WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.300 Thank you. 00:00:11.759 --> 00:00:16.000 Well, I suppose the first thing that I should do is take my watch off. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:21.600 ! And as you know, when a pastor takes his watch off, it means nothing at all. 00:00:26.400 --> 00:00:26.879 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:42.799 I am very sensitive to the work of the Holy Spirit in my life and in your life. 00:00:42.799 --> 00:00:51.280 And I am fully persuaded that the text in Ephesians, which explains the characteristics 00:00:51.280 --> 00:00:57.760 of a Spirit-filled believer, indicates that when people are filled with the Spirit, it 00:00:57.759 --> 00:01:04.079 shows up in their countenance, in their conversation, and it also shows up in their singing. 00:01:04.079 --> 00:01:12.400 And I have a wonderful seat up here in the front because the singing that you engage in 00:01:12.400 --> 00:01:15.200 kind of flows over top of me. 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:19.920 And then I have all these wonderful people on the front who minister to me as well and 00:01:19.920 --> 00:01:21.440 encourage us. 00:01:21.440 --> 00:01:27.200 They are there principally to encourage us in our corporate ministry in the Word. 00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:32.799 And so my thanks to all of you for that. 00:01:32.799 --> 00:01:38.719 I would like you to turn in your Bible this morning as we will spend this week and next 00:01:38.719 --> 00:01:48.800 week addressing the biblical topic of stewardship to the chapters in 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 where 00:01:48.799 --> 00:01:56.479 the apostle goes to great length to address the subject to believers there in Corinth who in his affection 00:01:56.479 --> 00:02:02.319 for them, he wanted to be sure that they understood some of the underlying principles of the walk of faith. 00:02:02.319 --> 00:02:05.039 There's hardly a month. 00:02:05.039 --> 00:02:10.799 In fact, I think it would probably be exaggeration to say there's not a week that goes by, but there's never a month 00:02:10.799 --> 00:02:21.919 that goes by that I do not receive either electronically or through the mail some kind of notification to go to a seminar 00:02:21.919 --> 00:02:32.799 or purchase a program or pick up some kind of materials that will help this congregation with our stewardship. 00:02:34.319 --> 00:02:41.039 And I want you to understand that every one of them proposes that if I would go ahead and buy the product that they are offering 00:02:41.039 --> 00:02:46.719 that I can be certain that there are going to be these wonderful outcomes that are going to be expected 00:02:46.719 --> 00:02:53.560 and they have these testimonials by one person after another that says, well, we use blah, blah, blah and bing, bang 00:02:53.560 --> 00:02:56.599 and it all happened and it's wonderful and unbelievable. 00:02:56.939 --> 00:03:04.219 And so I take these things and I do with them what I have done for about 30 some years in ministry 00:03:04.219 --> 00:03:06.439 and I just throw them in the trash. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:12.300 I do want you to understand that the business of fundraising is big business 00:03:12.300 --> 00:03:16.039 and it's not a subject that can be neglected. 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:22.080 It's near the top of the requirements for a university president. 00:03:22.199 --> 00:03:26.599 It may not be one of the things that is right there, check this box, can you do it? 00:03:26.639 --> 00:03:32.740 But I assure you that the board of trustees, when they're evaluating whether or not a man should be considered 00:03:32.740 --> 00:03:40.419 as a potential individual for a position such as president of the seminary or the university or whatever, 00:03:40.419 --> 00:03:43.460 they want to be sure, can this guy raise funds? 00:03:43.460 --> 00:03:50.000 You also find that the same thing is true in public nonprofits. 00:03:50.000 --> 00:03:54.219 You know, there's always this question, okay, how will this person do it fundraising? 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:59.620 And it's one of the underlying truths that is part of every organization's existence. 00:04:00.700 --> 00:04:05.860 And something that has interested me over the years, and I will tell you that I read the materials that, 00:04:05.860 --> 00:04:11.220 at least in part, I kind of scan them, but one of the things I'm always looking for, and follow this, 00:04:11.420 --> 00:04:18.240 I'm always looking to see what is the motivating principle that is at the center of the package. 00:04:18.600 --> 00:04:26.600 Because here's what I know, that the issues of motive and what motivates people to do whatever it is 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:33.460 that you're encouraging them to do is a real giveaway, a real indicator of what the underlying issues are. 00:04:34.400 --> 00:04:40.360 And some will propose that, hey, listen, if you're generous with your giving, guess what? 00:04:40.400 --> 00:04:46.080 There's really good news for family members who are in purgatory because you can kind of diminish the longevity 00:04:46.080 --> 00:04:48.580 of their prospect of staying there. 00:04:49.840 --> 00:04:50.780 Did you know that? 00:04:50.779 --> 00:04:57.079 It's not anything I've ever preached about here, I can tell you that, but there are contexts and constructs 00:04:57.079 --> 00:04:58.259 in which it's understood. 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:05.500 Or here's another one, and it's the language of, okay, you're going to go to hell, 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:10.799 but you can shorten your stay in hell by being generous. 00:05:12.119 --> 00:05:16.699 Now, with that kind of preaching, you could imagine that people would be scared spitless, 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:20.279 and unless they became inured to the whole process, they'd be pretty generous. 00:05:20.279 --> 00:05:23.519 There are others who suggest that, listen, I want to tell you something. 00:05:24.099 --> 00:05:29.819 Your generosity is pretty critical to the sad-eyed puppies and, you know, SPCA. 00:05:29.939 --> 00:05:31.259 How many of you can't just take it? 00:05:31.339 --> 00:05:36.899 I mean, around the holidays, the Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, just, they, 00:05:37.139 --> 00:05:38.839 I can only take them a click. 00:05:40.419 --> 00:05:44.379 But, I mean, the songs and the sad, I mean, it's horrible. 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:48.039 God says don't mistreat animals, but you know what? 00:05:48.039 --> 00:05:49.939 It's all about how do you raise funds? 00:05:50.779 --> 00:05:55.019 And then there are others, and I do listen to them occasionally, just for a little micro-second. 00:05:55.519 --> 00:06:01.099 I mean, Joyce Myers or, you know, what is his name, the current hair-slicked-back guy? 00:06:01.239 --> 00:06:02.179 Help me, help me, help me. 00:06:03.459 --> 00:06:04.859 Joe Osteen, there it is. 00:06:04.860 --> 00:06:11.400 One person was saying to me, I stopped visiting them at home, and they, oh, isn't he wonderful? 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:12.220 I said, what? 00:06:13.100 --> 00:06:17.620 You know, and I decided I wouldn't go off on the situation because the person is in their 90s, 00:06:17.620 --> 00:06:19.939 and I decided, you know, I'm not going to change the situation. 00:06:20.240 --> 00:06:24.180 But, you know, every now and then I just kind of stop in just for a little peek. 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:29.199 How's it working for Joyce, and how's it working for Joel, you know, and hear their stories. 00:06:29.540 --> 00:06:36.120 And, you know, the underlying attitude is this, is that your giving is really the key that unlocks God's storehouse. 00:06:36.120 --> 00:06:40.240 I mean, here it is, kind of a mathematical equation. 00:06:40.360 --> 00:06:41.399 You give 10, you get 100. 00:06:42.540 --> 00:06:44.259 You give 20, you get 200. 00:06:44.360 --> 00:06:45.019 You know how it works? 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:46.740 And so, hey, that's a no-brainer. 00:06:47.000 --> 00:06:50.680 If that was a guarantee in the stock market, all of us would be filthy rich. 00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:57.500 And so, we find one motivation after another, and I do pay attention to the motives, 00:06:58.100 --> 00:07:04.480 because they really are a giveaway at the underlying thought process that these various programs offer. 00:07:04.480 --> 00:07:11.759 So, let me tell you something, and something that you have not heard me ever say before. 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:19.280 Last, this last Saturday, that was yesterday, because you know Sunday is the new week, correct? 00:07:19.960 --> 00:07:21.300 Nod your head, you know that, okay? 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:24.060 Last Saturday, that was only yesterday. 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:28.340 Around about 8.30 in the morning, our pastors and deacons were meeting, 00:07:28.340 --> 00:07:32.140 and one of the things that we were prayerfully deliberating on and considering 00:07:32.139 --> 00:07:38.759 is the fact that your generosity as a congregation exceeded our budget by a full 10%. 00:07:38.759 --> 00:07:46.300 And so, here is the board praying about being good stewards with the surplus. 00:07:47.039 --> 00:07:52.219 We don't have an answer yet, but we want all of us to work at this together over time, 00:07:52.479 --> 00:07:53.500 so we don't make... 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:55.479 How many of you, when you come home and say to your wife, 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:58.600 if I got a raise, she's already got it spent in less than 30 minutes? 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:03.720 I don't want to say anything unkind here, but it's human nature. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:04.819 We all got plans. 00:08:05.759 --> 00:08:07.060 And so, we want to pray. 00:08:07.180 --> 00:08:08.140 We want to ask Jesus. 00:08:08.300 --> 00:08:09.860 We want to talk together as a fellowship. 00:08:10.319 --> 00:08:14.100 But I can tell you, in all the years of being a pastor and teaching on stewardship, 00:08:14.100 --> 00:08:16.939 I've not walked to the pulpit and been able to say, 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:17.759 guess what, folks? 00:08:17.759 --> 00:08:23.959 We're in a situation where we're trying to think about how to wisely and in an honorable fashion to God, 00:08:24.060 --> 00:08:24.879 use the surplus. 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:32.080 So, I am not preaching this morning on stewardship 00:08:32.080 --> 00:08:36.519 because this fellowship is in an impoverished status. 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:41.740 Over all the years that I have ministered, whether it is here or in one other place, 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:51.659 I have seen every case where the faithful, methodic, dependable preaching of the Word of God 00:08:51.659 --> 00:09:01.759 produces in people's hearts a quiet obedience to the issue of faithfulness in stewardship. 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:06.100 And so, this morning, the reason I preach on the subject 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:13.460 is to do my responsible job of encouraging you to understand that the God of this universe 00:09:13.460 --> 00:09:19.159 has established some principles that bring glory to his name and good to his people. 00:09:21.040 --> 00:09:27.080 And there is no accident that I am in 2 Corinthians chapter 8. 00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:30.080 Let me explain what I mean by that. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:35.320 In order to preach the Word of God, 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:38.980 I have to be in the Word of God. 00:09:39.040 --> 00:09:39.780 Does that make sense? 00:09:40.879 --> 00:09:43.320 I'm not up here to tell you stories about giving. 00:09:43.639 --> 00:09:45.800 I am up here to open up the Word of God 00:09:45.800 --> 00:09:47.280 and rely upon the Spirit of God 00:09:47.280 --> 00:09:49.100 to touch the heart of God's people 00:09:49.100 --> 00:09:50.500 and lead them to say, 00:09:50.920 --> 00:09:52.740 He is wise and He is good 00:09:52.740 --> 00:09:56.300 and He is deserving of my willing sacrifice 00:09:56.300 --> 00:09:57.600 and my life 00:09:57.600 --> 00:10:01.080 and my wallet is just a small part of the bigger picture. 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:07.379 So, as we take 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and 9 in hand, 00:10:08.700 --> 00:10:10.820 I want you to understand in a broad way 00:10:10.820 --> 00:10:16.519 that true Christian giving reflects, for one, our view of God. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:20.180 Secondly, it reflects our view of self. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:24.620 And third, it reflects our view of what really matters. 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:29.980 Having said that, I want you to turn now to 2 Corinthians chapter 8 00:10:29.980 --> 00:10:32.659 and just pick up there in chapter 8 verse 1 00:10:32.659 --> 00:10:35.960 where the apostle, in writing this letter to the church at Corinth, 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.679 he starts out the chapter, he says, 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:40.440 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God 00:10:40.440 --> 00:10:43.379 that has been given among the churches of Macedonia. 00:10:45.060 --> 00:10:49.240 Paul begins this two-chapter lesson on generous giving 00:10:49.240 --> 00:10:54.480 by really pointing to the work of God 00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:56.379 in the hearts of other believers 00:10:56.379 --> 00:10:58.779 that he is going to use as an example. 00:10:58.899 --> 00:11:01.320 And as he points to the generous hearts 00:11:01.320 --> 00:11:03.379 of these impoverished Macedonians, 00:11:03.600 --> 00:11:05.340 what he is really pointing out 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:08.279 is that their attitudes were the way they were 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:09.639 because of the grace of God. 00:11:10.080 --> 00:11:14.860 It wasn't because of their excess that they had 00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:15.879 that they were being generous 00:11:15.879 --> 00:11:18.939 or because they had grown up in certain kinds of homes. 00:11:19.139 --> 00:11:21.220 They had grown up like the rest of us. 00:11:21.299 --> 00:11:24.799 They started out as bankrupt morally as every other person. 00:11:25.159 --> 00:11:27.299 And yet the Spirit of God had gotten hold of their hearts 00:11:27.299 --> 00:11:28.779 and brought them to the place 00:11:28.779 --> 00:11:31.720 where they saw biblical stewardship 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:34.139 as an opportunity and as a blessing 00:11:34.139 --> 00:11:35.220 rather than a liability. 00:11:36.939 --> 00:11:38.399 The fact that the poor believers, 00:11:38.600 --> 00:11:39.860 and I read your way through here, 00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:40.980 it says here, 00:11:40.980 --> 00:11:43.440 for in a severe test of affliction, 00:11:43.620 --> 00:11:46.060 their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty 00:11:46.060 --> 00:11:50.580 have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 00:11:51.899 --> 00:11:57.480 The fact that these poor, impoverished Macedonians 00:11:57.480 --> 00:11:59.940 were so generous with their resources 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:04.840 was something that could not be explained in human terms. 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:08.460 It wasn't something that you could kind of track back 00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:10.980 to a program or to kind of a strategy. 00:12:11.180 --> 00:12:12.720 We're going to have everybody come together 00:12:12.720 --> 00:12:14.879 and we're going to have this, you know, 00:12:15.000 --> 00:12:19.280 fancy little proposal of tiering people in their giving 00:12:19.280 --> 00:12:20.300 and all that kind of stuff. 00:12:20.340 --> 00:12:22.740 I'll never forget years ago in ministry 00:12:22.740 --> 00:12:24.040 where I was in a home 00:12:24.040 --> 00:12:24.660 and the person, 00:12:25.139 --> 00:12:26.759 they had just stopped in to visit our church 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:29.560 and they had very good questions about stewardship. 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:30.320 And I thought, 00:12:30.440 --> 00:12:31.840 well, that's a good thing to ask about. 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:32.800 I mean, it is. 00:12:32.799 --> 00:12:35.919 And they were asking, 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:38.699 do you have your deacons go around annually 00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:41.719 and kind of assess what each family should give? 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:42.079 I said, 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.620 you know, it's kind of, 00:12:43.899 --> 00:12:45.240 I didn't understand the question. 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:45.559 It's like, 00:12:45.699 --> 00:12:46.639 what do you mean? 00:12:47.819 --> 00:12:48.279 I mean, 00:12:48.339 --> 00:12:48.479 hey, 00:12:48.579 --> 00:12:50.459 how many of you know that I don't know what you give? 00:12:50.519 --> 00:12:51.219 How many of you know that? 00:12:52.039 --> 00:12:52.620 In fact, 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:55.399 if you've ever tried to give anything to me 00:12:55.399 --> 00:12:56.719 that I think looks like money, 00:12:56.819 --> 00:12:57.479 what happens? 00:12:57.480 --> 00:13:01.560 Find a deacon, 00:13:01.759 --> 00:13:02.019 please, 00:13:02.159 --> 00:13:02.860 just not me. 00:13:03.220 --> 00:13:03.360 Okay? 00:13:03.720 --> 00:13:07.240 And it's a reflection of my little puny little brain. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:09.800 I don't want it to be cluttered 00:13:09.800 --> 00:13:12.240 with who you are and what you do 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:13.180 and how that plays out. 00:13:13.279 --> 00:13:13.620 Do you follow me? 00:13:13.700 --> 00:13:14.580 Don't give me money. 00:13:14.680 --> 00:13:15.420 Don't mess with that. 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:17.680 You can give it to somebody else. 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:20.659 And so when this person was explaining, 00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:24.240 they had deacons who would ride around 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.159 to each one of the houses 00:13:25.159 --> 00:13:28.199 and they had like a little Paul Revere mailbag 00:13:28.199 --> 00:13:29.179 that they would open up 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:30.959 and pull out the family 00:13:30.959 --> 00:13:31.819 and kind of the, 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:33.699 I don't know how they did it, 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:38.039 but they kind of guessed at the family income. 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:38.419 You know, 00:13:38.480 --> 00:13:39.539 you drive this kind of car, 00:13:39.719 --> 00:13:40.019 cha-ching, 00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.219 you have this kind of home, 00:13:41.319 --> 00:13:41.699 cha-ching, 00:13:42.019 --> 00:13:43.399 you have this kind of job, 00:13:43.519 --> 00:13:43.959 cha-ching, 00:13:44.519 --> 00:13:45.899 how much are you going to give? 00:13:47.299 --> 00:13:48.839 Never crossed my mind 00:13:48.839 --> 00:13:49.860 that that's the way to do it. 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:50.179 Why? 00:13:51.459 --> 00:13:52.500 Because we don't, 00:13:52.639 --> 00:13:53.419 say this with me, 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.959 we don't have it in the, 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:56.919 by, 00:13:57.120 --> 00:14:00.620 I'm going to take my sweater off after that. 00:14:04.919 --> 00:14:05.839 Me getting hot. 00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:07.019 Okay, here we go. 00:14:07.419 --> 00:14:08.500 We don't have it in the, 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.740 Bible. 00:14:11.459 --> 00:14:12.799 That's not a bad answer, is it? 00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:14.500 We don't have it in the, 00:14:14.500 --> 00:14:15.259 Bible. 00:14:16.319 --> 00:14:18.000 Well, what we do have in the Bible here, 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:23.279 is that here are people who are being generous. 00:14:24.299 --> 00:14:29.279 And their generosity is a little confusing 00:14:29.279 --> 00:14:32.120 when you stop and think about it in human terms. 00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:37.080 Their generosity is only attributed to their view of God 00:14:37.080 --> 00:14:40.259 and how they saw God at work in their lives. 00:14:40.259 --> 00:14:43.659 I did have a lot of fun this last week 00:14:43.659 --> 00:14:45.679 hearing that the professors at Harvard 00:14:45.679 --> 00:14:49.620 who had been so supportive of the healthcare system, 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:51.120 the new one that we enjoy, 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:54.519 actually were all in a snit over the fact 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:57.759 that they themselves were contributors to the increase. 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:00.819 And one of the things about a Christian 00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:02.240 is they're generous with their own money. 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:04.379 One of the things about a liberal 00:15:04.379 --> 00:15:05.759 is they're generous with your money. 00:15:05.759 --> 00:15:08.759 And the truth of the matter is, 00:15:08.799 --> 00:15:11.279 is here in this situation that we're looking at, 00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:13.480 in 2 Corinthians chapter 8, 00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:16.259 we're looking at people who were generous 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:19.419 and there could be no explanation for it 00:15:19.419 --> 00:15:22.299 other than, well, God must have done something spectacular. 00:15:23.659 --> 00:15:25.939 And so as we kind of work our way through the passage, 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:28.259 we see here the Macedonian believers 00:15:28.259 --> 00:15:30.240 really gave because of their view of God. 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:33.919 Look at what it says there in verse 1 again. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:37.659 And it says that about the grace of God 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:40.059 that has been given among the churches of Macedonia. 00:15:41.099 --> 00:15:43.939 We see that their activity, 00:15:44.319 --> 00:15:46.839 which is explained there in verse 2 00:15:46.839 --> 00:15:48.799 as an abundance of joy 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:54.399 and a wealth of overarching generosity on their part, 00:15:54.740 --> 00:15:57.319 it really is an explanation of the fact 00:15:57.319 --> 00:15:58.439 that they were doing this 00:15:58.439 --> 00:16:00.959 because of what God had done in their lives. 00:16:00.960 --> 00:16:03.019 So let me ask you, 00:16:03.100 --> 00:16:04.060 when you give 00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:08.280 and you give freely and willingly, 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.800 I'm not talking about manipulation. 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.420 The question is, 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:16.400 does your giving really reflect 00:16:16.400 --> 00:16:18.360 an appreciation for the grace of God 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:21.400 and an expression of your thanksgiving 00:16:21.400 --> 00:16:23.180 and satisfaction with what he's done? 00:16:23.179 --> 00:16:26.259 I want you to understand this as well 00:16:26.259 --> 00:16:27.919 as you kind of work your way through this passage. 00:16:28.079 --> 00:16:30.679 The believer is caught up by grace 00:16:30.679 --> 00:16:33.039 and thereby becomes an instrument of grace. 00:16:33.839 --> 00:16:35.399 You look there at verse 7. 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.599 It says this, 00:16:38.120 --> 00:16:39.779 as you excel in everything, 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:41.859 talking about the church there at Corinth, 00:16:42.099 --> 00:16:43.359 you guys are doing good. 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:43.679 He says, 00:16:44.079 --> 00:16:46.000 but I also want you to excel 00:16:46.000 --> 00:16:48.699 in this act of grace also. 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:50.740 The grace that you receive 00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:52.680 that is operating in your life 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:54.480 should not be limited 00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:57.340 to just nice things that you say in the lobby. 00:16:58.900 --> 00:17:01.940 It should be something that can be seen 00:17:01.940 --> 00:17:03.800 across the broad expanse 00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:06.640 of every part of your life. 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:10.740 And so as we stop and think about the matter 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:12.660 of the grace of giving, 00:17:12.779 --> 00:17:13.819 let me take a minute here 00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:15.640 and I, for one minute here, 00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:18.360 thank you for being a very generous congregation. 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:20.459 The fact that we are 10% over budget 00:17:20.459 --> 00:17:21.899 is not reflective 00:17:21.899 --> 00:17:24.779 of all the other things 00:17:24.779 --> 00:17:26.059 that our congregation does 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.919 in their generosity. 00:17:27.479 --> 00:17:30.059 We are a generous people to a fault. 00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:30.819 God bless. 00:17:31.919 --> 00:17:33.419 But you know what I would also like 00:17:33.419 --> 00:17:34.819 to be able to say in the future? 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.339 That means we have some way to go. 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.839 Did you see this coming? 00:17:38.819 --> 00:17:39.019 Okay. 00:17:40.599 --> 00:17:42.119 One of the things that I would like 00:17:42.119 --> 00:17:43.839 to be able to say in the future is 00:17:43.839 --> 00:17:45.579 I would like to be able to stand up here 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.740 and say, stop! 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:48.419 We have so many people 00:17:48.419 --> 00:17:49.879 that are willing to work in the nursery 00:17:49.879 --> 00:17:53.039 that we don't have enough room for that. 00:17:53.199 --> 00:17:53.839 I mean, you... 00:17:53.839 --> 00:17:56.359 I didn't hear an amen. 00:17:56.539 --> 00:17:58.199 Just so you know. 00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:58.740 Okay? 00:18:00.119 --> 00:18:00.519 Okay? 00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:02.259 Or, I mean, 00:18:02.679 --> 00:18:05.119 I don't want to ever see... 00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:05.899 Hi, Kate. 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.619 Or June. 00:18:07.699 --> 00:18:09.439 I don't want to see Kate and June retire 00:18:09.439 --> 00:18:10.720 until after I'm dead anyway. 00:18:10.720 --> 00:18:11.640 But, you know, 00:18:11.799 --> 00:18:13.759 I can just imagine Kate and June 00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.900 coming to me one day and saying, 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.440 you know, I'm really disappointed 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.380 there are some younger people 00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:19.339 who want to teach Sunday school. 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:21.720 And, hey, we have opportunities 00:18:21.720 --> 00:18:23.120 to serve besides your wallet. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:24.380 That's what I'm trying to say. 00:18:25.279 --> 00:18:26.500 How many of you got that message? 00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.140 Okay? 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.559 Okay. 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.180 Okay. 00:18:29.799 --> 00:18:32.620 So, Pastor Saul, next week, 00:18:32.700 --> 00:18:33.799 here's what I'm counting on. 00:18:33.860 --> 00:18:34.940 The preaching of the Word of God 00:18:34.940 --> 00:18:35.839 is going to bring conviction 00:18:35.839 --> 00:18:37.860 and people are going to be flocking to you 00:18:37.860 --> 00:18:38.400 saying, listen, 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.540 I realize I have been a little negligent 00:18:40.540 --> 00:18:41.140 in this area. 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.540 My giving's faithful. 00:18:42.780 --> 00:18:43.759 I know what I've done. 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:45.780 And I get a W-4 that helps me with that. 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:47.560 But what am I doing in the nursery? 00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.340 Okay? 00:18:50.540 --> 00:18:52.759 We need to be generous 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:54.040 in every area of our life. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.380 Right? 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.920 This business of just arriving, 00:18:59.540 --> 00:19:01.060 kind of sitting for a few minutes 00:19:01.060 --> 00:19:02.280 and thinking God is pleased 00:19:02.280 --> 00:19:03.780 with the fact you occupied a pew 00:19:03.780 --> 00:19:05.100 is not in the Bible. 00:19:05.099 --> 00:19:08.439 And when the grace of God 00:19:08.439 --> 00:19:09.939 goes to work in your life, 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:11.819 you become a participator. 00:19:17.659 --> 00:19:19.279 How many of you know what FIFO is? 00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:22.619 First in, first out. 00:19:22.679 --> 00:19:23.899 That's how it works in our refrigerator, 00:19:24.019 --> 00:19:24.859 at least when I'm doing it. 00:19:27.139 --> 00:19:28.119 I eat leftovers. 00:19:30.019 --> 00:19:32.199 There are some people who are LIFOs. 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.779 You know what LIFO is? 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:36.059 Last in, first out. 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:37.519 You know, 00:19:38.180 --> 00:19:41.220 how does that fit the Bible picture here? 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.240 No. 00:19:43.480 --> 00:19:45.859 The believer that is caught by grace 00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:47.500 becomes an instrument of grace. 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:48.799 That makes sense, doesn't it? 00:19:51.500 --> 00:19:53.799 And so as you look here 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:56.420 at what we find in 2 Corinthians, 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.940 I want you to recognize 00:19:57.940 --> 00:20:00.019 that Paul at the beginning 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:02.779 of this subject of giving stewardship, 00:20:02.779 --> 00:20:04.200 he says, listen, 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:06.839 it's really a reflection of God's grace 00:20:06.839 --> 00:20:08.259 and understanding how that grace 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:09.480 is operated in your life. 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:11.539 So coming back to that question, 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.819 as you kind of listen to teaching on giving, 00:20:15.119 --> 00:20:17.500 one of the things that you can pay attention to 00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:20.240 is what is the underlying motive 00:20:20.240 --> 00:20:21.759 that encourages people 00:20:21.759 --> 00:20:23.639 in the subject of giving? 00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:26.800 when God and the grace of Christ 00:20:26.800 --> 00:20:28.100 are not central, 00:20:30.100 --> 00:20:32.060 it's just a matter of time 00:20:32.060 --> 00:20:33.400 before you see silk suits 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:35.620 and Rolex watches 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:37.420 and jets 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.780 and mansions 00:20:38.780 --> 00:20:40.860 in the lives of people 00:20:40.860 --> 00:20:42.180 who ought to be humble servants 00:20:42.180 --> 00:20:43.300 to the bride of Christ. 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:46.159 And let me tell you another thing. 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:49.099 Until a person really becomes, 00:20:49.579 --> 00:20:50.259 truthfully, 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:53.339 a person who's been overwhelmed 00:20:53.339 --> 00:20:54.940 by the beauty of salvation 00:20:54.940 --> 00:20:56.599 and the joy of their deliverance 00:20:56.599 --> 00:20:58.059 from eternal condemnation 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:00.839 and from the burden of sin, 00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:05.379 that person does not really have 00:21:05.379 --> 00:21:06.299 a thankful heart 00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:08.419 that finds pleasure and satisfaction 00:21:08.419 --> 00:21:10.039 in giving joyfully to God. 00:21:10.039 --> 00:21:12.799 Let's come to the second point. 00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:15.279 Biblical stewardship 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:17.000 really involves all that we have 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:18.200 and who we are. 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:20.139 I want you to look there, if you will. 00:21:20.259 --> 00:21:21.659 We're in 2 Corinthians 8, 00:21:21.740 --> 00:21:23.480 but put your finger on verse 5. 00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:26.220 And this, not as we expected, 00:21:26.460 --> 00:21:27.879 but they gave themselves 00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:28.940 first to the Lord 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:31.700 and then by the will of God to us. 00:21:35.659 --> 00:21:36.980 Godly giving flows 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:38.940 from relationship with Christ 00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:41.320 and appreciation of grace. 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:45.080 Whenever you find yourself 00:21:45.080 --> 00:21:46.940 kind of stressed or unhappy 00:21:46.940 --> 00:21:49.240 or challenged in the area 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:51.160 of what you are doing for others, 00:21:52.860 --> 00:21:53.559 and by the way, 00:21:54.059 --> 00:21:55.559 I want to add to the fact 00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.920 we are generous people 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:58.720 and we're also great at moving. 00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.920 How many of you understand that? 00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:01.500 I mean, we're into moving. 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.240 And let me say publicly, 00:22:03.460 --> 00:22:05.180 thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:07.220 for your generosity in cooking. 00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:09.360 I said to the deacons yesterday, 00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:09.839 I said, you know, 00:22:09.880 --> 00:22:10.799 it's a shame that my wife 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.660 had to get sick for me 00:22:11.660 --> 00:22:13.299 to find out how good you all to cook. 00:22:14.460 --> 00:22:16.019 I mean, it's, we have, 00:22:16.519 --> 00:22:17.220 some of you are saying, 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:17.960 what's that all about? 00:22:18.140 --> 00:22:18.819 Well, here's the deal. 00:22:18.900 --> 00:22:20.319 When people in our church get sick, 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:22.640 we bring meals. 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:24.039 So the poor wife who's sick, 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:24.799 she's had surgery, 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.779 you know, she doesn't have to get up 00:22:25.779 --> 00:22:28.359 and cook and I don't have to cook either, 00:22:28.460 --> 00:22:29.379 you know, it's kind of nice. 00:22:29.480 --> 00:22:31.359 It's like, okay, 00:22:31.660 --> 00:22:33.559 you're good at that. 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:37.339 And here's what, 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:40.259 what Paul wants this congregation 00:22:40.259 --> 00:22:41.200 to understand. 00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:41.899 He says, listen, 00:22:42.240 --> 00:22:43.519 all of your kindness 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.819 really flows out 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:48.680 of your relationship with Christ 00:22:48.680 --> 00:22:50.960 and your appreciation of grace. 00:22:51.060 --> 00:22:52.799 He said, you gave of yourself first. 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.720 In order to explain 00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:57.460 the generosity of the believers 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.560 there in Macedonia 00:22:58.560 --> 00:23:01.580 as to why they were giving away 00:23:01.580 --> 00:23:02.880 what little they had, 00:23:04.880 --> 00:23:07.200 he wanted the people in Corinth 00:23:07.200 --> 00:23:09.340 to understand that before they gave 00:23:09.340 --> 00:23:12.900 their wealth and their property, 00:23:13.240 --> 00:23:14.420 they'd given their life. 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.740 And let me help you understand 00:23:16.740 --> 00:23:18.240 that this is a Bible principle 00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:19.180 that we find elsewhere. 00:23:19.580 --> 00:23:20.519 You keep your finger there 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.180 in 2 Corinthians 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:22.460 because we are coming back there, 00:23:22.620 --> 00:23:25.360 but I want you to go back to Romans 00:23:25.360 --> 00:23:26.500 just for a moment. 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:27.779 Romans chapter 12, 00:23:28.100 --> 00:23:29.360 verse 1 and 2. 00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.840 Romans chapter 12, 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.660 verse 1 and 2. 00:23:37.660 --> 00:23:38.800 If you're sitting here, 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.120 and here, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.600 just a, 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.740 this is a side by zinger, okay? 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:43.000 If you're sitting here, 00:23:43.080 --> 00:23:43.820 how many of you know 00:23:43.819 --> 00:23:45.059 that you're going to be doing taxes 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:46.579 between now and April 15th 00:23:46.579 --> 00:23:47.960 unless you file an extension? 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.740 Just nod your head 00:23:48.740 --> 00:23:50.379 like you know this is happening, okay? 00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:53.559 And so along with doing your taxes, 00:23:54.220 --> 00:23:56.079 you're probably going to be looking for, 00:23:56.220 --> 00:23:56.819 what is it called? 00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:58.119 The W-4 that we send out? 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.419 W-2? 00:23:59.539 --> 00:23:59.839 What is it? 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:01.179 What does the church send out? 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:01.980 A statement of giving. 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:03.099 Okay. 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.439 How many of you, 00:24:04.679 --> 00:24:05.339 don't raise your hands, 00:24:05.700 --> 00:24:06.460 but one of the things 00:24:06.460 --> 00:24:07.159 that goes with, 00:24:07.279 --> 00:24:07.500 you know, 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.299 church people, 00:24:08.579 --> 00:24:08.659 you know, 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:10.439 you're looking for a statement of giving 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:11.679 because you want to add that 00:24:11.679 --> 00:24:13.179 to your tax computation. 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.860 Agree? 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.420 Nod your head. 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:15.200 You can nod your head now, 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.480 this part, okay? 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:18.900 And when you do that, 00:24:18.960 --> 00:24:20.120 you can kind of figure out 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.880 whether or not 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:22.320 you are 00:24:22.320 --> 00:24:24.460 a skin flint 00:24:24.460 --> 00:24:25.860 or whether you're generous 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:27.100 because you get to look at your, 00:24:27.200 --> 00:24:28.120 how many of you remember 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:29.680 what you gave last January? 00:24:31.019 --> 00:24:31.240 Well, 00:24:31.299 --> 00:24:32.580 I am married and accountant, 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.600 so I don't have to worry 00:24:33.600 --> 00:24:34.420 about those details. 00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:34.860 But, 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:35.860 the rest of it, 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.740 it helps to have a record. 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:39.620 And, 00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:39.779 and, 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:39.839 and, 00:24:39.839 --> 00:24:41.259 and when we stop 00:24:41.259 --> 00:24:42.500 and think about the generosity 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:43.140 of our heart, 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:44.579 here's the point I want you to see. 00:24:45.359 --> 00:24:47.079 All it says is what you think 00:24:47.079 --> 00:24:48.420 about what God's done for you. 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:50.539 That's the point 00:24:50.539 --> 00:24:51.859 that Paul is making here 00:24:51.859 --> 00:24:53.039 in chapter 12. 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:53.500 He says, 00:24:53.819 --> 00:24:55.140 I appeal to you therefore. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:55.640 Now, 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.779 what's the therefore? 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:57.200 It, 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.319 it's pointing back 00:24:58.319 --> 00:24:59.220 to the argument 00:24:59.220 --> 00:25:00.480 of chapter 1 through 11 00:25:00.480 --> 00:25:01.680 that really is explaining 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:02.940 this wonderful work 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:03.759 of God 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:05.700 in saving despicable, 00:25:06.340 --> 00:25:07.100 brokenhearted, 00:25:07.640 --> 00:25:08.620 miserable sinners. 00:25:10.000 --> 00:25:10.500 And, 00:25:10.600 --> 00:25:11.400 and on the basis 00:25:11.400 --> 00:25:12.360 of what he has done 00:25:12.360 --> 00:25:13.420 in saving us, 00:25:13.759 --> 00:25:14.259 he says, 00:25:14.660 --> 00:25:16.440 it is a reasonable thing 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:17.480 to present my body 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:18.779 as a living sacrifice. 00:25:20.360 --> 00:25:22.519 You did all of this for me. 00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:25.640 I don't have a problem 00:25:25.640 --> 00:25:27.779 doing something else 00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:28.700 for other people. 00:25:29.600 --> 00:25:30.779 One of the things that, 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:33.899 that I have often said 00:25:33.899 --> 00:25:36.160 is that when, 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:37.319 when God gives me 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:37.980 the opportunity 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.299 of ministering to people, 00:25:39.399 --> 00:25:40.200 particularly in the area 00:25:40.200 --> 00:25:40.779 of marriage, 00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:43.240 because of what God did 00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.480 in, 00:25:43.480 --> 00:25:45.059 in reconciling our home 00:25:45.059 --> 00:25:46.160 and doing such a blessing 00:25:46.160 --> 00:25:46.500 in, 00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:49.000 in my life 00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.839 and in Judith's life, 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.680 I always say, 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.059 people say, 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.180 oh, 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.819 thank you so much. 00:25:51.859 --> 00:25:52.039 I say, 00:25:52.160 --> 00:25:54.059 I get to say thank you 00:25:54.059 --> 00:25:55.039 to Jesus every time 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:56.339 I serve in this capacity. 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.839 Do you follow that? 00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.119 And, 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:00.460 and when you are overwhelmed 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.600 by the blessing 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.440 of being rescued 00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.440 by the Lord 00:26:03.440 --> 00:26:05.000 from the absolute moral 00:26:05.000 --> 00:26:06.480 bankruptcy of your heart, 00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:08.000 every time you ever 00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:08.680 do anything, 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:10.039 all it is is saying 00:26:10.039 --> 00:26:10.720 thank you. 00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:14.579 And so Paul is explaining 00:26:14.579 --> 00:26:15.740 here in chapter 12 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:17.420 that this business 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:19.840 of being sacrificial 00:26:19.840 --> 00:26:21.519 with your wallet 00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.799 and sacrificial 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.640 with your life 00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:23.840 is, 00:26:23.880 --> 00:26:24.819 is just really 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.759 no more than 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:27.440 expressing thanksgiving 00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.740 for what God has done. 00:26:28.740 --> 00:26:30.500 Let me have you 00:26:30.500 --> 00:26:31.039 look at another 00:26:31.039 --> 00:26:31.900 passage 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.359 and we're 00:26:32.359 --> 00:26:33.200 going to creep 00:26:33.200 --> 00:26:34.220 back towards 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.559 2 Corinthians 00:26:35.559 --> 00:26:36.599 chapter 8 00:26:36.599 --> 00:26:37.819 but go to 00:26:37.819 --> 00:26:38.359 2 Corinthians 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.079 chapter 5 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.700 verse 15. 00:26:43.000 --> 00:26:44.140 Did Jesus die 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:44.799 for your sins 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:45.299 and the answer 00:26:45.299 --> 00:26:45.740 is what? 00:26:46.420 --> 00:26:46.799 Yes, 00:26:46.839 --> 00:26:47.259 he did 00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:49.720 and he died 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.559 in your place. 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.819 Here's what it says 00:26:52.819 --> 00:26:53.539 in verse 15 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.079 and he died 00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.480 for all 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:54.940 that those 00:26:54.940 --> 00:26:55.460 who live 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.120 might not, 00:26:56.400 --> 00:26:57.460 might no longer 00:26:57.460 --> 00:26:58.539 live for themselves. 00:26:58.740 --> 00:26:59.380 What does it mean 00:26:59.380 --> 00:27:00.240 to live for yourself? 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.120 What's it mean 00:27:02.120 --> 00:27:02.740 to live for yourself? 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:03.779 I know you don't know 00:27:03.779 --> 00:27:04.160 about this 00:27:04.160 --> 00:27:04.819 so I'll explain it 00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.180 a little bit, 00:27:05.259 --> 00:27:05.500 okay? 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:07.600 Living for yourself 00:27:07.600 --> 00:27:08.220 means that 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.000 when you have 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:09.799 a windfall 00:27:09.799 --> 00:27:10.880 the first thought 00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.380 you have 00:27:11.380 --> 00:27:11.880 is what? 00:27:13.360 --> 00:27:14.579 How can I spend it 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:15.019 on 00:27:15.019 --> 00:27:16.360 me? 00:27:18.400 --> 00:27:19.360 And Paul says, 00:27:19.460 --> 00:27:20.000 hey listen, 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.180 since Jesus 00:27:21.180 --> 00:27:22.259 died for you 00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:23.359 one of the things 00:27:23.359 --> 00:27:24.000 that happens 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.339 is that you don't 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.500 live any longer 00:27:26.500 --> 00:27:27.160 for yourself 00:27:27.160 --> 00:27:27.779 but you live 00:27:27.779 --> 00:27:28.299 for him 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:29.319 who for their 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:30.200 sakes died 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:30.859 and rose again. 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:31.900 I'm living 00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.480 for Jesus. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:35.039 That's why I live 00:27:35.039 --> 00:27:37.180 and that's why 00:27:37.180 --> 00:27:37.720 you live. 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.720 And Paul wants 00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.579 us to understand 00:27:40.579 --> 00:27:41.859 that when we 00:27:41.859 --> 00:27:42.460 are living 00:27:42.460 --> 00:27:43.379 with that kind 00:27:43.379 --> 00:27:44.079 of mindset 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:45.200 the issue 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:45.759 of giving 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.400 is something 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:47.200 that is not 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.960 a burden 00:27:47.960 --> 00:27:48.879 and a hardship 00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:50.400 but it's a joyful 00:27:50.400 --> 00:27:51.079 expression 00:27:51.079 --> 00:27:52.599 of our thankfulness. 00:27:54.339 --> 00:27:55.119 I'll never forget 00:27:55.119 --> 00:27:55.839 one of the things 00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.720 that someone said 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.379 to me that stuck. 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:57.619 He said, 00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.319 when there is room 00:27:58.319 --> 00:27:58.919 in the heart 00:27:58.919 --> 00:27:59.619 there is room 00:27:59.619 --> 00:28:00.159 in the wallet. 00:28:01.740 --> 00:28:02.179 You got that? 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.259 When there is room 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.779 in the heart 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.220 there is room 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.679 in the wallet. 00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:05.159 I'm going to give you 00:28:05.159 --> 00:28:05.759 a little illustration 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.179 of that. 00:28:07.179 --> 00:28:09.419 I am a coffee drinker. 00:28:09.599 --> 00:28:09.819 I mean, 00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:12.519 I can do instant. 00:28:13.419 --> 00:28:14.679 I can do Maxwell. 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:16.000 I can do Folgers. 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.899 I can do any swill 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:18.919 that has caffeine 00:28:18.919 --> 00:28:19.339 in it. 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:23.179 I am not 00:28:23.179 --> 00:28:24.259 a discriminating 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.139 coffee drinker. 00:28:26.439 --> 00:28:27.500 I think my brain 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.279 says how much 00:28:28.279 --> 00:28:29.119 caffeine and that's 00:28:29.119 --> 00:28:29.879 the thing that counts. 00:28:30.199 --> 00:28:31.539 But my wife, 00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.299 now my wife 00:28:32.299 --> 00:28:33.119 is a different story. 00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.579 She's a, 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.939 she is a, 00:28:35.059 --> 00:28:35.639 I wouldn't use it, 00:28:35.679 --> 00:28:36.079 she's not here 00:28:36.079 --> 00:28:36.659 to defend herself, 00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.079 she's sick, 00:28:37.199 --> 00:28:38.519 but she's a coffee 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.379 connoisseur. 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:42.220 We actually roast 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.859 our own 00:28:42.859 --> 00:28:43.980 to accommodate her. 00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:47.160 And so, 00:28:47.740 --> 00:28:49.240 you know, 00:28:49.400 --> 00:28:50.200 she happens to like 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.720 Tim Hortons. 00:28:50.819 --> 00:28:51.400 How many of you know 00:28:51.400 --> 00:28:52.079 what a Tim Hortons 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:52.860 coffee costs? 00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:56.500 In my flesh 00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:57.480 that grates 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.279 against me. 00:28:59.319 --> 00:29:00.039 Do you understand 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.480 what I'm saying? 00:29:00.539 --> 00:29:00.880 How many of you, 00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:01.720 you get my point. 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:03.319 I can buy 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.220 McDonald's for 00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.000 almost half 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:05.579 because I get 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:06.339 a senior cup. 00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.000 And, 00:29:07.360 --> 00:29:07.680 you know, 00:29:07.680 --> 00:29:10.440 but when I drive 00:29:10.440 --> 00:29:11.160 through the drive 00:29:11.160 --> 00:29:11.779 through at 00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.700 Tim Hortons 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.580 and they say 00:29:13.580 --> 00:29:14.340 $1.80, 00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:14.779 I think, 00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.000 well, 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:16.039 I love my wife. 00:29:17.840 --> 00:29:18.799 And it's true. 00:29:20.580 --> 00:29:21.860 I go out of my way 00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.660 to surprise her 00:29:22.660 --> 00:29:23.539 with a cup of coffee 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.779 and when they say 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:25.880 that'll be $1.80, 00:29:26.000 --> 00:29:26.340 I say, 00:29:26.420 --> 00:29:26.519 well, 00:29:26.600 --> 00:29:27.080 thank you. 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:29.039 Do you know why? 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:31.299 Because I'm tickled pink 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:32.420 with the bride I have. 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.140 I like her. 00:29:34.240 --> 00:29:34.779 And so, 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.799 here's the point. 00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:38.480 your giving 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.480 is a reflection 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:41.559 of how you relate 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:42.399 to the one 00:29:42.399 --> 00:29:43.480 who is your redeemer 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:44.200 and your savior. 00:29:46.539 --> 00:29:47.419 Later on 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:47.879 in the book 00:29:47.879 --> 00:29:48.879 of 2 Corinthians, 00:29:49.099 --> 00:29:49.579 and we're not going 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:49.980 to get there 00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.460 this morning, 00:29:50.599 --> 00:29:51.339 but it says 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:52.599 God loves a hilarious, 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.539 a cheerful giver. 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:54.980 You know, 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.019 I know we do it 00:29:56.019 --> 00:29:56.559 electronically, 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.559 but every now and then 00:29:57.559 --> 00:29:58.139 just giggling 00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:59.299 as the plates go by, 00:29:59.440 --> 00:30:00.359 it wouldn't bother me 00:30:00.359 --> 00:30:00.799 at all. 00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:04.299 I get to do this. 00:30:04.879 --> 00:30:05.480 That's okay. 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:07.720 Well, 00:30:07.899 --> 00:30:08.799 one more thing. 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.599 Biblical stewardship 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:12.200 really reflects our values. 00:30:13.680 --> 00:30:14.460 Money's a tool. 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:16.899 We use it 00:30:16.899 --> 00:30:17.980 to serve our purposes, 00:30:18.399 --> 00:30:19.519 to accomplish 00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.299 our ambitions, 00:30:21.480 --> 00:30:22.319 satisfy our needs 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:22.859 and wants. 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:25.039 And as a result 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:25.519 of that, 00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:25.859 really, 00:30:26.119 --> 00:30:27.440 the way we use money 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.279 really shows 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.019 what we think 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:29.659 is important. 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:31.200 Now, 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.139 we've all, 00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:33.319 all of us 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.980 have heard people 00:30:33.980 --> 00:30:34.619 say before, 00:30:34.759 --> 00:30:35.619 I can't afford that. 00:30:36.419 --> 00:30:37.339 It's a standard 00:30:37.339 --> 00:30:37.839 statement. 00:30:39.220 --> 00:30:39.659 And, 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:40.619 I know I'm going 00:30:40.619 --> 00:30:41.279 out on a limb here, 00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:41.559 but, 00:30:41.619 --> 00:30:44.919 who in their right mind 00:30:44.919 --> 00:30:45.759 would imagine 00:30:45.759 --> 00:30:46.399 that a collection 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:47.079 of nail polish 00:30:47.079 --> 00:30:48.059 that costs over $1,200 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.960 is reasonable? 00:30:48.960 --> 00:30:55.319 I didn't see any takers 00:30:55.319 --> 00:30:55.740 for that. 00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:56.700 But, 00:30:57.059 --> 00:30:59.180 the same person 00:30:59.180 --> 00:30:59.700 who would think 00:30:59.700 --> 00:31:00.140 that $1,200 00:31:00.140 --> 00:31:01.220 for a nail polish 00:31:01.220 --> 00:31:01.840 was reasonable 00:31:01.840 --> 00:31:02.940 would absolutely 00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.900 choke at the idea 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.579 of anybody ever 00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.460 spending $1,000 00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.279 on a gun. 00:31:09.700 --> 00:31:10.380 I didn't see 00:31:10.380 --> 00:31:10.960 takers for that 00:31:10.960 --> 00:31:11.200 either, 00:31:11.400 --> 00:31:11.819 other than, 00:31:11.819 --> 00:31:13.099 but, 00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:14.039 here's my point. 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.679 Money reflects 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.500 what we think 00:31:17.500 --> 00:31:18.139 is important. 00:31:21.240 --> 00:31:21.659 And so, 00:31:21.980 --> 00:31:23.000 Paul explains 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:25.379 the impact 00:31:25.379 --> 00:31:26.339 of godly giving 00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.500 over in 2 Corinthians 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.460 chapter 9, 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.240 verse 13. 00:31:29.359 --> 00:31:29.939 Let's just take a look 00:31:29.939 --> 00:31:30.619 at that for a minute. 00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.879 Talking about 00:31:32.879 --> 00:31:33.720 the giving 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:34.679 of the church. 00:31:34.439 --> 00:31:34.720 The church. 00:31:34.720 --> 00:31:39.559 For, 00:31:39.660 --> 00:31:40.200 in verse 12, 00:31:40.259 --> 00:31:40.460 it says, 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.140 for the ministry 00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:41.880 of this service 00:31:41.880 --> 00:31:43.500 is not only supplying 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.120 the needs 00:31:44.120 --> 00:31:44.960 of the saints. 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:45.420 In other words, 00:31:45.620 --> 00:31:46.460 it's doing something 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:47.200 very practical 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.920 and necessary, 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:50.339 but is also 00:31:50.339 --> 00:31:51.299 overflowing 00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:52.480 in many 00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:53.339 thanksgivings 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:53.920 to God. 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:58.019 I have enjoyed 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.720 watching 00:31:58.720 --> 00:32:00.100 Tom and Nancy's 00:32:00.100 --> 00:32:00.500 ministry 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.500 in South Africa 00:32:01.500 --> 00:32:02.240 from the day 00:32:02.240 --> 00:32:03.799 their family 00:32:03.799 --> 00:32:04.220 with their 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.000 four little girls 00:32:05.000 --> 00:32:05.579 all grown 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:05.920 and giving 00:32:05.920 --> 00:32:06.660 you grandkids 00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:06.920 now, 00:32:06.980 --> 00:32:07.240 and that's 00:32:07.240 --> 00:32:07.940 lots of fun, 00:32:08.000 --> 00:32:08.440 let me tell you 00:32:08.440 --> 00:32:08.720 something. 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.480 But, 00:32:10.660 --> 00:32:10.900 you know, 00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.420 I remember 00:32:11.420 --> 00:32:12.680 when they came, 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.600 please don't send 00:32:13.600 --> 00:32:14.299 me to Africa, 00:32:14.440 --> 00:32:15.259 remember that song? 00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.620 You guys did a great job. 00:32:16.900 --> 00:32:17.880 And I read his blog, 00:32:17.980 --> 00:32:18.460 incidentally, 00:32:18.600 --> 00:32:19.960 read his blog, 00:32:20.059 --> 00:32:20.500 you got that? 00:32:20.860 --> 00:32:21.600 Read his, 00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.819 it's a good blog. 00:32:24.059 --> 00:32:25.380 It'll be convicting, 00:32:26.519 --> 00:32:27.100 I don't want that, 00:32:27.380 --> 00:32:28.180 but it will, 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:29.759 it'll be encouraging, 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:31.140 and it'll help 00:32:31.140 --> 00:32:31.700 you partner, 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:33.079 and that's what 00:32:33.079 --> 00:32:34.119 what we do 00:32:34.119 --> 00:32:34.639 in missions 00:32:34.639 --> 00:32:35.339 is we partner. 00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:35.879 I appreciate 00:32:35.879 --> 00:32:36.579 what he said about 00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.699 you guys are part 00:32:37.699 --> 00:32:38.319 of it over there. 00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:38.779 We are. 00:32:40.199 --> 00:32:42.359 And we have 00:32:42.359 --> 00:32:43.299 the privilege 00:32:43.299 --> 00:32:45.599 of investing 00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:46.799 in a work 00:32:46.799 --> 00:32:47.859 in the lives 00:32:47.859 --> 00:32:48.359 of people 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.539 that we're not 00:32:49.539 --> 00:32:50.559 going to see 00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.819 until we get 00:32:51.819 --> 00:32:52.539 to heaven. 00:32:53.679 --> 00:32:54.819 And then we will 00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:56.019 gather together 00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:57.339 before the throne 00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:58.119 of God, 00:32:58.240 --> 00:32:59.279 and we are going 00:32:59.279 --> 00:33:00.359 to blow the roof 00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.779 off in our praise 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.459 and adoration 00:33:02.459 --> 00:33:03.000 of Christ. 00:33:03.079 --> 00:33:03.559 Isn't that right? 00:33:04.519 --> 00:33:05.419 Why are you here? 00:33:06.339 --> 00:33:06.799 Oh, there are 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.319 some people 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:07.740 over there 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.419 in Columbus, 00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:09.539 generous, 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:11.279 and they sent 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:12.099 Tom and Nancy, 00:33:12.459 --> 00:33:13.359 and it was because 00:33:13.359 --> 00:33:14.339 of Nancy and Tom 00:33:14.339 --> 00:33:15.319 that I came to Christ. 00:33:15.459 --> 00:33:15.859 Whoa, 00:33:16.339 --> 00:33:17.240 I had a part 00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.799 to play. 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.219 Here's Paul, 00:33:20.519 --> 00:33:21.740 verse 12. 00:33:22.740 --> 00:33:23.199 He says, 00:33:23.679 --> 00:33:24.279 it doesn't only 00:33:24.279 --> 00:33:25.019 meet the needs, 00:33:25.199 --> 00:33:26.079 but it also 00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:26.819 produces this 00:33:26.819 --> 00:33:27.459 overflowing 00:33:27.459 --> 00:33:28.219 of thanksgiving 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:28.759 to God. 00:33:28.860 --> 00:33:29.420 Verse 13, 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:30.720 by their approval 00:33:30.720 --> 00:33:31.500 of this service, 00:33:31.579 --> 00:33:31.920 they're saying, 00:33:32.079 --> 00:33:32.860 that's the right 00:33:32.860 --> 00:33:33.380 thing to do, 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.700 they will glorify 00:33:34.700 --> 00:33:35.460 God because 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:36.500 of your submission 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.819 flowing from 00:33:37.819 --> 00:33:38.480 your confession 00:33:38.480 --> 00:33:39.180 of the gospel 00:33:39.180 --> 00:33:39.900 of Christ. 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:42.279 So let me help 00:33:42.279 --> 00:33:42.860 you understand 00:33:42.860 --> 00:33:43.700 that as you look 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.360 at this passage, 00:33:44.539 --> 00:33:45.120 godly giving 00:33:45.120 --> 00:33:46.240 really shows 00:33:46.240 --> 00:33:47.039 our agreement 00:33:47.039 --> 00:33:47.880 with the gospel. 00:33:48.600 --> 00:33:49.460 Think about that. 00:33:50.900 --> 00:33:51.819 Godly giving 00:33:51.819 --> 00:33:52.779 really shows 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.460 your agreement 00:33:53.460 --> 00:33:54.299 with the gospel. 00:33:56.319 --> 00:33:56.799 And so if you're 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.559 sitting here 00:33:57.559 --> 00:33:59.279 and I remember 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:01.659 in the first church 00:34:01.659 --> 00:34:02.500 that I pastored, 00:34:03.859 --> 00:34:04.359 and remember, 00:34:04.500 --> 00:34:04.919 I don't know 00:34:04.919 --> 00:34:05.639 what people give. 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.039 How many of you 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.779 just say that? 00:34:06.899 --> 00:34:07.619 Pastor doesn't know 00:34:07.619 --> 00:34:08.259 what people give. 00:34:08.980 --> 00:34:09.759 But I'll never forget 00:34:09.759 --> 00:34:10.699 a deacon coming to me. 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.460 I'd been there 00:34:11.460 --> 00:34:12.159 for five years 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.460 and this deacon 00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:13.900 came to me 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.099 and said, 00:34:14.179 --> 00:34:14.299 boy, 00:34:14.380 --> 00:34:15.179 I was just convicted 00:34:15.179 --> 00:34:16.019 by your service 00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:17.019 on your teaching 00:34:17.019 --> 00:34:17.599 on stewardship 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:19.500 because I have never, 00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:21.340 ever been faithful 00:34:21.340 --> 00:34:22.279 in the area of giving. 00:34:22.280 --> 00:34:25.620 So I may be preaching 00:34:25.620 --> 00:34:26.120 this morning 00:34:26.120 --> 00:34:27.120 and who knows, 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:27.780 right? 00:34:29.000 --> 00:34:29.720 But the truth 00:34:29.720 --> 00:34:30.340 of the matter is 00:34:30.340 --> 00:34:31.120 is your giving 00:34:31.120 --> 00:34:31.880 really shows 00:34:31.880 --> 00:34:32.420 your agreement 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:33.100 with the gospel. 00:34:33.480 --> 00:34:33.940 And by the way, 00:34:34.000 --> 00:34:34.720 the gospel is more 00:34:34.720 --> 00:34:35.519 than fire insurance. 00:34:35.560 --> 00:34:35.920 Would you agree 00:34:35.920 --> 00:34:36.240 with that? 00:34:37.380 --> 00:34:38.180 It's a call 00:34:38.180 --> 00:34:39.200 to living our life 00:34:39.200 --> 00:34:39.760 for the glory 00:34:39.760 --> 00:34:40.320 of God. 00:34:40.320 --> 00:34:40.360 God. 00:34:42.420 --> 00:34:43.240 And a person 00:34:43.240 --> 00:34:44.400 who confesses 00:34:44.400 --> 00:34:45.660 to be a Christian 00:34:45.660 --> 00:34:48.039 and yet is consumed 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:49.320 by covetousness 00:34:49.320 --> 00:34:50.100 or jealousy 00:34:50.100 --> 00:34:50.820 or bitterness 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:52.220 and is just kind of 00:34:52.220 --> 00:34:53.080 rolled up in this 00:34:53.080 --> 00:34:54.220 little ball of greed 00:34:54.220 --> 00:34:55.200 and self-focus 00:34:55.200 --> 00:34:56.140 is a person 00:34:56.140 --> 00:34:57.260 who is not reflecting 00:34:57.260 --> 00:34:58.720 the power of the gospel 00:34:58.720 --> 00:34:59.620 to change. 00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:01.620 I had the wonderful 00:35:01.620 --> 00:35:02.980 opportunity this last week 00:35:02.980 --> 00:35:04.340 in ministry 00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:04.880 in the neighborhood 00:35:04.880 --> 00:35:05.760 where I now live 00:35:05.760 --> 00:35:07.559 and it's an opportunity 00:35:07.559 --> 00:35:08.420 all over the place. 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:08.960 I love it. 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.580 A person 00:35:11.580 --> 00:35:12.500 as I was ministering 00:35:12.500 --> 00:35:12.880 to him said, 00:35:12.960 --> 00:35:13.120 yeah, 00:35:13.260 --> 00:35:14.039 I'm a believer. 00:35:14.900 --> 00:35:15.260 I just, 00:35:15.500 --> 00:35:16.740 of his own initiative 00:35:16.740 --> 00:35:17.320 he said this, 00:35:17.380 --> 00:35:17.539 he said, 00:35:17.580 --> 00:35:18.300 I just don't see 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:18.820 any work 00:35:18.820 --> 00:35:19.740 that is happening 00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:20.680 to help me change. 00:35:21.539 --> 00:35:21.800 I said, 00:35:21.820 --> 00:35:21.900 well, 00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:22.220 let me tell you 00:35:22.220 --> 00:35:22.720 a little secret. 00:35:24.200 --> 00:35:24.980 I don't know 00:35:24.980 --> 00:35:26.019 if you're saved or not 00:35:26.019 --> 00:35:27.880 but here's what I do know. 00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:30.080 When the spirit of God 00:35:30.080 --> 00:35:31.000 brings salvation, 00:35:31.180 --> 00:35:31.880 the spirit of God 00:35:31.880 --> 00:35:32.800 also goes to work 00:35:32.800 --> 00:35:33.440 to save you. 00:35:34.600 --> 00:35:35.800 And I can tell you 00:35:35.800 --> 00:35:36.700 with certainty 00:35:36.700 --> 00:35:37.840 that he will 00:35:37.840 --> 00:35:38.860 keep on working 00:35:38.860 --> 00:35:39.580 to bring about 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:40.539 the fruit of righteousness 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:41.579 or he's going 00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:42.360 to keep on working 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:42.840 to bring you 00:35:42.840 --> 00:35:43.199 to the point 00:35:43.199 --> 00:35:43.699 of repentance, 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:44.819 you harden your heart, 00:35:44.880 --> 00:35:45.480 he'll keep working. 00:35:46.900 --> 00:35:47.659 So a person 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.380 who confesses 00:35:48.380 --> 00:35:49.059 to be a Christian 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:50.179 and yet is not 00:35:50.179 --> 00:35:50.880 caught up 00:35:50.880 --> 00:35:51.840 with joy 00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:52.659 and satisfaction 00:35:52.659 --> 00:35:53.119 in the matter 00:35:53.119 --> 00:35:53.519 of giving, 00:35:53.639 --> 00:35:54.480 probably not a bad thing 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.279 to kind of double check, 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:56.360 am I a person 00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:57.319 who knows Christ 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.519 but kind of has forgotten 00:35:58.519 --> 00:35:59.019 the blessing 00:35:59.019 --> 00:35:59.639 of the gospel 00:35:59.639 --> 00:36:00.840 or am I a person 00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:01.480 who's just got 00:36:01.480 --> 00:36:02.099 the vocabulary 00:36:02.099 --> 00:36:02.880 and really doesn't 00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.480 have the heart 00:36:03.480 --> 00:36:04.759 and the work of grace? 00:36:04.760 --> 00:36:07.460 Finally, 00:36:07.560 --> 00:36:07.800 I want you 00:36:07.800 --> 00:36:08.620 to understand this, 00:36:08.740 --> 00:36:09.240 godly giving 00:36:09.240 --> 00:36:10.300 makes God look good. 00:36:11.900 --> 00:36:12.580 Godly giving 00:36:12.580 --> 00:36:13.640 makes God look good. 00:36:15.640 --> 00:36:16.620 It says here, 00:36:18.020 --> 00:36:20.040 they will glorify God. 00:36:20.120 --> 00:36:20.720 You know what it means 00:36:20.720 --> 00:36:21.640 to glorify God? 00:36:22.380 --> 00:36:23.100 It means to say, 00:36:23.200 --> 00:36:23.440 man, 00:36:23.780 --> 00:36:24.660 he's somebody special. 00:36:25.020 --> 00:36:25.940 How did he get 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.620 in your wallet? 00:36:28.920 --> 00:36:29.320 Well, 00:36:30.000 --> 00:36:30.960 you don't know 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.820 what he's done for me. 00:36:31.820 --> 00:36:34.519 I'm a lifelong debtor. 00:36:35.240 --> 00:36:36.600 I was on my way 00:36:36.600 --> 00:36:37.120 to hell. 00:36:38.100 --> 00:36:38.880 My life was 00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:40.320 an absolute mess. 00:36:41.400 --> 00:36:43.000 Sin had overwhelmed me 00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:44.460 and I was a slave 00:36:44.460 --> 00:36:45.940 to my wicked heart 00:36:45.940 --> 00:36:47.260 and yet the grace 00:36:47.260 --> 00:36:47.740 of God 00:36:47.740 --> 00:36:48.880 came into my life 00:36:48.880 --> 00:36:51.420 and took darkness 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.000 and turned it 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.559 into light 00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.300 and took death 00:36:53.300 --> 00:36:53.780 and turned it 00:36:53.780 --> 00:36:54.500 into life. 00:36:57.500 --> 00:36:58.700 He's got my heart. 00:36:59.860 --> 00:37:00.800 No big deal 00:37:00.800 --> 00:37:01.559 to have my wallet. 00:37:01.820 --> 00:37:04.700 And so, 00:37:05.240 --> 00:37:06.480 as I close this morning, 00:37:06.660 --> 00:37:07.500 here's something 00:37:07.500 --> 00:37:08.380 I want you to think about. 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:10.340 Practically, 00:37:10.420 --> 00:37:10.960 where you sit, 00:37:12.380 --> 00:37:14.280 do you actually 00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:15.120 find pleasure 00:37:15.120 --> 00:37:15.660 in giving 00:37:15.660 --> 00:37:16.559 to the Lord? 00:37:17.880 --> 00:37:18.780 Is that something 00:37:18.780 --> 00:37:19.460 that you find 00:37:19.460 --> 00:37:20.580 satisfaction of? 00:37:21.860 --> 00:37:23.980 And I'm all in favor 00:37:23.980 --> 00:37:24.920 of electronic giving. 00:37:25.200 --> 00:37:26.240 It works. 00:37:26.720 --> 00:37:27.620 It's what we do. 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:28.860 But you know what? 00:37:28.940 --> 00:37:29.700 In addition to the 00:37:29.700 --> 00:37:30.460 electronic giving, 00:37:30.460 --> 00:37:31.380 Judith and I 00:37:31.380 --> 00:37:32.159 regularly think about 00:37:32.159 --> 00:37:32.840 what we're doing. 00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:36.079 Because I don't want 00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:36.940 our giving 00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:37.920 to become something 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.980 that is just habitual 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.880 and it's like 00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:41.619 paying property taxes. 00:37:41.780 --> 00:37:42.119 How many of you, 00:37:42.119 --> 00:37:42.300 you know, 00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:43.420 we pay property taxes 00:37:43.420 --> 00:37:43.659 and you're like, 00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:44.179 okay, 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:44.659 you know. 00:37:44.659 --> 00:37:48.539 I want our giving 00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:52.079 to be a positive, 00:37:53.420 --> 00:37:55.639 satisfying reminder 00:37:55.639 --> 00:37:57.799 of my relationship 00:37:57.799 --> 00:37:58.420 with Christ. 00:37:59.379 --> 00:38:00.079 Is that the way 00:38:00.079 --> 00:38:00.599 it is for you? 00:38:02.539 --> 00:38:03.579 Every time I give, 00:38:03.719 --> 00:38:04.359 I think about, 00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:04.699 man, 00:38:04.819 --> 00:38:05.519 Jesus has done 00:38:05.519 --> 00:38:06.359 so much for me 00:38:06.359 --> 00:38:07.019 and this is just 00:38:07.019 --> 00:38:07.699 a little token 00:38:07.699 --> 00:38:08.940 of my thanks. 00:38:08.940 --> 00:38:13.539 Do you recognize 00:38:13.539 --> 00:38:15.860 that your pattern 00:38:15.860 --> 00:38:16.300 of giving 00:38:16.300 --> 00:38:17.200 really says 00:38:17.200 --> 00:38:18.039 a great deal 00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:19.119 about who you 00:38:19.119 --> 00:38:20.320 believe God is 00:38:20.320 --> 00:38:25.700 and what he's worth? 00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:28.700 So why would a pastor 00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:31.159 preach on stewardship 00:38:31.159 --> 00:38:32.599 here? 00:38:34.639 --> 00:38:35.539 Let me give you 00:38:35.539 --> 00:38:35.960 an answer. 00:38:35.960 --> 00:38:39.420 Turn in your Bible 00:38:39.420 --> 00:38:40.099 as I close 00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:41.340 to Malachi 2, 00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:42.039 verse 7. 00:38:51.900 --> 00:38:52.619 Nod your heads 00:38:52.619 --> 00:38:53.019 at this. 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.639 God's infinitely wise 00:38:54.639 --> 00:38:55.539 and he's infinitely good. 00:38:57.699 --> 00:38:58.099 Hey, 00:38:58.280 --> 00:38:58.900 everybody look up 00:38:58.900 --> 00:38:59.460 just for a second. 00:39:01.679 --> 00:39:02.320 Just to see 00:39:02.320 --> 00:39:02.980 who was looking up. 00:39:03.179 --> 00:39:03.320 Okay. 00:39:03.720 --> 00:39:04.500 Everybody look up. 00:39:04.940 --> 00:39:05.599 Let me say it again. 00:39:05.960 --> 00:39:07.699 God is infinitely wise 00:39:07.699 --> 00:39:08.679 and infinitely good. 00:39:10.280 --> 00:39:10.599 Okay. 00:39:11.320 --> 00:39:12.500 And my job 00:39:12.500 --> 00:39:13.740 is to point to God. 00:39:13.780 --> 00:39:14.280 Isn't that right? 00:39:15.579 --> 00:39:16.619 Malachi 2, 00:39:16.740 --> 00:39:17.099 verse 7, 00:39:17.159 --> 00:39:17.599 for the lips 00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.179 of a priest 00:39:18.179 --> 00:39:19.079 should keep knowledge, 00:39:19.179 --> 00:39:20.139 should guard knowledge 00:39:20.139 --> 00:39:21.599 and people 00:39:21.599 --> 00:39:22.860 should seek instruction 00:39:22.860 --> 00:39:23.780 from his mouth. 00:39:24.159 --> 00:39:25.900 What does God think? 00:39:28.179 --> 00:39:29.039 For he 00:39:29.039 --> 00:39:30.920 is the messenger 00:39:30.920 --> 00:39:33.059 of the Lord of hosts. 00:39:33.059 --> 00:39:36.259 my job 00:39:36.259 --> 00:39:38.719 is to be faithful 00:39:38.719 --> 00:39:40.059 in speaking 00:39:40.059 --> 00:39:41.440 the glory 00:39:41.440 --> 00:39:43.000 and the supremacy 00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:44.679 and the significance 00:39:44.679 --> 00:39:46.420 of the Lord of hosts 00:39:46.420 --> 00:39:47.259 and there's not 00:39:47.259 --> 00:39:47.900 a word 00:39:47.900 --> 00:39:49.039 that he gives us 00:39:49.039 --> 00:39:49.960 that is not 00:39:49.960 --> 00:39:51.739 for our good 00:39:51.739 --> 00:39:53.099 and for his 00:39:53.099 --> 00:39:53.799 preeminence 00:39:53.799 --> 00:39:54.299 and glory. 00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:56.719 God's people said, 00:39:57.239 --> 00:39:57.659 Amen. 00:39:58.799 --> 00:39:59.599 Let's close 00:39:59.599 --> 00:39:59.980 some prayer. 00:39:59.980 --> 00:40:02.000 Amen.