WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.140 Now, if you're new to Watermark, we are doing this preaching series, this five-part series called Why Do We Do That? 00:00:06.219 --> 00:00:13.060 And we're looking at things that we as Christians do, things that healthy churches do, and we ask, why do we do those things? 00:00:13.160 --> 00:00:16.039 And so a few weeks ago, we looked at, why do we gather on Sundays? 00:00:16.699 --> 00:00:20.900 And the answer is, we gather because the Christian faith is a communal faith. 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:25.760 And we gather to encounter the living God and to be encouraged in the gospel together. 00:00:26.420 --> 00:00:28.800 Why do we talk about the gospel all the time? 00:00:28.800 --> 00:00:33.020 Well, because the gospel is not just for those that aren't Christians to become Christians. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:35.700 The gospel is also the way you grow as a Christian. 00:00:35.899 --> 00:00:40.719 If you want to grow in your faith, you've got to dive deeper into the gospel and apply it to our hearts and lives. 00:00:41.159 --> 00:00:42.200 Why do we take communion? 00:00:42.760 --> 00:00:50.079 Well, because the communion is a meal that Jesus hosts, and He invites us as a family to come and feast on His grace. 00:00:50.719 --> 00:00:56.500 Now, this morning, we're going to be talking about a topic, why do we give finances to God's kingdom? 00:00:56.500 --> 00:00:59.679 Why do we give finances to God's kingdom? 00:01:00.359 --> 00:01:02.219 Now, a confession up front. 00:01:02.539 --> 00:01:06.579 I have this whole week been back and forth whether we should do this, right? 00:01:07.019 --> 00:01:10.000 So on Monday, I thought, okay, this is good. 00:01:10.079 --> 00:01:11.260 And we planned this months ago. 00:01:11.780 --> 00:01:13.560 And on Tuesday, I thought, this is a bad idea. 00:01:13.680 --> 00:01:17.500 Okay, let's just talk about something much simpler and less controversial, right? 00:01:17.579 --> 00:01:20.780 And then on Wednesday, I prayed about it, felt, no, actually, this is good. 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:22.599 This is what God wanted us to do. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:30.260 And on Friday evening, I was having doubts and thought maybe I should work all the next 48 hours and start all over again and do something else. 00:01:30.740 --> 00:01:32.019 And why do you think that is? 00:01:32.939 --> 00:01:34.460 Well, you can tell, right? 00:01:35.159 --> 00:01:42.020 One of the reasons is over the last couple of weeks and months, we've actually had lots of guests and new people coming to visit Watermark. 00:01:42.120 --> 00:01:43.879 Some of you are new for the first time today. 00:01:43.879 --> 00:01:52.179 And one of the last things in the world that I want as one of the leaders is for you to think, oh, okay, we're one of those churches, right? 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:57.879 That always talks about money and always whipping people and beating us and say, give more. 00:01:58.819 --> 00:02:02.780 Actually, the last time we spoke about this was three years ago, May 2019. 00:02:04.399 --> 00:02:10.759 And so my people approval, love of man issues are coming to the surface, and I've wanted to back away. 00:02:11.340 --> 00:02:13.340 So let me say a couple of things up front. 00:02:13.879 --> 00:02:15.359 The one is two things. 00:02:15.780 --> 00:02:24.180 I want you to know that as one of the elder pastors, I actually don't have any idea who gives financially to Watermark and who doesn't. 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:26.280 In fact, I don't think any of the elders do. 00:02:27.019 --> 00:02:31.379 And so you could give a million dollars to Watermark, and I would never know. 00:02:32.819 --> 00:02:38.099 You could have been part of Watermark for 12 years and never have given a single cent, and I won't know that. 00:02:38.099 --> 00:02:45.439 And that's a very deliberate decision because as elders, we don't want to treat anyone differently based on financial giving. 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:53.459 And so maybe just as a side note to say maybe you're very wealthy and you've given a lot and no leader has ever thanked you or written a card. 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:56.300 That's because we just don't know. 00:02:56.680 --> 00:02:57.719 The accountants know. 00:02:57.800 --> 00:02:58.540 The bookkeepers know. 00:02:58.659 --> 00:03:01.200 But we as leaders actually don't know who gives at all. 00:03:01.819 --> 00:03:07.560 The second thing I wanted to say up front is Watermark's actually not in a financially precarious situation. 00:03:07.780 --> 00:03:11.200 And so this isn't coming out of like, hey, guys, money's tight. 00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:13.000 Let's quickly pull out the money talk. 00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:16.700 And, you know, actually, year-to-date, things are pretty break-even. 00:03:16.919 --> 00:03:17.459 Things are fine. 00:03:18.139 --> 00:03:20.219 And so why do we talk about this? 00:03:20.839 --> 00:03:24.859 Well, there's a number of reasons, but one of the reasons, why do Christians talk about this? 00:03:24.859 --> 00:03:26.939 Why do Christians give finances to God's kingdom? 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:28.060 Well, we're going to get into that. 00:03:28.060 --> 00:03:35.139 But one of the reasons is because we all deal with money every single day, especially in a city like Hong Kong. 00:03:35.719 --> 00:03:42.739 For some of you, maybe you steward your family's investments and you're moving millions of dollars around every day. 00:03:42.740 --> 00:03:46.219 For some of us, maybe money's really tight. 00:03:46.379 --> 00:03:49.820 And buying that drink at the vending machine, you've got to think twice about that. 00:03:49.879 --> 00:03:52.540 Because every dollar you spend, you've got to really watch it. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:57.300 In other words, it doesn't matter where you are on the socioeconomic spectrum. 00:03:57.939 --> 00:04:00.340 All of us deal with money every single day. 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:03.219 But money also has a way of creeping into our hearts. 00:04:03.840 --> 00:04:05.580 And it really can affect us. 00:04:05.580 --> 00:04:11.320 Just think of how many families fight and argue about finances. 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:18.139 Just think of how much relational tension there is in our lives and in the city in which we live because of money. 00:04:18.779 --> 00:04:22.339 Money is such a small thing in God's kingdom in light of eternity. 00:04:23.120 --> 00:04:25.779 And yet, it has a way of becoming such a big thing in our lives. 00:04:26.339 --> 00:04:29.079 And so, as a church, we want to talk about the real things of life. 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:31.659 We don't just want to talk about theology and justification. 00:04:32.360 --> 00:04:37.219 We want to talk about things like sex and marriage and transgender and all that kind of stuff like we did last year. 00:04:37.220 --> 00:04:41.320 Next year, we want to talk about faith and work and how do you approach your work in light of the gospel. 00:04:42.040 --> 00:04:43.520 And so, we want to talk about these real things. 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:45.600 And today, we want to talk about money. 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:46.660 Okay. 00:04:46.780 --> 00:04:49.940 So, with that introduction, let me explain the context of our passage. 00:04:50.080 --> 00:04:52.580 And then, Angie is going to come and read the passage to us today. 00:04:52.700 --> 00:04:55.500 So, we're going to look at 2 Corinthians chapter 8 and 9. 00:04:55.620 --> 00:04:56.720 Very famous passage. 00:04:57.300 --> 00:04:58.800 And the context is this. 00:04:58.800 --> 00:05:07.540 The Apostle Paul is taking up a financial offering for the Christians in the province of Judea. 00:05:08.020 --> 00:05:13.680 And previously, on his missionary journeys, he had spoken to church in Macedonia and he had spoken to church in Corinth. 00:05:14.139 --> 00:05:16.540 And said, listen, this church needs some help. 00:05:16.639 --> 00:05:19.759 Will you take up an offering for these Christians in Judea? 00:05:20.019 --> 00:05:23.740 And the reason is because it seems there was a famine that hit Judea. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:26.360 Basic food prices had shot up. 00:05:26.540 --> 00:05:28.639 And these Christians in Judea were really struggling. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:31.240 And so, Paul had previously spoken to them. 00:05:31.319 --> 00:05:32.680 And they said, yes, we'll do that. 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:33.759 We'll take up an offering. 00:05:34.160 --> 00:05:37.480 And you can take that money to the Christians in Judea and serve them. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:41.639 And now, Paul, the Macedonian church had actioned this. 00:05:41.699 --> 00:05:42.660 They'd done the offering. 00:05:43.100 --> 00:05:45.460 And now, Paul writes this letter to the Corinthians. 00:05:45.699 --> 00:05:46.699 And he's writing to them. 00:05:46.740 --> 00:05:49.819 And part of the letter is saying, I'm going to send Titus. 00:05:50.080 --> 00:05:54.259 And he's going to actually collect the offering that you said you're going to take up. 00:05:54.420 --> 00:05:57.040 And bring it back to Judea for these Christians. 00:05:57.340 --> 00:05:57.460 Okay. 00:05:57.519 --> 00:05:58.600 So, that's what's happening in the letter. 00:05:58.800 --> 00:06:02.259 He's writing them to say, that's what you previously said you're going to do. 00:06:02.540 --> 00:06:06.939 I encourage you to do it so that we can bless these Christians in the province of Judea. 00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:07.259 Okay. 00:06:07.259 --> 00:06:08.020 That's the context. 00:06:08.139 --> 00:06:11.639 And on that note, Angie, will you come and read God's word to us? 00:06:11.639 --> 00:06:23.560 The reading this morning is from 2 Corinthians, chapter 8 and 9. 00:06:24.099 --> 00:06:26.959 Starting in chapter 8, verse 1, we read. 00:06:26.959 --> 00:06:36.519 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia. 00:06:36.519 --> 00:06:49.839 For in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 00:06:49.839 --> 00:07:08.139 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints. 00:07:08.139 --> 00:07:21.079 And this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:31.859 Accordingly, we urge Titus that as he had started, so he should complete among you this act of grace. 00:07:33.240 --> 00:07:48.180 But as you excel in everything, in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you, see that you excel in this act of grace also. 00:07:48.180 --> 00:07:59.319 I say this, not as a command, but to prove by the earnestness of others that your love is also genuine. 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:15.560 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you, by his poverty, might become rich. 00:08:15.560 --> 00:08:21.000 And in this matter, I give my judgment. 00:08:21.879 --> 00:08:31.100 This benefits you who, a year ago, started not only to do this work, but also to desire to do it. 00:08:32.399 --> 00:08:44.039 So now, finish doing it as well, so that your readiness in desiring it may be matched by your completing it out of what you have. 00:08:45.559 --> 00:08:56.759 For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. 00:08:56.759 --> 00:09:09.759 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness, your abundance at the present time should supply their need, 00:09:10.559 --> 00:09:17.120 so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 00:09:17.120 --> 00:09:29.480 As it is written, whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack. 00:09:29.480 --> 00:09:35.659 Then in chapter 9, verse 6, the point is this. 00:09:36.480 --> 00:09:46.240 Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 00:09:46.240 --> 00:10:00.879 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:16.439 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 00:10:17.580 --> 00:10:21.679 As it is written, he has distributed freely. 00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.700 He has given to the poor. 00:10:25.559 --> 00:10:28.639 His righteousness endures forever. 00:10:28.639 --> 00:10:43.799 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 00:10:45.220 --> 00:10:55.379 You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. 00:10:55.379 --> 00:11:06.480 For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:18.899 By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission that comes from your confession of the gospel of Christ. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:33.200 And the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. 00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:39.680 Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift. 00:11:40.580 --> 00:11:42.259 This is the word of God. 00:11:42.259 --> 00:11:45.879 Great. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:46.819 Thank you, Angie. 00:11:47.779 --> 00:11:48.179 Okay. 00:11:48.939 --> 00:11:51.419 Maybe one thing I just wanted to say, I also forgot to say. 00:11:51.539 --> 00:11:53.960 If you're with us this morning, you're not a follower of Jesus. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:12:00.220 As Jeremy said earlier, there really is no expectation for any giving or anything. 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:04.480 Maybe you can read this in light of why do Christians do this? 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:04.679 Okay. 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:07.019 I'm not a Christian, but Christians seem to do this. 00:12:07.100 --> 00:12:08.000 Why do they do it? 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:10.620 Well, hopefully we can make sense of it. 00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:20.919 Now, in the New Testament, there are actually four kind of categories of people or recipients that God encourages the church to give towards, Christians to give towards. 00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:24.500 The first is to the local church that they're a part of, okay, for their ministry. 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:31.480 The second one is to missionaries or mission agencies or organizations to take the gospel beyond, right? 00:12:31.480 --> 00:12:36.720 The third one is to the poor and the vulnerable, the marginalized and the hurting in our city. 00:12:37.340 --> 00:12:42.320 And then the fourth one is to your own family and your family members to take care of your own family. 00:12:43.080 --> 00:12:47.560 Now, if we're honest, this passage is not talking about the first one. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:57.139 It's actually talking primarily about the second and the third, giving to missions and mission organizations and to the vulnerable and the hurting, the poor and the marginalized. 00:12:57.139 --> 00:13:04.460 And so it's good to recognize that this passage is actually not talking about tithing, about giving to your local church. 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:13.100 But what it does show us is the motivations that Christians have for giving their finances towards God's kingdom endeavors, whatever that is. 00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:23.799 Now, one of the other things that's interesting about this passage is that the motivation that Paul gives is very different to the way that many churches motivate people to give finances. 00:13:23.799 --> 00:13:25.979 Look at what Paul does here. 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:28.699 Look what he says in chapter 8, verse 8. 00:13:28.799 --> 00:13:31.079 He says, I say this not as a command. 00:13:31.839 --> 00:13:33.339 In chapter 9, verse 7, he says, 00:13:33.719 --> 00:13:41.639 Each one of us must give as he's decided in his own heart, not reluctantly, not under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:44.219 So Paul's urging them. 00:13:44.319 --> 00:13:45.359 He's encouraging them. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:46.679 He's appealing to them. 00:13:47.039 --> 00:13:49.519 But the one thing he's not doing is coercing them. 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:51.779 He's not manipulating them. 00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:53.879 He's not putting them into a corner. 00:13:54.419 --> 00:13:59.039 He's asking them to complete what they had originally already agreed to complete. 00:13:59.839 --> 00:14:10.360 So if Paul's not manipulating them or coercing them, what is the reason that he gives for encouraging them to steward a portion of their finances towards God's kingdom? 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:13.579 Well, in this passage, we see a couple of reasons. 00:14:13.839 --> 00:14:15.039 And let's look at them. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:17.759 The first one is, he says, why do we do that? 00:14:17.839 --> 00:14:19.679 Why do we give our finances to God's kingdom? 00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:22.179 Firstly, it's an act of grace. 00:14:22.519 --> 00:14:23.419 It's an act of grace. 00:14:24.039 --> 00:14:28.799 I don't know if you noticed when Andrew was reading, how many times the word grace appeared in the passage. 00:14:29.459 --> 00:14:32.539 In the Greek, it actually appears ten times. 00:14:32.719 --> 00:14:33.699 It's not always in English. 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:34.419 You don't see it. 00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:36.620 But look at chapter 8, verse 1. 00:14:36.939 --> 00:14:40.519 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given to them. 00:14:40.739 --> 00:14:41.419 8, verse 6. 00:14:41.419 --> 00:14:46.679 We urge Titus that as he started, he should complete among you this act of grace. 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:47.799 8, verse 7. 00:14:47.959 --> 00:14:50.459 See to it you excel in this act of grace. 00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:51.620 8, verse 9. 00:14:51.939 --> 00:14:54.479 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:54.839 --> 00:14:55.839 8, verse 19. 00:14:56.599 --> 00:14:59.459 He is appointed to carry out this act of grace. 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:00.559 9, verse 8. 00:15:00.679 --> 00:15:03.259 God is able to make all grace abound to you. 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.240 9, verse 14. 00:15:04.500 --> 00:15:07.019 The surpassing grace of Christ Jesus. 00:15:07.839 --> 00:15:08.860 What's Paul saying? 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:12.000 He's saying generosity is an act of grace. 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:14.600 Okay, well that's good theological language. 00:15:14.680 --> 00:15:16.480 What does that actually mean in real English? 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:18.840 Well, what he means is this. 00:15:20.019 --> 00:15:21.220 Well, I'll explain this way. 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:24.399 In the Bible, grace, what is grace? 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:28.440 Grace is, one way you could think of it is unearned favor. 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.200 Unmerited kindness. 00:15:30.879 --> 00:15:34.440 It's when someone is kind to you, but not because you've earned it or you merited it. 00:15:34.440 --> 00:15:39.060 It's just their unearned kindness. 00:15:39.560 --> 00:15:39.580 Okay? 00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:46.300 Now, Professor John Barclay from Durham University wrote a book called Paul and the Gift of Grace. 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:48.200 Chris told me about this book. 00:15:48.400 --> 00:15:55.020 And in this book, he argues that in the New Testament, grace, there's three expressions of grace. 00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:57.260 Firstly, grace is always a person. 00:15:57.600 --> 00:15:59.160 It's the person of Jesus Christ. 00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:00.620 How do you encounter grace? 00:16:00.700 --> 00:16:01.600 You encounter Jesus. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:04.920 You don't encounter Jesus, you haven't encountered grace. 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.139 Grace is always a person. 00:16:06.259 --> 00:16:06.759 It's not a thing. 00:16:07.560 --> 00:16:10.399 But secondly, grace is always God's gifts to us. 00:16:10.960 --> 00:16:12.840 So it's his gift of forgiveness of sin. 00:16:12.960 --> 00:16:14.139 It's his gift of righteousness. 00:16:14.399 --> 00:16:15.980 It's his gift of justification. 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:18.040 But it's also his practical gift. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:20.259 It's his gift of our families. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:22.820 It's his gift of our natural gifts and our abilities. 00:16:23.340 --> 00:16:25.820 It's the gift of our job and our work and our children. 00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:27.340 These are gifts of grace. 00:16:27.340 --> 00:16:31.899 But in the New Testament, grace is never just a one-way transaction. 00:16:32.100 --> 00:16:35.180 Like God gives it to you, you take it, and Bob's your uncle. 00:16:35.280 --> 00:16:36.019 I'm a happy fellow. 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:39.580 Grace is always a relational dynamic. 00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:47.700 And what he means by that is as you receive God's grace, his gift of grace, it passes on through you to others. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:48.360 Okay? 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:53.240 So God's grace comes to me and it passes through me to others. 00:16:53.320 --> 00:16:54.580 That's a gift of grace. 00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:57.080 So let me give you a very practical example, right? 00:16:57.580 --> 00:17:00.540 You're at work and you make a big mistake. 00:17:01.020 --> 00:17:03.900 And your boss should fire you. 00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:06.240 You've lost the company, a lot of money or something. 00:17:06.700 --> 00:17:07.700 And what do they do? 00:17:08.079 --> 00:17:10.940 They extend unmerited kindness to you. 00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:12.140 They say, hey, it's okay. 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:15.880 Don't make that mistake again, but we'll let it pass. 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:19.759 And then one of your subordinates makes a mistake. 00:17:20.519 --> 00:17:21.519 What do you do? 00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:26.920 You remember the kindness that your boss showed to you, that grace to you. 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.099 And what do you do? 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.740 You say, it's okay. 00:17:30.400 --> 00:17:31.519 Try not to do it again. 00:17:31.599 --> 00:17:32.299 Let me help you. 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:36.420 You see, the kindness that has come to you passes through you to others. 00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:37.180 Does that make sense? 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:38.900 Let me give you another example. 00:17:38.900 --> 00:17:41.380 You are moving apartments. 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:44.220 And so you say to your CG members, guys, I need some help. 00:17:44.420 --> 00:17:46.880 Saturday afternoon, please come and help me move my apartment. 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:47.280 Okay? 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.660 And they say, sure. 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:52.300 And so they all come Saturday afternoon and they help you move your apartment. 00:17:53.060 --> 00:17:57.380 And two months later, somebody else says, hey, guys, I'm moving my apartment. 00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:59.019 What do you do? 00:17:59.420 --> 00:18:03.980 The grace that you've received extends the grace you pass on to others. 00:18:03.980 --> 00:18:06.620 And so you say, sure, I'll be there and I'll go and help. 00:18:07.400 --> 00:18:12.339 So grace is unearned kindness, but it's not just this one-way transaction. 00:18:12.559 --> 00:18:13.819 It's a relational dynamic. 00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:18.380 And actually in the New Testament, this is the way that Christian living is always motivated. 00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:28.079 So remember, Paul says, he says, be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ forgave you. 00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:33.279 The forgiveness that I've received from God in Jesus, I then pass on to others. 00:18:33.859 --> 00:18:37.659 Or think about how Paul says, husbands, love your wives. 00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.559 Why? 00:18:38.699 --> 00:18:40.419 Not just because that's what you should do. 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:43.579 Because think of the way that Christ has loved you. 00:18:44.199 --> 00:18:49.679 Or think of how in Colossians, Paul writes and says, masters, be, let me just get here. 00:18:50.259 --> 00:18:57.559 Be, treat your servants justly and fairly, which in the first century is a radical idea, right? 00:18:57.919 --> 00:19:00.240 Remember in the first century, slaves are a piece of meat. 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.980 Nobody thought that they were humans. 00:19:02.339 --> 00:19:03.119 They're your property. 00:19:03.659 --> 00:19:07.299 But he says, no, no, no, masters, you treat your servants justly and fairly. 00:19:07.839 --> 00:19:08.240 Why? 00:19:08.740 --> 00:19:10.919 Because remember, you've got a master in heaven. 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:14.179 Now Paul's not saying, listen, God is watching you. 00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:21.000 What he's saying is, when you were a rebel and went your own way, how did God, your master, treat you? 00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:23.539 He sent his son to die on the cross. 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:29.500 And so the grace you have received, let that flow through you to others as well. 00:19:29.859 --> 00:19:30.839 Okay, are you tracking with me? 00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.639 Does that make sense? 00:19:32.940 --> 00:19:35.019 So what does Paul say here? 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:48.980 In this passage, he's saying again and again and again that the resources that we steward towards God's kingdom is God's grace to us, flows through us, and is an act of grace. 00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:56.980 As we encounter Jesus and his unmerited favor and his kindness, that flows in our lifestyles, including in our finances. 00:19:57.519 --> 00:20:00.299 And that way, our giving becomes an act of joy. 00:20:01.059 --> 00:20:01.400 Okay? 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.620 So it's an act of grace. 00:20:03.120 --> 00:20:05.420 But secondly, it's also an act of faith. 00:20:06.019 --> 00:20:08.000 Look at what happens in this passage here. 00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:09.980 Look at chapter 8, verse 2. 00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:12.000 He's writing about the Macedonians, and he says, 00:20:12.519 --> 00:20:21.160 In a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty overflowed into a wealth of generosity on their part. 00:20:21.160 --> 00:20:28.540 So the Macedonians, their generosity to the Judean Christians down the south wasn't out of their abundance. 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:31.340 It wasn't like they had tons of resources, and they're saying, 00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:33.160 Okay, well, I guess we could spare some. 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:37.740 Actually, in their poverty, in a moment of faith, they said, 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:43.380 God, we're going to trust you that we don't have a whole lot, but we're going to trust that you're going to take care of us. 00:20:44.100 --> 00:20:47.940 In other words, their giving was an act of faith, not an act of calculation. 00:20:47.940 --> 00:20:51.480 And this is actually how worship was always done in the Bible. 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:54.160 Remember in the Old Testament, how did you bring your worship? 00:20:54.480 --> 00:20:56.640 You bring the first share of your crops. 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.799 So you harvest your crops. 00:20:58.100 --> 00:21:00.740 You bring the first share, not what's left over at the end. 00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:01.420 Why? 00:21:01.559 --> 00:21:02.720 Because it's an act of faith. 00:21:03.279 --> 00:21:07.000 It's an act of saying, God, I'm trusting my life into your hands. 00:21:07.080 --> 00:21:08.880 I'm not trusting what's in my bonds. 00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:16.320 And what this means is that generosity is always a matter of heart, not a matter of the quantity. 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:19.700 The issue is not how much we give. 00:21:20.079 --> 00:21:20.980 It's our heart. 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:26.799 Remember, at one point, Jesus is in the temple, and he's watching people putting money into treasury, 00:21:26.960 --> 00:21:28.779 which that alone is an interesting idea. 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:31.700 Jesus is watching them put in the treasury. 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:35.119 But at one point, somebody comes with this treasure chest. 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:39.179 He wheels it in, this treasure chest full of gold coins. 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:42.259 And he lifts it up, and he bags on the table. 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:45.940 Oh, 100, 200, okay? 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.420 All these gold coins. 00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:56.900 An hour later, a widow comes in, hobbled over with her cane, and she drops two little pennies into the treasury. 00:21:57.920 --> 00:21:59.099 And what does Jesus say? 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:03.400 She has given much more than him. 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:06.879 Because for her, it was an act of faith. 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:11.280 It was an act of saying, God, I could do with this money, but I'm trusting you. 00:22:12.780 --> 00:22:14.780 Look at what Paul says about these Macedonians. 00:22:14.860 --> 00:22:20.160 He says, in their extreme poverty, it wasn't that they were taking up a multi-million dollar relief effort. 00:22:21.060 --> 00:22:23.340 In their poverty, they didn't have much to give. 00:22:23.420 --> 00:22:29.300 But what they did do was they gave themselves to God, and in response to that, they gave themselves to the Judean Christians. 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:35.899 And that leads us to the third thing, which is, it's not only an act of grace, it's not only an act of faith, it's also an act of worship. 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:39.819 Because look at how Paul describes it in 8 verse 5. 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:51.859 He says, they gave themselves first to the Lord, and in response to their worship of God, they stewarded their finances towards this kingdom endeavor. 00:22:52.799 --> 00:22:53.779 What's Paul saying? 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:57.899 He's saying their giving, their generosity, was actually an act of worship. 00:22:57.900 --> 00:23:00.860 It is a way of them saying, God, you are glorious. 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.500 You are sovereign. 00:23:02.660 --> 00:23:04.040 My life belongs to you. 00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:08.460 And part of that is all that I am and all that I have, I give to you. 00:23:09.000 --> 00:23:09.940 It was an act of worship. 00:23:10.620 --> 00:23:11.440 What is worship? 00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:13.040 Worship isn't just singing songs. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:22.560 Worship is describing the worth-ship or the worthiness of God, that he is God, and he has all that we have, and all that we are belongs to him. 00:23:23.820 --> 00:23:26.340 Do you remember a few weeks ago, we looked at Deuteronomy 6, right? 00:23:26.339 --> 00:23:29.559 And Moses says, hear, O Israel, the Lord your God. 00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:30.459 The Lord is one. 00:23:31.199 --> 00:23:35.079 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength. 00:23:35.159 --> 00:23:39.699 And the Hebrew word there for strength is the word moed, your resources, your ability. 00:23:40.559 --> 00:23:42.019 And that's what's happening here. 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:47.299 These Macedonians are saying, God, with our resources, with our ability, we're going to love you. 00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:50.359 And part of that means we're going to steward our resources towards your kingdom. 00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:54.159 Now, I've got a confession here in my own life, right? 00:23:54.839 --> 00:24:05.059 Part of the way that our family stewards our finances is, and it ties to Watermark, is there's an electronic automatic payment that goes off on the 29th of each month, okay? 00:24:05.619 --> 00:24:08.179 Set up years ago, that's just how it works. 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:17.320 And that works well for us because it means if you're sick or if I'm on holiday or church is online or I'm in quarantine, it just goes off. 00:24:17.360 --> 00:24:17.820 It's done. 00:24:18.840 --> 00:24:27.799 But one of the shortcomings of that is if I'm honest, my giving is seldom done as an act of worship because it just happens automatically. 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:39.779 And so in light of this week, one of the things I've decided is that each month when I see my tithe going off to church, I want to pray a simple prayer and say, Father, this is not just an automated action. 00:24:40.359 --> 00:24:41.419 This is an act of worship. 00:24:41.579 --> 00:24:46.980 God, out of the joy of what you've given me, receive this as a gift of my worship, okay? 00:24:47.159 --> 00:24:50.819 So that's one of the challenges that I've felt this week. 00:24:51.899 --> 00:24:53.539 Okay, are you following me? 00:24:53.779 --> 00:24:54.659 Is this okay so far? 00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:55.460 Okay. 00:24:55.460 --> 00:24:58.660 So let's get really practical here very quickly. 00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:05.620 What happens if you feel like, okay, I want to give to God's kingdom and that may be to watermark. 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.299 It may not be. 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.860 Okay, that's another discussion. 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:09.860 But I just can't afford it. 00:25:10.400 --> 00:25:12.759 It's my first job and I can't afford it. 00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:15.000 I've just had triplets, okay? 00:25:15.720 --> 00:25:19.600 And I can't afford it or whatever it is. 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:21.360 What do you do practically? 00:25:21.840 --> 00:25:23.340 Let me offer four suggestions. 00:25:23.339 --> 00:25:26.419 First thing is, make it a matter of prayer. 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:30.359 Bring your budget before God in prayer and say, God, this is my budget. 00:25:30.480 --> 00:25:31.259 You know my budget. 00:25:31.879 --> 00:25:33.599 God, I want to honor you with my budget. 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:35.079 Okay, make it a matter of prayer. 00:25:35.939 --> 00:25:39.639 Second thing is, I'd say, maybe examine your lifestyle a little. 00:25:39.640 --> 00:25:43.640 Because it's easy to say, given my lifestyle, I can't afford it. 00:25:44.240 --> 00:25:47.800 But maybe we don't need to eat out 40 times a month, right? 00:25:48.320 --> 00:25:51.560 Or maybe we don't need that 17th pair of shoes. 00:25:52.720 --> 00:25:52.940 Okay? 00:25:53.280 --> 00:25:54.759 So examine your lifestyle. 00:25:55.560 --> 00:25:58.200 Third thing I'd say is, maybe start where you can. 00:25:59.180 --> 00:26:06.160 Maybe for some of us, to give $50 towards God's kingdom is going to be a real act of faith. 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.460 That's going to really stretch it. 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:09.240 You're going to need to really trust God for that. 00:26:09.880 --> 00:26:10.600 I'd say, that's great. 00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.500 Start with where you can. 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:16.420 And then the fourth thing I'd say is, talk to someone who's really wise about finances. 00:26:16.580 --> 00:26:18.840 This church is full of people that are really wise. 00:26:19.400 --> 00:26:22.559 Go to them and say, hey, would you mind helping me with my budget? 00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:28.639 I think of Colin Farrell, Karen Empuy, Bernard Angie, Oscar and Celeste, Ed and Trish. 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:31.179 There's a whole bunch of people that are really wise. 00:26:31.659 --> 00:26:34.259 And talk to someone that's wise about it. 00:26:34.759 --> 00:26:34.960 Okay? 00:26:35.480 --> 00:26:39.220 So, an act of grace, an act of faith, an act of worship. 00:26:40.419 --> 00:26:44.039 Fourthly, why do we steward our finances towards God's kingdom? 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:47.720 Well, it's an act of, it's an investment in kingdom venture. 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:52.319 Look at chapter 9, verse 10 and 11 with me. 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:55.960 Paul here says that money is actually like capital. 00:26:56.519 --> 00:27:01.039 You're able to invest it in something that can give you a return on your investment. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:04.659 But it may not be a financial return on investment. 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:07.039 Look at what he says here in verse 10 and 11. 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.539 He says, 00:27:08.159 --> 00:27:18.200 He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. 00:27:18.899 --> 00:27:22.139 So, Paul here is using the imagery of a farmer. 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:25.660 He's saying you're a farmer and you've got a big bag of seed here next to you. 00:27:25.800 --> 00:27:25.900 Okay? 00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:27.580 And what do you do with that seed? 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:31.240 Well, most of it you should eat. 00:27:31.560 --> 00:27:31.759 Right? 00:27:31.840 --> 00:27:33.100 You've got to put food in your stomach. 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:34.580 You should eat it. 00:27:34.940 --> 00:27:36.100 Grind it into bread. 00:27:36.680 --> 00:27:37.200 Make flour. 00:27:37.300 --> 00:27:37.759 Make bread. 00:27:37.920 --> 00:27:38.740 And enjoy it. 00:27:38.740 --> 00:27:45.440 But some of it you should also sow so that next year you have a harvest and you can get more seed. 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:50.240 If you eat all of the seed now, you're not going to have anything to eat next year. 00:27:50.599 --> 00:27:54.500 But if you sow all of it now, you're not going to have anything to eat now. 00:27:55.099 --> 00:27:58.240 So, he's saying, picture your finances like a bag of seeds. 00:27:58.420 --> 00:28:00.299 Some of it, most of it, you should eat. 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:01.539 You should pay rent. 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:03.019 You should pay your kids' school fees. 00:28:03.220 --> 00:28:04.180 You should buy clothes. 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:06.680 But some of it you should also invest. 00:28:07.140 --> 00:28:07.299 Okay? 00:28:07.980 --> 00:28:17.759 So, he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and thus increase your harvest of righteousness. 00:28:18.100 --> 00:28:24.840 So, he's saying as you invest it, you're going to get a return and that will be a blessing to you. 00:28:25.140 --> 00:28:27.240 But it may not be a financial return. 00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:33.019 So, Paul's not saying, listen, you invest $1,000 in God's kingdom and you've got a million dollars coming your way. 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:34.240 That's not what he's saying. 00:28:34.400 --> 00:28:34.619 Right? 00:28:35.400 --> 00:28:41.400 Because he says, you will be enriched in every way so that you can retire early and drink pina coladas. 00:28:41.879 --> 00:28:42.299 Oh, no. 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:42.619 Sorry. 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.339 I misread that. 00:28:43.920 --> 00:28:48.559 He says, so that you can be generous and that will produce thanksgiving to God. 00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:57.539 For the ministry of the service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is overflowing into many thanksgiving to God. 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.660 Okay? 00:28:58.700 --> 00:28:59.740 So, you need to work with me here. 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:05.180 Paul's saying as you invest your finances in God's kingdom, what is the return that you're going to get back? 00:29:07.339 --> 00:29:07.740 Okay? 00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:09.180 It might not be finances. 00:29:10.819 --> 00:29:14.059 It might be that God, I think God promises to take care of us. 00:29:14.120 --> 00:29:14.559 That's true. 00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:16.620 But he actually says two things here. 00:29:16.660 --> 00:29:18.680 He says, one, there will be a return of righteousness. 00:29:19.319 --> 00:29:26.620 What that means is something of the goodness of the kingdom of God will come to our city, to the area in which we live, that ministry. 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:28.239 So, think about this. 00:29:29.119 --> 00:29:40.679 Every dollar that someone gives to Watermark, okay, a portion of that goes to sons and daughters to help those that are trapped in the sex industry come out of the sex industry and be free from that. 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:50.820 Every dollar that someone gives to Watermark, a portion of that goes to inner city ministries to help the ethnic minorities in Jordan and Yamate to be fed and discipled. 00:29:51.320 --> 00:30:02.860 Every dollar that someone gives to Watermark, a portion of that goes to young lives to help single teen moms to love and nurture their kids so that their kids don't get put back in the system and to help those moms to know and encounter Jesus. 00:30:02.859 --> 00:30:07.319 So, he's saying that the investment in God's kingdom, there's a return. 00:30:07.419 --> 00:30:08.419 And what is that return? 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.379 It's righteousness. 00:30:10.179 --> 00:30:11.839 It's goodness coming to our city. 00:30:12.539 --> 00:30:15.319 But he also says the return is also thanksgiving. 00:30:15.399 --> 00:30:16.859 In other words, worship to God. 00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:24.240 And so, one of the things, if I think about Watermark, I wonder, I was going to make you stand, but maybe I won't do that. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:33.640 If we think about the last 12 years, how many people have come to faith, become Christians, come to know Jesus Christ through Watermark Church? 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:40.039 I mean, there must be tons of us, but I'll just rattle off a couple of names if you don't mind me embarrassing you here. 00:30:40.099 --> 00:30:41.259 These are some of the people I thought of. 00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:42.259 Think of Alfred. 00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:44.480 I think Alfred's teaching kids ministry this morning. 00:30:44.819 --> 00:30:46.599 18 months ago, came to know Christ. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:52.039 Jerry, who's in Shanghai this morning, came to know Christ March last year through Franklin Teresa. 00:30:52.039 --> 00:30:54.420 Dorcas, through the youth ministry. 00:30:54.940 --> 00:31:00.759 Nikki, came to know Christ a year, two years ago this very week, 31st of May 2020, right? 00:31:01.420 --> 00:31:03.960 Ashtar, who came to know Christ in November last year. 00:31:04.480 --> 00:31:12.619 Michelle and Albert, who now live in, I think there's a Canada or the U.S., came to know Christ six or seven years ago through, I think also Franklin Teresa. 00:31:13.879 --> 00:31:17.359 Echo, came to know Christ through the Mandarin ministry a couple of years ago. 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:20.059 June, who was helping with the cars this morning. 00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:22.359 I don't know if June's also teaching kids ministry. 00:31:23.859 --> 00:31:25.119 Two or three years ago. 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:27.159 Ellie, who now lives in the U.S. 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.919 Ryan, I saw Ryan here this morning. 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:34.299 Henry, Henrika, Marilyn, Freya, and tons of others. 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:37.240 Those are just the people that I thought of in the last couple of years. 00:31:37.899 --> 00:31:42.059 Now, of course, in God's sovereignty, those people could have come to faith in other means. 00:31:42.579 --> 00:31:44.779 But you know what God used to bring that? 00:31:44.779 --> 00:31:59.220 Part of it was that 12 years ago, there was a church called Island ECC on the east side of Hong Kong that decided to invest in the planting of a new church on the west side of Hong Kong so that people would come to know Christ. 00:32:00.420 --> 00:32:08.500 The investment to God's kingdom has given a return of not only righteousness, but also thanksgiving and worship as people have come to know Christ. 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.779 Does that make sense? 00:32:09.779 --> 00:32:14.799 Last thing. 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:18.599 It's an act of grace. 00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.480 It's an act of faith. 00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.279 It's an act of worship. 00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.720 It's an investment in kingdom venture. 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:22.399 Last thing. 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:25.500 It's a picture of uncommon unity. 00:32:25.500 --> 00:32:30.440 So I explained earlier before Angie came and read the context of what's going on here. 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:40.240 Now, if you know anything about first century political dynamics, what was one of the main issues in the church in the first century? 00:32:41.140 --> 00:32:45.259 Well, one of the main issues was the relationship between the Jews and the Gentiles. 00:32:45.420 --> 00:32:46.920 It wasn't very good. 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:52.519 The Jews didn't really like the Gentiles and there was not much love lost between them. 00:32:52.519 --> 00:32:56.680 The Jews had a whole lot of words for Gentiles and they weren't very nice words. 00:32:56.960 --> 00:32:57.139 Okay. 00:32:57.259 --> 00:33:00.099 They called them dogs and other derogatory things. 00:33:00.740 --> 00:33:06.920 In fact, one of the main issues was when Gentiles became Christians, the Jews wondered, should we welcome them into our churches? 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:09.180 Or should they go form their own churches? 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:13.819 Because we don't want those unclean people to come in here and make us unclean. 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:25.859 It's kind of like, sorry if this is a bit crude, it's kind of like a Russian person wearing a Russian flag walking into a Ukrainian church these days. 00:33:26.059 --> 00:33:26.179 Okay. 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:28.480 The reception is going to be a little frosty. 00:33:28.639 --> 00:33:28.839 Right. 00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:31.179 So that's what's going on in the first century. 00:33:31.879 --> 00:33:35.799 Now, the Christians in Judea, who are they? 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.299 They Jews. 00:33:37.419 --> 00:33:37.639 Right. 00:33:37.939 --> 00:33:40.720 And the Christians in Macedonia, Corinth, who are they? 00:33:41.179 --> 00:33:42.419 They Gentiles. 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:48.840 And what's happening here, Paul writes to these Gentiles and he says, listen, the Jewish Christians are struggling. 00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:55.019 And I want you guys to take up a lavish love offering to help these Jewish Christians. 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.740 And what's happening? 00:33:57.140 --> 00:33:58.360 They do it. 00:33:59.100 --> 00:33:59.680 Why? 00:34:00.080 --> 00:34:04.720 Because it's a picture of this radical, it's a picture of heaven on earth. 00:34:04.720 --> 00:34:12.599 It's a picture of those who, apart from the gospel, would never be united with these group of Jewish Christians. 00:34:12.740 --> 00:34:15.179 But in the gospel, they've become brothers and sisters. 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:17.480 Look at chapter 8, verse 3 and 4. 00:34:18.199 --> 00:34:19.280 Paul writes, he says this, 00:34:19.280 --> 00:34:34.740 They said, 00:34:34.740 --> 00:34:36.420 Paul, these are our brothers and sisters. 00:34:36.540 --> 00:34:37.620 We know we don't look the same. 00:34:37.700 --> 00:34:38.960 We don't speak the same language. 00:34:39.120 --> 00:34:40.140 Culturally, we're different. 00:34:40.139 --> 00:34:42.299 But in Christ, these are our family. 00:34:42.960 --> 00:34:45.940 Please, can we take part in this love offering? 00:34:46.799 --> 00:34:53.139 In other words, their giving is a demonstration that they belong to a different kind of world and a different kind of kingdom. 00:34:54.119 --> 00:34:54.500 Okay. 00:34:55.099 --> 00:34:57.119 Why do we give our finances to God's kingdom? 00:34:57.239 --> 00:34:58.460 It's an act of grace. 00:34:58.619 --> 00:34:59.460 It's an act of faith. 00:34:59.839 --> 00:35:00.579 It's an act of worship. 00:35:01.119 --> 00:35:02.799 It's an investment in kingdom venture. 00:35:03.259 --> 00:35:05.719 But it's also a picture of heaven on earth. 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:11.159 Now, in the last few minutes, I want to ask and answer one very important question. 00:35:12.279 --> 00:35:15.379 How do we destroy the love of money in our lives? 00:35:16.119 --> 00:35:18.059 How do we destroy the idol of money? 00:35:18.139 --> 00:35:21.559 Because if we're honest, we can say, yes, yes, I know. 00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:22.379 That's a good idea. 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.299 I should do that. 00:35:23.879 --> 00:35:29.459 But just knowing it's a good idea is not enough to loosen in my heart the love of money. 00:35:30.039 --> 00:35:30.279 Okay. 00:35:30.919 --> 00:35:32.159 So how do we do this? 00:35:32.779 --> 00:35:33.899 Well, there's a couple of ways. 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:36.740 Let me suggest a couple of ways we could do it. 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:40.160 The one way we could try is through resolve and determination. 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:42.019 So we say, that's it. 00:35:42.240 --> 00:35:43.940 I'm tired of being a stingy person. 00:35:44.320 --> 00:35:45.820 God doesn't like stingy people. 00:35:45.980 --> 00:35:47.139 No one likes stingy people. 00:35:47.380 --> 00:35:48.960 I'm going to become a generous person. 00:35:49.360 --> 00:35:50.019 That's it. 00:35:50.460 --> 00:35:50.639 Okay. 00:35:52.360 --> 00:35:55.360 But I don't think that really works. 00:35:56.619 --> 00:35:59.360 I don't think that really changes my heart. 00:36:00.340 --> 00:36:01.420 Let me tell you why. 00:36:01.420 --> 00:36:09.320 About three years ago, the last time we spoke about finances as a church, I was so challenged and so convicted that I did something about it. 00:36:09.400 --> 00:36:09.480 Okay. 00:36:09.480 --> 00:36:12.659 The first thing is we spoke to Claire and we said, we're going to reorganize our budget. 00:36:12.740 --> 00:36:13.760 We're going to change our giving. 00:36:13.980 --> 00:36:14.139 Okay. 00:36:14.500 --> 00:36:15.139 It's a good decision. 00:36:15.619 --> 00:36:19.280 The second thing I did was on my Excel spreadsheet, which is my budget. 00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:20.780 I put two things. 00:36:20.880 --> 00:36:26.480 The front page, I wrote, Kevin, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:36:27.180 --> 00:36:30.360 And secondly, think steward, not owner. 00:36:31.160 --> 00:36:37.460 In other words, every time I open my Excel spreadsheet, the first thing that comes to my mind is, you don't own your money. 00:36:37.660 --> 00:36:38.400 It's God's money. 00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:40.620 He's trusted it to you as a steward. 00:36:40.619 --> 00:36:44.739 Well, do you know how long that that motivation lasted? 00:36:45.859 --> 00:36:47.139 About a week, right? 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:49.460 So the first week I was really challenged. 00:36:50.199 --> 00:36:52.819 Do you think it has any impact on my heart now? 00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:53.920 No. 00:36:54.039 --> 00:36:58.159 I see it and I just go right past it and I look at the numbers, right? 00:36:58.859 --> 00:37:04.420 In other words, inspiration is good for a moment, but inspiration doesn't last. 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:07.739 It doesn't dislodge the loves of my heart. 00:37:07.739 --> 00:37:12.119 If my heart loves something, I can bend it, but pretty soon that love is going to be back. 00:37:13.779 --> 00:37:14.659 Here's another way. 00:37:14.899 --> 00:37:15.759 I tried something else. 00:37:15.819 --> 00:37:17.919 Eight months ago, I go to my buddy Oscar. 00:37:18.259 --> 00:37:18.719 Where's Oscar? 00:37:18.879 --> 00:37:23.259 I say, hey, Oscar, I'm concerned that I'm not a generous enough person. 00:37:23.959 --> 00:37:28.059 In fact, when I look at my budget, there's this constant tussle. 00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:30.559 I want to be more generous, but I also want to save more. 00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:32.839 And I want to go through my budget with you. 00:37:32.919 --> 00:37:36.239 Will you sit down with me and look at my budget, look at all the numbers, 00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:39.339 and I want you to tell me whether you think I'm generous enough. 00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:40.739 And I want you to challenge me. 00:37:41.479 --> 00:37:42.899 And so Oscar says, sure thing. 00:37:43.919 --> 00:37:45.119 Well, that was eight months ago. 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:46.159 Do you think we've sat down? 00:37:47.099 --> 00:37:47.459 No. 00:37:48.899 --> 00:37:49.739 Do you know why? 00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:56.019 Because accountability is a good thing, but you're only as accountable as you want to be accountable. 00:37:56.559 --> 00:37:59.279 You can put all the accountability structures in place, 00:37:59.280 --> 00:38:03.260 but if your heart doesn't want to be accountable, you're going to find ways to dodge it, right? 00:38:04.220 --> 00:38:07.040 In other words, inspiration is good, but it doesn't last. 00:38:07.760 --> 00:38:11.080 Accountability is good, but it's not going to change the loves of my heart. 00:38:11.740 --> 00:38:17.540 But in this passage, Paul gives us another way, a way to destroy the idols and the love of money. 00:38:17.640 --> 00:38:20.040 Look at what he says in chapter 8, verse 9. 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:22.080 Actually, starting verse 7, he says, 00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:27.139 As you excel in everything, see that you also excel in this act of grace. 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:31.360 I say this not as a command, but to show that your love is genuine. 00:38:31.940 --> 00:38:32.420 Verse 9, 00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:36.179 For you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:38:36.659 --> 00:38:41.799 that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor on the cross, 00:38:42.039 --> 00:38:46.599 so that you, by his poverty, might become rich. 00:38:47.319 --> 00:38:48.420 Okay, what's Paul saying here? 00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:54.159 Paul saying that the way to suffocate the love of money in my own life 00:38:54.159 --> 00:38:58.579 is not through sheer determination, not through inspiration, 00:38:59.119 --> 00:39:00.460 not only through accountability, 00:39:01.639 --> 00:39:05.180 but by becoming, in the words of Julian's song, 00:39:05.280 --> 00:39:07.599 by surveying the wondrous cross. 00:39:08.440 --> 00:39:12.680 In other words, by becoming more enamored by the love of Jesus for me, 00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:16.840 becoming more secure in the faithfulness of Jesus to me, 00:39:16.840 --> 00:39:20.079 becoming more satisfied in the person of Jesus, 00:39:20.340 --> 00:39:25.360 and becoming more in awe of the majesty of Jesus and what he's given me. 00:39:25.700 --> 00:39:29.039 In other words, the more I know what I have in him, 00:39:29.440 --> 00:39:32.260 and that what he gives me when he gives me himself 00:39:32.260 --> 00:39:35.840 makes me infinitely rich at his expense, 00:39:36.360 --> 00:39:39.720 the more that will dislodge the idols of my heart. 00:39:40.120 --> 00:39:41.640 Okay, so let me explain what I mean by this. 00:39:41.639 --> 00:39:47.379 For some of us, maybe, we feel poor when it comes to control, 00:39:47.879 --> 00:39:49.500 or freedom, or independence. 00:39:50.179 --> 00:39:51.139 And so we think to ourselves, 00:39:51.539 --> 00:39:53.019 if only I had more money, 00:39:53.079 --> 00:39:56.059 if I could get to that target, I would finally be free. 00:39:56.659 --> 00:39:58.519 Right now, I'm a slave to the boss, 00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.579 I'm a slave to the company, 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:00.859 I'm a slave to the markets, 00:40:01.359 --> 00:40:02.960 and my boss owns me. 00:40:03.179 --> 00:40:05.759 If only I could get to 20 million, 00:40:05.839 --> 00:40:07.039 or 30 million, or 50 million, 00:40:07.219 --> 00:40:08.239 finally I'd be free. 00:40:08.400 --> 00:40:09.739 No one would tell me what to do. 00:40:09.739 --> 00:40:11.179 And then I could be independent. 00:40:12.219 --> 00:40:14.099 But Jesus says, would you really be free? 00:40:15.239 --> 00:40:16.219 Would you really be free? 00:40:17.299 --> 00:40:20.299 Jesus says that only if the Son sets you free, 00:40:20.479 --> 00:40:21.439 are you free indeed. 00:40:22.459 --> 00:40:24.779 In other words, the way to really be free, 00:40:24.879 --> 00:40:25.919 to be truly free, 00:40:26.500 --> 00:40:28.219 is not by getting to a number, 00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:31.619 it's by recognizing how free you are in Christ. 00:40:31.719 --> 00:40:33.819 That when Christ went to the cross, 00:40:33.859 --> 00:40:35.000 and became poor for you, 00:40:35.459 --> 00:40:38.159 you became rich in freedom, 00:40:38.159 --> 00:40:40.679 because Jesus says that if you're a Christian, 00:40:40.799 --> 00:40:41.879 the boss doesn't own you, 00:40:41.980 --> 00:40:43.119 the company doesn't own you, 00:40:43.279 --> 00:40:44.639 the markets don't own you, 00:40:44.739 --> 00:40:46.099 your family doesn't own you, 00:40:46.599 --> 00:40:47.480 He owns you. 00:40:47.899 --> 00:40:49.099 And He sets you free. 00:40:49.899 --> 00:40:50.759 Does that make sense? 00:40:51.579 --> 00:40:52.819 He became poor, 00:40:52.899 --> 00:40:54.339 so that through His poverty, 00:40:54.779 --> 00:40:56.699 we can become rich in all the ways 00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:57.659 that we think we're poor. 00:40:58.420 --> 00:40:59.579 For some of us, 00:40:59.920 --> 00:41:01.699 maybe we feel pleasure poor. 00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:03.879 We feel like life is such a ball. 00:41:04.300 --> 00:41:06.160 I'm trapped on the treadmill of life. 00:41:06.720 --> 00:41:08.059 If only I had enough money, 00:41:08.140 --> 00:41:09.740 then I could do what I really wanted. 00:41:10.119 --> 00:41:11.119 I could travel the world. 00:41:11.220 --> 00:41:12.880 I could eat at fancy restaurants. 00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:14.140 I could go on ski holidays. 00:41:14.740 --> 00:41:16.260 No one would have to tell me what to do. 00:41:16.320 --> 00:41:17.280 I could do whatever I want, 00:41:17.340 --> 00:41:17.940 whenever I want. 00:41:18.240 --> 00:41:19.559 If only I had more money, 00:41:19.700 --> 00:41:21.360 finally I could enjoy life. 00:41:22.400 --> 00:41:23.320 And Jesus says really, 00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:26.079 Jesus says fullness of life 00:41:26.079 --> 00:41:27.920 is not found in a bank account. 00:41:28.500 --> 00:41:30.840 It's found in knowing that through His poverty, 00:41:30.840 --> 00:41:32.900 we become rich in all the ways 00:41:32.900 --> 00:41:33.780 that we think we're poor. 00:41:34.600 --> 00:41:36.500 Jesus says if you had all the money in the world, 00:41:36.600 --> 00:41:38.120 you could go on all the holidays you wanted 00:41:38.120 --> 00:41:39.960 and all the restaurants you wanted 00:41:39.960 --> 00:41:41.880 and buy all the clothes and the shoes 00:41:41.880 --> 00:41:43.420 and the watches and handbags you wanted, 00:41:44.000 --> 00:41:45.960 you actually still wouldn't be satisfied with life. 00:41:46.480 --> 00:41:49.000 Because fullness of life is not found in stuff. 00:41:49.480 --> 00:41:50.700 It's found in a person. 00:41:51.700 --> 00:41:52.140 Jesus says, 00:41:52.200 --> 00:41:53.600 I came and went to the cross 00:41:53.600 --> 00:41:54.320 and became poor 00:41:54.320 --> 00:41:56.440 so that you can be rich in the very area 00:41:56.440 --> 00:41:57.400 where you think you're poor. 00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:59.559 Friends, maybe for some of us 00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:00.880 we feel relationally poor. 00:42:00.980 --> 00:42:02.119 We feel like I'm all alone. 00:42:02.680 --> 00:42:03.280 No one loves me. 00:42:03.320 --> 00:42:04.180 No one will look up to me. 00:42:04.220 --> 00:42:05.280 No one respects me. 00:42:05.700 --> 00:42:07.160 But if I had enough money, 00:42:07.440 --> 00:42:08.680 if I could save much 00:42:08.680 --> 00:42:09.860 or pull off that deal, 00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:11.599 people would finally respect me. 00:42:11.840 --> 00:42:12.920 People would show me respect. 00:42:13.059 --> 00:42:13.860 People would love me. 00:42:14.260 --> 00:42:15.019 I would get friends. 00:42:15.099 --> 00:42:15.800 I'd get a partner. 00:42:16.420 --> 00:42:17.960 Finally people would approve of me. 00:42:18.039 --> 00:42:19.400 My family would accept me. 00:42:20.300 --> 00:42:21.200 And Jesus says really? 00:42:22.240 --> 00:42:23.900 Don't you know that some of the wealthiest people 00:42:23.900 --> 00:42:24.260 in the world 00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:25.960 are some of the loneliest people in the world? 00:42:25.960 --> 00:42:27.780 Jesus says 00:42:27.780 --> 00:42:30.320 that acceptance and approval 00:42:30.320 --> 00:42:31.920 is not found in a bank account. 00:42:32.579 --> 00:42:33.940 It's found in Him. 00:42:34.699 --> 00:42:35.699 In the one person 00:42:35.699 --> 00:42:36.699 who loved you enough 00:42:36.699 --> 00:42:37.659 to go to the cross for you, 00:42:37.679 --> 00:42:39.320 who became infinitely poor 00:42:39.320 --> 00:42:41.099 so that you could become infinitely rich 00:42:41.099 --> 00:42:42.400 in the very way 00:42:42.400 --> 00:42:43.480 that you think you're poor. 00:42:44.019 --> 00:42:45.500 And that if you come to Him 00:42:45.500 --> 00:42:47.500 and accept His love, 00:42:47.619 --> 00:42:49.079 He will give you all the approval 00:42:49.079 --> 00:42:50.340 and the affirmation that you need. 00:42:50.599 --> 00:42:52.000 Because He became poor 00:42:52.000 --> 00:42:54.099 so that you can become truly rich. 00:42:54.099 --> 00:42:55.799 You know, for me, 00:42:55.880 --> 00:42:57.299 do you know what my issue is with money? 00:42:57.500 --> 00:42:58.880 My issue isn't approval. 00:42:59.059 --> 00:43:00.360 I don't think money can buy you friends. 00:43:00.799 --> 00:43:02.819 My issue isn't control or independence. 00:43:03.559 --> 00:43:05.619 My issue is not so much pleasure. 00:43:05.799 --> 00:43:07.779 I don't really need tons of new gadgets 00:43:07.779 --> 00:43:08.579 and that kind of stuff. 00:43:09.319 --> 00:43:10.960 For me, the reason why I'm not as generous 00:43:10.960 --> 00:43:11.659 as I want to be 00:43:11.659 --> 00:43:13.559 is because of security and safety. 00:43:14.299 --> 00:43:16.619 I often fear that I'm not saving enough. 00:43:16.719 --> 00:43:17.900 One day I'm going to have to stop working 00:43:17.900 --> 00:43:19.619 and I haven't saved enough. 00:43:20.380 --> 00:43:21.699 And so for me, the issue is 00:43:21.699 --> 00:43:23.460 I tend to hoard money 00:43:23.460 --> 00:43:25.619 and I'm not as generous as I wish I was 00:43:25.619 --> 00:43:28.179 because I'm always thinking about 00:43:28.179 --> 00:43:29.539 will I have enough for the future? 00:43:30.219 --> 00:43:30.380 Okay? 00:43:30.739 --> 00:43:32.199 And so for me, one of the issues is 00:43:32.199 --> 00:43:33.559 if someone gave me a million dollars, 00:43:33.659 --> 00:43:34.420 I know what I'd do. 00:43:34.500 --> 00:43:35.460 I'd probably save it all 00:43:35.460 --> 00:43:37.099 and I wouldn't be any more generous. 00:43:37.519 --> 00:43:37.759 Okay? 00:43:39.000 --> 00:43:40.279 That's not a head thing. 00:43:40.339 --> 00:43:41.339 That's a heart thing. 00:43:42.119 --> 00:43:43.420 So what do I need to do? 00:43:43.420 --> 00:43:47.559 I believe in my heart often 00:43:47.559 --> 00:43:48.940 that money promises me 00:43:48.940 --> 00:43:51.380 some kind of level of safety and security. 00:43:51.539 --> 00:43:52.680 If I can save enough, 00:43:52.780 --> 00:43:54.400 my future will be safe and secure. 00:43:55.280 --> 00:43:56.220 And you know what that means? 00:43:56.500 --> 00:43:58.200 I justify greed 00:43:58.200 --> 00:44:01.079 by calling it prudence or stewardship. 00:44:01.559 --> 00:44:01.700 Okay? 00:44:02.139 --> 00:44:03.760 This is just a little confession moment. 00:44:04.599 --> 00:44:05.940 Friends, what do I need 00:44:05.940 --> 00:44:07.900 to become a more generous person? 00:44:08.740 --> 00:44:10.860 I need to remember that Jesus Christ, 00:44:10.860 --> 00:44:12.620 though he was infinitely rich, 00:44:13.200 --> 00:44:15.120 became infinitely poor on the cross 00:44:15.120 --> 00:44:17.820 so that I, who am really poor 00:44:17.820 --> 00:44:19.460 in safety and security, 00:44:20.099 --> 00:44:21.740 can become infinitely rich. 00:44:22.160 --> 00:44:23.780 Knowing that the one who, 00:44:24.019 --> 00:44:25.480 though he had all things, 00:44:25.780 --> 00:44:27.160 gave up his son 00:44:27.160 --> 00:44:31.400 so that my future is ultimately secure. 00:44:31.960 --> 00:44:33.660 When I know that Jesus Christ 00:44:33.660 --> 00:44:34.900 and my future and my life 00:44:34.900 --> 00:44:36.160 is utterly safe in him 00:44:36.160 --> 00:44:37.539 because Jesus, who is rich, 00:44:37.599 --> 00:44:38.480 became poor for me 00:44:38.480 --> 00:44:39.840 so that I can be rich in him, 00:44:39.840 --> 00:44:42.000 I contend to be generous. 00:44:42.620 --> 00:44:43.420 As Romans says, 00:44:43.500 --> 00:44:44.980 if God gave his son, 00:44:45.120 --> 00:44:46.820 how will he not also with him 00:44:46.820 --> 00:44:48.440 graciously give you all things? 00:44:49.240 --> 00:44:50.280 Do you see what I'm saying there? 00:44:50.880 --> 00:44:52.420 Friends, as I preach the gospel, 00:44:52.579 --> 00:44:53.480 the riches of Jesus, 00:44:53.600 --> 00:44:54.420 to my own heart, 00:44:54.480 --> 00:44:55.320 do you know what it's going to do? 00:44:55.620 --> 00:44:57.180 It's going to loosen my hand 00:44:57.180 --> 00:44:58.019 so that I can become 00:44:58.019 --> 00:44:59.160 a more generous person. 00:45:00.059 --> 00:45:00.840 Paul writes this, 00:45:00.880 --> 00:45:02.340 as you excel in everything, 00:45:02.760 --> 00:45:04.740 see that you also excel in this act, 00:45:05.420 --> 00:45:06.320 this grace as well. 00:45:06.740 --> 00:45:08.300 I say this not as a command, 00:45:08.300 --> 00:45:09.880 for you know, brothers, 00:45:10.019 --> 00:45:11.820 the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ 00:45:11.820 --> 00:45:13.120 that though he was rich, 00:45:13.539 --> 00:45:15.260 yet for your sake he became poor 00:45:15.260 --> 00:45:16.560 so that we, 00:45:16.900 --> 00:45:17.620 through his poverty, 00:45:18.200 --> 00:45:19.260 might become rich. 00:45:20.440 --> 00:45:21.720 That's why Christians 00:45:21.720 --> 00:45:22.860 steward their finances 00:45:22.860 --> 00:45:24.120 towards God's kingdom. 00:45:24.680 --> 00:45:25.680 Let's pray together. 00:45:25.679 --> 00:45:28.460 Lord Jesus Christ, 00:45:29.139 --> 00:45:30.539 as we look at this 00:45:30.539 --> 00:45:32.699 really challenging subject 00:45:32.699 --> 00:45:33.359 and topic 00:45:33.359 --> 00:45:35.239 and passage of scripture, 00:45:35.980 --> 00:45:37.359 God, I firstly want to just ask 00:45:37.359 --> 00:45:38.579 that by your spirit 00:45:38.579 --> 00:45:40.279 that you will help none of us 00:45:40.279 --> 00:45:41.339 to feel condemned 00:45:41.339 --> 00:45:42.659 or coerced 00:45:42.659 --> 00:45:43.960 or manipulated. 00:45:44.719 --> 00:45:46.339 God, if any of us do feel that, 00:45:46.419 --> 00:45:48.399 I pray that you will set us free from that. 00:45:49.259 --> 00:45:50.039 God, I also pray, 00:45:50.119 --> 00:45:51.419 won't you help us to see 00:45:51.419 --> 00:45:52.899 the riches of the gospel, 00:45:52.900 --> 00:45:54.160 that God, 00:45:54.240 --> 00:45:54.840 our life 00:45:54.840 --> 00:45:55.500 and our safety 00:45:55.500 --> 00:45:56.280 and our security 00:45:56.280 --> 00:45:57.079 and our freedom 00:45:57.079 --> 00:45:57.920 and our pleasure 00:45:57.920 --> 00:45:58.800 and our relationships 00:45:58.800 --> 00:45:59.500 are not found 00:45:59.500 --> 00:46:00.720 in what's in our bank accounts. 00:46:01.320 --> 00:46:02.920 It's found in the person of Jesus. 00:46:03.039 --> 00:46:04.700 And as we encounter your grace, 00:46:05.200 --> 00:46:06.139 that that will help us 00:46:06.139 --> 00:46:07.720 to live lives of grace to others. 00:46:08.200 --> 00:46:09.099 God, I pray this 00:46:09.099 --> 00:46:10.039 in your awesome 00:46:10.039 --> 00:46:11.860 and your gracious name. 00:46:12.780 --> 00:46:13.099 Amen.