WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.080 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:09.500 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, 00:00:09.880 --> 00:00:15.280 redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:15.640 --> 00:00:22.620 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:24.980 --> 00:00:27.980 Today's scripture reading is from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, 00:00:27.980 --> 00:00:32.679 chapter 8, verses 1 to 15, and chapter 9, verses 12 to 15. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:35.719 A reading from Paul's second letter to the Corinthians. 00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:41.859 And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 00:00:42.719 --> 00:00:49.179 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 00:00:50.140 --> 00:00:54.820 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. 00:00:54.820 --> 00:01:01.719 Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:03.939 And they exceeded our expectations. 00:01:04.680 --> 00:01:09.040 They gave themselves first of all to the Lord, and then by the will of God, also to us. 00:01:10.140 --> 00:01:16.680 So we urge Titus, just as he had earlier made a beginning, to bring also to completion this act of grace on your part. 00:01:16.680 --> 00:01:24.860 But since you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in the love that we have kindled in you, 00:01:25.360 --> 00:01:27.700 see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 00:01:28.960 --> 00:01:34.840 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. 00:01:34.840 --> 00:01:41.260 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, 00:01:41.880 --> 00:01:44.359 so that you, through his poverty, might become rich. 00:01:45.280 --> 00:01:47.859 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:53.320 Last year, you were the first not only to give, but also to have the desire to do so. 00:01:54.020 --> 00:01:58.960 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, 00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:00.140 according to your means. 00:02:00.140 --> 00:02:07.280 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 00:02:08.099 --> 00:02:13.080 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard-pressed, but that there might be equality. 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:19.800 At the present time, your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn, their plenty will supply what you need. 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:21.460 The goal is equality. 00:02:21.900 --> 00:02:27.920 As it is written, the one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little. 00:02:27.919 --> 00:02:33.039 This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people, 00:02:33.519 --> 00:02:36.659 but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. 00:02:37.539 --> 00:02:39.719 Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, 00:02:40.259 --> 00:02:44.419 others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:47.819 and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. 00:02:48.859 --> 00:02:51.199 And in their prayers for you, their hearts will go out to you, 00:02:51.539 --> 00:02:53.759 because of the surpassing grace God has given you. 00:02:54.419 --> 00:02:56.359 Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift. 00:02:56.360 --> 00:02:58.040 This is the word of the Lord. 00:02:58.680 --> 00:02:59.880 Thanks be to God. 00:03:01.280 --> 00:03:02.860 Thanks for that scripture reading, Maddie. 00:03:03.380 --> 00:03:04.580 Let's go to the Lord in prayer. 00:03:08.580 --> 00:03:13.200 Our Father, we want to hear from you, and we thank you that when your word goes forth, 00:03:13.360 --> 00:03:15.920 it does not return void or empty. 00:03:16.420 --> 00:03:18.740 We thank you that your word is living and active, 00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:23.300 and we ask that it would bring much conviction today, 00:03:23.920 --> 00:03:25.320 that it would draw us near to you, 00:03:25.980 --> 00:03:31.780 and fix our eyes upon the grace that you've poured out upon us in our Savior, Jesus Christ. 00:03:32.340 --> 00:03:33.300 In his name we pray. 00:03:33.700 --> 00:03:33.980 Amen. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:39.540 All right, so I'm going to let you in on a little secret. 00:03:39.539 --> 00:03:46.359 You know, back in the fall, me and Jonathan typically plan our full year preaching calendar, 00:03:47.079 --> 00:03:50.479 and originally when we had planned this preaching calendar, 00:03:51.039 --> 00:03:56.199 we planned for these past three weeks to be a miniseries on giving and generosity. 00:03:56.819 --> 00:03:59.840 Because as many of you know, we are in the middle of a capital campaign. 00:03:59.840 --> 00:04:07.920 We're trying to raise $250,000 more to meet our $600,000 goal to pay off this building 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:11.280 and to create more usable space for our growing church. 00:04:12.060 --> 00:04:16.480 And so we originally planned to preach a miniseries on giving after Easter, 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:18.579 before everyone went on summer vacation. 00:04:19.120 --> 00:04:22.959 Because honestly, we'd really like to hit our goal this summer 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:25.160 and just get this capital campaign behind us, 00:04:25.220 --> 00:04:28.740 get into August, our new ministry year, looking forward debt-free. 00:04:28.740 --> 00:04:31.980 All right, so that was our original strategic plan. 00:04:32.220 --> 00:04:34.720 Three sermons on giving, just what you wanted, right? 00:04:35.180 --> 00:04:37.920 To promote this capital campaign, to pay off our debt, 00:04:38.379 --> 00:04:40.019 and glory to God, right? 00:04:40.139 --> 00:04:41.379 Three sermons on giving. 00:04:42.319 --> 00:04:45.960 Now, if that sounds like, if that sounded to you like a bad idea, 00:04:46.300 --> 00:04:53.420 maybe even manipulative, like two pastors trying to maybe be more strategy-led than spirit-led, 00:04:54.240 --> 00:04:55.639 honestly, you're probably right. 00:04:56.540 --> 00:04:58.199 And that's why we haven't done that. 00:04:58.199 --> 00:05:02.560 As we came toward the end of our last series in the Gospel of Mark, 00:05:02.680 --> 00:05:07.920 upon further reflection, Jonathan and I were convicted that actually we need to cast a far 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:10.779 grander vision for our church. 00:05:11.560 --> 00:05:16.000 A far grander vision than just some immediate vision of paying off our debt in three to seven months. 00:05:16.060 --> 00:05:18.060 We need to cast God's vision. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:24.139 Something so much grander than just $600,000 to own and upgrade this property. 00:05:24.139 --> 00:05:32.219 So in the past two weeks, what you've heard Jonathan do is cast this wider vision of a church united under Christ, 00:05:32.339 --> 00:05:37.800 together under one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one Father, one Spirit, one body, 00:05:37.919 --> 00:05:40.899 and yet at the same time, rich in diversity, right? 00:05:40.899 --> 00:05:45.120 Many members, many gifts, many talents, many callings. 00:05:45.799 --> 00:05:50.319 And we hope what you've heard so far isn't just a challenge to be more, give more, do more. 00:05:51.239 --> 00:05:54.959 But we hope that you've also heard an invitation to have more. 00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:58.979 To have more of an experience of the presence and power of God. 00:05:59.039 --> 00:06:02.719 To have a deeper communion with Christ and His body, the church. 00:06:02.799 --> 00:06:07.599 To have a firmer sense of meaning and purpose and a Spirit-led direction in your life 00:06:07.599 --> 00:06:13.479 as you use all the gifts that God has given you to serve Him, to serve the church, and to serve the world. 00:06:14.620 --> 00:06:18.879 And so today we're going to wrap up this series, yes, with a sermon on generosity and giving, 00:06:18.979 --> 00:06:21.599 because that still is a part of God's vision for the church. 00:06:21.600 --> 00:06:24.780 But listen, it's not for the sake of getting more out of this congregation. 00:06:25.600 --> 00:06:29.280 It's like accomplish our church's strategic financial objectives. 00:06:29.420 --> 00:06:33.140 It's not to alleviate our anxieties about debt and high interest rates, no. 00:06:34.200 --> 00:06:39.700 Christ's church exists not to raise capital, but to raise followers and worshipers of Jesus Christ. 00:06:39.860 --> 00:06:44.840 Christ's church exists to lead people into deeper relationships with Jesus and His church 00:06:44.840 --> 00:06:47.080 through community and for the city. 00:06:47.800 --> 00:06:50.000 So as we open up this ancient letter from Paul today, 00:06:50.000 --> 00:06:54.779 what I hope to make clear is that God is far less interested in generosity from you 00:06:54.779 --> 00:06:58.560 and far more interested in being generous toward you. 00:06:59.459 --> 00:07:02.220 And I want you to hear that that's my heart for you this morning as well. 00:07:02.300 --> 00:07:03.459 That's the heart behind this sermon. 00:07:03.560 --> 00:07:08.720 It's not so much that we want generosity from you, but that we want generosity for you 00:07:08.720 --> 00:07:11.800 as the people of God raised with Christ, heirs with Him, 00:07:12.120 --> 00:07:18.139 awaiting an imperishable inheritance which we did not earn and which we cannot lose. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:22.459 As we look at Paul's heart this morning for the church that he planted in Corinth, 00:07:22.919 --> 00:07:27.399 we want you to know that this is our heart as well for Christ's church, Christ's church East Bay. 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:33.419 That we as a church might join in the joy of Jesus' generosity. 00:07:33.979 --> 00:07:34.919 And that's the main point. 00:07:35.099 --> 00:07:39.959 It's a challenge, it's an invitation as well to join in the joy of Jesus' generosity. 00:07:39.959 --> 00:07:45.759 Now let's start by looking at Paul's heart for this church in Corinth as he writes what, 00:07:45.919 --> 00:07:47.399 it's pretty much just like a fundraising letter. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:48.579 That's what Maddie just read. 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:51.939 She read a fundraising letter from the Apostle Paul, an ancient one, all right? 00:07:52.799 --> 00:07:55.279 Now just a little bit about who Paul is addressing. 00:07:55.579 --> 00:07:58.399 Corinth was a city not unlike the Bay Area. 00:07:58.599 --> 00:08:04.759 It's a bustling entrepreneurial hub that was being rebuilt by lots and lots of new money flowing in. 00:08:04.819 --> 00:08:07.939 This was a place where fortunes could be made, wealth could be created, 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:12.660 even if you weren't necessarily born into the old money Roman aristocracy, 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:17.740 you still had a chance to make it and gain the status and the influence that come with money. 00:08:18.939 --> 00:08:22.519 At the same time, what was going on, Paul was writing to the church in Corinth 00:08:22.519 --> 00:08:28.699 during a particularly severe famine in the Roman world, one that lasted over 15 years. 00:08:29.439 --> 00:08:34.720 Maybe you remember Jesus, he predicted it, and so did the early church prophet Agabus, 00:08:34.720 --> 00:08:36.159 he predicted it as well. 00:08:36.159 --> 00:08:38.559 And this is verified by historical records. 00:08:38.719 --> 00:08:42.799 We know that Egypt had had some very significant crop failures 00:08:42.799 --> 00:08:46.579 and that the Middle East was hit with a series of severe droughts. 00:08:46.659 --> 00:08:48.860 And so by the time Paul was writing this letter, 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:53.480 the Roman world was in the middle of this like over 15-year famine. 00:08:53.620 --> 00:08:55.679 This is around year 10 when Paul's writing this. 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:58.899 And at this time, grain in Corinth was so scarce 00:08:58.899 --> 00:09:02.539 that even in wealthy places like Corinth, inflation was hitting so hard. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:07.539 According to one historical record, the price of grain was about eight times the normal price. 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:14.199 But even as Corinth was being hit, the ones who were being hit the worst were the people in Jerusalem. 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:18.279 The church in Jerusalem is the church that Paul is trying to raise money for. 00:09:18.379 --> 00:09:20.939 The mother church, the first church, the church in Jerusalem. 00:09:20.940 --> 00:09:25.400 So Paul, you know, what he's doing is, you know, in addition to preaching and teaching 00:09:25.400 --> 00:09:30.540 and developing leaders and governing and church planting and really just trying to stay alive, right, 00:09:31.420 --> 00:09:35.580 he's now on his third missionary journey and he's become a fundraiser as well, 00:09:36.140 --> 00:09:39.040 trying to raise money for the struggling church in Jerusalem. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:42.360 All right, so that's the context for our passage today. 00:09:43.419 --> 00:09:47.459 Now, as an apostle, there are all kinds of moves that he could have made, right, 00:09:47.519 --> 00:09:52.639 to raise this money, all kinds of levers he could have pulled, all kinds of favors he could have asked for. 00:09:52.699 --> 00:09:54.759 He could have gone, hey, I'm an apostle. 00:09:55.199 --> 00:09:56.679 I'm an authoritative apostle. 00:09:57.480 --> 00:09:59.919 Give your money to where I say you should give it to. 00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:05.120 Or he could have gone that, you know, sappy, sad, guilt-inducing, sad, infomercial route 00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:07.759 and said, oh, look at those poor Jerusalem Christians. 00:10:08.139 --> 00:10:09.860 Oh, we've got to give something to them. 00:10:10.039 --> 00:10:12.379 You should feel guilty that you're living so well, right? 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:13.519 No, he doesn't do that either. 00:10:14.279 --> 00:10:17.639 He might have gone the televangelist route, like, hey, give your money 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:19.279 and God's going to give you even more. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:21.080 Health and wealth, right? 00:10:21.259 --> 00:10:22.700 Prosperity gospel, he doesn't do that. 00:10:22.960 --> 00:10:24.500 And he doesn't even play the comparison card. 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:27.600 Like, look how much the Macedonian churches have given 00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:29.620 and they are way poorer than you, 00:10:29.940 --> 00:10:30.919 so shouldn't you give more? 00:10:32.259 --> 00:10:32.560 No. 00:10:33.439 --> 00:10:36.599 Even while bringing up the example of the Macedonian churches, 00:10:37.079 --> 00:10:38.739 notice how he phrases it in verse 1. 00:10:39.659 --> 00:10:40.879 And now, brothers and sisters, 00:10:41.359 --> 00:10:46.299 we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 00:10:46.359 --> 00:10:47.079 Did you catch that? 00:10:48.379 --> 00:10:51.899 He's calling their generosity a grace, a charis, 00:10:51.899 --> 00:10:53.839 a gift given to them by God. 00:10:53.939 --> 00:10:58.179 Paul's not even highlighting them, like, oh, how great the Macedonian churches are. 00:10:58.179 --> 00:11:02.939 No, Paul, for Paul, what he sees and what he is eager to point out 00:11:02.939 --> 00:11:04.239 is not the Macedonian churches, 00:11:05.000 --> 00:11:08.919 but the gracious hand of God within the Macedonian churches. 00:11:09.039 --> 00:11:14.279 See, for Paul, giving generously was not just some, like, righteous act to endorse, 00:11:14.579 --> 00:11:17.199 but a gift from God in and of itself. 00:11:17.959 --> 00:11:19.339 Look how he describes it in verse 2. 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:24.360 In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:26.759 welled up in rich generosity. 00:11:27.399 --> 00:11:30.280 Like, God had so gifted these churches. 00:11:30.519 --> 00:11:34.100 His favor and grace were so powerfully at work in them 00:11:34.100 --> 00:11:38.759 that even with their own trials, even in extreme poverty, 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:45.840 they were somehow endowed by God with the privilege and honor of overflowing joyful generosity. 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:48.000 When Paul says in verse 1, 00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:50.399 I want you to know about the grace that God has given, 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:53.800 he's saying that God has gifted them pretty much with a miracle. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:56.540 The miracle of generous giving. 00:11:57.280 --> 00:11:57.720 Verse 3, 00:11:58.160 --> 00:12:02.680 For I testify that they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability. 00:12:02.780 --> 00:12:03.480 Think about that. 00:12:04.320 --> 00:12:07.280 How do you give as much as you're able and then even beyond your ability? 00:12:08.000 --> 00:12:08.740 Think about that. 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:11.180 How does someone give beyond? 00:12:12.259 --> 00:12:14.300 Isn't that the very definition of a miracle? 00:12:14.299 --> 00:12:18.019 Like water from a rock, like manna from heaven kind of stuff. 00:12:18.120 --> 00:12:22.039 God worked a miracle out of these poverty-stricken churches in Macedonia. 00:12:22.979 --> 00:12:28.979 And look, this gift, it wasn't just a gracious gift of God that was financial in character, 00:12:29.179 --> 00:12:31.039 but it was a miracle of the heart. 00:12:31.859 --> 00:12:33.719 Look at verses 3 and 4. 00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.120 Paul says, 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.439 Entirely on their own, 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:38.939 they urgently pleaded with us 00:12:38.939 --> 00:12:42.759 for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord's people. 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:44.519 Well, the gift here, 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:46.159 the miracle here, 00:12:46.259 --> 00:12:51.100 is not simply money unexpectedly flowing from one church account to another church account. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:55.419 No, the miracle here is a transformation of hearts. 00:12:56.620 --> 00:12:59.120 Hearts once only inclined towards self-service, 00:12:59.419 --> 00:13:02.019 now poured out in exceeding love for others. 00:13:02.799 --> 00:13:03.740 That's a miracle. 00:13:05.100 --> 00:13:06.519 I want you to think about that for a second. 00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:10.960 What is the tougher, greater, more surprising miracle? 00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:14.620 For our church to somehow hit its goal, like tomorrow, 00:13:14.799 --> 00:13:18.799 through some mystery donor or some like crazy tax refund or something, 00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:20.819 250K, boom, it's done, right? 00:13:21.559 --> 00:13:25.240 Is that the most amazing miracle that you can fathom for our church? 00:13:25.240 --> 00:13:33.060 Or would it not be a greater miracle for God to so move the hearts of Christ Church East Bay 00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:37.659 that every member, 100% of us, might give beyond our ability, 00:13:38.299 --> 00:13:39.600 even pleading to do so, 00:13:40.080 --> 00:13:44.799 because we've counted such a great privilege to share in what this church is all about, 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:48.960 leading people into deeper relationships with Christ. 00:13:48.960 --> 00:13:52.379 And as your pastor, I pray for this second miracle. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:56.800 I'll take this second miracle any day, over a quarter million dollars, 00:13:57.100 --> 00:13:59.180 the miracle of changed hearts, 00:13:59.580 --> 00:14:05.300 hearts inclined, desperately pleading to participate in the overflowing joy of generosity 00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:08.560 toward the work and the purposes of God. 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:11.420 Regardless of what poverty we may face or experience, 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:13.160 that's the miracle that I want. 00:14:13.240 --> 00:14:15.600 That's the gift that I want for us. 00:14:16.600 --> 00:14:18.660 And I'm curious if you want that too. 00:14:19.960 --> 00:14:23.879 But the question for us this morning, Christ Church, is do we want this miracle? 00:14:24.460 --> 00:14:28.120 Do we want this grace that God gave to the Macedonian churches? 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:32.440 Or are we even able to see that as a gracious gift from God? 00:14:33.900 --> 00:14:38.960 Like, do we see the generosity that God calls us to as just an edict to obey 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:42.320 or an actual divine gift for us to enjoy? 00:14:42.940 --> 00:14:47.900 And do we really believe the words of Jesus who said it is more blessed to give than to receive? 00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:49.399 Can we believe him? 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:51.779 Will we take him at his word? 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:54.799 Is it truly more blessed to give? 00:14:56.240 --> 00:15:00.159 I want to take you, I want us to consider for a moment, 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:02.980 I want to take a moment to really consider that question this morning. 00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:09.659 I want to ask you to do a quick inventory of all the most joyful people that you've ever met in your life. 00:15:09.659 --> 00:15:13.559 An inventory of all the people who you most aspire to live like, 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:18.600 of all the people you consider to have lived the fullest and most meaningful lives. 00:15:19.379 --> 00:15:21.620 Get a picture in your head of that person or those people. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:26.720 Now, is it not true that the most joyful people we know, 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:30.139 the people who live the fullest and most fulfilled lives, 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:32.899 isn't it true that the people we most want to emulate 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:38.860 are not the tight-fisted, self-protective, financially savvy penny pinchers, 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:41.440 but the most generous people we know? 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.320 Is that not true? 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:45.899 Now, why do you think that is? 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:49.399 Why do you think that Jesus was right? 00:15:50.319 --> 00:15:53.120 And not just because of some biochemical link, 00:15:53.179 --> 00:15:57.240 maybe between generosity and endorphins or dopamine and pleasure in your brain, 00:15:57.340 --> 00:15:59.879 but isn't it true that the most generous person, 00:16:00.240 --> 00:16:01.659 the most generous people we know, 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:06.740 are also the most committed and purposeful people we know as well? 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:12.100 The people who know exactly what they are living for, right? 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:17.740 The people who've committed their lives to something far bigger than their own individual selves. 00:16:18.480 --> 00:16:21.480 People who've discovered something worth living for, 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:24.159 perhaps even worth dying for. 00:16:25.620 --> 00:16:27.080 And in his book, The Second Mountain, 00:16:27.519 --> 00:16:29.920 New York Times cultural commentator David Brooks, he writes, 00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:32.879 the people who radiates a permanent joy 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:37.560 have given themselves over to lives of deep and loving commitment. 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:40.460 Giving has become their nature, 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:44.420 and little by little they have made their souls incandescent. 00:16:45.100 --> 00:16:47.160 If you closely look at joyful people, 00:16:47.740 --> 00:16:51.600 you notice that very often the people who have the most incandescent souls 00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:55.139 have taken on the heaviest burdens. 00:16:56.480 --> 00:16:58.360 Do you not find that to be true in your life? 00:16:58.400 --> 00:17:00.920 I certainly find it to be true in the people that I know. 00:17:01.080 --> 00:17:02.879 And I think Apostle Paul would agree. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:05.779 There's something joyful about giving oneself, 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:08.039 even when it's costly and burdensome, 00:17:08.639 --> 00:17:12.420 to something, to someone that's still absolutely worth it. 00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:14.920 And for these Macedonian churches, 00:17:15.639 --> 00:17:17.399 what they gave themselves to, 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:19.180 what was most worth it to them, 00:17:19.379 --> 00:17:21.559 was to give themselves, what does it say in verse 5? 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.500 To the Lord. 00:17:23.259 --> 00:17:24.319 Verse 5, Paul says, 00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:32.419 Do you see that? 00:17:33.179 --> 00:17:36.179 Deep and transcendent commitments to God 00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:39.220 and His work that led to joyful generosity. 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:41.759 They gave themselves to the Lord and to His will. 00:17:41.839 --> 00:17:43.720 They recognized that they were not their own, 00:17:43.879 --> 00:17:47.000 but that they belonged to another. 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:50.940 So how could any of them withhold whatever they had, 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.619 even in their poverty, 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:55.980 everything that they had belonged to the Lord in the first place? 00:17:56.900 --> 00:18:00.220 And what did they have that they did not receive from Him? 00:18:01.019 --> 00:18:03.960 This is absolutely essential to a rightful understanding 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:06.240 and practice of generosity. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:09.220 The Christian view of property and economics 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:12.460 is radically different than the views on the right and on the left. 00:18:12.519 --> 00:18:15.480 Those on the right say that everything an individual possesses 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:16.720 belongs to him or her, 00:18:16.900 --> 00:18:19.079 and he or she may use it however they want. 00:18:19.940 --> 00:18:22.839 And then those on the left say that everything an individual possesses 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:24.039 belongs not just to him or her, 00:18:24.120 --> 00:18:25.059 but to their whole community, 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:27.559 and the community may determine how to use it. 00:18:27.640 --> 00:18:31.099 But Christians know that everything an individual possesses 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:32.759 neither belongs to him or her, 00:18:32.839 --> 00:18:35.259 nor even solely or primarily to our community, 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:36.620 but first and foremost, 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:39.160 it all belongs to the Lord. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.640 It all belongs to the Lord, 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:44.259 who doesn't just command obligatory generosity, 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:46.920 but models joyful generosity 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:49.339 and invites us into his joy. 00:18:50.900 --> 00:18:52.359 You know, when we talk about generosity, 00:18:52.680 --> 00:18:55.420 it can be so easy for us to think of ourselves 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:59.140 as benevolent, charitable benefactors, 00:18:59.259 --> 00:19:02.259 you know, graciously donating to others at our own expense. 00:19:02.400 --> 00:19:03.839 Oh, how gracious of us, right? 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:07.160 But what if a more accurate picture 00:19:07.160 --> 00:19:09.619 is to see ourselves as money managers 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.279 or as trustees? 00:19:12.179 --> 00:19:13.239 We were chatting about this 00:19:13.239 --> 00:19:15.019 in our Alameda community group last week. 00:19:15.139 --> 00:19:17.579 Shout out to Miriam Kim for this really good example. 00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:19.219 And she was saying 00:19:19.219 --> 00:19:21.599 that giving and generosity 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:23.279 don't seem so burdensome 00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:25.819 when we realize that it's less about us 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:27.619 trying to part ways with our own money 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:29.579 and more like us realizing 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.739 that our Father in Heaven 00:19:30.739 --> 00:19:32.519 has written a trust. 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:34.639 And he's already written out 00:19:34.639 --> 00:19:35.759 and directed exactly 00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:37.799 how we should distribute his estate 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:39.400 and invest his assets. 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:41.099 And she gave this example 00:19:41.099 --> 00:19:41.839 of how some of us 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:43.180 have had to step into this role 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.940 for our ailing parents 00:19:44.940 --> 00:19:46.599 who are unable to maybe make decisions 00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.200 for themselves 00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:48.460 and care for themselves. 00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:50.759 So sure, their trust may designate us 00:19:50.759 --> 00:19:51.799 as the ones in control 00:19:51.799 --> 00:19:53.139 and having responsibility 00:19:53.139 --> 00:19:54.920 over all their assets now. 00:19:55.559 --> 00:19:57.400 But it's not like it's just all ours 00:19:57.400 --> 00:19:58.480 to spend on ourselves 00:19:58.480 --> 00:19:59.859 or however we want. 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:01.599 There is a right way 00:20:01.599 --> 00:20:02.779 and there is a wrong way. 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.779 A responsible way 00:20:03.779 --> 00:20:05.059 and an irresponsible way 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:06.459 to manage their estate. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:08.219 There's a way that honors them 00:20:08.219 --> 00:20:08.819 and their wishes 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:11.519 and there's a way of dishonor as well. 00:20:12.619 --> 00:20:14.339 And to not use the money 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:16.819 to help provide and care for them 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.679 or if they pass, 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.819 to not distribute it 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:20.099 as they intended 00:20:20.099 --> 00:20:21.919 to maybe their chosen non-profits 00:20:21.919 --> 00:20:22.899 or to their grandchildren 00:20:22.899 --> 00:20:23.859 or whatever it is, 00:20:24.039 --> 00:20:25.459 to disregard their will 00:20:25.459 --> 00:20:26.959 for what to do 00:20:26.959 --> 00:20:28.559 with all that they've entrusted to us. 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:30.639 It would dishonor our parents. 00:20:31.899 --> 00:20:33.480 See, generosity isn't just about 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:35.579 charity and benevolence. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.940 It's about a job 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:38.339 that we've been given 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:39.539 by our Father in Heaven. 00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.839 It's stewardship. 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:43.599 Our calling to generosity 00:20:43.599 --> 00:20:46.000 echoes out from God's original command 00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:47.139 to us in creation. 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:49.059 Just as He generously shared 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:51.319 life and existence with us 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.379 when He didn't have to, 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:55.119 He has called us to be fruitful 00:20:55.119 --> 00:20:55.859 and to multiply 00:20:55.859 --> 00:20:57.279 and to fill the earth 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:59.199 not just for our own individual sakes 00:20:59.199 --> 00:21:01.039 but for His good and the good, 00:21:01.199 --> 00:21:02.579 His glory and the good of our neighbors. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:05.199 God has created a world 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:06.599 full of abundance. 00:21:07.179 --> 00:21:09.279 A world sustained by His presence 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:10.259 with daily provisions 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:12.159 for every need and desire. 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.519 And the simple work 00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.219 that He gave us 00:21:14.219 --> 00:21:14.879 from the beginning 00:21:14.879 --> 00:21:16.679 to complete 00:21:16.679 --> 00:21:18.000 was to just generously 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.859 and selflessly 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:19.859 exercise 00:21:20.659 --> 00:21:23.119 our God-given authority 00:21:23.119 --> 00:21:24.239 and to share 00:21:24.239 --> 00:21:25.379 the plentiful bounty 00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.339 of our possessions 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.759 as we all together 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:29.339 bear tons and tons of fruit 00:21:29.339 --> 00:21:30.819 as we are faithful to the Lord. 00:21:31.639 --> 00:21:33.239 This was God's intention for us. 00:21:33.979 --> 00:21:36.119 Generosity was meant to be natural. 00:21:37.679 --> 00:21:38.059 But you see, 00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.359 the reason we find generosity 00:21:39.359 --> 00:21:41.719 so hard and unnatural today 00:21:41.719 --> 00:21:43.119 is because of sin's entrance 00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:44.219 into the world. 00:21:45.219 --> 00:21:46.399 And all the scarcity 00:21:46.399 --> 00:21:47.739 and the selfishness 00:21:47.739 --> 00:21:49.219 and all the sweat and tears 00:21:49.219 --> 00:21:50.219 and blood and thorns 00:21:50.219 --> 00:21:50.759 and thistles 00:21:50.759 --> 00:21:51.839 that came into the ground 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.779 and all the enmity 00:21:52.779 --> 00:21:54.079 and hostility 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.500 and violent competition 00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.339 that sin created 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:57.039 between us 00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:58.099 and everyone else. 00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:59.679 People made in the image of God 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:00.579 yet because of sin 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:01.799 turned enemies 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:03.480 and threats to one another. 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.519 And this is why Cain 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.240 and his descendants 00:22:06.240 --> 00:22:07.399 built those cities 00:22:07.399 --> 00:22:08.159 as they did. 00:22:08.399 --> 00:22:10.000 Not as dwelling places 00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.639 and temples 00:22:10.639 --> 00:22:12.019 where people might excel 00:22:12.019 --> 00:22:13.259 at worshiping God 00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:13.939 with one another 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:15.000 and loving one another 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.919 as themselves 00:22:15.919 --> 00:22:18.359 but as self-protective fortresses. 00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:19.619 That's what Cain's descendants built. 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:21.699 Self-protective fortresses 00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:23.140 built up against one another. 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.860 Places where people 00:22:24.860 --> 00:22:25.660 sought to excel 00:22:25.660 --> 00:22:26.640 in the use of power 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.700 and control 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.779 and violence 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:29.640 and oppression. 00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:32.240 Whereas God's ideal 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:32.779 for the city 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:34.059 was always abundance 00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:35.360 and sharing 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.620 and harmony. 00:22:37.380 --> 00:22:38.299 People excelling 00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:39.100 in generosity 00:22:39.100 --> 00:22:40.000 toward one another. 00:22:41.080 --> 00:22:41.720 Our cities, 00:22:42.080 --> 00:22:43.299 even with all the great things 00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.660 that our cities have done, 00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.440 all our triumphs, 00:22:45.480 --> 00:22:46.019 all our merits, 00:22:46.340 --> 00:22:47.460 our cities have always 00:22:47.460 --> 00:22:48.380 still been plagued 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.220 by what? 00:22:49.360 --> 00:22:49.840 Violence 00:22:49.840 --> 00:22:51.260 and inequality 00:22:51.260 --> 00:22:52.700 and scarcity 00:22:52.700 --> 00:22:54.560 and people just trying 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:54.980 to excel 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.920 in whatever it is 00:22:55.920 --> 00:22:57.220 that will get them ahead. 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:59.860 Maybe it's software engineering today. 00:23:00.320 --> 00:23:01.220 Hundreds of years ago, 00:23:01.300 --> 00:23:01.920 it was being good 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:02.480 with the sword. 00:23:03.220 --> 00:23:04.080 Whatever it is, 00:23:04.540 --> 00:23:05.220 try to excel 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:06.620 to try to get ahead, 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.220 right? 00:23:07.820 --> 00:23:08.840 No matter how bad 00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:09.640 that is for them 00:23:09.640 --> 00:23:10.420 or their environment 00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:11.920 or for their neighbors. 00:23:11.920 --> 00:23:13.840 All right, 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.500 so I kind of got us 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.600 a little bit away 00:23:15.600 --> 00:23:16.180 from the text 00:23:16.180 --> 00:23:17.600 but let's bring it back 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.660 to verse six. 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:19.320 Okay? 00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:20.480 Generosity. 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:23.039 This is why Paul 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:24.259 sends Titus, okay? 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.000 Because of sin 00:23:25.000 --> 00:23:25.640 in this world, 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.580 because of our, 00:23:26.880 --> 00:23:27.420 because of the way 00:23:27.420 --> 00:23:28.320 that generosity 00:23:28.320 --> 00:23:29.640 has become unnatural 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.800 in this world, 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.700 Paul goes 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:32.480 and he sends Titus 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.200 in verse six. 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:34.300 Apparently, 00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:34.840 he's asking 00:23:34.840 --> 00:23:36.039 for a second gift. 00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:37.860 If you look 00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.779 at verses 10 and 11, 00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.279 you'll see that 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.160 this church in Corinth 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:42.400 actually had already 00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:43.380 given a gift. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.620 So Paul's asking again. 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:45.700 It's a double dip 00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.160 right here 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:48.259 and Paul is sending 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.800 Titus again 00:23:48.800 --> 00:23:49.640 to come and collect 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.380 another donation 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:54.019 because they need 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.440 accountability. 00:23:55.540 --> 00:23:56.400 In their fallen existence, 00:23:56.600 --> 00:23:57.759 generosity is no longer 00:23:57.759 --> 00:23:58.400 natural. 00:23:58.540 --> 00:23:59.519 So Paul sends Titus 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.320 to point them back 00:24:00.320 --> 00:24:01.540 to the joyful task 00:24:01.540 --> 00:24:02.960 of completing the good work 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.700 of generosity 00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:04.800 that they started. 00:24:05.560 --> 00:24:06.620 And he reasons like this. 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.460 Paul reasons that 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:09.040 what good would it be 00:24:09.040 --> 00:24:10.440 for this church in Corinth 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.500 to excel 00:24:11.500 --> 00:24:13.039 in a whole bunch of ways 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:14.900 but not also in giving. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.140 Look at what he says 00:24:17.140 --> 00:24:17.700 in verse seven. 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:19.460 But since you excel 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.279 in everything, 00:24:20.480 --> 00:24:20.940 in faith, 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:21.559 in speech, 00:24:21.640 --> 00:24:22.039 in knowledge, 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.180 in complete earnestness, 00:24:23.559 --> 00:24:24.279 and in the love 00:24:24.279 --> 00:24:25.759 we have kindled in you, 00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:27.860 see that you also excel 00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.900 in this grace 00:24:28.900 --> 00:24:29.759 of giving. 00:24:30.720 --> 00:24:31.220 And I want us 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.059 to think about that. 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.779 Try to imagine a church. 00:24:33.900 --> 00:24:34.440 Try to imagine 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.900 even just an individual person 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:37.519 who excels 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:38.800 in all kinds of gifts 00:24:38.800 --> 00:24:39.680 in faith, 00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.120 speech, 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.480 knowledge, 00:24:40.600 --> 00:24:41.019 earnestness, 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.960 and even love 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:43.780 and yet doesn't excel 00:24:43.780 --> 00:24:44.980 in giving. 00:24:46.280 --> 00:24:47.240 Is that the kind 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.840 of excellence 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:49.240 that this world 00:24:49.240 --> 00:24:50.720 really needs? 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.759 Paul is saying 00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.280 to this church 00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:53.680 in Corinth 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.400 and perhaps God 00:24:54.400 --> 00:24:55.840 is saying to us today, 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.440 Christ Church, 00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:56.759 hey, 00:24:57.360 --> 00:24:58.040 you're great 00:24:58.040 --> 00:24:58.759 and you excel 00:24:58.759 --> 00:25:00.140 in so many things. 00:25:00.280 --> 00:25:01.019 You are a church 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:01.720 full of talent 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.740 and gifts 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:04.360 and so many things 00:25:04.360 --> 00:25:04.880 to admire. 00:25:06.279 --> 00:25:07.380 But see that you also 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.819 excel in giving. 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.519 And don't you dare 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.220 be content 00:25:11.220 --> 00:25:11.980 that you excel 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:13.079 at everything else 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:14.200 if you do not also 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.940 excel in giving. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:17.960 Because see for Paul, 00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.839 as it says in verse 8, 00:25:18.960 --> 00:25:19.500 generosity, 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:21.360 generosity is a true test 00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.140 of the sincerity 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:23.460 of our faith 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:24.299 and our love. 00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:25.160 A true test 00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.839 of whether 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:28.339 excellent faith 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:28.819 and speech 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.299 and knowledge 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.960 and love 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.799 and earnestness 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:32.220 are really real. 00:25:33.139 --> 00:25:33.859 And this is a test 00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:35.079 for all of us as well. 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.559 Now just to be clear, 00:25:36.639 --> 00:25:37.279 this is not Paul 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.220 trying to set them up 00:25:38.220 --> 00:25:38.619 to fail. 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.279 He's not saying 00:25:39.279 --> 00:25:39.839 that they have to 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.740 prove themselves 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:42.159 to him 00:25:42.159 --> 00:25:43.839 as a church 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.720 that's just as generous 00:25:44.720 --> 00:25:46.139 as the Macedonian churches. 00:25:46.899 --> 00:25:47.579 He's not saying 00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.159 that we have to 00:25:48.159 --> 00:25:48.740 prove ourselves 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:49.299 to God 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:50.500 by giving generously 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.419 or else we're doomed. 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:51.700 No, 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:53.440 he's not commanding them 00:25:53.440 --> 00:25:55.240 to give 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.319 with this test, 00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:57.839 but he's inviting them 00:25:57.839 --> 00:25:58.480 to give. 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:58.919 He's saying, 00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:00.319 I want you to prove 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:01.039 me right 00:26:01.039 --> 00:26:03.119 about what I believe 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:03.839 God's up to 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.859 in your church, 00:26:04.899 --> 00:26:05.639 just as he did 00:26:05.639 --> 00:26:06.460 amongst the churches 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:07.119 in Macedonia. 00:26:07.220 --> 00:26:08.359 I want you to prove 00:26:08.359 --> 00:26:09.539 the power of the gospel 00:26:09.539 --> 00:26:10.339 and the power 00:26:10.339 --> 00:26:11.119 of the Holy Spirit 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:11.799 is at work 00:26:11.799 --> 00:26:12.919 within your church too. 00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.659 I want to give you 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:14.439 an opportunity 00:26:14.439 --> 00:26:16.299 to make your love 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:17.759 and to make your faith 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.339 evident 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:19.439 to your brothers 00:26:19.439 --> 00:26:20.059 and sisters 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:21.119 in Jerusalem. 00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.579 And this is so key 00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.599 to understanding 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:25.700 Paul's fundraising letter 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:27.919 and really to understanding 00:26:27.919 --> 00:26:29.240 the whole of the Christian life 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.279 and how we're to live 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:31.120 before God. 00:26:31.240 --> 00:26:32.960 This little non-coercive 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.539 comment here 00:26:33.539 --> 00:26:34.640 from Paul in verse 8 00:26:34.640 --> 00:26:35.620 where he says, 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.660 I'm not commanding you, 00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.660 but I want to test 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.279 the sincerity 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.359 of your love. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:42.620 Now, 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.200 at first, 00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:44.240 if you think about that, 00:26:44.859 --> 00:26:46.059 if generosity 00:26:46.059 --> 00:26:46.779 is what Christians 00:26:46.779 --> 00:26:47.759 are supposed to do, 00:26:47.819 --> 00:26:48.620 then why would Paul 00:26:48.620 --> 00:26:49.200 say this, 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:50.920 I am not commanding you? 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:51.759 Like, 00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.279 would he say that 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.319 about maybe 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.359 other kinds of things? 00:26:54.960 --> 00:26:56.140 I'm not commanding you 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.840 to not murder. 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.520 I'm not commanding you 00:26:58.520 --> 00:26:59.200 to not steal, 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.840 to not commit adultery. 00:27:01.900 --> 00:27:03.060 Why is he saying 00:27:03.060 --> 00:27:04.320 that he's not commanding 00:27:04.320 --> 00:27:05.480 generosity? 00:27:07.280 --> 00:27:07.460 Well, 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:07.580 you know, 00:27:07.620 --> 00:27:08.320 as Paul is writing 00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:09.460 this fundraising letter 00:27:09.460 --> 00:27:10.500 trying to persuade 00:27:10.500 --> 00:27:11.380 the church in Corinth 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:12.220 to give generously 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.240 once again 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:14.220 to the church 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.640 in Jerusalem, 00:27:14.780 --> 00:27:15.620 he also knows 00:27:15.620 --> 00:27:17.120 that the law 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:18.600 and mere commandments, 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.740 they have no power 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:22.340 to change our hearts. 00:27:23.300 --> 00:27:23.400 Like, 00:27:23.420 --> 00:27:23.960 think about it. 00:27:23.960 --> 00:27:24.900 The laws are good 00:27:24.900 --> 00:27:25.779 at legislating 00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.240 and showing us 00:27:27.240 --> 00:27:28.380 the right behaviors, 00:27:28.519 --> 00:27:29.579 demarcating what is right 00:27:29.579 --> 00:27:30.480 and what's wrong. 00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:30.740 Like, 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:31.200 oh, 00:27:31.299 --> 00:27:31.480 yeah, 00:27:31.600 --> 00:27:32.660 I murdered that guy. 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.799 That was definitely bad, 00:27:33.940 --> 00:27:34.180 right? 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.460 It's a clear line 00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.299 when you have a law. 00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:38.299 Laws make that clear. 00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:40.160 It's clear when you murder. 00:27:40.279 --> 00:27:41.019 It's clear when you steal, 00:27:41.100 --> 00:27:41.480 when you lie. 00:27:41.539 --> 00:27:42.059 No one ever says, 00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.740 oh my gosh, 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.579 I didn't know 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:44.680 I was committing adultery. 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.579 No one says that. 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:47.559 Laws are good 00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:49.000 at pointing stuff out, 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:49.460 but again, 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:50.340 they cannot change 00:27:50.340 --> 00:27:51.319 our hearts. 00:27:52.380 --> 00:27:53.059 Whoever read 00:27:53.059 --> 00:27:54.319 thou shalt not steal 00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:56.639 or thou shalt not murder 00:27:56.639 --> 00:27:57.379 and thought to themselves, 00:27:57.539 --> 00:27:57.940 oh wow, 00:27:58.500 --> 00:27:59.679 this changed my life. 00:28:00.740 --> 00:28:02.079 And not only am I not going 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:02.700 to steal and murder, 00:28:02.859 --> 00:28:04.079 but because of these commandments, 00:28:04.259 --> 00:28:05.399 I'm gonna devote myself 00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:06.359 to giving more 00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:07.039 to other people 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:08.059 and to helping them 00:28:08.059 --> 00:28:08.679 live their lives 00:28:08.679 --> 00:28:09.179 to the fullest. 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:10.559 No one ever says that. 00:28:11.159 --> 00:28:12.039 We hear the command, 00:28:12.179 --> 00:28:12.879 thou shalt not murder, 00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:13.379 and we say, 00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:13.879 okay, 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:14.139 good, 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:14.720 I got it. 00:28:15.039 --> 00:28:15.579 I'm good, 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:16.419 right? 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.940 But you see, 00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:19.079 the thing about generosity 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:21.119 and its opposite greed 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:22.839 is that these aren't 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:24.099 just simple behaviors 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.000 like murdering 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:26.599 versus not murdering, 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:27.139 right? 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.619 You can't just hear 00:28:28.619 --> 00:28:29.059 the command, 00:28:29.199 --> 00:28:29.699 don't be greedy 00:28:29.699 --> 00:28:30.059 and be like, 00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:30.379 okay, 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:30.739 good, 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.639 got it, 00:28:31.879 --> 00:28:32.139 right? 00:28:32.979 --> 00:28:33.659 Because greed 00:28:33.659 --> 00:28:34.699 and generosity 00:28:34.699 --> 00:28:36.199 are dispositions 00:28:36.199 --> 00:28:37.279 and inclinations 00:28:37.279 --> 00:28:38.699 in our hearts 00:28:38.699 --> 00:28:41.059 and that makes them 00:28:41.059 --> 00:28:41.379 much, 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.019 much harder 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:43.019 to recognize, 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:43.819 right? 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.139 Like, 00:28:45.179 --> 00:28:45.379 tell me, 00:28:45.439 --> 00:28:46.059 how much does someone 00:28:46.059 --> 00:28:46.559 have to give 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.559 before they are considered 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.939 as generous enough, 00:28:49.699 --> 00:28:49.979 right? 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:50.799 We know when someone 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.839 is murdered or not murdered, 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:52.640 but how much does someone 00:28:52.640 --> 00:28:53.220 have to give 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:53.960 to know if they're 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:55.180 generous or greedy, 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:55.779 right? 00:28:56.259 --> 00:28:57.839 Is it like 0% is greedy, 00:28:58.160 --> 00:29:00.079 5% is kind of generous, 00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:02.339 10% is like satisfactory, 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:03.299 generous? 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:04.839 How do we determine that? 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.860 It doesn't work like that, 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.099 right? 00:29:06.839 --> 00:29:07.740 Generosity and greed 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:09.019 are matters of the heart. 00:29:10.200 --> 00:29:10.579 And so again, 00:29:10.620 --> 00:29:11.380 a command to just 00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:12.380 stop being greedy, 00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.640 we all know 00:29:13.640 --> 00:29:14.620 that that won't do 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:15.240 a thing. 00:29:15.319 --> 00:29:16.000 We cannot merely 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:16.839 be commanded 00:29:16.839 --> 00:29:18.299 into generosity. 00:29:18.299 --> 00:29:18.419 Generosity. 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:20.019 Because think about it, 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:20.259 right? 00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.639 Generosity that's 00:29:21.639 --> 00:29:22.220 merely given 00:29:22.220 --> 00:29:23.759 out of obligatory 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:25.240 obedience and duty 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.220 and out of a fear 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:26.839 of a threat 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.759 or a punishment, 00:29:28.519 --> 00:29:29.579 it isn't true 00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.899 generosity. 00:29:31.619 --> 00:29:32.759 If I'm only giving 00:29:32.759 --> 00:29:33.379 because I'm afraid 00:29:33.379 --> 00:29:33.980 of what God's 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.539 going to do to me 00:29:34.539 --> 00:29:35.240 if I don't, 00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:36.519 or if I only give 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.299 because I want others 00:29:37.299 --> 00:29:38.259 to think well of me, 00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.960 or if I only give 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.759 because I want to think 00:29:39.759 --> 00:29:40.659 well of myself 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.940 as a generous person, 00:29:42.859 --> 00:29:43.240 don't you see 00:29:43.240 --> 00:29:43.799 what that is? 00:29:44.559 --> 00:29:45.599 That's not generosity. 00:29:46.519 --> 00:29:47.019 That's called 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.659 a transaction. 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.440 We're purchasing 00:29:48.440 --> 00:29:49.860 goodwill from God 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.460 or our neighbors 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.300 or from ourselves. 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:54.240 So if the Apostle Paul 00:29:54.240 --> 00:29:55.660 could not and would 00:29:55.660 --> 00:29:56.460 not command them 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.220 into generosity 00:29:57.220 --> 00:29:58.440 in his fundraising letter, 00:29:58.580 --> 00:30:00.380 then this was going 00:30:00.380 --> 00:30:01.259 to fail, wasn't it? 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:03.340 What hope did he have 00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:04.240 that their hearts 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.160 might actually be 00:30:05.160 --> 00:30:06.680 moved to give? 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.240 You know, 00:30:08.300 --> 00:30:09.200 later on we find 00:30:09.200 --> 00:30:09.759 that this church 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.440 does give. 00:30:10.960 --> 00:30:11.440 And the church 00:30:11.440 --> 00:30:12.860 in Jerusalem rejoices 00:30:12.860 --> 00:30:13.400 and they're held 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:15.160 together by this gift. 00:30:15.160 --> 00:30:15.240 gift. 00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:17.100 So my question is, 00:30:17.800 --> 00:30:18.420 what was it 00:30:18.420 --> 00:30:19.080 about this letter? 00:30:20.120 --> 00:30:20.920 If he wasn't even 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:21.560 willing to command 00:30:21.560 --> 00:30:22.019 them to give, 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:24.320 how did certain people 00:30:24.320 --> 00:30:24.900 in Corinth 00:30:24.900 --> 00:30:25.720 with sinful hearts 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.420 inclined only 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.040 towards serving 00:30:27.040 --> 00:30:27.540 themselves, 00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:29.400 how are they 00:30:29.400 --> 00:30:31.000 motivated once again 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.160 to give a second 00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:33.400 offering to this 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.060 church in Jerusalem? 00:30:34.560 --> 00:30:35.279 What power could 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.040 possibly change 00:30:36.040 --> 00:30:37.000 any of our hearts? 00:30:37.120 --> 00:30:38.279 These hearts of ours 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.160 that are so inclined 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:39.940 towards selfishness 00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:40.660 and greed, 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.240 these hearts 00:30:41.240 --> 00:30:42.320 that have defaulted 00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:43.040 to self-interest 00:30:43.040 --> 00:30:43.980 and self-protection 00:30:43.980 --> 00:30:45.180 and self-preservation 00:30:45.180 --> 00:30:45.920 at all costs 00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.560 in this broken 00:30:46.560 --> 00:30:47.580 and violent world 00:30:47.580 --> 00:30:48.600 where money is power 00:30:48.600 --> 00:30:49.240 and control 00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:49.840 and safety 00:30:49.840 --> 00:30:50.460 and security 00:30:50.460 --> 00:30:51.320 and influence, 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.300 what could possibly 00:30:52.300 --> 00:30:53.400 get us to loosen 00:30:53.400 --> 00:30:54.200 our grips 00:30:54.200 --> 00:30:55.600 upon all we possess 00:30:55.600 --> 00:30:56.640 and share it 00:30:56.640 --> 00:30:57.140 with others? 00:30:58.420 --> 00:30:59.060 Well, this is where 00:30:59.060 --> 00:30:59.640 we're going to end 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.300 in verse 9. 00:31:01.580 --> 00:31:02.560 For you know, 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:04.060 he says to them, 00:31:04.440 --> 00:31:05.300 the grace 00:31:05.300 --> 00:31:07.200 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:31:07.540 --> 00:31:09.100 that though he was rich, 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.959 yet for your sake 00:31:10.959 --> 00:31:12.359 he became poor 00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:13.919 so that you, 00:31:14.439 --> 00:31:15.240 through his poverty, 00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:17.339 might become rich. 00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:20.159 What can change 00:31:20.159 --> 00:31:20.639 our hearts? 00:31:21.219 --> 00:31:22.500 What can free us 00:31:22.500 --> 00:31:23.159 from greed 00:31:23.159 --> 00:31:24.579 and unto generosity? 00:31:25.539 --> 00:31:26.399 Only the gospel. 00:31:27.539 --> 00:31:28.339 Only the grace 00:31:28.339 --> 00:31:29.139 of the Lord Jesus 00:31:29.139 --> 00:31:30.240 who showed us 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.299 the ultimate act 00:31:31.299 --> 00:31:32.259 of generosity 00:31:32.259 --> 00:31:33.599 at great expense 00:31:33.599 --> 00:31:34.119 to himself, 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.439 the prince of heaven 00:31:35.439 --> 00:31:36.759 who became poor 00:31:36.759 --> 00:31:37.959 and was laid 00:31:37.959 --> 00:31:38.459 in a manger 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:40.140 who emptied himself, 00:31:40.299 --> 00:31:41.740 who divested himself 00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.460 of everything 00:31:42.460 --> 00:31:43.680 unto nakedness 00:31:43.680 --> 00:31:44.600 upon a cross, 00:31:44.840 --> 00:31:45.579 all to share 00:31:45.579 --> 00:31:46.980 his rich inheritance 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.980 with greedy, 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.779 undeserving people 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:51.180 like us. 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.799 Jesus, 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.259 crucified, 00:31:54.900 --> 00:31:55.120 risen, 00:31:55.259 --> 00:31:55.860 and coming again 00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.360 to share 00:31:56.360 --> 00:31:57.480 his imperishable 00:31:57.480 --> 00:31:58.440 new creation 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.920 inheritance with us. 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:01.299 He is the only 00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:02.059 antidote 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:03.640 to our greedy hearts, 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:04.579 the only way 00:32:04.579 --> 00:32:07.180 to a generous life. 00:32:07.180 --> 00:32:07.940 So the question is, 00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:08.740 will we walk 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.320 in his way, 00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:11.080 trust in his truth, 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:13.100 and live his life? 00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.039 I want to close 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.180 with this excerpt 00:32:16.180 --> 00:32:16.820 from this old 00:32:16.820 --> 00:32:17.880 Scottish preacher, 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:19.019 Robert Murray Shane. 00:32:19.900 --> 00:32:20.560 Jonathan and I 00:32:20.560 --> 00:32:21.080 are both reading 00:32:21.080 --> 00:32:21.820 his Bible reading 00:32:21.820 --> 00:32:22.880 plan this year. 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:23.720 He was also 00:32:23.720 --> 00:32:24.680 a well-known preacher. 00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.220 And he preached 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.560 a sermon 00:32:26.560 --> 00:32:27.420 on this passage, 00:32:27.560 --> 00:32:28.779 2 Corinthians chapter 8, 00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:29.900 just on verse 9. 00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:31.720 And he wrote this, 00:32:31.720 --> 00:32:33.960 Oh, my dear friends, 00:32:34.700 --> 00:32:35.759 if you would be 00:32:35.759 --> 00:32:36.480 like Christ, 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.860 and you pray 00:32:37.860 --> 00:32:38.759 that you will be, 00:32:39.779 --> 00:32:40.640 become like him 00:32:40.640 --> 00:32:41.059 in giving. 00:32:42.240 --> 00:32:43.120 Though he was rich, 00:32:43.180 --> 00:32:43.940 yet for our sakes 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.920 he became poor. 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.940 But you might object, 00:32:47.360 --> 00:32:48.940 my money is my own. 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.339 Well, 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:52.019 Christ might have said, 00:32:52.620 --> 00:32:53.539 my blood is my own, 00:32:53.980 --> 00:32:55.079 my life is my own, 00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:56.940 and then where would you be? 00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:59.319 But then you may object, 00:32:59.319 --> 00:33:00.660 but many people in need 00:33:00.660 --> 00:33:01.579 are undeserving. 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.059 Well, 00:33:04.019 --> 00:33:04.660 Christ might have 00:33:04.660 --> 00:33:05.480 looked at you and said, 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:07.500 look at these wicked rebels, 00:33:07.660 --> 00:33:08.339 should I lay down 00:33:08.339 --> 00:33:09.360 my life for these? 00:33:10.079 --> 00:33:10.420 No, 00:33:10.680 --> 00:33:11.940 I will give to the good angels 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.220 and the deserving poor. 00:33:14.160 --> 00:33:14.700 But no, 00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:16.680 he left the 99 sheep 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:18.380 and came after the lost. 00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:20.100 He gave his blood 00:33:20.100 --> 00:33:21.400 to the undeserving. 00:33:22.519 --> 00:33:23.759 And yet you might object 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.339 yet again, 00:33:24.960 --> 00:33:25.900 but people who I give 00:33:25.900 --> 00:33:26.539 my money to 00:33:26.539 --> 00:33:27.819 might abuse it. 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.279 Well, 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.420 Christ might have said 00:33:31.420 --> 00:33:32.160 the same thing 00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:34.039 with far greater truth. 00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:36.000 Christ knew thousands 00:33:36.000 --> 00:33:37.019 would trample his blood 00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.740 under their feet, 00:33:37.800 --> 00:33:39.000 that most would despise it, 00:33:39.060 --> 00:33:40.100 that many would make 00:33:40.100 --> 00:33:41.140 his blood an excuse 00:33:41.140 --> 00:33:42.100 for sinning more, 00:33:42.560 --> 00:33:43.800 yet he gave his own blood. 00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:45.860 My dear Christians, 00:33:46.720 --> 00:33:48.160 if you want to be like Christ, 00:33:48.920 --> 00:33:49.539 give much, 00:33:50.240 --> 00:33:50.860 give often, 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:51.960 give freely, 00:33:52.640 --> 00:33:53.640 even to the vile 00:33:53.640 --> 00:33:55.120 and the undeserving. 00:33:55.119 --> 00:33:57.259 Christ is glorious 00:33:57.259 --> 00:33:58.299 and happy 00:33:58.299 --> 00:34:00.399 and so shall you be. 00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.519 It's not your money I want, 00:34:02.579 --> 00:34:03.599 it's your happiness. 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:05.559 Remember his own word. 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:07.159 It's more blessed to give 00:34:07.159 --> 00:34:08.579 than to receive. 00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.739 Let's pray. 00:34:09.739 --> 00:34:09.759 Let's pray. 00:34:09.760 --> 00:34:12.520 Father, 00:34:17.700 --> 00:34:18.680 if we have been united 00:34:18.680 --> 00:34:19.360 with your son, 00:34:19.480 --> 00:34:20.260 Jesus Christ, 00:34:21.260 --> 00:34:22.840 who for our sake 00:34:22.840 --> 00:34:24.660 became poor 00:34:24.660 --> 00:34:27.980 so that we might become rich, 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:30.940 what reason do we have 00:34:30.940 --> 00:34:33.620 to clench all that we possess 00:34:33.620 --> 00:34:36.200 as if it is ours 00:34:36.200 --> 00:34:36.960 and ours alone? 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:39.460 O Lord, 00:34:39.539 --> 00:34:39.980 by the power 00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:41.000 of your Holy Spirit, 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.900 in accordance 00:34:42.900 --> 00:34:43.699 with the grace 00:34:43.699 --> 00:34:44.440 of the gospel 00:34:44.440 --> 00:34:45.460 and your generosity 00:34:45.460 --> 00:34:46.139 toward us, 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.760 would you loosen 00:34:46.760 --> 00:34:47.480 our grips 00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:49.619 on all that we believe 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:50.380 to be our own 00:34:50.380 --> 00:34:51.599 and would we remember 00:34:51.599 --> 00:34:53.559 what do we have 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:54.740 that we have not received? 00:34:57.300 --> 00:34:59.039 And don't we also 00:34:59.039 --> 00:34:59.840 have an inheritance 00:34:59.840 --> 00:35:01.900 that we did not earn 00:35:01.900 --> 00:35:02.940 and cannot lose 00:35:02.940 --> 00:35:04.760 because of the work 00:35:04.760 --> 00:35:05.340 of Christ? 00:35:06.960 --> 00:35:07.460 Oh God, 00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:08.760 would you transform us? 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:10.679 Would you work a miracle 00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.720 in this church? 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.559 Change our hearts 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:14.119 to make us 00:35:14.119 --> 00:35:14.980 the generous people 00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:16.280 that you want us to be, 00:35:16.659 --> 00:35:18.099 giving even beyond 00:35:18.099 --> 00:35:18.920 our ability 00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:20.599 in the name of Jesus 00:35:20.599 --> 00:35:21.820 and for the good 00:35:21.820 --> 00:35:22.380 of this world, 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:22.880 we pray. 00:35:23.460 --> 00:35:23.720 Amen.