WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.219 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn to Luke chapter 12. 00:00:08.259 --> 00:00:13.599 Over the past couple of months on the Lord's Day, we've been studying the Sermon on the Mount together. 00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:23.600 And we've arrived at Matthew chapter 5 at a text that has created quite a bit of debate throughout the history of the church. 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:31.500 The text I'm referring to is Matthew chapter 5 verses 31 and 32 and it's on divorce. 00:00:32.500 --> 00:00:41.920 I am very thankful that our church is devoted to verse by verse exposition because it forces us to deal with tough matters such as this. 00:00:42.740 --> 00:00:46.640 I am also thankful that our church trusts me at least. 00:00:46.640 --> 00:00:54.560 It's my perception that you trust me when it is decided that we should wait a few weeks before considering that topic together. 00:00:55.679 --> 00:01:06.319 So, if you came this morning with great anticipation that I would work out all of the complexity of what the scripture says concerning divorce and remarriage, just wait. 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:09.840 Give it a couple more weeks. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:14.900 We will get to it in its proper time, I promise. 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:23.460 Today, instead, we're going to take a step away from the Sermon on the Mount to consider kingdom giving. 00:01:24.260 --> 00:01:26.940 And we're going to do so for two reasons. 00:01:28.040 --> 00:01:32.400 Besides the reason that I think we should wait on the issue of divorce and remarriage. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:40.200 Firstly, as a church, we are under budget for the year. 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:48.079 We're going to have a members meeting and part of that members meeting this afternoon will be to discuss the details of that shortage. 00:01:48.700 --> 00:01:49.579 But it matters. 00:01:49.799 --> 00:01:58.040 It matters that we're not upholding the budget that we carefully prepared, prayed over, presented to you, 00:01:58.100 --> 00:02:02.260 and that we as a church, as a fellowship together, decided to support. 00:02:02.260 --> 00:02:10.960 Secondly, and more importantly, kingdom giving is a matter of the heart. 00:02:12.180 --> 00:02:17.960 People really don't like talking about money in church. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:20.620 There's probably a lot of reasons for this. 00:02:20.860 --> 00:02:29.080 Certainly amongst them is that people apparently need private jets to be ministers of the gospel. 00:02:29.080 --> 00:02:31.620 This is not so amongst us. 00:02:32.060 --> 00:02:34.540 I have a private Prius. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:37.420 And I'm doing just fine. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:42.760 I think for us, we don't want to talk about money. 00:02:42.900 --> 00:02:45.120 We get uncomfortable talking about money. 00:02:46.300 --> 00:02:54.080 Because any attempt to tell someone how they should or shouldn't spend their money touches them at the level of their heart. 00:02:54.439 --> 00:02:57.380 It addresses their very values. 00:02:57.379 --> 00:03:04.180 And in fact, if as a church we do not concern ourselves with each other's finances, 00:03:04.699 --> 00:03:09.219 we would prove ourselves to be most unloving. 00:03:10.340 --> 00:03:16.639 Jesus spoke about money more than any other one topic, any other single topic. 00:03:16.639 --> 00:03:25.279 So, today my intention is to meddle, not really in the affairs of your wallet, 00:03:25.799 --> 00:03:29.199 but rather in the affairs of your heart. 00:03:30.179 --> 00:03:36.579 And if it makes you uncomfortable for someone to open up what the Bible has to say concerning your finances, 00:03:37.079 --> 00:03:41.839 then you need to pay extra special attention to why. 00:03:41.840 --> 00:03:49.800 My suggestion to you is that your discomfort is a symptom of idolatry. 00:03:50.580 --> 00:03:56.780 You love your stuff, your house, your car, your clothes, your toys, your experiences. 00:03:58.120 --> 00:04:02.800 You find your identity or your security in it. 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:05.860 And beloved, this is idolatry. 00:04:06.800 --> 00:04:09.040 So this is a gospel issue. 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:19.360 We have been saved by grace through faith to a God who loves us immensely and has a purpose in this world. 00:04:19.480 --> 00:04:25.300 And He intends to use His people and their finances to bring about this purpose. 00:04:25.300 --> 00:04:34.400 We should want in grateful obedience to submit our whole selves to Him in every way. 00:04:34.500 --> 00:04:38.740 We've spent much time so far in the Sermon on the Mount addressing this very thing. 00:04:38.879 --> 00:04:43.379 What is it that the citizens of God's kingdom look like? 00:04:43.840 --> 00:04:47.160 Peculiar in so many ways. 00:04:47.379 --> 00:04:50.639 Devoted to God and to His kingdom. 00:04:50.639 --> 00:05:00.060 And before I proceed any further, I want you to know that I wholeheartedly share the Apostle Paul's sentiment 00:05:00.060 --> 00:05:07.159 when he wrote to the Corinthian church in 2 Corinthians 12, verses 14 and 15. 00:05:08.099 --> 00:05:12.879 I seek not what is yours, but you. 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:19.639 I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. 00:05:19.639 --> 00:05:23.319 So this is a heart matter. 00:05:23.860 --> 00:05:29.259 It is of concern to a shepherd of God's people. 00:05:29.599 --> 00:05:34.879 That God's people steward God's resources well. 00:05:36.139 --> 00:05:42.259 So let's look a bit this morning at Luke 12, verses 15-21. 00:05:42.479 --> 00:05:47.180 And before I read it, beloved, let me remind you that this is God's Word to us. 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:49.939 It was written for His glory and our good. 00:05:50.400 --> 00:05:56.360 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands. 00:05:56.740 --> 00:05:57.819 Beginning in verse 15. 00:05:57.819 --> 00:06:27.800 And Jesus said to them, 00:06:27.819 --> 00:06:31.040 And there I will store all my grain and my goods. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:32.420 And I will say to my soul, 00:06:32.420 --> 00:06:36.060 Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years. 00:06:36.599 --> 00:06:40.079 Relax, eat, drink, be merry. 00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:44.039 But God said to him, fool. 00:06:45.039 --> 00:06:47.199 This night your soul is required of you. 00:06:47.639 --> 00:06:51.379 And the things you have prepared, whose will they be? 00:06:52.300 --> 00:06:59.399 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. 00:06:59.399 --> 00:07:05.679 Jesus begins this morning's text with a warning. 00:07:06.179 --> 00:07:07.399 Take care. 00:07:08.339 --> 00:07:10.359 Heed what I'm about to say. 00:07:10.539 --> 00:07:17.039 Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness. 00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:23.519 Whether you have abundance or not, which is where most of us find ourselves. 00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:28.459 Be on guard against all covetousness. 00:07:28.599 --> 00:07:29.459 Jesus says to them, 00:07:29.979 --> 00:07:33.579 Do not break the tenth commandment. 00:07:34.659 --> 00:07:40.399 This covetousness is a boundless grasping after more. 00:07:40.399 --> 00:07:46.219 And I find that to be the very definition of American culture. 00:07:46.359 --> 00:07:50.439 A boundless grasping after more. 00:07:50.859 --> 00:07:52.120 Never satisfied. 00:07:52.419 --> 00:07:53.879 It's never a nudge. 00:07:54.019 --> 00:07:57.979 The thirst for things is never quenched. 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:04.279 This covetousness is a dissatisfaction with what one already has. 00:08:04.279 --> 00:08:14.259 And the opposite of covetousness is expressed by Paul in 1 Timothy 6, verses 6-8. 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:15.539 This would be the opposite. 00:08:15.779 --> 00:08:18.599 And listen to what Paul writes to Timothy. 00:08:19.779 --> 00:08:25.119 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:08:25.859 --> 00:08:30.639 For we brought nothing into the world and we cannot take anything out of the world. 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:40.000 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 00:08:40.659 --> 00:08:50.159 If we have our basic needs met, oh, the contentment that the Christian should have. 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:53.919 So Jesus begins our text with this warning. 00:08:54.179 --> 00:08:55.059 Be careful. 00:08:55.899 --> 00:08:59.639 Caution against covetousness. 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:03.539 And he punctuates his warning with a principle. 00:09:05.840 --> 00:09:06.139 He says, 00:09:06.659 --> 00:09:14.399 For one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:20.699 You are not who you are because of what you have. 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:35.960 We are so apt to think that our lives are complete or will be complete, that they are lacking and will be complete if we can just have blank. 00:09:35.960 --> 00:09:39.780 And you should ask yourself that question. 00:09:39.920 --> 00:09:41.620 Run that phrase through your mind. 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:47.259 My life would be complete if I had blank. 00:09:48.259 --> 00:09:49.320 That house. 00:09:50.000 --> 00:09:50.920 That car. 00:09:51.920 --> 00:09:55.460 That vacation that I can post lots of pictures about. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:58.460 A baby. 00:09:58.460 --> 00:10:01.900 Things that cost money. 00:10:01.960 --> 00:10:07.000 They cost great Harley Davidsons as another example. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:14.860 Jesus here tells us that this is not what a life consists of. 00:10:15.539 --> 00:10:21.419 One's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. 00:10:21.419 --> 00:10:28.379 And then he continues with the parable to help us understand what it is that a life consists of. 00:10:28.379 --> 00:10:41.039 And we see the story of this man who speaks to his own soul, which I just really love about the reading of this particular parable, who abounds, right? 00:10:41.059 --> 00:10:41.980 He has plenty. 00:10:42.559 --> 00:10:45.939 And I know it's easy for us to look at this man and go, that's not me. 00:10:46.179 --> 00:10:49.080 I have no need to tear down barns and build bigger barns. 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:52.039 But, beloved, each and every one of us has plenty. 00:10:52.840 --> 00:10:57.480 We have far beyond our basic necessities being met. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:01.300 When is the last time you wondered where your next meal would come from? 00:11:02.120 --> 00:11:09.080 If our family stopped buying groceries today, we would be fed for quite a while with the groceries we have at our house. 00:11:09.519 --> 00:11:13.879 I think weeks, possibly, we could stretch and make it work. 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:17.720 I have clothes beyond the clothes that I need. 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:19.879 We have abundance. 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:23.899 And I'm not saying any of this is wrong, that we can't have the food and the clothes that we have. 00:11:23.899 --> 00:11:26.820 But we have an abundance. 00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:30.820 But listen to what God says to him. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:37.480 As he looks to this abundance, and he speaks to his soul, and he says, 00:11:37.680 --> 00:11:45.180 Oh, lay back and enjoy and spend that abundance on yourself. 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:49.699 What does God say to him in verse 20? 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:52.059 Fool. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:54.859 He declares him. 00:11:55.120 --> 00:11:59.099 He gives him the title of fool. 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:00.299 And why? 00:12:01.459 --> 00:12:03.059 Because this man's life is short. 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:05.279 As each and every one of our lives are short. 00:12:05.639 --> 00:12:08.259 Passing by as a vapor. 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:18.059 It is the fool that looks to this life for reward and doesn't look to the eternal place for reward. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:26.939 Who's so concerned about the day and the now that we're altogether unconcerned about the forever. 00:12:26.940 --> 00:12:31.500 When we do that, beloved, God says to us, fool. 00:12:33.220 --> 00:12:33.740 Fool. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:35.440 What are you doing? 00:12:36.640 --> 00:12:39.800 Your life will pass as a vapor. 00:12:40.220 --> 00:12:45.060 And then all of the stuff, all of the things you have amassed. 00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:48.219 Whose will they be? 00:12:48.339 --> 00:12:49.459 And it's a rhetorical question. 00:12:49.539 --> 00:12:50.099 No one's. 00:12:50.139 --> 00:12:51.639 It's all turning into dust. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:53.379 One day. 00:12:54.959 --> 00:12:55.979 And verse 21 says, 00:12:56.099 --> 00:13:04.239 So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God. 00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:10.039 So the way of the fool is to invest in an earthly kingdom. 00:13:10.519 --> 00:13:16.360 To build your kingdom by spending money on yourself. 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:20.720 This is the way of the fool, Jesus tells us. 00:13:21.940 --> 00:13:32.240 And then in the adverse, the way of the wise is to invest in a heavenly kingdom by being rich toward God. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:41.279 God, which we can see later in Luke chapter 12, means spending money on others. 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:45.600 By being generous with our abundance. 00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:51.159 Of course, doing so in the right way and at the right time. 00:13:51.980 --> 00:13:55.620 But this is what it means to be rich toward God. 00:13:55.620 --> 00:14:01.740 Using what God has given us to leverage for the kingdom of God. 00:14:02.240 --> 00:14:05.440 Luke chapter 12, verse 33 and 34. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:06.960 Jesus says, 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:10.560 Sell your possessions and give to the needy. 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:15.200 Provide yourselves with money bags that do not grow old. 00:14:15.680 --> 00:14:18.759 With a treasure in the heavens that does not fail. 00:14:19.419 --> 00:14:22.700 Where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. 00:14:23.320 --> 00:14:29.220 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 00:14:29.220 --> 00:14:33.259 Jesus says, listen. 00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:37.279 Listen to the parable I've just told you. 00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:44.879 Now do not be anxious and take the abundance that you have and do the wise thing with it. 00:14:45.360 --> 00:14:47.360 Stop being fools. 00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.019 Right? 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:52.019 Investing money into old money bags. 00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:56.740 Putting it into things that will be destroyed and taken away. 00:14:56.879 --> 00:15:00.960 But instead, invest in those things that are eternal. 00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:07.720 I hope that you, with me, want to be wise. 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:10.340 That's a genuine desire of yours. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:15.519 That you would rather have wisdom than stuff. 00:15:15.519 --> 00:15:21.439 You would rather pay attention to and heed the warning of Jesus. 00:15:21.740 --> 00:15:23.659 And walk in the way of God. 00:15:23.759 --> 00:15:25.419 And look to the eternal. 00:15:25.899 --> 00:15:30.840 Rather than be concerned about such and such. 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:37.320 Probably the thing that as I make statements and read scripture, you're going, does that mean I can't have? 00:15:37.460 --> 00:15:38.660 Yeah, probably that. 00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:46.060 That you would desire to be rich toward God. 00:15:46.059 --> 00:15:52.059 There are three ways that you can think about your finances. 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:55.859 Two of them wrong and one of them right. 00:15:55.979 --> 00:15:57.059 First, the wrong ways. 00:15:57.379 --> 00:16:07.259 First, you can think that everything you have belongs to you and can be spent or saved however you wish. 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:11.179 It's all yours to decide what you would do with it. 00:16:11.219 --> 00:16:12.399 And this is wrong thinking. 00:16:12.399 --> 00:16:15.059 This is the way of the world. 00:16:16.059 --> 00:16:19.439 Second, this would be a wrong way of thinking. 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:24.679 You could think that a percentage of what you have belongs to God. 00:16:25.579 --> 00:16:31.719 But the rest belongs to you and can be spent or saved however you wish. 00:16:32.139 --> 00:16:40.619 If I just simply write off a percentage of what is mine, then I can do what I would like with what is mine. 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:44.739 This is also a wrong way to think about our finances. 00:16:46.059 --> 00:17:02.079 The third way, and this is the right way, this is the way we want to think as a church, is that all that you have belongs to God and should be stewarded according to his purpose in the world. 00:17:02.080 --> 00:17:06.660 So your checking account balance belongs to God. 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:08.640 The home in which you live belongs to God. 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:11.740 The car that you drive belongs to God. 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:18.440 Everything you have should be stewarded according to his purposes. 00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:23.759 But I mentioned at the beginning that we're under budget. 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:27.779 So I want to talk specifically about giving to the church. 00:17:27.900 --> 00:17:32.319 There are many ways to steward God's wealth in the world. 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:40.939 But where does this leave us in thinking about what we should give to our local fellowship? 00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:47.220 So we're going to look broader at financial stewardship when we get to Matthew chapter 6. 00:17:47.359 --> 00:17:49.419 There's so much more to be said here. 00:17:49.420 --> 00:18:04.960 But today I want to talk specifically about moving toward a biblical practice of the tithe. 00:18:07.660 --> 00:18:17.120 In a 2008 study entitled Passing the Plate, it was discovered that American Christians are growing increasingly stingy. 00:18:17.119 --> 00:18:20.359 And I couldn't find a more recent extensive study. 00:18:20.959 --> 00:18:25.739 But I did find a number of statistics stating that giving is still quite a bit down. 00:18:26.599 --> 00:18:30.959 This study though, entitled Passing the Plate, you can find it if you simply Google search it, 00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:34.219 defined committed Christians. 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:37.759 This is the category of giver that we're talking about. 00:18:38.399 --> 00:18:41.319 Committed Christians, and very sadly they define committed Christians 00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:46.739 as those who self-reported that their faith is very important to them. 00:18:47.119 --> 00:18:50.979 And who stated they attend church at least twice a month. 00:18:51.859 --> 00:18:54.479 I think that's a sad definition of committed Christian. 00:18:54.599 --> 00:18:55.859 But this is what we're talking about. 00:18:56.019 --> 00:19:01.000 This is the demographic that we're referring to. 00:19:01.119 --> 00:19:03.039 And this study found that this group, 00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:07.639 this committed Christians, American committed, quote unquote, committed Christians, 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:12.640 make collectively $2.5 trillion a year. 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:18.360 Which means that this group could be admitted to G7, 00:19:18.620 --> 00:19:21.020 which is the world's seven largest economies. 00:19:21.300 --> 00:19:26.380 Big meetings of G7 that get around and talk about world economic politics. 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:28.700 So this group could be admitted. 00:19:29.060 --> 00:19:33.600 We would bump somebody out of the G7 conference. 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:38.100 If this group, this is just a hypothetical, 00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:41.780 if this group were to give 10% of their income, 00:19:42.780 --> 00:19:51.480 that would be $46 billion more than is currently given in any year. 00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:55.519 $46 billion more than is currently given. 00:19:55.640 --> 00:19:58.000 So just to give you an idea, $46 billion. 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:03.839 This is American, quote unquote, committed Christians giving more. 00:20:04.059 --> 00:20:07.200 Just coming up to 10% giving. 00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:13.180 $10 billion of that would sponsor 20 million children for a year 00:20:13.180 --> 00:20:15.160 through Compassion International. 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:24.259 Just $330 million would sponsor 150,000 indigenous missionaries 00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:26.259 in countries closed to religious workers. 00:20:27.380 --> 00:20:32.820 Just $330 million would sponsor 150,000 indigenous missionaries 00:20:32.820 --> 00:20:35.500 in countries that are closed where we can't go. 00:20:35.880 --> 00:20:37.700 Those dollars could go. 00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:44.500 $2.2 billion would triple the current funding of Bible translation, 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:47.500 printing, and distribution. 00:20:49.340 --> 00:20:52.600 And after all that, after we accomplished these things, 00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:54.380 sponsored 20 million children for a year, 00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:57.600 sponsored 150,000 indigenous missionaries, 00:20:58.300 --> 00:21:02.100 tripled the Bible translation and distribution budget, 00:21:02.100 --> 00:21:07.519 after that, we would still have $33.5 billion left to spend. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:14.660 A great amount of equity for the kingdom of God. 00:21:15.160 --> 00:21:23.600 However, the median amount given by these, quote unquote, 00:21:23.800 --> 00:21:28.420 committed Christians is just $200 a year, 00:21:28.680 --> 00:21:34.000 which is just over half of 1% of after-tax income. 00:21:35.000 --> 00:21:39.040 It's an astoundingly low amount. 00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:44.799 So what does the Bible teach concerning the tithe? 00:21:45.119 --> 00:21:47.799 I will tell you that I desperately want to make the tithe a law. 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:50.339 I feel like we'd just fix all that real quick if we would just say, 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.940 you must, right? 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:55.440 To be accepted by God, you must give 10% of your income. 00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:56.799 But I can't. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.259 And I won't. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:22:01.039 Because I don't believe that the Bible does. 00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:05.599 Our dear friends, Wes and Liz Sheldon, are now living in Salt Lake City. 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.460 Mormonville, I like to call it. 00:22:09.119 --> 00:22:14.720 And Wes has a co-worker who is nominally Mormon, 00:22:14.720 --> 00:22:18.720 but he's marrying into a family that are very committed Mormons. 00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:21.980 And so they therefore must be married in the temple. 00:22:22.440 --> 00:22:25.480 Otherwise, the marriage isn't an eternal marriage. 00:22:25.640 --> 00:22:26.799 It's just a temporal marriage. 00:22:26.920 --> 00:22:31.779 So it's a very unloving thing to not marry a Mormon girl in the temple. 00:22:31.940 --> 00:22:34.740 Because you're just saying, yeah, for now is good, but not for forever. 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:39.359 And in order for them to be able to use the space, 00:22:40.319 --> 00:22:42.220 he has to catch up on his tithe. 00:22:42.779 --> 00:22:45.019 And I said, how do they know? 00:22:45.700 --> 00:22:49.160 And he said, they have to submit all their tax records. 00:22:50.660 --> 00:22:51.819 Wouldn't that be wonderful? 00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:57.299 Boy, the end of the year would be a lot more fun around here. 00:23:01.720 --> 00:23:03.259 But I can't do this. 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.660 But here's the danger. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:09.460 We go, okay, let's look at what the Bible has to say about the tithe. 00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:12.839 And I believe that it's no longer a law. 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.200 We're not committed. 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:18.539 If we don't do this 10%, we're not pleasing to God. 00:23:19.460 --> 00:23:21.079 What is the adverse of that? 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:24.400 People go, okay, well, I'll give what I feel like giving. 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:27.519 What I can remember to give. 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:30.099 After I've taken care of all of my other obligations, 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:33.579 I might have a little bit of change left over. 00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:35.599 And then I'll contribute. 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.299 Half of 1%. 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:39.299 Half of 1%. 00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.919 Right? 00:23:39.920 --> 00:23:43.779 So what does the Bible say? 00:23:43.779 --> 00:23:51.279 How do we properly walk into this and balance this out as an issue of the heart? 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:52.240 Okay. 00:23:52.240 --> 00:23:53.019 So let me show you. 00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:56.559 There are two types of giving taught in the Old Testament. 00:23:56.779 --> 00:24:01.579 The first type of giving taught is required giving in the Old Testament, 00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:07.000 which was meant to support the administrative work of the government. 00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:18.339 And at this time, remember that Israel was a theocracy and the Levites, the priests, were agents in God's governance. 00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:18.900 Right? 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:27.799 So this commanded giving was part of the function of the nation state of Israel. 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:34.839 So we see the very first time in which the word tithe is used, this first commandment using this. 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.980 Literally, it means tenth part. 00:24:37.079 --> 00:24:40.899 It's found in Leviticus chapter 27 and verse 30. 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:46.599 Every tithe of the land, whether the seed of the land or the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's. 00:24:46.619 --> 00:24:48.440 It is holy to the Lord. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:55.159 To be set apart to the governance of God's people. 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:59.560 So it was like the income tax of the day. 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:03.880 It was used for funding of national festivals. 00:25:04.060 --> 00:25:09.140 You can read about that in Deuteronomy chapter 14, verses 22 through 29. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:16.779 And there were smaller tithe requirements that were intended to provide for the poor. 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:18.720 So it was also social welfare. 00:25:18.940 --> 00:25:23.800 It was safety netting for them as a society. 00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:27.899 An example of that is Leviticus chapter 19, verses 9 and 10. 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:33.980 When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not reap your field right up to its edge. 00:25:34.899 --> 00:25:37.819 Neither shall you gather the gleanings after you harvest. 00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:40.700 And you shall not strip your vineyard bare. 00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:43.399 Neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:47.200 You shall leave them for the poor and for the sojourner. 00:25:47.200 --> 00:25:50.080 I am the Lord. 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:58.720 God in His graciousness provided a way for His people to leave behind some leftovers for people to come along and glean after. 00:25:59.039 --> 00:26:00.779 To be cared for. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:04.460 So this is the required giving. 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:10.860 The second type of giving taught in the Old Testament was voluntary giving. 00:26:10.859 --> 00:26:14.719 And this was voluntary given to the temple. 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:17.500 Exodus chapter 25 and verse 2. 00:26:18.699 --> 00:26:19.419 God says, 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:21.279 Speak to the people of Israel, 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:27.599 that they take for me a contribution from every man whose heart moves him. 00:26:27.799 --> 00:26:31.240 You shall receive the contribution for me. 00:26:31.899 --> 00:26:34.059 I'm commanding you to take up, right? 00:26:34.679 --> 00:26:37.819 However people have been moved to give. 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:42.359 1 Chronicles chapter 29 and verse 9. 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:47.779 Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, 00:26:48.339 --> 00:26:53.059 for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. 00:26:53.919 --> 00:26:59.460 So those are some examples of this other type of giving that we see in the Old Testament Scripture. 00:27:00.419 --> 00:27:02.700 So these are the two types of giving, right? 00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:06.980 Voluntary from the heart and required, 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:09.080 which went to support governance. 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:13.220 And this would be my case for this Old Testament command 00:27:13.220 --> 00:27:16.779 no longer being a present command, right? 00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:19.660 Because we do give to the governance of our land. 00:27:19.779 --> 00:27:22.860 We participate in the giving of taxes. 00:27:23.140 --> 00:27:24.460 Matthew chapter 22. 00:27:24.940 --> 00:27:26.140 Jesus talks about paying to Caesar. 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:27.299 What is Caesar? 00:27:27.299 --> 00:27:33.500 Paul talks in Romans chapter 13 about submitting to authority and paying your taxes. 00:27:33.819 --> 00:27:37.279 So we have that type of thing covered, right? 00:27:37.659 --> 00:27:41.200 And don't try to get out of that one because they'll come with guns. 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:44.940 Which is the weirdest thing that IRS agents carry guns. 00:27:45.500 --> 00:27:46.419 I digress. 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:51.420 So, tithing cannot be taught as law. 00:27:51.759 --> 00:27:52.440 I don't believe so. 00:27:53.500 --> 00:27:57.500 But, it can be taught as a principle. 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:59.259 It can be taught as a principle. 00:27:59.380 --> 00:28:03.640 Something for us to pay attention to as we question this in our own lives. 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:05.340 It can be taught as a principle. 00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:08.920 That is to say, 10% is a really great place to start. 00:28:09.600 --> 00:28:13.160 It's a really good place to start. 00:28:13.160 --> 00:28:17.279 Now, if you find yourself in a position where you cannot, 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:21.500 in giving in that way, you would actually become a burden to the church. 00:28:22.060 --> 00:28:25.860 You would have to turn around and then with our post-tax dollars support you. 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:31.000 Maybe you ought not to and very prayerfully consider such a thing. 00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:35.540 But I think, by and large, for most of us, 00:28:36.440 --> 00:28:37.960 I'm going to venture to say all of us, 00:28:37.960 --> 00:28:44.000 but at least most of us can and should use 10% as a starting point. 00:28:44.579 --> 00:28:46.100 And then, I suggest, 00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:50.860 it should be a principle that is exceeded, if possible. 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:54.819 We should be looking for further ways to store up treasure above. 00:28:55.279 --> 00:28:55.420 Right? 00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:57.880 We want to be rich toward God. 00:28:58.380 --> 00:29:02.299 Not toward ourselves, but toward eternal matters. 00:29:02.299 --> 00:29:06.259 So, let's take a look at what the New Testament has to say on the matter. 00:29:06.399 --> 00:29:08.059 As I give you just four reasons. 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:09.960 I think there are some more, but four reasons. 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:14.879 To give, to look toward, and hopefully give at least a tenth, 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:18.500 and then go above and beyond, if possible, that. 00:29:18.639 --> 00:29:20.879 So, try to settle into these and really hear. 00:29:21.639 --> 00:29:24.200 Look at both some Old Testament and some New Testament texts. 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:26.680 But let's try to tie the teaching together. 00:29:26.680 --> 00:29:37.000 So, first, giving at least a tenth today is in keeping with the purpose of the tithe in its day in part. 00:29:37.480 --> 00:29:41.100 We're going to talk about the governance portion of it, 00:29:41.420 --> 00:29:45.860 but it also provided for the Levites. 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:48.779 Numbers chapter 18, 20 and 21. 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:51.539 And the Lord said to Aaron, 00:29:52.320 --> 00:29:55.039 You shall have no inheritance in their land, 00:29:55.039 --> 00:29:57.299 neither shall you have any portion among them. 00:29:57.899 --> 00:30:01.039 I am your portion and your inheritance among the people of Israel. 00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:05.240 To the Levites, I have given every tithe in Israel for an inheritance, 00:30:05.339 --> 00:30:07.339 in return for their service that they do, 00:30:07.859 --> 00:30:10.319 their service in the tent of meeting. 00:30:10.460 --> 00:30:14.099 So, the Levites didn't have a portion in the land where they could profit from it. 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:20.200 They were instead given to a very specific task of administering temple worship. 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:23.480 And so, they received a tenth portion. 00:30:23.480 --> 00:30:29.160 And there are still men and women who set aside vocational employment, 00:30:29.339 --> 00:30:33.099 the ability to earn money in secular employment, 00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:37.660 in order to serve the needs of the church at home and abroad. 00:30:37.940 --> 00:30:38.160 Right? 00:30:38.180 --> 00:30:42.200 We have ministry partners that our church supports for this very reason. 00:30:42.460 --> 00:30:42.660 Right? 00:30:42.819 --> 00:30:43.960 The Whetstones, 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:46.860 Osiyama Obeye in Brazil, 00:30:46.859 --> 00:30:49.319 the Zwingke's in Germany, 00:30:49.439 --> 00:30:51.379 they could not do the work they're doing 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:57.059 if Christian people didn't give generously to that very work. 00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.359 Myself. 00:30:58.699 --> 00:31:01.799 I'm included amongst these people who, 00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:03.799 for many years, worked a job, 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:07.439 but the strain of our church. 00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.660 I love working for our church. 00:31:08.740 --> 00:31:09.660 I shouldn't say it that way. 00:31:10.279 --> 00:31:12.539 The many things that our church needs done, 00:31:13.019 --> 00:31:13.299 right, 00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:18.320 at some point necessitated me stopping working a job in that way 00:31:18.320 --> 00:31:20.180 and being able to be supported 00:31:20.180 --> 00:31:22.480 and to be able to support my family 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:25.340 by working for the church. 00:31:25.339 --> 00:31:28.159 Paul writes to Timothy in 1 Timothy 5, 00:31:28.459 --> 00:31:30.240 verse 17 and 18, 00:31:30.919 --> 00:31:34.179 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, 00:31:34.339 --> 00:31:37.439 especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 00:31:38.099 --> 00:31:39.399 For the Scripture says, 00:31:39.459 --> 00:31:41.379 and this is Deuteronomy 25, 4, 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:45.079 You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain, 00:31:45.299 --> 00:31:49.740 and, this is quoting from Luke 10, 7 and other places, 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:53.319 the laborer deserves his wages. 00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:55.299 Interestingly here, 00:31:56.139 --> 00:31:57.740 Paul is saying to Timothy, right, 00:31:57.939 --> 00:31:59.240 that the elder, 00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:02.299 especially the one who labors in preaching and teaching, 00:32:02.759 --> 00:32:03.000 right, 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:07.119 should get paid for the work that is being done. 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:08.619 And I find it really fascinating 00:32:08.619 --> 00:32:12.139 that he actually says that it is worthy of double honor. 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:14.599 And I actually think he's referring to pay in that case, 00:32:14.799 --> 00:32:17.159 although I'm not complaining about my income 00:32:17.159 --> 00:32:20.799 and would not suggest I make twice as much as you do. 00:32:21.079 --> 00:32:22.599 But there are a lot of churches 00:32:22.599 --> 00:32:22.799 churches, 00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:24.619 a lot of churches, 00:32:24.619 --> 00:32:27.779 that will figure out what the average income is 00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:29.339 of the members of their church 00:32:29.339 --> 00:32:31.639 and pay the pastor that income, right, 00:32:32.000 --> 00:32:34.519 because they don't want him to think too much of himself. 00:32:35.599 --> 00:32:35.759 Oh, 00:32:36.740 --> 00:32:39.240 pay the man for his work that he's doing. 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:41.539 1 Corinthians 9, 00:32:41.679 --> 00:32:42.579 verse 13 and 14, 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:42.679 saying, 00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:46.299 do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service 00:32:46.299 --> 00:32:47.720 get their food from the temple? 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:51.460 And those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.099 In the same way, 00:32:53.159 --> 00:32:55.279 the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:58.000 should get their living by the gospel. 00:32:58.000 --> 00:32:59.759 So, principally speaking, 00:32:59.920 --> 00:33:01.220 giving at least a tenth today, 00:33:01.740 --> 00:33:01.960 right, 00:33:02.099 --> 00:33:06.579 is keeping with that purpose of its provision for the Levites. 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:12.380 And so we look to provide for those who are not doing secular work, 00:33:12.380 --> 00:33:17.740 but rather are doing work specifically for the church and beyond. 00:33:18.820 --> 00:33:19.200 Secondly, 00:33:19.320 --> 00:33:25.120 giving at least a tenth today honors God as the owner and giver of all things. 00:33:25.480 --> 00:33:31.880 It is a wonderful exercise to carve off a substantial portion of the income that you receive 00:33:31.880 --> 00:33:36.820 as an exercise in remembering that this belongs to God. 00:33:37.020 --> 00:33:38.580 Everything I have is His. 00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:42.940 And when I take that time to stop and write the check, 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:45.220 to make it a mental exercise, 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:47.400 to actually have to consider it, 00:33:47.580 --> 00:33:49.940 it's so good for our hearts. 00:33:50.180 --> 00:33:51.760 That's why I've told you guys again and again and again, 00:33:51.840 --> 00:33:55.000 it would make sense for me not to give to the church 00:33:55.000 --> 00:33:58.420 because I'm getting paid on dollars to get taxed 00:33:58.420 --> 00:34:00.240 and I turn around and I give that money back to the church. 00:34:00.240 --> 00:34:05.019 It'd actually be more fiscally efficient for me just to take a pay cut 00:34:05.019 --> 00:34:06.500 for what I would give back. 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:08.000 Are you tracking me on that? 00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.539 It doesn't matter if you don't. 00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:10.719 It would be. 00:34:11.219 --> 00:34:16.000 And I will not do that because I need it to hit my account 00:34:16.000 --> 00:34:19.219 and I need to turn around and write a check back out of my account. 00:34:19.840 --> 00:34:21.480 It's not as efficient fiscally, 00:34:21.679 --> 00:34:23.420 but it's really good for my heart. 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:28.599 It's good for Sam and I to talk about what we will give to the church in this year. 00:34:28.599 --> 00:34:34.079 And that's why we don't do automated online giving, 00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:36.400 both because it's silly to pay a percentage to somebody 00:34:36.400 --> 00:34:37.619 to process that kind of thing, 00:34:38.579 --> 00:34:44.299 but also because you need to go through the exercise of doing it. 00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:45.579 That's why we pass buckets. 00:34:46.339 --> 00:34:48.539 I look back, the last time I preached on giving 00:34:48.539 --> 00:34:50.259 was when we actually started passing buckets, 00:34:50.639 --> 00:34:53.900 and I think it was six years ago when we did that. 00:34:53.900 --> 00:34:56.280 And we do it not to guilt you into giving, 00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:58.340 but to remind you that it matters. 00:34:58.960 --> 00:35:00.400 So all those Sundays that you go, 00:35:01.599 --> 00:35:02.760 next Sunday. 00:35:03.599 --> 00:35:05.240 I know we're forgetful people, 00:35:05.519 --> 00:35:07.240 but do something to set a reminder. 00:35:07.460 --> 00:35:09.360 Help yourself to do this 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:11.220 because it's good for you to consider 00:35:11.220 --> 00:35:16.840 that God is the owner and giver of all things. 00:35:16.840 --> 00:35:21.600 Deuteronomy chapter 14, verse 22 and following. 00:35:23.220 --> 00:35:23.840 God commands, 00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:26.059 you shall tithe all the yield of your seed 00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:28.660 that comes from the field year by year. 00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:30.579 And before the Lord your God 00:35:30.579 --> 00:35:32.039 and the place that He will choose 00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:33.579 to make His name dwell there, 00:35:33.940 --> 00:35:35.880 you shall eat the tithe of your grain, 00:35:35.980 --> 00:35:37.800 of your wine and of your oil, 00:35:38.019 --> 00:35:41.220 and the firstborn of your herd and flock. 00:35:41.640 --> 00:35:42.519 Listen to why. 00:35:42.980 --> 00:35:43.860 Begin to verse 23. 00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:50.860 That you may learn to fear the Lord your God always. 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:55.099 To reverence Him rightly as we should, 00:35:55.180 --> 00:35:59.320 as the giver of all good things. 00:35:59.400 --> 00:36:02.460 It is such a healthy exercise. 00:36:02.700 --> 00:36:03.539 And I'm suggesting to you 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:05.180 that if you will practice this principle, 00:36:05.840 --> 00:36:08.500 which is not the easiest principle to practice, 00:36:08.660 --> 00:36:12.599 a tenth bites in to the income that you have. 00:36:12.599 --> 00:36:17.199 It really presses upon you to stop and consider. 00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:21.319 God is the owner and giver of all things. 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:25.539 Paul says in 1 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 26, 00:36:25.799 --> 00:36:27.559 citing from Psalm 24, 1, 00:36:28.059 --> 00:36:32.920 For the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. 00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:37.760 So, giving at least a tenth is keeping with, 00:36:37.960 --> 00:36:38.599 at least in part, 00:36:38.720 --> 00:36:40.780 this Old Testament purpose of the tithe. 00:36:41.460 --> 00:36:45.659 It helps us honor God as the owner and giver of all things. 00:36:46.920 --> 00:36:53.159 Thirdly, it protects our hearts from the wiles of money. 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:57.900 The deception of money. 00:36:57.900 --> 00:37:01.320 The writer of Hebrews writes in Hebrews chapter 13, 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:02.420 verse 5 and 6, 00:37:03.220 --> 00:37:07.860 Keep your life free from love of money. 00:37:08.220 --> 00:37:10.440 How many of us can honestly say, 00:37:10.980 --> 00:37:15.039 My life is free from love of money. 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:17.180 I think I struggle with that statement. 00:37:17.960 --> 00:37:19.400 I think many of us would. 00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:21.240 Oh, it is deceptive. 00:37:21.239 --> 00:37:25.419 Boy, does it tug at our hearts. 00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:29.759 And be content with what you have. 00:37:30.659 --> 00:37:31.839 For he has said, 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:36.619 I will never leave you nor forsake you. 00:37:37.259 --> 00:37:39.299 So we can confidently say, 00:37:39.739 --> 00:37:40.739 The Lord is my helper. 00:37:41.219 --> 00:37:42.519 I will not fear. 00:37:42.979 --> 00:37:46.019 What can man do to me? 00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:51.099 Keep your life free from the love of money. 00:37:51.420 --> 00:37:58.920 The deception that everything depends on these zeros and ones. 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:01.639 Because you are God's. 00:38:01.759 --> 00:38:04.860 And God is yours. 00:38:07.099 --> 00:38:09.400 Let me read to you from Matthew chapter 6. 00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:11.300 And we will look at this text at greater length 00:38:11.300 --> 00:38:12.980 when we're back in the Sermon on the Mount. 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:14.840 But verse 19 and following, 00:38:14.980 --> 00:38:16.639 Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:38:17.280 --> 00:38:19.980 Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth 00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:21.480 where moth and rust destroy 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:23.500 and where thieves break in and steal. 00:38:24.320 --> 00:38:26.280 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven 00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:27.960 where neither moth nor rust destroys 00:38:27.960 --> 00:38:29.740 and where thieves do not break in and steal. 00:38:30.240 --> 00:38:31.820 For where your treasure is, 00:38:32.380 --> 00:38:33.980 there your heart will be also. 00:38:35.179 --> 00:38:39.000 The eye is the lamp of the body. 00:38:39.380 --> 00:38:40.920 So if your eye is held through, 00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:43.680 your whole body will be full of light. 00:38:44.159 --> 00:38:45.659 But if your eye is bad, 00:38:45.720 --> 00:38:48.400 your whole body will be full of darkness. 00:38:49.659 --> 00:38:51.980 If in the light in you is darkness, 00:38:52.280 --> 00:38:53.840 how great is the darkness? 00:38:54.840 --> 00:38:56.400 No one can serve two masters, 00:38:56.539 --> 00:38:58.320 for either he will hate the one and love the other, 00:38:58.760 --> 00:39:00.240 or he will be devoted to the one 00:39:00.240 --> 00:39:02.159 and despise the other. 00:39:02.260 --> 00:39:06.320 You cannot serve God and money. 00:39:06.320 --> 00:39:08.440 And this language, 00:39:08.600 --> 00:39:10.240 this use of this term eye, 00:39:10.700 --> 00:39:13.559 it's not talking about the physical eye, 00:39:13.680 --> 00:39:16.380 but also could be translated heart. 00:39:17.059 --> 00:39:20.140 The heart is the lamp of the body. 00:39:20.820 --> 00:39:23.140 So if you are devoted in the way 00:39:23.140 --> 00:39:25.000 you should be devoted to God 00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:27.960 and His coming kingdom in your heart, 00:39:28.620 --> 00:39:31.360 then you will be in all things devoted to Him. 00:39:31.680 --> 00:39:33.780 In the way that you arrange yourself, 00:39:33.780 --> 00:39:36.260 the way that you steward your finances, 00:39:36.400 --> 00:39:37.660 the way that you love your family 00:39:37.660 --> 00:39:38.760 and your neighbors, 00:39:39.100 --> 00:39:40.240 the way you're concerned, 00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:41.060 or not concerned, 00:39:41.120 --> 00:39:43.280 about your house. 00:39:43.900 --> 00:39:46.060 And this thing is so clearly punctuated 00:39:46.060 --> 00:39:48.060 at the end of verse 24. 00:39:48.220 --> 00:39:52.920 You cannot serve God and money. 00:39:55.240 --> 00:39:57.820 I'm going to give you an example from history. 00:39:57.820 --> 00:40:00.400 I'm going to give you a man named John Wesley. 00:40:01.620 --> 00:40:05.460 Yes, we are okay quoting John Wesley here. 00:40:06.820 --> 00:40:08.600 Now, I wouldn't give you this 00:40:08.600 --> 00:40:09.700 as a complete example, 00:40:09.820 --> 00:40:10.559 but I want to give it to you 00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:15.539 as an example of lavish, 00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:18.400 expounding, growing generosity. 00:40:19.480 --> 00:40:21.220 In his first year as a pastor, 00:40:21.219 --> 00:40:24.000 his income was 30 pounds. 00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:27.459 And he found he could live on 28 00:40:27.459 --> 00:40:29.639 and so gave away two. 00:40:29.759 --> 00:40:30.619 You see why I'm not using him 00:40:30.619 --> 00:40:31.859 as an example in that case. 00:40:32.739 --> 00:40:33.500 I figured it would have been good 00:40:33.500 --> 00:40:35.599 for him to give to the church 00:40:35.599 --> 00:40:37.139 that he was a pastor of. 00:40:37.899 --> 00:40:38.619 But I digress. 00:40:38.759 --> 00:40:40.599 So he gave away two 00:40:40.599 --> 00:40:42.599 because he could live on 28. 00:40:42.739 --> 00:40:43.839 And this is the part I really want you 00:40:43.839 --> 00:40:44.619 to pay attention to. 00:40:44.779 --> 00:40:45.659 In the second year, 00:40:45.959 --> 00:40:47.419 his income doubled, 00:40:47.539 --> 00:40:49.219 but he held his expenses even. 00:40:49.219 --> 00:40:54.719 And so he had 32 pounds to give away, 00:40:54.899 --> 00:40:56.519 which was a comfortable year's income 00:40:56.519 --> 00:40:57.759 in that time. 00:40:58.159 --> 00:41:01.199 He gave away a whole other living. 00:41:02.599 --> 00:41:04.119 In the third year, 00:41:04.739 --> 00:41:06.619 his income jumped to 90 pounds. 00:41:06.699 --> 00:41:07.679 I don't know what he was doing 00:41:07.679 --> 00:41:08.519 to make this happen, 00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:11.699 but he had tripled it in three years, 00:41:11.819 --> 00:41:13.359 but it jumped to 90 pounds 00:41:13.359 --> 00:41:17.459 and he gave away 62 pounds. 00:41:17.460 --> 00:41:20.220 In his long life, 00:41:20.360 --> 00:41:22.400 Wesley's income advanced 00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:26.159 to as high as 1,400 pounds in a year, 00:41:26.420 --> 00:41:29.440 but he rarely let his expenses rise 00:41:29.440 --> 00:41:31.159 above 30 pounds. 00:41:32.599 --> 00:41:33.780 So there was a man that saw, 00:41:34.300 --> 00:41:36.340 I have needs, clearly, 00:41:36.679 --> 00:41:37.460 a place to live, 00:41:38.199 --> 00:41:39.260 clothes to put on, 00:41:39.940 --> 00:41:40.860 food to eat. 00:41:41.360 --> 00:41:43.280 I am sure that Wesley traveled, 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:45.460 took a holiday from time to time. 00:41:45.460 --> 00:41:47.300 I don't think that he was a pauper, 00:41:47.539 --> 00:41:48.240 but he found, 00:41:48.460 --> 00:41:49.880 I can live on this. 00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:53.500 What should I use the excess for? 00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:56.079 Heavenly reward. 00:41:56.500 --> 00:41:58.179 That's what I should use it for. 00:41:58.800 --> 00:42:00.300 You see why it's so unloving 00:42:00.300 --> 00:42:02.360 to withhold this kind of teaching from people? 00:42:03.360 --> 00:42:04.519 I fear someday, 00:42:04.980 --> 00:42:06.139 many Christians will be in heaven 00:42:06.139 --> 00:42:06.500 and they'll go, 00:42:06.579 --> 00:42:08.480 oh, if our pastor had only told us. 00:42:09.220 --> 00:42:11.320 I could have had that kind of a house, 00:42:11.320 --> 00:42:13.940 but instead I live in this kind of a house 00:42:13.940 --> 00:42:17.120 because in my short years on earth, 00:42:17.680 --> 00:42:20.140 I spent it on myself. 00:42:20.660 --> 00:42:22.200 I tore down my barns 00:42:22.200 --> 00:42:24.340 and I built bigger ones. 00:42:27.039 --> 00:42:27.600 Fourthly, 00:42:28.280 --> 00:42:29.840 giving at least a tenth today 00:42:29.840 --> 00:42:32.900 is a means for good works 00:42:32.900 --> 00:42:34.559 which glorify God. 00:42:34.559 --> 00:42:36.579 We ought to care, 00:42:36.940 --> 00:42:37.159 beloved, 00:42:37.659 --> 00:42:38.920 primarily as people 00:42:38.920 --> 00:42:40.179 about the glory of God. 00:42:40.259 --> 00:42:42.659 God would be known as he is 00:42:42.659 --> 00:42:43.659 in the world. 00:42:44.719 --> 00:42:46.279 And we get to accomplish that 00:42:46.279 --> 00:42:47.539 certainly with our words, 00:42:48.299 --> 00:42:49.279 primarily even, 00:42:49.460 --> 00:42:52.279 but also with our good working, 00:42:52.759 --> 00:42:54.380 spending generously 00:42:54.380 --> 00:42:57.299 to solve the issues 00:42:57.299 --> 00:42:58.799 of our world. 00:42:59.480 --> 00:43:00.320 If there's anybody 00:43:00.320 --> 00:43:01.659 that should be pushing back 00:43:01.659 --> 00:43:03.179 against the curse 00:43:03.179 --> 00:43:04.460 and all of its effects 00:43:04.460 --> 00:43:04.799 in the world, 00:43:04.859 --> 00:43:05.859 it should be the church. 00:43:06.819 --> 00:43:07.079 He's saying, 00:43:07.179 --> 00:43:07.879 we're a people 00:43:07.879 --> 00:43:09.679 who are set against the curse. 00:43:10.420 --> 00:43:12.219 We want to see it reversed. 00:43:13.259 --> 00:43:14.279 It finally will be 00:43:14.279 --> 00:43:17.279 when our Lord and Savior returns. 00:43:19.099 --> 00:43:20.359 Paul writes to the Corinthian church, 00:43:20.359 --> 00:43:21.639 2 Corinthians 9, 00:43:22.219 --> 00:43:23.440 verse 6 and following, 00:43:24.519 --> 00:43:25.359 whoever sows sparingly 00:43:25.920 --> 00:43:27.940 will also reap sparingly. 00:43:28.359 --> 00:43:30.059 And whoever sows bountifully 00:43:30.059 --> 00:43:32.519 will also reap bountifully. 00:43:33.380 --> 00:43:34.619 Each one must give 00:43:34.619 --> 00:43:36.079 as he has decided in his heart, 00:43:36.199 --> 00:43:37.039 not reluctantly 00:43:37.039 --> 00:43:38.279 or under compulsion, 00:43:39.119 --> 00:43:40.259 for God loves 00:43:40.259 --> 00:43:41.659 a cheerful giver. 00:43:42.699 --> 00:43:43.779 And God's grace, 00:43:44.000 --> 00:43:44.679 God is able to make 00:43:44.679 --> 00:43:45.940 all grace abound to you 00:43:45.940 --> 00:43:47.299 so that having all sufficiency 00:43:47.299 --> 00:43:48.320 in all things 00:43:48.320 --> 00:43:49.320 at all times, 00:43:49.599 --> 00:43:50.599 you may abound 00:43:50.599 --> 00:43:52.940 in every good work. 00:43:53.599 --> 00:43:54.460 As it is written, 00:43:55.019 --> 00:43:56.639 Psalm 112, 9, 00:43:57.340 --> 00:43:58.579 He has distributed freely, 00:43:58.579 --> 00:44:00.139 He has given to the poor, 00:44:00.659 --> 00:44:03.199 His righteousness endures forever. 00:44:04.139 --> 00:44:05.900 He who supplies seed to the sower 00:44:05.900 --> 00:44:07.019 and bread for food 00:44:07.019 --> 00:44:08.319 will supply and multiply 00:44:08.319 --> 00:44:09.599 your seed for sowing 00:44:09.599 --> 00:44:11.719 and increase the harvest 00:44:11.719 --> 00:44:13.099 of your righteousness. 00:44:14.239 --> 00:44:16.420 So we've been given resource 00:44:16.420 --> 00:44:18.679 for the sake of bringing forth 00:44:18.679 --> 00:44:20.940 the fruit of righteousness. 00:44:21.179 --> 00:44:22.719 That's the Nathan version summary 00:44:22.719 --> 00:44:23.840 of that, right? 00:44:23.980 --> 00:44:25.579 So we ought to do it cheerfully. 00:44:25.579 --> 00:44:26.960 We ought not do it 00:44:26.960 --> 00:44:27.679 under compulsion, 00:44:27.779 --> 00:44:28.360 under a law, 00:44:28.400 --> 00:44:28.980 but we ought to do it 00:44:28.980 --> 00:44:31.420 because we want heavenly reward, 00:44:31.779 --> 00:44:32.000 right? 00:44:32.019 --> 00:44:35.500 We want to see God's kingdom come 00:44:35.500 --> 00:44:37.000 that we might rejoice 00:44:37.000 --> 00:44:39.699 in its riches forever. 00:44:40.739 --> 00:44:42.460 And the primary way 00:44:42.460 --> 00:44:44.639 that Christian people should do this 00:44:44.639 --> 00:44:46.059 is giving to their local church. 00:44:46.719 --> 00:44:47.860 And I know our culture, 00:44:48.039 --> 00:44:49.039 we have a lot of churches 00:44:49.039 --> 00:44:50.779 that just seem to not need 00:44:50.779 --> 00:44:51.559 any more money. 00:44:51.559 --> 00:44:53.940 And that very well may be true, 00:44:54.179 --> 00:44:54.360 right? 00:44:54.779 --> 00:44:56.199 Big and elaborate 00:44:56.199 --> 00:44:58.340 and lavish budgets. 00:44:59.059 --> 00:45:00.659 Just don't be part of a church like that. 00:45:00.799 --> 00:45:01.500 Be part of a church 00:45:01.500 --> 00:45:03.779 where you can look at the budget 00:45:03.779 --> 00:45:05.820 and wholeheartedly agree with it. 00:45:06.179 --> 00:45:06.900 Say, yes, 00:45:07.340 --> 00:45:09.559 this is spending that is consistent 00:45:09.559 --> 00:45:11.679 with God's purpose in the world. 00:45:11.759 --> 00:45:13.659 I can support this. 00:45:14.400 --> 00:45:15.679 Just imagine 00:45:15.679 --> 00:45:17.400 if a church that's devoted 00:45:17.400 --> 00:45:18.259 to God's word 00:45:18.259 --> 00:45:19.840 and spending money in God's way, 00:45:19.840 --> 00:45:23.100 if those people would pour out wealth, 00:45:23.340 --> 00:45:24.860 what could be accomplished 00:45:24.860 --> 00:45:26.000 in that way? 00:45:26.140 --> 00:45:27.000 Wouldn't we love to see 00:45:27.000 --> 00:45:28.079 some of our ministry partners 00:45:28.079 --> 00:45:30.920 fully supported by our church? 00:45:31.100 --> 00:45:32.640 Not having to worry about 00:45:32.640 --> 00:45:34.180 fundraising efforts. 00:45:34.460 --> 00:45:36.019 Not having to constantly call 00:45:36.019 --> 00:45:37.600 and remind their supporters 00:45:37.600 --> 00:45:38.460 that they need them 00:45:38.460 --> 00:45:39.640 to actually do the thing 00:45:39.640 --> 00:45:41.059 that they said they would do 00:45:41.059 --> 00:45:42.680 so that they can feed their family. 00:45:43.460 --> 00:45:44.620 Wouldn't it be good 00:45:44.620 --> 00:45:45.680 for that to happen? 00:45:46.039 --> 00:45:46.800 Wouldn't it be good 00:45:46.800 --> 00:45:47.720 for us as a church 00:45:47.719 --> 00:45:49.679 to be about praying for 00:45:49.679 --> 00:45:50.699 unreached people 00:45:50.699 --> 00:45:52.459 and have a young couple 00:45:52.459 --> 00:45:53.099 in our church 00:45:53.099 --> 00:45:54.719 just burn with the desire 00:45:54.719 --> 00:45:56.339 to go to that unreached people 00:45:56.339 --> 00:45:57.859 and for us just to say, 00:45:57.980 --> 00:45:58.619 go. 00:45:59.139 --> 00:46:00.559 We've got your back. 00:46:00.980 --> 00:46:01.059 Right? 00:46:01.159 --> 00:46:02.179 We can cover this 00:46:02.179 --> 00:46:03.519 because we have all this money 00:46:03.519 --> 00:46:04.119 and we don't know 00:46:04.119 --> 00:46:04.779 what to do with it. 00:46:05.139 --> 00:46:05.519 Clearly, 00:46:05.939 --> 00:46:07.559 the Lord was setting it aside 00:46:07.559 --> 00:46:08.459 for you 00:46:08.459 --> 00:46:09.739 and for that people 00:46:09.739 --> 00:46:10.679 to hear the gospel 00:46:10.679 --> 00:46:11.919 of Jesus Christ. 00:46:12.099 --> 00:46:12.219 Right? 00:46:12.219 --> 00:46:13.819 That is so much more valuable 00:46:13.819 --> 00:46:14.819 than our homes 00:46:14.820 --> 00:46:15.480 and our cars 00:46:15.480 --> 00:46:16.680 and our whatever it is 00:46:16.680 --> 00:46:18.300 that we're investing 00:46:18.300 --> 00:46:20.720 so heavily in. 00:46:23.180 --> 00:46:25.440 What is the storehouse 00:46:25.440 --> 00:46:27.620 that God is talking about 00:46:27.620 --> 00:46:31.160 in Malachi 3, verse 10? 00:46:31.580 --> 00:46:32.700 I would suggest to you 00:46:32.700 --> 00:46:34.300 that it's the local church. 00:46:35.760 --> 00:46:37.980 Collectively stewarding 00:46:37.980 --> 00:46:40.240 these resources together. 00:46:40.820 --> 00:46:41.260 God says, 00:46:41.580 --> 00:46:42.700 bring the full tithe 00:46:42.699 --> 00:46:43.619 into the storehouse 00:46:43.619 --> 00:46:45.299 that there may be food 00:46:45.299 --> 00:46:46.019 in my house 00:46:46.019 --> 00:46:47.619 and thereby put me 00:46:47.619 --> 00:46:48.179 to the test, 00:46:48.299 --> 00:46:48.960 the Lord of hosts. 00:46:49.319 --> 00:46:50.219 Says the Lord of hosts, 00:46:50.779 --> 00:46:52.219 I will not open 00:46:52.219 --> 00:46:53.419 the windows of heaven for you 00:46:53.419 --> 00:46:54.359 and pour down for you 00:46:54.359 --> 00:46:55.099 a blessing 00:46:55.099 --> 00:46:58.699 until there is no more need. 00:46:59.559 --> 00:47:01.839 A wonderful thought that is. 00:47:01.879 --> 00:47:02.919 What a wonderful thing 00:47:02.919 --> 00:47:05.279 that would be in our church 00:47:05.279 --> 00:47:06.779 that we would be able 00:47:06.779 --> 00:47:08.859 to have the means 00:47:08.859 --> 00:47:09.799 at our disposal 00:47:09.800 --> 00:47:12.500 for every possible good work 00:47:12.500 --> 00:47:13.780 that we could come up with 00:47:13.780 --> 00:47:15.420 to the glory of God. 00:47:17.300 --> 00:47:18.480 So those are four reasons 00:47:18.480 --> 00:47:19.140 that giving 00:47:19.140 --> 00:47:20.720 at least 00:47:20.720 --> 00:47:22.620 a tenth today 00:47:22.620 --> 00:47:23.539 is something 00:47:23.539 --> 00:47:24.360 that ought to be 00:47:24.360 --> 00:47:26.280 seriously considered. 00:47:26.860 --> 00:47:27.640 And if you 00:47:27.640 --> 00:47:29.080 stop to consider 00:47:29.080 --> 00:47:30.940 the very front edge, 00:47:31.140 --> 00:47:31.760 I know many of you 00:47:31.760 --> 00:47:32.780 don't even have budgets. 00:47:33.340 --> 00:47:33.880 Let me presume 00:47:33.880 --> 00:47:34.880 for a second that you do. 00:47:34.880 --> 00:47:37.080 You sit down 00:47:37.080 --> 00:47:37.940 and you start 00:47:37.940 --> 00:47:38.639 with giving. 00:47:40.099 --> 00:47:40.920 And you ask the Lord, 00:47:41.019 --> 00:47:41.980 Lord, would you have him give 00:47:41.980 --> 00:47:42.480 a tenth 00:47:42.480 --> 00:47:44.139 and possibly beyond? 00:47:44.740 --> 00:47:45.280 And then you begin 00:47:45.280 --> 00:47:45.920 to arrange 00:47:45.920 --> 00:47:46.800 everything out 00:47:46.800 --> 00:47:47.559 beyond that. 00:47:48.300 --> 00:47:49.500 How very neatly 00:47:49.500 --> 00:47:50.340 the rest 00:47:50.340 --> 00:47:51.500 works itself out. 00:47:52.340 --> 00:47:53.240 You begin to say, 00:47:53.420 --> 00:47:54.159 I'm going to devote 00:47:54.159 --> 00:47:55.519 all that I have 00:47:55.519 --> 00:47:56.700 to the kingdom 00:47:56.700 --> 00:47:57.679 of God 00:47:57.679 --> 00:47:59.019 and then see 00:47:59.019 --> 00:48:00.079 what may fall 00:48:00.079 --> 00:48:00.659 out 00:48:00.659 --> 00:48:02.320 and beyond that. 00:48:02.760 --> 00:48:03.179 I could say 00:48:03.179 --> 00:48:03.940 so much more 00:48:03.940 --> 00:48:04.980 about tithing, 00:48:05.079 --> 00:48:05.700 about saving, 00:48:06.000 --> 00:48:06.659 about retirement. 00:48:06.860 --> 00:48:06.980 I mean, 00:48:06.980 --> 00:48:07.860 there's a lot of things 00:48:07.860 --> 00:48:08.400 to be said. 00:48:08.460 --> 00:48:08.840 I don't want us 00:48:08.840 --> 00:48:09.460 to be foolish 00:48:09.460 --> 00:48:10.260 with our dollars. 00:48:11.920 --> 00:48:12.619 I think that we need 00:48:12.619 --> 00:48:13.559 to very prayerfully 00:48:13.559 --> 00:48:15.059 on the front end 00:48:15.059 --> 00:48:17.320 seek God's will 00:48:17.320 --> 00:48:18.119 and how he would 00:48:18.119 --> 00:48:19.420 have us directly 00:48:19.420 --> 00:48:20.320 invest 00:48:20.320 --> 00:48:22.619 in kingdom things. 00:48:24.139 --> 00:48:25.760 Bring the tithe 00:48:25.760 --> 00:48:27.199 into the storehouse 00:48:27.199 --> 00:48:27.940 and just see 00:48:27.940 --> 00:48:28.519 what God 00:48:28.519 --> 00:48:29.639 might do 00:48:29.639 --> 00:48:30.780 in your life 00:48:30.780 --> 00:48:31.480 and in the life 00:48:31.480 --> 00:48:33.280 of our church. 00:48:34.699 --> 00:48:35.740 So in conclusion, 00:48:35.739 --> 00:48:38.279 giving at least 00:48:38.279 --> 00:48:39.119 a tenth of days 00:48:39.119 --> 00:48:39.579 and keeping 00:48:39.579 --> 00:48:40.259 with the purpose 00:48:40.259 --> 00:48:41.000 of the tithe 00:48:41.000 --> 00:48:42.119 in its day 00:48:42.119 --> 00:48:44.219 because it honors God 00:48:44.219 --> 00:48:45.779 as the owner 00:48:45.779 --> 00:48:46.139 and giver 00:48:46.139 --> 00:48:46.859 of all things. 00:48:47.000 --> 00:48:48.019 It helps protect 00:48:48.019 --> 00:48:48.799 our hearts 00:48:48.799 --> 00:48:50.599 from the wiles, 00:48:50.719 --> 00:48:51.199 the dangers 00:48:51.199 --> 00:48:51.699 of money 00:48:51.699 --> 00:48:53.119 and it's a means 00:48:53.119 --> 00:48:53.919 for good works 00:48:53.919 --> 00:48:55.199 which are to the glory 00:48:55.199 --> 00:48:56.179 of God. 00:48:56.979 --> 00:48:58.139 May we be a people 00:48:58.139 --> 00:48:58.899 set apart 00:48:58.899 --> 00:49:00.319 in every way 00:49:00.319 --> 00:49:00.919 with hearts 00:49:00.919 --> 00:49:01.799 so devoted 00:49:01.799 --> 00:49:02.359 to the worship 00:49:02.359 --> 00:49:03.139 of our living God 00:49:03.139 --> 00:49:03.959 and so set 00:49:03.960 --> 00:49:04.559 on the coming 00:49:04.559 --> 00:49:05.220 of his kingdom 00:49:05.220 --> 00:49:06.440 that we would 00:49:06.440 --> 00:49:07.579 gladly spend 00:49:07.579 --> 00:49:08.820 and be spent 00:49:08.820 --> 00:49:09.780 for the sake 00:49:09.780 --> 00:49:10.240 of others. 00:49:11.280 --> 00:49:12.240 May we be a people 00:49:12.240 --> 00:49:13.099 who are rich 00:49:13.099 --> 00:49:14.599 beyond our wildest 00:49:14.599 --> 00:49:15.320 imaginations 00:49:15.320 --> 00:49:17.519 with heavenly wealth, 00:49:18.519 --> 00:49:18.960 a wealth 00:49:18.960 --> 00:49:19.679 that moths 00:49:19.679 --> 00:49:20.320 and rust 00:49:20.320 --> 00:49:21.240 cannot destroy 00:49:21.240 --> 00:49:22.780 and that thieves 00:49:22.780 --> 00:49:24.360 cannot break in 00:49:24.360 --> 00:49:24.720 and steal. 00:49:25.860 --> 00:49:26.480 Let's pray. 00:49:26.480 --> 00:49:26.579 Amen. 00:49:26.579 --> 00:49:26.579 00:49:26.579 --> 00:49:26.579 00:49:26.579 --> 00:49:26.579 00:49:26.579 --> 00:49:26.579 00:49:26.579 --> 00:49:26.579 00:49:26.579 --> 00:49:26.579 00:49:26.579 --> 00:49:26.579