WEBVTT

00:00:00.380 --> 00:00:07.040
 Please turn with me in your Bibles to Ecclesiastes chapter 5, starting at verse 8, and we're

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 going to go to Ecclesiastes chapter 6, verse 12.

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 We've been in this sermon series for a couple months now.

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 It's been a wonderful series, a humbling series, and it really is my joy and privilege to preach

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 God's word to you.

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 I say that to you every week, and I mean it every week.

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 It's an honor, and I can't believe that I get to pastor you guys and get paid for it.

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 Serving God and getting paid for it, it's amazing.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's word.

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 Heavenly Father, you know that nobody sitting here needs any word from me.

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 They need a word from you.

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 So we open up your word because we want to hear from you.

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 We are clinging to your every word because man does not live by bread alone, but by every

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 word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.

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 Lord, you're in this sermon.

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 So feed us, Father, now.

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 Help us to behold the Jesus in all his glory, his love, his grace, his mercy, so that we

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 might be humbled to live in a manner that pleases you, that we might be able to receive life

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 humbly as a gift as you teach us to do so in this word in Ecclesiastes 5 and 6.

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 Give us listening ears, open hearts.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Please stand, and if you are able, in honor of God's word, as I read Ecclesiastes 5, 8 to 6, 12.

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 Amen.

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 If you see in a province the oppression of the poor and the violation of justice and righteousness,

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 do not be amazed at the matter, for the high official is watched by a higher, and there

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 are yet higher ones over them.

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 But this is gain for a land in every way, a king committed to cultivated fields.

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 He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income.

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 This also is vanity.

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 When goods increase, they increase who eat them.

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 And what advantage has their owner but to see them with his eyes?

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 Sweet is the sleep of a laborer, whether he eats little or much, but the full stomach of

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 the rich will not let him sleep.

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 There is a grievous evil that I have seen under the sun.

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 Riches were kept by their owner to his hurt, and those riches were lost in a bad venture.

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 And he is a father of a son, but he has nothing in his hand.

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 As he came from his mother's womb, he shall go again, naked as he came,

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 and shall take nothing for his toil that he may carry away in his hand.

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 This also is a grievous evil.

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 Just as he came, so shall he go.

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 And what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?

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 Moreover, all his days he eats in darkness, in much vexation and sickness and anger.

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 What I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil

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 with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him,

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 for this is his lot.

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 Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them

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 and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil, this is the gift of God.

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 For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.

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 There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it lies heavy on mankind.

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 A man to whom God gives wealth, possessions, and honor so that he lacks nothing of all that he desires,

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 yet God does not give him power to enjoy them, but a stranger enjoys them.

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 This is vanity.

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 It is a grievous evil.

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 If a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years so that the days of his years are many,

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 but his soul is not satisfied with life's good things, and he also has no burial,

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 I say that a stillborn child is better off than he, for it comes in vanity and goes in darkness,

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 and in darkness its name is covered.

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 Moreover, it has not seen the sun or known anything, yet it finds rest rather than he.

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 Even though he should live a thousand years twice over, yet enjoy no good, do not all go to the one place.

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 All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.

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 For what advantage has the wise man over the fool?

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 And what does the poor man have who knows how to conduct himself before living?

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 Better is the sight of the eyes than the wondering of the appetite.

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 This also is vanity and a striving after wind.

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 Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is,

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 and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he.

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 The more words, the more vanity, and what is the advantage to man?

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 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life,

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 which he passes like a shadow?

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 For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

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 After many millennia of lived experience,

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 we might expect humanity to have learned the lesson that wealth does not buy happiness,

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 that it does not make people happy.

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 But according to a survey conducted by a financial services company called Empower,

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 still, to this day, six in ten Americans answer yes to that question,

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 can money buy happiness?

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 Similarly, researchers at the University of California lost an annual survey every year.

00:07:04.540 --> 00:07:05.680
 Guys, is my mic going in and out?

00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:06.360
 Yes.

00:07:06.779 --> 00:07:06.939
 Yeah.

00:07:06.939 --> 00:07:07.000
 Yeah.

00:07:07.800 --> 00:07:09.819
 So, you got another one?

00:07:09.819 --> 00:07:09.939
 Okay.

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 Thank you, Gary.

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 Similarly, researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles,

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 conduct an annual survey asking incoming college students what their highest priorities are,

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 what their goals are, objectives for their time in college are.

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 And there's something that's been on the top or near the top of their priorities list every single year,

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 and that is being very well off financially.

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 But Ecclesiastes 5 to 6 teaches us a truth that is far deeper and far wiser.

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 It tells us to forsake the vain pursuit of wealth and enjoy life as a gift from God.

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 And there are two imposing rocks of reality upon which the preacher of Ecclesiastes builds his case.

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 And these two twin truths are this.

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 One, the uncertainty of wealth, and two, the certainty of death.

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 And we're going to explore those two things in turn.

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 And the first reality is the uncertainty of wealth.

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 Wealth is undependable for many reasons.

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 And the first reason highlighted in this passage is injustice.

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 It says in verse 8,

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 The word oppression literally is robbery.

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 The preacher observes that the robbery of the poor by the powerful,

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 by the ones who have authority over them, is all too common.

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 It is the norm and not the exception.

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 And therefore you should not find that to be remarkable.

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 You should not be amazed by it.

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 Proverbs 10.15 says,

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 A rich man's wealth is his strong city.

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 The poverty of the poor is their ruin.

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 The rich use the resources at their disposal to protect themselves.

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 They hire the best lawyers.

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 They build for themselves literal fortresses sometimes on the highest hill of the city.

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 They take advantage of the poor.

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 They can bribe the judges in their favor.

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 The poor, on the other hand, are powerless.

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 They have no such recourse.

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 And so their own poverty becomes their ruin.

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 They are more likely to be oppressed and violated because there's not much they can do about it.

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 And the end of verse 8 gives a reason why this happens.

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 For the high official is watched by higher, and there are yet higher ones over them.

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 The reason why there's this robbery of the poor throughout the world,

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 and why that's allowed to go on,

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 is because there is an official who is supposed to safeguard justice and righteousness who is corrupt.

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 Well, how does he get away with that?

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 Well, because there's a higher official who's supposed to be keeping that official accountable,

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 but he's corrupt too.

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 So he watches his back.

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 They have each other's back, so to speak.

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 So there's this hierarchy of impunity,

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 which enables those in power to abuse their power without accountability.

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 We see an example of this in 1 Kings 21.

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 King Ahab, he's the king of Israel,

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 he covets this vineyard.

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 He really likes his vegetable gardens.

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 And he says, you know, that land looks really nice.

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 And it's really close to my palace.

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 I really want to grow my vegetable garden there.

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 So he says, hey, give me that piece of land.

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 Or you could sell it to me.

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 The owner's name is Naboth, or Naboth.

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 And Naboth, remembering that these lands are ancestral lands

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 that God has given to various tribes of Israel,

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 and therefore are not meant to be sold outside of their tribe,

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 refuses to relinquish his God-given property.

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 Says, this is not for sale.

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 I can't give this up to you.

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 And then Ahab goes home disappointed,

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 and he's refusing to eat.

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 And then his wife, the queen, the wicked queen Jezebel,

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 sees him, and then she mocks him, saying,

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 do you call yourself the king of Israel?

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 Get up and eat your food and cheer up.

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 I will give you the vineyard of Naboth, the Jezreelite.

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 And then first she writes letters in the king's name

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 to the elders and the leaders of the town that Naboth lived in,

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 in the city.

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 He instructs them to convene a gathering,

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 and at that gathering to seat Naboth at the head of the table.

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 And then he tells them to hire some worthless men

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 who will be false accusers and perjurers in that gathering

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 to accuse Naboth of cursing the king and cursing God.

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 They do that.

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 They stone Naboth to death.

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 And then she tells Ahab,

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 arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth, the Jezreelite,

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 which he refused to give you for money,

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 for Naboth is not alive but dead.

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 The elders of the town were able to violate justice

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 and righteousness and rob the poor

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 because they had the backing of another higher official

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 watching over them, namely King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.

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 Many poorer countries, if you read the news,

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 throughout the world, they're run,

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 they're basically narco-cleptocracies,

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 basically governments that are heavily influenced by

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 or run by those who are involved in the drug trade.

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 Gangs, so on.

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 The closed electoral system rewards

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 and keeps corrupt officials in power,

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 and then these corrupt officials then use the justice system

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 that is at their disposal

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 to punish those who oppose them,

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 the whistleblowers and honest members of the city

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 and the media that cry out for justice.

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 Of course, wealthier countries are not immune to this problem.

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 The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant

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 for Vladimir Putin,

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 which, of course, is symbolic at best.

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 Most election observers note

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 that at least 22 to 31.6 million votes

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 are manipulated in Russian elections in recent years.

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 But there's this hierarchy of impunity

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 with no accountability.

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 Even in our country, right?

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 We're witnessing Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City,

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 being indicted,

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 the first sitting mayor of New York City to be indicted.

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 The charges haven't been proven yet,

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 and I don't presume that he is guilty,

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 but they're accusing him of misappropriating

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 more than 10 million in public funds

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 during his election campaign in 2021

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 and receiving benefits from the Turkish government

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 in return for favors

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 that he was giving them in his official capacity.

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 We don't know if that really happened or not yet,

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 but this is a reminder to us

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 that these kind of things really happen,

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 and they have happened before.

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 In contrast to this reality of corruption,

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 verse 9 says,

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 but this is gain for a land in every way,

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 a king committed to cultivated fields.

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 This is hard to translate, interpret,

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 and many different interpretations have been proposed,

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 but based on the context

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 and the contrast from the high officials

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 who pervert justice,

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 the last clause seems to mean

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 that a king who recognizes

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 the importance of cultivated fields

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 is good for the land.

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 Unlike the high officials

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 who oppress the poor and the weak,

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 a king who recognizes

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 that the food producers

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 at the bottom of the societal hierarchy,

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 the manual laborers,

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 the farmers,

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 the ruler who recognizes

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 that these people are foundational

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 for a healthy kingdom,

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 a king who takes an interest

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 in the cause of the common laborer,

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 is gain for the land in every way.

00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:22.299
 I think we can take this interpretation even further.

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 The last clause can be translated,

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 a king who cultivates the field,

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 which is the way the NASB translates it.

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 A commander-in-chief

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 who no longer marches out into battle

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 with his soldiers,

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 can forget the painful toll of war

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 and the sacrifices that his men make

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 daily in the field.

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 This is precisely what we see

00:15:44.199 --> 00:15:46.259
 with King David in 2 Samuel 11.

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 He remains in his comfortable palace in Jerusalem

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 while his men are dying

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 and shedding their blood for him.

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 And because of that,

00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.299
 he takes that for granted

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 and he treats them like mere numbers,

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 disposable numbers in his war game.

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 Similarly, a king who never cultivates the field

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 can lose touch with the day-to-day realities

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 of his subjects and servants.

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 But a king who gets his hands dirty once in a while,

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 a king who surveys and familiarizes himself

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 with the plight of his subjects,

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 that kind of ruler is gain for the land

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 in every way.

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 This reminds me of the invaluable counsel

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 that I received from David Powelson

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 on pastoral counseling.

00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.860
 He writes in one of his books,

00:16:34.179 --> 00:16:36.100
 talking with people is the best way

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 to measure the pulpit ministry's effectiveness.

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 Does what you know, believe, and preach

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 actually help people?

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 Talking one-to-one about what matters in life

00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:48.399
 is the only way you'll ever really get to know people.

00:16:49.199 --> 00:16:51.000
 And knowing people is the only way

00:16:51.000 --> 00:16:52.799
 you'll ever learn to preach to them.

00:16:54.159 --> 00:16:55.980
 And then later he says,

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:58.079
 my second rule of thumb is that you should

00:16:58.079 --> 00:17:00.179
 always be involved with a few people

00:17:00.179 --> 00:17:02.539
 who are slow movers, with strugglers.

00:17:03.579 --> 00:17:05.619
 The temptation is to counsel leader types,

00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.579
 gifted people who want to grow,

00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.299
 people who are a quick study,

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.359
 people who get it,

00:17:10.680 --> 00:17:12.720
 educated, independent, competent people,

00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.319
 influential people.

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:17.240
 Such people often make for efficient counseling,

00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.639
 though not necessarily.

00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.740
 David Powelson here echoes

00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.819
 the wisdom of Ecclesiastes 5.9.

00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:26.380
 Are you a manager at your work?

00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.720
 Or are you a parent in the home?

00:17:29.259 --> 00:17:31.000
 Or are you a professor at a school

00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:33.140
 with people under your charge?

00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:35.980
 If so, are you in touch

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.580
 with the day-to-day realities

00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:39.680
 of the people that work for you?

00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:42.640
 Do you actually know them?

00:17:43.380 --> 00:17:44.840
 Do you understand their struggles?

00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:47.200
 Do you see your authority

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.960
 as a means to serve them

00:17:48.960 --> 00:17:52.100
 or as a means to get them to serve you?

00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:57.140
 So to summarize verses 8 and 9,

00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.940
 rulers who use their positions and power

00:17:58.940 --> 00:18:00.120
 for their personal benefit

00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:01.720
 are bad for the land,

00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.579
 but a ruler who seeks the benefits

00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.759
 of the people who serve,

00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.720
 that he serves,

00:18:05.779 --> 00:18:07.299
 is good for the land.

00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:08.059
 And unfortunately,

00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.079
 the latter is rare

00:18:10.079 --> 00:18:11.799
 and the former is all too common,

00:18:11.879 --> 00:18:12.899
 according to Ecclesiastes.

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:15.639
 And it's this injustice of the world

00:18:15.639 --> 00:18:16.539
 that robs the poor

00:18:16.539 --> 00:18:18.200
 that makes the pursuit of wealth

00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:18.919
 vain,

00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.240
 futile.

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:23.319
 But what about these people

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:25.279
 who have power

00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.839
 and are oppressing people

00:18:26.839 --> 00:18:27.799
 and robbing the poor

00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.720
 and enriching themselves?

00:18:28.920 --> 00:18:30.259
 Surely they're getting what they want

00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:32.559
 and surely they must be satisfied, right?

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.019
 No.

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.839
 Verses 10 to 12 tell us

00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:38.500
 that even they are not satisfied.

00:18:40.120 --> 00:18:40.859
 It says,

00:18:41.099 --> 00:18:41.920
 He who loves money

00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:43.620
 will not be satisfied with money,

00:18:43.839 --> 00:18:45.180
 nor he who loves wealth

00:18:45.180 --> 00:18:45.960
 with his income.

00:18:46.380 --> 00:18:47.519
 This also is vanity.

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.960
 When goods increase,

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:50.259
 they increase who eat them.

00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:52.140
 And what advantage has their owner

00:18:52.140 --> 00:18:53.539
 but to see them with his eyes?

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.740
 Sweet is the sleep of our laborer,

00:18:55.759 --> 00:18:56.980
 whether he eats little or much,

00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:58.400
 but the full stomach of the rich

00:18:58.400 --> 00:18:59.720
 will not let him sleep.

00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:02.740
 Ultimately, money is dissatisfying.

00:19:03.539 --> 00:19:04.600
 He who loves money

00:19:04.600 --> 00:19:06.819
 will not be satisfied with money.

00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.299
 If you doubt this,

00:19:08.360 --> 00:19:09.640
 take a look at this graph

00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:11.180
 from the Wall Street Journal.

00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:15.799
 This was people's answer

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:16.819
 to a survey question.

00:19:16.819 --> 00:19:19.139
 How much does your annual salary

00:19:19.139 --> 00:19:19.720
 need to be

00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:21.279
 for you to feel happy,

00:19:21.919 --> 00:19:23.039
 to be less stressed?

00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:27.559
 People who make $25,000 a year

00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:27.919
 said,

00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:30.000
 Oh, I just need to make $50,000

00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:31.099
 in order to be happy.

00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:33.259
 Okay, well, so then let's ask

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.539
 the people who make $50,000

00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.399
 if they're happy.

00:19:36.099 --> 00:19:36.439
 They say,

00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:38.500
 No, no, I need to make $75,000

00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.379
 in order to be happy.

00:19:40.019 --> 00:19:40.399
 Well, okay,

00:19:40.439 --> 00:19:41.159
 then let's ask the people

00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:42.399
 who make $75,000.

00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.799
 Maybe they're happy.

00:19:44.240 --> 00:19:44.559
 They say,

00:19:44.559 --> 00:19:46.159
 No, we need to make $100,000

00:19:46.159 --> 00:19:47.679
 in order to be happy.

00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:49.500
 Well, and then let's ask

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.579
 the people who make $100,000.

00:19:50.859 --> 00:19:51.259
 No, they say,

00:19:51.319 --> 00:19:53.099
 No, we need to make $150,000.

00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:55.460
 And then people who make $150,000

00:19:55.460 --> 00:19:57.079
 say they need to make $200,000.

00:19:57.460 --> 00:19:58.720
 And people who make $200,000

00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:00.619
 say they need to make $350,000.

00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:03.940
 And it's not on this graph.

00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:04.980
 There's another survey

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:06.779
 that asked millionaires,

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.940
 Do you feel happy?

00:20:08.000 --> 00:20:08.740
 Or how much money

00:20:08.740 --> 00:20:09.700
 do you need to make

00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:10.980
 in order to be happy?

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.839
 And they say,

00:20:11.900 --> 00:20:13.140
 We need to make $10,000,000

00:20:13.140 --> 00:20:14.900
 in order to be happy.

00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:19.180
 It's a never-ending hamster wheel.

00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:22.660
 You think you're getting somewhere.

00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:24.500
 You're spinning your wheel.

00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.940
 But you're actually

00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.099
 in the same exact spot

00:20:27.099 --> 00:20:27.980
 you've always been at.

00:20:30.660 --> 00:20:32.120
 He who loves money

00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:34.079
 will not be satisfied with money,

00:20:34.519 --> 00:20:36.079
 nor he who loves wealth

00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.799
 with his income.

00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:38.519
 This also is vanity.

00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:41.920
 Once I make this much money,

00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:43.359
 once I get to this stage

00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:43.960
 of my career,

00:20:44.319 --> 00:20:45.259
 once I get to,

00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.700
 you fill in the blank,

00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:50.319
 then I will finally be satisfied.

00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:53.220
 That is a pernicious lie

00:20:53.220 --> 00:20:55.440
 that humanity has believed

00:20:55.440 --> 00:20:57.359
 ever since the fall in the garden

00:20:57.359 --> 00:20:58.920
 when Adam took that forbidden fruit.

00:21:01.879 --> 00:21:03.379
 17th century English pastor

00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.259
 Jeremiah Burroughs

00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:06.119
 distills the wisdom of God's word

00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:08.279
 when he writes this in his book,

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.740
 The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.

00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:12.119
 He says that the way to contentment

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:15.079
 is by subtraction,

00:21:15.399 --> 00:21:16.839
 not by addition.

00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:19.059
 What does he mean by that?

00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:20.119
 We find satisfaction

00:21:20.920 --> 00:21:23.480
 not by bringing our possessions

00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:25.420
 up to the level of our desires,

00:21:25.960 --> 00:21:28.539
 but by bringing our desires

00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:30.279
 down to the level of our possessions.

00:21:31.720 --> 00:21:32.980
 By subtraction,

00:21:33.160 --> 00:21:34.519
 not by addition.

00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:36.799
 If you can't afford

00:21:36.799 --> 00:21:38.039
 to take beach vacations

00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:38.799
 in the Caribbean,

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:41.900
 then instead of trying

00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:42.759
 to earn and earn

00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:43.639
 and grind and grind

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:44.639
 so that you could afford

00:21:44.639 --> 00:21:45.879
 a vacation in the Caribbean,

00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:48.359
 learn to enjoy

00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.660
 a vacation at Cape Cod.

00:21:51.240 --> 00:21:52.359
 Learn to enjoy

00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:53.359
 Revere Beach.

00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:57.240
 I love Revere Beach.

00:21:57.240 --> 00:22:01.700
 It's a lot cleaner

00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.380
 than it used to be.

00:22:03.880 --> 00:22:05.660
 If you desire fine dining

00:22:05.660 --> 00:22:06.700
 and wine tasting

00:22:06.700 --> 00:22:08.039
 at expensive restaurants,

00:22:08.759 --> 00:22:09.599
 instead of trying

00:22:09.599 --> 00:22:10.500
 to bring your wealth

00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:11.140
 up to the level

00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.799
 of your desire,

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.319
 learn to appreciate

00:22:13.319 --> 00:22:13.960
 and enjoy

00:22:13.960 --> 00:22:14.880
 the pleasures

00:22:14.880 --> 00:22:16.200
 of simple food and drink

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.380
 that's at your dinner table.

00:22:20.180 --> 00:22:21.599
 Bring your desires down

00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:22.859
 to match what you have

00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:24.180
 because having more

00:22:24.180 --> 00:22:26.279
 will not satisfy you.

00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.960
 Verse 11 continues,

00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:30.120
 When goods increase,

00:22:30.299 --> 00:22:31.920
 they increase who eat them.

00:22:32.200 --> 00:22:33.500
 And what advantage

00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.200
 has their owner

00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:35.060
 but to see them

00:22:35.060 --> 00:22:35.779
 with his eyes?

00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:37.820
 The more money you make,

00:22:39.000 --> 00:22:40.480
 the more things

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.620
 you find to spend money on.

00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:44.120
 Now that you have

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.799
 so much money,

00:22:44.940 --> 00:22:45.820
 things that you never

00:22:45.820 --> 00:22:47.140
 used to notice

00:22:47.140 --> 00:22:48.060
 catch your eyes.

00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:50.600
 Those luxury handbags

00:22:50.600 --> 00:22:51.600
 and jewelry

00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.919
 and perfumes

00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.779
 and watches

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.799
 and cars.

00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.399
 Now that you have

00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.059
 so much money,

00:22:57.159 --> 00:22:58.699
 you buy a bigger house.

00:22:59.519 --> 00:23:00.639
 And now that your house

00:23:00.639 --> 00:23:01.179
 is so big,

00:23:01.219 --> 00:23:02.439
 you need to hire someone

00:23:02.439 --> 00:23:03.439
 to clean it for you.

00:23:04.339 --> 00:23:05.039
 And now that you have

00:23:05.039 --> 00:23:05.659
 so much money,

00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:07.039
 you need a financial advisor

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.639
 that you need

00:23:07.639 --> 00:23:09.000
 to pay a financial manager

00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:10.039
 to invest your funds

00:23:10.039 --> 00:23:10.480
 for you.

00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.279
 Now that you have

00:23:11.279 --> 00:23:11.879
 so much money,

00:23:11.959 --> 00:23:12.799
 you need a vault

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.439
 and then you need

00:23:13.439 --> 00:23:14.399
 a security system.

00:23:14.819 --> 00:23:15.359
 Now that you have

00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.619
 such a high net worth,

00:23:16.679 --> 00:23:17.719
 you need bodyguards.

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:19.019
 Now that you have

00:23:19.019 --> 00:23:19.639
 so much money,

00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:20.699
 like thousands of people

00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:21.680
 or thousands of people

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.360
 come calling,

00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.840
 asking every single day

00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.480
 for donations

00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.380
 to this cause

00:23:25.380 --> 00:23:26.740
 and seed money

00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.740
 for this company.

00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.660
 Now that you have

00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:32.340
 so much money,

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.019
 there are people

00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:34.180
 who want to sue you

00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.960
 for various things

00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.860
 to take your money.

00:23:37.360 --> 00:23:37.840
 So now you need

00:23:37.840 --> 00:23:38.980
 to pay for lawyers too.

00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.620
 When goods increase,

00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:45.259
 they increase who eat them.

00:23:46.740 --> 00:23:47.740
 And what advantage

00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:48.539
 has their owner

00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:49.220
 but to see them

00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.860
 with his eyes?

00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.460
 When your wealth grows,

00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.259
 the number of people

00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.340
 who want a slice

00:23:54.340 --> 00:23:55.259
 of that pie

00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:56.319
 also grows.

00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:58.440
 And instead of feasting

00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.140
 on your pie

00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.819
 with your mouth,

00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.519
 you are left feasting

00:24:01.519 --> 00:24:03.039
 on it with your eyes only.

00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:05.380
 As you look on

00:24:05.380 --> 00:24:06.600
 as all these mouths

00:24:06.600 --> 00:24:08.000
 are feeding on your pie.

00:24:11.140 --> 00:24:12.580
 Wealth ultimately

00:24:12.580 --> 00:24:14.559
 cannot satisfy us.

00:24:14.559 --> 00:24:17.500
 not only does it fail

00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.539
 to satisfy us,

00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:20.099
 wealth also gives us

00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:21.240
 indigestion

00:24:21.240 --> 00:24:22.940
 and insomnia.

00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:26.599
 Verse 12 says,

00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:27.980
 sweet is the sleep

00:24:27.980 --> 00:24:28.740
 of a laborer,

00:24:28.799 --> 00:24:29.460
 whether he eats

00:24:29.460 --> 00:24:30.240
 little or much,

00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.519
 but the full stomach

00:24:31.519 --> 00:24:32.200
 of the rich

00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.480
 will not let him sleep.

00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:40.140
 This is personal for me

00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:42.920
 because it's not

00:24:42.920 --> 00:24:44.000
 because she eats a lot.

00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.680
 My wife doesn't

00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.200
 eat that much,

00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.140
 but she does have

00:24:46.140 --> 00:24:47.120
 a physical condition

00:24:47.120 --> 00:24:49.120
 that has restricted

00:24:49.120 --> 00:24:50.000
 blood flow in her body,

00:24:50.120 --> 00:24:50.940
 so she often has

00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.559
 indigestion.

00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.779
 So I'm very often

00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.900
 massaging her stomach

00:24:54.900 --> 00:24:55.319
 at night

00:24:55.319 --> 00:24:56.440
 so that she can sleep.

00:24:56.860 --> 00:24:57.900
 She can't sleep

00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:59.339
 after she eats.

00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:03.939
 And most of us

00:25:03.939 --> 00:25:04.779
 don't do too much

00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.539
 manual labor.

00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.339
 Manual labor,

00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:06.959
 I'm sorry,

00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.379
 I shouldn't have

00:25:07.379 --> 00:25:07.679
 shared that.

00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:09.359
 And this is,

00:25:09.899 --> 00:25:11.639
 sometimes you just

00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.179
 have to say no

00:25:12.179 --> 00:25:12.619
 to the thought

00:25:12.619 --> 00:25:13.319
 that comes to your mind.

00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.119
 And then,

00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:14.679
 wait,

00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.459
 I was talking

00:25:16.459 --> 00:25:17.259
 to some people today.

00:25:17.379 --> 00:25:17.939
 We don't do a lot

00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:18.659
 of manual laboring.

00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.339
 Most of us sit

00:25:19.339 --> 00:25:20.059
 in front of a computer

00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.539
 all day.

00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.839
 But when you've done

00:25:22.839 --> 00:25:23.720
 hard labor,

00:25:23.919 --> 00:25:24.599
 a hard day

00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:25.839
 of good manual labor,

00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.359
 let's say on the day

00:25:27.359 --> 00:25:28.139
 we moved the Borens

00:25:28.139 --> 00:25:28.659
 and Aubrey in,

00:25:28.679 --> 00:25:29.059
 for example,

00:25:29.339 --> 00:25:30.159
 like I remember

00:25:30.159 --> 00:25:30.839
 Kevin,

00:25:30.980 --> 00:25:31.519
 where's Kevin?

00:25:31.720 --> 00:25:32.819
 At the end of the day

00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:34.039
 he worked for probably

00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:35.099
 like eight hours straight.

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:36.319
 And he's just sitting there

00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:36.559
 and he's like,

00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.939
 I think this is the definition

00:25:37.939 --> 00:25:39.819
 of a hard work day,

00:25:39.919 --> 00:25:41.199
 of an honest day's work.

00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:43.959
 And I bet you anything

00:25:43.959 --> 00:25:44.619
 that he slept

00:25:44.619 --> 00:25:45.519
 really well that night.

00:25:46.480 --> 00:25:47.839
 And that's the case.

00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.740
 For all of us,

00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:51.500
 we sleep well

00:25:51.500 --> 00:25:52.279
 when we work

00:25:52.279 --> 00:25:53.220
 with our hands.

00:25:54.659 --> 00:25:55.839
 But the full stomach

00:25:55.839 --> 00:25:56.439
 of the rich

00:25:56.439 --> 00:25:57.419
 will not let him sleep.

00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:59.759
 This is literally true

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.039
 and figuratively true.

00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:02.300
 If you have a full stomach,

00:26:02.640 --> 00:26:04.340
 the undigested food

00:26:04.340 --> 00:26:05.080
 can flow back

00:26:05.080 --> 00:26:06.120
 into the esophagus

00:26:06.120 --> 00:26:07.759
 and then it causes

00:26:07.759 --> 00:26:08.360
 heartburn

00:26:08.360 --> 00:26:09.380
 and acid reflux.

00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.480
 You guys have experienced

00:26:10.480 --> 00:26:11.019
 this before.

00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.279
 Makes you uncomfortable

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:14.240
 and you can't sleep.

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.779
 It makes you gassy

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:17.779
 and makes you feel bloated.

00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:19.019
 And even if you do

00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:20.160
 end up falling asleep

00:26:20.160 --> 00:26:20.860
 because your body

00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.860
 is working so hard

00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:22.400
 to digest

00:26:22.400 --> 00:26:23.720
 all that food,

00:26:23.720 --> 00:26:25.720
 you can't get into

00:26:25.720 --> 00:26:26.339
 the deep

00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:27.660
 REM cycles

00:26:27.660 --> 00:26:28.819
 of sleep.

00:26:29.200 --> 00:26:30.480
 So you don't wake up

00:26:30.480 --> 00:26:31.420
 refreshed

00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.500
 and rested.

00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.440
 And figuratively,

00:26:35.799 --> 00:26:36.700
 wealth of possessions

00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.400
 means you have

00:26:37.400 --> 00:26:38.600
 more to worry about.

00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:40.740
 I have a friend

00:26:40.740 --> 00:26:41.680
 who invested

00:26:41.680 --> 00:26:42.700
 early in Bitcoin.

00:26:43.880 --> 00:26:45.140
 And I told him

00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:45.700
 that he must be

00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.400
 quite happy

00:26:46.400 --> 00:26:47.240
 with the returns

00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.920
 that he has had

00:26:47.920 --> 00:26:48.720
 from this investment.

00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.400
 Bitcoin used to be

00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:51.600
 worth less than a cent

00:26:51.599 --> 00:26:52.839
 and now it's like

00:26:52.839 --> 00:26:54.539
 $65,000 per Bitcoin.

00:26:55.359 --> 00:26:56.359
 But he told me

00:26:56.359 --> 00:26:57.279
 something really interesting.

00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:59.359
 He says it gives him,

00:26:59.459 --> 00:27:00.419
 it nearly gives him

00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:01.159
 heart attacks

00:27:01.159 --> 00:27:02.359
 like every other day.

00:27:03.719 --> 00:27:04.759
 Because now that he has

00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:05.319
 so much money

00:27:05.319 --> 00:27:06.019
 invested in it,

00:27:06.099 --> 00:27:06.819
 like one day

00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:08.199
 you gain tens of thousands

00:27:08.199 --> 00:27:08.559
 of dollars

00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:09.139
 and another day

00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.439
 you lose tens of thousands

00:27:10.439 --> 00:27:10.919
 of dollars

00:27:10.919 --> 00:27:11.659
 and then you're just

00:27:11.659 --> 00:27:12.879
 glued to the screen

00:27:12.879 --> 00:27:13.779
 and checking the ups

00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.219
 and downs

00:27:14.219 --> 00:27:14.859
 and the fluctuations

00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.699
 of the stock market.

00:27:18.099 --> 00:27:19.219
 You lose sleep.

00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:23.000
 The full stomach

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.839
 of the rich

00:27:23.839 --> 00:27:24.819
 will not let him sleep.

00:27:27.199 --> 00:27:28.939
 I think the 19th century

00:27:28.939 --> 00:27:29.740
 English pastor

00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.339
 J.C. Ryle

00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.759
 got this exactly right.

00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.319
 He says money

00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.599
 in truth

00:27:34.599 --> 00:27:35.579
 is one of the most

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:37.119
 unsatisfying of possessions.

00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:39.559
 It takes away

00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.779
 some cares no doubt

00:27:40.779 --> 00:27:42.459
 but it brings with it

00:27:42.459 --> 00:27:43.740
 quite as many cares

00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:44.639
 as it takes away.

00:27:45.679 --> 00:27:46.539
 There is trouble

00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.859
 in the getting of it.

00:27:48.319 --> 00:27:49.199
 There is the anxiety

00:27:49.199 --> 00:27:50.439
 in the keeping of it.

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:52.019
 There are the temptations

00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.220
 in the use of it.

00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:54.360
 There is the guilt

00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.600
 in the abuse of it.

00:27:55.880 --> 00:27:56.759
 There is a sorrow

00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.960
 in the losing of it.

00:27:58.320 --> 00:27:59.340
 There is a perplexity

00:27:59.340 --> 00:28:00.559
 in the disposing of it.

00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:01.620
 Two-thirds

00:28:01.620 --> 00:28:02.680
 of all the strifes,

00:28:02.820 --> 00:28:03.100
 quarrels,

00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:03.600
 and lawsuits

00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.160
 in the world

00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.940
 arise from one simple cause.

00:28:06.460 --> 00:28:06.799
 Money.

00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:12.559
 That brings me

00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:13.539
 to another related reason

00:28:13.539 --> 00:28:14.180
 why the pursuit

00:28:14.180 --> 00:28:15.220
 of wealth is vain.

00:28:16.059 --> 00:28:16.980
 The impermanence

00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:17.940
 and the insecurity

00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.500
 of wealth.

00:28:18.500 --> 00:28:20.960
 He says in verses 13 to 14,

00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.240
 there is a grievous evil

00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.859
 that I have seen

00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.480
 under the sun.

00:28:24.160 --> 00:28:25.079
 Riches were kept

00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.859
 by their owner

00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.500
 to his hurt

00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.220
 and those riches

00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:27.880
 were lost

00:28:27.880 --> 00:28:28.799
 in a bad venture.

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:30.099
 And he is a father

00:28:30.099 --> 00:28:30.559
 of a son

00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.299
 but he has nothing

00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.039
 in his hand.

00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:33.460
 Some people

00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.759
 gain wealth

00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:36.240
 and try to keep wealth

00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:37.700
 at great cost

00:28:37.700 --> 00:28:38.460
 to themselves.

00:28:39.319 --> 00:28:40.119
 Sometimes even

00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.779
 at the cost

00:28:40.779 --> 00:28:41.779
 of their integrity,

00:28:42.119 --> 00:28:42.740
 at the cost

00:28:42.740 --> 00:28:44.220
 of their relationships,

00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.299
 at the cost

00:28:45.299 --> 00:28:46.079
 of their health.

00:28:46.079 --> 00:28:48.519
 That's what's

00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:49.059
 in view here.

00:28:49.159 --> 00:28:50.059
 Riches were kept

00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:51.220
 by their owner

00:28:51.220 --> 00:28:52.740
 to his hurt.

00:28:53.439 --> 00:28:54.599
 But despite the fact

00:28:54.599 --> 00:28:55.220
 that he made

00:28:55.220 --> 00:28:56.799
 so many sacrifices

00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:58.079
 and hurt himself

00:28:58.079 --> 00:28:58.899
 in the process

00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.599
 of gaining

00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.059
 and keeping

00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:00.679
 this wealth,

00:29:01.639 --> 00:29:02.159
 they're lost

00:29:02.159 --> 00:29:02.859
 in a bad venture.

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.279
 He has nothing

00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.939
 to leave behind

00:29:05.939 --> 00:29:06.439
 for his son.

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.319
 I remember

00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.259
 after what we now

00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.980
 refer to as

00:29:09.980 --> 00:29:10.899
 the Great Recession

00:29:10.899 --> 00:29:12.000
 of 2008,

00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.619
 2009,

00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.960
 there was a string

00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:15.059
 of suicides,

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.319
 dozens of

00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:17.799
 high-profile suicides

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.680
 by formerly

00:29:18.680 --> 00:29:19.720
 extremely wealthy

00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.579
 people who lost

00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:21.100
 a fortune

00:29:21.100 --> 00:29:22.340
 during the Great Recession.

00:29:30.340 --> 00:29:31.340
 Even when you

00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:32.180
 try to grasp

00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:32.660
 hold of it,

00:29:32.720 --> 00:29:33.380
 sometimes chasing

00:29:33.380 --> 00:29:33.940
 after wealth

00:29:33.940 --> 00:29:34.620
 is like chasing

00:29:34.620 --> 00:29:35.319
 after wind.

00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:36.920
 It just slips

00:29:36.920 --> 00:29:37.620
 through your fingers.

00:29:40.360 --> 00:29:41.559
 As verses 15,

00:29:41.680 --> 00:29:42.799
 16 say,

00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.579
 as he came

00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.519
 from his mother's womb,

00:29:44.599 --> 00:29:45.500
 he shall go again,

00:29:45.619 --> 00:29:46.500
 naked as he came

00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:47.099
 and shall take

00:29:47.099 --> 00:29:48.119
 nothing for his toil

00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:48.799
 that he may carry

00:29:48.799 --> 00:29:49.779
 away in his hand.

00:29:50.240 --> 00:29:51.079
 This also is

00:29:51.079 --> 00:29:51.859
 a grievous evil.

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.899
 Just as he came,

00:29:53.000 --> 00:29:53.819
 so shall he go.

00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:55.079
 What gain is there

00:29:55.079 --> 00:29:56.259
 to him who toils

00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.059
 for the wind?

00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.720
 We don't stand

00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.779
 to gain anything

00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.539
 from our toil

00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:00.980
 on earth

00:30:00.980 --> 00:30:01.779
 because in the end

00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.720
 we can't take

00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:04.440
 anything with us.

00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:06.720
 And not only

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.680
 is there no gain

00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.319
 for our toil

00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:08.859
 at the end

00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.379
 of our lives,

00:30:09.500 --> 00:30:10.639
 throughout our lives

00:30:10.639 --> 00:30:11.200
 there is much

00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:11.880
 difficulty,

00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.440
 as it says

00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:13.180
 in verse 17,

00:30:13.600 --> 00:30:14.299
 all his day

00:30:14.299 --> 00:30:15.460
 he eats in darkness

00:30:15.460 --> 00:30:16.660
 in much vexation

00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:17.220
 and sickness

00:30:17.220 --> 00:30:17.940
 and anger,

00:30:19.380 --> 00:30:20.140
 toiling and toiling

00:30:20.140 --> 00:30:21.160
 to earn and earn.

00:30:22.120 --> 00:30:22.819
 But why do we

00:30:22.819 --> 00:30:24.900
 toil so for wealth

00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.960
 that we cannot keep?

00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.680
 Naked come,

00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.500
 naked go.

00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.160
 Zero in,

00:30:31.640 --> 00:30:32.299
 zero out.

00:30:33.460 --> 00:30:35.059
 That's the reality.

00:30:36.460 --> 00:30:37.380
 Life is like

00:30:37.380 --> 00:30:38.900
 a balanced budget

00:30:38.900 --> 00:30:40.360
 that always ends

00:30:40.360 --> 00:30:40.780
 in zero.

00:30:41.100 --> 00:30:41.560
 I know that's

00:30:41.560 --> 00:30:41.960
 what you wish

00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:42.300
 your budget

00:30:42.300 --> 00:30:43.000
 was like sometimes,

00:30:43.660 --> 00:30:45.340
 but life is like that.

00:30:45.580 --> 00:30:46.519
 It always ends

00:30:46.519 --> 00:30:47.820
 as a balanced budget

00:30:47.820 --> 00:30:48.460
 in zero.

00:30:48.560 --> 00:30:49.700
 There's never a surplus.

00:30:51.220 --> 00:30:52.259
 There's no carryover

00:30:52.259 --> 00:30:53.180
 into the following

00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:53.920
 fiscal year.

00:30:54.100 --> 00:30:55.400
 Death is a thick

00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:56.620
 black sharpie

00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:57.620
 that zeroes

00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.500
 everything out

00:30:58.500 --> 00:30:58.860
 at the end

00:30:58.860 --> 00:30:59.340
 of your life.

00:31:01.580 --> 00:31:02.480
 And we never know

00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:03.240
 when death will come.

00:31:05.280 --> 00:31:06.120
 That's the point

00:31:06.120 --> 00:31:06.660
 of the parable

00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.360
 of the rich fool,

00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:07.600
 right,

00:31:07.599 --> 00:31:08.299
 that Jesus tells

00:31:08.299 --> 00:31:09.039
 in Luke 12.

00:31:09.159 --> 00:31:09.919
 This rich man

00:31:09.919 --> 00:31:11.199
 has so much produce

00:31:11.199 --> 00:31:12.339
 that he doesn't

00:31:12.339 --> 00:31:13.179
 have enough barns

00:31:13.179 --> 00:31:14.119
 to keep all his wealth.

00:31:14.199 --> 00:31:14.559
 So he's like,

00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:14.779
 okay,

00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:15.159
 well then,

00:31:15.319 --> 00:31:16.119
 I'll just tear down

00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:16.799
 all my barns

00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.519
 and build new,

00:31:17.699 --> 00:31:18.079
 bigger ones

00:31:18.079 --> 00:31:18.619
 so that I can keep

00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:19.259
 all my wealth

00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.939
 to myself.

00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:20.879
 And then God

00:31:20.879 --> 00:31:21.439
 says to him,

00:31:21.599 --> 00:31:21.859
 fool,

00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.159
 this night your soul

00:31:23.159 --> 00:31:24.139
 is required of you

00:31:24.139 --> 00:31:24.959
 and the things

00:31:24.959 --> 00:31:25.579
 you have prepared,

00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.879
 whose will they be?

00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:28.500
 So is the one

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:29.219
 who lays up

00:31:29.219 --> 00:31:30.219
 treasure for himself

00:31:30.219 --> 00:31:31.059
 and is not rich

00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.839
 toward God.

00:31:34.879 --> 00:31:35.579
 I don't know

00:31:35.579 --> 00:31:37.039
 if arcades still use this.

00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:40.939
 Chuck and Cheeses

00:31:40.939 --> 00:31:41.619
 are still around,

00:31:41.759 --> 00:31:41.899
 right?

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.259
 They use these

00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:44.259
 Chuck and Cheeses coins,

00:31:44.379 --> 00:31:44.939
 arcade coins.

00:31:45.019 --> 00:31:45.259
 You guys know

00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:45.839
 what I'm talking about?

00:31:45.899 --> 00:31:46.799
 If you go to an arcade

00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:48.099
 and they have arcade coins,

00:31:48.199 --> 00:31:49.000
 you have to exchange

00:31:49.000 --> 00:31:49.519
 your money

00:31:49.519 --> 00:31:50.139
 because your money

00:31:50.139 --> 00:31:50.679
 is not,

00:31:51.019 --> 00:31:51.699
 you can't use

00:31:51.699 --> 00:31:52.279
 your money

00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.039
 in the arcade.

00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:54.240
 You need to exchange

00:31:54.240 --> 00:31:54.619
 your money,

00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.079
 pay money

00:31:55.079 --> 00:31:56.199
 to get these arcade coins.

00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.960
 And with those arcade coins,

00:31:59.000 --> 00:31:59.919
 you can do many things.

00:32:00.439 --> 00:32:01.720
 You can play games

00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:03.160
 and you can buy food.

00:32:04.440 --> 00:32:05.400
 But imagine,

00:32:06.299 --> 00:32:07.240
 you know this arcade

00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.620
 is shutting down tomorrow

00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:12.160
 and you've exchanged

00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:12.860
 all of your money

00:32:12.860 --> 00:32:13.880
 for this arcade coin.

00:32:15.539 --> 00:32:16.579
 Would you keep that?

00:32:18.980 --> 00:32:20.059
 It's going to lose

00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:21.920
 all of its value

00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:24.100
 when that arcade closes.

00:32:24.640 --> 00:32:25.380
 All of it.

00:32:26.680 --> 00:32:28.380
 It's expiring currency.

00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:30.380
 And that's what

00:32:30.380 --> 00:32:32.340
 money on earth is like.

00:32:32.640 --> 00:32:33.320
 All of it.

00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.400
 All the money on earth

00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:36.060
 is expiring currency.

00:32:36.600 --> 00:32:36.920
 And yet,

00:32:37.080 --> 00:32:38.300
 we like this foolish kid

00:32:38.300 --> 00:32:38.800
 in the arcade

00:32:38.800 --> 00:32:39.880
 just hoards

00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:41.360
 this arcade coins.

00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:41.680
 Like,

00:32:42.260 --> 00:32:43.380
 it's going to take us somewhere

00:32:43.380 --> 00:32:46.200
 when it's all coming due.

00:32:51.620 --> 00:32:52.880
 That's why God tells us

00:32:52.880 --> 00:32:53.840
 not to store up

00:32:53.840 --> 00:32:54.680
 treasures on earth,

00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:56.000
 but to store up

00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.700
 treasures in heaven

00:32:56.700 --> 00:32:58.260
 where it does not rust.

00:32:58.380 --> 00:33:00.040
 It's not stolen by thieves.

00:33:01.800 --> 00:33:03.260
 Let Job's profession

00:33:03.260 --> 00:33:04.380
 in Job 121

00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:06.020
 be the starting point

00:33:06.020 --> 00:33:07.160
 of your perspective

00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:07.760
 on money,

00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.860
 your relationship

00:33:08.860 --> 00:33:09.460
 with money.

00:33:10.020 --> 00:33:10.480
 He says,

00:33:10.840 --> 00:33:11.640
 naked I came

00:33:11.640 --> 00:33:12.520
 from my mother's womb

00:33:12.520 --> 00:33:13.800
 and naked shall I return.

00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.000
 The Lord gave

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:16.440
 and the Lord has taken away.

00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:17.740
 Blessed be the name

00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.240
 of the Lord.

00:33:19.060 --> 00:33:20.380
 It is the Lord's prerogative

00:33:20.380 --> 00:33:21.560
 to give and to take away

00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:22.640
 and he has ordained

00:33:22.640 --> 00:33:23.360
 that we can't take

00:33:23.360 --> 00:33:24.520
 anything out with us

00:33:24.520 --> 00:33:25.080
 when we die.

00:33:26.060 --> 00:33:27.560
 If that's the starting point

00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:28.220
 of your relationship

00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.900
 with money,

00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:30.460
 then you will have

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.140
 God's wisdom

00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:31.880
 to guide you

00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:32.799
 in all your earning

00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:33.500
 and saving

00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.240
 and spending

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:36.360
 and you will forsake

00:33:36.360 --> 00:33:37.059
 the vain pursuit

00:33:37.059 --> 00:33:37.460
 of wealth.

00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:40.640
 That brings me

00:33:40.640 --> 00:33:41.600
 to my second main point,

00:33:41.680 --> 00:33:42.519
 the certainty of death.

00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.720
 Wealth is uncertain,

00:33:43.860 --> 00:33:45.200
 but death is certain.

00:33:46.779 --> 00:33:48.059
 He says in chapter 6,

00:33:48.140 --> 00:33:48.660
 verse 7,

00:33:48.779 --> 00:33:49.720
 all the toil of man

00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.519
 is for his mouth,

00:33:50.600 --> 00:33:51.240
 yet his appetite

00:33:51.240 --> 00:33:52.460
 is not satisfied.

00:33:55.180 --> 00:33:56.680
 Proverbs 27, 20 says,

00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:57.960
 Sheol and Abaddon

00:33:57.960 --> 00:33:59.160
 are never satisfied

00:33:59.160 --> 00:34:00.600
 and never satisfied

00:34:00.600 --> 00:34:01.900
 are the eyes of man.

00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:03.000
 These are two things

00:34:03.000 --> 00:34:03.980
 that are never satisfied,

00:34:04.100 --> 00:34:05.420
 our desires in life

00:34:05.420 --> 00:34:06.820
 and death.

00:34:07.580 --> 00:34:09.440
 Life never gives us enough,

00:34:10.019 --> 00:34:10.820
 we're never satisfied.

00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:13.200
 Death never stops

00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:14.320
 taking enough.

00:34:15.220 --> 00:34:15.900
 We always die.

00:34:16.920 --> 00:34:17.619
 The grave,

00:34:17.900 --> 00:34:18.800
 like our mouths,

00:34:19.320 --> 00:34:20.920
 never stops being hungry.

00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:23.780
 In light of this,

00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:24.539
 what advantage

00:34:24.539 --> 00:34:25.579
 has the wise man

00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.220
 over the fool?

00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:27.380
 The preacher asks

00:34:27.380 --> 00:34:28.039
 in verse 8,

00:34:28.579 --> 00:34:29.680
 And what does the poor man

00:34:29.680 --> 00:34:30.860
 who knows how to conduct himself

00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:31.700
 before the living?

00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.180
 In other words,

00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:34.659
 what good is wisdom

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:36.039
 when both the wise

00:34:36.039 --> 00:34:36.639
 and the fool

00:34:36.639 --> 00:34:37.579
 die in the end?

00:34:39.240 --> 00:34:40.579
 There's a slight qualification

00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.500
 in verse 8.

00:34:42.180 --> 00:34:43.360
 Better is the sight

00:34:43.360 --> 00:34:44.139
 of the eyes

00:34:44.139 --> 00:34:44.900
 than the wandering

00:34:44.900 --> 00:34:45.720
 of the appetite.

00:34:46.780 --> 00:34:48.000
 Remember from verse 8

00:34:48.000 --> 00:34:48.619
 that the preacher

00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.639
 is here comparing

00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:51.099
 the wise man

00:34:51.099 --> 00:34:51.819
 and the fool.

00:34:52.480 --> 00:34:54.139
 The sight of the eyes

00:34:54.139 --> 00:34:55.099
 here is a metonymy

00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:55.880
 for wisdom,

00:34:56.679 --> 00:34:58.219
 the wisdom

00:34:58.219 --> 00:35:00.079
 that the wise man has.

00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.099
 And the going

00:35:01.099 --> 00:35:02.000
 of the appetite

00:35:02.000 --> 00:35:02.679
 or the wandering

00:35:02.679 --> 00:35:03.319
 of the appetite

00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:04.980
 represents the hedonistic

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:06.099
 fool's life

00:35:06.099 --> 00:35:07.480
 driven by appetite.

00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:09.119
 And the preacher

00:35:09.119 --> 00:35:09.920
 admits here,

00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.639
 he qualifies

00:35:10.639 --> 00:35:11.739
 his thesis statement

00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:12.139
 a bit,

00:35:12.259 --> 00:35:13.679
 saying that it is better

00:35:13.679 --> 00:35:14.940
 to have

00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:16.920
 the sight of the eyes.

00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:18.840
 It is better

00:35:18.840 --> 00:35:19.820
 to be wise

00:35:19.820 --> 00:35:21.019
 than to be a fool

00:35:21.019 --> 00:35:21.599
 who is driven

00:35:21.599 --> 00:35:22.579
 by his appetite.

00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:23.860
 Nevertheless,

00:35:24.700 --> 00:35:25.420
 he concludes,

00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.380
 the wise and the fool

00:35:26.380 --> 00:35:27.500
 both end up in the grave.

00:35:27.960 --> 00:35:28.500
 That's why he says

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.079
 in verse 9,

00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:30.500
 this also is vanity

00:35:30.500 --> 00:35:31.320
 and a striving

00:35:31.320 --> 00:35:32.039
 after wind.

00:35:33.320 --> 00:35:33.960
 This parallels

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.940
 Ecclesiastes 2,

00:35:35.000 --> 00:35:35.880
 13 to 15,

00:35:36.300 --> 00:35:36.880
 then I saw

00:35:36.880 --> 00:35:38.079
 that there is more gain

00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:38.659
 in wisdom

00:35:38.659 --> 00:35:39.440
 than in folly.

00:35:39.780 --> 00:35:40.720
 Wisdom is better

00:35:40.720 --> 00:35:41.260
 than folly.

00:35:41.800 --> 00:35:42.820
 As there is more gain

00:35:42.820 --> 00:35:43.260
 in light

00:35:43.260 --> 00:35:43.960
 than in darkness.

00:35:43.960 --> 00:35:45.420
 The wise person

00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:46.280
 has his eyes

00:35:46.280 --> 00:35:47.000
 in his head

00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:47.659
 but the fool

00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.800
 walks in darkness.

00:35:49.500 --> 00:35:50.260
 And yet I perceive

00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.099
 that the same event

00:35:51.099 --> 00:35:52.199
 happens to all of them.

00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:53.480
 Then I said in my heart,

00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.500
 what happens to the fool

00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:55.679
 will happen to me also.

00:35:56.380 --> 00:35:57.519
 Why then have I been

00:35:57.519 --> 00:35:58.400
 so very wise?

00:35:58.860 --> 00:35:59.980
 And I said in my heart

00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:01.599
 that this also is vanity.

00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:04.260
 Imagine two trekkers

00:36:04.260 --> 00:36:05.380
 who are stuck

00:36:05.380 --> 00:36:06.039
 in the wilderness.

00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:08.519
 One person

00:36:08.519 --> 00:36:09.780
 has eyes,

00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:10.360
 he could see,

00:36:10.980 --> 00:36:11.800
 the other person

00:36:11.800 --> 00:36:12.659
 is blind.

00:36:12.659 --> 00:36:14.799
 The one,

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.460
 the trekker

00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:16.079
 who can see

00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:17.920
 can avoid

00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:19.500
 the bears you see

00:36:19.500 --> 00:36:20.920
 or if you're like Josh

00:36:20.920 --> 00:36:21.759
 you can run into them

00:36:21.759 --> 00:36:23.519
 and if you're,

00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:24.299
 or they could

00:36:24.299 --> 00:36:25.719
 avoid the pitfalls,

00:36:25.899 --> 00:36:26.379
 they could

00:36:26.379 --> 00:36:28.539
 cross the streams

00:36:28.539 --> 00:36:30.219
 but the blind

00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:31.039
 trekker

00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:32.379
 is falling over

00:36:32.379 --> 00:36:32.899
 root

00:36:32.899 --> 00:36:33.819
 and rock

00:36:33.819 --> 00:36:35.000
 and scraped

00:36:35.000 --> 00:36:35.519
 all over.

00:36:37.299 --> 00:36:38.159
 Which is better?

00:36:39.839 --> 00:36:40.460
 Well obviously

00:36:40.460 --> 00:36:41.259
 the one who has eyes

00:36:41.259 --> 00:36:41.639
 is better.

00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.920
 it's better

00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.719
 to navigate

00:36:43.719 --> 00:36:44.539
 the difficulties

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.259
 and the complexities

00:36:45.259 --> 00:36:45.859
 of life

00:36:45.859 --> 00:36:46.599
 with wisdom

00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.579
 to be able to see

00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.319
 where you're going

00:36:48.319 --> 00:36:49.339
 and to understand

00:36:49.339 --> 00:36:49.920
 what's happening

00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:50.639
 that is better.

00:36:51.279 --> 00:36:52.539
 But this is the kicker.

00:36:53.619 --> 00:36:54.699
 They're both gonna die

00:36:54.699 --> 00:36:55.119
 in the wilderness.

00:36:55.119 --> 00:37:06.259
 So why?

00:37:07.219 --> 00:37:08.440
 What's the ultimate benefit

00:37:08.440 --> 00:37:09.299
 of wisdom

00:37:09.299 --> 00:37:09.819
 over folly?

00:37:11.619 --> 00:37:12.460
 Death is coming

00:37:12.460 --> 00:37:13.019
 for us all.

00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.319
 That's the point.

00:37:16.319 --> 00:37:17.339
 Verses 10 to 12

00:37:17.339 --> 00:37:18.119
 continues this line

00:37:18.119 --> 00:37:18.519
 of thought.

00:37:19.139 --> 00:37:20.099
 Whatever has come

00:37:20.099 --> 00:37:20.480
 to be

00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:21.480
 has already been named

00:37:21.480 --> 00:37:22.159
 and it is known

00:37:22.159 --> 00:37:23.079
 what man is

00:37:23.079 --> 00:37:24.219
 and that he is not able

00:37:24.219 --> 00:37:24.759
 to dispute

00:37:24.759 --> 00:37:25.679
 with one stronger

00:37:25.679 --> 00:37:26.139
 than he.

00:37:26.420 --> 00:37:27.279
 The more words

00:37:27.279 --> 00:37:28.019
 the more vanity

00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:29.059
 and what is the advantage

00:37:29.059 --> 00:37:29.619
 to man

00:37:29.619 --> 00:37:30.599
 for who knows

00:37:30.599 --> 00:37:31.460
 what is good for man

00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:32.019
 while he lives

00:37:32.019 --> 00:37:32.719
 a few days

00:37:32.719 --> 00:37:33.539
 of his vain life

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.360
 which he passes

00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:35.099
 like a shadow

00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:36.559
 for who can tell man

00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.480
 what will be after him

00:37:37.480 --> 00:37:38.219
 under the sun.

00:37:40.199 --> 00:37:41.099
 The expression

00:37:41.099 --> 00:37:43.099
 whatever has come

00:37:43.099 --> 00:37:43.779
 to be

00:37:43.779 --> 00:37:45.219
 has already been named

00:37:45.219 --> 00:37:45.679
 that phrase

00:37:45.679 --> 00:37:46.659
 naming

00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:47.980
 is used

00:37:47.980 --> 00:37:48.440
 in Psalm

00:37:48.440 --> 00:37:50.319
 147.4

00:37:50.319 --> 00:37:50.940
 and Isaiah

00:37:50.940 --> 00:37:51.739
 40.26

00:37:51.739 --> 00:37:52.659
 to refer to how

00:37:52.659 --> 00:37:53.319
 God

00:37:53.319 --> 00:37:54.480
 has determined

00:37:54.480 --> 00:37:55.139
 the number

00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:55.819
 of the stars

00:37:55.819 --> 00:37:57.339
 and has named them

00:37:57.339 --> 00:37:58.559
 given to all of them

00:37:58.559 --> 00:37:59.339
 their names.

00:38:00.699 --> 00:38:01.219
 Scientists

00:38:01.219 --> 00:38:02.179
 estimate

00:38:02.179 --> 00:38:02.940
 that there are

00:38:02.940 --> 00:38:04.239
 200 billion

00:38:04.239 --> 00:38:05.539
 trillion stars

00:38:05.539 --> 00:38:07.239
 in the known universe

00:38:07.239 --> 00:38:08.319
 the observable universe

00:38:08.319 --> 00:38:09.779
 which is about

00:38:09.779 --> 00:38:10.719
 10 times

00:38:10.719 --> 00:38:11.239
 the number

00:38:11.239 --> 00:38:12.119
 of cups

00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:12.679
 of water

00:38:12.679 --> 00:38:13.500
 in all of

00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.199
 the earth's ocean.

00:38:15.119 --> 00:38:15.719
 Imagine

00:38:15.719 --> 00:38:16.519
 moving

00:38:16.519 --> 00:38:17.359
 all the water

00:38:17.359 --> 00:38:17.739
 in the ocean

00:38:17.739 --> 00:38:18.819
 with a measuring cup.

00:38:20.639 --> 00:38:21.480
 Yet God

00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.159
 has numbered

00:38:22.159 --> 00:38:23.419
 all of those stars.

00:38:24.839 --> 00:38:26.039
 God has named

00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:27.339
 all of those stars

00:38:27.339 --> 00:38:29.980
 and add to that

00:38:29.980 --> 00:38:30.399
 the fact that

00:38:30.399 --> 00:38:31.000
 these stars

00:38:31.000 --> 00:38:31.899
 are light years

00:38:31.899 --> 00:38:32.639
 away from us.

00:38:34.459 --> 00:38:35.259
 The constellation

00:38:35.259 --> 00:38:35.859
 Andromeda

00:38:35.859 --> 00:38:37.339
 is 2.5 million

00:38:37.339 --> 00:38:38.500
 light years away.

00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:41.619
 But we can see

00:38:41.619 --> 00:38:42.219
 it with our eyes.

00:38:42.319 --> 00:38:42.619
 That means

00:38:42.619 --> 00:38:43.259
 that light's been

00:38:43.259 --> 00:38:44.059
 traveling for

00:38:44.059 --> 00:38:45.279
 2.5 million

00:38:45.280 --> 00:38:45.820
 years

00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:46.760
 at the speed

00:38:46.760 --> 00:38:47.280
 of light.

00:38:48.700 --> 00:38:49.519
 That's how far

00:38:49.519 --> 00:38:49.920
 away it is

00:38:49.920 --> 00:38:50.380
 and that's how

00:38:50.380 --> 00:38:51.200
 big this universe

00:38:51.200 --> 00:38:51.640
 is.

00:38:52.960 --> 00:38:53.720
 And God

00:38:53.720 --> 00:38:54.640
 knows all the stars.

00:38:54.740 --> 00:38:55.100
 He's named

00:38:55.100 --> 00:38:55.760
 all the stars.

00:38:55.860 --> 00:38:56.500
 He has numbered

00:38:56.500 --> 00:38:57.580
 all the stars

00:38:57.580 --> 00:38:58.660
 and he has numbered

00:38:58.660 --> 00:38:59.800
 all our days

00:38:59.800 --> 00:39:00.640
 and he has numbered

00:39:00.640 --> 00:39:01.680
 all the times

00:39:01.680 --> 00:39:02.760
 of our lives.

00:39:04.840 --> 00:39:05.920
 Who are we?

00:39:09.140 --> 00:39:10.000
 Insignificant creatures

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:10.580
 that we are

00:39:10.580 --> 00:39:12.860
 to try to take

00:39:12.860 --> 00:39:13.500
 control of those

00:39:13.500 --> 00:39:13.840
 times.

00:39:16.140 --> 00:39:16.900
 And that's the

00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:17.539
 point he's making

00:39:17.539 --> 00:39:17.800
 here.

00:39:22.280 --> 00:39:23.260
 He is not,

00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:24.120
 man is not able

00:39:24.120 --> 00:39:24.620
 to dispute

00:39:24.620 --> 00:39:25.539
 with one stronger

00:39:25.539 --> 00:39:26.059
 than he.

00:39:26.360 --> 00:39:26.940
 Who is the one

00:39:26.940 --> 00:39:27.820
 stronger than us?

00:39:27.940 --> 00:39:28.519
 It's the Lord.

00:39:30.500 --> 00:39:31.200
 Job says in

00:39:31.200 --> 00:39:32.320
 Job 9.19,

00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:33.440
 if it is a contest

00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:34.079
 of strength,

00:39:34.160 --> 00:39:34.480
 behold,

00:39:34.620 --> 00:39:35.500
 God is mighty.

00:39:36.019 --> 00:39:36.840
 If it is a matter

00:39:36.840 --> 00:39:37.400
 of justice,

00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:38.780
 who can summon him?

00:39:39.120 --> 00:39:40.300
 Our lives pass

00:39:40.300 --> 00:39:40.980
 like a shadow

00:39:40.980 --> 00:39:41.820
 and it is not

00:39:41.820 --> 00:39:42.519
 our place

00:39:42.519 --> 00:39:43.580
 as finite creatures

00:39:43.580 --> 00:39:44.240
 to grasp

00:39:44.240 --> 00:39:45.200
 the infinite

00:39:45.200 --> 00:39:46.800
 mind of God.

00:39:47.880 --> 00:39:48.600
 So he calls

00:39:48.600 --> 00:39:49.320
 for surrender.

00:39:51.160 --> 00:39:52.019
 So if that's

00:39:52.019 --> 00:39:52.380
 the case,

00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:52.980
 how then

00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:53.820
 shall we live?

00:39:54.840 --> 00:39:55.580
 That's the question

00:39:55.580 --> 00:39:56.019
 that the preacher

00:39:56.019 --> 00:39:57.000
 asks in the middle

00:39:57.000 --> 00:39:57.700
 of this passage.

00:39:58.340 --> 00:39:59.320
 In chapter 5,

00:39:59.360 --> 00:40:00.440
 verses 18 to 20

00:40:00.440 --> 00:40:01.420
 and chapter 6,

00:40:01.500 --> 00:40:02.620
 verses 1 to 6,

00:40:02.620 --> 00:40:03.440
 there are two

00:40:03.440 --> 00:40:05.000
 contrasting pictures,

00:40:05.460 --> 00:40:05.940
 profiles,

00:40:06.800 --> 00:40:07.420
 and they are

00:40:07.420 --> 00:40:08.360
 connected by this

00:40:08.360 --> 00:40:08.980
 key word,

00:40:09.140 --> 00:40:09.740
 enjoy,

00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:10.880
 or joy,

00:40:11.260 --> 00:40:11.940
 rejoice.

00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:14.780
 Both sections

00:40:14.780 --> 00:40:15.620
 begin with what

00:40:15.620 --> 00:40:16.039
 the preacher

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:17.000
 has observed

00:40:17.000 --> 00:40:17.700
 and it begins

00:40:17.700 --> 00:40:18.200
 with the phrase

00:40:18.200 --> 00:40:18.860
 I have seen

00:40:18.860 --> 00:40:19.840
 and then both

00:40:19.840 --> 00:40:21.120
 sections concern

00:40:21.120 --> 00:40:22.460
 someone to whom

00:40:22.460 --> 00:40:23.120
 God has given

00:40:23.120 --> 00:40:24.160
 wealth and possessions.

00:40:25.400 --> 00:40:26.000
 You can see that

00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:27.420
 in 5.19 and 6.2.

00:40:27.960 --> 00:40:28.280
 However,

00:40:28.380 --> 00:40:29.000
 there is a crucial

00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:29.740
 difference between

00:40:29.740 --> 00:40:30.519
 these two people

00:40:30.519 --> 00:40:31.320
 whom God has blessed

00:40:31.320 --> 00:40:32.620
 with possessions

00:40:32.620 --> 00:40:33.160
 and wealth.

00:40:34.000 --> 00:40:35.079
 He says in 5.19

00:40:35.079 --> 00:40:36.519
 that God has given

00:40:36.519 --> 00:40:37.300
 one man

00:40:37.300 --> 00:40:38.340
 a power

00:40:38.340 --> 00:40:39.340
 to enjoy

00:40:39.340 --> 00:40:39.900
 his wealth

00:40:39.900 --> 00:40:40.420
 and possessions.

00:40:41.340 --> 00:40:42.400
 But in contrast,

00:40:42.519 --> 00:40:43.600
 6.2 says that

00:40:43.600 --> 00:40:44.740
 God does not

00:40:44.740 --> 00:40:45.680
 give the other man

00:40:45.680 --> 00:40:47.039
 power to enjoy

00:40:47.039 --> 00:40:47.740
 his wealth

00:40:47.740 --> 00:40:48.360
 and possessions.

00:40:48.920 --> 00:40:50.160
 And this makes

00:40:50.160 --> 00:40:51.280
 all the difference.

00:40:52.940 --> 00:40:53.820
 It says of the man

00:40:53.820 --> 00:40:54.380
 who doesn't know

00:40:54.380 --> 00:40:54.860
 how to enjoy

00:40:54.860 --> 00:40:55.320
 his wealth

00:40:55.320 --> 00:40:56.260
 in chapter 6,

00:40:56.340 --> 00:40:57.200
 verses 3 to 6,

00:40:57.199 --> 00:41:27.179
 verse 3.

00:41:27.179 --> 00:41:28.539
 No matter how long

00:41:28.539 --> 00:41:29.500
 you live your life,

00:41:29.559 --> 00:41:30.159
 even if you live

00:41:30.159 --> 00:41:31.219
 a thousand years

00:41:31.219 --> 00:41:32.079
 twice over,

00:41:32.440 --> 00:41:33.319
 and even if you father

00:41:33.319 --> 00:41:34.460
 a hundred children

00:41:34.460 --> 00:41:35.319
 who will live on

00:41:35.319 --> 00:41:35.960
 after you

00:41:35.960 --> 00:41:38.339
 to follow your legacy

00:41:38.339 --> 00:41:39.199
 or whatever you want,

00:41:39.940 --> 00:41:40.940
 the destination

00:41:40.940 --> 00:41:42.219
 on our train ticket

00:41:42.219 --> 00:41:43.440
 is death.

00:41:44.279 --> 00:41:45.219
 It doesn't change.

00:41:46.919 --> 00:41:48.719
 We all go to the one place.

00:41:49.299 --> 00:41:49.719
 So what does

00:41:49.719 --> 00:41:50.799
 living a long life

00:41:50.799 --> 00:41:51.579
 and having children

00:41:51.579 --> 00:41:52.099
 who can continue

00:41:52.099 --> 00:41:52.559
 your legacy

00:41:52.559 --> 00:41:53.379
 really accomplish?

00:41:54.119 --> 00:41:55.340
 Whether your train ride

00:41:55.340 --> 00:41:56.260
 is one hour long

00:41:56.260 --> 00:41:57.460
 or one week long,

00:41:57.579 --> 00:41:58.420
 you're all going

00:41:58.420 --> 00:41:59.800
 to the same place.

00:42:00.599 --> 00:42:00.920
 In fact,

00:42:01.019 --> 00:42:01.900
 the preacher contends

00:42:01.900 --> 00:42:03.019
 that a stillborn child

00:42:03.019 --> 00:42:03.880
 is better off

00:42:03.880 --> 00:42:04.559
 than the rich man

00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.119
 who does not know

00:42:05.119 --> 00:42:05.640
 how to enjoy

00:42:05.640 --> 00:42:06.800
 life's good things.

00:42:07.960 --> 00:42:08.980
 They both end up

00:42:08.980 --> 00:42:09.840
 in the same place,

00:42:11.140 --> 00:42:11.660
 the grave,

00:42:12.380 --> 00:42:13.460
 but the stillborn child

00:42:13.460 --> 00:42:14.300
 has been spared

00:42:14.300 --> 00:42:15.140
 the vexations

00:42:15.140 --> 00:42:16.380
 and the injustices,

00:42:17.280 --> 00:42:17.820
 the evils

00:42:17.820 --> 00:42:18.440
 of this world.

00:42:18.440 --> 00:42:21.860
 the stillborn child

00:42:21.860 --> 00:42:22.920
 finds the rest

00:42:22.920 --> 00:42:25.039
 that ever eludes

00:42:25.039 --> 00:42:25.619
 the rich man

00:42:25.619 --> 00:42:26.139
 in his life.

00:42:28.500 --> 00:42:29.480
 But look at verses

00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:30.360
 18 to 20.

00:42:30.480 --> 00:42:31.260
 This is the contrast.

00:42:31.420 --> 00:42:31.820
 Behold,

00:42:32.240 --> 00:42:33.139
 what I have seen

00:42:33.139 --> 00:42:34.099
 to be good and fitting

00:42:34.099 --> 00:42:35.200
 is to eat and drink

00:42:35.200 --> 00:42:36.119
 and find enjoyment

00:42:36.119 --> 00:42:36.920
 in all the toil

00:42:36.920 --> 00:42:37.880
 with which one toils

00:42:37.880 --> 00:42:38.519
 under the sun

00:42:38.519 --> 00:42:39.519
 the few days of his life

00:42:39.519 --> 00:42:40.460
 that God has given him.

00:42:40.880 --> 00:42:42.480
 For this is his lot.

00:42:43.400 --> 00:42:44.659
 Everyone also to whom

00:42:44.659 --> 00:42:45.519
 God has given wealth

00:42:45.519 --> 00:42:45.980
 and possessions

00:42:45.980 --> 00:42:47.820
 and power to enjoy them,

00:42:47.820 --> 00:42:49.740
 and to accept his lot

00:42:49.740 --> 00:42:50.900
 and rejoice in his toil.

00:42:51.200 --> 00:42:53.720
 This is the gift of God.

00:42:54.980 --> 00:42:56.180
 For he will not much

00:42:56.180 --> 00:42:56.980
 remember the days

00:42:56.980 --> 00:42:57.440
 of his life

00:42:57.440 --> 00:42:58.840
 because God keeps him

00:42:58.840 --> 00:42:59.780
 occupied with joy

00:42:59.780 --> 00:43:00.720
 in his heart.

00:43:01.320 --> 00:43:02.460
 A man who is able

00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:03.860
 to enjoy the gifts

00:43:03.860 --> 00:43:04.840
 that God has given him

00:43:04.840 --> 00:43:06.039
 is fortified against

00:43:06.039 --> 00:43:06.620
 the evils

00:43:06.620 --> 00:43:07.600
 and the vicissitudes

00:43:07.600 --> 00:43:08.200
 of life

00:43:08.200 --> 00:43:10.800
 because it keeps him

00:43:10.800 --> 00:43:11.519
 preoccupied.

00:43:12.380 --> 00:43:13.320
 This is the third

00:43:13.320 --> 00:43:15.980
 of five Carpe Diem passages

00:43:15.980 --> 00:43:17.080
 we've encountered so far

00:43:17.079 --> 00:43:18.139
 in the book of Ecclesiastes.

00:43:18.739 --> 00:43:20.099
 Carpe Diem is a Latin phrase

00:43:20.099 --> 00:43:21.299
 that means seize the day

00:43:21.299 --> 00:43:22.719
 and it's an exhortation

00:43:22.719 --> 00:43:23.940
 to make use

00:43:23.940 --> 00:43:25.559
 of the present opportunities

00:43:25.559 --> 00:43:27.940
 and to enjoy today,

00:43:28.079 --> 00:43:28.880
 life today

00:43:28.880 --> 00:43:29.900
 while it still lasts

00:43:29.900 --> 00:43:31.179
 instead of counting

00:43:31.179 --> 00:43:31.799
 on tomorrow

00:43:31.799 --> 00:43:33.360
 which may never come.

00:43:34.099 --> 00:43:35.199
 This is different

00:43:35.199 --> 00:43:36.799
 from hedonism

00:43:36.799 --> 00:43:38.799
 which pursues pleasure

00:43:38.799 --> 00:43:39.960
 as the highest goal.

00:43:40.739 --> 00:43:42.799
 In this Ecclesiastes worldview

00:43:42.799 --> 00:43:44.480
 our highest good is God

00:43:44.480 --> 00:43:47.000
 and because we have God

00:43:47.000 --> 00:43:47.559
 we are enabled

00:43:47.559 --> 00:43:49.480
 to enjoy the good gifts

00:43:49.480 --> 00:43:51.019
 of life that he gives.

00:43:51.119 --> 00:43:51.579
 He is the giver

00:43:51.579 --> 00:43:52.619
 of every good

00:43:52.619 --> 00:43:53.619
 and perfect gift.

00:43:54.960 --> 00:43:56.800
 The wisdom of Ecclesiastes

00:43:56.800 --> 00:43:58.820
 counsels us

00:43:58.820 --> 00:44:01.920
 to receive our lot in life

00:44:01.920 --> 00:44:03.360
 as a gift of God

00:44:03.360 --> 00:44:05.619
 rather than striving

00:44:05.619 --> 00:44:07.039
 in vain for gain.

00:44:08.099 --> 00:44:09.059
 If you've been with us

00:44:09.059 --> 00:44:09.679
 in this series

00:44:09.679 --> 00:44:12.639
 you know the word gain

00:44:12.639 --> 00:44:13.399
 or profit

00:44:13.399 --> 00:44:13.899
 is important

00:44:13.899 --> 00:44:15.059
 in the book of Ecclesiastes.

00:44:15.699 --> 00:44:16.579
 It's a key word

00:44:16.579 --> 00:44:17.179
 and it's related

00:44:17.179 --> 00:44:18.279
 to the word advantage

00:44:18.279 --> 00:44:19.899
 that occurs several times

00:44:19.899 --> 00:44:20.579
 in our passage.

00:44:21.480 --> 00:44:22.440
 We humans have

00:44:22.440 --> 00:44:23.799
 an innate desire

00:44:23.799 --> 00:44:24.919
 to make a profit

00:44:24.919 --> 00:44:27.619
 to earn something

00:44:27.619 --> 00:44:28.759
 and to have something

00:44:28.759 --> 00:44:30.179
 to show for our labors

00:44:30.179 --> 00:44:32.179
 but because we live

00:44:32.179 --> 00:44:32.659
 in a world

00:44:32.659 --> 00:44:33.980
 that is mere breath

00:44:33.980 --> 00:44:35.859
 that ends in death

00:44:35.859 --> 00:44:37.440
 there's nothing actually

00:44:37.440 --> 00:44:38.139
 to be gained.

00:44:38.139 --> 00:44:40.799
 We tend to treat life

00:44:40.799 --> 00:44:42.400
 as a means for gain

00:44:42.400 --> 00:44:44.239
 as a means to gain control

00:44:44.239 --> 00:44:46.440
 as a means for self advancement

00:44:46.440 --> 00:44:47.179
 to get ahead

00:44:47.179 --> 00:44:47.900
 of other people.

00:44:48.299 --> 00:44:48.980
 We tend to use

00:44:48.980 --> 00:44:49.940
 the world around us

00:44:49.940 --> 00:44:50.819
 as leverage

00:44:50.819 --> 00:44:52.339
 for attaining our own goals

00:44:52.339 --> 00:44:53.420
 and the relationships

00:44:53.420 --> 00:44:54.359
 that we have around us

00:44:54.359 --> 00:44:55.679
 as stepping stones

00:44:55.679 --> 00:44:56.440
 we can step on

00:44:56.440 --> 00:44:57.699
 to build ourselves up

00:44:57.699 --> 00:44:59.059
 and to lift ourselves up

00:44:59.059 --> 00:45:01.799
 to gear up

00:45:01.799 --> 00:45:03.059
 for the next big thing

00:45:03.059 --> 00:45:04.719
 and to greater things.

00:45:05.460 --> 00:45:06.579
 But it's all futile

00:45:06.579 --> 00:45:07.940
 because it all ends in death.

00:45:08.739 --> 00:45:10.440
 What if God gives us

00:45:10.440 --> 00:45:11.239
 these things

00:45:11.239 --> 00:45:13.199
 not to be used

00:45:13.199 --> 00:45:14.000
 or mastered

00:45:14.000 --> 00:45:15.559
 but simply to be enjoyed?

00:45:17.980 --> 00:45:19.420
 What if our work

00:45:19.420 --> 00:45:21.319
 and indeed life itself

00:45:21.319 --> 00:45:22.619
 are not something

00:45:22.619 --> 00:45:24.679
 to take advantage of

00:45:24.679 --> 00:45:26.319
 something with which

00:45:26.319 --> 00:45:27.480
 to turn a profit

00:45:27.480 --> 00:45:29.299
 but a gift

00:45:29.299 --> 00:45:31.000
 that you freely receive

00:45:31.000 --> 00:45:31.699
 and enjoy?

00:45:31.699 --> 00:45:34.559
 this is the main point

00:45:34.559 --> 00:45:35.839
 of the book of Ecclesiastes.

00:45:36.559 --> 00:45:38.259
 We're all on a hamster wheel.

00:45:38.759 --> 00:45:39.939
 It tells us again and again

00:45:39.939 --> 00:45:41.219
 we're all on a hamster wheel

00:45:41.219 --> 00:45:42.539
 but if we know

00:45:42.539 --> 00:45:44.000
 that we are on a hamster wheel

00:45:44.000 --> 00:45:45.879
 then you're not gonna burn yourself

00:45:45.879 --> 00:45:46.739
 out on that wheel.

00:45:49.439 --> 00:45:51.739
 You can take some time

00:45:51.739 --> 00:45:53.139
 to slow down and rest.

00:45:53.139 --> 00:45:57.239
 We can take ourselves

00:45:57.239 --> 00:45:58.179
 less seriously.

00:45:58.359 --> 00:45:59.259
 This is what I've been calling

00:45:59.259 --> 00:46:01.559
 the freedom of insignificance.

00:46:02.500 --> 00:46:03.859
 The humility of wisdom.

00:46:05.739 --> 00:46:08.159
 Instead of pounding coffee

00:46:08.159 --> 00:46:10.519
 for that caffeine kick

00:46:10.519 --> 00:46:12.679
 you can actually

00:46:12.679 --> 00:46:13.980
 maybe slow down

00:46:13.980 --> 00:46:15.099
 and enjoy

00:46:15.099 --> 00:46:16.259
 a nice cup of pour over.

00:46:22.579 --> 00:46:23.400
 Instead of

00:46:23.400 --> 00:46:26.199
 yes we're all on that train

00:46:26.199 --> 00:46:27.900
 the destination on the ticket

00:46:27.900 --> 00:46:28.460
 is death

00:46:28.460 --> 00:46:31.559
 but if you know that

00:46:31.559 --> 00:46:33.219
 you don't drive the train

00:46:33.219 --> 00:46:34.259
 you're sitting on the train

00:46:34.259 --> 00:46:35.559
 as you're going on the train

00:46:35.559 --> 00:46:36.920
 then you can actually

00:46:36.920 --> 00:46:37.860
 enjoy the scenery.

00:46:40.519 --> 00:46:43.519
 If you know that

00:46:43.519 --> 00:46:44.420
 you're on a hamster wheel

00:46:44.420 --> 00:46:45.400
 if you know this then

00:46:45.400 --> 00:46:47.579
 you're not gonna see

00:46:47.579 --> 00:46:48.599
 all of your neighbors

00:46:48.599 --> 00:46:49.259
 and peers

00:46:49.259 --> 00:46:50.079
 and friends

00:46:50.079 --> 00:46:50.940
 and colleagues

00:46:50.940 --> 00:46:53.159
 as people to step on

00:46:53.159 --> 00:46:53.880
 and to get ahead

00:46:53.880 --> 00:46:54.900
 of your competition.

00:46:56.860 --> 00:46:57.340
 Instead

00:46:57.340 --> 00:46:59.000
 you can love your neighbor

00:46:59.000 --> 00:47:01.880
 and you can actually

00:47:01.880 --> 00:47:02.480
 pause

00:47:02.480 --> 00:47:03.659
 and stop on the way

00:47:03.659 --> 00:47:04.759
 to help the Samaritan.

00:47:10.519 --> 00:47:11.960
 I'm naturally

00:47:11.960 --> 00:47:12.900
 very bad at this

00:47:12.900 --> 00:47:13.519
 so

00:47:13.519 --> 00:47:15.079
 it's okay

00:47:15.079 --> 00:47:15.679
 if you're feeling

00:47:15.679 --> 00:47:16.300
 really bad

00:47:16.300 --> 00:47:17.239
 about yourself right now.

00:47:17.659 --> 00:47:18.340
 I'm with you.

00:47:18.599 --> 00:47:19.039
 I understand.

00:47:20.679 --> 00:47:21.179
 That's why

00:47:21.179 --> 00:47:22.039
 in his kindness

00:47:22.039 --> 00:47:22.800
 God gave me

00:47:22.800 --> 00:47:23.659
 Hannah as my wife.

00:47:24.340 --> 00:47:24.920
 I have to make up

00:47:24.920 --> 00:47:25.719
 for what I said earlier.

00:47:27.360 --> 00:47:28.159
 I was a

00:47:28.159 --> 00:47:29.880
 this was actually planned

00:47:29.880 --> 00:47:30.659
 I was gonna say this.

00:47:31.059 --> 00:47:33.000
 I was a college student

00:47:33.000 --> 00:47:34.039
 who survived

00:47:34.039 --> 00:47:35.300
 on a diet of rice

00:47:35.300 --> 00:47:36.179
 potatoes and eggs

00:47:36.179 --> 00:47:37.579
 most of my study abroad year.

00:47:37.579 --> 00:47:40.279
 so much for enjoying

00:47:40.279 --> 00:47:40.819
 my meals.

00:47:40.940 --> 00:47:42.139
 No this is fuel

00:47:42.139 --> 00:47:43.539
 to get by life right.

00:47:43.619 --> 00:47:44.239
 I mean that's my

00:47:44.239 --> 00:47:45.380
 that was my perspective

00:47:45.380 --> 00:47:45.980
 in college.

00:47:46.460 --> 00:47:47.500
 I was very utilitarian

00:47:47.500 --> 00:47:48.219
 my outlook

00:47:48.219 --> 00:47:49.099
 needed.

00:47:49.920 --> 00:47:50.719
 Most of the clothes

00:47:50.719 --> 00:47:51.239
 I owned

00:47:51.239 --> 00:47:52.699
 were plain white t-shirts

00:47:52.699 --> 00:47:54.199
 so I never have to think

00:47:54.199 --> 00:47:55.019
 about what I'm gonna wear.

00:47:55.139 --> 00:47:55.739
 Well I'm wearing

00:47:55.739 --> 00:47:56.579
 that same thing again.

00:47:58.699 --> 00:47:59.420
 And I was

00:47:59.420 --> 00:48:00.699
 so very stingy.

00:48:01.940 --> 00:48:02.860
 Scrupulously avoided

00:48:02.860 --> 00:48:03.900
 spending money

00:48:03.900 --> 00:48:05.019
 wherever I could.

00:48:05.019 --> 00:48:07.940
 But Hannah

00:48:07.940 --> 00:48:09.500
 really helped me

00:48:09.500 --> 00:48:10.360
 to loosen up

00:48:10.360 --> 00:48:11.059
 quite a bit.

00:48:13.199 --> 00:48:14.239
 She has taught me

00:48:14.239 --> 00:48:15.860
 to enjoy good food.

00:48:17.579 --> 00:48:18.519
 She's taught me

00:48:18.519 --> 00:48:19.679
 to dance

00:48:19.679 --> 00:48:21.900
 which I would never do

00:48:21.900 --> 00:48:23.159
 in my younger self.

00:48:25.719 --> 00:48:26.659
 She taught me

00:48:26.659 --> 00:48:27.559
 to hold my money

00:48:27.559 --> 00:48:28.719
 with open hands

00:48:28.719 --> 00:48:29.480
 instead of

00:48:29.480 --> 00:48:30.539
 with clenched fists.

00:48:30.539 --> 00:48:36.440
 Daniel's visiting.

00:48:36.519 --> 00:48:37.059
 Daniel's really good

00:48:37.059 --> 00:48:37.519
 at that too.

00:48:39.980 --> 00:48:40.579
 He's probably

00:48:40.579 --> 00:48:41.259
 bought me more food

00:48:41.259 --> 00:48:41.980
 than anybody I know.

00:48:45.420 --> 00:48:45.820
 Behold

00:48:45.820 --> 00:48:46.860
 what I have

00:48:46.860 --> 00:48:48.039
 seen to be good

00:48:48.039 --> 00:48:48.500
 and fitting

00:48:48.500 --> 00:48:49.340
 is to eat

00:48:49.340 --> 00:48:49.880
 and drink

00:48:49.880 --> 00:48:50.920
 and find enjoyment

00:48:50.920 --> 00:48:51.719
 in all the toil

00:48:51.719 --> 00:48:52.300
 with which one

00:48:52.300 --> 00:48:53.320
 toils under the sun

00:48:53.320 --> 00:48:54.219
 the few days

00:48:54.219 --> 00:48:54.679
 of his life

00:48:54.679 --> 00:48:55.639
 that God has given him

00:48:55.639 --> 00:48:57.139
 for this is his lot.

00:48:57.139 --> 00:48:59.400
 forsaking

00:48:59.400 --> 00:49:00.639
 the vain pursuit

00:49:00.639 --> 00:49:01.319
 of wealth

00:49:01.319 --> 00:49:03.019
 we should enjoy

00:49:03.019 --> 00:49:04.039
 life as a gift

00:49:04.039 --> 00:49:04.819
 from God.

00:49:08.319 --> 00:49:09.440
 He's so wise.

00:49:12.619 --> 00:49:13.679
 Social scientist

00:49:13.679 --> 00:49:14.500
 Elizabeth Dunn

00:49:14.500 --> 00:49:15.500
 writes this

00:49:15.500 --> 00:49:16.000
 in her book

00:49:16.000 --> 00:49:16.759
 Happy Money

00:49:16.759 --> 00:49:17.279
 the Science

00:49:17.279 --> 00:49:18.039
 of Smarter Spending

00:49:18.039 --> 00:49:18.400
 have you guys

00:49:18.400 --> 00:49:18.739
 read that

00:49:18.739 --> 00:49:18.900
 anybody?

00:49:20.980 --> 00:49:21.599
 You guys

00:49:21.599 --> 00:49:21.920
 don't read

00:49:21.920 --> 00:49:22.579
 self-help books.

00:49:23.019 --> 00:49:24.159
 That's not a bad thing.

00:49:24.319 --> 00:49:24.960
 I think that's good.

00:49:25.179 --> 00:49:25.279
 Yeah.

00:49:25.280 --> 00:49:26.580
 The people

00:49:26.580 --> 00:49:27.500
 who know how to

00:49:27.500 --> 00:49:28.960
 she writes

00:49:28.960 --> 00:49:29.480
 that people

00:49:29.480 --> 00:49:29.960
 who know how

00:49:29.960 --> 00:49:30.500
 to spend money

00:49:30.500 --> 00:49:31.580
 for experiences

00:49:31.580 --> 00:49:32.680
 that they enjoy

00:49:32.680 --> 00:49:34.320
 tend to be happier

00:49:34.320 --> 00:49:34.840
 in general

00:49:34.840 --> 00:49:35.220
 than people

00:49:35.220 --> 00:49:35.700
 who try to

00:49:35.700 --> 00:49:36.900
 accumulate things

00:49:36.900 --> 00:49:37.680
 people who buy

00:49:37.680 --> 00:49:38.300
 things.

00:49:39.080 --> 00:49:39.700
 She writes

00:49:39.700 --> 00:49:40.160
 quote

00:49:40.160 --> 00:49:40.740
 stop trying

00:49:40.740 --> 00:49:41.740
 to get more money

00:49:41.740 --> 00:49:42.720
 our goal

00:49:42.720 --> 00:49:43.340
 is to help you

00:49:43.340 --> 00:49:44.019
 use the money

00:49:44.019 --> 00:49:44.340
 you have

00:49:44.340 --> 00:49:44.820
 to get more

00:49:44.820 --> 00:49:45.260
 happiness.

00:49:46.200 --> 00:49:46.800
 In other words

00:49:46.800 --> 00:49:47.260
 don't forget

00:49:47.260 --> 00:49:47.840
 to enjoy

00:49:47.840 --> 00:49:48.660
 what you have

00:49:48.660 --> 00:49:49.340
 in your pursuit

00:49:49.340 --> 00:49:49.800
 of more.

00:49:50.700 --> 00:49:51.280
 According to

00:49:51.280 --> 00:49:52.200
 neuroscientist

00:49:52.200 --> 00:49:53.620
 Kent Berridge

00:49:53.620 --> 00:49:54.560
 his research

00:49:54.560 --> 00:49:55.040
 published in

00:49:55.039 --> 00:49:55.360
 the Journal

00:49:55.360 --> 00:49:55.900
 of American

00:49:55.900 --> 00:49:56.460
 Psychology

00:49:56.460 --> 00:49:58.059
 are wanting

00:49:58.059 --> 00:49:58.759
 something

00:49:58.759 --> 00:50:00.119
 and are liking

00:50:00.119 --> 00:50:00.940
 and enjoying

00:50:00.940 --> 00:50:01.559
 something

00:50:01.559 --> 00:50:02.719
 are mediated

00:50:02.719 --> 00:50:04.039
 by different

00:50:04.039 --> 00:50:05.179
 circuits in the brain.

00:50:05.960 --> 00:50:06.699
 So they actually

00:50:06.699 --> 00:50:08.139
 function independently.

00:50:08.800 --> 00:50:09.539
 In other words

00:50:09.539 --> 00:50:11.019
 you wanting

00:50:11.019 --> 00:50:11.460
 something

00:50:11.460 --> 00:50:12.019
 and getting

00:50:12.019 --> 00:50:12.779
 what you want

00:50:12.779 --> 00:50:13.219
 has nothing

00:50:13.219 --> 00:50:13.579
 to do

00:50:13.579 --> 00:50:13.920
 with your

00:50:13.920 --> 00:50:14.820
 actual enjoyment

00:50:14.820 --> 00:50:15.800
 and liking

00:50:15.800 --> 00:50:16.199
 something.

00:50:16.199 --> 00:50:20.539
 so don't

00:50:20.539 --> 00:50:21.159
 get lost

00:50:21.159 --> 00:50:21.679
 in pursuing

00:50:21.679 --> 00:50:22.419
 your wants

00:50:22.419 --> 00:50:22.919
 and forget

00:50:22.919 --> 00:50:23.639
 to enjoy

00:50:23.639 --> 00:50:24.639
 what you

00:50:24.639 --> 00:50:25.319
 already have

00:50:25.319 --> 00:50:25.699
 the things

00:50:25.699 --> 00:50:26.299
 that you like.

00:50:27.559 --> 00:50:28.039
 Here is

00:50:28.039 --> 00:50:28.739
 the best

00:50:28.739 --> 00:50:29.159
 this is

00:50:29.159 --> 00:50:29.939
 they published

00:50:29.939 --> 00:50:30.679
 this as like

00:50:30.679 --> 00:50:31.099
 the latest

00:50:31.099 --> 00:50:31.779
 research.

00:50:33.059 --> 00:50:33.839
 It's been in

00:50:33.839 --> 00:50:34.119
 here for

00:50:34.119 --> 00:50:34.980
 3,000 years.

00:50:34.980 --> 00:50:42.019
 But the

00:50:42.019 --> 00:50:42.619
 Bible of course

00:50:42.619 --> 00:50:43.159
 goes far

00:50:43.159 --> 00:50:43.559
 beyond

00:50:43.559 --> 00:50:44.320
 mere self-help

00:50:44.320 --> 00:50:44.800
 advice

00:50:44.800 --> 00:50:45.659
 which

00:50:45.659 --> 00:50:46.280
 when taken

00:50:46.280 --> 00:50:46.760
 to their

00:50:46.760 --> 00:50:47.099
 logical

00:50:47.099 --> 00:50:47.500
 conclusions

00:50:47.500 --> 00:50:48.400
 still ring

00:50:48.400 --> 00:50:49.300
 hollow

00:50:49.300 --> 00:50:50.240
 in light

00:50:50.240 --> 00:50:50.519
 of the

00:50:50.519 --> 00:50:51.079
 penetrating

00:50:51.079 --> 00:50:51.639
 observations

00:50:51.639 --> 00:50:52.619
 of the

00:50:52.619 --> 00:50:53.579
 despair

00:50:53.579 --> 00:50:54.119
 of life.

00:50:55.539 --> 00:50:56.139
 What's

00:50:56.139 --> 00:50:56.559
 missing

00:50:56.559 --> 00:50:57.059
 in these

00:50:57.059 --> 00:50:57.480
 scientific

00:50:57.480 --> 00:50:57.920
 papers

00:50:57.920 --> 00:50:58.800
 and self-help

00:50:58.800 --> 00:50:59.079
 books

00:50:59.079 --> 00:50:59.880
 is God.

00:50:59.880 --> 00:51:02.800
 we have

00:51:02.800 --> 00:51:03.500
 something

00:51:03.500 --> 00:51:03.960
 we can

00:51:03.960 --> 00:51:04.579
 enjoy

00:51:04.579 --> 00:51:05.960
 that goes

00:51:05.960 --> 00:51:06.539
 far

00:51:06.539 --> 00:51:07.220
 beyond

00:51:07.220 --> 00:51:07.619
 eating

00:51:07.619 --> 00:51:07.860
 and

00:51:07.860 --> 00:51:08.160
 drinking.

00:51:10.480 --> 00:51:11.300
 We have

00:51:11.300 --> 00:51:11.960
 this week

00:51:11.960 --> 00:51:12.480
 three days

00:51:12.480 --> 00:51:12.800
 of prayer

00:51:12.800 --> 00:51:13.180
 and fasting

00:51:13.180 --> 00:51:13.599
 that we do

00:51:13.599 --> 00:51:14.039
 every month.

00:51:14.119 --> 00:51:14.559
 It's a great

00:51:14.559 --> 00:51:15.059
 time to take

00:51:15.059 --> 00:51:15.460
 time to

00:51:15.460 --> 00:51:15.840
 fast

00:51:15.840 --> 00:51:16.140
 and to

00:51:16.140 --> 00:51:16.360
 pray

00:51:16.360 --> 00:51:16.740
 especially

00:51:16.740 --> 00:51:17.140
 with

00:51:17.140 --> 00:51:18.920
 significant

00:51:18.920 --> 00:51:19.460
 life events

00:51:19.460 --> 00:51:20.039
 happening

00:51:20.039 --> 00:51:20.380
 to many

00:51:20.380 --> 00:51:20.599
 of our

00:51:20.599 --> 00:51:20.920
 members.

00:51:21.320 --> 00:51:21.460
 Praying

00:51:21.460 --> 00:51:21.980
 for Jenny

00:51:21.980 --> 00:51:22.640
 praying

00:51:22.640 --> 00:51:22.920
 for the

00:51:22.920 --> 00:51:23.400
 Bournes

00:51:23.400 --> 00:51:25.240
 and Jesus

00:51:25.240 --> 00:51:25.880
 said this

00:51:25.880 --> 00:51:26.500
 about fasting

00:51:26.500 --> 00:51:27.039
 that man

00:51:27.039 --> 00:51:27.420
 does not

00:51:27.420 --> 00:51:27.920
 live by

00:51:27.920 --> 00:51:28.240
 bread

00:51:28.240 --> 00:51:28.660
 alone

00:51:28.660 --> 00:51:29.619
 but man

00:51:29.619 --> 00:51:30.199
 lives by

00:51:30.199 --> 00:51:30.920
 every word

00:51:30.920 --> 00:51:31.359
 that comes

00:51:31.359 --> 00:51:31.739
 from the

00:51:31.739 --> 00:51:32.019
 mouth

00:51:32.019 --> 00:51:32.380
 of the

00:51:32.380 --> 00:51:32.579
 Lord.

00:51:33.179 --> 00:51:33.460
 And then

00:51:33.460 --> 00:51:33.900
 Jesus

00:51:33.900 --> 00:51:34.799
 in his

00:51:34.799 --> 00:51:35.500
 last supper

00:51:35.500 --> 00:51:35.859
 with his

00:51:35.859 --> 00:51:36.239
 disciples

00:51:36.239 --> 00:51:36.859
 he broke

00:51:36.859 --> 00:51:37.259
 bread

00:51:37.259 --> 00:51:37.980
 and he

00:51:37.980 --> 00:51:38.319
 poured

00:51:38.319 --> 00:51:38.699
 wine

00:51:38.699 --> 00:51:39.019
 which is

00:51:39.019 --> 00:51:39.319
 what we

00:51:39.319 --> 00:51:39.579
 do

00:51:39.579 --> 00:51:39.859
 in our

00:51:39.859 --> 00:51:40.319
 celebration

00:51:40.319 --> 00:51:40.679
 of the

00:51:40.679 --> 00:51:41.059
 Lord's

00:51:41.059 --> 00:51:41.279
 supper

00:51:41.279 --> 00:51:42.139
 and he

00:51:42.139 --> 00:51:42.679
 said this

00:51:42.679 --> 00:51:43.059
 is my

00:51:43.059 --> 00:51:43.539
 body

00:51:43.539 --> 00:51:44.000
 which is

00:51:44.000 --> 00:51:44.659
 for you

00:51:44.659 --> 00:51:45.400
 and this

00:51:45.400 --> 00:51:45.699
 cup

00:51:45.699 --> 00:51:46.000
 is the

00:51:46.000 --> 00:51:46.239
 new

00:51:46.239 --> 00:51:46.619
 covenant

00:51:46.619 --> 00:51:47.119
 in my

00:51:47.119 --> 00:51:47.559
 blood.

00:51:48.539 --> 00:51:48.839
 Jesus

00:51:48.839 --> 00:51:49.559
 is the

00:51:49.559 --> 00:51:49.940
 word of

00:51:49.940 --> 00:51:50.319
 God

00:51:50.319 --> 00:51:50.619
 that we

00:51:50.619 --> 00:51:51.139
 live by.

00:51:51.980 --> 00:51:52.179
 Jesus

00:51:52.179 --> 00:51:52.940
 is the

00:51:52.940 --> 00:51:53.480
 bread of

00:51:53.480 --> 00:51:53.940
 life that

00:51:53.940 --> 00:51:54.519
 we enjoy

00:51:54.519 --> 00:51:55.119
 above all

00:51:55.119 --> 00:51:55.400
 other

00:51:55.400 --> 00:51:55.880
 breads

00:51:55.880 --> 00:51:57.119
 and that's

00:51:57.119 --> 00:51:57.719
 why Paul

00:51:57.719 --> 00:51:58.219
 commands

00:51:58.219 --> 00:51:58.980
 the Philippians

00:51:58.980 --> 00:52:00.000
 to rejoice

00:52:00.000 --> 00:52:00.460
 in the

00:52:00.460 --> 00:52:00.820
 Lord

00:52:00.820 --> 00:52:01.320
 Jesus

00:52:01.320 --> 00:52:01.599
 in

00:52:01.599 --> 00:52:02.019
 Philippians

00:52:02.019 --> 00:52:02.360
 4

00:52:02.360 --> 00:52:03.699
 to enjoy

00:52:03.699 --> 00:52:04.280
 the

00:52:04.280 --> 00:52:04.760
 Lord

00:52:04.760 --> 00:52:05.559
 Jesus

00:52:05.559 --> 00:52:07.360
 and that's

00:52:07.360 --> 00:52:07.740
 why

00:52:07.740 --> 00:52:08.559
 because Paul

00:52:08.559 --> 00:52:09.519
 enjoys

00:52:09.519 --> 00:52:10.059
 the Lord

00:52:10.059 --> 00:52:10.460
 Jesus

00:52:10.460 --> 00:52:11.079
 because he

00:52:11.079 --> 00:52:12.079
 eats the

00:52:12.079 --> 00:52:12.639
 bread and

00:52:12.639 --> 00:52:13.440
 drinks the

00:52:13.440 --> 00:52:13.760
 cup.

00:52:14.260 --> 00:52:14.599
 He says

00:52:14.599 --> 00:52:15.260
 I've learned

00:52:15.260 --> 00:52:15.840
 in whatever

00:52:15.840 --> 00:52:17.119
 situation I am

00:52:17.119 --> 00:52:18.099
 to be content.

00:52:18.099 --> 00:52:20.099
 I know

00:52:20.099 --> 00:52:20.559
 how to be

00:52:20.559 --> 00:52:21.119
 brought low

00:52:21.119 --> 00:52:21.799
 I know

00:52:21.799 --> 00:52:22.360
 how to

00:52:22.360 --> 00:52:22.960
 abound

00:52:22.960 --> 00:52:23.719
 in any

00:52:23.719 --> 00:52:24.279
 and every

00:52:24.279 --> 00:52:24.880
 circumstance

00:52:24.880 --> 00:52:25.839
 I've learned

00:52:25.839 --> 00:52:26.339
 the secret

00:52:26.339 --> 00:52:26.920
 of facing

00:52:26.920 --> 00:52:27.619
 plenty and

00:52:27.619 --> 00:52:28.039
 hunger

00:52:28.039 --> 00:52:28.900
 abundance

00:52:28.900 --> 00:52:29.679
 and need

00:52:29.679 --> 00:52:30.440
 I can do

00:52:30.440 --> 00:52:31.219
 all things

00:52:31.219 --> 00:52:31.880
 through him

00:52:31.880 --> 00:52:32.799
 who strengthens

00:52:32.799 --> 00:52:33.079
 me.

00:52:35.039 --> 00:52:35.819
 Here's something

00:52:35.819 --> 00:52:36.259
 that people

00:52:36.259 --> 00:52:37.360
 can't do

00:52:37.360 --> 00:52:37.940
 people of this

00:52:37.940 --> 00:52:38.599
 world without

00:52:38.599 --> 00:52:38.940
 God

00:52:38.940 --> 00:52:39.940
 cannot do

00:52:39.940 --> 00:52:41.039
 because if you

00:52:41.039 --> 00:52:41.539
 want to enjoy

00:52:41.539 --> 00:52:42.039
 the things you

00:52:42.039 --> 00:52:42.500
 have you still

00:52:42.500 --> 00:52:42.960
 have to have

00:52:42.960 --> 00:52:43.559
 something to

00:52:43.559 --> 00:52:44.000
 enjoy don't

00:52:44.000 --> 00:52:44.199
 you?

00:52:44.199 --> 00:52:48.259
 But if you

00:52:48.259 --> 00:52:48.879
 have Jesus

00:52:48.879 --> 00:52:50.059
 you can be

00:52:50.059 --> 00:52:50.460
 poor

00:52:50.460 --> 00:52:51.439
 you can be

00:52:51.439 --> 00:52:51.799
 rich

00:52:51.799 --> 00:52:52.439
 you can be

00:52:52.439 --> 00:52:52.839
 low

00:52:52.839 --> 00:52:53.639
 you can be

00:52:53.639 --> 00:52:54.039
 high

00:52:54.039 --> 00:52:55.339
 you can be

00:52:55.339 --> 00:52:55.799
 sick

00:52:55.799 --> 00:52:56.619
 you can be

00:52:56.619 --> 00:52:57.119
 healthy

00:52:57.119 --> 00:52:59.559
 and you can

00:52:59.559 --> 00:53:00.899
 still rejoice

00:53:00.899 --> 00:53:01.919
 in Jesus

00:53:01.919 --> 00:53:04.000
 you can still

00:53:04.000 --> 00:53:04.960
 enjoy

00:53:04.960 --> 00:53:06.099
 Jesus

00:53:06.099 --> 00:53:10.319
 whatever

00:53:10.319 --> 00:53:11.379
 my lot

00:53:11.379 --> 00:53:13.099
 my heart

00:53:13.099 --> 00:53:13.460
 has learned

00:53:13.460 --> 00:53:14.019
 to say

00:53:14.019 --> 00:53:15.679
 it is

00:53:15.679 --> 00:53:16.019
 well

00:53:16.019 --> 00:53:17.159
 it is

00:53:17.159 --> 00:53:17.460
 well

00:53:17.460 --> 00:53:18.719
 with my

00:53:18.719 --> 00:53:19.019
 soul

00:53:19.019 --> 00:53:22.579
 why?

00:53:22.719 --> 00:53:22.940
 Because

00:53:22.940 --> 00:53:23.460
 Jesus

00:53:23.460 --> 00:53:24.500
 laid down

00:53:24.500 --> 00:53:24.940
 his life

00:53:24.940 --> 00:53:25.280
 for us

00:53:25.280 --> 00:53:25.500
 on the

00:53:25.500 --> 00:53:25.800
 cross

00:53:25.800 --> 00:53:29.800
 why did

00:53:29.800 --> 00:53:30.079
 he die

00:53:30.079 --> 00:53:30.480
 for our

00:53:30.480 --> 00:53:30.719
 sins

00:53:30.719 --> 00:53:31.019
 on the

00:53:31.019 --> 00:53:31.340
 cross

00:53:31.340 --> 00:53:32.000
 we read

00:53:32.000 --> 00:53:32.280
 earlier

00:53:32.280 --> 00:53:32.739
 that Jesus

00:53:32.739 --> 00:53:33.159
 became

00:53:33.159 --> 00:53:33.519
 poor

00:53:33.519 --> 00:53:33.820
 so that

00:53:33.820 --> 00:53:34.159
 we in

00:53:34.159 --> 00:53:34.300
 our

00:53:34.300 --> 00:53:34.639
 poverty

00:53:34.639 --> 00:53:34.860
 might

00:53:34.860 --> 00:53:35.239
 become

00:53:35.239 --> 00:53:35.980
 rich

00:53:35.980 --> 00:53:36.679
 Jesus

00:53:36.679 --> 00:53:37.179
 died

00:53:37.179 --> 00:53:37.420
 on the

00:53:37.420 --> 00:53:37.659
 cross

00:53:37.659 --> 00:53:38.079
 for our

00:53:38.079 --> 00:53:38.440
 sins

00:53:38.440 --> 00:53:39.159
 so that

00:53:39.159 --> 00:53:39.679
 he can

00:53:39.679 --> 00:53:40.219
 give to

00:53:40.219 --> 00:53:40.639
 us

00:53:40.639 --> 00:53:41.139
 a

00:53:41.139 --> 00:53:41.500
 heavenly

00:53:41.500 --> 00:53:42.099
 inheritance

00:53:42.099 --> 00:53:43.199
 that is

00:53:43.199 --> 00:53:44.179
 imperishable

00:53:44.179 --> 00:53:45.480
 that is

00:53:45.480 --> 00:53:46.539
 unfading

00:53:46.539 --> 00:53:48.199
 kept in

00:53:48.199 --> 00:53:48.460
 heaven

00:53:48.460 --> 00:53:49.119
 for us

00:53:49.119 --> 00:53:50.179
 as it

00:53:50.179 --> 00:53:50.480
 says in

00:53:50.480 --> 00:53:51.199
 1 Peter 1

00:53:51.199 --> 00:53:53.699
 because we

00:53:53.699 --> 00:53:54.299
 have that

00:53:54.299 --> 00:53:54.879
 we can

00:53:54.879 --> 00:53:56.059
 always rejoice

00:53:56.059 --> 00:53:57.059
 in the

00:53:57.059 --> 00:53:57.319
 Lord

00:53:57.320 --> 00:54:01.559
 the Westminster

00:54:01.559 --> 00:54:02.000
 shorter

00:54:02.000 --> 00:54:02.539
 catechism

00:54:02.539 --> 00:54:02.980
 asks

00:54:02.980 --> 00:54:03.480
 what is

00:54:03.480 --> 00:54:03.880
 the chief

00:54:03.880 --> 00:54:04.260
 end of

00:54:04.260 --> 00:54:04.519
 man

00:54:04.519 --> 00:54:06.680
 and it

00:54:06.680 --> 00:54:07.140
 answers

00:54:07.140 --> 00:54:08.539
 man's

00:54:08.539 --> 00:54:08.880
 chief

00:54:08.880 --> 00:54:09.280
 end

00:54:09.280 --> 00:54:09.720
 is to

00:54:09.720 --> 00:54:10.220
 glorify

00:54:10.220 --> 00:54:10.660
 God

00:54:10.660 --> 00:54:11.580
 and to

00:54:11.580 --> 00:54:12.400
 enjoy

00:54:12.400 --> 00:54:12.860
 him

00:54:12.860 --> 00:54:13.420
 forever

00:54:13.420 --> 00:54:17.140
 that is

00:54:17.140 --> 00:54:17.880
 our lot

00:54:17.880 --> 00:54:19.000
 as Christians

00:54:19.000 --> 00:54:20.019
 and that is

00:54:20.019 --> 00:54:20.300
 our

00:54:20.300 --> 00:54:21.220
 greatest

00:54:21.220 --> 00:54:21.700
 privilege

00:54:21.699 --> 00:54:23.819
 so let's

00:54:23.819 --> 00:54:24.519
 enjoy

00:54:24.519 --> 00:54:25.219
 Jesus

00:54:25.219 --> 00:54:27.199
 and forsake

00:54:27.199 --> 00:54:27.559
 the vain

00:54:27.559 --> 00:54:27.980
 pursuit

00:54:27.980 --> 00:54:28.579
 of wealth

00:54:28.579 --> 00:54:29.319
 let's pray

00:54:29.319 --> 00:54:29.659
 together