WEBVTT

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 Let's pray.

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 Gracious Father, we thank you again for your word.

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 And we know that this passage,

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 the implications of this passage,

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 strike fear into the hearts of your people.

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 And so we ask that by your spirit,

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 we might see the glory of this passage

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 and the glory of what you have called us to,

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 the glory of what the Lord Jesus called his disciples to.

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 And I pray, Father, that we would make sure

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 that we would labour, in fact,

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 to have the covenant order in the right way

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 and that we would obey and then you would bless.

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 So help us now, we pray, as we look at your word

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 and I pray that it would result in action from your people.

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 Amen.

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 Keep your Bibles open in Malachi 3

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 and also, if you've got a chance,

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 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 and Luke 12.

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 I'm going to go three fingers in there somewhere.

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 It should work well.

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 What has become clear as we've gone through Malachi

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 over the past three weeks

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 is that unless you have a clear grasp

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 of who God is and what he's like,

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 you won't relate to him correctly.

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 Or to put it another way,

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 to have a true relation with God

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 requires a vivid understanding of the character of God.

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 And we saw that in the very first chapter.

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 God reveals himself in chapter 1, verse 2

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 with, I have loved you and Esau I have hated.

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 We saw a vivid picture of the love of God there,

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 that God's love is sovereign, elective, unconditional, free love.

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 Unfortunately, the people of God in Malachi's time

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 didn't see or feel the greatness of God's love so clearly.

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 We also saw in chapter 1, verse 6,

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 that God is a father and a master.

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 He is worthy to be honoured and revered.

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 Malachi gives us a vivid picture of the greatness of God

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 by consistently calling God Lord Almighty or Lord of hosts.

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 He is the master, the king,

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 over all the starry hosts

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 and the hosts of angels and everything.

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 That is, Malachi wants us to get the sheer majesty of God

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 and God's people didn't see or feel that so clearly either.

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 They didn't see or feel the sheer greatness of God's love

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 and they didn't see or feel the sheer greatness of God's majesty.

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 And when you've got a small view of God's love and his majesty,

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 what you do is you give him the leftover of your life.

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 He fits in around your life, around other things in your life.

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 Why would you give your all or your best

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 to something or someone who you don't value?

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 And the evidence of how little they valued their relationship with God

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 was their carelessness in their worship

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 by bringing the dodgy sheep

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 and unfaithfulness in their relationships

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 and the way they treated each other

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 and particularly the husband and wife relationship.

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 The faithfulness of God to his covenant

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 and the faithlessness of his people to that covenant.

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 That is the picture so far.

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 And yet, what chapter 3 verse 6 says

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 is that that's the consistent picture of all ways of this relationship.

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 I, the Lord, do not change

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 so you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.

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 Ever since the time of your forefathers,

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 you have turned away from my decrees

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 and have not kept them.

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 Now, the title, Lord,

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 at the beginning of verse 6 is very significant.

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 It is quite literally

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 God's special covenant name, Yahweh.

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 I, Yahweh, the covenant God,

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 do not change.

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 I have not failed to keep my promises.

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 I am consistent.

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 And it is because of God's consistency

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 to love his people

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 that they have not been destroyed.

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 Interesting,

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 his people have been consistent too.

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 Ever since the time of your forefathers,

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 you have turned away from my decrees

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 and have not kept them.

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 And so, if consistency was a virtue,

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 they'd be on top.

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 But, unfortunately,

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 it's not in this case.

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 It's quite striking

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 that God uses his covenant name, Yahweh,

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 but he refers to his people

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 as the descendants of Jacob

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 rather than using their covenant name, Israel.

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 What God is doing here

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 is he's pointing out

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 what is the nature of the consistency

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 of his people

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 and that is not as a covenant people.

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 Their consistency in their behaviour

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 is that of the scoundrel Jacob

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 who often swindled and stole and robbed.

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 That's not what you'd expect

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 from the people of God.

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 They have consistently breached

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 the covenant relationship.

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 And so, as many times in the past,

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 Yahweh again calls his people

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 to come back to him

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 in the second part of verse 7.

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 He's calling them to repent.

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 But at the end of verse 7

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 reveals just how seared

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 their consciences were.

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 But you ask,

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 how are we to repent?

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 In other words,

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 what they're saying is,

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 us?

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 Who, us?

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 What do we need to repent of?

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 What have we done wrong?

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 You see, in their estimation,

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 there was nothing wrong

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 with their conduct.

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 Repentance wasn't needed.

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 They weren't aware of any guilt

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 on their part whatsoever.

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 And so, as the case

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 when someone is,

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 their perception of reality

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 is so wrong,

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 God kind of grabs

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 his people

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 by the scruff of their collar

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 and goes,

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 slap, slap,

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 to try and, you know,

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 smack them out of it,

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 if you like,

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 to help them to wake up

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 to reality.

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 And their sin

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 is spelled out to them

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 in very practical

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 and personal terms

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 by God.

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 Verse 8,

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 will a man rob God?

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 In other words,

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 how is that possible?

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 And yet,

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 you rob me.

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 But you ask,

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 how do we rob you?

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 In tithes and offerings,

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 you are under a curse,

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 the whole nation of you,

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 because you are robbing me.

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 You see,

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 what that's meant to do there

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 is it's meant to

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 quicken

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 a dull conscience.

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 That's what God's doing here.

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 It's like,

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 poke in the eye.

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 Wake up.

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 It's meant to knock them

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 out of their apathy.

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 It's meant to help them

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 to see the dire danger

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 that they are in.

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 It is unthinkable

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 that any person

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 would rob God.

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 And he says,

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 but you rob me.

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 You see,

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 this is personal.

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 The total gravity

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 of the offense

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 is clear.

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 Rob God.

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 How is that even possible?

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 How is it even possible

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 that a mere mortal

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 would somehow storm

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 into the throne room

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 of God

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 and put a gun to God

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 and snatch his purse?

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 So to speak.

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 How is that possible?

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 This is personal

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 because this is not

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 a sin primarily

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 against the priests

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 and the Levites

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 and the temple ministry

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 as bad as that would be.

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 This is a crime

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 against God.

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 They were robbing God.

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 How were they robbing God?

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 And notice this bit

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 because this is very crucial.

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 Verse 10.

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 Bring the whole tithe

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 into the storehouse.

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 They weren't robbing God

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 by not tithing.

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 They were robbing God

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 by not tithing enough.

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 Withholding the full tithe

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 was tantamount

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 to armed robbery

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 against God.

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 And it's quite possible

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 that they were giving

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 two, six, seven, eight,

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 nine percent

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 and yet God says,

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 you're robbing me

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 by withholding

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 some of the tithe.

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 And they were oblivious

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 to any wrongdoing.

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 What do we need

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 to repent of?

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 I mean,

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 we're giving something

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 to God.

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 That should be okay.

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 He should be happy.

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 It is careless.

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 It is apathetic.

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 In the same way

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 they thought it was okay

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 to bring,

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 oh, that sheep's nearly dead.

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 Quick, get down

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 on the sacrifice.

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 The same as they thought

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 it was okay

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 to bring God

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 the worst.

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 That somehow

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 it would be okay

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 that they would

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 just give God

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 a bit of the tithe.

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 He'll be okay

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 with that.

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 Something's better

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 than nothing.

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 Beggars can't be choosers.

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 What apathy.

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 What carelessness.

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 What faithlessness.

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 It is casual.

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 It's flippant.

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 It's presumptuous.

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 It is arrogant

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 and it is not obedient.

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 Not only were they

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 not giving God

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 their best

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 but they weren't

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 giving God

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 their all.

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 And the consequence

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 of withholding

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 the tithe

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 is the terrible

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 statement

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 in verse 9.

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 You are under

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 a curse.

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 The whole nation

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 of you

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 because you are

00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:17.500
 robbing me.

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 Let me tell you

00:10:18.480 --> 00:10:19.439
 why that's so terrible

00:10:19.439 --> 00:10:20.059
 that statement.

00:10:21.240 --> 00:10:22.639
 Back in Deuteronomy 28

00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.700
 God having

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 told the people

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 about the

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 covenant

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 then

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 says

00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:30.179
 he talks about

00:10:30.179 --> 00:10:30.899
 covenant blessings

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 and covenant cursings.

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 At the beginning

00:10:32.799 --> 00:10:33.979
 of Deuteronomy 28

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 he says to them

00:10:35.179 --> 00:10:35.799
 covenant blessing

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 is this

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 you obey me

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 and life

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 will be so good

00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:41.879
 that it will be

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 even better

00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:42.619
 than you could

00:10:42.619 --> 00:10:43.379
 possibly imagine.

00:10:44.739 --> 00:10:45.699
 If however

00:10:45.699 --> 00:10:46.500
 you do not

00:10:46.500 --> 00:10:47.259
 obey me

00:10:47.259 --> 00:10:48.899
 you will wish

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 your mother

00:10:49.299 --> 00:10:50.279
 never met your father

00:10:50.279 --> 00:10:51.199
 it will be that bad

00:10:51.200 --> 00:10:51.560
 for you.

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 You just wish

00:10:52.660 --> 00:10:53.340
 you were never born.

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 And

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 the term

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 he uses

00:10:57.800 --> 00:11:00.020
 is curse

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 and it's the term

00:11:01.720 --> 00:11:02.620
 he uses here.

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 You are under

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 a curse.

00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:07.220
 And the second

00:11:07.220 --> 00:11:08.520
 really bad thing

00:11:08.520 --> 00:11:09.420
 about this statement

00:11:09.420 --> 00:11:10.320
 this verse

00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:12.500
 is the term

00:11:12.500 --> 00:11:13.680
 nation.

00:11:14.400 --> 00:11:15.100
 The covenant

00:11:15.100 --> 00:11:15.640
 God

00:11:15.640 --> 00:11:16.700
 Yahweh

00:11:16.700 --> 00:11:18.879
 uses the same

00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:20.140
 name

00:11:20.140 --> 00:11:21.020
 that is

00:11:21.020 --> 00:11:21.759
 nation

00:11:21.759 --> 00:11:22.720
 the same title

00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:23.580
 nation

00:11:23.580 --> 00:11:25.080
 that he does

00:11:25.080 --> 00:11:26.100
 with everyone

00:11:26.100 --> 00:11:26.520
 else

00:11:26.520 --> 00:11:27.440
 out there.

00:11:30.440 --> 00:11:31.580
 It's the same

00:11:31.580 --> 00:11:32.440
 title he gives

00:11:32.440 --> 00:11:33.120
 to the people

00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:33.680
 who are not

00:11:33.680 --> 00:11:34.300
 his people.

00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:38.300
 He doesn't

00:11:38.300 --> 00:11:39.020
 use the name

00:11:39.020 --> 00:11:39.420
 Jacob

00:11:39.420 --> 00:11:40.259
 he uses the same

00:11:40.259 --> 00:11:40.879
 names he gives

00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:41.580
 to the nations

00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:42.500
 who are not

00:11:42.500 --> 00:11:43.040
 in a covenant

00:11:43.040 --> 00:11:43.580
 relationship

00:11:43.580 --> 00:11:44.080
 with him.

00:11:44.340 --> 00:11:44.740
 That is

00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.440
 the people

00:11:45.440 --> 00:11:46.160
 of God

00:11:46.160 --> 00:11:47.139
 in withholding

00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:47.500
 the full

00:11:47.500 --> 00:11:47.920
 tithe

00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:48.759
 are acting

00:11:48.759 --> 00:11:49.200
 like the

00:11:49.200 --> 00:11:50.040
 pagan nations

00:11:50.040 --> 00:11:50.500
 and not

00:11:50.500 --> 00:11:51.020
 giving God

00:11:51.020 --> 00:11:51.560
 his due.

00:11:52.220 --> 00:11:52.720
 And in not

00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:53.139
 giving him

00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:53.639
 the full

00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.180
 tithe

00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:54.980
 they are no

00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.639
 different than

00:11:55.639 --> 00:11:56.100
 the nations.

00:11:56.259 --> 00:11:56.620
 You cannot

00:11:56.620 --> 00:11:56.960
 tell them

00:11:56.960 --> 00:11:57.580
 apart from

00:11:57.580 --> 00:11:58.160
 the nations.

00:12:05.340 --> 00:12:06.180
 So I think

00:12:06.180 --> 00:12:06.660
 it's really

00:12:06.660 --> 00:12:07.320
 unhelpful

00:12:07.320 --> 00:12:08.680
 when

00:12:08.680 --> 00:12:09.800
 some

00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:10.460
 Christians

00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:11.540
 set aside

00:12:11.540 --> 00:12:12.220
 the teaching

00:12:12.220 --> 00:12:12.660
 of this

00:12:12.660 --> 00:12:13.120
 text.

00:12:13.580 --> 00:12:15.700
 What they

00:12:15.700 --> 00:12:16.100
 do is

00:12:16.100 --> 00:12:16.540
 they say

00:12:16.540 --> 00:12:17.280
 things like

00:12:17.280 --> 00:12:18.020
 true

00:12:18.020 --> 00:12:18.560
 statements.

00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:19.740
 Galatians

00:12:19.740 --> 00:12:20.500
 doesn't

00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.200
 tell us

00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:23.879
 we're no

00:12:23.879 --> 00:12:24.300
 longer under

00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:24.740
 the law

00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.660
 and that

00:12:25.660 --> 00:12:25.980
 Jesus

00:12:25.980 --> 00:12:26.720
 has

00:12:26.720 --> 00:12:27.120
 abolished

00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.320
 the

00:12:27.320 --> 00:12:27.920
 tithe.

00:12:29.920 --> 00:12:30.700
 The first

00:12:30.700 --> 00:12:31.080
 thing I want

00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:31.440
 to say

00:12:31.440 --> 00:12:32.060
 in response

00:12:32.060 --> 00:12:32.400
 to that

00:12:32.400 --> 00:12:33.480
 is that

00:12:33.480 --> 00:12:34.259
 the tithe

00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:34.800
 wasn't

00:12:34.800 --> 00:12:36.040
 introduced

00:12:36.040 --> 00:12:36.580
 under the

00:12:36.580 --> 00:12:36.840
 law.

00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:38.580
 That is

00:12:38.580 --> 00:12:38.860
 it's not

00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:39.200
 the first

00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:39.600
 time you

00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.120
 see it.

00:12:40.500 --> 00:12:40.680
 God

00:12:40.680 --> 00:12:40.879
 didn't

00:12:40.879 --> 00:12:41.160
 just sort

00:12:41.160 --> 00:12:41.360
 of out

00:12:41.360 --> 00:12:41.540
 of the

00:12:41.540 --> 00:12:41.840
 blue

00:12:41.840 --> 00:12:42.500
 say to

00:12:42.500 --> 00:12:42.660
 his

00:12:42.660 --> 00:12:43.080
 people

00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:44.080
 at

00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:44.259
 Mount

00:12:44.259 --> 00:12:44.840
 Sinai

00:12:44.840 --> 00:12:45.300
 here's

00:12:45.300 --> 00:12:45.600
 a bunch

00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:45.700
 of

00:12:45.700 --> 00:12:45.840
 good

00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:46.060
 stuff

00:12:46.060 --> 00:12:46.180
 and

00:12:46.180 --> 00:12:46.360
 by

00:12:46.360 --> 00:12:46.460
 the

00:12:46.460 --> 00:12:46.700
 way

00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.040
 give a

00:12:47.040 --> 00:12:47.300
 tenth of

00:12:47.300 --> 00:12:47.440
 all you

00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:47.600
 got

00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:48.280
 slipping in

00:12:48.280 --> 00:12:48.420
 there

00:12:48.420 --> 00:12:48.740
 before they

00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:48.980
 realise

00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:49.160
 what's

00:12:49.160 --> 00:12:50.060
 going on.

00:12:51.020 --> 00:12:51.300
 It's like

00:12:51.300 --> 00:12:52.020
 we didn't

00:12:52.020 --> 00:12:52.400
 expect to

00:12:52.400 --> 00:12:52.600
 sign up

00:12:52.600 --> 00:12:52.860
 for that

00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:53.160
 one.

00:12:54.440 --> 00:12:54.800
 Before

00:12:54.800 --> 00:12:55.639
 the law

00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:56.440
 in

00:12:56.440 --> 00:12:56.820
 Genesis

00:12:56.820 --> 00:12:57.540
 14

00:12:57.540 --> 00:12:58.200
 Abraham

00:12:58.200 --> 00:12:58.860
 gave a

00:12:58.860 --> 00:12:59.320
 tenth of

00:12:59.320 --> 00:12:59.680
 everything

00:12:59.680 --> 00:13:00.220
 to

00:13:00.220 --> 00:13:01.259
 Melchizedek

00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.960
 he was

00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:03.560
 prompted

00:13:03.560 --> 00:13:05.160
 by God.

00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:06.659
 tithe

00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:08.199
 that

00:13:08.199 --> 00:13:08.480
 wasn't

00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:08.779
 law.

00:13:10.139 --> 00:13:10.500
 Jacob

00:13:10.500 --> 00:13:10.719
 did

00:13:10.719 --> 00:13:10.879
 the

00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.240
 same

00:13:11.240 --> 00:13:11.600
 in

00:13:11.600 --> 00:13:11.939
 Genesis

00:13:11.939 --> 00:13:12.839
 28

00:13:12.839 --> 00:13:15.279
 and so

00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:15.759
 the idea

00:13:15.759 --> 00:13:16.139
 of giving

00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:16.559
 a tenth

00:13:16.559 --> 00:13:16.839
 which is

00:13:16.839 --> 00:13:17.059
 what the

00:13:17.059 --> 00:13:17.219
 word

00:13:17.219 --> 00:13:17.539
 tithe

00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:18.139
 means

00:13:18.139 --> 00:13:19.299
 is not

00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:19.959
 restricted

00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:20.379
 to the

00:13:20.379 --> 00:13:20.679
 law.

00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:21.639
 It

00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:21.959
 came

00:13:21.959 --> 00:13:22.379
 before

00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:22.600
 the

00:13:22.600 --> 00:13:22.899
 law

00:13:22.899 --> 00:13:24.899
 and it

00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.299
 was just

00:13:25.299 --> 00:13:25.659
 prompted

00:13:25.659 --> 00:13:26.259
 by

00:13:26.259 --> 00:13:26.779
 generosity.

00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:28.399
 Now

00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:28.659
 it's

00:13:28.659 --> 00:13:29.120
 true the

00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:29.279
 New

00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:29.579
 Testament

00:13:29.579 --> 00:13:29.980
 doesn't

00:13:29.980 --> 00:13:30.399
 command

00:13:30.399 --> 00:13:30.939
 Christians

00:13:30.940 --> 00:13:31.240
 to

00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:31.840
 tithe

00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:32.660
 and I

00:13:32.660 --> 00:13:33.000
 think

00:13:33.000 --> 00:13:33.420
 that

00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:34.480
 too

00:13:34.480 --> 00:13:34.860
 many

00:13:34.860 --> 00:13:35.300
 therefore

00:13:35.300 --> 00:13:35.580
 go

00:13:35.580 --> 00:13:35.780
 wow

00:13:35.780 --> 00:13:35.980
 that's

00:13:35.980 --> 00:13:36.760
 fantastic

00:13:36.760 --> 00:13:38.300
 so all

00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:38.540
 of a

00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:38.740
 sudden

00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:39.360
 generosity

00:13:39.360 --> 00:13:39.720
 is up

00:13:39.720 --> 00:13:40.020
 to what

00:13:40.020 --> 00:13:40.180
 I

00:13:40.180 --> 00:13:40.620
 decided

00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:41.100
 to be.

00:13:41.900 --> 00:13:42.040
 I

00:13:42.040 --> 00:13:42.180
 don't

00:13:42.180 --> 00:13:42.400
 think

00:13:42.400 --> 00:13:42.740
 God

00:13:42.740 --> 00:13:43.400
 operates

00:13:43.400 --> 00:13:43.680
 like

00:13:43.680 --> 00:13:43.980
 that

00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:44.340
 in the

00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:44.520
 same

00:13:44.520 --> 00:13:44.680
 way

00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:44.820
 he

00:13:44.820 --> 00:13:45.320
 tells

00:13:45.320 --> 00:13:45.480
 us

00:13:45.480 --> 00:13:45.660
 what

00:13:45.660 --> 00:13:45.960
 love

00:13:45.960 --> 00:13:46.260
 looks

00:13:46.260 --> 00:13:46.620
 like

00:13:46.620 --> 00:13:46.920
 he

00:13:46.920 --> 00:13:47.180
 doesn't

00:13:47.180 --> 00:13:47.380
 let

00:13:47.380 --> 00:13:47.580
 us

00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.040
 make

00:13:48.040 --> 00:13:48.180
 up

00:13:48.180 --> 00:13:48.360
 our

00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:48.580
 own

00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:48.780
 mind

00:13:48.780 --> 00:13:48.900
 what

00:13:48.900 --> 00:13:49.020
 we

00:13:49.020 --> 00:13:49.180
 think

00:13:49.180 --> 00:13:49.380
 love

00:13:49.380 --> 00:13:49.580
 looks

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:49.920
 like

00:13:49.920 --> 00:13:51.880
 you've

00:13:51.880 --> 00:13:52.180
 never

00:13:52.180 --> 00:13:52.600
 read

00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:53.200
 anywhere

00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:53.500
 in the

00:13:53.500 --> 00:13:53.680
 New

00:13:53.680 --> 00:13:54.180
 Testament

00:13:54.180 --> 00:13:54.880
 truly

00:13:54.880 --> 00:13:55.180
 truly

00:13:55.180 --> 00:13:55.420
 I

00:13:55.420 --> 00:13:55.660
 say

00:13:55.660 --> 00:13:55.820
 to

00:13:55.820 --> 00:13:56.140
 you

00:13:56.140 --> 00:13:56.920
 you

00:13:56.920 --> 00:13:57.060
 you've

00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:57.200
 heard

00:14:00.940 --> 00:14:01.140
 you

00:14:01.140 --> 00:14:01.840
 5%

00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.280
 or

00:14:02.280 --> 00:14:02.520
 even

00:14:02.520 --> 00:14:02.800
 2

00:14:02.800 --> 00:14:02.980
 will

00:14:02.980 --> 00:14:03.240
 do

00:14:03.240 --> 00:14:05.880
 you've

00:14:05.880 --> 00:14:06.080
 never

00:14:06.080 --> 00:14:06.340
 read

00:14:06.340 --> 00:14:06.660
 that

00:14:06.660 --> 00:14:07.780
 on

00:14:07.780 --> 00:14:07.940
 the

00:14:07.940 --> 00:14:08.380
 contrary

00:14:08.380 --> 00:14:09.060
 Jesus

00:14:09.060 --> 00:14:09.500
 says

00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:09.780
 in

00:14:09.780 --> 00:14:10.020
 Luke

00:14:10.020 --> 00:14:10.360
 11

00:14:10.360 --> 00:14:10.600
 verse

00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:11.080
 42

00:14:11.080 --> 00:14:11.460
 woe

00:14:11.460 --> 00:14:11.580
 to

00:14:11.580 --> 00:14:11.760
 you

00:14:11.760 --> 00:14:12.380
 Pharisees

00:14:12.380 --> 00:14:12.680
 because

00:14:12.680 --> 00:14:12.940
 you

00:14:12.940 --> 00:14:13.340
 give

00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:13.880
 God

00:14:13.880 --> 00:14:14.060
 a

00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:14.280
 tenth

00:14:14.280 --> 00:14:14.400
 of

00:14:14.400 --> 00:14:14.520
 your

00:14:14.520 --> 00:14:14.760
 mint

00:14:14.760 --> 00:14:14.960
 your

00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.120
 rue

00:14:15.120 --> 00:14:15.240
 and

00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:15.400
 all

00:14:15.400 --> 00:14:15.640
 other

00:14:15.640 --> 00:14:15.980
 kinds

00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.080
 of

00:14:16.080 --> 00:14:16.340
 garden

00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:16.680
 herbs

00:14:16.680 --> 00:14:17.100
 but

00:14:17.100 --> 00:14:17.240
 you

00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:17.580
 neglect

00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.040
 justice

00:14:18.040 --> 00:14:18.220
 and

00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:18.320
 the

00:14:18.320 --> 00:14:18.500
 love

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:18.640
 of

00:14:18.640 --> 00:14:18.940
 God

00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:19.400
 you

00:14:19.400 --> 00:14:19.660
 should

00:14:19.660 --> 00:14:19.800
 have

00:14:19.800 --> 00:14:20.120
 practiced

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:20.340
 the

00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:20.560
 latter

00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:20.880
 without

00:14:20.880 --> 00:14:21.400
 leaving

00:14:21.400 --> 00:14:21.620
 the

00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:21.920
 former

00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:22.580
 undone

00:14:22.580 --> 00:14:23.120
 he

00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:23.840
 says

00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:24.280
 be

00:14:24.280 --> 00:14:24.780
 careful

00:14:24.780 --> 00:14:25.040
 that

00:14:25.040 --> 00:14:25.240
 your

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:25.560
 giving

00:14:25.560 --> 00:14:25.760
 is

00:14:25.760 --> 00:14:25.920
 not

00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.159
 some

00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:26.379
 sort

00:14:26.379 --> 00:14:26.459
 of

00:14:26.459 --> 00:14:26.879
 cover

00:14:26.879 --> 00:14:27.099
 up

00:14:27.099 --> 00:14:27.279
 from

00:14:27.279 --> 00:14:27.779
 sin

00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:28.539
 but

00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:28.699
 he

00:14:28.699 --> 00:14:29.319
 doesn't

00:14:29.319 --> 00:14:29.599
 throw

00:14:29.599 --> 00:14:29.740
 it

00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.039
 out

00:14:30.039 --> 00:14:33.259
 it's

00:14:33.259 --> 00:14:33.479
 also

00:14:33.479 --> 00:14:34.079
 noteworthy

00:14:34.079 --> 00:14:34.339
 in 1

00:14:34.339 --> 00:14:34.659
 corinthian

00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:35.099
 16

00:14:35.099 --> 00:14:35.519
 Paul

00:14:35.519 --> 00:14:35.939
 makes

00:14:35.939 --> 00:14:37.039
 proportionate

00:14:37.039 --> 00:14:37.299
 giving

00:14:37.299 --> 00:14:38.039
 the norm

00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:38.299
 of the

00:14:38.299 --> 00:14:38.639
 christian

00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:39.079
 life

00:14:39.079 --> 00:14:39.679
 just

00:14:39.679 --> 00:14:39.979
 like

00:14:39.979 --> 00:14:40.159
 the

00:14:40.159 --> 00:14:40.439
 tithe

00:14:40.439 --> 00:14:40.679
 if

00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:40.860
 you

00:14:40.860 --> 00:14:41.319
 prosper

00:14:41.319 --> 00:14:41.679
 you

00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.019
 give

00:14:42.019 --> 00:14:42.399
 more

00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:43.039
 if

00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.240
 you

00:14:43.240 --> 00:14:43.579
 prosper

00:14:43.579 --> 00:14:43.979
 less

00:14:43.979 --> 00:14:44.199
 you

00:14:44.199 --> 00:14:44.479
 give

00:14:44.479 --> 00:14:44.979
 less

00:14:44.979 --> 00:14:47.799
 giving

00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:48.319
 is in

00:14:48.319 --> 00:14:48.759
 proportion

00:14:48.759 --> 00:14:49.360
 of

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.000
 income

00:14:50.000 --> 00:14:50.819
 and so

00:14:50.819 --> 00:14:51.039
 I

00:14:51.039 --> 00:14:51.339
 think

00:14:51.339 --> 00:14:51.519
 that

00:14:51.519 --> 00:14:51.719
 we

00:14:51.719 --> 00:14:51.860
 are

00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:52.039
 on

00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.500
 dangerous

00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:52.819
 ground

00:14:52.819 --> 00:14:53.559
 if

00:14:53.559 --> 00:14:53.799
 we

00:14:53.799 --> 00:14:54.259
 think

00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:54.879
 that

00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.319
 Jesus

00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:55.779
 has

00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.159
 given

00:14:56.159 --> 00:14:56.519
 us

00:14:56.519 --> 00:14:57.339
 an

00:14:57.339 --> 00:14:57.899
 exit

00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.539
 strategy

00:14:58.539 --> 00:14:59.319
 to

00:14:59.319 --> 00:14:59.579
 give

00:14:59.579 --> 00:15:00.039
 less

00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:03.740
 and

00:15:03.740 --> 00:15:03.899
 that

00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:04.299
 somehow

00:15:04.299 --> 00:15:04.779
 it

00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.159
 doesn't

00:15:05.159 --> 00:15:05.819
 apply

00:15:05.819 --> 00:15:07.279
 and

00:15:07.279 --> 00:15:07.459
 that

00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:07.720
 God

00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:07.879
 is

00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.000
 going

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:08.059
 to

00:15:08.059 --> 00:15:08.240
 be

00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:08.620
 happy

00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.039
 with

00:15:09.039 --> 00:15:09.480
 less

00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:09.759
 from

00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.259
 us

00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:11.459
 than

00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:11.899
 he

00:15:11.899 --> 00:15:12.539
 was

00:15:12.539 --> 00:15:12.879
 with

00:15:12.879 --> 00:15:13.059
 his

00:15:13.059 --> 00:15:13.360
 people

00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:13.539
 in

00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:13.639
 the

00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:13.819
 Old

00:15:13.819 --> 00:15:14.299
 Testament

00:15:14.299 --> 00:15:19.179
 and

00:15:19.179 --> 00:15:19.319
 I

00:15:19.319 --> 00:15:19.539
 think

00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.699
 this

00:15:20.699 --> 00:15:21.419
 Malachi

00:15:21.419 --> 00:15:21.879
 3

00:15:21.879 --> 00:15:22.259
 passage

00:15:22.259 --> 00:15:22.559
 is

00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:22.720
 a

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.100
 timely

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.679
 reminder

00:15:23.679 --> 00:15:24.720
 for

00:15:24.720 --> 00:15:24.879
 the

00:15:24.879 --> 00:15:25.159
 people

00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:25.539
 of God

00:15:25.539 --> 00:15:25.659
 at

00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:25.819
 St.

00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:26.419
 Paul's

00:15:26.419 --> 00:15:27.439
 because

00:15:27.439 --> 00:15:27.899
 by

00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.319
 our

00:15:28.319 --> 00:15:28.819
 own

00:15:28.819 --> 00:15:29.500
 admission

00:15:29.500 --> 00:15:31.539
 in

00:15:31.539 --> 00:15:31.679
 the

00:15:31.679 --> 00:15:32.019
 last

00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.459
 National

00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:33.459
 Church

00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:33.819
 Life

00:15:33.819 --> 00:15:34.299
 Survey

00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:35.679
 only

00:15:35.679 --> 00:15:36.759
 32%

00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.079
 of

00:15:37.079 --> 00:15:37.500
 us

00:15:37.500 --> 00:15:38.480
 give

00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.179
 10%

00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:39.839
 or more

00:15:39.839 --> 00:15:40.219
 out of

00:15:40.219 --> 00:15:40.559
 our net

00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:41.019
 income

00:15:41.019 --> 00:15:43.659
 that's

00:15:43.659 --> 00:15:44.639
 about a

00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:44.959
 third

00:15:44.959 --> 00:15:48.639
 so

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.139
 why

00:15:49.139 --> 00:15:50.079
 is the

00:15:50.079 --> 00:15:50.500
 tithe

00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:50.799
 not

00:15:50.799 --> 00:15:51.299
 commanded

00:15:51.299 --> 00:15:51.639
 in the

00:15:51.639 --> 00:15:51.799
 New

00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.220
 Testament

00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.040
 I

00:15:53.040 --> 00:15:53.200
 can

00:15:53.200 --> 00:15:53.460
 only

00:15:53.460 --> 00:15:54.000
 speculate

00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:54.759
 but

00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:54.879
 I'm

00:15:54.879 --> 00:15:54.940
 going

00:15:54.940 --> 00:15:55.060
 to

00:15:55.060 --> 00:15:55.460
 speculate

00:15:55.460 --> 00:15:55.759
 with

00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.220
 scripture

00:15:56.220 --> 00:15:57.259
 2

00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:57.680
 Corinthians

00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:58.940
 8

00:15:58.940 --> 00:15:59.100
 and

00:15:59.100 --> 00:15:59.300
 9

00:15:59.300 --> 00:15:59.560
 flick

00:15:59.560 --> 00:15:59.800
 over

00:15:59.800 --> 00:15:59.920
 to

00:15:59.920 --> 00:16:00.139
 there

00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:01.740
 and

00:16:01.740 --> 00:16:01.820
 I

00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:01.960
 want

00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.100
 to

00:16:02.100 --> 00:16:02.440
 particularly

00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:02.800
 focus

00:16:02.800 --> 00:16:02.960
 on

00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.060
 the

00:16:03.060 --> 00:16:03.500
 Apostle

00:16:03.500 --> 00:16:03.879
 Paul

00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:05.379
 firstly

00:16:05.379 --> 00:16:05.560
 I

00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:05.680
 want

00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:05.779
 to

00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:05.960
 say

00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:06.120
 that

00:16:06.120 --> 00:16:06.240
 I

00:16:06.240 --> 00:16:06.399
 think

00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:06.680
 one

00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:06.980
 reason

00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:07.120
 the

00:16:07.120 --> 00:16:07.420
 Apostle

00:16:07.420 --> 00:16:07.600
 Paul

00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:07.920
 didn't

00:16:07.920 --> 00:16:08.300
 command

00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:08.500
 a

00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:08.759
 tithe

00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:08.940
 is

00:16:08.940 --> 00:16:09.220
 probably

00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:09.560
 because

00:16:09.560 --> 00:16:09.700
 he

00:16:09.700 --> 00:16:09.899
 wanted

00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.100
 to

00:16:10.100 --> 00:16:10.660
 emphasize

00:16:10.660 --> 00:16:11.820
 willingness

00:16:11.820 --> 00:16:12.620
 rather than

00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.300
 compulsion

00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:14.500
 so it's

00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:14.660
 not

00:16:14.660 --> 00:16:15.160
 commanded

00:16:15.159 --> 00:16:16.579
 2

00:16:16.579 --> 00:16:16.980
 Corinthians

00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:17.339
 9

00:16:17.339 --> 00:16:17.659
 7

00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:18.019
 says

00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.360
 each

00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:18.819
 man

00:16:18.819 --> 00:16:19.319
 should

00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:19.679
 give

00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:19.879
 what

00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.059
 he

00:16:20.059 --> 00:16:20.279
 has

00:16:20.279 --> 00:16:20.779
 decided

00:16:20.779 --> 00:16:20.919
 in

00:16:20.919 --> 00:16:21.039
 his

00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:21.259
 heart

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:21.439
 to

00:16:21.439 --> 00:16:21.719
 give

00:16:21.719 --> 00:16:22.299
 not

00:16:22.299 --> 00:16:23.019
 reluctantly

00:16:23.019 --> 00:16:23.500
 or

00:16:23.500 --> 00:16:23.839
 under

00:16:23.839 --> 00:16:24.480
 compulsion

00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:25.019
 for

00:16:25.019 --> 00:16:25.319
 God

00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:25.740
 loves

00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.039
 a

00:16:26.039 --> 00:16:26.339
 cheerful

00:16:26.339 --> 00:16:26.740
 giver

00:16:26.740 --> 00:16:28.379
 the

00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:28.699
 Apostle

00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:28.860
 Paul

00:16:28.860 --> 00:16:29.120
 says

00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:29.360
 in

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.059
 another

00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:30.679
 passage

00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:31.339
 that

00:16:31.339 --> 00:16:31.779
 he's

00:16:31.779 --> 00:16:31.980
 talking

00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.339
 about

00:16:32.339 --> 00:16:32.980
 the

00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:33.240
 need

00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.399
 to

00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:33.719
 love

00:16:33.719 --> 00:16:33.839
 and

00:16:33.839 --> 00:16:33.980
 he

00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.240
 says

00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.459
 I

00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:34.659
 could

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.159
 command

00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:35.319
 you

00:16:35.319 --> 00:16:35.459
 to

00:16:35.459 --> 00:16:35.679
 do

00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:35.919
 it

00:16:35.919 --> 00:16:37.579
 but

00:16:37.579 --> 00:16:37.699
 I

00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:38.019
 rather

00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.219
 you

00:16:38.219 --> 00:16:38.419
 did

00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:38.539
 it

00:16:38.539 --> 00:16:38.860
 willingly

00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:41.319
 so

00:16:41.319 --> 00:16:41.500
 have

00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:41.600
 a

00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:41.819
 crack

00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:41.959
 at

00:16:41.959 --> 00:16:42.259
 willingness

00:16:42.259 --> 00:16:42.839
 first

00:16:42.839 --> 00:16:43.959
 and

00:16:43.959 --> 00:16:44.120
 in

00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:44.279
 2

00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:44.579
 Corinthians

00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:45.639
 he says

00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:45.860
 I

00:16:45.860 --> 00:16:46.019
 am

00:16:46.019 --> 00:16:46.360
 not

00:16:46.360 --> 00:16:47.039
 commanding

00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:47.339
 you

00:16:47.339 --> 00:16:47.799
 but

00:16:47.799 --> 00:16:47.939
 I

00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:48.259
 want

00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:48.439
 to

00:16:48.439 --> 00:16:48.759
 test

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:48.980
 the

00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.740
 sincerity

00:16:49.740 --> 00:16:50.159
 of

00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:50.339
 your

00:16:50.339 --> 00:16:50.939
 love

00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:51.480
 by

00:16:51.480 --> 00:16:52.679
 comparing

00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:53.319
 it

00:16:53.319 --> 00:16:53.779
 with

00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.000
 the

00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:54.639
 earnestness

00:16:54.639 --> 00:16:55.000
 of

00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.620
 others

00:16:55.620 --> 00:16:56.860
 and

00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:57.019
 so

00:16:57.019 --> 00:16:57.360
 Paul

00:16:57.360 --> 00:16:58.339
 downplays

00:16:58.339 --> 00:16:58.559
 the

00:16:58.559 --> 00:16:59.000
 possibility

00:16:59.000 --> 00:16:59.219
 of

00:16:59.219 --> 00:16:59.719
 commanding

00:16:59.719 --> 00:16:59.879
 a

00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.079
 certain

00:17:00.079 --> 00:17:00.279
 level

00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:00.419
 of

00:17:00.419 --> 00:17:00.639
 giving

00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.179
 because

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.360
 he

00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:01.500
 wants

00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:01.679
 to

00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:02.199
 emphasize

00:17:02.199 --> 00:17:02.759
 loving

00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.339
 willingness

00:17:03.339 --> 00:17:04.220
 rather

00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:04.659
 than

00:17:04.659 --> 00:17:05.599
 constraint

00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:07.220
 I

00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:07.480
 also

00:17:07.480 --> 00:17:07.819
 think

00:17:07.819 --> 00:17:08.200
 he

00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.480
 didn't

00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:08.700
 use

00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:08.839
 the

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.139
 command

00:17:09.139 --> 00:17:09.319
 to

00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:09.539
 tithe

00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:09.819
 because

00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.000
 he

00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.180
 wanted

00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:10.339
 to

00:17:10.339 --> 00:17:10.779
 emphasize

00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.619
 generosity

00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:12.139
 rather

00:17:12.139 --> 00:17:12.279
 than

00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:12.920
 limitation

00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:14.779
 I

00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:14.920
 don't

00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:15.080
 think

00:17:15.080 --> 00:17:15.180
 he

00:17:15.180 --> 00:17:15.460
 wanted

00:17:15.460 --> 00:17:16.019
 the

00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:16.340
 Christian

00:17:16.340 --> 00:17:16.720
 church

00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:16.880
 to

00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:17.000
 go

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.240
 well

00:17:17.240 --> 00:17:17.519
 I've

00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:17.680
 given

00:17:17.680 --> 00:17:18.180
 10%

00:17:18.180 --> 00:17:18.440
 so

00:17:18.440 --> 00:17:18.700
 that's

00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:18.880
 it

00:17:18.880 --> 00:17:19.039
 so

00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.200
 any

00:17:19.200 --> 00:17:19.400
 new

00:17:19.400 --> 00:17:19.620
 need

00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:19.900
 comes

00:17:19.900 --> 00:17:20.080
 up

00:17:20.080 --> 00:17:20.539
 sorry

00:17:20.539 --> 00:17:20.840
 done

00:17:20.840 --> 00:17:21.060
 my

00:17:21.060 --> 00:17:21.279
 bit

00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:24.000
 while

00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:24.180
 he

00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:24.660
 affirms

00:17:24.660 --> 00:17:25.000
 giving

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.180
 in

00:17:25.180 --> 00:17:25.599
 proportion

00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:25.839
 to

00:17:25.839 --> 00:17:26.160
 one's

00:17:26.160 --> 00:17:26.539
 income

00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:26.799
 he

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.099
 also

00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:27.420
 wants

00:17:27.420 --> 00:17:27.599
 to

00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:27.899
 urge

00:17:27.899 --> 00:17:28.279
 people

00:17:28.279 --> 00:17:28.480
 to

00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:28.700
 go

00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.399
 beyond

00:17:29.399 --> 00:17:30.079
 the

00:17:30.079 --> 00:17:30.460
 old

00:17:30.460 --> 00:17:31.139
 constraints

00:17:31.139 --> 00:17:31.480
 of

00:17:31.480 --> 00:17:31.839
 simple

00:17:31.839 --> 00:17:32.279
 proportion

00:17:32.279 --> 00:17:32.460
 of

00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:32.740
 giving

00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.519
 for

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:33.899
 example

00:17:33.899 --> 00:17:34.119
 in

00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:34.299
 2

00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:34.619
 Corinthians

00:17:34.619 --> 00:17:35.139
 8

00:17:35.139 --> 00:17:35.539
 3

00:17:35.539 --> 00:17:35.740
 he

00:17:35.740 --> 00:17:36.460
 commands

00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.700
 the

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.299
 poverty

00:17:38.299 --> 00:17:38.819
 stricken

00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.680
 Macedonians

00:17:39.680 --> 00:17:40.000
 like

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.539
 this

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.680
 for

00:17:41.680 --> 00:17:41.879
 I

00:17:41.879 --> 00:17:42.480
 testify

00:17:42.480 --> 00:17:43.259
 sorry

00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.480
 he

00:17:43.480 --> 00:17:44.119
 commends

00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:44.759
 the

00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:45.059
 poverty

00:17:45.059 --> 00:17:45.420
 stricken

00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.139
 Macedonians

00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:46.339
 like

00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:46.639
 this

00:17:46.639 --> 00:17:47.119
 for

00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:47.299
 I

00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:47.759
 testify

00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:48.539
 that

00:17:48.539 --> 00:17:48.799
 they

00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.180
 gave

00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.440
 as

00:17:49.440 --> 00:17:49.839
 much

00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.200
 as

00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:50.460
 they

00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:50.720
 were

00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.220
 able

00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:51.799
 and

00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.220
 even

00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.799
 beyond

00:17:52.799 --> 00:17:53.039
 their

00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:53.519
 ability

00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:54.579
 entirely

00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.019
 on

00:17:55.019 --> 00:17:55.220
 their

00:17:55.220 --> 00:17:55.720
 own

00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.200
 they

00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.039
 urgently

00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.900
 pleaded

00:17:57.900 --> 00:17:58.180
 with

00:17:58.180 --> 00:17:58.579
 us

00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.000
 for

00:17:59.000 --> 00:17:59.200
 the

00:17:59.200 --> 00:17:59.700
 privilege

00:17:59.700 --> 00:18:00.059
 of

00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.480
 sharing

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:00.680
 in

00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:00.880
 this

00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.200
 service

00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:01.380
 to

00:18:01.380 --> 00:18:01.559
 the

00:18:01.559 --> 00:18:02.019
 saints

00:18:02.019 --> 00:18:04.740
 in

00:18:04.740 --> 00:18:04.980
 other

00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:05.620
 words

00:18:05.620 --> 00:18:07.180
 he

00:18:07.180 --> 00:18:07.799
 commends

00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:07.940
 the

00:18:07.940 --> 00:18:08.720
 Macedonians

00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:08.900
 for

00:18:08.900 --> 00:18:09.279
 going

00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:09.819
 way

00:18:09.819 --> 00:18:10.279
 beyond

00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:14.279
 and

00:18:14.279 --> 00:18:14.620
 in

00:18:14.620 --> 00:18:14.920
 2

00:18:14.920 --> 00:18:15.259
 Corinthians

00:18:15.259 --> 00:18:15.559
 9

00:18:15.559 --> 00:18:15.839
 6

00:18:15.839 --> 00:18:15.980
 he

00:18:15.980 --> 00:18:16.160
 says

00:18:16.160 --> 00:18:16.500
 remember

00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:16.940
 this

00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.579
 whoever

00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.000
 sows

00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:18.519
 sparingly

00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:18.640
 will

00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:18.880
 also

00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:19.160
 reap

00:18:19.160 --> 00:18:19.660
 sparingly

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:19.740
 and

00:18:19.740 --> 00:18:19.920
 whoever

00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:20.240
 sows

00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.660
 generously

00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:20.900
 will

00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:21.160
 also

00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:21.460
 reap

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:21.880
 generously

00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:22.940
 in

00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.200
 other

00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.700
 words

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.480
 the

00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:24.800
 issue

00:18:24.800 --> 00:18:25.420
 isn't

00:18:25.420 --> 00:18:26.019
 meeting

00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:26.360
 a

00:18:26.360 --> 00:18:26.759
 minimum

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:27.620
 amount

00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:28.440
 a

00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:28.660
 minimum

00:18:28.660 --> 00:18:29.080
 limit

00:18:29.080 --> 00:18:29.660
 the

00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:29.900
 issue

00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:30.120
 for

00:18:30.120 --> 00:18:30.420
 Paul

00:18:30.420 --> 00:18:30.700
 is

00:18:30.700 --> 00:18:30.900
 how

00:18:30.900 --> 00:18:31.060
 to

00:18:31.060 --> 00:18:31.920
 unleash

00:18:31.920 --> 00:18:32.920
 maximum

00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:33.560
 generosity

00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:38.319
 and

00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.480
 so

00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:38.619
 the

00:18:38.619 --> 00:18:39.000
 command

00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:39.200
 to

00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.500
 tithe

00:18:39.500 --> 00:18:39.799
 just

00:18:39.799 --> 00:18:40.159
 doesn't

00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:40.619
 suit

00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:40.919
 that

00:18:40.919 --> 00:18:41.519
 approach

00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:43.099
 but

00:18:43.099 --> 00:18:43.200
 I

00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:43.419
 also

00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:43.759
 think

00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:43.960
 that

00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.240
 Paul

00:18:44.240 --> 00:18:44.879
 didn't

00:18:44.879 --> 00:18:45.159
 use

00:18:45.159 --> 00:18:45.299
 the

00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:45.539
 command

00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:45.679
 to

00:18:45.679 --> 00:18:45.899
 tithe

00:18:45.899 --> 00:18:46.200
 because

00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.379
 he

00:18:46.379 --> 00:18:46.579
 wanted

00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:46.819
 to

00:18:46.819 --> 00:18:47.399
 emphasize

00:18:47.399 --> 00:18:48.399
 that

00:18:48.399 --> 00:18:48.859
 all

00:18:48.859 --> 00:18:49.399
 getting

00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:49.779
 should

00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:49.919
 be

00:18:49.919 --> 00:18:50.399
 designed

00:18:50.399 --> 00:18:50.839
 for

00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.179
 giving

00:18:51.180 --> 00:19:21.180


00:19:21.180 --> 00:19:51.180


00:19:51.180 --> 00:20:21.180


00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:51.180


00:20:51.180 --> 00:21:21.180


00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:51.180


00:21:51.180 --> 00:22:21.180


00:22:21.180 --> 00:22:28.820
 here is both practical and it is costly and it requires trusting God. One of the problems

00:22:28.820 --> 00:22:47.759
 is that they, and I think us, we kind of want God to go first. That is, what we do is we

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:57.680
 invert the covenantal order. The order of the covenant is, in Deuteronomy 28, you obey,

00:22:57.680 --> 00:23:05.559
 I will bless. What we want to do is you bless us and then I'll obey it. Give me the money

00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:16.879
 then I'll give it away. And that's an inversion of the covenant. And my friends, it's actually

00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:28.740
 idolatry. It's actually idolatry. They want fruitfulness before they will obey the law

00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:35.880
 of tithing. And so what happens here in Malachi in calling the people of God to obey and to

00:23:35.880 --> 00:23:43.320
 trust is simply the same as what Jesus calls his disciples to do in Luke chapter 12. It's

00:23:43.319 --> 00:23:53.319
 very, very simple words. Seek first the kingdom of God and I'll take care of the details. I'll

00:23:53.319 --> 00:24:00.720
 take care of the material details. Pursue the kingdom and you'll have everything that you

00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:12.240
 need in order to pursue the kingdom. And that is a scary thought. I'll tell you a reason why

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:17.819
 I think it's a scary thought for Jesus' disciples. It's because the major thrust of Luke chapter 12,

00:24:17.920 --> 00:24:24.680
 where those words are in the middle, is do not be afraid. So Jesus must have realized it was a scary

00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:31.680
 thought for his disciples. I don't think it's a mistake that Jesus refers to God in verse 30 and

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:39.960
 verse 32 of Luke 12 as their father. And in verse 32, he refers to the disciples as the little flock.

00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:48.700
 That is their father, their heavenly father is the infinite God of the universe. That's him. And down

00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:54.799
 here is us. And we are little lambies in a paddock, all scared of foxes and wolves.

00:24:54.799 --> 00:25:05.500
 There's a big difference between us and God. And so Jesus says, do not be afraid, little sheep.

00:25:06.879 --> 00:25:11.000
 But did you notice specifically what the threat is that makes Jesus says, do not be afraid?

00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:17.319
 In verse 32, you need to have your Bibles. If you're not at Luke 12, you've got to get there.

00:25:17.319 --> 00:25:22.879
 I want you to see that this is God's word. It's not my word.

00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:31.379
 What are they being tempted to fear in this context? You can find the answer by going back

00:25:31.379 --> 00:25:36.519
 a couple of verses and by going forward a couple of verses. If you go back into verse 30,

00:25:36.839 --> 00:25:42.980
 the thing that they were in danger of fearing is the call to no longer be like the nations

00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:53.140
 who seek the accumulation of stuff. Jesus says, don't be like them. And his disciples

00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:58.700
 go, oh my goodness, that's scary. I mean, all of a sudden the heart starts to pump and the

00:25:58.700 --> 00:26:04.460
 adrenaline starts to rush. Will I be happy? Will I survive? Will I have enough? And Jesus

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:12.400
 says, do not be afraid, little flock. Do not be afraid to stop seeking things. Or if you go

00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:16.720
 forward to verse 33, the things that they're in danger of fearing is giving things away.

00:26:18.400 --> 00:26:26.240
 Oh my goodness. Generosity. Getting rid of my possessions. The heart starts to thump. Adrenaline.

00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:35.080
 That's scary. Will I have enough? Will I be happy? How could I possibly enjoy life? And in verse 33,

00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:42.120
 do not be afraid, little flock. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. You see, seeking the kingdom

00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:47.099
 includes both of those things. We stop focusing on our quest on things and we start selling what we

00:26:47.099 --> 00:26:55.159
 don't need and turning our stockpile of resources into ministries of kingdom bringing love. And Jesus

00:26:55.159 --> 00:27:01.259
 knows that that message right there goes boom, straight in the hearts of his disciple and fear

00:27:01.259 --> 00:27:16.200
 is what they feel. And there is fear in many of us when this word is brought to us because there's a

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:21.900
 possibility that we have consciously or subconsciously inverted the covenant order.

00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:33.100
 And when we convert the covenant order, it is idolatry. I cannot be radically generous because God

00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:35.040
 hasn't given me enough.

00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:49.040
 And when he does, I will. That's an inversion of the covenant order and it's idolatry. It's a lack of trust.

00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:59.079
 And these words are scary because it's possible that God's will for us is that we might live a lifestyle

00:27:59.079 --> 00:28:04.619
 very different than the one that we are striving for and living right now. And Jesus knows that it's a

00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:14.680
 fearful message and he says, do not be afraid, little flock, for your father has been pleased to give you the

00:28:14.680 --> 00:28:19.299
 kingdom. You've got it already in Christ.

00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:23.220
 You've got the kingdom. You know the outcome.

00:28:24.860 --> 00:28:31.660
 He promises all the blessing of the kingdom and the pathway to the kingdom is the path of falling in love with

00:28:31.660 --> 00:28:34.740
 King Jesus, treasuring Jesus and trusting Jesus.

00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:42.279
 It means falling out of love with things and taking on a wartime lifestyle that maximizes all resources for the

00:28:42.279 --> 00:28:44.799
 cause of the kingdom that we are seeking.

00:28:46.160 --> 00:28:53.900
 And the promise here is that the majestic God who we have looked at in Malachi is good for it.

00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:58.519
 He never turns his back on any of his promises.

00:28:58.519 --> 00:29:03.420
 We will be provided for.

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:07.160
 He is the covenant God who has never turned his back on his promise.

00:29:07.480 --> 00:29:12.559
 He will graciously, mercifully, lovingly give us everything that you need to fulfill his purposes.

00:29:13.079 --> 00:29:19.220
 We will never lack a single thing we need in order to seek the kingdom.

00:29:19.220 --> 00:29:26.319
 And so, that's the word of God.

00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.420
 That's his word.

00:29:31.339 --> 00:29:33.240
 And does it settle it for you?

00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:35.539
 That's the issue here for the people of Malachi.

00:29:35.920 --> 00:29:37.519
 And it's the same issue for us.

00:29:37.940 --> 00:29:39.819
 Will you trust his word?

00:29:39.819 --> 00:29:49.519
 I think there are two things from Luke 12 that would tell us where we are in trusting him.

00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:52.799
 And the first is our heart and the second is our wallet.

00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:58.240
 Verse 34, for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:02.399
 Our heart tells us if we are anxious and our wallet tells us if we are generous.

00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:07.559
 And both of us will tell us if we're trusting Jesus and treasuring Jesus.

00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:14.559
 So, let's hear the warning of Malachi.

00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:17.399
 Let's not cast this text aside.

00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:21.839
 Malachi is written to people who claim to be the faithful people of God.

00:30:22.759 --> 00:30:28.339
 And they faithfully, if you like, or consistently turn up to the temple for worship.

00:30:28.659 --> 00:30:31.200
 And God says, I just wish someone would close the door.

00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:36.299
 So that you would not again and again bring such an offense before me.

00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:39.119
 Because their hearts were not right.

00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:43.879
 They failed to see and to feel the greatness of God's love.

00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:45.899
 And the greatness of his majesty.

00:30:47.000 --> 00:30:52.659
 And so, they threw half dead sheep on the altar for sacrifice.

00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:54.179
 And thought, that would be good enough.

00:30:56.200 --> 00:30:59.220
 They gave God, opened their wallets and went, five and a ten.

00:30:59.220 --> 00:31:01.500
 I'll give God the five, because the ten.

00:31:01.579 --> 00:31:06.720
 I've got to go out down to Jerusalem just after this.

00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:11.940
 Oh, he'll be happy with that.

00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:16.180
 And he says, you've robbed me.

00:31:17.539 --> 00:31:18.620
 You've robbed me.

00:31:18.619 --> 00:31:29.199
 It's tantrum out of the people of God sticking a gun in the face of the eternal, infinite God and saying, give it to me.

00:31:29.200 --> 00:31:37.220
 Let's not cast this text aside.

00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:39.799
 We do not want to be a people of whom God says,

00:31:40.840 --> 00:31:46.539
 St. Paul's, you are just like the rest of Chats would.

00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:53.319
 You have the same priorities they have and I cannot tell you apart.

00:31:53.319 --> 00:32:01.279
 The practice of our core value of radical generosity, I believe, radically sets us apart in a materialistic culture.

00:32:01.759 --> 00:32:05.419
 It reads, our gifts, possessions, finances of time belong to God.

00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:08.879
 We will therefore use them for his glory and not our comfort.

00:32:09.299 --> 00:32:18.379
 We desire to be like the Macedonians whose joy in Christ through extremely difficult circumstances resulted in rich generosity towards others.

00:32:18.380 --> 00:32:21.660
 We believe, and here's, I think, a crucial statement.

00:32:22.080 --> 00:32:30.340
 We believe that in a world that loves money, a lifestyle of radical generosity proclaims that Jesus is our greatest treasure.

00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:39.560
 That bit's essential because I think it lines up with the goal of God blessing his people in Malachi 3.12.

00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:44.460
 You see, God will bless his people when they give the full tithe and here's the result.

00:32:44.460 --> 00:32:47.120
 Then all the nations will call you blessed.

00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:58.620
 When God blesses his people because of their obedience, the nations see it and they don't marvel at the people.

00:32:59.080 --> 00:33:02.060
 They marvel at the God who has blessed his people.

00:33:04.040 --> 00:33:09.680
 The bottom line here is the reason God wants to bless his people is for the nations.

00:33:11.840 --> 00:33:14.400
 And that is the goal of radical generosity.

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:40.600
 We want our neighbours, the nations at our doorstep to see that Jesus is our greatest treasure and that he is more valuable than their bank accounts and their superannuation and their houses.

00:33:40.599 --> 00:33:53.379
 Brothers and sisters, it is clear from Malachi that our worship of God not only requires us to give our best, it requires us to give our all.

00:33:53.819 --> 00:33:57.859
 And worship is far more than singing some songs and memorising some verses.

00:33:58.579 --> 00:33:59.599
 Worship requires everything.

00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:06.639
 Commitment Sunday is next Sunday.

00:34:07.759 --> 00:34:10.199
 And you've got pledge packs.

00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:20.980
 I want you to go away from tonight and in the course of this week, just commit to this.

00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:27.000
 To earnestly, consistently and honestly bring this whole matter before God.

00:34:28.699 --> 00:34:32.019
 Asking him specifically, God, am I robbing you?

00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:34.940
 Because I don't want to be like those people who had no clue whatsoever.

00:34:36.099 --> 00:34:37.300
 Am I robbing you?

00:34:38.420 --> 00:34:39.880
 Make it clear for me.

00:34:41.420 --> 00:34:44.119
 Because I do not want it be said of me.

00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:46.380
 You're robbing me.

00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:48.400
 Just like the nations.

00:34:49.780 --> 00:34:50.219
 Amen.