WEBVTT 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:07.820 So today, as we are following the lectionary readings, we come to these passages, and we 00:00:07.820 --> 00:00:14.880 see that we're going to be dealing with the topic of money, and specifically tithing and 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:15.620 generosity. 00:00:16.660 --> 00:00:20.519 And I love when we come to these places in the lectionary, because as I'm looking at 00:00:20.519 --> 00:00:23.800 it, I'm thinking in particular, we're going to be focusing on Malachi chapter 3. 00:00:24.460 --> 00:00:27.699 And these are passages that if they didn't come up in the lectionary, we could probably 00:00:27.699 --> 00:00:30.119 go years and years and years without ever preaching on them. 00:00:30.899 --> 00:00:37.500 And the reason is that most people don't really like to talk about the topic of money. 00:00:37.500 --> 00:00:45.079 And a lot of preachers, surprisingly, don't particularly look forward to the prospect 00:00:45.079 --> 00:00:49.460 of preaching about money, because we know that it's uncomfortable for all of us. 00:00:50.039 --> 00:00:54.739 And, you know, people say, well, you know, I'm uncomfortable just because it's getting 00:00:54.739 --> 00:00:55.320 too personal. 00:00:56.019 --> 00:00:57.359 You know, it's just getting too personal. 00:00:57.700 --> 00:00:59.000 Money is a very personal thing. 00:01:00.560 --> 00:01:01.760 Funny is I've thought about that. 00:01:01.840 --> 00:01:05.939 You know, a few years ago, I preached a sermon series on the Song of Songs. 00:01:07.060 --> 00:01:09.700 It was all about sexuality and intimacy. 00:01:10.980 --> 00:01:12.000 The place was packed. 00:01:12.820 --> 00:01:13.260 Packed. 00:01:14.439 --> 00:01:15.500 Attendance just spiked. 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:18.700 And I don't know if you've ever read Song of Songs. 00:01:20.140 --> 00:01:23.640 But it doesn't get much more personal than the Song of Songs. 00:01:23.799 --> 00:01:27.480 I mean, especially if you understand the anatomical references that are being made. 00:01:27.640 --> 00:01:29.980 It's a highly, highly personal text. 00:01:29.980 --> 00:01:35.900 And so, I actually don't think that that is the reason that we are uncomfortable talking 00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:37.040 about the topic of money. 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:43.320 I think the topic is disturbing to us because it's not really about the money. 00:01:43.319 --> 00:01:48.239 When we talk about money, we're not really talking about money. 00:01:49.679 --> 00:01:52.819 And generosity is not really a money issue. 00:01:53.079 --> 00:01:54.399 It's a heart issue. 00:01:54.400 --> 00:02:02.040 If you want to know the state of your heart, the best way to do that is to look at your 00:02:02.040 --> 00:02:02.820 spending habits. 00:02:04.120 --> 00:02:05.480 In other words, follow the money. 00:02:07.240 --> 00:02:10.879 Follow the money, and they will lead you to what's really going on. 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:13.020 It will lead you to the truth about yourself. 00:02:13.400 --> 00:02:17.759 And this is probably why, if we look at the Gospels, Jesus talked about the topic of money 00:02:17.759 --> 00:02:22.560 more than almost any other topic in Scripture. 00:02:23.399 --> 00:02:28.679 So, this morning, we're going to be looking at this primarily in Malachi chapter 3. 00:02:28.959 --> 00:02:32.819 And we're going to see what's going on with these people, and we're going to ask what the 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:37.459 parallels are for us, and we're going to see three questions that we are going to try to answer. 00:02:37.579 --> 00:02:38.859 First of all, what's the problem? 00:02:39.739 --> 00:02:41.379 Second of all, how do we know? 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:43.719 And third, what can we do about it? 00:02:43.759 --> 00:02:44.579 So, what's the problem? 00:02:44.739 --> 00:02:45.799 How do we know? 00:02:46.379 --> 00:02:47.539 And then what can we do about it? 00:02:47.539 --> 00:02:47.979 Let's pray. 00:02:50.079 --> 00:02:56.819 Lord, we thank You for Your Word, and we thank You that it always goes out and accomplishes 00:02:56.819 --> 00:02:59.539 what You desire for it to accomplish, Lord. 00:02:59.680 --> 00:03:05.819 And we pray that You would open us to the power of Your Word this morning, that we would 00:03:05.819 --> 00:03:07.899 be receptive to what You have to say for all of us. 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:15.659 And we pray that this would lead to our ability to glorify You and to glorify Your name, not only 00:03:15.659 --> 00:03:17.159 among ourselves, but in this city. 00:03:17.539 --> 00:03:20.299 Lord, that we would lift Your name above every other name. 00:03:21.079 --> 00:03:22.719 We pray this in Your Son's holy name. 00:03:22.879 --> 00:03:23.120 Amen. 00:03:24.859 --> 00:03:28.819 So, first of all, what's the problem that we see happening in Malachi? 00:03:28.819 --> 00:03:34.159 It says in verse 7, from the days of Your fathers, You have turned aside from My statutes and 00:03:34.159 --> 00:03:35.099 have not kept them. 00:03:35.840 --> 00:03:38.840 Return to Me, and I will return to You, says the Lord of hosts. 00:03:39.459 --> 00:03:41.340 But You say, how shall we return? 00:03:41.340 --> 00:03:43.920 So, what's going on here is this. 00:03:43.979 --> 00:03:49.180 God loves His people, but God is lamenting the fact that they are living in rebellion 00:03:49.180 --> 00:03:50.280 against Him. 00:03:50.480 --> 00:03:52.360 So, He's calling them to return. 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:53.800 He's saying, return to Me. 00:03:54.199 --> 00:03:55.280 I love you. 00:03:55.400 --> 00:03:56.259 You're wayward. 00:03:56.780 --> 00:03:58.000 You've departed from My ways. 00:03:58.099 --> 00:03:59.680 Return to Me, and I will return to You. 00:03:59.680 --> 00:04:01.240 I'm waiting for You to come back to Me. 00:04:01.800 --> 00:04:06.020 And in the context of this passage, the people's response essentially means this. 00:04:06.100 --> 00:04:08.120 They say to God, what do you mean? 00:04:09.800 --> 00:04:10.879 What do you mean we need to return? 00:04:11.000 --> 00:04:12.240 We haven't done anything wrong. 00:04:12.600 --> 00:04:14.439 That's essentially what they're saying in response. 00:04:15.480 --> 00:04:17.660 And, you know, right there, that's something to meditate on. 00:04:17.720 --> 00:04:19.639 We can be going along in our lives. 00:04:19.639 --> 00:04:25.300 We can be living, assuming that everything is good, assuming that we are, our relationship 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:29.660 with God is healthy, and yet we can be actively rebelling against God. 00:04:29.660 --> 00:04:31.720 Even if we don't know it. 00:04:31.939 --> 00:04:36.120 We can be running from God if we're not, even if we're not aware of it. 00:04:36.520 --> 00:04:40.540 And so, God goes on in verse 8 and says, will man rob God? 00:04:41.640 --> 00:04:43.300 Yet you are robbing Me. 00:04:44.760 --> 00:04:48.640 And the Hebrew word for rob, the translation here isn't strong enough. 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:53.900 The Hebrew word actually means to pillage, to plunder, right? 00:04:54.000 --> 00:04:55.560 To take by force. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:05:00.540 You know, imagine kicking in the door of somebody's house and beating them up and then taking all 00:05:00.540 --> 00:05:01.339 of their valuables. 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:04.040 That's the word in context. 00:05:04.360 --> 00:05:05.379 Will man rob God? 00:05:05.439 --> 00:05:06.660 Yet you are doing that to Me. 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:07.560 You're pillaging Me. 00:05:07.600 --> 00:05:08.500 You're plundering Me. 00:05:09.939 --> 00:05:13.819 And the people say, how in the world are we plundering you, God? 00:05:15.220 --> 00:05:17.560 And then God says, through your lack of generosity. 00:05:18.840 --> 00:05:20.199 Through your lack of generosity. 00:05:20.199 --> 00:05:26.199 So, the question is, how does a lack of generosity rob God? 00:05:26.259 --> 00:05:28.680 How does a lack of generosity plunder God? 00:05:30.279 --> 00:05:32.219 Now, here's where the gospel reading comes in. 00:05:32.300 --> 00:05:37.719 If we look at Matthew's gospel, what we just read, it's a situation where the religious leaders, 00:05:38.019 --> 00:05:41.539 they're divided over whether or not to pay taxes to Caesar. 00:05:42.719 --> 00:05:45.919 And they ask Jesus essentially a no-win question. 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:49.500 Regardless of what he says, somebody's going to be angry at him. 00:05:50.140 --> 00:05:54.460 And so, they ask Jesus, should we pay taxes to Caesar or not? 00:05:54.980 --> 00:05:57.860 And so, Jesus gives this amazing answer. 00:05:57.960 --> 00:05:58.780 He says, bring me a coin. 00:05:59.520 --> 00:06:03.280 And by the way, Jesus was so poor that he didn't have a coin in his pocket, right? 00:06:03.520 --> 00:06:04.259 Bring me a coin. 00:06:05.480 --> 00:06:06.160 They hand him a coin. 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:08.180 He says, whose image is stamped on this coin? 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:16.019 And they kind of reluctantly, Caesar's, you know, they're seeing where this is going. 00:06:16.220 --> 00:06:20.019 And then Jesus says this, well, therefore, render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's 00:06:20.019 --> 00:06:23.139 and to God the things that are God's. 00:06:23.939 --> 00:06:25.060 So, what's he saying there? 00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:26.740 This is an amazing answer. 00:06:28.079 --> 00:06:30.899 He says, well, you live in Caesar's empire, 00:06:30.899 --> 00:06:41.399 and you benefit from imperial roads and education and justice and freedom from invasion. 00:06:43.739 --> 00:06:47.379 The coins even have Caesar's image stamped on them. 00:06:48.560 --> 00:06:51.039 It's only right that you would render to Caesar what is Caesar's. 00:06:52.099 --> 00:06:53.299 But then what does he say? 00:06:53.379 --> 00:06:54.599 He takes a step back. 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:56.139 He broadens it. 00:06:56.699 --> 00:07:00.219 He says, render to God the things that are God's. 00:07:00.220 --> 00:07:01.600 So, what's he saying there? 00:07:02.580 --> 00:07:06.020 He says, listen, you live in God's world. 00:07:06.960 --> 00:07:09.420 You live in a body that God gave you. 00:07:09.940 --> 00:07:14.620 You benefit from talents and gifts and resources that God has given you. 00:07:15.380 --> 00:07:18.000 Every breath you take is a gift from God. 00:07:18.120 --> 00:07:21.560 Every beat of your heart, every time it beats, 00:07:21.640 --> 00:07:24.900 it's a gift from God keeping you alive for another second. 00:07:26.320 --> 00:07:30.060 So, he's saying that coin has Caesar's image stamped on it, 00:07:30.220 --> 00:07:33.160 but you have God's image stamped on you. 00:07:33.480 --> 00:07:35.800 Render to God the things that are God's. 00:07:36.860 --> 00:07:38.280 It's an amazing answer. 00:07:39.280 --> 00:07:41.920 And it really begins to shift our perspective 00:07:41.920 --> 00:07:45.580 on the way we think about the world 00:07:45.580 --> 00:07:48.500 and the way we think about even our own bodies. 00:07:48.500 --> 00:07:51.480 Probably you're familiar with Nick Saban, 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.839 the legendary Alabama football coach. 00:07:54.639 --> 00:07:57.540 I saw this clip of him giving a speech. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:58.420 And yes, mark it. 00:07:58.480 --> 00:08:00.379 I'm giving a sports analogy. 00:08:00.579 --> 00:08:02.060 I think I'm due. 00:08:02.160 --> 00:08:03.220 It's been about five years. 00:08:03.220 --> 00:08:06.140 I love all the sports, 00:08:06.380 --> 00:08:09.640 but Nick Saban gives this speech 00:08:09.640 --> 00:08:13.140 that people have sort of dubbed the nothing speech. 00:08:13.820 --> 00:08:14.780 Or he says this. 00:08:14.840 --> 00:08:15.160 He says, 00:08:15.500 --> 00:08:16.540 when you wake up every day, 00:08:16.940 --> 00:08:20.160 you're entitled to nothing. 00:08:21.440 --> 00:08:22.540 Nobody owes you. 00:08:23.520 --> 00:08:23.660 Right? 00:08:23.720 --> 00:08:25.580 And it's a very inspiring speech. 00:08:25.660 --> 00:08:28.300 It goes on to talk about the importance of hard work 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:28.980 and discipline. 00:08:29.379 --> 00:08:30.860 And you have to take that talent 00:08:30.860 --> 00:08:32.360 and you have to turn it into something. 00:08:32.740 --> 00:08:33.080 And, you know, 00:08:33.480 --> 00:08:35.560 entitlement leads to disaster. 00:08:35.820 --> 00:08:37.779 And he's aiming at people who are entitled. 00:08:38.019 --> 00:08:38.560 And, you know, 00:08:38.580 --> 00:08:40.080 it's a very inspiring speech. 00:08:41.120 --> 00:08:43.259 But with all due respect to Coach Saban, 00:08:44.060 --> 00:08:45.759 Jesus takes it much, much further. 00:08:46.940 --> 00:08:48.860 So the truth that we see here is this. 00:08:49.519 --> 00:08:52.000 Not only does the world owe us nothing, 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:54.240 but what Jesus is saying 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:57.080 is that we owe God everything. 00:08:57.080 --> 00:09:00.740 That we owe God everything. 00:09:02.060 --> 00:09:05.160 That's the meaning of the phrase, 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:07.660 the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. 00:09:08.920 --> 00:09:13.500 The recognition that everything that we have is a gift. 00:09:14.780 --> 00:09:17.020 That everything belongs to Him. 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:20.160 And that we owe Him everything. 00:09:21.500 --> 00:09:21.700 Right? 00:09:21.800 --> 00:09:24.960 So when God gives some of His things to us, 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:28.820 He does it in the way that an investor 00:09:28.820 --> 00:09:32.300 would give money to a money manager. 00:09:33.220 --> 00:09:35.639 The money still belongs to the investor. 00:09:36.080 --> 00:09:38.460 But He gives it to the manager. 00:09:38.620 --> 00:09:41.780 He entrusts it to the manager to use well. 00:09:42.940 --> 00:09:45.420 And what does it mean for a manager 00:09:45.420 --> 00:09:46.879 to use that money well? 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:48.600 Well, the job of a money manager 00:09:48.600 --> 00:09:51.340 is to use that money in ways 00:09:51.340 --> 00:09:54.120 that reflect the values and priorities of the owner. 00:09:54.840 --> 00:09:56.980 Now, the money manager is expected 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:59.279 to be able to make a living off of this. 00:09:59.820 --> 00:10:01.840 But their primary aim 00:10:01.840 --> 00:10:04.300 is to use that money in ways 00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:06.340 that reflect the values and the priorities 00:10:06.340 --> 00:10:07.600 of the owner. 00:10:07.600 --> 00:10:10.720 And when we look at God's values and priorities, 00:10:10.879 --> 00:10:13.120 we see that God wants us to use His resources 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:15.560 to bring glory and honor to Him. 00:10:15.700 --> 00:10:18.019 He wants to see people everywhere 00:10:18.019 --> 00:10:20.040 come to know and worship Him. 00:10:20.420 --> 00:10:23.100 He wants to see a beautiful community 00:10:23.100 --> 00:10:25.040 made up of people from every tribe 00:10:25.040 --> 00:10:26.680 and tongue and nation 00:10:26.680 --> 00:10:29.879 emerging as this great family 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.240 that spans the globe. 00:10:31.620 --> 00:10:34.420 God wants to see the world filled with justice 00:10:34.420 --> 00:10:36.440 and filled with peace. 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:40.040 God wants to see human beings flourishing together, 00:10:40.620 --> 00:10:42.840 loving and serving one another. 00:10:43.020 --> 00:10:45.560 This is God's vision for the world. 00:10:46.220 --> 00:10:47.360 And what this tells us 00:10:47.360 --> 00:10:50.180 is that we are God's money managers 00:10:50.180 --> 00:10:53.380 meant to pursue God's priorities 00:10:53.380 --> 00:10:55.400 with God's resources. 00:10:55.700 --> 00:10:57.320 We are God's money managers 00:10:57.320 --> 00:11:00.920 meant to pursue God's priorities 00:11:00.920 --> 00:11:02.600 with God's resources. 00:11:03.720 --> 00:11:05.520 And so coming back to Malachi, 00:11:05.519 --> 00:11:07.840 that's the context here. 00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:09.220 When we don't do that, 00:11:10.220 --> 00:11:12.059 when we start living and acting 00:11:12.059 --> 00:11:14.539 like His resources belong to us, 00:11:15.240 --> 00:11:18.779 we're committing cosmic fraud. 00:11:20.840 --> 00:11:22.539 All right, we're robbing God. 00:11:22.639 --> 00:11:24.899 So that's the problem in view here. 00:11:25.319 --> 00:11:26.519 And so then we have to ask, 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:27.899 how do we know whether or not 00:11:27.899 --> 00:11:29.659 this is a problem for me? 00:11:29.659 --> 00:11:32.459 See, these people in Malachi, 00:11:32.600 --> 00:11:34.919 they had no idea this was an issue for them 00:11:34.919 --> 00:11:36.980 until God revealed it to them. 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:38.179 And probably, honestly, 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:40.819 most of us in this room are thinking, 00:11:40.959 --> 00:11:42.679 you know, I'm not really sure 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:43.879 that this is an issue 00:11:43.879 --> 00:11:45.719 that I need to be worried about, 00:11:46.360 --> 00:11:48.399 but I do know somebody 00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:50.899 who is wealthier than I am, 00:11:51.399 --> 00:11:53.240 and they probably need to hear this. 00:11:54.279 --> 00:11:55.179 You know, one of the things 00:11:55.179 --> 00:11:57.639 that I hear sometimes after sermons 00:11:57.639 --> 00:11:58.340 is people say, 00:11:58.439 --> 00:11:59.679 I really appreciate the sermon. 00:11:59.939 --> 00:12:01.600 I know exactly who I'm going to send it to. 00:12:04.919 --> 00:12:06.159 You know, and of course, 00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.240 I appreciate that, 00:12:07.379 --> 00:12:08.439 but I would also say, 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:08.840 well, you know, 00:12:08.919 --> 00:12:10.759 what if God was sending it to you? 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:12.379 You know? 00:12:13.379 --> 00:12:14.319 So how do we know 00:12:14.319 --> 00:12:15.480 if this is an issue for us? 00:12:15.500 --> 00:12:16.319 And this is really where 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:18.319 the topic of tithing comes in. 00:12:18.720 --> 00:12:19.500 In verse 8, 00:12:19.580 --> 00:12:20.199 the people say, 00:12:20.279 --> 00:12:21.480 how have we robbed you? 00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.179 How do we know? 00:12:22.739 --> 00:12:23.699 And God says, 00:12:23.819 --> 00:12:25.199 in your tithes and contributions. 00:12:26.539 --> 00:12:27.819 Now, what's the meaning 00:12:27.819 --> 00:12:29.079 of this concept here? 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:30.120 In the Old Testament, 00:12:30.819 --> 00:12:31.679 God called everyone 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:32.859 to give 10% 00:12:32.859 --> 00:12:35.159 of what they brought in 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:35.739 for charity 00:12:35.739 --> 00:12:37.539 and ministry purposes, right? 00:12:37.719 --> 00:12:39.339 That's what the word tithe means. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:40.399 It means 10%. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:42.479 In the New Testament, 00:12:43.019 --> 00:12:45.319 there's really only one reference 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:46.899 to tithing in the New Testament. 00:12:47.099 --> 00:12:47.500 Interestingly, 00:12:47.719 --> 00:12:49.179 when Paul talks about generosity, 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:50.179 which he does quite a bit, 00:12:50.319 --> 00:12:51.639 he never uses the word tithe. 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:53.679 Never uses that word. 00:12:54.279 --> 00:12:55.139 The only reference 00:12:55.139 --> 00:12:55.759 in the New Testament 00:12:55.759 --> 00:12:56.979 comes from Luke's Gospel, 00:12:57.099 --> 00:12:57.739 chapter 11. 00:12:58.120 --> 00:12:59.139 The Pharisees, 00:12:59.359 --> 00:13:00.500 as we know, 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.620 were very scrupulous. 00:13:01.779 --> 00:13:02.959 They were very legalistic. 00:13:03.459 --> 00:13:04.500 They were very focused 00:13:04.500 --> 00:13:05.659 on every jot and tittle, 00:13:05.739 --> 00:13:07.620 doing everything exactly 00:13:07.620 --> 00:13:08.799 as it was prescribed 00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:10.159 in not only Scripture, 00:13:10.319 --> 00:13:12.000 but in all of the additional rules 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:13.039 that they had created. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.459 And so they were very focused 00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:18.179 on giving exactly 10% of everything. 00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:20.699 And down to their, 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:20.979 you know, 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:22.259 they would have their herbs 00:13:22.259 --> 00:13:23.279 growing in their garden 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:24.539 and they would clip off, 00:13:24.860 --> 00:13:25.139 you know, 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:26.600 exactly 10% 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.899 and bring that 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.800 and give it 00:13:28.800 --> 00:13:30.779 as part of their tithe. 00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:35.139 And Jesus challenges them 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:36.920 because of this, 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.000 because they would give 00:13:38.000 --> 00:13:39.259 that 10% 00:13:39.259 --> 00:13:40.759 that they were supposed to give, 00:13:40.920 --> 00:13:42.080 and then maybe a need 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:43.460 would arise in the community. 00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:44.420 There would be some sort 00:13:44.420 --> 00:13:45.600 of a crisis 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:46.940 or a need, 00:13:46.940 --> 00:13:48.520 and the Pharisees 00:13:48.520 --> 00:13:49.480 would respond by saying, 00:13:49.560 --> 00:13:50.220 oh, I'm sorry, 00:13:50.280 --> 00:13:50.940 I can't help. 00:13:52.100 --> 00:13:54.080 See, I already gave my 10%, 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:56.660 so I'm sorry. 00:13:56.800 --> 00:13:57.460 I would, 00:13:57.640 --> 00:13:58.900 but I already did 00:13:58.900 --> 00:13:59.900 what God asked me to do, 00:14:00.040 --> 00:14:01.040 so, you know, 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.640 go knock on somebody else's door, 00:14:03.020 --> 00:14:03.340 you know. 00:14:03.680 --> 00:14:04.780 And so Jesus says, 00:14:04.880 --> 00:14:05.420 woe to you. 00:14:06.880 --> 00:14:07.400 Woe to you 00:14:07.400 --> 00:14:08.520 for neglecting justice. 00:14:08.940 --> 00:14:09.220 Woe to you 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:10.560 for neglecting the love of God. 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.580 That's the whole point. 00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:14.100 And so Jesus says, 00:14:14.160 --> 00:14:15.139 you should have been doing both. 00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:16.460 You know, 00:14:16.620 --> 00:14:17.500 give your tithe, 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.220 that's great, 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:21.060 but you're giving your tithe 00:14:21.060 --> 00:14:22.020 without giving your heart. 00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:23.600 You know, 00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.500 you should be giving 00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:25.280 your money away 00:14:25.280 --> 00:14:26.580 even as you give your heart 00:14:26.580 --> 00:14:27.379 away to God, 00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.560 even as you give your heart 00:14:28.560 --> 00:14:29.620 away to those in need. 00:14:29.680 --> 00:14:30.580 That's the whole reason 00:14:31.160 --> 00:14:32.200 this happens. 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:33.560 And what we need 00:14:33.560 --> 00:14:34.280 to understand is, 00:14:34.420 --> 00:14:34.820 you know, 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.540 we begin to see this emerge. 00:14:36.980 --> 00:14:38.320 A generous spirit 00:14:38.320 --> 00:14:39.259 isn't gonna focus 00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:39.900 on a percentage. 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:41.860 You know, 00:14:41.900 --> 00:14:42.840 a generous spirit 00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:44.139 isn't gonna focus 00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.720 on where that line is, 00:14:45.759 --> 00:14:45.920 right? 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:46.980 A generous spirit, 00:14:47.340 --> 00:14:47.960 somebody who's given 00:14:47.960 --> 00:14:49.020 their heart away to God, 00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.639 somebody who's given 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.580 their heart away 00:14:50.580 --> 00:14:52.160 to the things 00:14:52.160 --> 00:14:53.420 that God cares about, 00:14:54.139 --> 00:14:54.980 they're gonna give 00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:56.400 freely and joyfully 00:14:56.400 --> 00:14:57.520 just as an overflow 00:14:57.520 --> 00:14:58.600 of love for God. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:00.040 That's where that giving 00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:00.879 is gonna come from. 00:15:01.160 --> 00:15:02.320 And one of the best examples 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.740 of generosity in the Bible 00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:05.920 comes from the Macedonian Christians 00:15:05.920 --> 00:15:08.140 in 2 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9. 00:15:08.520 --> 00:15:09.460 The apostle Paul 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:10.820 is collecting money. 00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:13.600 There's a famine in Judea 00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:14.440 and he's collecting 00:15:14.440 --> 00:15:15.940 famine relief funds. 00:15:16.740 --> 00:15:17.420 And even though 00:15:17.420 --> 00:15:18.560 the Macedonian Christians 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:20.160 are facing their own crisis, 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:21.520 right, 00:15:21.600 --> 00:15:22.320 they're in the midst 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:23.800 of their own crisis, 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.120 Paul says in verse 4, 00:15:26.640 --> 00:15:27.820 they were begging us earnestly 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.420 for the favor 00:15:29.420 --> 00:15:30.680 of taking part 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:31.260 in the relief 00:15:31.260 --> 00:15:31.860 of the saints. 00:15:32.860 --> 00:15:33.879 So the amazing thing 00:15:33.879 --> 00:15:34.920 about the Macedonians is, 00:15:35.160 --> 00:15:36.240 Paul didn't ask them 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:36.780 for money. 00:15:37.640 --> 00:15:37.860 You know, 00:15:37.920 --> 00:15:38.520 he didn't say, 00:15:38.660 --> 00:15:39.580 I know you guys 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.180 are having a hard time, 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:41.200 could you just give a little bit, 00:15:41.240 --> 00:15:42.139 just spare something? 00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:43.460 No, 00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.139 they're the ones 00:15:44.139 --> 00:15:44.879 who approach Paul. 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:45.660 They come to Paul 00:15:45.660 --> 00:15:46.900 and they beg him, 00:15:47.400 --> 00:15:49.139 can we please give to this? 00:15:50.080 --> 00:15:52.060 Can we please help relieve 00:15:52.060 --> 00:15:53.240 the needs 00:15:53.240 --> 00:15:54.620 because of the famine? 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:56.320 And so Paul's blown away 00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:56.980 by this. 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.500 And what we see 00:15:58.500 --> 00:16:00.060 is a generous spirit 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:00.820 doesn't ask, 00:16:01.220 --> 00:16:02.580 how much do I have to give? 00:16:03.660 --> 00:16:05.280 A generous spirit says, 00:16:05.400 --> 00:16:06.680 how much do I get to give? 00:16:07.679 --> 00:16:07.919 You know, 00:16:07.939 --> 00:16:09.859 it's always eagerly looking 00:16:09.859 --> 00:16:11.599 for opportunities to give. 00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:12.359 So, you know, 00:16:12.459 --> 00:16:13.479 for people like this, 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:15.179 giving is a source of joy. 00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.879 When their income goes, 00:16:17.959 --> 00:16:18.399 see, you know, 00:16:18.459 --> 00:16:19.179 a lot of times 00:16:19.179 --> 00:16:20.239 you get older, 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.439 you advance in your career 00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:22.259 and your income 00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:23.339 kind of, you know, 00:16:23.379 --> 00:16:24.679 goes up over time 00:16:24.679 --> 00:16:26.279 and what typically happens is 00:16:26.279 --> 00:16:27.479 your lifestyle 00:16:27.479 --> 00:16:28.379 just kind of immediately 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:29.159 comes up, right? 00:16:29.219 --> 00:16:29.959 So you're giving, 00:16:30.179 --> 00:16:31.199 your income goes up 00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:31.819 and then your lifestyle 00:16:31.819 --> 00:16:32.620 just fills in. 00:16:32.939 --> 00:16:33.939 And then your giving goes up 00:16:33.939 --> 00:16:34.539 and your lifestyle, 00:16:35.339 --> 00:16:35.819 or I'm sorry, 00:16:35.820 --> 00:16:36.580 your income goes up 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:37.500 and your lifestyle 00:16:37.500 --> 00:16:38.580 just kind of keeps pace 00:16:38.580 --> 00:16:39.620 with your income. 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:41.560 But these people, 00:16:41.860 --> 00:16:42.560 the people that Paul's 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:43.100 talking about, 00:16:43.420 --> 00:16:43.600 you know, 00:16:43.760 --> 00:16:45.720 any extra income they have, 00:16:45.800 --> 00:16:46.400 they're not thinking 00:16:46.400 --> 00:16:47.600 about lifestyle changes, 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:48.460 they're thinking about 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:49.860 this category over here, 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:50.280 giving. 00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:50.600 They're like, 00:16:50.640 --> 00:16:51.060 well, this means 00:16:51.060 --> 00:16:51.840 I can give more 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.620 and I can give more 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.480 and I can give more. 00:16:53.760 --> 00:16:55.240 That's what a joyful giver 00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.379 looks like. 00:16:56.800 --> 00:16:57.600 And so the point is 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:58.680 if we start focusing 00:16:58.680 --> 00:17:00.580 too much on an exact percentage 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:02.340 or if we start sort of, 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:02.660 you know, 00:17:02.820 --> 00:17:03.500 biblically looking, 00:17:03.660 --> 00:17:03.720 well, 00:17:03.720 --> 00:17:04.799 is this pre-tax 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:06.059 or post-tax dollars? 00:17:08.360 --> 00:17:08.759 Right? 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.759 We're missing the point. 00:17:11.600 --> 00:17:13.259 So 10% is, 00:17:13.640 --> 00:17:13.740 you know, 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.420 Jesus doesn't abolish it, 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:17.140 but he transforms 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:18.259 the way we think about it. 00:17:18.299 --> 00:17:19.019 We start thinking, 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:19.500 you know, 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.539 10% is kind of 00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:21.420 more of a baseline. 00:17:22.460 --> 00:17:24.819 It's like a starting place. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:25.700 You know, 00:17:25.720 --> 00:17:26.339 the idea would be 00:17:26.339 --> 00:17:27.420 we start here 00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:28.900 and then we kind of 00:17:28.900 --> 00:17:29.640 build on it. 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:31.180 You know, 00:17:31.259 --> 00:17:32.180 and this brings us 00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.860 back to the point 00:17:32.860 --> 00:17:33.780 of how do we know 00:17:33.780 --> 00:17:34.500 whether or not 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:36.280 generosity is a problem 00:17:36.280 --> 00:17:36.980 for me? 00:17:37.560 --> 00:17:38.360 And I would say 00:17:38.360 --> 00:17:39.460 if we don't think 00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:40.400 about generosity 00:17:40.400 --> 00:17:41.560 the way that we've 00:17:41.560 --> 00:17:42.780 been describing here, 00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:43.060 right, 00:17:43.080 --> 00:17:44.120 the way that we might see 00:17:44.120 --> 00:17:44.700 in the example 00:17:44.700 --> 00:17:45.740 of the Macedonians, 00:17:46.060 --> 00:17:47.540 if giving is really 00:17:47.540 --> 00:17:48.720 hard for us, 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.180 then it's worth 00:17:50.180 --> 00:17:51.020 a closer look 00:17:51.020 --> 00:17:51.580 at our hearts. 00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:53.259 Right? 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:53.880 And this is where 00:17:53.880 --> 00:17:54.860 tithing comes in 00:17:54.860 --> 00:17:56.220 because for most people, 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.620 I mean, 00:17:57.720 --> 00:17:59.319 pretty much everybody 00:17:59.319 --> 00:17:59.759 I know, 00:17:59.860 --> 00:18:00.600 including us, 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.000 giving away 10% 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.700 of your income 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.259 is something 00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.180 that you feel. 00:18:05.440 --> 00:18:06.500 You can't give away 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:08.079 10% of what you're 00:18:08.079 --> 00:18:08.620 bringing in 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.900 and not know it, 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:10.460 right? 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.420 And not, 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.180 and not, 00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:13.160 and not probably 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.059 have to make some 00:18:14.059 --> 00:18:15.180 cuts and sacrifices 00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:16.420 in other areas 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.120 of your life. 00:18:17.759 --> 00:18:18.480 And so that's why 00:18:18.480 --> 00:18:19.880 10% is a good 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:21.180 starting place 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:22.420 because if giving 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.140 at that level 00:18:23.140 --> 00:18:24.539 feels unthinkable, 00:18:24.680 --> 00:18:25.279 it's worth 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.120 a closer look. 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.519 Not just at the budget, 00:18:27.680 --> 00:18:28.940 but at our heart. 00:18:31.019 --> 00:18:31.839 So the question 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.400 then becomes, 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.180 for those of us 00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:34.180 who do struggle 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.059 with generosity, 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:35.740 if we're sort of 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.519 sitting here thinking 00:18:36.519 --> 00:18:36.960 and, you know, 00:18:37.319 --> 00:18:38.779 sort of reflecting 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.259 and thinking, 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.059 well, maybe this is 00:18:40.059 --> 00:18:40.640 kind of an issue 00:18:40.640 --> 00:18:41.059 for me. 00:18:41.500 --> 00:18:42.160 What can we do 00:18:42.160 --> 00:18:42.539 about it? 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:44.539 You know, 00:18:44.579 --> 00:18:45.319 research estimates 00:18:45.319 --> 00:18:48.059 that if all Christians 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.900 in the U.S. 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.019 started tithing, 00:18:53.380 --> 00:18:54.680 that that would mean 00:18:54.680 --> 00:18:55.420 at a minimum 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:58.539 roughly $165 billion 00:18:58.539 --> 00:19:00.259 extra dollars 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:02.360 going to various 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:03.500 churches and ministries, 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:03.980 right? 00:19:04.560 --> 00:19:05.460 So on the one hand, 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:06.080 I would say 00:19:06.080 --> 00:19:07.860 when we think about 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:08.500 tithing, 00:19:08.580 --> 00:19:09.340 that doesn't necessarily 00:19:09.340 --> 00:19:09.600 mean, 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.240 I'm not saying, 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:10.500 like, 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:11.740 start writing your checks 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.600 to Church of the Advent, 00:19:12.800 --> 00:19:13.000 right? 00:19:13.000 --> 00:19:13.759 In the Old Testament, 00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:15.259 it was the temple, 00:19:15.380 --> 00:19:16.560 but in the New Testament, 00:19:16.680 --> 00:19:17.519 in the New Covenant world, 00:19:17.519 --> 00:19:18.539 there's no equivalent 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:19.100 for the temple, 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:20.300 right? 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:21.359 So you're looking 00:19:21.359 --> 00:19:22.440 at local churches 00:19:22.440 --> 00:19:24.000 and ministries 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:24.680 and nonprofits, 00:19:25.099 --> 00:19:25.579 missionaries, 00:19:26.299 --> 00:19:26.899 whatever things 00:19:26.899 --> 00:19:27.480 that we support. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.099 What I would say 00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:28.480 is this, 00:19:28.700 --> 00:19:29.440 if everybody 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.500 actually started 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.019 tithing, 00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:33.079 right, 00:19:33.319 --> 00:19:33.680 churches, 00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.099 ministries, 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.680 nonprofits 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.819 would be inundated 00:19:35.819 --> 00:19:36.759 with resources, 00:19:37.919 --> 00:19:38.099 right? 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.680 Everybody, 00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.779 everybody would, 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:41.059 everybody would feel it. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:42.279 So how can we be 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.240 more generous 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.259 as a people? 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.500 And I would say 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.079 a couple of things 00:19:46.079 --> 00:19:47.079 coming out of this passage. 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:47.759 Number one, 00:19:49.359 --> 00:19:50.139 follow the money, 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:51.599 right? 00:19:51.619 --> 00:19:52.639 In the original context 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.679 of the film 00:19:53.679 --> 00:19:54.519 that that comes from, 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.919 the idea is 00:19:55.919 --> 00:19:56.659 that if you follow 00:19:56.659 --> 00:19:57.039 the money, 00:19:57.079 --> 00:19:57.740 that will lead you 00:19:57.740 --> 00:19:58.439 to the corruption. 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.379 Where's the corruption? 00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:01.240 And it's the same idea here. 00:20:02.879 --> 00:20:03.559 Verse 10, 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.559 God calls His people 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.899 to bring the full tithe 00:20:05.899 --> 00:20:06.939 into the temple treasury. 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.240 And in other words, 00:20:09.240 --> 00:20:09.579 He's saying, 00:20:09.579 --> 00:20:11.019 devote your full tithe 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.099 to the worship 00:20:12.099 --> 00:20:13.759 and ministry of God. 00:20:14.919 --> 00:20:15.419 Now, 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.039 is this because 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:16.819 God needs money? 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.579 Class? 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:19.079 No, 00:20:19.179 --> 00:20:20.019 absolutely not, 00:20:20.339 --> 00:20:20.539 right? 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.559 God doesn't need money, 00:20:22.559 --> 00:20:23.539 just so we're clear on that. 00:20:23.839 --> 00:20:25.099 So why would God say this? 00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:28.279 It's because God knows 00:20:28.279 --> 00:20:29.639 that our spending habits 00:20:29.639 --> 00:20:31.119 reveal what we really love 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:31.559 and worship. 00:20:33.179 --> 00:20:35.139 So as Jesus once said 00:20:35.139 --> 00:20:35.720 in the Gospels, 00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.319 where your treasure is, 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:37.980 there your heart 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.659 will be also. 00:20:40.199 --> 00:20:41.539 Or in this context, 00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:44.000 where your treasury is, 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:46.539 there your heart 00:20:46.539 --> 00:20:47.420 will be also. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.559 If it's hard for you 00:20:49.559 --> 00:20:50.599 to consider giving 00:20:50.599 --> 00:20:52.200 10% away to ministry 00:20:52.200 --> 00:20:53.259 and to charity, 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.200 ask yourself, 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.119 well, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.220 if it's hard for me 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.399 to give money here, 00:20:58.480 --> 00:21:00.039 where is it easy 00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.879 for me to give money? 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:03.399 Where are the areas 00:21:03.399 --> 00:21:04.159 in my life 00:21:04.159 --> 00:21:05.659 where I never have 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.639 to tell myself, 00:21:06.940 --> 00:21:07.619 you should spend 00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:08.440 more on this? 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:12.380 So start asking yourself, 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:14.539 where does your money go? 00:21:14.700 --> 00:21:14.860 Right? 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.720 So if we find 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.500 that we're spending, 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.299 easily spending 00:21:18.299 --> 00:21:19.100 too much money 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:20.360 on food and entertainment, 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:22.420 we don't even think about it. 00:21:22.460 --> 00:21:22.799 We never, 00:21:23.019 --> 00:21:24.340 you never have to set a goal 00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:24.600 to say, 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.080 I need to go 00:21:25.080 --> 00:21:25.940 to more nice restaurants. 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.320 I need to go 00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:29.039 on more trips, 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:29.480 right? 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.519 We never have to set 00:21:30.519 --> 00:21:31.580 a goal for that, 00:21:31.640 --> 00:21:31.880 right? 00:21:32.320 --> 00:21:33.100 If you do, 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.019 we'll get to you 00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.500 in a second. 00:21:34.700 --> 00:21:35.360 But a lot of us, 00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:35.839 we don't, 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:36.259 right? 00:21:37.419 --> 00:21:38.339 If that's an area 00:21:38.339 --> 00:21:39.019 where you tend to spend 00:21:39.019 --> 00:21:39.679 more than you should 00:21:39.679 --> 00:21:40.679 and every few months 00:21:40.679 --> 00:21:41.059 you're looking 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.579 and you're thinking 00:21:41.579 --> 00:21:42.399 or maybe you're talking 00:21:42.399 --> 00:21:42.839 to your spouse 00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.179 and you're saying, 00:21:43.459 --> 00:21:43.919 we really need 00:21:43.919 --> 00:21:44.619 to bring this down. 00:21:44.699 --> 00:21:45.000 We're spending 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:45.699 way too much 00:21:45.699 --> 00:21:47.019 on groceries 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.599 and eating out 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.000 and all that. 00:21:48.079 --> 00:21:48.479 We need to bring 00:21:48.479 --> 00:21:48.959 this down, 00:21:49.019 --> 00:21:49.240 right? 00:21:51.419 --> 00:21:52.139 Maybe that's where 00:21:52.139 --> 00:21:52.599 your money goes. 00:21:52.699 --> 00:21:53.939 Or maybe some of us, 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:55.979 we spend money easily 00:21:55.979 --> 00:21:57.139 on how we look. 00:21:57.219 --> 00:21:58.099 We buy clothes, 00:21:58.199 --> 00:21:59.339 we buy accessories, 00:21:59.819 --> 00:22:00.119 hair, 00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:01.059 makeup products, 00:22:01.219 --> 00:22:02.479 other enhancements, 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:02.919 right? 00:22:02.959 --> 00:22:03.639 I'll just leave that 00:22:03.639 --> 00:22:04.639 a big broad category. 00:22:04.640 --> 00:22:05.900 Whatever that may be, 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:06.780 right? 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:09.740 Or maybe we're 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.360 the kind of people 00:22:10.360 --> 00:22:11.540 who we scoff at people 00:22:11.540 --> 00:22:12.300 who spend their money 00:22:12.300 --> 00:22:13.080 on going out. 00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:13.360 We're like, 00:22:13.400 --> 00:22:14.280 I never eat out, 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:14.640 right? 00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.640 I always eat at home 00:22:15.640 --> 00:22:16.340 and we, 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.220 you know, 00:22:17.280 --> 00:22:18.060 we go to Aldi 00:22:18.060 --> 00:22:18.660 once a month 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:20.200 and it's a rigorous budget 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.759 and everything 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.780 is accounted for 00:22:21.780 --> 00:22:23.640 and everybody's allowed 00:22:23.640 --> 00:22:24.460 one egg a week 00:22:24.460 --> 00:22:25.360 and we do it, 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:25.660 you know, 00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.080 we keep it, 00:22:26.340 --> 00:22:26.560 you know, 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:27.360 and you're very good 00:22:27.360 --> 00:22:27.820 about that 00:22:27.820 --> 00:22:28.940 and you're really focused 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.060 on making good investments 00:22:30.060 --> 00:22:31.000 and you're really focused 00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:32.000 on building your retirement, 00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:32.340 right? 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.360 So there's different 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:34.040 kinds of people 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.799 but here's the thing, 00:22:35.220 --> 00:22:36.099 there's nothing wrong 00:22:36.099 --> 00:22:36.639 with going out 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.460 to eat at restaurants. 00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.440 I love going out 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:38.720 to eat. 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.480 There's nothing wrong 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.740 with buying good food. 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.519 There's nothing wrong 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:43.099 with spending money 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:43.740 on your appearance 00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.859 to make sure you look good 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.700 and look professional. 00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:47.139 There's nothing wrong 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:48.920 with building a retirement account. 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:49.539 There's nothing wrong 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.319 with any of these things 00:22:50.319 --> 00:22:51.500 specifically, 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:52.119 right? 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:52.980 What's the point? 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:55.019 The point is what Jesus said, 00:22:55.099 --> 00:22:55.200 right? 00:22:55.399 --> 00:22:57.039 Where your treasury is, 00:22:57.859 --> 00:22:58.619 there your heart 00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.299 will be also. 00:22:59.299 --> 00:23:01.460 So the thing 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.319 that we need to ask is 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:04.000 if it's really hard 00:23:04.000 --> 00:23:04.639 for me to think 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:07.480 about giving generously 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:09.779 for God's purposes 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:12.599 and it's really easy 00:23:12.599 --> 00:23:13.220 for me to spend 00:23:13.220 --> 00:23:14.259 way too much over here, 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:16.079 then where's my heart? 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:18.680 What's really going on inside? 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:23.139 What am I really worshiping? 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.340 Right? 00:23:25.540 --> 00:23:26.220 This tells us 00:23:26.220 --> 00:23:28.340 where our real treasury is, 00:23:28.440 --> 00:23:29.140 where our heart 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:30.180 really dwells. 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.380 We may say 00:23:31.380 --> 00:23:31.920 that we love 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.700 and worship God, 00:23:32.780 --> 00:23:34.000 but our spending habits 00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:35.600 would say otherwise. 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.240 So, you know, 00:23:36.280 --> 00:23:36.759 in truth, 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:37.920 maybe we love 00:23:37.920 --> 00:23:38.940 and worship pleasure 00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:40.020 and escapism. 00:23:40.860 --> 00:23:41.900 Or maybe we love 00:23:41.900 --> 00:23:42.340 and worship 00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.960 feeling attractive. 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.460 Or maybe we love 00:23:45.460 --> 00:23:45.900 and worship 00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:47.160 financial security 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:48.120 or the status 00:23:48.120 --> 00:23:49.900 that that brings us. 00:23:49.900 --> 00:23:53.100 The truth is 00:23:53.100 --> 00:23:54.240 we are all 00:23:54.240 --> 00:23:55.780 extravagantly generous 00:23:55.780 --> 00:23:56.640 with our money 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:58.320 when it comes 00:23:58.320 --> 00:23:58.920 to the things 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.560 that we worship. 00:24:00.140 --> 00:24:01.080 You never have 00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:02.500 to be convinced 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:04.400 to give generously 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:06.500 to your God. 00:24:08.700 --> 00:24:10.480 We all are 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.080 overwhelmingly generous 00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:12.880 in service 00:24:12.880 --> 00:24:13.880 of our God. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:17.820 So financial change 00:24:17.820 --> 00:24:18.720 begins with 00:24:18.720 --> 00:24:20.039 spiritual change. 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.180 We have to change 00:24:21.180 --> 00:24:22.019 what we worship 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:23.339 if we want to change 00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.839 how we spend 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:25.220 our money. 00:24:26.360 --> 00:24:27.860 And that's what leads us 00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.759 to the second thing. 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:29.200 So we say 00:24:29.200 --> 00:24:30.059 follow the money, 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.579 number one, 00:24:30.600 --> 00:24:31.240 and then number two, 00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:33.700 focus on God's generosity. 00:24:36.039 --> 00:24:36.740 That's how we're 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.240 going to change. 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.319 God says, 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:39.620 bring your full tithe 00:24:39.620 --> 00:24:40.200 and thereby 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.299 put me to the test. 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:42.200 See if I will not 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.860 open the windows 00:24:42.860 --> 00:24:43.660 of heaven for you 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:45.059 and pour down for you 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.440 a blessing 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:46.539 until there's no more need. 00:24:46.640 --> 00:24:46.839 Now, 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:48.360 this is a verse 00:24:48.359 --> 00:24:50.679 that prosperity 00:24:50.679 --> 00:24:51.779 gospel preachers 00:24:51.779 --> 00:24:52.939 have twisted 00:24:52.939 --> 00:24:53.519 and abused. 00:24:55.139 --> 00:24:55.439 Okay, 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:56.000 now if you're not 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.599 familiar with the 00:24:56.599 --> 00:24:57.419 prosperity gospel, 00:24:58.379 --> 00:24:59.779 don't worry about it. 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.839 You don't need to know. 00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:05.779 But if you do want 00:25:05.779 --> 00:25:06.139 to know, 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.679 prosperity gospel preachers 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:09.039 tell their followers, 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:10.679 send all your money, 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:13.299 send your grandparents' money, 00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:14.079 send your inheritance, 00:25:14.259 --> 00:25:15.000 send all your money 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:16.279 into my ministry, 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.160 and in return, 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.640 and you're going to 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:19.579 put God to the test, 00:25:19.619 --> 00:25:20.220 and then God is 00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.380 contractually obligated, 00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.440 see he says it right here, 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:25.740 to pour down even greater 00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:27.220 financial blessings on you. 00:25:27.920 --> 00:25:29.279 So put God to the test, 00:25:29.359 --> 00:25:30.460 give as much as you can 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.779 to my ministry, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:34.319 and then God is going 00:25:34.319 --> 00:25:35.079 to open the windows 00:25:35.079 --> 00:25:36.299 and pour out the storehouse 00:25:36.299 --> 00:25:37.099 onto you. 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:40.460 They're taking these verses 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.819 completely out of context. 00:25:42.519 --> 00:25:42.740 See, 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:43.879 in this particular context, 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.279 God's not talking about 00:25:45.279 --> 00:25:46.539 money raining down, 00:25:46.639 --> 00:25:46.859 you know. 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:48.000 What's that like gun 00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.559 that like fires bills out, 00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:49.839 you know, 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.799 you imagine God's going, 00:25:50.939 --> 00:25:52.059 you know. 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:53.779 This is not what this verse 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.480 is talking about. 00:25:54.599 --> 00:25:55.819 God's talking about 00:25:55.819 --> 00:25:57.200 literal rain, 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:59.279 because there's a famine 00:25:59.279 --> 00:26:00.259 in the land, 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:01.259 and God's talking about 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.899 it's going to, 00:26:02.099 --> 00:26:02.339 you know, 00:26:02.419 --> 00:26:02.659 God, 00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:04.379 trust that God 00:26:04.379 --> 00:26:05.099 is going to bring an end 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:05.319 to this. 00:26:05.419 --> 00:26:06.220 Trust that God 00:26:06.220 --> 00:26:07.059 is going to bring an end 00:26:07.059 --> 00:26:07.960 to the blight, 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:08.279 right? 00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.899 You don't have to live 00:26:09.899 --> 00:26:11.220 with a scarcity mentality. 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:12.420 You can continue 00:26:12.420 --> 00:26:13.319 to give generously 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:14.759 and know that God 00:26:14.759 --> 00:26:15.640 is going to come through, 00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:17.100 right? 00:26:17.180 --> 00:26:18.059 So that's what he's talking about. 00:26:18.100 --> 00:26:19.339 So the prosperity gospel 00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:21.640 is a get-rich-quick scheme 00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:23.440 based on manipulating God. 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:24.279 If you do this, 00:26:24.539 --> 00:26:26.100 God has to bless you financially. 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:29.059 So it teaches the opposite 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.960 of what this passage means, 00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.920 because here's the problem 00:26:32.920 --> 00:26:34.059 with the prosperity gospel 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:34.519 in a nutshell. 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:36.319 Instead of using money 00:26:36.319 --> 00:26:37.360 to worship God, 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:40.180 it uses God 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:40.980 to worship money. 00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.700 Right? 00:26:43.960 --> 00:26:44.660 We've been talking 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:45.420 this entire time 00:26:45.420 --> 00:26:46.039 about how the way 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:46.799 we use our money 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:50.039 is a way of worshiping God, 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.960 but instead of doing that, 00:26:52.079 --> 00:26:54.339 it tries to use God 00:26:54.339 --> 00:26:55.279 to worship money, 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:55.839 and frankly, 00:26:55.960 --> 00:26:56.579 it is evil. 00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:59.680 There is no nuance on that. 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:01.059 I love nuance, 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.860 but in this case, 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.240 it is evil, 00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:06.319 and it ensnares 00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:07.440 many, many, many people. 00:27:08.420 --> 00:27:10.039 So what does this passage mean? 00:27:10.039 --> 00:27:12.920 Here's what it means. 00:27:13.000 --> 00:27:13.559 None of the things 00:27:13.559 --> 00:27:14.099 that we worship 00:27:14.099 --> 00:27:14.940 are ever gonna give us 00:27:14.940 --> 00:27:15.519 what they promise. 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:17.259 Right? 00:27:17.299 --> 00:27:18.279 The more you worship beauty, 00:27:18.359 --> 00:27:19.299 the more you're gonna feel 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.159 unattractive. 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.960 The more you worship status, 00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.259 the more you're gonna feel inadequate. 00:27:24.460 --> 00:27:25.859 The more you worship safety, 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.839 the more you're always 00:27:26.839 --> 00:27:27.659 gonna be insecure. 00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:30.339 If you worship pleasure, 00:27:30.440 --> 00:27:32.039 you're always gonna be unsatisfied. 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.920 You're gonna be chasing 00:27:32.920 --> 00:27:35.319 that next hit of dopamine, 00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.279 that next high. 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:38.339 If you worship control, 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.920 you're always gonna feel anxious. 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.339 Right? 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:43.039 People who struggle with anxiety, 00:27:43.440 --> 00:27:44.720 sometimes, many times, 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.859 there's underlying that 00:27:46.859 --> 00:27:47.980 a worship of control, 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.359 a need to be in control. 00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:52.059 If you worship and idealize 00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:53.819 your children or your family, 00:27:55.299 --> 00:27:55.579 right, 00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:58.240 if you project the image 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.279 of a perfect family 00:27:59.279 --> 00:28:00.279 or a perfect marriage 00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:01.839 because that's what you need it to be 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:02.799 to show the world, 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:06.200 they're never gonna be good enough. 00:28:06.559 --> 00:28:08.299 You're always gonna find fault with them. 00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:09.980 Right? 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.440 You're gonna crush them 00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:11.980 under the weight 00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:13.500 of unrealistic expectations. 00:28:15.399 --> 00:28:16.819 So nothing that we worship 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:19.480 delivers on what it promises. 00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.799 And so God is saying this, 00:28:21.099 --> 00:28:22.139 come to my treasury, 00:28:22.579 --> 00:28:23.839 come to my storehouse, 00:28:24.099 --> 00:28:25.099 come to my temple 00:28:25.099 --> 00:28:26.500 and see if you don't find 00:28:26.500 --> 00:28:27.700 everything that you seek. 00:28:28.940 --> 00:28:30.839 The greatest blessing in history 00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:33.459 is not something that God gives us. 00:28:33.579 --> 00:28:34.939 The greatest blessing in history 00:28:34.939 --> 00:28:36.859 is that God has given us himself. 00:28:38.399 --> 00:28:40.119 And if we remember the generosity 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:41.459 of the Macedonian Christians, 00:28:42.679 --> 00:28:44.599 they were willing to give abundantly 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:46.039 even though they were poor. 00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.079 Right? 00:28:47.119 --> 00:28:48.500 They gave out of their poverty. 00:28:48.699 --> 00:28:50.459 Now, where did they see that happen? 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:52.980 Well, the secret of their generosity 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:54.220 is what Paul says 00:28:54.220 --> 00:28:55.639 in chapter 8, verse 9. 00:28:55.779 --> 00:28:57.039 For you know the grace 00:28:57.039 --> 00:28:58.279 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:28:58.659 --> 00:29:00.039 that though he was rich, 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:01.460 yet for your sake 00:29:01.460 --> 00:29:03.000 he became poor 00:29:03.000 --> 00:29:06.039 so that you by his poverty 00:29:06.559 --> 00:29:07.960 might become rich. 00:29:09.399 --> 00:29:12.099 And they had seen Jesus Christ 00:29:12.099 --> 00:29:12.980 who was rich. 00:29:13.420 --> 00:29:14.659 They had seen him be willing 00:29:14.659 --> 00:29:15.700 to become poor. 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.659 And that they had seen 00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:19.019 that through his poverty, 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.819 through his suffering 00:29:19.819 --> 00:29:20.819 and death on the cross, 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:23.019 they became rich 00:29:23.019 --> 00:29:24.920 beyond all imagination. 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:26.839 That secured for them 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:28.039 an eternal inheritance. 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:30.379 They knew that because of that, 00:29:30.819 --> 00:29:32.359 they belonged to God. 00:29:32.440 --> 00:29:33.960 And all of the stuff 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:35.779 that is going to one day fade, 00:29:35.879 --> 00:29:36.619 all of the money 00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.220 that is one day 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.180 going to be meaningless, 00:29:38.680 --> 00:29:39.720 all that is going to fade, 00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:40.960 and yet what they have 00:29:40.960 --> 00:29:42.000 in Jesus Christ 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:43.159 is eternal 00:29:43.159 --> 00:29:43.940 and forever 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.680 and priceless. 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.579 And that had so changed 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.119 their hearts 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.359 that it changed the way 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:49.299 they thought about their money. 00:29:50.460 --> 00:29:51.019 And they were like, 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:51.819 oh, yeah, 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:54.899 we would love to become poor 00:29:54.899 --> 00:29:56.179 so that you might become rich. 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:57.500 Paul, can we please help 00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.639 with this famine relief? 00:29:58.700 --> 00:29:59.679 We would love to do that 00:29:59.679 --> 00:30:00.500 because that's exactly 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.519 what he did for us. 00:30:02.079 --> 00:30:03.439 And it begins to change 00:30:03.439 --> 00:30:04.599 the way you think about 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:06.039 your own priorities. 00:30:06.359 --> 00:30:07.200 Because you realize 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:08.700 Jesus didn't just give 10%. 00:30:08.700 --> 00:30:09.960 Right? 00:30:12.120 --> 00:30:13.580 Jesus gave everything he had 00:30:13.580 --> 00:30:15.980 because that's what love does. 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:18.279 And in all the universe, 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.360 there's nothing that, 00:30:19.360 --> 00:30:21.740 there's nothing that he loves 00:30:21.740 --> 00:30:22.680 more than he loves you. 00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:27.259 So whatever else we worship, 00:30:27.420 --> 00:30:29.440 whatever treasury holds our heart, 00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.360 we're never going to find 00:30:30.360 --> 00:30:31.380 a greater love than that. 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:33.540 So this question 00:30:33.540 --> 00:30:34.820 that we are asking ourselves, 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:35.520 do we want to become 00:30:35.520 --> 00:30:36.080 more generous? 00:30:37.020 --> 00:30:38.120 Focus on the cross. 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:41.220 Focus on God's ultimate display 00:30:41.220 --> 00:30:41.960 of generosity. 00:30:44.020 --> 00:30:45.520 His generosity to us 00:30:45.520 --> 00:30:46.500 because we, 00:30:46.640 --> 00:30:48.120 because we are his treasure. 00:30:49.700 --> 00:30:50.400 Let's pray. 00:30:52.320 --> 00:30:53.920 Lord, we thank you for this 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:55.280 and pray that whatever, 00:30:55.400 --> 00:30:56.840 whatever of this 00:30:56.840 --> 00:30:57.660 we need to hear, 00:30:58.660 --> 00:30:59.340 Lord, whether, 00:30:59.420 --> 00:30:59.720 whether, 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:01.600 whether we are here 00:31:01.600 --> 00:31:02.799 and we are, 00:31:02.900 --> 00:31:06.240 we are filled with joy 00:31:06.240 --> 00:31:07.600 at every opportunity to give 00:31:07.600 --> 00:31:08.920 and we love to give 00:31:08.920 --> 00:31:10.980 and we love to see 00:31:10.980 --> 00:31:12.059 the fruit of our giving 00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:13.000 and we love to, 00:31:13.120 --> 00:31:14.160 to see your heart 00:31:14.160 --> 00:31:14.940 reflected in that, 00:31:15.059 --> 00:31:15.120 Lord. 00:31:15.180 --> 00:31:16.519 I pray that we would hear 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:19.100 our hearts affirmed in this. 00:31:20.360 --> 00:31:21.120 And for all of us 00:31:21.120 --> 00:31:21.299 who, 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:21.980 who struggle 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.380 with generosity 00:31:23.380 --> 00:31:25.000 or who are generous 00:31:25.000 --> 00:31:26.860 maybe in the wrong direction, 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:27.200 Lord. 00:31:28.579 --> 00:31:29.019 Lord, 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:30.200 I pray that this would 00:31:30.200 --> 00:31:31.099 challenge us. 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:32.700 I pray that it would inspire us. 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:33.879 Lord, 00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.920 I pray that your gospel 00:31:34.920 --> 00:31:35.240 would, 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:36.139 would penetrate 00:31:36.139 --> 00:31:36.980 and permeate 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:38.599 our hearts, 00:31:38.779 --> 00:31:38.920 Lord. 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.160 And, 00:31:40.160 --> 00:31:41.539 and I pray that we would be 00:31:41.539 --> 00:31:42.299 known, 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:43.039 Lord, 00:31:43.139 --> 00:31:44.440 as a people who are 00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.579 extravagantly generous, 00:31:46.660 --> 00:31:46.900 Lord, 00:31:46.940 --> 00:31:47.619 in all that we do 00:31:47.619 --> 00:31:48.619 and how we live. 00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.119 I pray this, 00:31:50.220 --> 00:31:51.299 that it would bring you glory, 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:52.359 that it would set us apart, 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:53.819 that it would provoke questions 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:54.940 only the gospel can answer. 00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.920 Pray this in your son's name. 00:31:57.039 --> 00:31:57.240 Amen. 00:31:59.019 --> 00:32:00.019 Amen. 00:32:00.220 --> 00:32:00.599 Amen. 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:00.879 Amen. 00:32:00.879 --> 00:32:01.460 Amen. 00:32:01.740 --> 00:32:01.859 Amen. 00:32:02.599 --> 00:32:02.920 Amen. 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:03.980 Amen. 00:32:03.980 --> 00:32:04.379 Amen. 00:32:04.720 --> 00:32:04.839 Amen. 00:32:04.920 --> 00:32:05.480 Amen. 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:13.940 Amen. 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:15.039 Amen. 00:32:15.099 --> 00:32:15.700 May I pray. 00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:15.960 Amen. 00:32:16.440 --> 00:32:16.839 Amen. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.099 Amen. 00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:17.879 Amen. 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:19.240 Amen. 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:19.879 Amen. 00:32:20.019 --> 00:32:20.139 Amen. 00:32:20.180 --> 00:32:20.359 Amen. 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.519 Amen. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:21.859 Amen. 00:32:21.900 --> 00:32:22.000 Amen. 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:26.299 Amen. 00:32:26.660 --> 00:32:27.000 Amen. 00:32:27.000 --> 00:32:28.359 Amen. 00:32:28.359 --> 00:32:28.700 Help me.