --> 00:29:12.440 hey, 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:12.720 listen, 00:29:12.839 --> 00:29:13.599 God is able 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:14.779 to help you 00:29:14.779 --> 00:29:16.619 with this matter of grace as well, 00:29:16.619 --> 00:29:18.759 so that having sufficiency 00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.659 in all things, 00:29:19.699 --> 00:29:20.099 in other words, 00:29:20.159 --> 00:29:20.859 what you have, 00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:22.199 you have received from God. 00:29:22.239 --> 00:29:23.339 How many of you recognize that? 00:29:23.639 --> 00:29:25.139 The income that you have, 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.639 the provisions that you have, 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.939 the place that you live, 00:29:28.139 --> 00:29:29.459 all these things 00:29:29.459 --> 00:29:30.599 actually belong 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.339 to God 00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:32.099 and are from His hand. 00:29:32.119 --> 00:29:32.619 Isn't that right? 00:29:33.839 --> 00:29:34.799 That's God's. 00:29:36.199 --> 00:29:36.479 And he says, 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.419 God's given it to you, 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.619 and so in your faithfulness 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:40.479 of giving back to Him, 00:29:40.480 --> 00:29:41.120 what you are doing 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.440 is saying, 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:41.680 God, 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.960 I trust you 00:29:42.960 --> 00:29:43.900 to continue 00:29:43.900 --> 00:29:46.019 providing for me. 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:49.559 The promise of God 00:29:49.559 --> 00:29:52.360 is that He will provide 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:53.900 what we need 00:29:53.900 --> 00:29:56.440 as long as He sees fit 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.740 to keep us on this earth. 00:29:58.460 --> 00:30:00.259 Let me say that slowly. 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.500 The promise of God 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.720 is that He will provide 00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:05.160 what we need 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:07.579 as long as He sees fit 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:09.319 to keep us on this earth. 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:12.139 And sometimes we do get caught up 00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:13.359 in telling God 00:30:13.359 --> 00:30:15.220 exactly what we need. 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:17.679 God, 00:30:17.960 --> 00:30:20.299 I need steak. 00:30:22.419 --> 00:30:23.559 And God says, 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.059 no, 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:26.559 you're going to have beans. 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.679 How many of you know 00:30:28.679 --> 00:30:29.579 that there's a lot of protein 00:30:29.579 --> 00:30:30.279 in beans, right? 00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.379 Beans and rice. 00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:35.119 There you go. 00:30:35.939 --> 00:30:37.339 And we get in an argument. 00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:37.619 I got, 00:30:37.619 --> 00:30:38.439 well, God, 00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:38.859 I really, 00:30:38.859 --> 00:30:39.579 if you love me, 00:30:39.619 --> 00:30:40.539 you'll let me have steak. 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.479 I'm going to take care of you. 00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.199 Eat beans. 00:30:44.619 --> 00:30:45.079 And so, 00:30:45.939 --> 00:30:47.699 God is committed 00:30:47.699 --> 00:30:49.219 to care for you 00:30:49.219 --> 00:30:49.959 until the time 00:30:49.959 --> 00:30:50.579 that He decides 00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.259 to take you home. 00:30:51.679 --> 00:30:54.099 And He has not promised 00:30:54.099 --> 00:30:55.199 to give us basements 00:30:55.199 --> 00:30:55.859 and garages 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:57.019 that are so full of stuff 00:30:57.019 --> 00:30:57.879 that our children 00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.659 are hoping that 00:30:58.659 --> 00:30:59.379 a dumpster 00:30:59.379 --> 00:30:59.839 is the thing 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.599 after the burial. 00:31:01.559 --> 00:31:01.819 Okay? 00:31:01.819 --> 00:31:05.119 You see, 00:31:05.439 --> 00:31:07.500 I like the imagery 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:08.279 of the Old Testament 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.379 with the wave offering 00:31:09.379 --> 00:31:11.240 called first fruits. 00:31:13.299 --> 00:31:14.019 One of the things 00:31:14.019 --> 00:31:14.399 that happened 00:31:14.399 --> 00:31:15.059 in the Old Testament 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.519 when the, 00:31:15.980 --> 00:31:16.700 and by the way, 00:31:16.779 --> 00:31:17.460 in the Old Testament, 00:31:17.599 --> 00:31:18.519 everybody was a farmer, 00:31:18.639 --> 00:31:19.139 pretty much, 00:31:19.439 --> 00:31:20.099 almost everybody 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:20.740 was a farmer. 00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:23.119 And towards harvest time, 00:31:23.200 --> 00:31:23.740 guess what they were 00:31:23.740 --> 00:31:24.279 supposed to do 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:25.019 with their first 00:31:25.019 --> 00:31:26.039 couple sickles 00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.579 of grain 00:31:26.579 --> 00:31:27.960 or their first 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:28.899 couple baskets 00:31:28.899 --> 00:31:29.599 of olives? 00:31:29.659 --> 00:31:30.220 What did they do 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:30.519 with it? 00:31:32.119 --> 00:31:33.419 It went into the storehouse 00:31:33.419 --> 00:31:33.919 and it was actually 00:31:33.919 --> 00:31:34.980 called the wave offering. 00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:35.319 Do you know why 00:31:35.319 --> 00:31:35.980 it was called the wave? 00:31:36.919 --> 00:31:37.720 Because they would 00:31:37.720 --> 00:31:38.359 literally take it 00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:38.839 and wave it 00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:39.500 before the Lord 00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:39.839 and say, 00:31:39.939 --> 00:31:40.299 hey Lord, 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.379 this is yours 00:31:41.379 --> 00:31:42.480 and there's more 00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:42.960 to come. 00:31:43.220 --> 00:31:43.939 They would always 00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:45.619 put God first. 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.779 So here's the question. 00:31:50.679 --> 00:31:51.779 Is God first 00:31:51.779 --> 00:31:52.379 in your giving? 00:31:54.399 --> 00:31:55.279 Or is God 00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:55.960 the one who gets 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:56.519 the leftover 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.559 after the government 00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:59.180 and your mortgage 00:31:59.180 --> 00:32:00.279 and all the other things 00:32:00.279 --> 00:32:01.259 that you're engaged in? 00:32:02.119 --> 00:32:03.139 Is he kind of the, 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:04.180 well, you know, 00:32:04.559 --> 00:32:05.680 after I take my wife 00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:06.359 out for supper 00:32:06.359 --> 00:32:08.200 and I go to the movies, 00:32:08.420 --> 00:32:09.059 there's probably 00:32:09.059 --> 00:32:09.539 going to be about 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:11.000 $20 left for the month 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:12.000 and you know what, 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.839 God can have that. 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:13.920 Is that where 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.900 he fits in your picture? 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.379 If that's the case, 00:32:17.680 --> 00:32:18.440 what you're saying 00:32:18.440 --> 00:32:19.759 is that the other things 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:20.500 are more important 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.139 than God. 00:32:23.740 --> 00:32:24.779 I remind you 00:32:24.779 --> 00:32:25.519 that Scripture 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.859 Scripture wants 00:32:26.859 --> 00:32:28.859 you to think 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.400 of God 00:32:29.400 --> 00:32:30.720 as first 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:32.039 in your giving. 00:32:34.839 --> 00:32:35.839 There's one other thing 00:32:35.839 --> 00:32:36.740 that I want you to look at 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:37.639 and see in the passage 00:32:37.639 --> 00:32:38.500 and that God-honoring 00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:40.119 giving is kingdom-driven. 00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.240 It's amazing 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:43.980 how many people 00:32:43.980 --> 00:32:44.819 want to be part 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.420 of your giving. 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:46.359 Do you follow that? 00:32:46.359 --> 00:32:48.599 Everybody. 00:32:50.059 --> 00:32:51.879 I have to tell you 00:32:51.879 --> 00:32:52.859 that every now and then 00:32:52.859 --> 00:32:54.399 I see those absolutely 00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:56.139 tear-jerking advertisements 00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:57.879 for the Society 00:32:57.879 --> 00:32:58.559 for the Prevention 00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.539 of Cruelty to Animals. 00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:00.819 I mean, 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:02.359 the saddest song 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:03.579 as it tears me up 00:33:03.579 --> 00:33:05.719 and I see these animals 00:33:05.719 --> 00:33:06.679 that have been abused 00:33:06.679 --> 00:33:07.659 and it's like my heart 00:33:07.659 --> 00:33:08.419 goes out to them. 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:10.439 How can anybody do that? 00:33:10.440 --> 00:33:11.640 And then after that, 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:12.200 you know, 00:33:13.059 --> 00:33:14.840 you get everybody else 00:33:14.840 --> 00:33:15.440 that loves you 00:33:15.440 --> 00:33:17.039 wants your money too, 00:33:17.120 --> 00:33:17.320 right? 00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.900 I signed up for the NRA 00:33:18.900 --> 00:33:20.059 several years ago 00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:21.259 and I got to tell you 00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:21.820 they still, 00:33:22.039 --> 00:33:23.340 they call me regularly. 00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:24.680 Thankfully, 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.539 it's an 800 number 00:33:25.539 --> 00:33:26.620 and my phone picks that up 00:33:26.620 --> 00:33:27.400 and helps me. 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:29.539 But my wife, 00:33:29.600 --> 00:33:30.200 my wife and I 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:30.860 are sitting there 00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:31.660 supper, 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.480 after supper, 00:33:32.740 --> 00:33:33.380 just sitting there 00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:34.460 in the family room 00:33:34.460 --> 00:33:36.059 and she gets a call 00:33:36.059 --> 00:33:37.240 from High Point College 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:38.000 in North Carolina. 00:33:40.039 --> 00:33:42.900 We lived in North Carolina 00:33:42.900 --> 00:33:43.420 back when, 00:33:43.480 --> 00:33:44.019 was that Judith? 00:33:46.120 --> 00:33:46.640 74. 00:33:47.059 --> 00:33:48.299 That was a long time ago, 00:33:48.380 --> 00:33:48.640 okay? 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:50.240 And she actually went 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.799 to High Point 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:52.859 for about one semester. 00:33:53.799 --> 00:33:55.160 They still have her 00:33:55.160 --> 00:33:56.400 on their call list. 00:33:59.140 --> 00:33:59.460 You know? 00:34:02.359 --> 00:34:03.539 Hope springs eternal 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:04.279 in the human breast. 00:34:04.380 --> 00:34:05.039 They're hoping that 00:34:05.039 --> 00:34:06.220 Judith someday, 00:34:06.620 --> 00:34:06.839 I mean, 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:07.939 you just call regularly. 00:34:08.420 --> 00:34:09.159 I get a call 00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:10.360 from all the different people 00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:11.799 that I went to school with 00:34:11.799 --> 00:34:12.960 and they're not calling 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.779 to tell me how much 00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.319 they appreciated 00:34:14.319 --> 00:34:15.039 that I graduated. 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.460 They're just, 00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.599 they want me to give. 00:34:20.860 --> 00:34:21.299 UNICEF, 00:34:22.380 --> 00:34:23.279 Girl Scouts, 00:34:23.639 --> 00:34:24.420 whoever it is, 00:34:24.559 --> 00:34:25.559 they all want your money. 00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:27.659 And I want you to know 00:34:27.659 --> 00:34:28.460 that the believer 00:34:28.460 --> 00:34:30.840 is encouraged by Scripture 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.980 to direct his giving 00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:33.000 through the local church. 00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:33.239 See, 00:34:33.319 --> 00:34:35.059 Scripture sees the local church 00:34:35.059 --> 00:34:35.759 and its vision 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:37.520 as the primary channel 00:34:37.520 --> 00:34:38.000 of giving. 00:34:40.380 --> 00:34:41.220 I have to tell you 00:34:41.220 --> 00:34:41.940 that we live in a day 00:34:41.940 --> 00:34:43.540 of Winnebago believers. 00:34:43.800 --> 00:34:43.960 Do you know 00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:45.180 what Winnebago believers are? 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.400 They're people 00:34:46.400 --> 00:34:47.340 that are always setting up 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:48.420 camp temporarily here 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:48.780 or there 00:34:48.780 --> 00:34:50.200 and they're on the move. 00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:54.100 They dabble in a pew here, 00:34:54.180 --> 00:34:55.240 they dabble in a pew there. 00:34:55.239 --> 00:34:58.000 But they're also involved 00:34:58.000 --> 00:34:59.139 in a host of other activities 00:34:59.139 --> 00:35:00.739 and it really just doesn't work 00:35:00.739 --> 00:35:01.619 for them to settle in 00:35:01.619 --> 00:35:02.839 and pitch in 00:35:02.839 --> 00:35:03.939 and be part of what's happening 00:35:03.939 --> 00:35:04.959 in a particular family. 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:06.559 And they struggle 00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.579 with being more committed 00:35:07.579 --> 00:35:08.879 to their personal agenda 00:35:08.879 --> 00:35:12.539 than with Christ's agenda. 00:35:14.459 --> 00:35:15.039 And really, 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.699 that's not the picture 00:35:15.699 --> 00:35:17.139 we find in the New Testament church 00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:18.599 of what God wants 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:19.879 for the body of Christ to be. 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:21.019 Jesus sees the church 00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:23.559 as His most important instrument 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:24.539 in this age. 00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:26.019 I want to say that carefully. 00:35:27.320 --> 00:35:29.019 Jesus sees the church 00:35:29.019 --> 00:35:31.019 as the most important instrument 00:35:31.019 --> 00:35:31.940 in this age. 00:35:33.720 --> 00:35:35.440 Over in Matthew chapter 16, 00:35:35.519 --> 00:35:37.300 verse 18, 00:35:37.539 --> 00:35:38.260 Jesus said this, 00:35:38.340 --> 00:35:39.599 I will build my church 00:35:39.599 --> 00:35:40.780 and the gates of hell 00:35:40.780 --> 00:35:41.900 will not prevail against it. 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.800 What He's saying is that 00:35:42.800 --> 00:35:45.820 the church is His instrument of grace. 00:35:46.160 --> 00:35:47.740 It is the principal organism, 00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:50.019 organization that He intends 00:35:50.019 --> 00:35:51.799 to be used to bring blessing to people. 00:35:52.159 --> 00:35:52.879 Another passage 00:35:52.879 --> 00:35:54.899 that really confirms that truth 00:35:54.899 --> 00:35:55.859 is over in Ephesians. 00:35:55.919 --> 00:35:56.759 And I want you to go there 00:35:56.759 --> 00:35:57.759 just for a moment. 00:35:57.879 --> 00:35:58.979 Ephesians chapter 1. 00:36:01.139 --> 00:36:02.359 Ephesians chapter 1, 00:36:02.419 --> 00:36:03.619 verse 22 and 23. 00:36:04.899 --> 00:36:06.319 The passage just makes 00:36:06.319 --> 00:36:07.479 a profound statement 00:36:07.479 --> 00:36:08.819 about the supremacy 00:36:08.819 --> 00:36:10.399 and the significance of the church. 00:36:11.739 --> 00:36:12.979 22 and 23. 00:36:13.759 --> 00:36:15.359 And He put all things under His feet 00:36:15.359 --> 00:36:16.399 and gave Him as head 00:36:16.400 --> 00:36:18.400 over all things to the church. 00:36:18.720 --> 00:36:19.500 Verse 23. 00:36:20.039 --> 00:36:21.720 Which is His body, 00:36:22.260 --> 00:36:23.700 the fullness of Him 00:36:23.700 --> 00:36:25.059 who fills all in all. 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:29.639 The church is Christ's present body. 00:36:30.700 --> 00:36:33.240 Now, are we a little put off 00:36:33.240 --> 00:36:34.940 on occasion by what the church 00:36:34.940 --> 00:36:36.559 is in reality? 00:36:37.559 --> 00:36:38.860 Yeah, we bump into each other 00:36:38.860 --> 00:36:39.820 and find some uglies. 00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.360 Isn't that right? 00:36:41.000 --> 00:36:41.900 But here's the truth. 00:36:42.280 --> 00:36:43.460 We're all part of the church 00:36:43.460 --> 00:36:44.260 by His grace, 00:36:44.260 --> 00:36:45.260 by salvation, 00:36:45.260 --> 00:36:48.000 and we are the manifestation 00:36:48.000 --> 00:36:49.820 of Christ in the world. 00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:52.520 And being involved in the church 00:36:52.520 --> 00:36:53.660 and what the church is doing 00:36:53.660 --> 00:36:55.740 is God's plan 00:36:55.740 --> 00:36:57.260 and intention for the believer. 00:36:58.980 --> 00:37:00.580 Christ intends for every believer 00:37:00.580 --> 00:37:02.300 to be connected to a local church 00:37:02.300 --> 00:37:03.820 and to be serving and giving 00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:05.020 through the local church. 00:37:05.019 --> 00:37:07.199 It's very interesting 00:37:07.199 --> 00:37:07.940 that you will find 00:37:07.940 --> 00:37:08.619 in the New Testament 00:37:08.619 --> 00:37:10.679 that the giving of the believer 00:37:10.679 --> 00:37:11.619 flowed predominantly 00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:12.780 through the local church 00:37:12.780 --> 00:37:16.780 and God was honored in that. 00:37:16.860 --> 00:37:17.420 That's what we find 00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:17.980 in that passage 00:37:17.980 --> 00:37:18.739 in 2 Corinthians. 00:37:19.780 --> 00:37:20.940 Very interesting also 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:22.659 to find that apostolic counsel 00:37:22.659 --> 00:37:25.440 on the use of spiritual gifts, 00:37:26.400 --> 00:37:27.980 just like the matter of giving, 00:37:28.079 --> 00:37:29.039 was directed towards 00:37:29.039 --> 00:37:29.840 the local church 00:37:29.840 --> 00:37:31.579 and it was in the local church 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:34.400 that both giving and giftedness 00:37:34.400 --> 00:37:35.679 were to be played out 00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:37.059 and we see this very clearly 00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:38.460 in 1 and 2 Corinthians. 00:37:39.559 --> 00:37:40.799 The model that we find 00:37:40.799 --> 00:37:41.759 in Acts chapter 5 00:37:41.759 --> 00:37:42.739 and Acts chapter 6 00:37:42.739 --> 00:37:44.039 point to the church 00:37:44.039 --> 00:37:45.239 rather than individuals 00:37:45.239 --> 00:37:47.819 as being the principal vehicle 00:37:47.819 --> 00:37:50.019 through which giving is to come. 00:37:50.360 --> 00:37:52.079 And guess why most people avoid 00:37:52.079 --> 00:37:53.699 giving through the local church? 00:37:54.759 --> 00:37:55.759 A couple reasons. 00:37:55.860 --> 00:37:56.759 Number one is because 00:37:56.759 --> 00:37:57.980 often the local church 00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:59.400 does not do as good a job 00:37:59.400 --> 00:38:00.320 as they should. 00:38:01.260 --> 00:38:02.000 And that's appropriate 00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:03.200 to be challenged by that. 00:38:03.820 --> 00:38:04.420 But secondly, 00:38:04.780 --> 00:38:05.800 and here's another thing, 00:38:06.139 --> 00:38:07.840 I want to vote with my own money 00:38:07.840 --> 00:38:09.200 and you're not going to mess with it. 00:38:11.019 --> 00:38:11.340 Hmm. 00:38:12.200 --> 00:38:13.519 I want to be in control 00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.800 and I want to have a say. 00:38:15.539 --> 00:38:16.800 See, when I put my money 00:38:16.800 --> 00:38:18.119 into the offering plate, 00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:19.260 guess what I do? 00:38:19.340 --> 00:38:21.380 I relinquish my own right 00:38:21.380 --> 00:38:23.220 to control how it's given. 00:38:24.500 --> 00:38:25.700 I release it 00:38:25.700 --> 00:38:26.860 to the responsibility 00:38:26.860 --> 00:38:28.539 of the corporate body 00:38:28.539 --> 00:38:30.440 and to their vision collectively. 00:38:30.659 --> 00:38:32.719 I am not in charge. 00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:41.400 I want you to see that again 00:38:41.400 --> 00:38:42.860 in Acts chapter 11 00:38:42.860 --> 00:38:45.340 verse 27 through 30. 00:38:45.679 --> 00:38:47.000 And turn there just for a moment. 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:49.119 Acts chapter 11 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:52.599 verse 27 through 30. 00:38:52.599 --> 00:38:59.599 Now in these days 00:38:59.599 --> 00:39:00.480 prophets came down 00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.719 from Jerusalem to Antioch 00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:02.920 and one of them named Abagas 00:39:02.920 --> 00:39:03.900 stood up and foretold 00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:04.519 by the Spirit 00:39:04.519 --> 00:39:05.500 that there would be 00:39:05.500 --> 00:39:06.880 a great famine over the world. 00:39:07.000 --> 00:39:07.579 This took place 00:39:07.579 --> 00:39:08.719 in the days of Claudius. 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:11.000 So the disciples determined 00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:11.440 according, 00:39:11.799 --> 00:39:13.139 everyone according to his ability 00:39:13.139 --> 00:39:13.900 to send relief 00:39:13.900 --> 00:39:14.460 to the brothers 00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:15.699 living in Judea 00:39:15.699 --> 00:39:17.139 and they did so 00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:18.759 sending it by the elders 00:39:18.759 --> 00:39:20.299 or sending it to the elders 00:39:20.299 --> 00:39:22.179 by the hand of Barnabas and Saul. 00:39:22.179 --> 00:39:23.440 And who were Barnabas and Saul? 00:39:24.440 --> 00:39:26.559 They were members of leadership 00:39:26.559 --> 00:39:27.759 that were responsible 00:39:27.759 --> 00:39:28.399 to carry it 00:39:28.399 --> 00:39:29.719 from one congregation 00:39:29.719 --> 00:39:30.719 to another. 00:39:32.739 --> 00:39:35.179 Interesting when Haiti 00:39:35.179 --> 00:39:38.779 had that horrible disaster 00:39:38.779 --> 00:39:40.639 and the Philippines 00:39:40.639 --> 00:39:41.940 horrible disaster. 00:39:42.480 --> 00:39:44.559 This congregation sent money. 00:39:44.919 --> 00:39:46.039 Do you know where we sent it to? 00:39:46.880 --> 00:39:49.639 We sent it to responsible believers 00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:50.980 in the Philippines 00:39:50.980 --> 00:39:51.579 or in Haiti 00:39:51.579 --> 00:39:52.519 and we said 00:39:52.519 --> 00:39:54.779 we want you to use this 00:39:54.779 --> 00:39:56.000 for the furtherance 00:39:56.000 --> 00:39:56.699 of the gospel 00:39:56.699 --> 00:39:57.659 and the meeting 00:39:57.659 --> 00:39:58.779 of the needs of people 00:39:58.779 --> 00:39:59.759 that are suffering 00:39:59.759 --> 00:40:00.480 in the Philippines 00:40:00.480 --> 00:40:01.480 that are suffering 00:40:01.480 --> 00:40:02.219 in Haiti 00:40:02.219 --> 00:40:03.360 that are suffering 00:40:03.360 --> 00:40:04.779 and there is a wonderful 00:40:04.779 --> 00:40:05.840 gospel opportunity. 00:40:06.259 --> 00:40:06.739 Believers 00:40:06.739 --> 00:40:09.559 through the congregation 00:40:09.559 --> 00:40:10.759 of God's people 00:40:10.759 --> 00:40:11.980 ministering 00:40:11.980 --> 00:40:14.000 on behalf of people 00:40:14.000 --> 00:40:15.179 in that local community. 00:40:15.179 --> 00:40:16.899 Finally 00:40:16.899 --> 00:40:18.960 biblical giving 00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:20.179 is to flow 00:40:20.179 --> 00:40:21.179 towards gospel 00:40:21.179 --> 00:40:21.919 proclamation 00:40:21.919 --> 00:40:24.099 and gospel living. 00:40:26.440 --> 00:40:27.739 Biblical giving 00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:28.559 is to flow 00:40:28.559 --> 00:40:29.619 towards gospel 00:40:29.619 --> 00:40:30.500 proclamation 00:40:30.500 --> 00:40:32.659 and gospel living. 00:40:32.659 --> 00:40:35.659 So as we put this together 00:40:35.659 --> 00:40:36.940 let me summarize 00:40:36.940 --> 00:40:37.899 by saying that 00:40:37.899 --> 00:40:38.960 our giving 00:40:38.960 --> 00:40:39.759 as believers 00:40:39.759 --> 00:40:40.519 is first of all 00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:41.059 to be joyful. 00:40:41.179 --> 00:40:41.619 Isn't that right? 00:40:42.359 --> 00:40:44.440 And I wouldn't be put off 00:40:44.440 --> 00:40:44.839 at all 00:40:44.839 --> 00:40:45.879 in fact some of you 00:40:45.879 --> 00:40:46.619 I know 00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.460 are perverse enough 00:40:47.460 --> 00:40:47.980 that you'll do it 00:40:47.980 --> 00:40:48.480 next Sunday. 00:40:48.879 --> 00:40:50.440 I wouldn't be put off 00:40:50.440 --> 00:40:51.179 if you giggled 00:40:51.179 --> 00:40:51.940 next time you put 00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:52.639 your offering in. 00:40:54.639 --> 00:40:55.219 You know 00:40:55.219 --> 00:40:56.199 kind of have this 00:40:56.199 --> 00:40:57.259 joyful grin 00:40:57.259 --> 00:40:58.299 and your wife 00:40:58.299 --> 00:40:58.739 probably looks 00:40:58.739 --> 00:41:00.019 hey I'm having fun 00:41:00.019 --> 00:41:00.679 doing this. 00:41:00.679 --> 00:41:03.819 Giving should be 00:41:03.819 --> 00:41:04.239 joyful 00:41:04.239 --> 00:41:05.299 giving should be 00:41:05.299 --> 00:41:05.719 liberal 00:41:05.719 --> 00:41:07.039 giving should be 00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:08.039 confident of God's 00:41:08.039 --> 00:41:08.879 continuing provision 00:41:08.879 --> 00:41:10.579 and giving should be 00:41:10.579 --> 00:41:11.779 gospel focused 00:41:11.779 --> 00:41:13.199 through the local 00:41:13.199 --> 00:41:13.859 church. 00:41:14.559 --> 00:41:15.759 Let's close in prayer. 00:41:19.179 --> 00:41:20.259 Our Father God 00:41:20.259 --> 00:41:20.719 this morning 00:41:20.719 --> 00:41:21.299 as we take 00:41:21.299 --> 00:41:22.159 your word in hand 00:41:22.159 --> 00:41:23.000 and we are reminded 00:41:23.000 --> 00:41:23.940 that you have spoken 00:41:23.940 --> 00:41:24.480 clearly 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:25.960 we also understand 00:41:25.960 --> 00:41:26.940 that it is for our 00:41:26.940 --> 00:41:27.359 benefit 00:41:27.359 --> 00:41:28.079 and our blessing. 00:41:28.079 --> 00:41:30.000 you who have 00:41:30.000 --> 00:41:30.599 graced us 00:41:30.599 --> 00:41:31.319 with salvation 00:41:31.319 --> 00:41:32.219 and delivered us 00:41:32.219 --> 00:41:32.880 from the curse 00:41:32.880 --> 00:41:33.819 of sin 00:41:33.819 --> 00:41:34.779 have made us 00:41:34.779 --> 00:41:35.199 to be part 00:41:35.199 --> 00:41:35.840 of your family 00:41:35.840 --> 00:41:36.860 and drawn us 00:41:36.860 --> 00:41:37.500 together to be 00:41:37.500 --> 00:41:38.639 effective for the 00:41:38.639 --> 00:41:39.679 testimony and the 00:41:39.679 --> 00:41:40.519 glory of Christ 00:41:40.519 --> 00:41:42.299 and we want to be 00:41:42.299 --> 00:41:43.099 a people that are 00:41:43.099 --> 00:41:43.579 generous 00:41:43.579 --> 00:41:44.799 not because of 00:41:44.799 --> 00:41:45.239 manipulation 00:41:45.239 --> 00:41:46.099 but because of 00:41:46.099 --> 00:41:46.719 our high 00:41:46.719 --> 00:41:47.980 and holy view 00:41:47.980 --> 00:41:48.880 of a God 00:41:48.880 --> 00:41:49.599 that someday 00:41:49.599 --> 00:41:50.860 we will enjoy 00:41:50.860 --> 00:41:51.460 forever in 00:41:51.460 --> 00:41:51.920 eternity. 00:41:53.119 --> 00:41:54.279 Lord this life 00:41:54.279 --> 00:41:54.860 is brief 00:41:54.860 --> 00:41:56.480 and we want 00:41:56.480 --> 00:41:57.360 to spend it 00:41:57.360 --> 00:41:58.360 and be spent 00:41:58.360 --> 00:41:59.559 for the testimony 00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:00.280 and the power 00:42:00.280 --> 00:42:00.900 of Christ 00:42:00.900 --> 00:42:02.400 and we ask 00:42:02.400 --> 00:42:02.680 that you would 00:42:02.680 --> 00:42:03.220 take your word 00:42:03.220 --> 00:42:03.700 and drive it 00:42:03.700 --> 00:42:04.360 firmly into our 00:42:04.360 --> 00:42:05.380 heart that we 00:42:05.380 --> 00:42:06.519 would be a people 00:42:06.519 --> 00:42:07.360 from this day 00:42:07.360 --> 00:42:08.420 forward that are 00:42:08.420 --> 00:42:09.180 generous and 00:42:09.180 --> 00:42:10.559 faithful and do 00:42:10.559 --> 00:42:11.820 not turn back 00:42:11.820 --> 00:42:13.599 because the spirit 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:14.160 of God has 00:42:14.160 --> 00:42:14.880 touched our heart 00:42:14.880 --> 00:42:16.320 and the word of 00:42:16.320 --> 00:42:16.940 God is our 00:42:16.940 --> 00:42:18.500 authority and we 00:42:18.500 --> 00:42:19.500 have confidence 00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:21.300 in your provision. 00:42:22.059 --> 00:42:22.760 We ask this in 00:42:22.760 --> 00:42:23.599 your precious name. 00:42:23.980 --> 00:42:24.220 Amen. 00:42:24.860 --> 00:42:25.860 Amen.