WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.780 big week for generosity in our country. Mining magnate Andrew Forrest gathered the media and 00:00:07.780 --> 00:00:12.800 politicians and anyone else who would listen and announced that he was going to give away 00:00:12.800 --> 00:00:21.199 $400 million of his personal fortune to a variety of charities and needs around the country. 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:28.640 It will be the largest single donation by a living person in Australian history. 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:35.500 Prime Minister Turnbull declared that the donation was an extraordinary act and an example 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:43.219 of love and generosity and leadership. And Forrest went on to say himself that all of us who have done 00:00:43.219 --> 00:00:50.019 well in life have been blessed by good fortune and so the generous person, the loving person, 00:00:50.480 --> 00:00:58.620 gives back. It's a large amount of money, $400 million, and for some great causes, 00:00:58.640 --> 00:01:06.680 and there is a bunch of good reasons, I think, to give thanks for such a large injection of funds. 00:01:07.640 --> 00:01:13.519 I'm not sure if the timing was worked out by him or someone else, but three days after the 00:01:13.519 --> 00:01:21.460 announcement of his $400 million donation, the Australian Financial Review released its annual 00:01:21.459 --> 00:01:30.599 rich list. Andrew Forrest ranks as the sixth wealthiest Australian with a personal fortune of $6.84 billion. 00:01:32.559 --> 00:01:39.419 Forrest said that now that he was in a better financial position, he was able to be generous. 00:01:40.780 --> 00:01:48.799 That's what I would call an understatement. If he was in that moment, which of course they never do, 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:54.079 it's always pledged to give down the track, but if he in that moment decided to whip out his 00:01:54.079 --> 00:02:01.379 checkbook or his Amex, gold, platinum, Amex card, whatever it is he's got, and sign over $400 million, 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:13.460 he would still have $6.44 billion left and he wouldn't slip a ranking in the Australian rich list. 00:02:13.460 --> 00:02:21.640 Forrest's statement that he's, now that those who have, that he's financially secure, he can afford now 00:02:21.640 --> 00:02:30.980 to give, is how most Australians operate and it's the assumption of Christians as well. The assumption 00:02:30.980 --> 00:02:38.879 is that we cannot afford to help. It's in fact one of the largest roadblocks to us doing what we've been 00:02:38.879 --> 00:02:44.039 encouraging to do and that is love our neighbour. It's what the Bible calls us to do. In fact, 00:02:44.599 --> 00:02:54.439 if you look at research in this country, there are the two top reasons why people only give $200 a year 00:02:54.439 --> 00:03:02.759 annually. On average, $200 a year annually to charities in this country. Reason number one, 00:03:02.759 --> 00:03:08.719 that they're not sure that the people who are going to be the recipients are actually going to abuse it. 00:03:08.919 --> 00:03:15.419 That's number one. We dealt with that a couple of weeks ago. And secondly, the second reason, 00:03:16.359 --> 00:03:25.519 can't afford to give. Maybe that's the assumption that you work with. Now I noticed, having looked at 00:03:25.520 --> 00:03:35.140 the AFRs and your rich list, that I wasn't on it. Came as no surprise. I am, however, on the global rich list. 00:03:35.540 --> 00:03:42.320 That may be a surprise, but so are you on the global rich list. If you go to the website, global rich list, 00:03:42.780 --> 00:03:53.320 you can actually type in your income or alternatively your assets and push the button and it will 00:03:53.319 --> 00:04:00.799 calculate for you your global financial position. I'd encourage you to do it after service for all 00:04:00.799 --> 00:04:12.579 you people reaching for your devices right now. Now Nat and I are ranked as the 5,398,394th richest 00:04:12.579 --> 00:04:22.659 people in the world in terms of income. That is, Nat and I are in the top 0.09% of the wealthiest people 00:04:22.660 --> 00:04:31.720 in the world in terms of the population. That is, there's 7.5 billion people who look up to me and 00:04:31.720 --> 00:04:40.740 go, I wish I was Steve. Well, technically, but... And yet a financial advisor on the North Shore 00:04:40.740 --> 00:04:48.440 recently said to Nat and I, Steve, you're a pastor. Nat, you're a teacher. You're not giving me much 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:58.860 to work with here. You see, when Jesus speaks about rich people, he's not talking about the 00:04:58.860 --> 00:05:04.459 Andrew Forrest of the world. He's certainly including them, but he's talking about people 00:05:04.459 --> 00:05:12.620 like me and you. If you're a student, for instance, you know, university student, you're living off 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:19.480 the government. They're paying you, you know, an allowance to be a student. You are in the top 16% 00:05:19.480 --> 00:05:25.280 of wealthiest people in the world. He's talking about you as well. 00:05:27.639 --> 00:05:32.220 Now the parable of the Good Samaritan, Luke 10, being the foundation text for our mission month for 00:05:32.220 --> 00:05:37.340 the last five weeks. The purpose of the parable of the Good Samaritan is to answer the law expert's 00:05:37.339 --> 00:05:46.699 question, who is my neighbor? And we are told, well, this is not the only question he was asking. 00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:52.239 He was also asking, what must I do to inherit eternal life, you know? And so who is my neighbor? 00:05:52.719 --> 00:05:59.779 And we are told the man was seeking to justify himself. He wanted Jesus to reduce the command 00:05:59.779 --> 00:06:06.899 to love your neighbor down to a attainable limit. Just make it easy for me to do this, Jesus. 00:06:06.899 --> 00:06:18.019 Jesus responds with this story that makes the Samaritan, the bitter enemy of the Jews, the hero. 00:06:19.419 --> 00:06:26.979 This is a Samaritan. Two senior Jewish people walk past. It's a Samaritan who gives aid. And Jesus' 00:06:27.239 --> 00:06:32.819 answer is clear. There is no limits to who is your neighbor. There is no limits to mercy. 00:06:32.819 --> 00:06:44.980 And we are told to love in word and deed anyone we find in need. That is the standard that the love of God requires. 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:53.039 That's the standard that the law of God requires in terms of our love. It's a standard which is unattainable. 00:06:53.040 --> 00:07:02.480 And as I said a couple of weeks ago, you see, Jesus' true goal was to show this law expert that he was in fact a man of deep poverty. 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:14.200 In order for this man to recognize that he needed to seek spiritual riches in the mercy of God. 00:07:14.199 --> 00:07:21.060 So what's this mercy that Jesus has prepared this law expert for? 00:07:21.959 --> 00:07:22.819 Here it is. 00:07:23.879 --> 00:07:26.740 All of humanity. This is what I said two weeks ago. I'm just repeating what I'm saying. 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:31.899 All of humanity is like that man beaten on the road, lying in their own blood. 00:07:32.500 --> 00:07:33.740 They are awaiting death. 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:38.060 In fact, the Bible says that we're already spiritually dead. 00:07:38.199 --> 00:07:39.480 We are spiritually bankrupt. 00:07:39.759 --> 00:07:40.460 We are lost. 00:07:40.600 --> 00:07:44.879 We've got no power to bargain our way out or to deal out of that situation. 00:07:45.540 --> 00:07:51.639 And yet so God comes in and he provides spiritual health and wealth and healing and life. 00:07:51.639 --> 00:07:55.819 And the way he does it by putting his son on the road, he swaps places. 00:07:55.819 --> 00:08:11.699 He impoverished his son, the Lord Jesus, on a cross so that all of the riches and the health and the righteousness and the life of Jesus is given to those, transferred to those who trust in Jesus. 00:08:12.339 --> 00:08:17.699 2 Corinthians 5.21 reveals the merciful transaction really clearly for us. 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:18.240 It said, 00:08:18.240 --> 00:08:24.500 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteous of God. 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:25.860 God swaps. 00:08:27.379 --> 00:08:32.899 A couple of chapters later in 2 Corinthians, Paul puts it in economic terms. 00:08:33.980 --> 00:08:46.980 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor so that you through his poverty might become rich. 00:08:46.980 --> 00:09:00.240 You see, the foundational core element of the Christian faith is that though Paul, spiritually bankrupt, dead, we've been made alive, we've been made rich in the mercy of God through the Lord Jesus. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:01.480 It's not something that we've done. 00:09:01.560 --> 00:09:02.379 We haven't earned it for ourselves. 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:03.480 We have bargained for it. 00:09:04.000 --> 00:09:05.680 God has just graciously given it to us. 00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:35.659 God has just graciously given it to us. 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:37.079 God has just graciously given it to us. 00:09:37.079 --> 00:09:37.500 God has just graciously given it to us. 00:09:38.139 --> 00:09:50.379 You see, when a Christian, as we just referred to here in the Grace Ministries, when a Christian sees a prostitute, when they see an alcoholic, when they see the prisoners, when they see the drug addicts, when they see the homeless and the refugees, 00:09:50.379 --> 00:09:59.460 when they see the broken, when they see the broken, when they see the destitute, they know in that moment they're looking in the mirror. 00:10:00.519 --> 00:10:01.320 It doesn't care. 00:10:01.419 --> 00:10:03.439 It doesn't matter how well off you are. 00:10:03.580 --> 00:10:06.159 It doesn't, you know, you lived your whole life in upper middle class. 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:08.879 You know spiritually that's me. 00:10:09.539 --> 00:10:12.019 I am destitute, broken and helpless. 00:10:12.019 --> 00:10:15.120 I need someone to intervene for me. 00:10:16.539 --> 00:10:22.000 And the second powerful effect that the gospel of grace has on a person is it creates a life of radical generosity. 00:10:24.179 --> 00:10:25.759 That's my focus tonight. 00:10:25.759 --> 00:10:31.679 But the aid that the Samaritan rendered the injured man was expensive. 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:33.840 Luke 10.35 says, 00:10:33.840 --> 00:10:49.460 So we know that he clearly ignored his schedule in order to help. 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:57.480 Wherever he was heading on that particular day along the Jericho Road, he didn't get there because he ended up in a hotel looking after this broken bloke. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:02.960 He also risked his own safety to stop on such a dangerous road. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:03.320 Who know? 00:11:03.399 --> 00:11:08.460 The robbers are waiting for someone to offer some help and they're going to pounce on him as well. 00:11:09.139 --> 00:11:12.279 He took the man to a hotel where he cared for him during the night. 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:16.800 The next day he goes to the hotel manager and says, 00:11:17.680 --> 00:11:20.300 Book the room for as long as the guy needs to recover. 00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:27.719 Bring him his breakfast in bed and lunch and dinner and whatever it needed for him to recover. 00:11:28.939 --> 00:11:34.500 Basically, what we're seeing here is his mercy was open-handed because it says, 00:11:34.740 --> 00:11:39.539 When I return, I'll reverse you for any extra expense you may have. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:40.919 Open checkbook. 00:11:46.039 --> 00:11:47.199 Open checkbook. 00:11:50.299 --> 00:11:50.740 Open checkbook. 00:11:51.459 --> 00:11:57.139 It's a picture of the limitless nature of God's mercy towards us. 00:12:02.139 --> 00:12:09.519 Now, the past number of weeks, we have been looking at this issue to love your neighbor. 00:12:09.639 --> 00:12:11.539 What does it mean to love your neighbor? 00:12:12.579 --> 00:12:18.639 And far from trying to narrow it, it's actually broadening what it means to love our neighbor. 00:12:18.639 --> 00:12:25.019 And there should be one big question for us as we get to week five. 00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:34.639 And that is, is it possible for us to actually love our neighbor, to fulfill this biblical mandate without altering our lifestyles? 00:12:38.139 --> 00:12:45.460 Schedules, security, comfort, financial commitments ultimately get in the way of us loving our neighbor. 00:12:45.460 --> 00:12:49.580 Christians are no different than the rest of Australian society. 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:52.320 Can I actually afford it? 00:12:52.320 --> 00:13:04.200 Our lifestyle, I want to suggest, gets in the way and our lifestyles need to change if we are to fulfill the biblical mandate to love our neighbor. 00:13:05.180 --> 00:13:11.080 Now, over the years, there have been many proponents of Christians adopting a simple lifestyle. 00:13:11.080 --> 00:13:18.460 Proposably the most famous historical model was John Wesley. 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:25.660 When Wesley died, his estate consisted of one coat and two silver spoons. 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:28.180 One coat and two silver spoons. 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:34.080 The government knew that he had an enormous amount of income coming in. 00:13:34.080 --> 00:13:46.580 In fact, the sale of his sermons and his books meant that he earned as much as 1,400 pounds annually towards the latter stage of his life, 00:13:46.720 --> 00:13:51.900 which in today's terms is $331,000 Australian dollars a year. 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:54.879 That's how much he was earning. 00:13:54.879 --> 00:14:08.279 And so the government knew that and they were kind of concerned that he was squirreling it away somewhere rather than paying taxes on all this stuff or something, 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.039 squirreling it away. 00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:14.399 So they ordered him and said, and the order came back, he's got one coat and two silver spoons. 00:14:14.679 --> 00:14:15.460 And they said, that's ridiculous. 00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:18.799 He must have silverware somewhere. 00:14:18.799 --> 00:14:23.459 And they kept pursuing him and discovered he actually had one coat and two silver spoons. 00:14:24.579 --> 00:14:25.679 And that was part of his proposal. 00:14:25.839 --> 00:14:28.539 What he wrote back to the government, I got one in London and one in Bristol. 00:14:29.399 --> 00:14:31.079 One spoon here, one spoon there. 00:14:33.679 --> 00:14:40.740 And when his income increased 40-fold over the years, his lifestyle didn't change. 00:14:40.740 --> 00:14:49.620 Unlike us, where our ambition is to get to higher and higher levels of lifestyle, greater levels of comfort. 00:14:50.919 --> 00:14:55.820 He was able to maintain the cost of his living at 40 pounds a year throughout the course of his life. 00:14:56.220 --> 00:15:01.620 That's $10,000 Australian dollars a year, even when his income was $331,000 a year. 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:09.840 He gave in excess of, in today's terms, something like $7,500,000 away. 00:15:10.740 --> 00:15:13.320 He once wrote, 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:18.279 That's when I'm diet dead and it's in my will. 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:26.620 If I leave behind 10 pounds, you and all of mankind can bear witness against me that I lived and I died a thief and a robber. 00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:32.379 In a sermon on Matthew 6, Aad 19-23, 00:15:32.379 --> 00:16:00.299 Your silence tells me this message is really important for us to hear. 00:16:00.299 --> 00:16:06.219 The idea of a simple lifestyle wasn't just confined to Wesley. 00:16:06.359 --> 00:16:10.299 It's the common teaching in the evangelical churches of the 18th and 19th century. 00:16:10.299 --> 00:16:18.639 The great hymn writer and pastor John Newton was writing to a young husband who was seeking advice from Newton about, 00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:20.379 How much should I give to the poor? 00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:31.639 And Newton firstly expresses his displeasure at the way that Christians and non-Christians handle their money in exactly the same way. 00:16:32.039 --> 00:16:34.220 There's almost no difference in the way they handle their money. 00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:35.159 He wrote, 00:16:35.159 --> 00:17:05.159 00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:16.480 Newton then went on to urge a simple lifestyle with this young husband. 00:17:16.480 --> 00:17:46.460 Number one, 00:17:46.460 --> 00:18:00.220 Hebrews 13.5 says, 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:14.799 We cannot be happy if we are not free from the love of money and from covetousness, 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:21.539 which is defined as a continual drive to increase our standard of living. 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:26.380 A continual drive to keep up with the Joneses, whoever they are. 00:18:26.380 --> 00:18:30.420 All the forests. 00:18:32.760 --> 00:18:38.000 Now Hebrews 13 is not very specific in terms of understanding what a standard of living is. 00:18:38.260 --> 00:18:42.360 1 Timothy 6, which Jimmy read out for us, is more specific. 00:18:42.520 --> 00:18:42.740 It says, 00:18:42.740 --> 00:19:01.700 Now some would suggest that food and clothing instead of food, sorry, it's more food and shelter instead of food and clothing is a better translation. 00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:04.039 But I think you can roll three of those things in if you like. 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:17.880 Paul is saying here that we need a lifestyle, I think fundamentally, which is sufficient enough to preserve our health in order that we might pursue the good deeds which God has prepared in advance for us to do. 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:31.140 A lifestyle where we don't live beyond our means, which is the standard practice in this country. 00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:37.020 We are getting more and more and more in debt to try and keep up with the Joneses. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:46.120 The average Australian is spending 8% of their income just, just in bank interest. 00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.720 Not even reducing the debt. 00:19:49.220 --> 00:19:50.720 Just in bank interest. 00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:58.279 So it's not living beyond our means, which is our habit. 00:19:58.799 --> 00:20:07.279 And it's not living within our means, which generations older than me used to say, like my parents, you've got to learn to live within your means. 00:20:07.380 --> 00:20:08.779 They've got to learn to live within their means. 00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:12.299 What the Bible is saying, no, no, live below your means. 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:17.079 Not within your means, below your means. 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:23.319 And with that, it says we can be satisfied, we can be content. 00:20:23.439 --> 00:20:28.599 The word content occurs in both Hebrews 13 and 1 Timothy 6. 00:20:29.139 --> 00:20:32.259 It's a word that means genuine soul satisfaction. 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.319 There is no anxiety. 00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:42.139 There's no gnawing regret or resentment towards people who have what you don't have. 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:48.620 The difference between the Christian and the non-Christian is a trust in God for material provision. 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:54.480 2 Corinthians 9, 6 and 8 and 9 is explicit in this. 00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:54.800 It says, 00:20:54.799 --> 00:21:23.399 Now, that doesn't mean that the Christian has got no motivation for making money and increasing their income. 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:26.320 I believe there's good motivation for it. 00:21:27.160 --> 00:21:29.300 There's at least two that I can think of. 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:33.480 Firstly, there is the pursuit of excellence in your work. 00:21:34.340 --> 00:21:36.340 The Bible calls us to be skillful. 00:21:37.040 --> 00:21:44.700 It calls us to work hard as his disciples in a way that glorifies him and in a way that loves our neighbor. 00:21:46.040 --> 00:21:51.340 And what often happens is that income increases with hard work. 00:21:51.339 --> 00:21:54.359 That doesn't always happen, especially if you work for the government. 00:21:54.779 --> 00:22:00.639 But income increases with hard work. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.379 But it's a consequence. 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.319 It's not the motive. 00:22:07.759 --> 00:22:08.720 It's the consequence. 00:22:11.099 --> 00:22:13.299 Proverbs 23, 4 says, 00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:15.759 Do not wear yourself out to get rich. 00:22:16.119 --> 00:22:18.399 In other words, don't work hard to get rich. 00:22:19.379 --> 00:22:22.000 Work hard to glorify God and love your neighbor and riches may follow. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:29.480 The second motive to increase income is to be fruitful in good works. 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:36.700 Paul was referring to the thieves who had become Christians when he wrote in Ephesians 4, 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:51.660 So what he's saying there is work and money, 00:22:52.660 --> 00:22:59.680 and it's accumulated strictly for doing good works of mercy and spreading the gospel of the Lord Jesus. 00:22:59.680 --> 00:23:05.880 Matthew 6 makes it clear that wealth is not to be stored up for ourselves. 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:11.360 And so some of us may be sitting here and go, 00:23:11.600 --> 00:23:13.220 Well, what then? 00:23:14.060 --> 00:23:18.519 You know, if I just go home now and disperse it all? 00:23:18.519 --> 00:23:24.480 And for those who don't have any disperse, 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:28.220 maybe looking at those who do, or you suspect they do, 00:23:29.299 --> 00:23:30.240 and you're thinking, 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:32.180 Well, there's a wicked person. 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:35.740 There's a lack of love and mercy. 00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:40.519 I don't think the Bible supports either idea. 00:23:42.579 --> 00:23:45.059 The Bible tells us several things about wealth. 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:50.259 Firstly, 1 Timothy 6.9 says that those who want to get rich fall into a trap. 00:23:51.319 --> 00:23:53.379 And yet, in the same chapter, 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:54.419 it says, 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:57.679 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, 00:23:57.819 --> 00:24:00.819 nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, 00:24:00.919 --> 00:24:02.339 but to put their hope in God, 00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:06.399 who richly provides us with everything good for our enjoyment. 00:24:07.440 --> 00:24:10.019 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, 00:24:10.059 --> 00:24:11.679 and to be generous and willing to share. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:16.440 In this way, they will lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, 00:24:16.560 --> 00:24:19.500 so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 00:24:20.140 --> 00:24:22.000 What Paul doesn't do in 1 Timothy, 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:23.820 he doesn't say, 00:24:23.940 --> 00:24:26.539 You rich people, stop being rich. 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.460 Stop it. 00:24:29.640 --> 00:24:30.460 He doesn't say that. 00:24:32.060 --> 00:24:36.039 He does, however, want them to think biblically about their wealth. 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:39.000 He tells them that God gives the wealth, 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:41.220 and so the rich should not become arrogant. 00:24:41.220 --> 00:24:42.880 I think that's difficult for us to do. 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:45.960 We often think that we get rich because I've been really smart, 00:24:46.400 --> 00:24:47.600 made some really wise investments, 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:48.480 I've worked really hard, 00:24:48.539 --> 00:24:51.559 and so I've got here and I've deserved it. 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:57.140 The biblical perspective is that hard work and those efforts, 00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.079 those abilities, 00:24:58.860 --> 00:25:00.500 have been provided by God, 00:25:01.200 --> 00:25:03.960 and are the means by which wealth is accumulated. 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:06.140 And then in verse 18, 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:11.740 he tells the rich people to use their money so as to be rich in good deeds. 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:15.900 Now, this is not mere tokenism here. 00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:20.579 This directly echoes Jesus from Luke 12. 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.079 He says, 00:25:21.160 --> 00:25:23.240 Sell all your possessions and give to the poor. 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:26.400 Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, 00:25:26.440 --> 00:25:28.140 a treasure in heaven that will never fail, 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:31.960 where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 00:25:34.800 --> 00:25:36.880 And again, in Matthew 13, 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:38.540 he issues a very strong warning. 00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:40.160 He said, 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:58.000 So my prayer for you right now, 00:25:58.320 --> 00:25:59.320 in the depths of my heart, 00:26:00.400 --> 00:26:06.180 is that Satan will not steal that word that's being planted right now 00:26:06.180 --> 00:26:08.420 because of the deceitfulness of wealth. 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:14.960 Disposable wealth not put to use in God's work 00:26:14.960 --> 00:26:19.540 will threaten the very roots of a person's spiritual life. 00:26:20.080 --> 00:26:22.460 That's how strong the warning is from Jesus. 00:26:24.560 --> 00:26:27.519 What we must conclude from both Jesus and Paul 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:30.460 is that while there may be rich Christians, 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:34.640 there's no argument against rich Christians. 00:26:36.140 --> 00:26:37.680 While there might be rich, 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:39.900 there should, in fact, I think, be rich Christians, 00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:43.900 there should not be rich living Christians. 00:26:46.240 --> 00:26:49.680 Middle and upper income Christians are not required to give away 00:26:49.680 --> 00:26:51.200 all of their money and their assets, 00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:54.100 but they must invest in good deeds 00:26:54.100 --> 00:26:56.140 rather than in their own comfort. 00:26:57.300 --> 00:27:00.180 You see, a good steward of the Lord knows that wealth, 00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:03.080 if it is held and managed properly, 00:27:03.720 --> 00:27:07.820 will produce more good deeds over a long period of time 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:11.579 than someone who has a pang of guilt and signs it all away. 00:27:13.399 --> 00:27:15.339 They know that that's the impact. 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.539 But be careful. 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.700 Be careful when you hang on to it. 00:27:21.740 --> 00:27:22.960 You're hanging on to hot coals 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:24.559 and they burn. 00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:29.419 Matthew 6, 19 says that wealth is wrong 00:27:29.419 --> 00:27:32.639 if it's spent on comfort and security. 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:36.200 It's wrong and it's destructive if we build it up 00:27:36.200 --> 00:27:37.679 so that we can say, 00:27:37.879 --> 00:27:40.940 as the man in Luke 12, 19 says, 00:27:40.940 --> 00:27:45.059 you've got plenty of grain laid up for many years. 00:27:45.220 --> 00:27:48.140 Take life easy, eat, drink and be merry. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:51.799 And that very night, his life was demanded of him 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:52.700 and God said to him, 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:55.759 you fool, you idiot. 00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:04.400 Notice though that the call here to be content, 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:07.660 to live a moderate lifestyle 00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:10.480 is written to both the affluent 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:13.759 and those who have little in 1 Timothy 6. 00:28:13.800 --> 00:28:14.700 It's written to both of them. 00:28:17.060 --> 00:28:19.740 1 Timothy 6, 6-8 instructs the poor 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:22.380 not to resent their lack of riches, 00:28:23.380 --> 00:28:28.780 but in fact to be content in their modest economic state. 00:28:28.779 --> 00:28:32.859 And his appeal instructs the rich 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:34.019 not to be proud, 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:38.799 but to voluntarily be satisfied 00:28:38.799 --> 00:28:42.579 with a more modest standard of living. 00:28:44.220 --> 00:28:45.599 It's to both. 00:28:48.399 --> 00:28:50.940 So let's try and get some balance. 00:28:52.460 --> 00:28:56.500 Two principles on a balanced lifestyle. 00:28:56.500 --> 00:29:00.220 Firstly, in terms of loving our neighbour, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:01.660 what does it look like to love our neighbour? 00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:04.119 I'm convinced that loving your neighbour 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:06.099 requires us to give 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:08.859 until we feel the burden of our neighbour. 00:29:12.259 --> 00:29:14.579 The 17th century American pastor 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:16.079 and theologian Jonathan Edwards 00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:19.460 gave a very vivid illustration on this issue. 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:21.700 Because interesting, back in those days, 00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:23.859 he was confronted with a bunch of people 00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:24.819 saying the exact same thing, 00:29:24.819 --> 00:29:25.539 they can't afford to give. 00:29:27.039 --> 00:29:27.579 He says, 00:29:27.660 --> 00:29:30.880 a poor man's walking along with a burden 00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:34.660 and it's a burden of discomfort and inconvenience. 00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:37.200 And when a Christian comes along 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:39.099 and says to that poor man, 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:41.400 I can't afford to help you, poor man. 00:29:43.500 --> 00:29:44.839 They're actually saying, 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:47.119 in that moment to that poor man, 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:48.779 if I was to help you, poor man, 00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:50.619 I would have to take some of your burden 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.359 off your back 00:29:51.359 --> 00:29:52.720 and put your burden on my back. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:56.620 I'd have to carry some of your burden for you. 00:29:58.100 --> 00:29:59.539 And I can't afford to do that. 00:30:02.620 --> 00:30:03.799 And Edward says, 00:30:03.940 --> 00:30:04.319 Christian, 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.860 is that not the point? 00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:09.059 That's exactly what you're called to do. 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:10.440 Is that not what Jesus has done? 00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:14.279 Didn't he come into this world, 00:30:14.400 --> 00:30:16.640 take the burden of our sin upon himself, 00:30:17.740 --> 00:30:18.820 take it to the cross? 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:26.679 What he's saying there is that 00:30:26.679 --> 00:30:30.559 if I was to help you, poor man, 00:30:30.700 --> 00:30:32.859 it would require me to come into my lifestyle. 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:34.779 And Edward says, 00:30:34.879 --> 00:30:36.159 that's exactly the point. 00:30:37.839 --> 00:30:40.019 That's exactly what the Christian's called to do. 00:30:42.279 --> 00:30:43.039 In other words, 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:44.359 some of the poor man's burden 00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:47.339 is going to slither over onto me, the helper. 00:30:47.959 --> 00:30:50.279 This means the helper would not be able to 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:52.719 take the vacation that they want 00:30:52.719 --> 00:30:54.719 by the car that they desire. 00:30:56.000 --> 00:30:57.000 And Edward would say, 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:58.579 that's exactly the point. 00:30:59.159 --> 00:31:02.279 That's exactly what the Bible's calling us to live out. 00:31:03.379 --> 00:31:04.979 If you're giving to the needy, 00:31:05.019 --> 00:31:05.919 does not burden you 00:31:05.919 --> 00:31:07.859 or cut into your lifestyle in any way, 00:31:08.759 --> 00:31:09.279 Edward says, 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:10.359 you just got to give more. 00:31:11.679 --> 00:31:12.740 You got to give more. 00:31:14.500 --> 00:31:15.500 That's why he says 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:17.939 there should be no poor Christians in the church. 00:31:21.099 --> 00:31:22.579 I think what Edwards would say 00:31:22.579 --> 00:31:24.719 is you can give away $400 million 00:31:24.719 --> 00:31:28.719 and it will do a great deal of good. 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:32.579 But if it hasn't done a dent in your life, 00:31:32.579 --> 00:31:34.399 or made any sort of dent in your lifestyle, 00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:36.000 if you don't in any way 00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:37.839 take on the burden of those 00:31:37.839 --> 00:31:39.220 who are giving the money to, 00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:42.079 then you can call it big, 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:44.379 you can call it kindness, 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:47.740 but you cannot call it radical generosity, 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:54.259 which is a value that we have in this church. 00:31:54.259 --> 00:31:59.720 You cannot call it biblical generosity. 00:32:01.799 --> 00:32:03.220 This is the biblical principle 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:05.740 that has ramifications for every one of us. 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:07.519 Edwards would say to the family 00:32:07.519 --> 00:32:09.299 that can give away 10% of their income 00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:12.480 without denting any of their lifestyle at all, 00:32:12.799 --> 00:32:14.059 must in fact give more. 00:32:16.039 --> 00:32:17.420 This is a word, I think, 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:18.819 to those who suggest 00:32:18.819 --> 00:32:20.539 that all they need to do 00:32:20.539 --> 00:32:21.759 is give 10% of their income, 00:32:21.819 --> 00:32:22.980 they don't need to give any more than that. 00:32:24.259 --> 00:32:26.839 Bearing in mind that research shows 00:32:26.839 --> 00:32:29.180 that only 5% of us can ever claim that 00:32:29.180 --> 00:32:31.960 because only 5% of Christians 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:33.720 actually give 10%. 00:32:33.720 --> 00:32:34.839 It's interesting, 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:35.680 in the United States 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.980 where the tithing is big, 00:32:37.140 --> 00:32:38.059 really, really big, 00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:39.779 90% of Christians, 00:32:39.859 --> 00:32:41.220 evangelical Christians in the United States, 00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:43.700 say that they believe 00:32:43.700 --> 00:32:44.940 in the biblical principle of tithing. 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:48.119 5% of them actually do it, 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:49.859 which means 5% of them 00:32:49.859 --> 00:32:50.519 actually believe 00:32:50.519 --> 00:32:51.619 in the biblical principle of tithing. 00:32:51.619 --> 00:32:57.099 The principle is this, 00:32:57.159 --> 00:32:57.959 how can a person 00:32:57.959 --> 00:32:59.519 who makes 500 grand a year 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:01.500 spend $450,000 on their home, 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.339 their wardrobe, 00:33:02.459 --> 00:33:02.939 their holidays, 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:03.559 their possessions 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.939 in light of 1 Timothy 6, 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:06.279 Hebrews 13, 00:33:06.459 --> 00:33:07.919 and Galatians 6.2. 00:33:08.159 --> 00:33:09.239 That's the argument 00:33:09.239 --> 00:33:11.359 of John Piper in America. 00:33:11.599 --> 00:33:12.519 He wrote this, 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:14.220 It is a biblical truth 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:15.180 beyond all dispute. 00:33:15.339 --> 00:33:17.200 All of your money is God's. 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:18.299 Psalm 24.1 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:20.960 And has been loaned to you, 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.319 to me, 00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:24.180 as a steward 00:33:24.180 --> 00:33:25.920 to use in ways 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:26.920 that maximize 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:28.200 the glorification 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.240 of God's mercy 00:33:29.240 --> 00:33:30.220 in this world. 00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:31.839 That's Matthew 25, 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.779 14 to 30. 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.720 And it is irrational 00:33:34.720 --> 00:33:35.440 to think 00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:37.180 that giving 10% 00:33:37.180 --> 00:33:37.980 of that money 00:33:37.980 --> 00:33:38.859 to church 00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:40.299 settles the issue 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:41.180 on good stewardship. 00:33:41.180 --> 00:33:43.019 in a world 00:33:43.019 --> 00:33:44.900 of such immense need 00:33:44.900 --> 00:33:46.259 and in a country 00:33:46.259 --> 00:33:48.259 of such immense luxury 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:50.340 and under the commission 00:33:50.340 --> 00:33:52.519 of such a powerful Lord, 00:33:53.600 --> 00:33:56.740 the issue of Christian stewardship 00:33:56.740 --> 00:33:57.519 is not, 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.440 should I tithe 00:33:58.440 --> 00:33:59.580 or should I not tithe? 00:34:00.799 --> 00:34:01.480 But rather, 00:34:02.259 --> 00:34:03.060 how much 00:34:03.060 --> 00:34:05.700 of God's trust fund 00:34:05.700 --> 00:34:07.860 dare I use 00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:09.280 to surround myself 00:34:09.280 --> 00:34:10.340 in comforts? 00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:12.379 That's the issue. 00:34:14.299 --> 00:34:15.500 That's the first thing. 00:34:16.639 --> 00:34:17.399 We need to give 00:34:17.399 --> 00:34:18.059 until we feel 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.460 the burden 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.099 of the needy. 00:34:21.339 --> 00:34:22.000 Secondly, 00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:25.179 this is the other side 00:34:25.179 --> 00:34:25.940 of the equation. 00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:28.219 We must not be 00:34:28.219 --> 00:34:29.379 so unwise 00:34:29.379 --> 00:34:30.839 that we 00:34:30.839 --> 00:34:32.099 or our families 00:34:32.099 --> 00:34:33.119 become liabilities 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:33.819 to others. 00:34:35.339 --> 00:34:36.000 This, I think, 00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:36.519 is one of the most 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:37.279 difficult balances 00:34:37.279 --> 00:34:38.019 to strike. 00:34:38.019 --> 00:34:39.800 On the one hand, 00:34:39.860 --> 00:34:40.559 we hear John Newton 00:34:40.559 --> 00:34:41.219 say you're not 00:34:41.219 --> 00:34:41.980 to save a lot of money. 00:34:42.780 --> 00:34:43.380 On the other hand, 00:34:43.480 --> 00:34:44.380 1 Timothy 5, 00:34:44.460 --> 00:34:45.219 8 says anyone 00:34:45.219 --> 00:34:46.079 who does not 00:34:46.079 --> 00:34:47.860 provide for their relatives 00:34:47.860 --> 00:34:48.340 and especially 00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.139 their own household 00:34:49.139 --> 00:34:50.099 is in either faith 00:34:50.099 --> 00:34:50.920 and is worse 00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:52.960 than even an unbeliever. 00:34:53.960 --> 00:34:54.219 And so, 00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:55.400 wisdom tells us 00:34:55.400 --> 00:34:56.059 that we 00:34:56.059 --> 00:34:57.280 must not 00:34:57.280 --> 00:34:57.820 give away 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:58.820 our income 00:34:58.820 --> 00:35:00.500 so that 00:35:00.500 --> 00:35:01.639 our children 00:35:01.639 --> 00:35:02.519 become, 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:03.920 and even ourselves, 00:35:04.059 --> 00:35:04.840 become financial 00:35:04.840 --> 00:35:05.900 burdens for others. 00:35:05.900 --> 00:35:07.079 It's no good 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.599 for me 00:35:07.599 --> 00:35:08.700 to hand away 00:35:08.700 --> 00:35:09.220 everything, 00:35:09.340 --> 00:35:09.860 write tonight, 00:35:09.980 --> 00:35:10.800 sign everything away, 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.800 I own nothing, 00:35:12.380 --> 00:35:12.639 you know, 00:35:12.700 --> 00:35:13.460 give my coat 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:14.280 and, you know, 00:35:14.340 --> 00:35:14.880 walk out of here 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:15.680 with my jocks on 00:35:15.680 --> 00:35:17.820 and everything's gone 00:35:17.820 --> 00:35:19.059 and then I'm calling 00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:19.680 you up tomorrow 00:35:19.680 --> 00:35:20.119 saying, 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.460 have you got anything 00:35:21.460 --> 00:35:22.039 for breakfast? 00:35:24.160 --> 00:35:25.160 That's not wisdom. 00:35:26.660 --> 00:35:27.599 That's not wisdom 00:35:27.599 --> 00:35:29.760 because I'm becoming 00:35:29.760 --> 00:35:30.599 a burden to you. 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:32.700 Roles have just been swapped. 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.760 I would suggest 00:35:36.760 --> 00:35:37.320 that that, however, 00:35:37.400 --> 00:35:37.800 is a problem 00:35:37.800 --> 00:35:38.700 for very few of us. 00:35:41.800 --> 00:35:42.599 I think 00:35:42.599 --> 00:35:43.920 we have this 00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:47.400 self-deceiving way 00:35:47.400 --> 00:35:49.880 of rationalising, 00:35:49.960 --> 00:35:50.260 a tendency 00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:51.660 to rationalise 00:35:51.660 --> 00:35:53.300 too much investment 00:35:53.300 --> 00:35:54.079 in our family 00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:54.940 rather than 00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.740 in the poor. 00:35:56.820 --> 00:35:57.720 We tend to turn 00:35:57.720 --> 00:35:59.059 comforts and conveniences 00:35:59.059 --> 00:36:00.240 into necessities. 00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:01.000 They become, 00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:01.880 over time, 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.700 necessities. 00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:05.839 For 10 years, 00:36:05.899 --> 00:36:06.439 I was a gold 00:36:06.439 --> 00:36:07.199 frequent flyer 00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:10.759 and I hated it 00:36:10.759 --> 00:36:12.059 but one of the benefits 00:36:12.059 --> 00:36:13.239 of a gold frequent flyer 00:36:13.239 --> 00:36:15.599 was you got free membership 00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:16.399 to the Qantas Club. 00:36:17.259 --> 00:36:17.679 So, I mean, 00:36:17.739 --> 00:36:18.519 I'd go to the airport, 00:36:18.619 --> 00:36:19.599 all the plebs are out there 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.699 and I'd go in the Qantas Club 00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:21.379 and I realised 00:36:21.379 --> 00:36:22.359 that I was one of many plebs 00:36:22.359 --> 00:36:22.960 in the Qantas Club. 00:36:24.319 --> 00:36:25.579 Nothing particular special 00:36:25.579 --> 00:36:26.379 about it at all 00:36:26.379 --> 00:36:27.039 over time. 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:29.539 When I took a step down 00:36:29.539 --> 00:36:31.880 and I became 00:36:31.880 --> 00:36:34.079 a silver frequent flyer, 00:36:34.539 --> 00:36:36.800 I lost membership 00:36:36.800 --> 00:36:37.559 to the Qantas Club. 00:36:38.059 --> 00:36:39.099 I walked past 00:36:39.099 --> 00:36:40.279 and all of a sudden 00:36:40.279 --> 00:36:41.599 I was one of those plebs again 00:36:41.599 --> 00:36:43.579 and the massive temptation 00:36:43.579 --> 00:36:44.340 for me 00:36:44.340 --> 00:36:45.659 and I succumbed to it 00:36:45.659 --> 00:36:46.340 for a couple of years 00:36:46.340 --> 00:36:47.219 was to pay 00:36:47.219 --> 00:36:48.719 for Qantas Club membership. 00:36:49.099 --> 00:36:50.559 Just something 00:36:50.559 --> 00:36:52.059 that was a luxury 00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:54.119 became some reason 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.659 a necessity 00:36:54.659 --> 00:36:56.779 and I've now discovered 00:36:56.779 --> 00:36:57.659 it's quite possible 00:36:57.659 --> 00:36:59.599 to fly Jetstar 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:03.059 and not be a member 00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:03.619 of the Qantas Club 00:37:03.619 --> 00:37:05.699 and still get to my destination. 00:37:05.879 --> 00:37:07.039 Haven't quite made it to Tiger 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:11.920 but let me tell you, 00:37:12.059 --> 00:37:13.519 our children are well provided for 00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:14.399 if they are clothed, 00:37:14.440 --> 00:37:15.079 they are fed, 00:37:15.519 --> 00:37:16.259 they are schooled, 00:37:16.259 --> 00:37:17.799 they have a roof over their head 00:37:17.799 --> 00:37:18.359 and they have access 00:37:18.359 --> 00:37:20.139 to medical attention. 00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.420 Gymnastics, 00:37:21.980 --> 00:37:22.719 music lessons, 00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.879 overseas holidays, 00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:24.639 designer clothes, 00:37:24.659 --> 00:37:25.679 I think birthday parties, 00:37:26.179 --> 00:37:26.819 holiday homes, 00:37:26.920 --> 00:37:28.980 iPods and that add-on TV, 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:30.619 60 square metres of backyard 00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:33.859 are not necessities. 00:37:35.099 --> 00:37:36.159 They're not necessities. 00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:39.659 We teach our children 00:37:39.659 --> 00:37:41.440 a magnificent lesson 00:37:41.440 --> 00:37:43.199 when with them, 00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:44.359 as a family, 00:37:44.839 --> 00:37:45.779 we help them 00:37:45.779 --> 00:37:47.319 to surrender conveniences 00:37:47.319 --> 00:37:48.559 and comforts 00:37:48.559 --> 00:37:50.039 for the sake 00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:51.739 of helping someone else. 00:37:52.899 --> 00:37:54.319 We collectively make 00:37:54.320 --> 00:37:54.980 that decision 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:56.440 that we're going to surrender 00:37:56.440 --> 00:37:56.960 this, 00:37:57.700 --> 00:37:58.440 ribs and burgers, 00:37:59.000 --> 00:38:00.019 we're going to surrender that 00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.700 in order to help 00:38:00.700 --> 00:38:01.700 those people there. 00:38:04.700 --> 00:38:05.840 So perhaps it's best 00:38:05.840 --> 00:38:06.580 not to call this 00:38:06.580 --> 00:38:07.300 simple living 00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:08.780 but in fact 00:38:08.780 --> 00:38:09.220 to call it 00:38:09.220 --> 00:38:10.539 justice living. 00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:12.120 Simple living 00:38:12.120 --> 00:38:13.019 is a helpful term 00:38:13.019 --> 00:38:14.019 but it carries the idea 00:38:14.019 --> 00:38:14.780 that it's an option 00:38:14.780 --> 00:38:15.420 for us. 00:38:15.420 --> 00:38:16.360 What the Bible 00:38:16.360 --> 00:38:17.240 is calling us to 00:38:17.240 --> 00:38:18.380 is not an abstract 00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:20.139 exercise in self-denial 00:38:20.139 --> 00:38:21.700 but rather to a means 00:38:21.700 --> 00:38:22.619 to an end 00:38:22.619 --> 00:38:24.000 in direct ministry 00:38:24.000 --> 00:38:25.700 to our neighbours. 00:38:25.699 --> 00:38:29.859 how then do we determine 00:38:29.859 --> 00:38:30.899 what we are to give away? 00:38:32.839 --> 00:38:33.279 Simply, 00:38:34.299 --> 00:38:35.059 radical generosity 00:38:35.059 --> 00:38:36.279 cuts into our lifestyle 00:38:36.279 --> 00:38:37.480 in such a way 00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.359 that we feel the burden 00:38:38.359 --> 00:38:39.639 of our neighbour. 00:38:41.039 --> 00:38:41.859 And this is a calling 00:38:41.859 --> 00:38:42.819 for every person 00:38:42.819 --> 00:38:43.399 and family 00:38:43.399 --> 00:38:44.500 and church in Christ 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.839 to live below 00:38:45.839 --> 00:38:47.059 their means 00:38:47.059 --> 00:38:49.119 in order to love 00:38:49.119 --> 00:38:49.559 our neighbour. 00:38:50.219 --> 00:38:51.299 To live below 00:38:51.299 --> 00:38:52.059 our means 00:38:52.059 --> 00:38:53.159 in order to love 00:38:53.159 --> 00:38:53.759 our neighbour. 00:38:53.760 --> 00:38:56.100 So let me point to you 00:38:56.100 --> 00:38:56.560 why I think 00:38:56.560 --> 00:38:57.480 this is so crucial 00:38:57.480 --> 00:38:58.540 for us as a church 00:38:58.540 --> 00:39:00.140 and why we need 00:39:00.140 --> 00:39:00.740 to get this 00:39:00.740 --> 00:39:01.440 and why we need 00:39:01.440 --> 00:39:01.980 to work 00:39:01.980 --> 00:39:02.740 to work below 00:39:02.740 --> 00:39:03.580 our means. 00:39:05.720 --> 00:39:06.460 Number one, 00:39:06.560 --> 00:39:07.880 our own parish income 00:39:07.880 --> 00:39:09.960 is behind 00:39:09.960 --> 00:39:11.140 by $10,000 00:39:11.140 --> 00:39:12.000 and we're not even 00:39:12.000 --> 00:39:12.520 halfway through 00:39:12.520 --> 00:39:13.140 the year yet. 00:39:15.020 --> 00:39:16.020 Our mission giving 00:39:16.020 --> 00:39:16.940 is $10,000 00:39:16.940 --> 00:39:17.420 behind 00:39:17.420 --> 00:39:17.900 what it was 00:39:17.900 --> 00:39:18.340 this time 00:39:18.340 --> 00:39:19.000 last year. 00:39:20.880 --> 00:39:21.800 As of the middle 00:39:21.800 --> 00:39:23.200 of this past week 00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:24.119 we've only raised 00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:24.779 $6,500 00:39:24.779 --> 00:39:26.059 of our $15,000 00:39:26.059 --> 00:39:26.659 target 00:39:26.659 --> 00:39:27.960 ironically 00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:28.859 to love 00:39:28.859 --> 00:39:29.279 our neighbour. 00:39:31.339 --> 00:39:32.279 Only $6,500 00:39:32.279 --> 00:39:32.919 of that. 00:39:33.179 --> 00:39:34.019 $4,000 00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:34.299 of it 00:39:34.299 --> 00:39:34.519 has come 00:39:34.519 --> 00:39:35.519 from three sources. 00:39:42.319 --> 00:39:43.079 In the last 00:39:43.079 --> 00:39:43.659 couple of weeks 00:39:43.659 --> 00:39:44.259 we've been hearing 00:39:44.259 --> 00:39:44.739 from 00:39:44.739 --> 00:39:45.919 Darian 00:39:45.919 --> 00:39:46.799 and Vanessa 00:39:46.799 --> 00:39:47.539 Clintos 00:39:47.539 --> 00:39:48.279 about their 00:39:48.279 --> 00:39:49.839 work in Africa. 00:39:49.840 --> 00:39:52.820 we are one 00:39:52.820 --> 00:39:53.220 of three 00:39:53.220 --> 00:39:54.140 supporting churches. 00:39:54.260 --> 00:39:54.720 That's a big 00:39:54.720 --> 00:39:55.300 responsibility 00:39:55.300 --> 00:39:56.039 that we have. 00:39:56.100 --> 00:39:56.640 One of three 00:39:56.640 --> 00:39:57.880 supporting churches. 00:39:59.100 --> 00:39:59.960 Their monthly 00:39:59.960 --> 00:40:00.700 expenses 00:40:00.700 --> 00:40:01.740 are $4,000. 00:40:02.140 --> 00:40:02.800 I don't know 00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:03.820 many families 00:40:03.820 --> 00:40:04.360 who operate 00:40:04.360 --> 00:40:05.019 with that level 00:40:05.019 --> 00:40:05.660 of expenses. 00:40:06.500 --> 00:40:07.340 Certainly not 00:40:07.340 --> 00:40:07.880 in this area. 00:40:08.420 --> 00:40:09.380 $4,000 00:40:09.380 --> 00:40:10.100 a month. 00:40:11.039 --> 00:40:11.780 It's not very much. 00:40:13.160 --> 00:40:13.880 Their support 00:40:13.880 --> 00:40:14.300 account 00:40:14.300 --> 00:40:15.079 currently has 00:40:15.079 --> 00:40:16.240 $2,000 00:40:16.240 --> 00:40:16.940 in it. 00:40:16.940 --> 00:40:20.059 less than 00:40:20.059 --> 00:40:20.619 two weeks 00:40:20.619 --> 00:40:21.519 support for 00:40:21.519 --> 00:40:21.780 them. 00:40:23.940 --> 00:40:24.720 And if it's 00:40:24.720 --> 00:40:25.420 not there 00:40:25.420 --> 00:40:26.200 they're home 00:40:26.200 --> 00:40:26.559 here at the 00:40:26.559 --> 00:40:26.840 moment. 00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:27.360 If they're in 00:40:27.360 --> 00:40:27.720 Africa 00:40:27.720 --> 00:40:28.900 it means 00:40:28.900 --> 00:40:29.280 they come 00:40:29.280 --> 00:40:29.619 home. 00:40:32.920 --> 00:40:33.780 So friends 00:40:33.780 --> 00:40:36.039 we've got 00:40:36.039 --> 00:40:36.360 some work 00:40:36.360 --> 00:40:36.700 to do. 00:40:38.539 --> 00:40:39.280 I want 00:40:39.280 --> 00:40:39.700 you to go 00:40:39.700 --> 00:40:40.119 away 00:40:40.119 --> 00:40:41.380 and so 00:40:41.380 --> 00:40:42.019 dwell 00:40:42.019 --> 00:40:43.280 on the 00:40:43.280 --> 00:40:43.659 grace 00:40:43.659 --> 00:40:44.079 and the 00:40:44.079 --> 00:40:44.360 mercy 00:40:44.360 --> 00:40:44.980 of God 00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:46.619 that it 00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.740 results in 00:40:47.740 --> 00:40:49.199 you moving 00:40:49.199 --> 00:40:49.840 your lifestyle 00:40:49.840 --> 00:40:50.760 downwards in 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.280 order that you 00:40:51.280 --> 00:40:51.900 can give 00:40:51.900 --> 00:40:52.719 more and more 00:40:52.719 --> 00:40:53.240 for the glory 00:40:53.240 --> 00:40:53.679 of God 00:40:53.679 --> 00:40:54.119 and for the 00:40:54.119 --> 00:40:54.559 love of your 00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:54.900 neighbour. 00:40:55.719 --> 00:40:56.240 Jesus and 00:40:56.240 --> 00:40:56.760 the apostles 00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:58.019 considered money 00:40:58.019 --> 00:40:58.679 hazardous 00:40:58.679 --> 00:41:01.219 and helpful 00:41:01.219 --> 00:41:02.900 at the same 00:41:02.900 --> 00:41:03.340 time. 00:41:03.460 --> 00:41:03.880 It's hazardous 00:41:03.880 --> 00:41:04.940 and therefore 00:41:04.940 --> 00:41:05.780 I encourage you 00:41:05.780 --> 00:41:06.599 to put limits. 00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.240 Put limits 00:41:08.240 --> 00:41:08.760 on how much 00:41:08.760 --> 00:41:09.139 you keep 00:41:09.139 --> 00:41:09.980 for yourselves. 00:41:10.980 --> 00:41:11.639 Don't ever 00:41:11.639 --> 00:41:12.079 put limits 00:41:12.079 --> 00:41:12.519 on how much 00:41:12.519 --> 00:41:13.000 you make. 00:41:13.320 --> 00:41:13.500 I want to 00:41:13.500 --> 00:41:14.059 encourage that. 00:41:14.179 --> 00:41:14.840 Pursue that. 00:41:14.980 --> 00:41:16.000 But put limits 00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:16.420 on how much 00:41:16.420 --> 00:41:16.760 you keep 00:41:16.760 --> 00:41:17.340 for yourself. 00:41:18.539 --> 00:41:19.199 But it's 00:41:19.199 --> 00:41:19.900 also helpful 00:41:19.900 --> 00:41:21.579 which means 00:41:21.579 --> 00:41:22.880 you get the 00:41:22.880 --> 00:41:23.719 incredible joy 00:41:23.719 --> 00:41:24.300 of giving 00:41:24.300 --> 00:41:24.940 more and 00:41:24.940 --> 00:41:25.639 more to 00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:26.099 loving your 00:41:26.099 --> 00:41:26.420 neighbours 00:41:26.420 --> 00:41:26.980 and bringing 00:41:26.980 --> 00:41:27.500 glory to 00:41:27.500 --> 00:41:27.800 God. 00:41:27.900 --> 00:41:28.119 Let me 00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:28.659 tell you 00:41:28.659 --> 00:41:29.460 that that 00:41:29.460 --> 00:41:29.760 will be 00:41:29.760 --> 00:41:30.340 a decision 00:41:30.340 --> 00:41:31.639 that you 00:41:31.639 --> 00:41:32.260 will never 00:41:32.260 --> 00:41:32.860 regret 00:41:32.860 --> 00:41:33.559 for all 00:41:33.559 --> 00:41:34.159 of eternity 00:41:34.159 --> 00:41:34.740 as you 00:41:34.740 --> 00:41:35.179 build up 00:41:35.179 --> 00:41:35.719 treasures in 00:41:35.719 --> 00:41:35.940 heaven.