WEBVTT 00:00:00.700 --> 00:00:07.419 Good morning, church family. Our passage this morning is Luke 16, 1 to 15. 00:00:08.359 --> 00:00:10.720 Jesus also said to the disciples, 00:00:11.500 --> 00:00:20.059 There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 00:00:21.280 --> 00:00:24.280 And he called him and said to him, 00:00:25.219 --> 00:00:28.280 What is this that I hear about you? 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:34.560 Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager. 00:00:35.939 --> 00:00:38.120 And the manager said to himself, 00:00:39.320 --> 00:00:40.780 What shall I do? 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:49.140 Since my master is taking the management away from me, I'm not strong enough to dig, and I'm ashamed to beg. 00:00:50.439 --> 00:00:57.840 I've decided what to do so that when I'm removed from management, people may receive me into their houses. 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:06.040 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 00:01:06.939 --> 00:01:09.120 How much do you owe my master? 00:01:10.240 --> 00:01:13.140 He said, A hundred measures of oil. 00:01:14.299 --> 00:01:20.299 He said to him, Take your bill and sit down quickly and write fifty. 00:01:20.299 --> 00:01:25.719 Then he said to another, And how much do you owe? 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:30.060 He said, A hundred measures of wheat. 00:01:30.859 --> 00:01:35.920 He said to him, Take your bill and write eighty. 00:01:35.920 --> 00:01:41.719 The master condemned the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. 00:01:42.920 --> 00:01:49.640 For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:02:05.780 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings. 00:02:05.780 --> 00:02:14.060 One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much. 00:02:14.780 --> 00:02:21.780 And one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 00:02:21.780 --> 00:02:31.719 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust you to you the true riches? 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:40.180 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 00:02:40.180 --> 00:02:45.140 No servant can serve two masters. 00:02:45.800 --> 00:02:54.960 For either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. 00:02:56.240 --> 00:02:59.400 You cannot serve God and money. 00:03:01.600 --> 00:03:08.100 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 00:03:08.099 --> 00:03:10.439 And he said to them, 00:03:11.599 --> 00:03:19.219 You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. 00:03:20.240 --> 00:03:26.659 For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God. 00:03:31.159 --> 00:03:32.579 Well, good morning everyone. 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:37.979 Will you please pray with me as we come to God's word? 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:48.539 Lord, you promise that if the Son sets you free, you'll be free indeed. 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:56.400 So I pray this morning that you would set us free from the love of money. 00:03:58.240 --> 00:04:00.180 In Jesus' name I pray it. Amen. 00:04:00.180 --> 00:04:08.580 Well, how much does God want you to give? 00:04:09.540 --> 00:04:13.960 Let me ask the elephant in the room question. 00:04:14.360 --> 00:04:16.040 How much? Is it 10%? 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:19.420 Is it a tithe? 00:04:19.420 --> 00:04:31.740 I wonder, do you give a token amount just to calm your conscience, to get rid of that guilt? 00:04:31.740 --> 00:04:39.300 I've been reflecting in this series that I feel guilty just for having more. 00:04:40.300 --> 00:04:42.759 I have more than others. 00:04:44.180 --> 00:04:45.840 There's just guilt there. 00:04:46.019 --> 00:04:47.120 There's something there. 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:52.960 Some think Jesus is against having, having more. 00:04:52.959 --> 00:05:07.919 And those who think that will often go to Luke's gospel, thinking that Luke's gospel, there's so much more recorded in this gospel about money and possessions than all the other gospels. 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:20.759 But the problem with seeing the Jesus in this gospel as if he's against riches is Luke is probably pretty well off himself. 00:05:21.259 --> 00:05:21.900 He's a physician. 00:05:22.340 --> 00:05:29.120 He's talking to Theophilus, who's a high-up person in society who probably has a lot of money to spend himself. 00:05:29.120 --> 00:05:35.800 There are many warnings to the rich, but there's also heaps of examples of the rich following Christ. 00:05:35.939 --> 00:05:37.740 There's patrons of Jesus' ministry. 00:05:37.939 --> 00:05:43.100 There's Zacchaeus throwing a party and giving to the poor. 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:51.340 So as an article I wrote, Luke's gospel, as we come to it, is not against the rich. 00:05:51.459 --> 00:05:53.540 It's a gospel to the rich. 00:05:53.540 --> 00:05:56.560 And I think all of us in this room are rich. 00:05:56.560 --> 00:06:10.019 If we think in terms of history, in terms of the country we're living in, I know there's going to be difference among us, great difference, but we're rich, aren't we? 00:06:10.199 --> 00:06:13.319 I'm eating sumptuously every day. 00:06:14.279 --> 00:06:16.340 I'm having three meals a day more. 00:06:16.339 --> 00:06:24.779 I have a fridge full after our weekly shop, and the power is on. 00:06:25.079 --> 00:06:29.699 I'm not using it as a cupboard, as we heard last week. 00:06:31.620 --> 00:06:33.459 So this is a gospel to the rich. 00:06:33.559 --> 00:06:36.259 Are we meant to feel guilty? 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:38.919 Are we meant to give 10%? 00:06:38.920 --> 00:06:51.780 If we're coming with that mindset, we're coming to one of the most confusing parables that Jesus ever told. 00:06:53.160 --> 00:06:55.480 It just doesn't quite compute. 00:06:55.660 --> 00:06:56.840 Like, what is he saying? 00:06:56.960 --> 00:07:00.460 Is he commending dishonesty? 00:07:00.620 --> 00:07:02.280 We've got this dishonest manager. 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:03.759 Is he commending him? 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:06.920 What is this parable about? 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:16.079 As we come to this, we need to spend a few minutes understanding what parables are, how they work. 00:07:16.539 --> 00:07:27.500 These story-like parables, these longer ones, there's a phrase that I've heard so many times that when you hear it, I'd love us all to put it in the bin. 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:29.300 It's wrong. 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:33.480 Parables are earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. 00:07:34.339 --> 00:07:35.180 Have you heard that before? 00:07:36.759 --> 00:07:38.399 Put it in the bin, please. 00:07:40.079 --> 00:07:44.420 There's some truth to it, but it just, it domesticates parables. 00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:53.980 Because that understanding of parables makes it sound like every detail in the story represents some kind of spiritual reality. 00:07:54.120 --> 00:07:55.699 We're kind of going to unlock the puzzle. 00:07:56.159 --> 00:07:57.879 That's not how parables work. 00:07:58.079 --> 00:08:00.980 Not these longer ones, these story-like ones. 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:07.959 Let me illustrate with a different parable. 00:08:07.959 --> 00:08:16.579 There was, now this is modern read day, modern day retelling, okay. 00:08:17.120 --> 00:08:23.279 There was a single vehicle car accident and this male driver looked about 19 years old. 00:08:23.639 --> 00:08:25.839 He's got tattoos and piercings all over him. 00:08:26.179 --> 00:08:28.899 He's got a mohawk, if you know what a mohawk is. 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:31.899 He's sitting on the curb next to his beat-up car. 00:08:32.360 --> 00:08:37.319 He's staring at the ground, cigarette in his hands and he's just blood trickling down his face. 00:08:39.699 --> 00:08:39.959 Okay. 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:45.200 And the first car to come by was the Archbishop of Sydney in the next car. 00:08:45.600 --> 00:08:47.200 And he sees this guy. 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:54.460 He slows down, but he's wearing his vestments. 00:08:55.420 --> 00:09:00.060 He doesn't want to get his holy vestments dirty or get blood on them. 00:09:00.900 --> 00:09:02.060 So he keeps driving. 00:09:02.059 --> 00:09:07.559 Now the next car to come was Dave Bott, a local pastor. 00:09:09.099 --> 00:09:10.419 And he slowed down. 00:09:10.500 --> 00:09:16.259 He notices this man, but he's running late for a church meeting to do kingdom work. 00:09:16.419 --> 00:09:18.539 And so he too drives past. 00:09:19.879 --> 00:09:25.859 The next car, there's a devout Muslim man who's running late for his evening prayers. 00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:27.379 He sees the man. 00:09:27.479 --> 00:09:28.339 He pulls over. 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:30.619 He puts his hazard lights on. 00:09:30.699 --> 00:09:31.719 He calls an ambulance. 00:09:31.720 --> 00:09:34.740 He uses his turban to bind up his wounds. 00:09:35.320 --> 00:09:40.420 He pays the $415 for the ambulance call-out fee because he doesn't have insurance. 00:09:40.560 --> 00:09:42.879 And then he goes to the hospital with him. 00:09:43.200 --> 00:09:46.840 Now, which one loved his neighbour? 00:09:53.639 --> 00:09:55.920 Parables pack a punch, don't they? 00:09:57.580 --> 00:09:59.580 Assuming you think I got that parable right. 00:09:59.580 --> 00:10:02.000 Obviously, it's the good Samaritan. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:04.660 They pack a punch. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:13.120 They're meant to get under your skin and make you re-look at your assumptions about God and others 00:10:13.120 --> 00:10:16.000 and what a true kingdom attitudes are. 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.139 They pack a punch. 00:10:18.139 --> 00:10:26.480 Parables are meant to divide people, we're told in Matthew 13. 00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:36.000 Some are going to find them confusing and ridiculous and reject them, proving that they don't care for Jesus' kingdom. 00:10:36.180 --> 00:10:37.560 Others are drawn into them. 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:40.179 What is this parable saying? 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:44.179 You want to see the kingdom through Jesus' eyes. 00:10:44.439 --> 00:10:50.959 So, let this parable of the dishonest manager pack a punch. 00:10:50.960 --> 00:10:56.340 We're meant to be shocked. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:09.620 Now, one last comment about parables to help us here is there's some parables that are how much more. 00:11:09.620 --> 00:11:16.659 So, fathers, which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:27.340 If we give good things to our children, even though we can be evil, how much more with our Father in heaven? 00:11:28.000 --> 00:11:29.759 Give good things to those who ask. 00:11:29.820 --> 00:11:30.620 How much more? 00:11:30.620 --> 00:11:41.580 Or the widow who just persists to an unjust judge in her town, who neither feared God or cared about people. 00:11:41.879 --> 00:11:43.620 She just persists and persists. 00:11:43.799 --> 00:11:44.899 Please give me justice. 00:11:45.039 --> 00:11:45.700 Give me justice. 00:11:46.159 --> 00:11:51.379 And he's just like, okay, just go away. 00:11:51.720 --> 00:11:52.840 I'll give you justice. 00:11:53.500 --> 00:12:00.060 If her persistence is answered, how much more will God give justice if we persist? 00:12:00.059 --> 00:12:02.219 So, there's how much more parables. 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:05.000 I think these parables are how much more. 00:12:06.459 --> 00:12:12.599 If this dishonest manager is shrewd, clever, how much more should we Christians be? 00:12:24.319 --> 00:12:25.899 So, a true story. 00:12:26.099 --> 00:12:27.079 Michael Burry. 00:12:27.080 --> 00:12:32.720 He was an American investor, a hedge fund manager. 00:12:34.420 --> 00:12:38.040 He started a company in the year 2000. 00:12:38.259 --> 00:12:41.600 And by 2004, he's managing $600 million. 00:12:44.300 --> 00:12:46.900 You know the saying, safe as houses. 00:12:48.820 --> 00:12:51.860 Housing market, reliable investment, right? 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:57.560 But in 2005, he made a bet that the housing market in the US was going to crash. 00:12:58.300 --> 00:13:03.620 Like, everyone else is relying on the housing market. 00:13:03.779 --> 00:13:04.519 Safe as houses. 00:13:04.800 --> 00:13:05.440 Michael Burry. 00:13:05.700 --> 00:13:11.360 He uses all his investors' money to go, no, it's going to crash. 00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:15.360 And his investors panicked. 00:13:16.019 --> 00:13:25.360 Some of them sued him because he's just put all their money into this that everyone else thinks is wasteful and ridiculous. 00:13:27.220 --> 00:13:31.000 Others withdraw their money, but the global financial crisis came. 00:13:31.000 --> 00:13:41.419 And those who stuck with Burry made $700 million profit, 500% return. 00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:42.679 Clever. 00:13:44.500 --> 00:13:45.519 Very clever. 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:48.759 Very shrewd. 00:13:50.139 --> 00:13:51.940 He was spending other people's money. 00:13:51.940 --> 00:13:55.400 It's easier to spend other people's money. 00:13:56.680 --> 00:13:58.140 People thought it was wasteful. 00:13:58.300 --> 00:13:59.060 It was laughable. 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:02.180 But he saw the crisis. 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:04.440 And he acted. 00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:05.900 He acted very cleverly. 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:15.000 That's the kind of shrewdness that this guy in this parable is like. 00:14:15.000 --> 00:14:22.240 He's got a rich owner that he's managing his possessions. 00:14:22.659 --> 00:14:26.039 And he's been charged with wasting the possessions. 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:28.279 You're fired, is the meeting. 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:30.419 You're fired. 00:14:30.519 --> 00:14:33.120 You've got two weeks, however long it is. 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:35.620 You're going to be audited and then you're gone. 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:39.259 He considers his future. 00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:41.159 He doesn't have the trade skills. 00:14:42.080 --> 00:14:44.679 He doesn't have the strength to be a tradie. 00:14:45.500 --> 00:14:47.899 I can relate to him on that. 00:14:49.399 --> 00:14:51.919 Anyway, I won't go down that rabbit hop. 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:53.440 It doesn't really matter. 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:57.899 Now, when workers come to get their labourers for the day, 00:14:58.039 --> 00:15:02.500 he thinks he's going to be looked over because he doesn't have the skills. 00:15:03.139 --> 00:15:05.240 So he might be just left to beg. 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.899 He's too ashamed to beg. 00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:10.679 He can't look at himself in the mirror. 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:13.299 What will that say about God's rejection of him? 00:15:13.399 --> 00:15:14.559 What will people think of him? 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:16.379 Crisis is coming. 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:21.179 But he comes up with this really clever strategy. 00:15:21.620 --> 00:15:25.620 He's still manager of his master's money. 00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:28.539 He has the authority to write new contracts. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:29.840 And so he does. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:36.340 These are like multiple years worth of income that he's just going, 00:15:36.740 --> 00:15:38.399 let's clear that debt. 00:15:39.759 --> 00:15:41.280 Quick, let's write a new contract. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:43.220 100 measures of oil, make it 50. 00:15:43.220 --> 00:15:45.399 A couple of years income. 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:53.519 The clients would have been so happy with him. 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.340 Wow, you are generous. 00:15:55.579 --> 00:16:01.399 Wow, you're rich man that you're managing his money. 00:16:01.579 --> 00:16:03.279 Wow, that is incredibly generous. 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.659 You're asking nothing in return. 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:09.480 Now what did the manager do? 00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.559 He was furious. 00:16:11.079 --> 00:16:16.639 He came and he took his manager and called the police and put him in prison 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:18.939 until he pays every last penny. 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:23.259 His reputation destroyed in prison. 00:16:23.559 --> 00:16:25.339 No, he doesn't do that. 00:16:25.340 --> 00:16:30.399 He goes, that's clever. 00:16:32.980 --> 00:16:34.180 Well done. 00:16:38.300 --> 00:16:40.000 He's not condemned. 00:16:41.040 --> 00:16:42.160 He's commended. 00:16:42.920 --> 00:16:43.540 Well done. 00:16:43.539 --> 00:16:51.199 This rat bag manager should be in the gutter, 00:16:51.459 --> 00:16:54.319 but he's acted generously with my money 00:16:54.319 --> 00:16:56.679 and now everyone is so grateful to him. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:09.319 If even this scoundrel is commended for strategically making friends 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:14.159 in light of the coming crisis of unemployment for the remaining years of his life, 00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.779 now that's a crisis, 00:17:16.159 --> 00:17:24.299 but how much more should we Christians be strategically making friends 00:17:24.299 --> 00:17:27.740 in light of the crisis coming? 00:17:27.839 --> 00:17:29.220 We know money is going to fail 00:17:29.220 --> 00:17:33.720 and then don't we believe that eternity is coming? 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:38.579 How much more should we be strategic? 00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:51.799 There might be another reason we're struggling to understand this parable. 00:17:55.899 --> 00:17:57.339 Maybe it's verse 14. 00:17:58.619 --> 00:18:02.939 Maybe we've got more in common with the Pharisees in verse 14 00:18:02.939 --> 00:18:05.059 who were lovers of money 00:18:05.059 --> 00:18:08.659 and they heard all these things and they ridiculed him. 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:38.019 They love money because they're justifying themselves. 00:18:38.019 --> 00:18:40.119 There's a mum. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:45.200 She's got the perfect social media page. 00:18:45.500 --> 00:18:47.779 She's ticking all the career goals. 00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:51.359 She's got the selfies in wearing a power suit 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:53.579 with really influential people. 00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:58.379 She's got the two kids, perfect images. 00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.380 She's wearing the Lorna Jane. 00:18:59.380 --> 00:19:04.620 She's wearing the Lorna Jane, I think that's the brand, Lorna Jane running outfit, 00:19:05.560 --> 00:19:07.960 pushing a pram, smiling with the perfect hair. 00:19:09.520 --> 00:19:11.860 She's throwing really cool birthday parties, 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:16.200 like $500 birthday cakes and just all these costumes. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:21.559 She's dropping off the kids at school in the SUV. 00:19:21.559 --> 00:19:29.299 She's so busy justifying her worth. 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:41.759 God sees the heart. 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:48.379 Isn't so much advertising trying to get at us going, 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:53.440 if you own this, if you wear that, if you eat here, 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:55.640 if you drink this, if you live here, 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.660 you'll be a somebody. 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.879 You'll be someone. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:01.940 You'll be... 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:03.920 You won't be a nobody. 00:20:04.360 --> 00:20:05.180 You'll be someone. 00:20:09.539 --> 00:20:13.420 I think we too can love money 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:17.240 because we think it can justify our worth in the sight of others. 00:20:18.820 --> 00:20:20.740 But what people praise, 00:20:23.140 --> 00:20:25.160 God sees as an abomination. 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:38.840 There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen 00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:41.680 and who feasted sumptuously every day. 00:20:43.100 --> 00:20:47.420 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:49.400 covered with sores, 00:20:49.460 --> 00:20:52.559 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. 00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:57.680 Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. 00:20:58.820 --> 00:21:01.460 Which of these men does God approve of? 00:21:01.940 --> 00:21:12.980 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. 00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:16.019 The rich man also died and was buried. 00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:18.960 And in Hades, being in torment, 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:21.559 he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off 00:21:21.559 --> 00:21:23.279 and Lazarus by his side. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.259 And he called out, 00:21:24.380 --> 00:21:26.240 Father Abraham, have mercy on me 00:21:26.240 --> 00:21:29.220 and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water 00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:31.000 and cool my tongue. 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:34.519 For I am in anguish in this flame. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:43.100 Having good things says nothing of God's approval. 00:21:43.099 --> 00:21:47.699 It says nothing of his approval. 00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:52.619 Hoarding good things to justify ourselves in the sight of others. 00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:56.379 God sees as an abomination. 00:21:56.380 --> 00:22:04.320 It's blinding us to the suffering and needs of others right in front of our nose, 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.440 sitting at our gate, 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:08.840 to try and prove our worth. 00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:16.500 Not having good things says nothing of God's rejection. 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:23.759 God sees someone who puts their hope in Jesus 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:26.619 and we've got the name here, Lazarus. 00:22:26.699 --> 00:22:28.299 This is the only time in a parable 00:22:28.299 --> 00:22:31.440 that a character has a personal name. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:35.720 This lowest of the low 00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:37.940 has a name that will last forever 00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.759 and he's got Abraham as a friend 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.839 in the kingdom of God. 00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.619 Having nothing 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:43.539 doesn't 00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:45.740 not justify you. 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:54.339 Money can't justify you. 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:57.279 It can't justify your worth. 00:22:58.000 --> 00:22:59.579 People might praise it 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:03.920 but if we're trying to use money to justify our worth, 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:07.580 God sees that as abomination. 00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:10.700 It's got, 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:14.259 it's empty of his compassion for people. 00:23:21.920 --> 00:23:23.940 Here's what can justify us. 00:23:27.460 --> 00:23:31.360 We're told that Pharisees and sinners are listening to Jesus at this point. 00:23:31.359 --> 00:23:35.339 What can justify you is that 00:23:35.339 --> 00:23:37.879 and sinners are rushing into Jesus' kingdom 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:38.319 because 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:42.079 they see God as a father. 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:45.059 A father who 00:23:45.059 --> 00:23:50.539 they've used the things God has given so selfishly 00:23:50.539 --> 00:23:52.139 and they know it 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:55.019 and they're coming back expecting God to 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.740 condemn them. 00:23:58.199 --> 00:24:00.619 But this father, when he sees them, 00:24:01.359 --> 00:24:04.639 when he sees his lost son coming back, 00:24:04.959 --> 00:24:06.139 he runs to him. 00:24:08.299 --> 00:24:10.339 He doesn't let us repay him 00:24:10.339 --> 00:24:13.359 but he embraces us and kisses us. 00:24:13.479 --> 00:24:14.839 He puts a ring on our finger 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:16.439 and the best robe on us. 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.819 He throws the biggest party 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:19.039 sparing no expense 00:24:19.039 --> 00:24:21.419 because he's just so joyful to have us back. 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:25.259 That kind of lavish love of the father, 00:24:25.659 --> 00:24:27.219 free, absolutely free. 00:24:27.799 --> 00:24:29.099 Money can't justify you 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:30.980 but that love can justify you. 00:24:32.539 --> 00:24:33.500 My worth 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:36.159 isn't in what money can clothe me in. 00:24:36.259 --> 00:24:37.959 It's the father's love 00:24:37.959 --> 00:24:40.419 that he just freely pours out on me. 00:24:40.919 --> 00:24:42.619 That can justify me. 00:24:42.619 --> 00:24:51.439 When we see how much it costs 00:24:51.439 --> 00:24:53.659 for God to bring us into the eternal home, 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:56.119 we don't have to envy those with more than us. 00:24:56.179 --> 00:24:58.439 We don't feel superior to those with less than us. 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:02.819 It frees us to treat money as what it is. 00:25:03.599 --> 00:25:04.319 Whose it is, 00:25:05.479 --> 00:25:06.639 what it's for, 00:25:06.779 --> 00:25:08.179 and the times that we live in. 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:11.279 Because we're not using it 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.779 to justify ourselves anymore. 00:25:12.960 --> 00:25:15.060 We can just treat money for what it is. 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:21.299 It's going to fail. 00:25:22.560 --> 00:25:23.460 We know that. 00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:32.380 So let's just use our master's money 00:25:32.380 --> 00:25:35.620 to maximize friendships for eternity. 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.740 So verses 10 to 12. 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:42.500 One who is faithful in a very little 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:44.539 is also faithful in much. 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:47.519 And one who is dishonest in a very little 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:49.180 is also dishonest in much. 00:25:49.840 --> 00:25:52.079 He's not approving the dishonesty. 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:54.399 He's careful to clarify that here. 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:59.579 God doesn't want 10% of your money. 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:05.039 He doesn't want 10% of your money. 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.539 It's not your money. 00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:11.059 It's all his. 00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:13.319 We're just managers. 00:26:13.319 --> 00:26:22.799 He's given his son all heaven and earth. 00:26:23.059 --> 00:26:24.159 It's Jesus' money. 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.200 It's all his. 00:26:27.859 --> 00:26:29.740 He wants all your heart. 00:26:31.480 --> 00:26:32.819 He doesn't want 10%. 00:26:32.819 --> 00:26:34.200 He wants all your soul, 00:26:34.399 --> 00:26:35.159 all your strength. 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.139 We're managers, 00:26:37.399 --> 00:26:38.619 and we're called to be faithful. 00:26:38.619 --> 00:26:42.019 It's easy to spend someone else's money 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:44.579 if we look at it for what it is. 00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.679 And he said, 00:26:48.259 --> 00:26:50.859 all the possessions he's entrusted to us, 00:26:50.939 --> 00:26:52.039 it's a little thing. 00:26:53.479 --> 00:26:55.539 If you are faithful in a very little, 00:26:56.000 --> 00:26:56.879 it's little. 00:26:56.880 --> 00:27:04.300 If we can't be faithful in serving Jesus 00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:05.700 with a little thing like money, 00:27:06.520 --> 00:27:09.680 why will he entrust us with greater things, 00:27:09.840 --> 00:27:12.500 like being a fresh leader, 00:27:15.280 --> 00:27:16.960 influencing his little ones 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:19.800 towards heaven or hell? 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:22.180 That's a great thing. 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:30.099 Like someone in despair or in grief 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.779 or overwhelmed in guilt, 00:27:33.000 --> 00:27:35.079 that opportunity to pray for them. 00:27:39.799 --> 00:27:43.059 Or that mum who's trying to justify herself 00:27:43.059 --> 00:27:46.700 with the career goals and the social media. 00:27:46.919 --> 00:27:48.399 We've got the gospel to give. 00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.379 That's a great thing. 00:27:50.559 --> 00:27:51.259 This money, 00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:52.799 it's a little thing. 00:27:54.220 --> 00:27:56.759 I'm not saying I've fully grasped this, 00:27:56.859 --> 00:27:56.980 okay, 00:27:57.000 --> 00:27:57.980 I've got a long way to go, 00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:59.599 but we've got to learn to see it 00:27:59.599 --> 00:28:00.279 as a little thing. 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:04.319 It's unrighteous wealth. 00:28:04.559 --> 00:28:05.500 I don't think he's saying 00:28:05.500 --> 00:28:06.500 it's inherently evil. 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:08.059 I think he's, 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:11.539 he knows the Pharisees' hearts 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:13.440 trying to justify themselves. 00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:15.480 I think unrighteous wealth 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:16.039 is just saying 00:28:16.039 --> 00:28:16.859 it can't, 00:28:17.799 --> 00:28:18.440 it can't, 00:28:18.440 --> 00:28:21.500 win your righteousness, 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.279 your approval. 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:24.720 It's got zero value for that. 00:28:27.180 --> 00:28:28.140 It's a little thing. 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:29.940 And it will fail. 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.960 We know it will fail. 00:28:31.500 --> 00:28:32.539 We know we can't keep it. 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.320 Any position, 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:34.220 any power, 00:28:34.860 --> 00:28:36.320 any opportunity I've got right now, 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.259 it's going to be gone. 00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:44.000 So what's strategic? 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:46.079 How do we be faithful? 00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:47.759 What does it mean then? 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:52.220 I think verse 9 is, 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:55.779 is the main command. 00:28:57.140 --> 00:28:57.779 I tell you, 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:59.259 make friends for yourselves 00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:01.859 by means of unrighteous wealth 00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.920 so that when it fails, 00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:04.119 they may receive you 00:29:04.119 --> 00:29:07.079 into the eternal dwellings. 00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:11.500 when our neighbours 00:29:11.500 --> 00:29:14.259 are maximising their holidays 00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:15.439 and their house 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:16.419 and their boats 00:29:16.419 --> 00:29:17.419 and their gadgets 00:29:17.419 --> 00:29:18.559 and their drinks 00:29:18.559 --> 00:29:19.579 and pub meals 00:29:19.579 --> 00:29:20.699 and their possessions 00:29:20.699 --> 00:29:21.720 and education 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.619 for their children 00:29:22.619 --> 00:29:24.859 and they're working 00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.460 the system 00:29:25.460 --> 00:29:26.619 to get the most 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:27.579 out of all this. 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.139 Maximise pleasure, 00:29:29.299 --> 00:29:30.199 minimise pain 00:29:30.199 --> 00:29:30.699 because 00:29:30.699 --> 00:29:32.559 eat and drink, 00:29:32.679 --> 00:29:33.419 tomorrow we die. 00:29:33.420 --> 00:29:35.320 they're outdoing us 00:29:35.320 --> 00:29:37.820 at what they believe in. 00:29:41.500 --> 00:29:42.980 He's calling us, 00:29:43.380 --> 00:29:45.019 let's maximise 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:46.880 the system 00:29:46.880 --> 00:29:47.779 in a sense, 00:29:48.140 --> 00:29:49.480 not dishonestly. 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:52.759 We Christians 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:54.000 are children of light. 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.800 We see the true crisis coming. 00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:57.060 There's eternity coming. 00:29:59.259 --> 00:30:01.300 There's eternal dwellings. 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:06.580 We're called to be more clever 00:30:06.580 --> 00:30:07.620 than Michael Burry. 00:30:08.080 --> 00:30:08.600 Just 00:30:08.600 --> 00:30:11.000 not maximising the dollars 00:30:11.000 --> 00:30:12.060 as an end in itself 00:30:12.060 --> 00:30:12.779 but 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:14.480 that children's talk, 00:30:14.580 --> 00:30:16.259 I love to invest in people 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.980 who will never end. 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:22.600 Our master has, 00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:24.820 I don't think he's got 00:30:24.820 --> 00:30:26.519 any interest in guilting us. 00:30:28.519 --> 00:30:29.640 He's telling us, 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:30.980 go, 00:30:31.700 --> 00:30:33.320 be reckless with my money. 00:30:33.420 --> 00:30:38.340 Go be strategic. 00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:41.980 Scheme, 00:30:42.140 --> 00:30:42.880 be creative, 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.779 be purposeful. 00:30:47.060 --> 00:30:48.840 I think this is a call 00:30:48.840 --> 00:30:51.200 to be a driving principle 00:30:51.200 --> 00:30:52.519 in everything we do. 00:30:53.519 --> 00:30:54.460 Not just, 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.640 like we've got Mission Month 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.120 coming out, 00:30:57.360 --> 00:30:58.340 it's not just 00:30:58.340 --> 00:30:59.460 the donations 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:00.340 we give to, 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:03.019 for missions. 00:31:03.299 --> 00:31:04.339 It includes that, 00:31:04.419 --> 00:31:04.639 obviously, 00:31:04.720 --> 00:31:05.659 but I think this is a, 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:07.399 this should be a driving principle 00:31:07.399 --> 00:31:08.399 in all our life. 00:31:10.899 --> 00:31:12.099 Go be strategic. 00:31:13.059 --> 00:31:14.240 Make friends, 00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:15.519 eternal friends. 00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:19.059 Like in terms of 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:19.879 who are these friends? 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:21.119 Even the money 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:22.379 I spend on my family. 00:31:22.380 --> 00:31:24.220 isn't, 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.220 isn't Emma 00:31:25.220 --> 00:31:25.880 and my children, 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:27.060 don't I want them 00:31:27.060 --> 00:31:27.900 to be friends 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:29.040 with me in eternity? 00:31:30.300 --> 00:31:31.180 Shouldn't I use 00:31:31.180 --> 00:31:31.680 all the money 00:31:31.680 --> 00:31:32.520 I need to spend 00:31:32.520 --> 00:31:33.480 on family matters 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:35.280 with that goal in mind? 00:31:35.279 --> 00:31:38.660 I think we need 00:31:38.660 --> 00:31:39.639 to have a broad view 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.339 of friendship, 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.480 who these friends are. 00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.799 A broad view 00:31:48.799 --> 00:31:50.460 of all of life 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.079 generosity. 00:31:51.359 --> 00:31:52.160 Like some of the biggest 00:31:52.160 --> 00:31:53.259 financial decisions 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:53.819 we make 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:55.139 aren't about donations. 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:56.599 They're about 00:31:56.599 --> 00:31:57.519 the values 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.700 we have as believers. 00:32:00.339 --> 00:32:01.720 Like what career 00:32:01.720 --> 00:32:02.599 are you doing? 00:32:02.859 --> 00:32:03.460 Is it because 00:32:03.460 --> 00:32:04.460 you're serving people, 00:32:04.460 --> 00:32:05.259 because you believe 00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:06.319 that's serving Christ? 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.920 Or are you just 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:08.259 trying to get 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.920 the top dollar? 00:32:14.340 --> 00:32:15.380 Where we live 00:32:15.380 --> 00:32:15.940 and why? 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:20.039 Some of these decisions, 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:21.019 how many children 00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:21.460 you have 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.360 and how much 00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:23.299 does children cost? 00:32:23.299 --> 00:32:23.539 But 00:32:23.539 --> 00:32:26.220 some of these 00:32:26.220 --> 00:32:26.940 are the biggest 00:32:26.940 --> 00:32:28.120 decisions we make. 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.960 All of it 00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:31.640 in mind 00:32:31.640 --> 00:32:33.700 with being strategic 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.319 for making 00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.779 friends 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.460 for eternity. 00:32:37.339 --> 00:32:38.359 I think it can be 00:32:38.359 --> 00:32:38.879 overwhelming, 00:32:39.000 --> 00:32:39.439 the choice. 00:32:42.439 --> 00:32:44.579 My recommendation, 00:32:44.939 --> 00:32:45.200 I suppose, 00:32:45.339 --> 00:32:46.279 is let's trust 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:47.099 God's providence 00:32:47.099 --> 00:32:47.799 of the needs 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:48.819 he's put in front of us. 00:32:50.399 --> 00:32:51.259 Who's sitting 00:32:51.259 --> 00:32:51.960 at our gate? 00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.700 Where are the needs? 00:32:53.799 --> 00:32:54.079 And just 00:32:54.079 --> 00:32:55.099 meet those needs. 00:32:55.099 --> 00:33:00.559 I think 00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:03.019 being strategic 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:05.119 is like 00:33:05.119 --> 00:33:05.919 with our house. 00:33:07.679 --> 00:33:08.319 Are you going 00:33:08.319 --> 00:33:08.899 to get a house 00:33:08.899 --> 00:33:09.419 with two, 00:33:09.559 --> 00:33:09.819 three, 00:33:09.959 --> 00:33:10.459 four bedrooms? 00:33:10.619 --> 00:33:11.399 Do you need 00:33:11.399 --> 00:33:12.079 a spare room 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:12.619 for guests 00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:13.699 or can you 00:33:13.699 --> 00:33:15.779 choose a smaller 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.199 house? 00:33:16.879 --> 00:33:17.379 You can give 00:33:17.379 --> 00:33:17.959 more money away. 00:33:18.039 --> 00:33:18.519 I don't know, 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.159 you've got the freedom. 00:33:19.539 --> 00:33:20.099 Be strategic. 00:33:20.879 --> 00:33:21.619 Are we trying 00:33:21.619 --> 00:33:22.099 to have the 00:33:22.099 --> 00:33:22.859 perfect house 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.579 or are we okay 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.719 with marks 00:33:24.719 --> 00:33:25.359 on the walls 00:33:25.359 --> 00:33:25.939 and marks 00:33:25.939 --> 00:33:26.839 on the coffee 00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.239 table? 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:29.500 We've lent 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.159 out our place 00:33:30.159 --> 00:33:30.579 for someone 00:33:30.579 --> 00:33:31.239 having a holiday 00:33:31.239 --> 00:33:32.099 and we came 00:33:32.099 --> 00:33:33.679 back and a kid 00:33:33.679 --> 00:33:34.199 had ran the 00:33:34.199 --> 00:33:34.479 skateboard 00:33:34.479 --> 00:33:35.279 into the wall. 00:33:35.719 --> 00:33:35.919 It's like, 00:33:36.279 --> 00:33:37.519 was that a mistake 00:33:37.519 --> 00:33:38.079 to lend it? 00:33:38.159 --> 00:33:38.399 No, 00:33:38.559 --> 00:33:39.199 who cares? 00:33:40.159 --> 00:33:41.219 It's just a wall. 00:33:42.219 --> 00:33:43.259 I need a tradie 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:44.039 to fix it for me 00:33:44.039 --> 00:33:44.419 because I don't 00:33:44.419 --> 00:33:45.000 have the skills 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.959 but it's just 00:33:45.959 --> 00:33:46.419 a wall. 00:33:47.579 --> 00:33:48.259 Use it 00:33:48.259 --> 00:33:49.240 for making 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:49.740 friends. 00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:52.519 Let's be 00:33:52.519 --> 00:33:54.240 strategic as 00:33:54.240 --> 00:33:55.039 a church 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.299 even. 00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:56.200 The way we 00:33:56.200 --> 00:33:56.640 meet each 00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.299 other's needs 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:57.819 as we see 00:33:57.819 --> 00:33:58.279 in the early 00:33:58.279 --> 00:33:58.720 church. 00:33:59.559 --> 00:34:00.099 We've got to 00:34:00.099 --> 00:34:00.539 be a counter 00:34:00.539 --> 00:34:01.119 community. 00:34:04.259 --> 00:34:05.180 The money 00:34:05.180 --> 00:34:05.599 is just not 00:34:05.599 --> 00:34:06.099 a big deal. 00:34:06.200 --> 00:34:06.519 We know 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.180 there's inequality 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.879 in this church. 00:34:08.039 --> 00:34:08.840 We don't care. 00:34:10.239 --> 00:34:11.079 We don't care 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.639 because we're 00:34:11.639 --> 00:34:13.000 busy trying 00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:13.340 to serve 00:34:13.340 --> 00:34:13.900 Jesus with 00:34:13.900 --> 00:34:14.559 wherever we're 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:14.780 at, 00:34:15.159 --> 00:34:15.659 meeting each 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.300 other's needs. 00:34:17.199 --> 00:34:17.820 I think 00:34:17.820 --> 00:34:18.140 we've got to 00:34:18.140 --> 00:34:18.800 think corporately 00:34:18.800 --> 00:34:19.380 in this as 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:19.600 well. 00:34:23.360 --> 00:34:23.920 Can I 00:34:23.920 --> 00:34:24.440 suggest being 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:24.920 strategic? 00:34:25.080 --> 00:34:25.200 It will 00:34:25.200 --> 00:34:26.000 sometimes mean 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:28.380 not giving 00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:29.519 because it 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:30.140 might undermine 00:34:30.140 --> 00:34:30.680 the gospel. 00:34:32.740 --> 00:34:33.380 I'm thinking 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:33.680 of the 00:34:33.680 --> 00:34:34.220 Corderwoods 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:34.519 when they 00:34:34.519 --> 00:34:34.800 were in 00:34:34.800 --> 00:34:35.700 PNG and 00:34:35.700 --> 00:34:36.000 they had 00:34:36.000 --> 00:34:36.240 other 00:34:36.240 --> 00:34:36.720 missionaries 00:34:36.720 --> 00:34:36.980 who were 00:34:36.980 --> 00:34:37.539 just giving 00:34:37.539 --> 00:34:38.740 goods and 00:34:38.740 --> 00:34:39.200 goods and 00:34:39.200 --> 00:34:39.660 it made it 00:34:39.660 --> 00:34:40.059 look like 00:34:40.059 --> 00:34:40.440 Christianity 00:34:40.440 --> 00:34:41.000 is about 00:34:41.000 --> 00:34:42.559 goods. 00:34:43.820 --> 00:34:44.740 They had to 00:34:44.740 --> 00:34:45.480 be wise 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:45.900 in that. 00:34:45.900 --> 00:34:47.300 So we've 00:34:47.300 --> 00:34:47.539 got to be 00:34:47.539 --> 00:34:47.940 strategic. 00:34:48.139 --> 00:34:48.380 He's not 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:48.840 just saying 00:34:48.840 --> 00:34:49.760 be guilted 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:51.200 and be 00:34:51.200 --> 00:34:51.740 strategic. 00:34:52.019 --> 00:34:52.280 We've got 00:34:52.280 --> 00:34:52.800 freedom. 00:34:57.180 --> 00:34:57.740 I know 00:34:57.740 --> 00:34:58.220 of a local 00:34:58.220 --> 00:34:58.720 church. 00:34:59.019 --> 00:34:59.720 They're trying 00:34:59.720 --> 00:35:00.059 to work 00:35:00.059 --> 00:35:01.700 out do we 00:35:01.700 --> 00:35:02.619 refurbish the 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.200 building which 00:35:03.200 --> 00:35:03.559 is going to 00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:04.220 cost a lot 00:35:04.220 --> 00:35:06.000 or the 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.940 debt, the 00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.500 interest that 00:35:07.500 --> 00:35:07.900 we'd have to 00:35:07.900 --> 00:35:08.460 pay on that 00:35:08.460 --> 00:35:09.200 refurbishment, 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:09.900 that would pay 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.820 someone's wages, 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.760 a staff worker's 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:12.079 wages. 00:35:12.220 --> 00:35:12.539 What do we 00:35:12.539 --> 00:35:12.800 do? 00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:14.300 There's no 00:35:14.300 --> 00:35:14.960 clear choice 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:15.240 there. 00:35:15.960 --> 00:35:16.280 You could 00:35:16.280 --> 00:35:16.880 do either 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:18.000 for the 00:35:18.000 --> 00:35:18.300 sake of 00:35:18.300 --> 00:35:18.699 the kingdom 00:35:18.699 --> 00:35:21.800 but let's 00:35:21.800 --> 00:35:22.400 be strategic. 00:35:25.340 --> 00:35:25.840 As we 00:35:25.840 --> 00:35:26.159 come into 00:35:26.159 --> 00:35:26.740 mission month, 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:29.579 do we pay 00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:29.860 for the 00:35:29.860 --> 00:35:30.559 coffees when 00:35:30.559 --> 00:35:30.900 we're meeting 00:35:30.900 --> 00:35:31.260 with them or 00:35:31.260 --> 00:35:31.599 do we let 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:32.039 them pay? 00:35:32.659 --> 00:35:32.880 I don't 00:35:32.880 --> 00:35:33.059 know. 00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:34.800 Be 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:35.240 strategic. 00:35:36.260 --> 00:35:36.780 Do we 00:35:36.780 --> 00:35:37.139 pay for 00:35:37.139 --> 00:35:37.659 someone coming 00:35:37.659 --> 00:35:38.079 to Smoke 00:35:38.079 --> 00:35:38.539 and Joe's? 00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:39.780 Yeah? 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:41.119 That could 00:35:41.119 --> 00:35:41.440 be a good 00:35:41.440 --> 00:35:41.920 thing to do 00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.539 or maybe 00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.380 you don't 00:35:43.380 --> 00:35:43.840 want to make 00:35:43.840 --> 00:35:44.159 them feel 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:44.500 like they 00:35:44.500 --> 00:35:44.960 owe you. 00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:45.879 I don't 00:35:45.879 --> 00:35:46.019 know. 00:35:46.159 --> 00:35:46.359 Be 00:35:46.359 --> 00:35:46.819 strategic. 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.319 You've 00:35:48.319 --> 00:35:48.799 got freedom. 00:35:53.480 --> 00:35:53.980 None of 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:54.359 those things 00:35:54.359 --> 00:35:54.719 are, I'm 00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:55.079 not trying 00:35:55.079 --> 00:35:55.319 to lay 00:35:55.319 --> 00:35:55.899 down rules 00:35:55.899 --> 00:35:56.319 because it's 00:35:56.319 --> 00:35:56.739 not about 00:35:56.739 --> 00:35:56.980 that. 00:35:57.559 --> 00:35:57.960 He's 00:35:57.960 --> 00:35:58.460 calling us 00:35:58.460 --> 00:35:58.759 to be 00:35:58.759 --> 00:36:00.639 strategic in 00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:01.460 making friends 00:36:01.460 --> 00:36:02.199 for eternity 00:36:02.199 --> 00:36:04.299 in all of 00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:04.679 life. 00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:04.960 money. 00:36:04.960 --> 00:36:10.239 So brothers 00:36:10.239 --> 00:36:10.619 and sisters, 00:36:10.619 --> 00:36:11.679 as we wrap 00:36:11.679 --> 00:36:12.019 up this 00:36:12.019 --> 00:36:12.639 series on 00:36:12.639 --> 00:36:13.139 money, can 00:36:13.139 --> 00:36:15.819 I just 00:36:15.819 --> 00:36:16.379 remind us 00:36:16.379 --> 00:36:16.759 of where 00:36:16.759 --> 00:36:17.199 we've been? 00:36:19.199 --> 00:36:19.859 We don't 00:36:19.859 --> 00:36:20.119 need to 00:36:20.119 --> 00:36:20.519 worry about 00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:20.940 tomorrow 00:36:20.940 --> 00:36:23.599 because money 00:36:23.599 --> 00:36:24.199 can't give us 00:36:24.199 --> 00:36:24.779 security. 00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.839 We're safe 00:36:26.839 --> 00:36:28.219 in the daily 00:36:28.219 --> 00:36:29.379 care of our 00:36:29.379 --> 00:36:29.659 heavenly 00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.059 father. 00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:34.320 we know 00:36:34.320 --> 00:36:34.980 where eternal 00:36:34.980 --> 00:36:35.739 gain is. 00:36:35.860 --> 00:36:36.119 We can 00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:36.759 have eternal 00:36:36.759 --> 00:36:39.079 gain whether 00:36:39.079 --> 00:36:39.779 we're struggling 00:36:39.779 --> 00:36:41.719 or whether we've 00:36:41.719 --> 00:36:42.360 got much 00:36:42.360 --> 00:36:45.119 because we have 00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:46.159 true riches in 00:36:46.159 --> 00:36:46.400 heaven. 00:36:46.519 --> 00:36:47.039 So we can be 00:36:47.039 --> 00:36:47.880 content when we're 00:36:47.880 --> 00:36:48.940 struggling and we 00:36:48.940 --> 00:36:49.639 can be rich in 00:36:49.639 --> 00:36:50.380 good works. 00:36:50.380 --> 00:36:55.180 the generosity 00:36:55.180 --> 00:36:55.900 God is looking 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:57.099 for is he 00:36:57.099 --> 00:36:57.820 loves a cheerful 00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:58.200 giver. 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.360 It's not the 00:37:00.360 --> 00:37:01.360 amount of money 00:37:01.360 --> 00:37:02.039 like the 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:02.680 Macedonians. 00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:03.840 It's not about 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:04.700 the amount of 00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:05.440 money that makes 00:37:05.440 --> 00:37:06.039 you generous. 00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:07.800 It's being full 00:37:07.800 --> 00:37:08.480 of Jesus. 00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:09.740 The fact that 00:37:09.740 --> 00:37:11.559 for our sake 00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:12.740 he became poor 00:37:12.740 --> 00:37:14.280 so that we 00:37:14.280 --> 00:37:14.820 might become 00:37:14.820 --> 00:37:15.180 rich. 00:37:15.300 --> 00:37:15.700 It's that 00:37:15.700 --> 00:37:16.340 fullness 00:37:16.340 --> 00:37:19.980 that creates a 00:37:19.980 --> 00:37:20.579 cheerful giver. 00:37:22.320 --> 00:37:23.059 And here 00:37:23.059 --> 00:37:23.679 we're called 00:37:23.679 --> 00:37:26.139 in light of 00:37:26.139 --> 00:37:26.639 the crisis 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:27.740 in light of 00:37:27.740 --> 00:37:28.320 the fact that 00:37:28.320 --> 00:37:29.179 all people 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:30.039 all of us 00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:30.740 stand on the 00:37:30.740 --> 00:37:31.179 brink of 00:37:31.179 --> 00:37:31.699 eternity. 00:37:34.380 --> 00:37:35.519 Be strategic. 00:37:36.240 --> 00:37:36.960 Be clever. 00:37:38.059 --> 00:37:38.800 Be reckless. 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:41.900 Just go and 00:37:41.900 --> 00:37:42.519 use Jesus' 00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:43.679 money to make 00:37:43.679 --> 00:37:45.079 eternal 00:37:45.079 --> 00:37:45.480 friends. 00:37:48.099 --> 00:37:48.880 Will you 00:37:48.880 --> 00:37:49.400 pray with me? 00:37:49.559 --> 00:37:49.860 Let's pray. 00:37:49.980 --> 00:37:54.780 Father, I pray 00:37:54.780 --> 00:37:56.139 that more and 00:37:56.139 --> 00:37:56.940 more we would 00:37:56.940 --> 00:37:58.000 live in light 00:37:58.000 --> 00:38:00.240 of your 00:38:00.240 --> 00:38:00.820 return. 00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:05.559 Lord, help 00:38:05.559 --> 00:38:08.400 us be set 00:38:08.400 --> 00:38:09.320 free from what 00:38:09.320 --> 00:38:09.900 this world 00:38:09.900 --> 00:38:10.599 lives for. 00:38:11.840 --> 00:38:12.579 And I pray 00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:13.139 that you would 00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:16.079 take us deeper 00:38:16.079 --> 00:38:17.539 into how rich 00:38:17.539 --> 00:38:19.599 we are in the 00:38:19.599 --> 00:38:20.119 Lord Jesus 00:38:20.119 --> 00:38:20.699 Christ. 00:38:22.440 --> 00:38:23.699 Father, I 00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:24.259 pray that you 00:38:24.259 --> 00:38:25.279 would make us 00:38:25.279 --> 00:38:25.920 a community 00:38:25.920 --> 00:38:28.920 that people 00:38:28.920 --> 00:38:31.039 see our 00:38:31.039 --> 00:38:31.679 actions and 00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:32.239 our choices 00:38:32.239 --> 00:38:33.440 and they just 00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:34.400 wonder what we're 00:38:34.400 --> 00:38:35.559 living for that's 00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:35.960 different. 00:38:37.279 --> 00:38:37.880 So I pray, 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:38.380 Lord, that you 00:38:38.380 --> 00:38:39.880 would use us 00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:42.579 to maximize 00:38:42.579 --> 00:38:43.519 those friends 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:44.199 for eternity. 00:38:44.199 --> 00:38:45.319 Father, we've 00:38:45.319 --> 00:38:46.000 all got a 00:38:46.000 --> 00:38:46.480 long way to 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:47.079 go in this. 00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:48.199 I thank you 00:38:48.199 --> 00:38:48.539 for the 00:38:48.539 --> 00:38:49.199 richness of 00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:49.679 the gospel 00:38:49.679 --> 00:38:52.299 that you're 00:38:52.299 --> 00:38:53.119 not motivating 00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:53.679 us out of 00:38:53.679 --> 00:38:54.539 guilt, but 00:38:54.539 --> 00:38:56.279 you're motivating 00:38:56.279 --> 00:38:57.019 us out of 00:38:57.019 --> 00:38:57.839 fullness in 00:38:57.839 --> 00:38:58.399 who we are 00:38:58.399 --> 00:38:59.000 in Christ. 00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.319 So please, 00:39:02.419 --> 00:39:03.219 use us, God. 00:39:03.439 --> 00:39:04.059 Use us for 00:39:04.059 --> 00:39:04.739 eternal 00:39:04.739 --> 00:39:07.299 matters. 00:39:07.300 --> 00:39:08.640 In Jesus' 00:39:08.800 --> 00:39:09.039 name I 00:39:09.039 --> 00:39:09.220 pray. 00:39:09.460 --> 00:39:09.700 Amen.