WEBVTT

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 Let us begin with prayer.

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 Our Father God, this morning as we open Your Word, I am reminded of the passage in John

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 15 where it says, apart from me you can do nothing.

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 And I would be sorely mistaken to think that preaching is an exercise merely of the intellect

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 because, Father, it is something that is profoundly dependent upon the work of the Spirit of God.

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 And to think that Your people, of their own will and volition, can glean from the words of a frail individual

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 things that are of eternal value merely by their own thoughts is foolish.

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 And so, Father, we join the psalmist in praying,

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 Open Thou mine eyes that I might behold wondrous truths out of Thy law.

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 And we understand this morning as we take up the subject of our stewardship, our giving,

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 that for some of us here, this is a joyful practice of many years of application.

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 For others, it's an ongoing battle and struggle.

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 And for still others, it is an area of irritation and resistance.

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 And so, Lord, this morning our prayer is that Your Word would have free course and that it would bear fruit.

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 And we ask this because of Jesus and with confidence in the power of the Spirit of God.

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 Amen.

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 I would ask that you turn in your Bibles this morning to 1 Corinthians chapter 16,

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 and I will tell you in advance that we will not stay there very long.

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 Let me read the passage to you.

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 The apostle writes this in 1 Corinthians 16.

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 He says,

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 Now concerning the collection for the saints as I directed the churches in Galatia,

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 so also you are to do.

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 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside

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 and store it up as he may prosper so that there will be no collecting when I come.

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 I bring this to your attention because it's a passage that reminds us that the matter of stewardship

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 was something that had traction and had a place in apostolic teaching,

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 and it was part of what the early church addressed at one point or another.

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 In fact, it was a fairly regular part.

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 If you actually were to take and work your way through the Scriptures,

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 you would be amazed at how often it appears.

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 Now having said that, I do want you to know that it does not appear in the New Testament

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 quite as often as it appears in contemporary televangelical, you know, televangelist speaking.

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 You've heard me on occasion talk about the perverse part of my heart

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 that every now and then we'll just kind of skip through

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 and listen to a number of different individuals.

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 And it's amazing, it's amazing, it's amazing.

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 I was listening to Jake's the other day.

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 Now I'll tell you, he's got fire.

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 I like it.

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 Very passionate, very enthusiastic.

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 And I was listening to T.D. Jake's talk about,

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 no matter where the sermon starts,

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 guess where it always ends up?

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 Somewhere close to seed faith.

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 And seed faith is one of those,

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 you can count on it being somewhere in the sermon,

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 no matter who you're listening to.

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 And if you are watching on TV,

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 somewhere along the line when seed faith kind of comes up,

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 there's an amazing,

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 I don't know how they do it technologically,

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 but right along with seed faith,

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 there comes up, you know,

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 dial 1-800, blah, blah, blah,

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 and here's the place to send things.

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 And it's all choreographed perfectly.

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 It's great.

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 I do want you to know

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 that the Bible does talk about the matter of giving

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 and is pretty consistent about it.

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 And so one of the challenges that I face as a pastor

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 is teaching on the subject

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 and teaching on it clearly

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 and then perhaps doing my very best

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 to not be repetitious.

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 Having said that,

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 at the very outset,

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 I'm going to tell you

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 that for some of you who are here this morning,

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 you're going to hear me say things

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 that you've heard me say before

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 or perhaps at some point

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 you were in a ministry

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 where the matter of giving was taught consistently.

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 I, for one, grew up in a wonderful Christian home.

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 I went to a Christian quasi-high school.

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 I went to a Christian college.

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 I taught in a Christian school.

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 And I went to a Christian seminary.

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 Can you top that?

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 And I never heard the matter of stewardship taught carefully

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 until Judith and I showed up

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 at Westridge Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Patton.

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 And lo and behold,

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 when January rolled around,

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 he did a four-week series on stewardship

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 and it was the first time Judith and I

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 had heard a careful, deliberate instruction

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 from the Scriptures about the matter of stewardship.

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 It was a life-changing,

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 in terms of certain economy issues in our lives,

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 it was a life-changing moment

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 because I remember Judith and I,

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 up to that time,

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 had been pretty inconsistent

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 in the matter of our giving.

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 I'm not saying that we were off the charts,

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 but it was not something that was woven in.

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 And I remember as those sermons were progressing,

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 Judith and I looking at each other and saying,

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 you know what?

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 I think this is something God wants us to work on

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 and we were convicted of that matter.

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 And I remember when Judith and I started giving

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 consistently, faithfully, week by week,

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 using what I was receiving as a benchmark

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 and then giving proportionally off of that.

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 And I remember at an earlier time in my life,

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 I'm going to move this stand, musicians,

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 so that I have room to move, okay?

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 But I remember at an earlier time in my life,

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 hearing, I heard a sermon.

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 Remember, I didn't have consistent teaching

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 on the matter of giving,

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 but I heard one sermon that really resonated with me.

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 It was this, if you give to God,

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 you can't out-give God,

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 so if you give Him a little,

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 He's going to give you what?

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 He's going to give you more.

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 And I really liked that idea,

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 but I really hadn't put it into practice,

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 I want to tell you up front.

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 But then when Judith and I started into the matter

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 of being faithful in our giving,

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 we actually went for about six months,

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 being consistent,

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 and you know what?

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 We never got a check in the mailbox.

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 I didn't get a raise.

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 No one rear-ended my car,

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 and I got a wonderful settlement.

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 There was nothing magical that happened,

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 except I remember we'd made this commitment,

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 and we began actually tapping into our limited reserves

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 at that point because we were,

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 do you know what we learned?

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 We learned that what we had to do

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 in order to be faithful in our giving

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 was adjust our spending style.

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 Now, that's an epiphany for some people.

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 It was for us.

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 There were things that we stopped doing

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 because instead of making God

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 kind of the leftovers of our giving,

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 how many of you understand what I'm talking about?

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 Hey, does the government get its first take on your check?

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 I'm just curious.

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 How many of you notice

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 that when you open your check,

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 there's already deductions

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 that someone's helped you with?

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 And did you get to vote on those?

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 Well, you may say that in an elective government,

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 yes, yes, yes,

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 but the truth of the matter is,

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 you know, you see all those deductions,

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 you think, huh, that one?

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 That one?

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 And, you know,

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 our government stands right out front first

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 and doesn't even put their hand out politely.

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 They reach into your wallet.

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 And I remember beginning to think,

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 well, I'm going to put God above the government,

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 and we began being responsible in our giving.

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 And it was a culture shock for Judith and me

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 to go through this process

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 of learning to be faithful in our giving

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 by, first of all,

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 being more faithful in our spending.

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 And so, this morning,

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 as I come to teach on the subject of giving,

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 and that's what we're going to do

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 this week and next week,

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 I want you to know

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 that I have no hesitation

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 for the repetition of the subject

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 because I think there is benefit

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 in reviewing very important Bible principles,

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 and what we're going to find this morning

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 is that the matter of giving

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 really rests upon a very foundational Bible truth.

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 The starting place for Christian giving

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 is something that I want us to think about

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 at the outset.

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 Let me begin by saying that giving

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 is really not something

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 that is woven into our nature.

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 It's not.

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 And when you stop and think about it,

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 that a lot of people are of the idea

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 that the human heart is just inherently good,

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 and we just have to have

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 a little more opportunity

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 to be nice people,

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 and it'll all work out wonderfully.

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 That's really not the truth.

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 And the truth of the matter is

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 is that we're not born givers.

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 If you have any question about this,

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 you can work in our nursery.

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 In fact, I think Pastor Saul said

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 that there's an opportunity

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 with the twos and threes

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 and three-year-olds,

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 and go ahead and just do a little quiz,

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 a little test,

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 and come back and report to me.

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 Let me know whether your children

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 that you're working with in the nursery

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 are just intuitively gracious and generous,

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 whether it is Cheerios or toys.

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 You know, it's amazing.

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 Every toy in the nursery,

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 there's only one of a kind, so to speak,

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 and whatever one the one has,

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 the other one wants.

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 Have you noticed that?

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 I'm just telling you that up front,

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 the matter of giving

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 is not something that we're hardwired for.

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 It's also interesting to recognize

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 that biblical giving

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 doesn't really begin with commands.

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 I think we do a disservice

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 when we teach believers

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 that faithfulness in giving

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 is really predominantly something

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 that flows out of command.

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 Thou shalt do this.

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 Now, I'm in favor of commands,

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 but the Scriptures always begin

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 by reminding us

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 of the incredible generosity of God

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 in relationship to us,

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 and all that we have received

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 ends up being the motive

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 for the way in which we respond to God.

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 And so, it's appropriate

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 as we think about this matter of giving

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 to recognize the Bible doesn't begin

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 by saying,

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 thou shalt, you know.

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 In relationship to this also,

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 I think it's important for us

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 to realize that biblical giving

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 is never manipulative

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 or based on a false idea

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 of return on investment.

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 I want you to hear that said carefully

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 because it is a very common theme

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 in many places.

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 You give in order to get.

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 And the idea that goes with

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 that seed faith type of idea

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 is that, well, hey, you know,

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 you give God $10,

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 and it's kind of a seed faith.

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 It shows you believe

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 that He is going to keep His Word,

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 and guess what He is going to do?

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 He is going to return a benefit to you,

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 and you can kind of count on that $10

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 somehow or another

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 spiritually growing into being

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 a whole lot more money.

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 And I can't tell you

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 how common that subject is.

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 Not only that,

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 but a common way

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 of churches raising money

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 is doing all kinds of raffles

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 and bingo

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 and, you know,

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 hey, what about cards?

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 I mean, hey,

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 wouldn't it be a good idea

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 if we just kind of took something

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 off the top of card games

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 and things like that?

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 What do you think?

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 Is there anything in the Bible

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 about relying on card games

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 or chance as a means

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 of raising funds?

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 What's the answer from

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 God's people?

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 No.

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 Meganoito.

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 That's the word in the Greek.

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 It's never let it be.

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 Absolutely not.

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 You may wonder why

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 when we send our young people

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 on a missions trip,

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 we raise money the way we do.

00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:53.580
 How many of you know

00:13:53.580 --> 00:13:54.259
 how we raise money

00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.000
 for a missions trip?

00:13:57.139 --> 00:13:58.540
 We don't have them doing

00:13:58.540 --> 00:14:00.320
 all kinds of little car washes

00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:01.840
 and little projects

00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.700
 and I don't want to throw

00:14:02.700 --> 00:14:03.760
 a lot of cold water on that

00:14:03.760 --> 00:14:04.800
 but here's what we do.

00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:06.360
 We tell the people

00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.080
 that are going to lead

00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.720
 the missions trip,

00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:09.960
 hey, you spend all your time

00:14:09.960 --> 00:14:11.100
 helping our young people

00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.720
 learn what it is

00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.620
 to serve Christ.

00:14:14.700 --> 00:14:16.020
 You help them learn

00:14:16.020 --> 00:14:17.080
 the things they're going to use

00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:18.240
 in Jamaica

00:14:18.240 --> 00:14:19.520
 or, and Pastor Saul,

00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:20.820
 you're equipping a team

00:14:20.820 --> 00:14:22.020
 to go to Jamaica this summer.

00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.740
 You do your work,

00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:24.640
 we'll do our work.

00:14:24.640 --> 00:14:26.140
 Our part's the support.

00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.540
 As you think about this matter

00:14:31.540 --> 00:14:34.879
 of giving for a return

00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.760
 on the investment,

00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:36.840
 I want you to stop

00:14:36.840 --> 00:14:37.780
 and think just for a moment

00:14:37.780 --> 00:14:39.240
 of a couple illustrations

00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:39.860
 in the Bible.

00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:40.920
 I'm just going to reference them

00:14:40.920 --> 00:14:41.640
 and I'm going to assume

00:14:41.640 --> 00:14:43.060
 that you can track with me

00:14:43.060 --> 00:14:45.100
 but one would be the widow.

00:14:45.480 --> 00:14:46.220
 Remember the widow

00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:48.379
 that Jesus was kind of observing

00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:49.800
 and at the temple

00:14:49.800 --> 00:14:51.100
 people were throwing money in

00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.120
 and along comes this widow

00:14:52.120 --> 00:14:52.900
 and she dropped in

00:14:52.900 --> 00:14:53.900
 two little mites.

00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.420
 It's not like lice,

00:14:56.540 --> 00:14:58.040
 it's two little coins,

00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.380
 little eensy-weensy things.

00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:01.700
 And Jesus made this statement,

00:15:01.840 --> 00:15:03.159
 hey, there is a woman

00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.259
 who's given more

00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:05.299
 than all the rest

00:15:05.299 --> 00:15:06.399
 of the guys have given.

00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:09.139
 Now, did she walk out of there

00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:10.519
 later jingling her pocket

00:15:10.519 --> 00:15:12.059
 with ten mites

00:15:12.059 --> 00:15:12.860
 or, you know,

00:15:13.139 --> 00:15:14.200
 whatever it was?

00:15:14.279 --> 00:15:15.100
 No, not at all.

00:15:15.299 --> 00:15:16.399
 And here's another illustration.

00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.500
 Remember Zacchaeus?

00:15:18.879 --> 00:15:20.620
 When he came down out of the tree,

00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:22.080
 what was the first thing he did?

00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:24.000
 Does anybody remember?

00:15:24.360 --> 00:15:25.559
 Raise your hand and wave at me

00:15:25.559 --> 00:15:26.340
 if you know what he did.

00:15:27.600 --> 00:15:28.860
 Just wave at me.

00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:30.980
 That's all I'm looking for

00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:31.460
 is just a wave.

00:15:32.279 --> 00:15:33.620
 Do you know what Zacchaeus did

00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.580
 when he came down from the tree?

00:15:34.580 --> 00:15:37.100
 He said,

00:15:37.399 --> 00:15:40.000
 hey, whoever I have cheated,

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:41.439
 I'm going to repay fourfold

00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:44.220
 and half of what I have

00:15:44.220 --> 00:15:46.259
 I'm given to the poor.

00:15:47.639 --> 00:15:49.299
 Did he snicker under his breath

00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:49.600
 and say,

00:15:49.759 --> 00:15:51.779
 I'm getting it back.

00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:52.840
 Is that what he did?

00:15:53.480 --> 00:15:53.840
 No.

00:15:55.159 --> 00:15:55.980
 Not at all.

00:15:55.980 --> 00:15:57.759
 You see,

00:15:58.659 --> 00:16:00.220
 the illustrations we find

00:16:00.220 --> 00:16:00.740
 in the Bible

00:16:00.740 --> 00:16:01.920
 of charitable giving

00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:02.740
 have nothing to do

00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.860
 with that kind of manipulation.

00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:05.159
 So,

00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.379
 the call

00:16:06.379 --> 00:16:07.480
 to biblical giving

00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.759
 really begins

00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.680
 with the glory of God.

00:16:11.680 --> 00:16:12.639
 And the call

00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.539
 to biblical giving

00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:14.519
 in your life

00:16:14.519 --> 00:16:15.800
 as a believer

00:16:15.800 --> 00:16:17.220
 really rests

00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.420
 upon your view of God.

00:16:18.500 --> 00:16:19.320
 That's where it is.

00:16:19.320 --> 00:16:21.940
 We are to give

00:16:21.940 --> 00:16:24.480
 because we are persuaded

00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:25.680
 of His glory

00:16:25.680 --> 00:16:27.480
 and we love His glory

00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:28.720
 and we desire

00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:30.100
 to see Him glorified.

00:16:30.820 --> 00:16:31.640
 Let me have you look

00:16:31.640 --> 00:16:32.460
 at a passage here.

00:16:32.560 --> 00:16:33.700
 You're there in 1 Corinthians

00:16:33.700 --> 00:16:34.860
 or maybe you moved on

00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.060
 but,

00:16:35.660 --> 00:16:37.000
 or your iPad went blank.

00:16:37.220 --> 00:16:37.420
 Anyway,

00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:38.420
 one of the things here,

00:16:38.500 --> 00:16:39.160
 we're going to go to

00:16:39.160 --> 00:16:40.980
 2 Corinthians chapter 9.

00:16:42.300 --> 00:16:43.340
 In 1 Corinthians,

00:16:43.640 --> 00:16:44.100
 Paul says,

00:16:44.180 --> 00:16:44.320
 hey,

00:16:44.460 --> 00:16:45.160
 first day of the week,

00:16:45.260 --> 00:16:46.200
 this is what you're supposed to do.

00:16:46.800 --> 00:16:47.560
 2 Corinthians,

00:16:47.720 --> 00:16:49.220
 he takes two full chapters.

00:16:49.640 --> 00:16:51.400
 Two full chapters.

00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.460
 That's not a drive-by shooting

00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.540
 on the subject of giving.

00:16:56.820 --> 00:16:58.180
 He really gets into it.

00:16:59.200 --> 00:17:00.940
 And towards the very end

00:17:00.940 --> 00:17:02.480
 of chapter 9,

00:17:02.640 --> 00:17:03.520
 listen to what he says

00:17:03.520 --> 00:17:04.680
 in verse 13.

00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.220
 By their approval

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:07.100
 of this service,

00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:09.019
 they will glorify God

00:17:09.019 --> 00:17:10.840
 because your submission,

00:17:11.299 --> 00:17:12.480
 because of your submission

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:14.019
 flowing from your confession

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.220
 of the gospel of Christ

00:17:15.220 --> 00:17:16.700
 and the generosity

00:17:16.700 --> 00:17:17.980
 of your contribution

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.680
 for them

00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.819
 and for all others.

00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.600
 What's he saying?

00:17:21.640 --> 00:17:22.980
 As other people

00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:24.420
 see the generosity

00:17:24.420 --> 00:17:26.160
 of your heart,

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:30.100
 they're going to end up

00:17:30.100 --> 00:17:31.059
 giving glory to God.

00:17:32.519 --> 00:17:34.640
 Why would they glorify God?

00:17:36.120 --> 00:17:38.019
 Because they realize

00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.519
 that what you are doing

00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.620
 is something

00:17:40.620 --> 00:17:42.460
 that is atypical.

00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:42.579
 It's unusual.

00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:44.900
 It's unusual.

00:17:46.140 --> 00:17:48.240
 Hey, everybody understands

00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.299
 giving when you're going

00:17:49.299 --> 00:17:50.259
 to get something back.

00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:50.759
 Am I right?

00:17:52.039 --> 00:17:52.980
 Some of you

00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:55.640
 at Christmas time,

00:17:56.180 --> 00:17:57.700
 you get little gifts

00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.799
 from some of your suppliers.

00:18:00.940 --> 00:18:01.559
 Do you know why

00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.400
 you get those gifts?

00:18:03.340 --> 00:18:04.620
 It's really not

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:05.759
 because your suppliers

00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:07.600
 just really like you.

00:18:07.599 --> 00:18:10.199
 It's because they're hoping

00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:12.139
 that in the next year

00:18:12.139 --> 00:18:13.519
 you're going to keep on

00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.980
 buying product from them.

00:18:16.139 --> 00:18:17.819
 And depending on where

00:18:17.819 --> 00:18:19.299
 you are in the food chain,

00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:20.419
 they kind of,

00:18:20.719 --> 00:18:22.980
 their gift is proportionate.

00:18:23.319 --> 00:18:24.419
 And do you think

00:18:24.419 --> 00:18:25.519
 they write that off

00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:26.480
 as a business expense?

00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.159
 What do you think?

00:18:28.639 --> 00:18:29.439
 Do you know what

00:18:29.439 --> 00:18:30.240
 that's telling you?

00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.619
 That's just part

00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.559
 of doing business.

00:18:33.719 --> 00:18:33.939
 Am I right?

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:34.799
 Brian, is that right?

00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:35.399
 Can they write that?

00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.179
 Oh, I got that

00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:37.019
 as the CPA told me.

00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.120
 You can write it off.

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.720
 It's all right.

00:18:43.060 --> 00:18:43.900
 That's not giving

00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:45.460
 for God's glory.

00:18:45.860 --> 00:18:46.980
 That's self-serving,

00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.080
 manipulative giving.

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.019
 And we look here

00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:51.320
 and I want you to understand

00:18:51.320 --> 00:18:52.220
 what it's saying is that,

00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:53.840
 hey, people see

00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:54.799
 the generosity

00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:55.980
 of your hearts

00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:56.539
 and they turn around

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.019
 and say, wow,

00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.259
 these people think

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.140
 a lot about God.

00:19:01.060 --> 00:19:01.860
 Biblical giving,

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.279
 ultimately,

00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:03.400
 like all other

00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:04.380
 Christian behaviors,

00:19:04.380 --> 00:19:06.200
 are to reflect

00:19:06.200 --> 00:19:06.640
 and declare

00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:07.340
 the glory of God.

00:19:07.420 --> 00:19:08.500
 That's what it's all about.

00:19:09.700 --> 00:19:10.660
 So let me take it

00:19:10.660 --> 00:19:11.440
 a little step further.

00:19:11.560 --> 00:19:12.360
 We understand that

00:19:12.360 --> 00:19:13.100
 giving is to really

00:19:13.100 --> 00:19:14.020
 flow out of our view

00:19:14.020 --> 00:19:14.400
 of God,

00:19:14.520 --> 00:19:15.420
 but I want you

00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:15.940
 to understand

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:17.180
 that all creation

00:19:17.180 --> 00:19:19.780
 is designed by God

00:19:19.780 --> 00:19:20.860
 to actually have

00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:22.420
 a desire for His glory.

00:19:24.300 --> 00:19:25.180
 Given that I'm putting

00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:25.960
 so much emphasis

00:19:25.960 --> 00:19:27.080
 on the subject

00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:27.940
 of giving today,

00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:30.240
 let's take a moment

00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:32.040
 and study this issue

00:19:32.040 --> 00:19:32.560
 of glory,

00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.679
 which is an underpinning

00:19:33.679 --> 00:19:34.220
 for the matter

00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:34.679
 of giving.

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:37.119
 And when we talk

00:19:37.119 --> 00:19:37.779
 about glory,

00:19:37.899 --> 00:19:38.619
 we're talking about

00:19:38.619 --> 00:19:40.539
 something that means

00:19:40.539 --> 00:19:42.079
 weight or value.

00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:42.759
 Remember,

00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.859
 our giving really

00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:45.059
 reflects our view,

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.339
 our value,

00:19:46.539 --> 00:19:47.220
 or the weight

00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.240
 that we attach to God.

00:19:49.119 --> 00:19:49.980
 And so glory

00:19:49.980 --> 00:19:50.460
 is something

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:52.379
 that may be conferred

00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:53.079
 on someone

00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:53.720
 or something.

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.740
 Turn back in your Bible,

00:19:55.859 --> 00:19:56.200
 if you would,

00:19:56.240 --> 00:19:57.319
 to Psalm chapter 8

00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.139
 just for a moment,

00:19:58.759 --> 00:19:59.720
 and we see

00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:00.799
 in that passage

00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:04.500
 that man

00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.339
 has been given

00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:06.360
 glory by God

00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:07.319
 that was not really

00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:08.740
 His to begin with.

00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.980
 Psalm chapter 8,

00:20:13.100 --> 00:20:14.980
 verse 4 and 5.

00:20:20.059 --> 00:20:21.279
 What is man

00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.539
 that you are mindful

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.140
 of him

00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:24.620
 and the son of man

00:20:24.620 --> 00:20:25.500
 that you care for him?

00:20:25.640 --> 00:20:26.380
 And it's amazing

00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:27.240
 to stop and realize

00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.900
 that God thinks

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.779
 about me personally.

00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:30.460
 Let me say that again

00:20:30.460 --> 00:20:31.880
 slowly so you don't miss it.

00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:32.740
 Everybody look here.

00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.079
 Look here.

00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:35.420
 It is really amazing

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.339
 that God thinks

00:20:36.339 --> 00:20:37.400
 about me personally.

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:39.960
 I mean,

00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:40.480
 how many people

00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.259
 are in this world?

00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.640
 Billions!

00:20:45.720 --> 00:20:46.400
 I'll bet you

00:20:46.400 --> 00:20:47.180
 there's some of you here

00:20:47.180 --> 00:20:48.160
 that get a brain cramp

00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:49.859
 just writing the number.

00:20:51.140 --> 00:20:51.859
 That'd be me.

00:20:52.920 --> 00:20:53.779
 But do you understand

00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.460
 that God thinks

00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:56.259
 about you personally?

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:59.960
 He says,

00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.680
 what is man

00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.980
 that you're mindful

00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:03.440
 that you think about me?

00:21:03.700 --> 00:21:04.299
 Verse 5,

00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.620
 yet you have made him

00:21:05.620 --> 00:21:06.220
 a little lower

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.220
 than the heavenly beings

00:21:07.220 --> 00:21:07.900
 and crowned him

00:21:07.900 --> 00:21:08.819
 with glory and honor.

00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:11.680
 God has given glory

00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:13.900
 to us

00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:16.720
 and glory may be

00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.259
 ascribed

00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.200
 or attributed

00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:18.680
 to something

00:21:18.680 --> 00:21:19.120
 or something

00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.700
 but when we

00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:21.640
 look at

00:21:21.640 --> 00:21:23.339
 something such as God

00:21:23.339 --> 00:21:23.740
 or something

00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.620
 that He has created,

00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:26.399
 we're not making it

00:21:26.399 --> 00:21:27.199
 glorious.

00:21:27.419 --> 00:21:28.319
 We're just recognizing

00:21:28.319 --> 00:21:28.759
 its glory.

00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.139
 Let me give you

00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:30.059
 an illustration of that.

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:33.679
 I have to tell you

00:21:33.679 --> 00:21:35.059
 that I'm just so over snow.

00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.239
 It's like,

00:21:38.399 --> 00:21:38.739
 you know,

00:21:39.979 --> 00:21:41.159
 the last storm

00:21:41.159 --> 00:21:41.719
 did me in.

00:21:41.799 --> 00:21:42.199
 How many of you

00:21:42.199 --> 00:21:43.059
 remember the storm

00:21:43.059 --> 00:21:44.159
 that put about

00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:44.919
 six inches

00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:46.179
 on all of our properties

00:21:46.179 --> 00:21:46.979
 and driveways

00:21:46.979 --> 00:21:48.479
 and then crusted it over

00:21:48.479 --> 00:21:49.159
 with ice?

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:52.080
 My snowblower

00:21:52.080 --> 00:21:53.860
 decided that it would

00:21:53.860 --> 00:21:55.120
 not cooperate fully.

00:21:56.040 --> 00:21:56.279
 Okay,

00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:58.200
 it was over the top.

00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.300
 That's when I said

00:21:59.300 --> 00:21:59.820
 enough.

00:22:01.120 --> 00:22:02.000
 And I remember

00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:02.900
 watching several

00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.560
 different people

00:22:03.560 --> 00:22:04.500
 post on Facebook,

00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:04.800
 oh,

00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:06.100
 the snow is so lovely.

00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.440
 And I thought to myself,

00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:10.720
 that had to be a wife.

00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.600
 I say that lovingly.

00:22:12.640 --> 00:22:14.000
 My wife is sitting back here.

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:15.180
 That had to be a wife.

00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.640
 Someone's sitting in there

00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.540
 looking out the window

00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.720
 with a cup of coffee

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.399
 in her hand saying,

00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:19.700
 you know,

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:22.440
 look at that.

00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:25.299
 Her husband is out there

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:25.920
 trying to avoid

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.659
 a heart attack,

00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:27.339
 you know.

00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.819
 And she's eating it up.

00:22:33.579 --> 00:22:33.720
 Okay,

00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.240
 now,

00:22:35.259 --> 00:22:36.259
 it is true

00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:37.440
 that snow is beautiful.

00:22:40.139 --> 00:22:40.579
 So,

00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:41.899
 when we look

00:22:41.899 --> 00:22:42.720
 at that beautiful

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.559
 snowy scene

00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:45.740
 and we say,

00:22:46.039 --> 00:22:46.559
 wow,

00:22:46.559 --> 00:22:47.740
 is that beautiful.

00:22:48.079 --> 00:22:49.099
 That's just glorious.

00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:50.159
 We're not,

00:22:50.500 --> 00:22:51.480
 by our statement,

00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.919
 making it so.

00:22:53.399 --> 00:22:54.519
 We're only recognizing

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.359
 what it is.

00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.460
 And,

00:22:57.599 --> 00:22:58.519
 really,

00:22:58.859 --> 00:23:00.960
 the reason God

00:23:00.960 --> 00:23:01.859
 created us

00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:03.039
 in all of creation

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:04.399
 is to show

00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.879
 His glory.

00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:08.220
 To show His glory.

00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.240
 It's not just heaven

00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.779
 or nature.

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.819
 It's not just snow

00:23:12.819 --> 00:23:13.460
 or sunset

00:23:13.460 --> 00:23:14.579
 that exists

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.579
 to glorify God.

00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.440
 We're all created

00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:18.220
 for that purpose.

00:23:19.100 --> 00:23:19.640
 In fact,

00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.240
 this is one of the

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.059
 interesting thoughts

00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.180
 I want you to take away.

00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.440
 And I want you to think

00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:23.819
 about this

00:23:23.819 --> 00:23:24.120
 in a very,

00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:24.860
 very personal way.

00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.539
 Stop and think.

00:23:26.380 --> 00:23:27.220
 There's really only

00:23:27.220 --> 00:23:27.900
 one of you.

00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.400
 Everybody look up

00:23:29.400 --> 00:23:30.200
 so you don't miss us.

00:23:30.600 --> 00:23:31.579
 There's really only

00:23:31.579 --> 00:23:32.759
 one of you.

00:23:34.360 --> 00:23:35.039
 Only one.

00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.240
 There will never be

00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:38.019
 another person

00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.740
 like you.

00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:40.000
 even twins.

00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:42.980
 I was,

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.720
 we had a wedding

00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.120
 yesterday

00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.700
 and weddings

00:23:45.700 --> 00:23:46.880
 are just wonderful

00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.620
 opportunities.

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.299
 Someone said to me,

00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:49.079
 why do you choke up?

00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:49.960
 There are a lot of reasons

00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.279
 for that,

00:23:50.319 --> 00:23:51.240
 but I happen to like weddings.

00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:53.180
 And weddings remind me

00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.779
 of my wedding.

00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:55.240
 The first time I cried

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.079
 publicly was at

00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.859
 my wedding.

00:23:57.480 --> 00:23:58.500
 And I've been doing it

00:23:58.500 --> 00:23:59.039
 ever since.

00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.079
 Okay?

00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:03.660
 But weddings are also

00:24:03.660 --> 00:24:04.900
 profound opportunities

00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.839
 for certain things

00:24:05.839 --> 00:24:06.620
 that you plan to go

00:24:06.620 --> 00:24:07.019
 one way

00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.880
 not going that way.

00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.819
 I'll never forget

00:24:09.819 --> 00:24:10.440
 a set of twins

00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.059
 in our fellowship.

00:24:13.240 --> 00:24:13.680
 Twins.

00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:14.700
 Now what's the deal

00:24:14.700 --> 00:24:15.140
 with twins?

00:24:15.240 --> 00:24:15.460
 You know,

00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:16.620
 they come out

00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.500
 just minutes apart.

00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.319
 These twins,

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:19.960
 they were girls,

00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.339
 were just absolutely

00:24:21.339 --> 00:24:22.460
 opposite from each other.

00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:24.299
 One who got married

00:24:24.299 --> 00:24:26.079
 first had a wedding

00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:27.299
 that was carried off

00:24:27.299 --> 00:24:28.299
 with military precision.

00:24:28.620 --> 00:24:28.880
 I mean,

00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:30.559
 the wedding quarter

00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.660
 did not actually stand

00:24:31.660 --> 00:24:32.400
 with a stopwatch,

00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:33.319
 but it was pretty close.

00:24:35.079 --> 00:24:35.279
 I mean,

00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:36.220
 I remember her back there

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.539
 and go,

00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:37.680
 go,

00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:39.920
 you know.

00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:41.920
 And the second

00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.660
 of the twins

00:24:42.660 --> 00:24:43.060
 got married

00:24:43.060 --> 00:24:43.860
 about eight months later

00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:44.980
 and her attitude,

00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:45.840
 they came from the same

00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:46.420
 mom and dad

00:24:46.420 --> 00:24:47.160
 and they also came

00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:47.880
 out of the same womb

00:24:47.880 --> 00:24:48.480
 and they're like,

00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.980
 whatever,

00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:50.759
 you know.

00:24:51.080 --> 00:24:51.900
 Here was the really

00:24:51.900 --> 00:24:52.740
 weird thing about it

00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:53.700
 and it kind of taught

00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.640
 me a great lesson.

00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.440
 They both had

00:24:57.440 --> 00:24:58.759
 equal set of hiccups

00:24:58.759 --> 00:25:00.920
 and so I decided

00:25:00.920 --> 00:25:01.160
 that,

00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.500
 you know,

00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.940
 take it easy,

00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:03.560
 relax,

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.299
 it'll be all right.

00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.220
 The only thing

00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.599
 that counts

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.200
 is the I do,

00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:06.539
 you know.

00:25:06.839 --> 00:25:07.539
 So here we are,

00:25:07.599 --> 00:25:08.159
 we're all about

00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:09.019
 showing God

00:25:09.019 --> 00:25:10.240
 His glory

00:25:10.240 --> 00:25:11.379
 and making Him

00:25:11.379 --> 00:25:12.240
 look good

00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:14.319
 and each of us

00:25:14.319 --> 00:25:15.079
 individually

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:16.099
 designed by God

00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:17.419
 for His glory

00:25:17.419 --> 00:25:20.200
 and it's appropriate

00:25:20.200 --> 00:25:21.279
 for us to think about,

00:25:21.639 --> 00:25:23.460
 so how am I

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:25.460
 glorifying God?

00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.079
 That's what I want you

00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.700
 to recognize.

00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.279
 It's important.

00:25:28.159 --> 00:25:28.839
 Let me give you

00:25:28.839 --> 00:25:29.519
 a couple texts

00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.359
 on the issue

00:25:30.359 --> 00:25:32.059
 of glorifying God.

00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:34.179
 Look at Romans chapter 11

00:25:34.179 --> 00:25:36.419
 verse 36.

00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.539
 For from Him

00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:41.519
 and through Him

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:43.240
 and to Him

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:44.460
 are all things,

00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.619
 now here's the statement,

00:25:46.099 --> 00:25:47.639
 to Him be glory

00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.399
 forever,

00:25:48.879 --> 00:25:49.099
 amen.

00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:52.379
 To Him be glory

00:25:52.379 --> 00:25:53.119
 forever,

00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:53.779
 amen.

00:25:54.659 --> 00:25:55.519
 Can I tell you

00:25:55.519 --> 00:25:56.419
 that that wouldn't be

00:25:56.419 --> 00:25:58.179
 a bad life verse?

00:25:58.259 --> 00:25:58.679
 Do you know what I mean

00:25:58.679 --> 00:25:59.519
 by a life verse?

00:25:59.519 --> 00:26:02.420
 It's an operating principle.

00:26:03.660 --> 00:26:06.079
 How is what I am doing

00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:08.379
 making God look good?

00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:10.160
 That's the question.

00:26:10.960 --> 00:26:12.059
 Here's another passage

00:26:12.059 --> 00:26:13.500
 in Colossians chapter 1

00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.240
 verse 16.

00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:17.759
 Colossians chapter 1

00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:19.799
 verse 16.

00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:24.259
 For by Him

00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:25.379
 all things were created

00:26:25.379 --> 00:26:26.399
 in heaven and on earth,

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.359
 visible and invisible,

00:26:27.599 --> 00:26:27.919
 whatever,

00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.279
 whether thrones

00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.059
 or dominions

00:26:30.059 --> 00:26:30.559
 or rulers

00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.220
 or authorities,

00:26:31.539 --> 00:26:32.879
 all things were created

00:26:32.879 --> 00:26:33.759
 through Him

00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.879
 and for Him.

00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:37.639
 It's for God.

00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:40.759
 So it follows then

00:26:40.759 --> 00:26:41.919
 that if we exist

00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:42.859
 for His glory,

00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:46.159
 then all that we do,

00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.859
 including our giving,

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.259
 let me say that carefully,

00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:51.400
 so that all that we do,

00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.619
 including our giving,

00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:54.879
 must flow from our purpose

00:26:54.879 --> 00:26:55.740
 and desire

00:26:55.740 --> 00:26:57.160
 to glorify Him.

00:26:58.279 --> 00:26:58.940
 Does that make sense?

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:01.680
 If He is

00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:03.000
 the God of this universe

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:05.119
 and He made us

00:27:05.119 --> 00:27:06.019
 for His glory,

00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:08.180
 it is just a

00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:09.619
 reasonable

00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:12.519
 connection

00:27:12.519 --> 00:27:13.619
 between the two

00:27:13.619 --> 00:27:15.680
 that all that we do,

00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.779
 including our giving,

00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.819
 be a reflection

00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:19.000
 of the glory of God.

00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.619
 And so we might expect

00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:23.299
 that every motive

00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.240
 that pervades

00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:25.379
 the life of a believer

00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:26.440
 is really about

00:27:26.440 --> 00:27:27.279
 the glory of Christ,

00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:28.079
 the glory of God.

00:27:28.160 --> 00:27:29.000
 And so that's a fair question

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.200
 for you to ask yourself

00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:30.779
 this morning.

00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:33.099
 Does my life

00:27:33.099 --> 00:27:34.579
 really honestly reflect

00:27:34.579 --> 00:27:36.119
 that I am interested

00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.460
 in making Jesus

00:27:37.460 --> 00:27:38.440
 look good?

00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.160
 Right?

00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:46.860
 Let me have you think

00:27:46.860 --> 00:27:47.560
 with me across

00:27:47.560 --> 00:27:48.500
 the broad scope

00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.640
 of several different passages

00:27:49.640 --> 00:27:50.980
 in relationship to this.

00:27:51.300 --> 00:27:52.740
 Look at Ephesians 1,

00:27:52.900 --> 00:27:53.580
 verse 12.

00:27:55.040 --> 00:27:55.900
 We're looking to illustrate

00:27:55.900 --> 00:27:56.700
 this principle

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:58.279
 of glorifying God

00:27:58.279 --> 00:27:59.380
 in Ephesians 1.

00:27:59.540 --> 00:27:59.740
 It says,

00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:01.180
 so that we who were

00:28:01.180 --> 00:28:02.000
 the first to hope

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.519
 in Christ

00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:04.579
 might be to the praise

00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.200
 of His glory.

00:28:05.480 --> 00:28:07.279
 Why did Jesus save you

00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.859
 personally,

00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:08.700
 particularly?

00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.400
 So that He'd look good.

00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:14.000
 Can't believe you picked Him.

00:28:14.740 --> 00:28:16.200
 Do you remember

00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:16.940
 getting picked

00:28:16.940 --> 00:28:18.339
 in grade school

00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.859
 for athletic activities

00:28:19.859 --> 00:28:21.240
 in gym class?

00:28:21.319 --> 00:28:22.039
 How many of you remember that?

00:28:22.039 --> 00:28:25.339
 Here's the ugly truth.

00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:28.799
 I did not develop

00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.599
 physiologically

00:28:29.599 --> 00:28:30.839
 until later in life

00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.680
 and as a result

00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.740
 in the early days

00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:34.480
 when they would pick people

00:28:34.480 --> 00:28:35.579
 for dodgeball

00:28:35.579 --> 00:28:36.379
 or pick people

00:28:36.379 --> 00:28:37.339
 for whatever it was,

00:28:37.859 --> 00:28:39.720
 guess what I always knew

00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:40.639
 was going to happen?

00:28:41.759 --> 00:28:44.460
 I was the last person picked.

00:28:44.539 --> 00:28:44.759
 In fact,

00:28:45.119 --> 00:28:45.339
 you know,

00:28:45.399 --> 00:28:45.740
 it was like,

00:28:45.940 --> 00:28:47.339
 do we have to take Him?

00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:52.799
 Verse 13.

00:28:55.439 --> 00:28:56.119
 Verse 12,

00:28:56.199 --> 00:28:56.419
 it says,

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.619
 so that we who were

00:28:57.619 --> 00:28:58.299
 the first to hope

00:28:58.299 --> 00:28:58.720
 in Christ

00:28:58.720 --> 00:28:59.639
 might be to the praise

00:28:59.639 --> 00:29:00.079
 of His glory.

00:29:00.279 --> 00:29:00.559
 Hey,

00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.220
 you know what?

00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:03.579
 If you pick LeBron James,

00:29:03.919 --> 00:29:04.759
 who gets the credit?

00:29:04.899 --> 00:29:06.099
 You for being the good coach

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:07.220
 or LeBron for being

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:07.819
 on your team?

00:29:09.500 --> 00:29:10.519
 You don't get credit

00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.619
 for being a good coach.

00:29:12.199 --> 00:29:12.759
 People think,

00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.339
 duh,

00:29:13.619 --> 00:29:14.459
 what do you think?

00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:15.679
 It's going to happen.

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:16.980
 God,

00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.359
 in picking you,

00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.259
 got glory

00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:21.659
 because you're a surprise

00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:23.659
 to the unbelieving world.

00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:23.839
 It says,

00:29:23.899 --> 00:29:24.459
 why in the world

00:29:24.459 --> 00:29:25.399
 would God save him?

00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.839
 Ephesians chapter 1,

00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:28.539
 verse 14,

00:29:29.139 --> 00:29:29.819
 who is the guarantee

00:29:29.819 --> 00:29:30.679
 of our inheritance

00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:32.199
 until we acquire

00:29:32.199 --> 00:29:33.139
 possession of it

00:29:33.139 --> 00:29:34.000
 to the praise

00:29:34.000 --> 00:29:34.619
 of His glory.

00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:35.939
 It's about the praise

00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:36.879
 of Christ's glory,

00:29:36.980 --> 00:29:37.619
 our salvation.

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:39.879
 Philippians chapter 1,

00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.899
 verse 10 and 11,

00:29:43.459 --> 00:29:44.740
 so that you may approve

00:29:44.740 --> 00:29:45.480
 what is excellent

00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:46.459
 and so be pure

00:29:46.459 --> 00:29:47.000
 and blameless

00:29:47.000 --> 00:29:47.920
 for the day of Christ

00:29:47.920 --> 00:29:48.920
 filled with all

00:29:48.920 --> 00:29:50.480
 the fruit of righteousness

00:29:50.480 --> 00:29:51.259
 that comes through

00:29:51.259 --> 00:29:52.019
 Jesus Christ

00:29:52.019 --> 00:29:52.940
 to the glory

00:29:52.940 --> 00:29:54.319
 and praise of God.

00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:56.779
 What's that saying?

00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:00.519
 How does God get praised

00:30:00.519 --> 00:30:01.700
 in the life of a believer?

00:30:03.599 --> 00:30:03.880
 Hey,

00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:05.220
 it's when you,

00:30:05.500 --> 00:30:06.039
 through the power

00:30:06.039 --> 00:30:06.579
 of the Spirit,

00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:07.460
 act differently

00:30:07.460 --> 00:30:08.940
 than the pagan culture

00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.559
 we live in.

00:30:09.599 --> 00:30:10.059
 Am I right?

00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:13.899
 When you are in line

00:30:13.899 --> 00:30:16.639
 at one of the stores

00:30:16.639 --> 00:30:19.539
 and someone immediately

00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:20.359
 in front of you

00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:21.200
 is just fussing

00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:21.639
 and fuming

00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.339
 about one of the

00:30:22.339 --> 00:30:23.139
 particular issues

00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:24.399
 that there was a spill

00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:25.099
 on aisle nine

00:30:25.099 --> 00:30:25.759
 and nobody claimed

00:30:25.759 --> 00:30:26.339
 and cleaned it up.

00:30:26.399 --> 00:30:27.079
 You ought to see

00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:27.559
 the bathroom.

00:30:27.980 --> 00:30:30.720
 And you come right behind

00:30:30.720 --> 00:30:32.740
 and you act

00:30:32.740 --> 00:30:33.899
 exactly the same way.

00:30:34.639 --> 00:30:35.919
 Does Jesus look good?

00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.400
 No.

00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.759
 It's when you

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:42.120
 allow the grace of God

00:30:42.120 --> 00:30:42.920
 to have a difference

00:30:42.920 --> 00:30:43.600
 in your life

00:30:43.600 --> 00:30:44.960
 and you then play that out

00:30:44.960 --> 00:30:45.279
 and people say,

00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:45.539
 whoa,

00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:48.880
 what meds are you on?

00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.360
 You know,

00:30:49.480 --> 00:30:49.600
 that's,

00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:51.440
 why are you that way?

00:30:52.320 --> 00:30:52.740
 Oh,

00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.400
 well,

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.420
 Jesus handpicked me

00:30:55.420 --> 00:30:56.300
 out of the crowd

00:30:56.300 --> 00:30:57.660
 to be an exception

00:30:57.660 --> 00:30:58.480
 to the rule

00:30:58.480 --> 00:31:00.680
 so that he would look good.

00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:03.380
 Colossians chapter 3.

00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:05.259
 Colossians chapter 3

00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.140
 verse 17.

00:31:07.340 --> 00:31:08.240
 And whatever you do

00:31:08.240 --> 00:31:09.060
 in word or deed,

00:31:09.180 --> 00:31:09.700
 do everything

00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.299
 in the name

00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.100
 of the Lord Jesus

00:31:11.100 --> 00:31:11.820
 giving thanks

00:31:11.820 --> 00:31:12.600
 to God the Father

00:31:12.600 --> 00:31:13.060
 through him.

00:31:13.840 --> 00:31:15.400
 Over in 1 Corinthians

00:31:15.400 --> 00:31:16.000
 it says,

00:31:16.320 --> 00:31:16.960
 whether you eat

00:31:16.960 --> 00:31:17.519
 or drink.

00:31:18.680 --> 00:31:19.200
 By the way,

00:31:19.660 --> 00:31:20.279
 how important

00:31:20.279 --> 00:31:21.039
 is eating and drinking?

00:31:23.480 --> 00:31:23.720
 You know,

00:31:23.779 --> 00:31:24.720
 not important at all

00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.120
 right now,

00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:26.259
 but an hour from now,

00:31:26.320 --> 00:31:26.720
 guess what you're

00:31:26.720 --> 00:31:27.200
 going to be saying?

00:31:28.779 --> 00:31:29.080
 Hey,

00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:31.399
 he has gone way over.

00:31:32.359 --> 00:31:33.759
 It's time to stop.

00:31:34.399 --> 00:31:36.059
 It's time to eat

00:31:36.059 --> 00:31:36.960
 and drink,

00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:37.279
 okay?

00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:38.159
 Eating and drinking

00:31:38.159 --> 00:31:38.779
 are very important

00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:38.980
 and,

00:31:39.179 --> 00:31:39.439
 you know,

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.240
 what we do

00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.059
 is for his glory.

00:31:41.139 --> 00:31:41.639
 That's the point

00:31:41.639 --> 00:31:43.179
 of 1 Corinthians 10 31.

00:31:43.699 --> 00:31:44.439
 So I want you

00:31:44.439 --> 00:31:44.859
 to understand

00:31:44.859 --> 00:31:45.759
 that God calls us

00:31:45.759 --> 00:31:46.399
 to love him

00:31:46.399 --> 00:31:47.159
 and his glory

00:31:47.159 --> 00:31:48.159
 and to live

00:31:48.159 --> 00:31:49.399
 and give for him alone.

00:31:50.740 --> 00:31:50.919
 Now,

00:31:50.919 --> 00:31:51.299
 sadly,

00:31:52.859 --> 00:31:54.139
 sin has led men

00:31:54.139 --> 00:31:54.759
 to desire

00:31:54.759 --> 00:31:56.799
 their own glory.

00:31:57.579 --> 00:31:58.139
 Isn't that true?

00:31:59.079 --> 00:31:59.939
 When sin

00:31:59.939 --> 00:32:00.819
 entered the garden,

00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:05.000
 Adam and Eve

00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:06.639
 fell to the temptation

00:32:06.639 --> 00:32:07.279
 of refusing

00:32:07.279 --> 00:32:08.399
 to glorify God

00:32:08.399 --> 00:32:09.619
 and rather they sought

00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:10.460
 to put themselves

00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:11.359
 in his place.

00:32:12.119 --> 00:32:13.079
 That's an interesting

00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.500
 idea,

00:32:13.599 --> 00:32:13.899
 isn't it?

00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:15.259
 God,

00:32:15.339 --> 00:32:16.059
 it's not about you,

00:32:16.119 --> 00:32:16.819
 it's about me.

00:32:17.359 --> 00:32:17.859
 Smile,

00:32:18.000 --> 00:32:18.119
 everybody.

00:32:18.159 --> 00:32:18.839
 Everybody smile at me.

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.679
 Everybody smile.

00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:21.919
 When we say no

00:32:21.919 --> 00:32:22.819
 to faithful giving,

00:32:22.939 --> 00:32:23.519
 that's what we're

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.159
 telling God.

00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:26.220
 Do you follow me?

00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.299
 God,

00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:28.640
 we're saying,

00:32:29.160 --> 00:32:30.860
 it's really not

00:32:30.860 --> 00:32:31.460
 about you,

00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.279
 it's about me

00:32:32.279 --> 00:32:35.400
 so that I can

00:32:35.400 --> 00:32:36.799
 upgrade my pizza

00:32:36.799 --> 00:32:39.420
 or that I can

00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:41.480
 have a smarter

00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.019
 phone

00:32:42.019 --> 00:32:44.400
 or so that,

00:32:44.519 --> 00:32:44.759
 you know,

00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.559
 there are all kinds

00:32:45.559 --> 00:32:46.000
 of reasons.

00:32:47.000 --> 00:32:47.720
 But I want you

00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.240
 to understand

00:32:48.240 --> 00:32:49.620
 that when we

00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:50.460
 decide we are

00:32:50.460 --> 00:32:51.140
 not going to make

00:32:51.140 --> 00:32:51.660
 God first,

00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.259
 it shows up

00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.000
 all different

00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:54.000
 kinds of places.

00:32:55.380 --> 00:32:56.180
 At the root

00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.019
 of every sin

00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.680
 is a desire

00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.960
 to not glorify God.

00:32:59.960 --> 00:33:00.819
 We find that

00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.519
 over in Romans

00:33:01.519 --> 00:33:02.200
 chapter 1

00:33:02.200 --> 00:33:02.819
 verse 21

00:33:02.819 --> 00:33:03.660
 and it says this

00:33:03.660 --> 00:33:03.980
 and I'll just

00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:04.720
 recite the passage

00:33:04.720 --> 00:33:05.059
 to you,

00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.380
 it says,

00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:06.680
 they did not

00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.720
 give him glory.

00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.420
 That's what

00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:09.920
 the unbelieving

00:33:09.920 --> 00:33:10.480
 world did.

00:33:11.160 --> 00:33:11.859
 They chose

00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:13.200
 not to glorify

00:33:13.200 --> 00:33:13.599
 God.

00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.099
 So,

00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.259
 as we think

00:33:17.259 --> 00:33:18.000
 about the realm

00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:18.660
 of giving,

00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:21.720
 we understand

00:33:21.720 --> 00:33:22.500
 that we can

00:33:22.500 --> 00:33:23.400
 bribe people

00:33:23.400 --> 00:33:23.880
 who have a

00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.400
 small view

00:33:24.400 --> 00:33:25.040
 of God

00:33:25.040 --> 00:33:26.320
 to give

00:33:26.320 --> 00:33:27.560
 with certain

00:33:27.560 --> 00:33:28.019
 perks.

00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.080
 Do you follow

00:33:29.080 --> 00:33:29.380
 that?

00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:32.200
 If what you

00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.779
 are doing

00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.500
 is you don't

00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.380
 have a high

00:33:34.380 --> 00:33:35.160
 view of God

00:33:35.160 --> 00:33:36.200
 and you want

00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:37.019
 to nurture

00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.620
 giving,

00:33:37.880 --> 00:33:38.460
 you've got

00:33:38.460 --> 00:33:39.300
 to figure out

00:33:39.300 --> 00:33:40.460
 how to manipulate

00:33:40.460 --> 00:33:41.380
 the situation.

00:33:44.060 --> 00:33:44.759
 You want to

00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:45.160
 be charitable

00:33:45.160 --> 00:33:46.220
 and really give

00:33:46.220 --> 00:33:46.660
 generously?

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.600
 I'll tell you

00:33:47.600 --> 00:33:47.820
 what.

00:33:48.660 --> 00:33:49.540
 a pastor

00:33:49.540 --> 00:33:51.580
 will show up

00:33:51.580 --> 00:33:52.220
 at your door

00:33:52.220 --> 00:33:54.200
 and take you

00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.880
 out to coffee

00:33:54.880 --> 00:33:56.560
 in the limo

00:33:56.560 --> 00:33:57.540
 that the church

00:33:57.540 --> 00:33:57.920
 has.

00:34:00.140 --> 00:34:00.680
 Some of you

00:34:00.680 --> 00:34:01.000
 are scratching

00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:01.300
 your head

00:34:01.300 --> 00:34:01.460
 saying,

00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.140
 I didn't know

00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.680
 you had a limo.

00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.660
 I don't,

00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:05.220
 just using an

00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:05.580
 illustration,

00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.120
 bear with me,

00:34:06.160 --> 00:34:06.340
 okay?

00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:07.660
 Or,

00:34:07.820 --> 00:34:08.280
 you know what?

00:34:10.659 --> 00:34:11.260
 There are all

00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:11.840
 kinds of ways

00:34:11.840 --> 00:34:12.700
 to manipulate it,

00:34:12.780 --> 00:34:13.000
 right?

00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:14.900
 And whether

00:34:14.900 --> 00:34:15.420
 it's public

00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:16.220
 commendation

00:34:16.220 --> 00:34:17.599
 or a coffee

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.300
 mug with,

00:34:18.300 --> 00:34:18.820
 you know,

00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:19.680
 faithful giver

00:34:19.680 --> 00:34:19.940
 on it,

00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.100
 you know,

00:34:20.100 --> 00:34:20.560
 something like

00:34:20.560 --> 00:34:20.720
 that,

00:34:20.760 --> 00:34:21.240
 something really,

00:34:21.600 --> 00:34:21.720
 you know,

00:34:21.760 --> 00:34:22.180
 you could set

00:34:22.180 --> 00:34:22.640
 that on your

00:34:22.640 --> 00:34:23.260
 desk at work,

00:34:23.320 --> 00:34:23.500
 right?

00:34:23.560 --> 00:34:24.140
 Faithful giver?

00:34:25.320 --> 00:34:26.160
 What is that

00:34:26.160 --> 00:34:26.360
 about?

00:34:27.500 --> 00:34:28.220
 Let's come back

00:34:28.220 --> 00:34:28.740
 to the truth.

00:34:30.360 --> 00:34:31.000
 Our giving

00:34:31.000 --> 00:34:33.300
 reflects our view

00:34:33.300 --> 00:34:33.880
 of His glory.

00:34:34.780 --> 00:34:35.440
 That's what it's

00:34:35.440 --> 00:34:35.840
 all about.

00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:38.240
 How a man

00:34:38.240 --> 00:34:38.920
 gives

00:34:38.920 --> 00:34:41.680
 and why a man

00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:42.200
 gives

00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:44.380
 says it all

00:34:44.380 --> 00:34:44.860
 about what he

00:34:44.860 --> 00:34:45.400
 really thinks

00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:45.900
 about God.

00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.260
 Let me say

00:34:46.260 --> 00:34:46.579
 that again

00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:46.940
 slowly.

00:34:48.340 --> 00:34:49.119
 How a man

00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:49.680
 gives

00:34:49.680 --> 00:34:50.920
 and why a man

00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.400
 gives

00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.260
 says it all

00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:52.700
 about what

00:34:52.700 --> 00:34:53.039
 he thinks

00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:53.659
 about God.

00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:55.900
 Now,

00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.440
 I didn't say

00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:57.119
 what he gives.

00:34:58.740 --> 00:34:59.539
 I didn't say

00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:00.240
 what he gives.

00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:02.279
 I think

00:35:02.279 --> 00:35:02.639
 it was back

00:35:02.639 --> 00:35:03.659
 in 2004,

00:35:03.779 --> 00:35:04.459
 2007,

00:35:05.779 --> 00:35:06.379
 Judith and I

00:35:06.379 --> 00:35:07.179
 went to

00:35:07.179 --> 00:35:09.059
 Newport

00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:11.939
 on the coast.

00:35:13.139 --> 00:35:13.859
 It's where

00:35:13.859 --> 00:35:15.239
 people like

00:35:15.239 --> 00:35:18.139
 J. Pierpont Morgan

00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:19.459
 and

00:35:19.459 --> 00:35:20.659
 Getty

00:35:20.659 --> 00:35:21.639
 and some

00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:22.259
 of the other

00:35:22.259 --> 00:35:23.819
 incredibly

00:35:23.819 --> 00:35:24.500
 wealthy

00:35:24.500 --> 00:35:25.559
 robber barons.

00:35:25.679 --> 00:35:25.819
 Now,

00:35:25.859 --> 00:35:26.399
 I know this is

00:35:26.399 --> 00:35:26.979
 history lesson

00:35:26.979 --> 00:35:27.399
 a little bit,

00:35:27.459 --> 00:35:28.339
 but the robber barons,

00:35:28.419 --> 00:35:28.639
 do you know how

00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.239
 they made their money?

00:35:30.239 --> 00:35:30.719
 Well,

00:35:31.459 --> 00:35:32.099
 one with creative

00:35:32.099 --> 00:35:32.539
 ideas,

00:35:32.679 --> 00:35:33.699
 but with incredibly

00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.639
 manipulative,

00:35:34.939 --> 00:35:36.039
 cruel treatment

00:35:36.039 --> 00:35:36.759
 of other people.

00:35:37.899 --> 00:35:38.219
 Now,

00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.539
 they just,

00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:40.379
 they gathered

00:35:40.379 --> 00:35:41.279
 wealth by just

00:35:41.279 --> 00:35:42.279
 giant sucking

00:35:42.279 --> 00:35:42.859
 sound.

00:35:44.639 --> 00:35:45.439
 And then

00:35:45.439 --> 00:35:46.079
 towards the

00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:47.119
 end of their

00:35:47.119 --> 00:35:47.559
 years,

00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.279
 they decided

00:35:48.279 --> 00:35:48.679
 that they

00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:49.159
 wanted to

00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:49.559
 kind of

00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:50.479
 redeem

00:35:50.479 --> 00:35:51.039
 their

00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:52.239
 reputations

00:35:52.239 --> 00:35:53.039
 and do you

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.239
 know how

00:35:53.239 --> 00:35:53.559
 they did

00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:53.819
 that?

00:35:55.619 --> 00:35:56.179
 Well,

00:35:56.219 --> 00:35:56.619
 they gave

00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:57.059
 it away

00:35:57.059 --> 00:35:57.359
 and now

00:35:57.359 --> 00:35:57.699
 they didn't

00:35:57.699 --> 00:35:58.519
 have any

00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.119
 need for it.

00:35:59.199 --> 00:35:59.719
 Well,

00:35:59.719 --> 00:36:00.359
 why don't

00:36:00.359 --> 00:36:00.739
 we build

00:36:00.739 --> 00:36:01.299
 libraries?

00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:02.859
 Why don't

00:36:02.859 --> 00:36:03.279
 we build,

00:36:03.399 --> 00:36:03.559
 you know,

00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:03.859
 and so

00:36:03.859 --> 00:36:04.439
 they would

00:36:04.439 --> 00:36:05.059
 be involved

00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:05.739
 in charitable

00:36:05.739 --> 00:36:06.299
 donations.

00:36:06.739 --> 00:36:07.199
 What had

00:36:07.199 --> 00:36:07.619
 they done

00:36:07.619 --> 00:36:07.919
 to the

00:36:07.919 --> 00:36:08.179
 countless

00:36:08.179 --> 00:36:08.599
 people

00:36:08.599 --> 00:36:08.959
 that they

00:36:08.959 --> 00:36:09.099
 had

00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:09.779
 impoverished

00:36:09.779 --> 00:36:10.419
 in their

00:36:10.419 --> 00:36:10.879
 effort to

00:36:10.879 --> 00:36:11.419
 gather wealth?

00:36:11.500 --> 00:36:11.719
 Nothing.

00:36:12.039 --> 00:36:12.299
 They didn't

00:36:12.299 --> 00:36:12.559
 do anything

00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:12.939
 for them.

00:36:14.219 --> 00:36:14.679
 And it

00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:14.980
 was all

00:36:14.980 --> 00:36:15.359
 about their

00:36:15.359 --> 00:36:15.739
 control

00:36:15.739 --> 00:36:16.059
 and their

00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:16.439
 name.

00:36:17.799 --> 00:36:18.199
 Let me

00:36:18.199 --> 00:36:18.559
 come back

00:36:18.559 --> 00:36:18.839
 again.

00:36:20.099 --> 00:36:20.699
 It's not

00:36:20.699 --> 00:36:21.559
 how much

00:36:21.559 --> 00:36:22.119
 you give,

00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:24.459
 but it is

00:36:24.459 --> 00:36:26.019
 why you give

00:36:26.019 --> 00:36:27.400
 and how

00:36:27.400 --> 00:36:27.900
 you give.

00:36:29.400 --> 00:36:29.739
 And so

00:36:29.739 --> 00:36:30.139
 ultimately,

00:36:30.300 --> 00:36:30.739
 a generous

00:36:30.739 --> 00:36:31.440
 heart really

00:36:31.440 --> 00:36:32.059
 reflects the

00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:32.400
 heart of

00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:33.239
 God in

00:36:33.239 --> 00:36:34.300
 that our

00:36:34.300 --> 00:36:35.019
 heart ends

00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.539
 up being

00:36:35.539 --> 00:36:36.340
 generous because

00:36:36.340 --> 00:36:36.880
 He is

00:36:36.880 --> 00:36:37.259
 generous.

00:36:38.699 --> 00:36:38.920
 You know,

00:36:38.940 --> 00:36:39.280
 one of the

00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:40.179
 things that I

00:36:40.179 --> 00:36:40.679
 have said to

00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.019
 you as a

00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:41.800
 fellowship over

00:36:41.800 --> 00:36:42.340
 and over

00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.500
 again is

00:36:43.500 --> 00:36:44.539
 that our

00:36:44.539 --> 00:36:45.739
 fellowship is

00:36:45.739 --> 00:36:46.699
 characterized,

00:36:47.099 --> 00:36:47.480
 and I mean

00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:47.699
 that,

00:36:47.980 --> 00:36:48.800
 is characterized

00:36:48.800 --> 00:36:50.360
 by a level

00:36:50.360 --> 00:36:51.380
 of generosity

00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.280
 that is

00:36:52.280 --> 00:36:53.160
 exceptional.

00:36:54.880 --> 00:36:55.740
 And that

00:36:55.740 --> 00:36:56.420
 generosity

00:36:56.420 --> 00:36:58.519
 is not

00:36:58.519 --> 00:36:59.460
 something that

00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.559
 is fed

00:37:00.559 --> 00:37:01.480
 by manipulation.

00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.680
 It is

00:37:03.680 --> 00:37:04.840
 fed by

00:37:04.840 --> 00:37:05.220
 your

00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:06.099
 appreciation

00:37:06.099 --> 00:37:06.900
 for the

00:37:06.900 --> 00:37:07.460
 grace of

00:37:07.460 --> 00:37:07.880
 God and

00:37:07.880 --> 00:37:08.380
 the goodness

00:37:08.380 --> 00:37:09.160
 in His

00:37:09.160 --> 00:37:10.000
 treatment of

00:37:10.000 --> 00:37:10.780
 you and

00:37:10.780 --> 00:37:11.420
 the readiness

00:37:11.420 --> 00:37:12.180
 you have to

00:37:12.180 --> 00:37:13.000
 partner with

00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.480
 what He is

00:37:13.480 --> 00:37:14.059
 doing around

00:37:14.059 --> 00:37:14.660
 the world.

00:37:17.539 --> 00:37:18.220
 Over and

00:37:18.220 --> 00:37:18.599
 over again,

00:37:18.680 --> 00:37:18.940
 I've had

00:37:18.940 --> 00:37:19.519
 people ask

00:37:19.519 --> 00:37:20.019
 me over the

00:37:20.019 --> 00:37:20.280
 years,

00:37:20.280 --> 00:37:21.380
 what do

00:37:21.380 --> 00:37:22.000
 you do

00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:23.360
 that encourages

00:37:23.360 --> 00:37:24.060
 your people

00:37:24.060 --> 00:37:24.640
 to be so

00:37:24.640 --> 00:37:25.000
 generous?

00:37:27.260 --> 00:37:27.820
 Do you know

00:37:27.820 --> 00:37:28.019
 what the

00:37:28.019 --> 00:37:28.460
 answer is?

00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:30.300
 We talk

00:37:30.300 --> 00:37:30.880
 about God.

00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:33.240
 We look

00:37:33.240 --> 00:37:33.580
 at His

00:37:33.580 --> 00:37:33.960
 Word.

00:37:35.260 --> 00:37:35.860
 We value

00:37:35.860 --> 00:37:36.400
 the grace

00:37:36.400 --> 00:37:36.960
 of Christ

00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:37.640
 that saved

00:37:37.640 --> 00:37:38.019
 us from

00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:38.660
 the miserable

00:37:38.660 --> 00:37:39.460
 self-centered

00:37:39.460 --> 00:37:40.660
 lifestyle that

00:37:40.660 --> 00:37:41.260
 we used to

00:37:41.260 --> 00:37:41.960
 live, and

00:37:41.960 --> 00:37:42.860
 the outflow

00:37:42.860 --> 00:37:43.940
 of that is

00:37:43.940 --> 00:37:44.720
 that I

00:37:44.720 --> 00:37:45.100
 don't have

00:37:45.100 --> 00:37:45.540
 to stand

00:37:45.540 --> 00:37:46.360
 up here and

00:37:46.360 --> 00:37:46.780
 make all

00:37:46.780 --> 00:37:47.220
 kinds of

00:37:47.220 --> 00:37:48.019
 wild promises

00:37:48.019 --> 00:37:48.740
 about if

00:37:48.740 --> 00:37:49.080
 you put

00:37:49.080 --> 00:37:49.660
 ten dollars

00:37:49.660 --> 00:37:50.019
 in the

00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:50.260
 offer,

00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:50.760
 you're

00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:51.019
 going to

00:37:51.019 --> 00:37:51.460
 get back

00:37:51.460 --> 00:37:51.820
 double.

00:37:54.519 --> 00:37:55.160
 In fact,

00:37:55.440 --> 00:37:55.660
 you know

00:37:55.660 --> 00:37:55.880
 what?

00:37:56.060 --> 00:37:56.380
 If you

00:37:56.380 --> 00:37:56.720
 can hold

00:37:56.720 --> 00:37:57.100
 your breath

00:37:57.100 --> 00:37:57.380
 for the

00:37:57.380 --> 00:37:58.000
 next week,

00:37:58.260 --> 00:37:58.780
 this week

00:37:58.780 --> 00:37:59.100
 and next

00:37:59.100 --> 00:37:59.280
 week,

00:37:59.380 --> 00:37:59.700
 you'll

00:37:59.700 --> 00:37:59.980
 probably

00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:00.420
 not hear

00:38:00.420 --> 00:38:00.820
 me bring

00:38:00.820 --> 00:38:01.320
 up giving

00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:01.900
 for another

00:38:01.900 --> 00:38:02.580
 whole 12

00:38:02.580 --> 00:38:03.060
 months.

00:38:05.860 --> 00:38:06.340
 Do you

00:38:06.340 --> 00:38:06.740
 know why?

00:38:07.420 --> 00:38:07.940
 We're going

00:38:07.940 --> 00:38:08.340
 to spend all

00:38:08.340 --> 00:38:08.740
 the rest of

00:38:08.740 --> 00:38:08.920
 the time

00:38:08.920 --> 00:38:09.460
 talking about

00:38:09.460 --> 00:38:09.960
 Jesus and

00:38:09.960 --> 00:38:10.200
 what He's

00:38:10.200 --> 00:38:10.480
 doing in

00:38:10.480 --> 00:38:10.880
 our life,

00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:11.440
 and the

00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:11.960
 blessing we

00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:12.340
 have of

00:38:12.340 --> 00:38:12.940
 knowing His

00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:13.260
 love,

00:38:13.440 --> 00:38:13.940
 and the

00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.640
 certainty of

00:38:14.640 --> 00:38:15.140
 eternity,

00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:15.820
 and the

00:38:15.820 --> 00:38:16.600
 outflow of

00:38:16.600 --> 00:38:17.220
 that is

00:38:17.220 --> 00:38:17.860
 that you as

00:38:17.860 --> 00:38:18.380
 a people

00:38:18.380 --> 00:38:19.320
 have hearts

00:38:19.320 --> 00:38:19.660
 that are

00:38:19.660 --> 00:38:20.519
 prompted to

00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.080
 be generous

00:38:21.080 --> 00:38:21.460
 in your

00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:21.980
 lifestyle.

00:38:23.660 --> 00:38:24.480
 Let me put it

00:38:24.480 --> 00:38:24.960
 this way and

00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.320
 close.

00:38:27.100 --> 00:38:28.059
 Grace changes

00:38:28.059 --> 00:38:30.660
 us from

00:38:30.660 --> 00:38:31.460
 being a slave

00:38:31.460 --> 00:38:32.160
 to our own

00:38:32.160 --> 00:38:33.180
 dark hearts

00:38:33.179 --> 00:38:36.599
 to living and

00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:37.059
 giving for

00:38:37.059 --> 00:38:37.279
 Him.

00:38:37.659 --> 00:38:37.960
 Isn't that

00:38:37.960 --> 00:38:38.139
 true?

00:38:39.319 --> 00:38:40.279
 Grace changes

00:38:40.279 --> 00:38:42.339
 us from

00:38:42.339 --> 00:38:43.319
 being a slave

00:38:43.319 --> 00:38:44.019
 to our own

00:38:44.019 --> 00:38:44.899
 dark hearts

00:38:44.899 --> 00:38:47.879
 to living and

00:38:47.879 --> 00:38:48.379
 giving for

00:38:48.379 --> 00:38:48.639
 Him.

00:38:49.819 --> 00:38:50.179
 You know,

00:38:50.460 --> 00:38:51.079
 every one of

00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:51.559
 us in this

00:38:51.559 --> 00:38:52.099
 room started

00:38:52.099 --> 00:38:52.639
 out at one

00:38:52.639 --> 00:38:53.379
 point as a

00:38:53.379 --> 00:38:53.819
 miserable,

00:38:54.539 --> 00:38:54.980
 hell-bound

00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:55.539
 sinner who

00:38:55.539 --> 00:38:56.339
 had no hope

00:38:56.339 --> 00:38:56.739
 at all.

00:38:57.940 --> 00:38:58.259
 And whether

00:38:58.259 --> 00:38:59.099
 we responded

00:38:59.099 --> 00:38:59.719
 to the grace

00:38:59.719 --> 00:39:00.480
 of Christ as

00:39:00.480 --> 00:39:01.799
 a child growing

00:39:01.799 --> 00:39:02.379
 up in a home

00:39:02.380 --> 00:39:02.840
 where we heard

00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:03.500
 the Bible or

00:39:03.500 --> 00:39:04.160
 it was years

00:39:04.160 --> 00:39:05.480
 later when the

00:39:05.480 --> 00:39:06.099
 Spirit of God

00:39:06.099 --> 00:39:07.039
 convicted us and

00:39:07.039 --> 00:39:07.559
 drew us to the

00:39:07.559 --> 00:39:08.340
 cross, there

00:39:08.340 --> 00:39:09.519
 came that point

00:39:09.519 --> 00:39:10.559
 where the burden

00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:11.640
 of sin was so

00:39:11.640 --> 00:39:12.500
 heavy on our

00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.519
 life and the

00:39:13.519 --> 00:39:14.400
 shame and the

00:39:14.400 --> 00:39:15.400
 guilt and the

00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:16.140
 terror of the

00:39:16.140 --> 00:39:16.900
 prospect of the

00:39:16.900 --> 00:39:17.640
 judgment of God

00:39:17.640 --> 00:39:18.720
 that we cried

00:39:18.720 --> 00:39:19.320
 out and said,

00:39:19.619 --> 00:39:20.480
 I need help.

00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.200
 And you know

00:39:22.200 --> 00:39:22.460
 what?

00:39:23.059 --> 00:39:23.760
 Here's the truth.

00:39:24.920 --> 00:39:25.519
 Christ Jesus

00:39:25.519 --> 00:39:26.079
 came into the

00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:26.640
 world to save

00:39:26.640 --> 00:39:26.960
 sinners.

00:39:26.960 --> 00:39:27.119
 sinners.

00:39:28.800 --> 00:39:29.639
 And this

00:39:29.639 --> 00:39:32.280
 morning, most

00:39:32.280 --> 00:39:33.179
 of what we have

00:39:33.179 --> 00:39:35.679
 talked about is

00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:36.220
 not giving.

00:39:37.980 --> 00:39:38.980
 Most of what

00:39:38.980 --> 00:39:39.519
 we've talked

00:39:39.519 --> 00:39:40.420
 about is the

00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:41.440
 generosity of

00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:42.679
 God that would

00:39:42.679 --> 00:39:44.159
 willingly sacrifice

00:39:44.159 --> 00:39:45.340
 His own Son for

00:39:45.340 --> 00:39:46.460
 your sins on the

00:39:46.460 --> 00:39:46.880
 cross.

00:39:48.300 --> 00:39:49.420
 And the way in

00:39:49.420 --> 00:39:50.659
 which most of

00:39:50.659 --> 00:39:51.300
 you here give

00:39:51.300 --> 00:39:52.420
 this morning is

00:39:52.420 --> 00:39:55.179
 a reflection of

00:39:55.179 --> 00:39:56.139
 the simple fact

00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.219
 that you stand

00:39:57.219 --> 00:39:58.679
 amazed at the

00:39:58.679 --> 00:39:59.659
 gift of God in

00:39:59.659 --> 00:40:01.259
 your salvation and

00:40:01.259 --> 00:40:02.379
 the way you give

00:40:02.379 --> 00:40:03.960
 just says thank

00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.199
 you.

00:40:09.059 --> 00:40:10.500
 I do recognize

00:40:10.500 --> 00:40:12.819
 because I went

00:40:12.819 --> 00:40:13.139
 through that

00:40:13.139 --> 00:40:14.259
 experience as well

00:40:14.259 --> 00:40:16.099
 that there are

00:40:16.099 --> 00:40:16.619
 some of you here

00:40:16.619 --> 00:40:17.379
 this morning that

00:40:17.379 --> 00:40:18.179
 the subject of

00:40:18.179 --> 00:40:18.960
 giving is something

00:40:18.960 --> 00:40:20.619
 that honestly you've

00:40:20.619 --> 00:40:21.359
 really never dealt

00:40:21.359 --> 00:40:21.719
 with.

00:40:21.719 --> 00:40:25.000
 And I've got to

00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:25.639
 tell you this.

00:40:26.879 --> 00:40:27.819
 At the end of

00:40:27.819 --> 00:40:30.139
 the day, the

00:40:30.139 --> 00:40:31.439
 scriptures make

00:40:31.439 --> 00:40:33.379
 it clear that

00:40:33.379 --> 00:40:34.439
 people who have a

00:40:34.439 --> 00:40:35.659
 high view of God

00:40:35.659 --> 00:40:38.719
 are generous in

00:40:38.719 --> 00:40:39.159
 their giving.

00:40:40.459 --> 00:40:41.379
 And people who

00:40:41.379 --> 00:40:42.219
 have a low view

00:40:42.219 --> 00:40:44.399
 of God are

00:40:44.399 --> 00:40:46.559
 selfish in their

00:40:46.559 --> 00:40:46.859
 giving.

00:40:47.859 --> 00:40:48.919
 You let God sort

00:40:48.919 --> 00:40:49.439
 that out in your

00:40:49.439 --> 00:40:49.619
 heart.

00:40:49.679 --> 00:40:50.000
 Does that make

00:40:50.000 --> 00:40:50.319
 sense?

00:40:50.320 --> 00:40:52.080
 That's the

00:40:52.080 --> 00:40:52.720
 Spirit's work.

00:40:53.039 --> 00:40:53.760
 But go ahead and

00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:54.400
 say this as a

00:40:54.400 --> 00:40:55.280
 prayer, Lord, I'm

00:40:55.280 --> 00:40:56.120
 willing for you to

00:40:56.120 --> 00:40:57.160
 do whatever is

00:40:57.160 --> 00:40:58.620
 necessary to deal

00:40:58.620 --> 00:40:59.880
 with my heart in

00:40:59.880 --> 00:41:01.160
 relationship to the

00:41:01.160 --> 00:41:02.480
 matter of my view

00:41:02.480 --> 00:41:02.840
 of you.

00:41:04.240 --> 00:41:05.100
 Let's close in

00:41:05.100 --> 00:41:05.320
 prayer.

00:41:09.039 --> 00:41:10.160
 Our Father God, we

00:41:10.160 --> 00:41:10.940
 are thankful that

00:41:10.940 --> 00:41:11.800
 your scriptures are

00:41:11.800 --> 00:41:13.680
 clear that you are

00:41:13.680 --> 00:41:14.660
 worthy of all our

00:41:14.660 --> 00:41:16.559
 glory and all our

00:41:16.559 --> 00:41:16.960
 affection.

00:41:17.140 --> 00:41:17.700
 And this morning

00:41:17.700 --> 00:41:19.140
 as we attend to

00:41:19.140 --> 00:41:19.840
 your word and we

00:41:19.840 --> 00:41:20.700
 listen to the truth

00:41:20.700 --> 00:41:21.640
 of what it has for

00:41:21.640 --> 00:41:22.920
 us, we recognize

00:41:22.920 --> 00:41:24.600
 that you who

00:41:24.600 --> 00:41:25.500
 abide in heaven

00:41:25.500 --> 00:41:26.820
 pay particular

00:41:26.820 --> 00:41:27.579
 attention to the

00:41:27.579 --> 00:41:28.039
 heart that we

00:41:28.039 --> 00:41:29.180
 have and you want

00:41:29.180 --> 00:41:30.840
 us this morning to

00:41:30.840 --> 00:41:31.680
 rejoice in you and

00:41:31.680 --> 00:41:32.220
 to serve you.

00:41:32.940 --> 00:41:33.660
 We pray for the

00:41:33.660 --> 00:41:34.220
 ministry of the

00:41:34.220 --> 00:41:35.260
 Spirit of God in

00:41:35.260 --> 00:41:36.079
 the hearts of those

00:41:36.079 --> 00:41:37.200
 that need to be

00:41:37.200 --> 00:41:38.240
 convicted, whether it

00:41:38.240 --> 00:41:39.039
 be in the matter of

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:40.340
 their salvation or

00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:41.039
 the matter of their

00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:42.180
 generosity or there's

00:41:42.180 --> 00:41:43.420
 an attitude and a

00:41:43.420 --> 00:41:44.180
 sin that needs to be

00:41:44.180 --> 00:41:45.140
 confessed and forsaken.

00:41:45.260 --> 00:41:45.820
 We ask that you

00:41:45.820 --> 00:41:48.019
 would do that, that you

00:41:48.019 --> 00:41:50.099
 might be glorified and

00:41:50.099 --> 00:41:50.820
 we ask this in your

00:41:50.820 --> 00:41:51.579
 precious name.

00:41:51.980 --> 00:41:52.300
 Amen.