WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.520 Good morning. Turn with me in your Bible to Luke chapter 16. 00:00:06.060 --> 00:00:12.080 We are continuing in our series through this middle section of Luke. It's Jesus 00:00:12.080 --> 00:00:19.379 journeying with His disciples toward Jerusalem, toward His destiny of where He will be rejected 00:00:19.379 --> 00:00:25.519 and crucified, but also raised to life again and glorified. But we're in this middle section of 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:32.979 Luke that we're going through, that we'll be in for another month or so, and includes many of Jesus' 00:00:33.159 --> 00:00:42.340 teachings to His disciples. Teachings, and today we have a parable, chapter 16. We have two parables 00:00:42.340 --> 00:00:48.219 about addressing that involve material possessions, and today we're looking at the first one, the 00:00:48.219 --> 00:00:53.600 parable of the dishonest manager. So, I'm going to read chapter 16. I'm going to read verses 1 to 13, 00:00:53.600 --> 00:00:59.480 and that's what we'll be looking at this morning. So, I invite you to read along with me. 00:01:01.579 --> 00:01:03.320 Luke 16, beginning at verse 1. 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:09.000 He, Jesus, also said to the disciples, there was a rich man who had a manager, 00:01:09.760 --> 00:01:13.299 and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 00:01:14.079 --> 00:01:19.900 And he called him and said to him, what is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your 00:01:19.900 --> 00:01:26.580 management, for you can no longer be manager. And the manager said to himself, what shall I do, 00:01:27.020 --> 00:01:31.460 since my master is taking the management away from me? I'm not strong enough to dig. 00:01:32.020 --> 00:01:38.260 I'm ashamed to beg. I've decided what to do, so that when I'm removed from management, people may 00:01:38.260 --> 00:01:43.820 receive me into their houses. So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 00:01:43.819 --> 00:01:50.000 how much do you owe my master? He said, a hundred measures of oil. He said to him, take your bill, 00:01:50.559 --> 00:01:56.259 sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then he said to another, and how much do you owe? He said, 00:01:56.259 --> 00:02:03.319 a hundred measures of wheat. He said to him, take your bill, and write eighty. The master commended 00:02:03.319 --> 00:02:12.079 the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with 00:02:12.080 --> 00:02:19.980 their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of 00:02:19.980 --> 00:02:28.580 unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. One who is 00:02:28.580 --> 00:02:34.740 faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also 00:02:34.740 --> 00:02:40.900 dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:46.939 the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:54.159 which is your own? No servant can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, 00:02:54.259 --> 00:03:02.240 or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. 00:03:02.240 --> 00:03:10.060 How do we use our material possessions wisely in light of the future? 00:03:11.820 --> 00:03:18.140 On the whole, Americans today are spending more in the present and saving less for the future. 00:03:19.020 --> 00:03:25.719 In the 50s, 60s, and 70s, Americans saved on average 10% of their disposable personal income. 00:03:26.820 --> 00:03:30.560 Today, figures vary, but Americans save half that amount or less. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:37.300 And according to some studies, over half of American adults have less than $1,000 in readily available 00:03:37.300 --> 00:03:41.199 savings, and many people are carrying large amounts of revolving debt. 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:48.599 On the other hand, there are smaller but growing movements like FIRE. Financial independence retire 00:03:48.599 --> 00:03:55.259 early. Have you heard of this one? You can read blogs about how to live very frugally in your 20s and 30s, 00:03:55.259 --> 00:04:00.679 commute by bicycle, sleep in your living room, and rent out your bedroom on Airbnb. 00:04:02.120 --> 00:04:07.539 That way you can save half of your income through your 20s and 30s and retire in your 40s or even earlier. 00:04:07.639 --> 00:04:14.620 Some people have done it. Most of them haven't had kids, or many of them, but some have done it. 00:04:14.620 --> 00:04:20.899 Now, those are perhaps two ends of the spectrum, but they raise all kinds of questions. 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:28.319 How much should we save? For emergencies? For major purchases? For retirement? 00:04:29.040 --> 00:04:32.019 How much debt is legitimate and wise to take on? 00:04:32.959 --> 00:04:37.459 How do you make big financial decisions that are going to affect you for years? 00:04:37.459 --> 00:04:43.799 And what kinds of habits are you cultivating by the thousand little choices that you make 00:04:43.799 --> 00:04:46.799 every day without even thinking about it? 00:04:48.239 --> 00:04:52.659 This morning, we're looking at one of Jesus' parables and some of Jesus' teachings about money, 00:04:53.479 --> 00:04:57.500 and specifically about living wisely in light of the future. 00:04:57.639 --> 00:05:02.919 Now, Jesus doesn't directly answer all of our 21st century American questions about money, 00:05:02.920 --> 00:05:12.819 but he does give some enduring wisdom to us as his followers about managing our resources wisely. 00:05:14.319 --> 00:05:20.100 What I want to do this morning is first to consider the meaning of Jesus' parable in verses 1 to 8, 00:05:20.639 --> 00:05:26.759 and second to consider three applications of Jesus' teaching in verses 9 to 13. 00:05:27.660 --> 00:05:30.259 So first, the meaning of Jesus' parable. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:33.819 Now, this is a challenging parable to interpret. 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:36.319 One scholar put it this way, 00:05:36.420 --> 00:05:41.539 few passages have given rise to so many different interpretations as this parable. 00:05:42.779 --> 00:05:46.459 Now, at one level, what happens in the story seems clear enough. 00:05:47.300 --> 00:05:49.539 The story begins with a rich man who had a manager. 00:05:49.680 --> 00:05:55.120 Back then, a manager would have been responsible for administering a rich man's financial affairs. 00:05:55.120 --> 00:06:01.540 He was legally authorized to negotiate contracts and sign binding agreements in the name of his master. 00:06:02.480 --> 00:06:05.360 But this manager was irresponsible. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:08.360 He did what the prodigal son did. 00:06:08.920 --> 00:06:11.259 He wasted his master's possessions. 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:15.639 It's the same word translated squandered in chapter 15, verse 13, 00:06:16.280 --> 00:06:21.000 as wasted in verse, or wasting in verse 1 of chapter 16. 00:06:21.000 --> 00:06:26.100 And so, a report comes to the rich man. 00:06:26.160 --> 00:06:28.620 The rich man at first seems a little oblivious, but he gets a report. 00:06:30.000 --> 00:06:31.620 Your possessions are being squandered. 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:33.879 And he calls the manager in. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:35.120 What's this I hear about you? 00:06:35.240 --> 00:06:36.259 Give an account for yourself. 00:06:36.399 --> 00:06:37.120 Hand over the books. 00:06:37.439 --> 00:06:38.500 You're about to be fired. 00:06:39.500 --> 00:06:41.600 Now, the manager doesn't deny the accusations. 00:06:42.639 --> 00:06:44.759 He doesn't attempt to defend himself. 00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:46.939 He doesn't offer any apology. 00:06:47.779 --> 00:06:49.519 He knows it's all true. 00:06:49.519 --> 00:06:52.659 Instead, he starts scheming. 00:06:53.699 --> 00:06:54.620 What shall I do? 00:06:55.299 --> 00:07:01.279 This is one of the rare places where you hear the interior monologue of a character in the Bible. 00:07:02.879 --> 00:07:07.599 But here, Jesus shows us what's going on in his mind. 00:07:07.699 --> 00:07:08.459 He says, what shall I do? 00:07:08.479 --> 00:07:09.219 I'm getting fired. 00:07:09.939 --> 00:07:12.500 Nobody else in my field will hire me with this on my record. 00:07:13.659 --> 00:07:14.680 What are my options? 00:07:14.799 --> 00:07:15.379 Manual labor? 00:07:15.959 --> 00:07:17.000 Not strong enough. 00:07:17.000 --> 00:07:18.240 Panhandling? 00:07:18.879 --> 00:07:19.680 Too shameful. 00:07:21.000 --> 00:07:23.019 But then in verse 4, he says, ah, I've got it. 00:07:24.060 --> 00:07:25.199 I know what I'll do. 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:29.939 So that after I'm fired, I'll always have a roof over my head and food on my table. 00:07:30.920 --> 00:07:34.220 So he calls in each of his master's debtors one by one. 00:07:34.220 --> 00:07:38.420 Now, the parable only gives two representative examples, but it says he called them in one 00:07:38.420 --> 00:07:41.920 by one, implying he brought each of them in separately. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:47.920 First example, a man owed 875 gallons of oil. 00:07:48.020 --> 00:07:49.400 Now, this is no small debt. 00:07:49.480 --> 00:07:53.460 That was worth one to three years wages in the ancient world. 00:07:54.760 --> 00:07:56.360 He says, cut it in half. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:08:03.759 Next man owes over 1,000 bushels of wheat, worth even more, worth eight to nine years wages. 00:08:03.920 --> 00:08:07.720 So this rich man is dealing with large loans. 00:08:10.280 --> 00:08:12.460 In this case, he says, take 20% off. 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:18.560 Now, because he hadn't officially been fired, he still had authority to do this, 00:08:18.560 --> 00:08:24.780 and there was nothing that the rich man could do legally against him. 00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:33.879 But by doing this, the manager made each one of the debtors personally obligated to him 00:08:33.879 --> 00:08:37.980 so that when he lost his job and nobody else would hire him, 00:08:38.840 --> 00:08:43.039 they would be inclined to, as verse 4 says, receive me into their houses. 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:47.139 He'd have a whole long list of people he'd go to and say, 00:08:47.419 --> 00:08:48.719 I did you a favor. 00:08:49.419 --> 00:08:50.559 You owe me here. 00:08:52.939 --> 00:08:53.879 Will you take me in? 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:58.959 Now, if there's one thing that seems clear so far, 00:08:58.959 --> 00:09:02.719 it's that this manager is a shady, selfish dude. 00:09:05.120 --> 00:09:08.939 At first, he's irresponsible, wasting his master's possessions. 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:11.500 Probably this is going on for quite some time. 00:09:11.500 --> 00:09:20.139 Then, he's either too out of shape or too lazy or too pretentious to consider working with his hands. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:24.159 He doesn't want to associate with people who are desperately poor, 00:09:24.419 --> 00:09:27.019 who in those days had no other option but to beg for a living. 00:09:28.360 --> 00:09:29.980 He doesn't fess up to what he's done. 00:09:30.059 --> 00:09:31.120 He doesn't take responsibility. 00:09:31.360 --> 00:09:35.139 He doesn't even plead for mercy, and he certainly doesn't try to make things right. 00:09:35.419 --> 00:09:37.899 Instead, he gets even worse. 00:09:37.899 --> 00:09:46.740 He squanders even more of his master's possessions in a last-ditch attempt to save his own hide. 00:09:49.360 --> 00:09:55.159 Now, for the sake of full disclosure, I need to tell you that if you read commentaries on this passage, 00:09:55.539 --> 00:10:01.439 many people will have come up with many explanations for why this guy is not actually so shady after all. 00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:09.760 Some say that by reducing the debts, the manager honorably enhanced his master's reputation, 00:10:09.760 --> 00:10:15.280 and the master praised him in verse 8 because now everyone thinks that the master is so generous. 00:10:17.360 --> 00:10:17.840 Problem? 00:10:18.420 --> 00:10:23.220 The manager in the story shows absolutely no concern for his master's reputation. 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:28.040 And in verse 5, he tells the debtor, quickly change the amount. 00:10:31.800 --> 00:10:33.500 Obvious indication of fraud. 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:41.100 Others say the manager sacrificially deducted his own commission on the loans. 00:10:42.680 --> 00:10:43.160 Problem? 00:10:43.420 --> 00:10:48.040 There is no evidence that a manager would have been entitled to such a large commission, 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:50.820 in the first case, 100% on the loan. 00:10:50.820 --> 00:10:53.600 That would make the manager even wealthier than the rich man. 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:55.960 He'd be out earning his boss. 00:10:56.640 --> 00:10:57.940 That's completely unrealistic. 00:10:58.580 --> 00:11:00.500 And besides, if he deducted his whole commission, 00:11:00.640 --> 00:11:03.980 it would mean there would be absolutely nothing left for whoever replaces him. 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:06.320 Not really sacrificial at all. 00:11:08.660 --> 00:11:10.740 Still others give a third explanation. 00:11:11.660 --> 00:11:14.120 The manager righteously deducted the interest. 00:11:15.260 --> 00:11:19.020 The Old Testament law prohibited charging interest to fellow Israelites. 00:11:19.019 --> 00:11:22.100 Inflation wasn't really a thing back then. 00:11:22.579 --> 00:11:26.460 So the law was basically protecting poor debtors from being gouged. 00:11:27.980 --> 00:11:32.159 Now it's very possible that the rich man was taking advantage of his debtors, 00:11:32.779 --> 00:11:36.399 charging them exorbitant interest, and that's how he had become so rich. 00:11:37.079 --> 00:11:38.740 That was a common practice at the time. 00:11:39.620 --> 00:11:44.299 And if so, Jesus' hearers might have felt that the filthy rich man got what he deserved. 00:11:44.299 --> 00:11:50.379 Sort of like we might chuckle if an agent working for the mafia did what this manager did. 00:11:52.699 --> 00:11:58.099 Having said that, there is no indication in the parable that the manager had any righteous motives 00:11:58.099 --> 00:12:00.979 or any concern for obedience to God's law. 00:12:00.980 --> 00:12:05.360 In verse 4, he tells us exactly what his motives were, 00:12:05.779 --> 00:12:08.560 and they are selfish through and through. 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:13.259 So I don't think any of those explanations are worth... 00:12:14.940 --> 00:12:16.920 I don't think any of those explanations work. 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:20.460 The manager is a shady, selfish dude. 00:12:21.420 --> 00:12:22.279 The whole way. 00:12:22.279 --> 00:12:26.279 And in verse 8, Jesus characterizes the manager in one word, dishonest. 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:29.179 Literally, unrighteous. 00:12:30.019 --> 00:12:31.439 He's a wrongdoer. 00:12:31.539 --> 00:12:32.500 He's a wicked man. 00:12:33.100 --> 00:12:35.220 He's not a child of the light. 00:12:35.699 --> 00:12:37.439 He's a child of this world. 00:12:37.579 --> 00:12:40.199 He belongs to this present evil age. 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:43.679 So what's the point of this story? 00:12:45.179 --> 00:12:49.839 You hear a story like this, and you expect that the first thing Jesus will say is, 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:52.860 don't be like that shady, selfish character. 00:12:54.120 --> 00:12:56.220 And he will say that in verses 10 to 13. 00:12:57.160 --> 00:12:59.440 But first, in verse 8, he says to his disciples, 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:05.360 there is one quality of that unrighteous manager that you ought to emulate. 00:13:07.879 --> 00:13:14.740 The master commended or praised the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. 00:13:14.740 --> 00:13:22.299 Now again, this verse does not say the master praised the shrewd manager for his dishonesty. 00:13:22.659 --> 00:13:26.419 No, it says he praised the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. 00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:33.060 So Jesus is not promoting dishonesty in any way. 00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:39.060 But he is pointing to one thing that his disciples can learn from. 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:42.120 Now you might ask, who is speaking in verse 8? 00:13:42.120 --> 00:13:46.899 Most people assume verse 8 is referring to the master in the parable 00:13:46.899 --> 00:13:49.500 who praised the manager for his cleverness. 00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:51.519 And this is very plausible, right? 00:13:52.159 --> 00:13:57.860 The rich man finds out what the guy did, and he's like, 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.980 man, I got to hand it to you. 00:14:00.379 --> 00:14:05.080 You're still fired, but boy, are you clever in making a way forward for yourself. 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.799 You might just succeed in business someday. 00:14:06.799 --> 00:14:15.399 But it's also possible that the master in verse 8 is referring to Jesus himself. 00:14:16.459 --> 00:14:19.679 Twelve times in Luke, Jesus is referred to in this very way, 00:14:20.159 --> 00:14:22.159 and it's usually translated, the Lord. 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:28.099 The Lord commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. 00:14:28.759 --> 00:14:33.500 If we understand it that way, the quotation from Jesus resumes in the second half of verse 8. 00:14:33.500 --> 00:14:39.480 Now either way, whether it's Jesus or the master in the parable speaking, 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:42.700 verse 8 is the surprising twist, right? 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:45.200 Jesus' parables are stories about ordinary life, 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:49.700 and everything seems to be going the way you'd expect it to be going until there's a twist. 00:14:50.240 --> 00:14:53.519 Sometimes there's more than one, but in this parable there's just one. 00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:54.840 In verse 8. 00:14:54.840 --> 00:15:04.379 And the surprising twists indicate the main point or points that Jesus is particularly trying to drive home. 00:15:05.940 --> 00:15:10.240 That shady, selfish dude was shrewd. 00:15:11.360 --> 00:15:14.480 That word shrewd simply means prudent or wise. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:17.960 Matthew 10, 16, Jesus says to his disciples, 00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:19.940 Be wise as serpents. 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:20.740 It's the same word. 00:15:20.860 --> 00:15:22.840 Shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves. 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:26.639 The same word appears one other time in Luke's gospel in 1242. 00:15:27.560 --> 00:15:31.220 Who then is the faithful and wise manager? 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:40.160 This parable here is about an unfaithful manager who nevertheless displays a kind of wisdom, 00:15:41.440 --> 00:15:46.879 taking prudent and decisive action in the face of an oncoming crisis. 00:15:48.400 --> 00:15:52.420 The 5th century Bishop Augustine put it this way. 00:15:53.540 --> 00:15:57.160 Why did the Lord Jesus Christ present this parable to us? 00:15:58.420 --> 00:16:03.200 He surely did not approve of that cheat of a servant who cheated his master, 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:06.519 stole from him, and did not make it up from his own pocket. 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:10.639 On top of that, he caused his master further loss 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:15.960 in order to prepare a little nest of quiet and security for himself after he lost his job. 00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:18.320 Why did the Lord set this before us? 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:20.820 See, this is a question people have been wrestling with for a long time. 00:16:22.160 --> 00:16:22.460 He says, 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:28.240 It is not because that servant cheated, but because he exercised foresight for the future. 00:16:29.300 --> 00:16:33.300 He was ensuring himself for a life that was going to end. 00:16:34.960 --> 00:16:36.759 And then Augustine presses his point home. 00:16:37.700 --> 00:16:40.780 Would you not ensure yourself for eternal life? 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:45.519 In other words, would you not take as much care for the things of God 00:16:45.519 --> 00:16:48.480 as this man did for the things of this world? 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:55.559 J.C. Ryle, the 19th century English preacher, put it this way. 00:16:55.559 --> 00:16:59.179 The diligence of worldly men about the things of time 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:04.399 should put to shame the coldness of professing Christians about the things of eternity. 00:17:05.859 --> 00:17:10.679 The zeal and tenacity of businessmen who cross sea and land to get earthly treasures 00:17:10.679 --> 00:17:17.240 may well rebuke the slackness and sluggishness of believers about treasures in heaven. 00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:22.879 That's what Jesus means when he says the sons of this world are more shrewd 00:17:22.880 --> 00:17:26.120 in dealing with their own generation that is their own things 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:30.000 than the sons of light are in dealing with what belongs to us. 00:17:32.280 --> 00:17:34.600 More simply, Daryl Bach put it this way, 00:17:34.680 --> 00:17:37.780 People of this world give more thought to their physical well-being 00:17:37.780 --> 00:17:42.920 than the righteous do, than followers of Jesus do to their spiritual well-being. 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:48.260 That's the meaning and the challenge of the parable. 00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:51.559 This shady, selfish man was nevertheless shrewd, 00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:55.779 and there's a lesson that the followers of Christ should learn from his shrewdness. 00:17:58.700 --> 00:18:03.960 Now, Jesus goes on to give three applications of this parable in verses 9 to 13. 00:18:05.279 --> 00:18:10.079 And I want to look at these applications and consider what they have to say to us today. 00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:13.119 First application, verse 9, 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:17.799 Use wealth that will fail to bless people who will live forever. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.759 Verse 9 follows directly from verse 8. 00:18:21.419 --> 00:18:22.980 Jesus turns to his disciples and says, 00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:25.819 Here's what I want you to take away. 00:18:26.419 --> 00:18:28.899 I tell you this. 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:34.340 Now, when Jesus says, 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:37.280 Unrighteous wealth, in verse 9, 00:18:37.880 --> 00:18:40.620 He doesn't mean what we might think it means. 00:18:40.680 --> 00:18:43.259 He doesn't mean wealth obtained dishonestly. 00:18:44.360 --> 00:18:45.640 If you look down at verse 11, 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:47.019 He uses the same phrase. 00:18:48.100 --> 00:18:51.320 He talks about being faithful in the unrighteous wealth. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.120 That makes absolutely no sense 00:18:53.120 --> 00:18:56.420 if it means wealth obtained dishonestly. 00:18:56.420 --> 00:19:00.820 You cannot be faithful with wealth that you have obtained through dishonest means, 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:04.140 except by repenting and making restitution. 00:19:06.060 --> 00:19:06.279 Okay? 00:19:06.740 --> 00:19:09.180 So it doesn't mean wealth obtained dishonestly. 00:19:09.279 --> 00:19:12.420 It simply means the wealth of this unrighteous world. 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.440 All right? 00:19:16.480 --> 00:19:21.880 You can think of all the shady things that the money in your wallet or your bank account 00:19:21.880 --> 00:19:25.779 might have been used to do before it came around to you. 00:19:26.420 --> 00:19:32.680 There's all kinds of icky ways that money is used in this fallen world. 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:37.180 So when he says unrighteous wealth, 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:40.400 it simply means the wealth of this unrighteous age. 00:19:41.539 --> 00:19:43.620 And when Jesus talks about wealth, 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.600 it's not just money, 00:19:44.800 --> 00:19:46.120 it's also our possessions, 00:19:46.420 --> 00:19:47.220 our resources, 00:19:47.420 --> 00:19:48.080 our connections, 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:51.320 our positions of influence and authority in this life. 00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:53.059 In other words, 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:54.579 it's everything you have now 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:57.339 that you can't take with you when you die. 00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:04.720 How do we manage our earthly resources wisely in light of eternity? 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:08.759 Jesus says in verse 9, 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:10.259 when it fails, 00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:15.180 the wealth of this unrighteous world will fail. 00:20:15.319 --> 00:20:18.339 It will come to an end. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:22.039 You can't take any of it with you when you die. 00:20:22.860 --> 00:20:25.200 It has no eternal value in itself, 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:28.600 and it cannot help you on the day of judgment. 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:32.340 So Jesus says, 00:20:32.680 --> 00:20:32.700 therefore, 00:20:33.019 --> 00:20:38.600 use it to bless people who will live forever. 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:43.299 The manager used his resources to make friends 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:45.559 who would receive him temporarily 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:47.779 and out of a sense of obligation 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:49.759 into their homes on earth. 00:20:51.220 --> 00:20:51.960 Jesus says, 00:20:52.460 --> 00:20:53.299 use your money, 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.099 your possessions, 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.079 your resources, 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:59.920 to bless people who may never be able to pay you back on earth, 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:02.160 but who will one day welcome you 00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:05.359 wholeheartedly and joyfully 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:08.180 into your eternal home with God. 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:15.220 Now, let me be very clear. 00:21:15.680 --> 00:21:17.519 Jesus is not teaching in verse 9 00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:20.119 that you can buy your way into heaven 00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:22.720 by giving to the church 00:21:22.720 --> 00:21:24.240 or giving to the poor. 00:21:26.879 --> 00:21:27.859 In the Middle Ages, 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.059 this passage was twisted 00:21:29.059 --> 00:21:31.079 out of context in many ways. 00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.639 But Jesus is very clear. 00:21:34.680 --> 00:21:35.559 The Bible is very clear. 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:38.139 We are not saved by our works. 00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:41.660 Salvation is only by the grace 00:21:41.660 --> 00:21:42.879 and gift of God. 00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:46.039 But the Bible does teach 00:21:46.039 --> 00:21:47.779 that there will be a judgment 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.639 of our works. 00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:50.299 In other words, 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:51.680 there will be an assessment. 00:21:53.359 --> 00:21:54.139 On the last day, 00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.299 God will ask us, 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:57.519 how did you manage the resources 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:59.680 I entrusted to you 00:21:59.680 --> 00:22:02.399 as my people? 00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:05.839 Did you put them to work 00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:07.200 in ways that will last 00:22:07.200 --> 00:22:08.079 into eternity? 00:22:08.079 --> 00:22:10.599 One writer put it this way, 00:22:10.679 --> 00:22:13.299 do we use our worldly possessions 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.419 in such a manner 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.879 that there will be people 00:22:15.879 --> 00:22:16.539 in eternity 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.419 who will be glad 00:22:17.419 --> 00:22:18.339 to receive us? 00:22:19.619 --> 00:22:21.339 Or will many point 00:22:21.339 --> 00:22:22.699 accusing fingers at us 00:22:22.699 --> 00:22:23.639 because we neglected 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:25.019 or injured them 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:26.960 through our unfaithful use 00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:28.099 of the earthly goods 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:29.359 entrusted to us? 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:32.879 What does that look like 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:33.559 practically? 00:22:35.099 --> 00:22:36.359 To use wealth 00:22:36.359 --> 00:22:37.500 which will come to an end 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.399 to bless people 00:22:38.399 --> 00:22:39.319 in ways that matter 00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:39.959 for eternity. 00:22:41.319 --> 00:22:42.740 Think about the resources 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:44.759 that God has given you. 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:48.339 The cash in your wallet, 00:22:49.119 --> 00:22:51.019 the money in your bank accounts, 00:22:51.639 --> 00:22:53.259 the place where you live, 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:55.199 the skills you've developed, 00:22:56.159 --> 00:22:57.240 the stuff you own, 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:59.500 the places you have access to, 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.880 the education you've received, 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:02.099 the authority and influence 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:02.759 you've been given, 00:23:03.099 --> 00:23:04.220 the connections you have, 00:23:04.299 --> 00:23:06.559 the time in your daily schedule. 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:09.259 Are you using those things 00:23:09.259 --> 00:23:11.380 wisely, creatively, 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.319 prudently, actively, 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.980 not just to cover your own back 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:15.599 in this life 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.299 like the manager 00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:17.319 in the parable did, 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:19.220 but to bless other people 00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:21.039 in ways that will matter 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.980 for eternity? 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:25.380 When Jesus returns 00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:27.500 and this present evil age ends, 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.580 and when the great feast 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:31.020 of his eternal kingdom begins, 00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:32.580 will there be people 00:23:32.580 --> 00:23:34.080 who can sit across the table 00:23:34.080 --> 00:23:34.980 from you and say 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:36.420 things like these? 00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:38.760 I was a victim 00:23:38.760 --> 00:23:39.920 of a natural disaster. 00:23:41.360 --> 00:23:43.460 When you sent aid 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:45.420 to help me and my family, 00:23:45.540 --> 00:23:46.860 I saw that there were Christians 00:23:46.860 --> 00:23:47.900 who really cared. 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:51.480 I was a refugee. 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.940 You took me in 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:55.460 when I had no earthly way 00:23:55.460 --> 00:23:56.480 of repaying you. 00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:59.220 I saw the love of God in you. 00:24:01.040 --> 00:24:02.759 I grew up never having heard 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.320 about Jesus. 00:24:05.420 --> 00:24:07.040 You faithfully prayed 00:24:07.040 --> 00:24:08.420 and gave money 00:24:08.420 --> 00:24:09.140 to the missionary 00:24:09.140 --> 00:24:10.519 who preached the gospel to me. 00:24:12.120 --> 00:24:13.680 I was raised in a chaotic 00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.880 and dysfunctional family. 00:24:15.720 --> 00:24:17.300 You became my spiritual father 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:17.740 or mother. 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.379 I was a drug addict. 00:24:21.419 --> 00:24:22.379 You walked with me 00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:23.379 through a long journey 00:24:23.379 --> 00:24:25.299 of recovery and relapses 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.440 and every step of the way 00:24:26.440 --> 00:24:28.299 you pointed me to my Savior. 00:24:29.659 --> 00:24:31.440 I was an angry and bitter 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:32.839 and deeply hurt person, 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:35.200 and you spent costly time 00:24:35.200 --> 00:24:36.180 loving me, 00:24:36.579 --> 00:24:37.759 speaking the truth to me, 00:24:37.899 --> 00:24:38.680 and showing me 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:39.559 what it means to forgive. 00:24:41.839 --> 00:24:42.980 I grew up and came 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:44.220 to know Christ in the church 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:45.779 where you faithfully served 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:47.519 and tithed for years. 00:24:49.299 --> 00:24:50.500 Will there be people 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:52.299 who can say those things 00:24:52.299 --> 00:24:53.940 to you in eternity? 00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:59.600 That's worth investing in. 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:03.600 Use wealth which will fail 00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:05.299 to bless people 00:25:05.299 --> 00:25:06.460 who will live forever. 00:25:07.500 --> 00:25:08.620 That's the first point 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:09.279 of application. 00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.879 Second, 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:15.359 be faithful in the small things now. 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:16.839 Verses 10 to 12. 00:25:19.000 --> 00:25:20.180 How do you make a difference 00:25:20.180 --> 00:25:21.680 that will matter for eternity? 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.319 Jesus says, 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.740 start by being faithful 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:25.180 with what you have now, 00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:27.079 even if it seems small 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:28.079 and insignificant. 00:25:29.799 --> 00:25:30.980 The words that's repeated 00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:32.779 four times in verses 10 to 12 00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:34.299 is faithful. 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:37.079 Faithfulness is the one, 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.079 is the quality 00:25:38.079 --> 00:25:39.819 that is entirely absent 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.779 from the manager 00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.379 in the parable. 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.839 You see, 00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.559 Jesus' disciples 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.819 are to be wise, 00:25:46.079 --> 00:25:46.539 shrewd, 00:25:46.599 --> 00:25:47.339 like the manager, 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:49.220 but we must also be faithful 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:51.240 unlike the manager. 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:54.579 Jesus makes three comparisons 00:25:54.579 --> 00:25:56.379 in verse 10 through 12. 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.619 Verse 10, 00:25:58.720 --> 00:25:59.440 one who is faithful 00:25:59.440 --> 00:26:00.259 in a very little 00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:02.379 is also faithful in much. 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:04.540 And one who's dishonest 00:26:04.540 --> 00:26:05.120 in a very little 00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:06.620 is also dishonest in much. 00:26:08.280 --> 00:26:09.260 Once or twice a year, 00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:10.680 the elders consider 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.980 who we should recommend 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:12.840 to the congregation 00:26:12.840 --> 00:26:14.100 to serve as an elder 00:26:14.100 --> 00:26:14.760 or a deacon. 00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:17.340 And this is one of the questions 00:26:17.340 --> 00:26:18.480 we always ask. 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.660 Do we see this person 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.480 being faithful 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:23.160 in the little things? 00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:26.060 Moses and David 00:26:26.060 --> 00:26:26.620 were faithful 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:27.920 in taking care of sheep 00:26:27.920 --> 00:26:29.880 for many years. 00:26:30.880 --> 00:26:32.260 A relatively ordinary, 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:33.500 and thankless task. 00:26:34.320 --> 00:26:35.160 And later on, 00:26:35.200 --> 00:26:36.320 God made them shepherds 00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:37.340 of His people Israel, 00:26:38.080 --> 00:26:39.900 which also at times 00:26:39.900 --> 00:26:41.260 for them was a thankless task, 00:26:41.340 --> 00:26:42.780 but a much more significant one. 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:47.800 Is there a relatively small area 00:26:47.800 --> 00:26:48.580 of your life 00:26:48.580 --> 00:26:50.820 where you are not quite honest? 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.780 Is there a responsibility 00:26:54.780 --> 00:26:56.180 that you have been given 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:58.360 that you are avoiding? 00:26:58.359 --> 00:27:02.599 Do you have resources 00:27:02.599 --> 00:27:06.339 that you are just wasting 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:08.479 because you're doing nothing 00:27:08.479 --> 00:27:09.279 with them, 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:11.459 putting them to no good use? 00:27:15.179 --> 00:27:17.219 Be faithful in the little things. 00:27:18.719 --> 00:27:19.199 Verse 11, 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.379 if then you haven't been faithful 00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.419 in the unrighteous wealth, 00:27:21.500 --> 00:27:22.359 who will entrust to you 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.759 the true riches? 00:27:23.759 --> 00:27:24.000 Jesus. 00:27:27.700 --> 00:27:30.099 J.C. Ryle again says, 00:27:30.180 --> 00:27:31.420 Dishonesty about money 00:27:31.420 --> 00:27:33.099 is a sure sign of a heart 00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.539 that is not right with God. 00:27:36.240 --> 00:27:37.579 He who is dishonest 00:27:37.579 --> 00:27:38.279 and unfaithful 00:27:38.279 --> 00:27:39.559 in his duties on earth 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:41.079 must not expect 00:27:41.079 --> 00:27:42.259 to have heavenly treasure. 00:27:45.079 --> 00:27:46.000 Many people say, 00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:47.879 if only I had more money, 00:27:48.019 --> 00:27:50.559 I would give more money. 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:54.619 But God isn't primarily concerned 00:27:54.619 --> 00:27:55.279 about the money 00:27:55.279 --> 00:27:56.419 you don't have. 00:27:59.319 --> 00:28:00.440 My parents taught me 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.519 about tithing 00:28:01.519 --> 00:28:02.220 when I was six 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:03.240 or seven years old. 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.500 Every time it snowed, 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:07.099 I would earn a few dollars 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:08.220 shoveling the walkways 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.019 at my house 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.960 and my uncle's house 00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:11.460 who lived down the street. 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:14.179 My parents explained 00:28:14.179 --> 00:28:14.779 that I could give 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.559 some of that money 00:28:15.559 --> 00:28:16.319 to the missionaries 00:28:16.319 --> 00:28:17.259 that our church supported. 00:28:18.579 --> 00:28:19.960 The amount was not important. 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:22.940 The heart and the habit was. 00:28:25.579 --> 00:28:26.799 Parents, bless your children 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.679 by teaching them 00:28:27.679 --> 00:28:28.419 to be faithful, 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.599 by teaching them 00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.659 in concrete ways 00:28:30.659 --> 00:28:32.159 the joy of giving 00:28:32.159 --> 00:28:33.220 to the work of God 00:28:33.220 --> 00:28:34.579 and to the needs of the world. 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:38.460 Verse 12, 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.679 If you haven't been faithful 00:28:39.679 --> 00:28:41.639 in that which is in others, 00:28:41.720 --> 00:28:42.179 who will give you 00:28:42.179 --> 00:28:43.059 that which is your own? 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:44.480 You see, 00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:45.339 in all three verses, 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.299 verse 10 through 12, 00:28:46.379 --> 00:28:47.419 Jesus is driving home 00:28:47.419 --> 00:28:48.200 the same point. 00:28:48.419 --> 00:28:50.099 Be faithful in the little things. 00:28:50.099 --> 00:28:52.079 Be faithful with the fleeting wealth 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:53.119 of this unrighteous world. 00:28:53.199 --> 00:28:54.379 Be faithful as a manager 00:28:54.379 --> 00:28:55.559 of that which is not 00:28:55.559 --> 00:28:56.559 yours to keep. 00:28:58.740 --> 00:29:00.019 Do you notice that Jesus 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.159 classifies money 00:29:01.159 --> 00:29:01.779 and possessions 00:29:01.779 --> 00:29:04.480 as very little things 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:06.199 in the big picture? 00:29:07.679 --> 00:29:08.659 There's a parallel. 00:29:09.059 --> 00:29:11.299 Very little unrighteous wealth, 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.719 that which is another's. 00:29:13.379 --> 00:29:15.019 The stuff we have in this world 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:17.399 is not the most important thing. 00:29:17.400 --> 00:29:19.740 It's not going to last 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.420 into eternity. 00:29:21.540 --> 00:29:23.040 It's just a training ground, 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:23.860 Jesus is saying. 00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.900 What really matters 00:29:27.900 --> 00:29:28.600 are the true 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:30.019 and everlasting riches 00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.259 of our inheritance 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:32.420 in Christ Jesus 00:29:32.420 --> 00:29:33.300 that can never 00:29:33.300 --> 00:29:34.360 be taken away, 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.420 that will be ours 00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:37.060 to keep forever. 00:29:39.560 --> 00:29:40.900 When Jesus comes again, 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:45.759 use wealth that will fail 00:29:45.759 --> 00:29:46.480 to bless people 00:29:46.480 --> 00:29:47.259 who will live forever. 00:29:47.400 --> 00:29:47.980 Be faithful 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.519 in the small things now. 00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:50.360 And third, 00:29:50.540 --> 00:29:51.160 application, 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.740 worship God, 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.759 not money. 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.180 Verse 13, 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:57.220 no servant 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.340 can serve two masters. 00:29:59.900 --> 00:30:01.000 You cannot serve 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:02.420 God and money. 00:30:03.860 --> 00:30:04.880 See, Jesus concludes 00:30:04.880 --> 00:30:05.540 this section 00:30:05.540 --> 00:30:05.900 by pressing 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.580 the question 00:30:07.580 --> 00:30:08.400 of allegiance. 00:30:08.400 --> 00:30:10.680 the servant 00:30:10.680 --> 00:30:11.280 in the parable 00:30:11.280 --> 00:30:12.320 was not devoted 00:30:12.320 --> 00:30:13.160 to his master. 00:30:14.320 --> 00:30:15.280 He was devoted 00:30:15.280 --> 00:30:15.780 to money, 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:17.220 which is another way 00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.600 of saying 00:30:17.600 --> 00:30:18.160 he was devoted 00:30:18.160 --> 00:30:18.820 to himself 00:30:18.820 --> 00:30:20.880 and his own comfort 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.420 above all. 00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.480 That's why at first 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.340 he was irresponsible 00:30:25.340 --> 00:30:26.200 and wasteful 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.840 and eventually 00:30:26.840 --> 00:30:27.480 conniving 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:29.040 and manipulative. 00:30:30.340 --> 00:30:31.600 Who are you 00:30:31.600 --> 00:30:32.360 devoted to? 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.680 What has captured 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.460 your attention, 00:30:36.660 --> 00:30:37.480 your allegiance, 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.339 your attachment 00:30:38.339 --> 00:30:38.940 to the point 00:30:38.940 --> 00:30:39.779 where you can't 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.039 or don't want 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:42.240 to live without it? 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.259 Jesus uses 00:30:44.259 --> 00:30:45.440 strong language here. 00:30:45.819 --> 00:30:47.180 You cannot serve 00:30:47.180 --> 00:30:47.920 two masters 00:30:47.920 --> 00:30:49.720 because at crucial points 00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:51.039 these two masters 00:30:51.039 --> 00:30:52.160 make competing 00:30:52.160 --> 00:30:54.720 and irreconcilable claims. 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.660 How do you know 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.440 that money 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.799 is not your master? 00:31:02.920 --> 00:31:03.640 Well, 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:05.700 can you give it away? 00:31:05.700 --> 00:31:09.900 that's a good question 00:31:09.900 --> 00:31:10.440 to ask about 00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:12.000 any created thing 00:31:12.000 --> 00:31:13.539 that threatens 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:14.779 to obscure 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:16.140 or displace 00:31:16.140 --> 00:31:17.160 our loyalty 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.160 to Jesus. 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.400 Can I let go 00:31:20.400 --> 00:31:20.700 of it? 00:31:21.779 --> 00:31:22.380 It might be, 00:31:22.539 --> 00:31:23.440 it's not that 00:31:23.440 --> 00:31:24.180 it's an inherently 00:31:24.180 --> 00:31:25.019 bad thing, 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:28.319 but can I let go 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.720 of it 00:31:28.720 --> 00:31:30.019 so that I don't 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.840 need it 00:31:30.840 --> 00:31:31.519 so much? 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:33.139 can I take 00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:33.480 a break 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:33.920 from it 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:36.160 even for a time? 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.079 Can I 00:31:38.079 --> 00:31:39.099 give it away? 00:31:39.680 --> 00:31:40.799 Not just a token 00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:41.879 gift here and there, 00:31:42.379 --> 00:31:43.879 not just grudging 00:31:43.879 --> 00:31:44.660 and guilt-ridden 00:31:44.660 --> 00:31:45.200 donations 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:45.759 because you've been 00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:47.019 asked over and over 00:31:47.019 --> 00:31:48.099 or because someone's 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:49.079 manipulating you 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:50.180 with all kinds 00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:50.960 of guilt feelings, 00:31:51.059 --> 00:31:51.819 but intentional 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.539 giving, 00:31:52.920 --> 00:31:53.900 giving that requires 00:31:53.900 --> 00:31:54.700 some sacrifice 00:31:54.700 --> 00:31:55.619 on your part 00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:56.420 and giving that 00:31:56.420 --> 00:31:57.359 results in joy, 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.440 that is one 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.059 of the fruits 00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.600 of a heart 00:31:59.600 --> 00:32:00.360 that is devoted 00:32:00.360 --> 00:32:01.820 in love to Jesus. 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.779 We love to give 00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.940 because he gave 00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.600 to us. 00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.100 You see, 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.320 Jesus is the master 00:32:10.320 --> 00:32:11.000 who is worthy 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.779 of our love, 00:32:12.539 --> 00:32:13.500 worthy of our devotion. 00:32:13.640 --> 00:32:14.400 Jesus doesn't use 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:14.860 the language 00:32:14.860 --> 00:32:15.700 of obligation 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:17.059 merely here. 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:17.500 He says, 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:18.740 Jesus is the one 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.200 who is worthy 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:19.980 of our love 00:32:19.980 --> 00:32:22.559 and our heart's 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:23.840 devotion 00:32:23.840 --> 00:32:25.460 and our greatest 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.779 desire. 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.180 You see, 00:32:29.259 --> 00:32:29.940 ever since Adam 00:32:29.940 --> 00:32:30.440 and Eve, 00:32:30.860 --> 00:32:31.480 human beings 00:32:31.480 --> 00:32:32.779 have greedily grabbed 00:32:32.779 --> 00:32:33.559 for what is not 00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.559 rightfully ours. 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.740 We have wasted 00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:37.400 God's possessions. 00:32:37.620 --> 00:32:38.440 We have defiled 00:32:38.440 --> 00:32:39.880 God's property. 00:32:41.059 --> 00:32:42.140 We were worthy 00:32:42.140 --> 00:32:43.059 of being fired. 00:32:44.880 --> 00:32:46.400 But Jesus stepped in. 00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.720 The righteous one 00:32:48.720 --> 00:32:50.220 entered into a world 00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.220 of unrighteousness. 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.460 We all owed God 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:52.880 a debt 00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:54.539 that we could not pay 00:32:54.539 --> 00:32:55.460 and Jesus didn't 00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:56.539 just reduce it. 00:32:56.779 --> 00:32:57.420 He didn't just 00:32:57.420 --> 00:32:58.420 cut us some slack. 00:32:58.420 --> 00:32:59.039 and say, 00:32:59.100 --> 00:32:59.500 I'll give you 00:32:59.500 --> 00:33:00.539 a little more time. 00:33:01.620 --> 00:33:02.779 He paid the debt 00:33:02.779 --> 00:33:03.300 in full 00:33:03.300 --> 00:33:04.300 that we could never 00:33:04.300 --> 00:33:04.900 repay 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:07.840 through His very own 00:33:07.840 --> 00:33:09.100 costly sacrifice 00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.100 on the cross. 00:33:11.120 --> 00:33:12.660 1 Peter 3, 18 says, 00:33:13.160 --> 00:33:14.140 Christ suffered 00:33:14.140 --> 00:33:15.300 once for sins. 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.460 The righteous 00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.580 for the unrighteous 00:33:17.580 --> 00:33:18.140 that He might 00:33:18.140 --> 00:33:19.180 bring us to God. 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:21.039 God so loved 00:33:21.039 --> 00:33:21.539 the world 00:33:21.539 --> 00:33:22.700 that He gave 00:33:22.700 --> 00:33:24.480 His only Son 00:33:24.480 --> 00:33:26.220 that whoever 00:33:26.220 --> 00:33:27.440 believes in Him 00:33:27.440 --> 00:33:29.180 might not perish 00:33:29.180 --> 00:33:30.500 but have eternal life. 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.339 He made a way 00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:33.680 that we might join Him 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:35.480 in the eternal dwellings, 00:33:35.480 --> 00:33:37.779 that we might have 00:33:37.779 --> 00:33:38.299 a home 00:33:38.299 --> 00:33:39.279 with Him 00:33:39.279 --> 00:33:39.900 forever. 00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.519 Do you realize 00:33:43.519 --> 00:33:44.519 that nobody else 00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.420 even claims 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:45.900 to offer 00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:46.900 what Jesus does? 00:33:46.900 --> 00:33:51.000 No other religion 00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:52.560 says that God Himself, 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:54.000 God's own Son, 00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:55.280 sacrificed Himself 00:33:55.280 --> 00:33:56.060 for the sake 00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:57.100 of His creatures 00:33:57.100 --> 00:33:58.160 and offers 00:33:58.160 --> 00:33:59.280 complete forgiveness 00:33:59.280 --> 00:34:00.120 of sins. 00:34:00.780 --> 00:34:01.800 Only Jesus 00:34:01.800 --> 00:34:02.980 even dares 00:34:02.980 --> 00:34:03.900 to offer it. 00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:07.860 And boy, 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.619 He makes good 00:34:08.619 --> 00:34:09.420 on His promise. 00:34:09.420 --> 00:34:12.599 is He not worthy 00:34:12.599 --> 00:34:13.980 of our trust 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:14.700 and love 00:34:14.700 --> 00:34:17.059 who has given 00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.720 us 00:34:17.720 --> 00:34:18.440 everything 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:19.539 He had? 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.240 Be thou 00:34:23.240 --> 00:34:23.920 my vision, 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:25.159 O Lord of my heart. 00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:27.340 Not be all else 00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:27.680 to me 00:34:27.680 --> 00:34:28.340 save that 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:29.180 thou art. 00:34:30.340 --> 00:34:31.180 Rich as I heed 00:34:31.180 --> 00:34:31.480 not 00:34:31.480 --> 00:34:32.180 nor man's 00:34:32.180 --> 00:34:33.000 empty praise. 00:34:33.840 --> 00:34:34.820 Thou my inheritance 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:35.980 now and always. 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.940 Thou and thou 00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.760 only first 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:39.440 in my heart. 00:34:40.600 --> 00:34:41.560 High King of Heaven 00:34:41.560 --> 00:34:42.280 my treasure 00:34:42.280 --> 00:34:43.640 thou art. 00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:44.480 Let's pray. 00:34:58.100 --> 00:34:58.500 Jesus, 00:34:58.620 --> 00:34:59.160 we praise You 00:34:59.160 --> 00:34:59.540 that You are 00:34:59.540 --> 00:35:00.720 worthy of our trust, 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:03.960 worthy of our love, 00:35:04.180 --> 00:35:04.980 worthy of our hope. 00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.619 Lord, 00:35:05.619 --> 00:35:09.019 we praise You 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:09.440 for Your 00:35:09.440 --> 00:35:11.300 great 00:35:11.300 --> 00:35:12.539 generosity 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:14.900 to us. 00:35:16.019 --> 00:35:16.980 We praise You 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:17.719 for Your amazing 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:18.659 grace. 00:35:18.780 --> 00:35:19.280 We praise You 00:35:19.280 --> 00:35:19.780 for Your 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:21.320 steadfast 00:35:21.320 --> 00:35:22.240 and faithful love. 00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:26.199 We praise You, 00:35:26.320 --> 00:35:26.380 Lord, 00:35:26.440 --> 00:35:27.199 for these words 00:35:27.199 --> 00:35:28.840 that startle us 00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:30.240 in many ways. 00:35:31.380 --> 00:35:32.159 We pray that they 00:35:32.159 --> 00:35:33.299 would awaken us 00:35:33.299 --> 00:35:34.399 to live 00:35:34.399 --> 00:35:36.259 not simply 00:35:36.259 --> 00:35:36.899 for today 00:35:36.899 --> 00:35:37.819 but for eternity. 00:35:39.299 --> 00:35:40.079 Not simply 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:40.719 for ourselves 00:35:40.719 --> 00:35:41.279 but for 00:35:41.279 --> 00:35:43.500 to bless others 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:45.059 as You 00:35:45.059 --> 00:35:45.779 enable us. 00:35:48.779 --> 00:35:49.480 We pray, 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:49.699 Lord, 00:35:49.759 --> 00:35:50.139 that we would be 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:50.559 a church 00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:51.879 that is prudent 00:35:51.879 --> 00:35:53.339 and wise, 00:35:53.839 --> 00:35:55.879 that is 00:35:55.879 --> 00:35:56.679 courageous, 00:35:56.679 --> 00:36:00.739 and that is 00:36:00.739 --> 00:36:01.179 faithful 00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:04.059 and above all 00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:04.419 a church 00:36:04.419 --> 00:36:05.139 that worships 00:36:05.139 --> 00:36:05.739 only You. 00:36:09.599 --> 00:36:10.440 Pray these things 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:11.219 in Your holy name. 00:36:11.919 --> 00:36:12.179 Amen.