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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - What Parents Wish Their Children Knew About Money (Part 1)

February 5, 2026 | 27:29

Robert Jeffress - What Parents Wish Their Children Knew About Money (Part 1)
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#Parents #Children #Money #Finances #Wisdom #Job/Career #Work #WorkofYourHands #Responsibility #Envy #Contentment #Debt-Free #RobertJeffress

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - What Parents Wish Their Children Knew About Money (Part 1) | February 5, 2026
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist
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  • Church of dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i am robert jeffress,
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  • And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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  • Many of today's young adults are struggling to hold a job.
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  • Many of them are mishandling what little money they possess.
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  • And while some would simply call them lazy or foolish and leave
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  • It at that, i believe parents have an important role to play
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  • In breaking the pattern.
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  • So how can moms and dads teach their children a biblical
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  • Perspective on work and finances?
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  • My message is titled, "what parents wish their children knew
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  • About money," on today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • Announcer: we all want to live a life of meaning and
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  • Significance, but we often dream too small.
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  • Jeffress: my friends david green, founder and ceo of hobby
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  • Lobby, and bill high, ceo of legacy stone, have written a
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  • Brand new book called "the legacy life."
  • 00:01:11.550 --> 00:01:14.453
  • Jeffress: you've said it in this book several times.
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  • Legacy is not what you leave behind, it's what you set in
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  • Motion for the future.
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  • Jeffress: this book will challenge you to point your life
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  • Heavenward and set in motion a legacy of eternal significance.
  • 00:01:25.430 --> 00:01:30.702
  • David green: bill, i've found that it's much easier to run a
  • 00:01:30.702 --> 00:01:33.105
  • Business, but having a family, a wife, children that serve the
  • 00:01:33.105 --> 00:01:36.542
  • Lord is much, much more difficult.
  • 00:01:36.542 --> 00:01:38.577
  • And that's who we are. we're not about hobby lobby.
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  • We're about mission, vision, and values, and it's all based on
  • 00:01:40.879 --> 00:01:43.982
  • God's word, and that's what we're excited about.
  • 00:01:43.982 --> 00:01:46.218
  • Bill high: no matter what stage of life you're in, "the legacy
  • 00:01:46.218 --> 00:01:48.921
  • Life" will help you understand how to apply god's word and set
  • 00:01:48.921 --> 00:01:53.458
  • In motion a great legacy.
  • 00:01:53.458 --> 00:01:56.395
  • Announcer: request "the legacy life" when you give a generous
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  • Gift to "pathway to victory" or when you become a
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  • Pathway partner.
  • 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:03.035
  • You'll also receive the powerful book by dr. jeffress, "choose
  • 00:02:03.035 --> 00:02:05.938
  • Your attitudes, change your life."
  • 00:02:05.938 --> 00:02:08.207
  • And when your ministry gift is $100 or more, we'll also send
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  • You the "choose your attitudes, change your life" personal and
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  • Group study guide, plus the complete teaching series on cd
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  • And dvd and a set of attitude booster cards for
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  • Your encouragement.
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  • Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: throughout the bible,
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  • There's an admonition for parents to teach their
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  • Children wisdom.
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  • Proverbs 4:1 through 5, we don't have time to look at it but in
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  • Verse 3 it says, solomon said, "when i was a son to my father,
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  • Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother,
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  • Then my father taught me and said to me,
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  • 'let your heart hold fast my words,
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  • Keep my commandments and live acquire wisdom."
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  • What is wisdom?
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  • Somebody has defined wisdom this way.
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  • Wisdom is the skill to live life according to god's plan.
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  • The wisdom to live life according to god's plan,
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  • In the old testament, hebrew, the word
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  • Wisdom, "chokmah."
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  • It's used to refer to a group of people who were supposed to make
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  • The priestly garments that aaron,
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  • The high priest would wear.
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  • And god had a very specific blueprint for how those garments
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  • Were to be made.
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  • And exodus 28:3 says, "the weavers were imbued with wisdom
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  • To skillfully make those garments."
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  • They had the skill to follow god's pattern for that garment.
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  • Well, for us, wisdom is the skill to follow god's pattern,
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  • His blueprint for every area of life.
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  • For our marriages, for our work, for our relationships,
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  • For every part of our life, including the area of life we're
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  • Gonna talk about today.
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  • I know you're wondering, "where is all this going?"
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  • Well, today has been on the calendar for a year as our
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  • Annual stewardship message.
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  • Now don't run for the exits.
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  • Ushers, lock the doors, please for just a moment.
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  • Before you get defensive about that,
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  • Understand that giving to the lord is just one aspect of a
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  • Bigger subject that we're gonna talk about today,
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  • And that's how we handle money overall.
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  • You know, the bible has a great deal to say about god's
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  • Blueprint pattern for how we handle our money.
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  • And that's one area we need wisdom in.
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  • You know, the skill to handle money wisely is key to living
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  • Successfully in this life, but it's also a key for living well
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  • In the next life.
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  • Did you know how we handle our money in this life,
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  • Jesus said is a test for how we're gonna handle true riches
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  • And responsibilities in the next life?
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  • One of the most important skills we can develop in our christian
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  • Life is handling our money according to god's plan and
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  • Passing that wisdom onto our children and to
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  • Our children's children.
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  • And that's what we're going to look at today.
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  • I decided to title today's message "what parents wish their
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  • Children knew about money."
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  • I mean, if you were to sit down and say,
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  • You know, "child, grandchild, i don't want you to make the same
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  • Mistakes that i made.
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  • This is what i really wish you would learn about money so that
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  • You don't remain a leech on me for the rest of my--"
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  • No, no, no dad, no.
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  • No, proverbs talks about the two children, leech and leech kept
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  • Sucking their parents dry outta money.
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  • So there's a selfish reason for you to pass this along to your
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  • Children but it's also part of our responsibility to
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  • Pass these lessons.
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  • So today, in the few minutes that we have,
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  • I'd like to talk about five lessons about money that we as
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  • Parents need to impart to our children and
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  • Our children's children.
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  • And i've marked each of these principles,
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  • I've given it a rhyme that might help you remember it
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  • A little bit more.
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  • First of all, in the area of earning,
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  • You know, earning money's important, isn't it?
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  • Here's the little saying i want you to remember,
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  • "your job is a gift from god."
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  • Would you say that with me, "your job is a gift from god."
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  • I want you to imagine, and i know you would have to imagine
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  • This that you bought a lottery ticket.
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  • Nobody buys a lottery ticket here, right?
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  • But let's just assume that in a moment of weakness you did and
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  • You found out you won the jackpot, $3 million.
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  • You'd feel pretty good, wouldn't you?
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  • You'd probably start thinking, "what am i gonna do with this
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  • Newfound wealth?"
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  • You've already won the jackpot and probably don't
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  • Even realize it.
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  • Did you know that?
  • 00:07:04.302 --> 00:07:05.637
  • You've won a multimillion dollar jackpot.
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  • It's called your job, your job. think about it.
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  • Just like your salary that gets paid in installments,
  • 00:07:16.481 --> 00:07:21.720
  • The jackpot is paid in installments,
  • 00:07:21.720 --> 00:07:23.889
  • Usually don't take it all at once.
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  • You get it in monthly payments over a number of years.
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  • It's the same way with your job.
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  • Your job has a payout to it every month, it's called
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  • Your salary.
  • 00:07:32.230 --> 00:07:33.932
  • Now just think about how much that adds up to over
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  • A period of years.
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  • Let's just say you and/or your mate make an average
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  • Of $70,000 combined.
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  • Multiply that times 40 years of working,
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  • That's about $3 million that you're going to receive.
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  • Some of you may make less than that,
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  • Some of you may make more than that.
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  • Take whatever your combined household income is
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  • Multiply it by 40 and that's how much money is going to be yours.
  • 00:07:58.890 --> 00:08:04.462
  • And by the way, that jackpot called your job
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  • Is a gift from god.
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  • Did you know that?
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  • The ability to make money, to have a job comes from god?
  • 00:08:11.236 --> 00:08:14.472
  • Deuteronomy 8:18 says, "but you shall remember the lord your
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  • God, for it is he who is giving you the power to make wealth,
  • 00:08:18.843 --> 00:08:23.715
  • That he may confirm his covenant which he swore to your fathers,
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  • As it is this day."
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  • Does god wanna provide for our needs?
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  • Of course he does.
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  • The way he provides for our needs is through the job
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  • That he gives us.
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  • And that's why one of the most important lessons we can teach
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  • Our children, is to view their jobs as a gift from god and to
  • 00:08:42.867 --> 00:08:46.805
  • Maximize that opportunity and maximize that wealth he wants to
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  • Transfer to us.
  • 00:08:51.276 --> 00:08:53.111
  • In proverbs 10 verse 4, solomon talks often about the
  • 00:08:53.111 --> 00:08:56.548
  • Relationship between hard work and prosperity.
  • 00:08:56.548 --> 00:09:01.319
  • Proverbs 10:4, "poor is he who works with a negligent hand,
  • 00:09:01.319 --> 00:09:05.790
  • But the hand of the diligent makes rich."
  • 00:09:05.790 --> 00:09:09.260
  • Or proverbs 14 verse 23, "in all labor there is profit,
  • 00:09:09.260 --> 00:09:14.833
  • But mere talk leads only to poverty."
  • 00:09:14.833 --> 00:09:18.069
  • That word translated labor in proverbs 14:23 means
  • 00:09:18.069 --> 00:09:22.440
  • Toilsome labor.
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  • It's the kind of work that makes you drip with perspiration,
  • 00:09:24.743 --> 00:09:29.214
  • The kind of work that requires so much focus and concentration
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  • That it drains you physically and emotionally.
  • 00:09:33.084 --> 00:09:36.821
  • That's how we're to perform our work if we're going to succeed
  • 00:09:36.821 --> 00:09:40.258
  • In our work.
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  • I remember once i got up one morning and i started groaning
  • 00:09:42.293 --> 00:09:45.864
  • And said, "oh, i just can't believe how much i have
  • 00:09:45.864 --> 00:09:48.900
  • To do today."
  • 00:09:48.900 --> 00:09:51.102
  • And amy, in her compassionate way said,
  • 00:09:51.102 --> 00:09:53.171
  • "you ought to be grateful you have the health to be able to go
  • 00:09:53.171 --> 00:09:55.674
  • To work and do what you need to do today.
  • 00:09:55.674 --> 00:09:58.209
  • And you know, she was exactly right.
  • 00:09:58.209 --> 00:10:00.311
  • I mean, it is a gift not a curse to be able to work and
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  • To work hard.
  • 00:10:04.749 --> 00:10:06.985
  • And one of the best lessons we can teach our children about
  • 00:10:06.985 --> 00:10:10.255
  • Work is work is a gift not a curse from god and we ought to
  • 00:10:10.255 --> 00:10:15.560
  • Maximize our job opportunity.
  • 00:10:15.560 --> 00:10:18.997
  • There's a second lesson though about work that
  • 00:10:18.997 --> 00:10:21.566
  • We need to learn.
  • 00:10:21.566 --> 00:10:24.736
  • You know, i just said a few moments ago,
  • 00:10:24.736 --> 00:10:27.005
  • In your lifetime, you're gonna have millions of dollars pass
  • 00:10:27.005 --> 00:10:30.775
  • Through your hands.
  • 00:10:30.775 --> 00:10:33.178
  • Ain't that a phenomenal thing?
  • 00:10:33.178 --> 00:10:34.813
  • You're gonna have millions of dollars pass through your hands,
  • 00:10:34.813 --> 00:10:37.382
  • But that's the problem, isn't it?
  • 00:10:37.382 --> 00:10:38.950
  • It passes through your hands.
  • 00:10:38.950 --> 00:10:43.088
  • You hold on to very little of it.
  • 00:10:43.088 --> 00:10:45.356
  • Solomon expressed that truth in proverbs 23 verse 5 when he
  • 00:10:45.356 --> 00:10:49.227
  • Said, "cast but a glance at riches and it's gone.
  • 00:10:49.227 --> 00:10:53.131
  • For wealth will surely sprout wings,
  • 00:10:53.131 --> 00:10:55.734
  • And fly off to the sky like an eagle."
  • 00:10:55.734 --> 00:10:59.971
  • And that's why we have to learn a second truth about money
  • 00:10:59.971 --> 00:11:02.807
  • And it relates to the area of spending.
  • 00:11:02.807 --> 00:11:06.611
  • How do you hold on to more of that money and don't let it slip
  • 00:11:06.611 --> 00:11:09.414
  • Through your hands?
  • 00:11:09.414 --> 00:11:10.749
  • Here's the saying i want you to remember,
  • 00:11:10.749 --> 00:11:13.485
  • "wanting more is the key to becoming poor."
  • 00:11:13.485 --> 00:11:17.055
  • Would you say that with me?
  • 00:11:17.055 --> 00:11:18.690
  • Wanting more is the key to becoming poor.
  • 00:11:18.690 --> 00:11:22.660
  • Think about this.
  • 00:11:22.660 --> 00:11:23.995
  • It doesn't matter what your salary is
  • 00:11:23.995 --> 00:11:26.331
  • It doesn't matter how much money you have in the bank,
  • 00:11:26.331 --> 00:11:29.033
  • It doesn't matter how much stuff you've accumulated,
  • 00:11:29.033 --> 00:11:31.703
  • If you don't think it's enough, in your mind,
  • 00:11:31.703 --> 00:11:35.206
  • You're poor, you're lacking.
  • 00:11:35.206 --> 00:11:37.976
  • You know, there is a fascinating book that came out a few years
  • 00:11:37.976 --> 00:11:41.379
  • Ago called "the overspent american."
  • 00:11:41.379 --> 00:11:44.849
  • It was by a harvard sociologist named juliet schor and she
  • 00:11:44.849 --> 00:11:48.820
  • Talked about how spending habits in america has changed through
  • 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:53.291
  • The decades.
  • 00:11:53.291 --> 00:11:54.659
  • She said back in the '50s and '60s,
  • 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:57.162
  • Americans had a standard of living by which they measured
  • 00:11:57.162 --> 00:12:00.265
  • Themselves and it was their neighbors.
  • 00:12:00.265 --> 00:12:04.235
  • I mean, if their neighbor bought a new washing machine,
  • 00:12:04.235 --> 00:12:07.238
  • They felt like they had to buy a new washing machine.
  • 00:12:07.238 --> 00:12:10.208
  • If their neighbor bought a new car,
  • 00:12:10.208 --> 00:12:12.343
  • They felt like they needed to buy a new car.
  • 00:12:12.343 --> 00:12:15.613
  • Their neighbors were the standard by which they judged
  • 00:12:15.613 --> 00:12:19.117
  • How content they were or satisfied.
  • 00:12:19.117 --> 00:12:22.620
  • In fact, we had a saying for it back then,
  • 00:12:22.620 --> 00:12:24.222
  • I bet some of you remember it, "keeping up with the joneses,"
  • 00:12:24.222 --> 00:12:28.626
  • Remember that?
  • 00:12:28.626 --> 00:12:29.961
  • The joneses were your next door neighbor.
  • 00:12:29.961 --> 00:12:31.996
  • You measured your wellbeing by them.
  • 00:12:31.996 --> 00:12:34.065
  • "that's not our standard today," the sociologist says.
  • 00:12:34.065 --> 00:12:37.936
  • We no longer measure our contentment with our neighbors
  • 00:12:37.936 --> 00:12:42.407
  • Because we don't know our neighbors.
  • 00:12:42.407 --> 00:12:45.276
  • We don't know if their names is jones or smith
  • 00:12:45.276 --> 00:12:47.378
  • Or whatever it is.
  • 00:12:47.378 --> 00:12:49.013
  • We have a new standard that we use to measure how
  • 00:12:49.013 --> 00:12:52.050
  • Well we're doing.
  • 00:12:52.050 --> 00:12:53.718
  • It's what we see on television or what we see on the internet
  • 00:12:53.718 --> 00:12:57.021
  • And these ads.
  • 00:12:57.021 --> 00:12:58.857
  • We look at the lifestyles of people who are earning ten
  • 00:12:58.857 --> 00:13:02.327
  • Times, a hundred times, a thousand times what we are.
  • 00:13:02.327 --> 00:13:05.763
  • That becomes the standard and it's an unrealistic standard.
  • 00:13:05.763 --> 00:13:10.168
  • And so americans plunge themselves into debt trying to
  • 00:13:10.168 --> 00:13:13.571
  • Maintain an unrealistic level of living.
  • 00:13:13.571 --> 00:13:17.809
  • And that's why one of the most important things, parents,
  • 00:13:17.809 --> 00:13:21.212
  • We can teach our children is this that is
  • 00:13:21.212 --> 00:13:24.549
  • There will always be somebody with more than you have.
  • 00:13:24.549 --> 00:13:28.553
  • There'll always be somebody who has fancier clothes,
  • 00:13:28.553 --> 00:13:32.323
  • A nicer car, a larger house.
  • 00:13:32.323 --> 00:13:36.761
  • There'll always be somebody up the organizational ladder from
  • 00:13:36.761 --> 00:13:40.798
  • You are who's earning more money than you are.
  • 00:13:40.798 --> 00:13:43.268
  • There'll always be somebody with more.
  • 00:13:43.268 --> 00:13:47.872
  • I mean, just think about it.
  • 00:13:47.872 --> 00:13:49.507
  • Of the 400 wealthiest americans on the forbes 400 list,
  • 00:13:49.507 --> 00:13:53.945
  • 399 of them are looking at somebody who has
  • 00:13:53.945 --> 00:13:56.814
  • More than they do.
  • 00:13:56.814 --> 00:13:59.050
  • And that's why you can't allow what others have to be your
  • 00:13:59.050 --> 00:14:02.687
  • Barometer of contentment.
  • 00:14:02.687 --> 00:14:05.123
  • Like horton from dr. seuss, we have to learn to be able to say,
  • 00:14:05.123 --> 00:14:09.260
  • "enough is enough, i've had enough."
  • 00:14:09.260 --> 00:14:13.431
  • You know what the key to satisfaction in life is?
  • 00:14:13.431 --> 00:14:16.067
  • It isn't spelled m-o-r-e, it's spelled e-n-o-u-g-h,
  • 00:14:16.067 --> 00:14:22.006
  • Enough.
  • 00:14:22.006 --> 00:14:23.408
  • Learn when enough is enough.
  • 00:14:23.408 --> 00:14:26.945
  • I came across these words from gaius lucilius.
  • 00:14:26.945 --> 00:14:30.815
  • He wrote, "it is not the man who has too little who is poor,
  • 00:14:30.815 --> 00:14:36.187
  • But the one who hankers after more."
  • 00:14:36.187 --> 00:14:39.624
  • What difference does it make how much there is laid away in a
  • 00:14:39.624 --> 00:14:43.027
  • Man's safe or in his barn?
  • 00:14:43.027 --> 00:14:45.530
  • How much head of stock he grazes or how much money he puts
  • 00:14:45.530 --> 00:14:49.033
  • Out in interest?
  • 00:14:49.033 --> 00:14:50.702
  • If he is always after what is another's and only counts what
  • 00:14:50.702 --> 00:14:55.673
  • He has yet to get, never what he already has.
  • 00:14:55.673 --> 00:15:01.813
  • There's real wisdom in that.
  • 00:15:01.813 --> 00:15:04.148
  • Paul expressed it this way in 1 timothy 6 verses 6 to 8,
  • 00:15:04.148 --> 00:15:08.820
  • "for godliness actually is a means of great gain when
  • 00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:12.790
  • Accompanied by contentment.
  • 00:15:12.790 --> 00:15:14.892
  • For we have brought nothing into the world,
  • 00:15:14.892 --> 00:15:17.095
  • So we cannot take anything out of it either and if we have food
  • 00:15:17.095 --> 00:15:21.432
  • And covering, with these we shall be content."
  • 00:15:21.432 --> 00:15:26.604
  • Isn't that interesting?
  • 00:15:26.604 --> 00:15:27.939
  • Paul says, "if you know where your next meal is coming from,
  • 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:32.310
  • If you have a place to sleep tonight that's covered,
  • 00:15:32.310 --> 00:15:37.582
  • You can be content."
  • 00:15:37.582 --> 00:15:39.183
  • Anything else is gravy added on top of that.
  • 00:15:39.183 --> 00:15:43.121
  • A key to spending is understanding the truth that
  • 00:15:43.121 --> 00:15:47.025
  • Wanting more is a key to becoming poor.
  • 00:15:47.025 --> 00:15:51.095
  • Third, and this is closely related.
  • 00:15:51.095 --> 00:15:53.564
  • If we're gonna teach lessons to our children about god's view of
  • 00:15:53.564 --> 00:15:56.634
  • Money, we need to teach them about debt.
  • 00:15:56.634 --> 00:15:59.437
  • And here is the saying i want you to write down,
  • 00:15:59.437 --> 00:16:02.840
  • "if you don't want to fret, be careful of debt."
  • 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:07.145
  • Say that with me, "if you don't want to fret,
  • 00:16:07.145 --> 00:16:10.248
  • Be careful of debt."
  • 00:16:10.248 --> 00:16:12.316
  • It's an important thing we've got to teach our children about
  • 00:16:12.316 --> 00:16:15.019
  • And that is the dangers of debt.
  • 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:18.756
  • I was reading this week that in 2016,
  • 00:16:18.756 --> 00:16:23.027
  • 770,000 americans filed for personal bankruptcy.
  • 00:16:23.027 --> 00:16:28.266
  • You say, "well, how do i put that number in context?
  • 00:16:28.266 --> 00:16:32.236
  • What does that mean, 770,000 people filed
  • 00:16:32.236 --> 00:16:35.306
  • For personal bankruptcy?"
  • 00:16:35.306 --> 00:16:37.675
  • During the great depression of the late '20s and the '30s,
  • 00:16:37.675 --> 00:16:44.315
  • Less than one out of every 1,000 americans filed for bankruptcy
  • 00:16:44.315 --> 00:16:48.953
  • During the great depression.
  • 00:16:48.953 --> 00:16:50.888
  • In 2016, over five out of every thousand americans file for
  • 00:16:50.888 --> 00:16:57.395
  • Personal bankruptcy.
  • 00:16:57.395 --> 00:16:58.996
  • That means five times percentage-wise of americans
  • 00:16:58.996 --> 00:17:02.333
  • Are filing for bankruptcy in these times of prosperity
  • 00:17:02.333 --> 00:17:06.771
  • As were during the great depression.
  • 00:17:06.771 --> 00:17:10.408
  • And every one of those 770,000 bankruptcies is by a person who
  • 00:17:10.408 --> 00:17:17.281
  • Had the same problem.
  • 00:17:17.281 --> 00:17:19.283
  • He spent more money than he had, he used debt to create an
  • 00:17:19.283 --> 00:17:24.055
  • Artificial standard of living.
  • 00:17:24.055 --> 00:17:26.924
  • And that's why the bible, although doesn't prohibit debt
  • 00:17:26.924 --> 00:17:30.461
  • In every circumstance, it says, "you better be very
  • 00:17:30.461 --> 00:17:33.264
  • Careful of debt."
  • 00:17:33.264 --> 00:17:35.066
  • Proverbs 22 verse 7 says, "the rich rules over the poor,
  • 00:17:35.066 --> 00:17:39.871
  • And the borrower becomes the lender's slave."
  • 00:17:39.871 --> 00:17:44.775
  • You see, debt is not because people aren't making enough
  • 00:17:44.775 --> 00:17:47.512
  • Money, just as i've shown you in these economic boom times,
  • 00:17:47.512 --> 00:17:51.082
  • People are going into the bankruptcy.
  • 00:17:51.082 --> 00:17:53.217
  • It is people spending more than they have income for.
  • 00:17:53.217 --> 00:17:57.088
  • It's having unrealistic expectations about spending and
  • 00:17:57.088 --> 00:18:00.491
  • That's why we have to be careful about debt.
  • 00:18:00.491 --> 00:18:03.127
  • Now, i think we've gotta be careful here to distinguish
  • 00:18:03.127 --> 00:18:06.364
  • Between good debt and bad debt.
  • 00:18:06.364 --> 00:18:10.134
  • There are some instances in which it makes sense
  • 00:18:10.134 --> 00:18:12.503
  • To borrow money.
  • 00:18:12.503 --> 00:18:14.138
  • A good debt, for example, might be buying a home.
  • 00:18:14.138 --> 00:18:17.041
  • Very few people could afford to pay cash for a home.
  • 00:18:17.041 --> 00:18:21.012
  • They take out mortgage understanding that hopefully
  • 00:18:21.012 --> 00:18:24.248
  • Over time that home maintains or even increases in its value.
  • 00:18:24.248 --> 00:18:29.620
  • Bad debt is borrowing money for items that depreciate,
  • 00:18:29.620 --> 00:18:34.825
  • Like your groceries, or clothing, or vacations,
  • 00:18:34.825 --> 00:18:40.298
  • That is bad debt.
  • 00:18:40.298 --> 00:18:42.600
  • Be careful of debt.
  • 00:18:42.600 --> 00:18:44.202
  • Proverbs 22 verses 26 and 7 says,
  • 00:18:44.202 --> 00:18:47.238
  • "do not be among those who give pledges,
  • 00:18:47.238 --> 00:18:50.041
  • Among those who become sureties for debts.
  • 00:18:50.041 --> 00:18:52.777
  • If you have nothing with which to pay,
  • 00:18:52.777 --> 00:18:55.513
  • Why should your lender take your bed from under you?"
  • 00:18:55.513 --> 00:18:59.050
  • I mean, "why would you go out," he says,
  • 00:18:59.050 --> 00:19:00.551
  • "and get into debt if a banker's gonna come in the middle of the
  • 00:19:00.551 --> 00:19:03.888
  • Night and snatch your bed from under you," i mean,
  • 00:19:03.888 --> 00:19:06.290
  • "who would do such a thing?"
  • 00:19:06.290 --> 00:19:07.992
  • And yet many people make that kind of foolish decision.
  • 00:19:07.992 --> 00:19:12.463
  • The problem with debt is that it allows us to artificially live
  • 00:19:12.463 --> 00:19:16.734
  • Above our income at least for a while until everything comes
  • 00:19:16.734 --> 00:19:21.272
  • Crashing down around us.
  • 00:19:21.272 --> 00:19:23.307
  • And you know what the greatest facilitator of debt is in our
  • 00:19:23.307 --> 00:19:26.344
  • Country, what it is that makes it so easy?
  • 00:19:26.344 --> 00:19:28.546
  • The credit card, the credit card.
  • 00:19:28.546 --> 00:19:31.716
  • I was reading again this week, the average american has 11
  • 00:19:31.716 --> 00:19:35.920
  • Credit cards with an average balance of $5,700.
  • 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:40.791
  • You say, "well what's the problem with that?"
  • 00:19:40.791 --> 00:19:42.693
  • There are two problems with credit cards you need to warn
  • 00:19:42.693 --> 00:19:45.696
  • Your children about.
  • 00:19:45.696 --> 00:19:47.832
  • First of all, the obvious, the high interest rates that you pay
  • 00:19:47.832 --> 00:19:52.103
  • With a credit card.
  • 00:19:52.103 --> 00:19:53.437
  • Now let me illustrate what that does.
  • 00:19:53.437 --> 00:19:55.273
  • Let's just say you go out and you buy some appliances and
  • 00:19:55.273 --> 00:19:58.109
  • Charge them on your credit card, $2,000.
  • 00:19:58.109 --> 00:20:01.178
  • And let's say that you make the minimum payment on that credit
  • 00:20:01.178 --> 00:20:04.515
  • Card every month.
  • 00:20:04.515 --> 00:20:06.117
  • Do you know how long it will take you to pay off
  • 00:20:06.117 --> 00:20:07.718
  • That $2,000 debt?
  • 00:20:07.718 --> 00:20:09.787
  • Twenty-two years. twenty-two years.
  • 00:20:09.787 --> 00:20:13.891
  • And by the time you finally have paid off that credit card,
  • 00:20:13.891 --> 00:20:16.994
  • You would've paid $4,789.
  • 00:20:16.994 --> 00:20:21.499
  • That's $2,000 for the actual cost of the appliances,
  • 00:20:21.499 --> 00:20:25.469
  • $2,789 of interest.
  • 00:20:25.469 --> 00:20:30.775
  • That's why credit cards wanna get you enslaved.
  • 00:20:30.775 --> 00:20:33.411
  • That's why they send out 3 billion credit card applications
  • 00:20:33.411 --> 00:20:37.481
  • Every year.
  • 00:20:37.481 --> 00:20:38.983
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:20:38.983 --> 00:20:44.822
  • Jeffress: there's more i want to share with you concerning the
  • 00:20:44.822 --> 00:20:47.158
  • Inherent dangers of always wanting more.
  • 00:20:47.158 --> 00:20:50.661
  • So be sure to join us next time for part two of my message
  • 00:20:50.661 --> 00:20:54.065
  • Titled, "what parents wish their children knew about money."
  • 00:20:54.065 --> 00:20:59.036
  • Now before our time is gone for today, i want to say a thank you
  • 00:20:59.036 --> 00:21:02.740
  • To those of you who support the ministry of pathway to victory.
  • 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:06.711
  • In the past year, we've reached more people with the gospel than
  • 00:21:06.711 --> 00:21:10.614
  • Ever before.
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  • We've been blessed with opportunities to add new cities
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  • To our radio and television roster.
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  • But there's still more work to be done.
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  • And because of partners like you, we're able to reach men and
  • 00:21:20.458 --> 00:21:23.394
  • Women around the country and around the world with
  • 00:21:23.394 --> 00:21:26.664
  • God's truth.
  • 00:21:26.664 --> 00:21:27.998
  • So thank you for your faithful support.
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  • Now stay right there.
  • 00:21:30.935 --> 00:21:32.436
  • I'll be back with more "pathway to victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:21:32.436 --> 00:21:36.207
  • Male announcer: each day, millions of lost people are
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  • Searching for hope and truth.
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  • Homes across america and around the world, but there are still
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  • Jeffress: laura, thank you for that question.
  • 00:22:08.406 --> 00:22:09.907
  • It's one we're receiving more and more frequently here at
  • 00:22:09.907 --> 00:22:12.843
  • Pathway to victory.
  • 00:22:12.843 --> 00:22:14.245
  • You know, the apostle john said, "i have no greater joy than this
  • 00:22:14.245 --> 00:22:18.516
  • Than to know that my children walk in the truth."
  • 00:22:18.516 --> 00:22:22.186
  • Conversely, the greatest pain we parents have is when we see our
  • 00:22:22.186 --> 00:22:26.457
  • Children not walking in the truth, and especially when
  • 00:22:26.457 --> 00:22:30.394
  • They're overcome with gender confusion or
  • 00:22:30.394 --> 00:22:34.298
  • Homosexual relationships.
  • 00:22:34.298 --> 00:22:37.134
  • What do we say to a child who's living a lifestyle that is
  • 00:22:37.134 --> 00:22:41.205
  • Contrary to what scripture says?
  • 00:22:41.205 --> 00:22:43.941
  • As parents, we have the obligation to speak the truth,
  • 00:22:43.941 --> 00:22:47.311
  • But to speak it in love.
  • 00:22:47.311 --> 00:22:49.447
  • We should never hesitate in affirming what the bible says
  • 00:22:49.447 --> 00:22:53.284
  • About sin.
  • 00:22:53.284 --> 00:22:54.785
  • But at the same time, i think it is very important that we do
  • 00:22:54.785 --> 00:22:58.923
  • Everything we can to keep that bridge of communication open
  • 00:22:58.923 --> 00:23:02.493
  • With our children.
  • 00:23:02.493 --> 00:23:04.595
  • I don't believe what some parents believe that we need to
  • 00:23:04.595 --> 00:23:08.065
  • Turn our back on our children until they repent.
  • 00:23:08.065 --> 00:23:11.268
  • I don't find that anywhere in scripture.
  • 00:23:11.268 --> 00:23:13.737
  • Now, i'm not saying if you have gay children that if they,
  • 00:23:13.737 --> 00:23:17.441
  • Quote, "get married" you need to attend the ceremony.
  • 00:23:17.441 --> 00:23:20.578
  • I would never do that.
  • 00:23:20.578 --> 00:23:21.912
  • That's condoning something god has condemned.
  • 00:23:21.912 --> 00:23:25.649
  • But it doesn't mean you cease relationships with
  • 00:23:25.649 --> 00:23:28.185
  • Your children.
  • 00:23:28.185 --> 00:23:29.520
  • You continue to pray for them to make them know your door is
  • 00:23:29.520 --> 00:23:32.790
  • Always open to talk with them and help them.
  • 00:23:32.790 --> 00:23:36.360
  • You know, one of the greatest illustrations of that is in the
  • 00:23:36.360 --> 00:23:39.296
  • Story of the prodigal son, you remember the son said basically
  • 00:23:39.296 --> 00:23:43.200
  • To his father, "i wish you were dead, but since you're not dead
  • 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:46.737
  • Yet, i want my portion of the estate."
  • 00:23:46.737 --> 00:23:49.273
  • And he got his money and went to the far country.
  • 00:23:49.273 --> 00:23:52.309
  • And the bible says when he hit a low point, that son said, you
  • 00:23:52.309 --> 00:23:55.846
  • Know, "my father's servants have more than i have, i shall get up
  • 00:23:55.846 --> 00:23:59.783
  • And go back to my father."
  • 00:23:59.783 --> 00:24:01.819
  • And the bible says when the father looked out on the horizon
  • 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:05.489
  • And he saw his son walking toward him, the father ran to
  • 00:24:05.489 --> 00:24:10.160
  • Embrace his son.
  • 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:11.829
  • He hugged him and he kissed him and the son began that speech,
  • 00:24:11.829 --> 00:24:15.566
  • "father, i've been wrong--" and he cut him off, he didn't need
  • 00:24:15.566 --> 00:24:19.436
  • To hear any more speeches.
  • 00:24:19.436 --> 00:24:21.171
  • His son was home and that's all he needed to know.
  • 00:24:21.171 --> 00:24:24.742
  • You know i've often wondered how is it that that father just
  • 00:24:24.742 --> 00:24:28.312
  • Happened to be on the front porch looking out when his son
  • 00:24:28.312 --> 00:24:32.716
  • Appeared on the horizon.
  • 00:24:32.716 --> 00:24:34.552
  • I don't think that was an accident.
  • 00:24:34.552 --> 00:24:36.687
  • I think the father sat on that front porch every day starting
  • 00:24:36.687 --> 00:24:40.791
  • Early in the morning waiting till late at night looking for
  • 00:24:40.791 --> 00:24:44.161
  • Some sign of his son's return hoping this may be the day,
  • 00:24:44.161 --> 00:24:49.800
  • Perhaps this is the day my son will return.
  • 00:24:49.800 --> 00:24:53.504
  • And i think that ought to be our attitude toward our children who
  • 00:24:53.504 --> 00:24:56.707
  • Are living apart from god.
  • 00:24:56.707 --> 00:24:58.676
  • We keep looking, we keep hoping, we keep praying for the return
  • 00:24:58.676 --> 00:25:03.414
  • And when they do return we rejoice in it.
  • 00:25:03.414 --> 00:25:06.450
  • So my best advice to you, laura, is don't give up hope, don't
  • 00:25:06.450 --> 00:25:10.621
  • Give up praying, and always keep the communication lines open
  • 00:25:10.621 --> 00:25:14.725
  • With your child because very possibly that day will come when
  • 00:25:14.725 --> 00:25:19.096
  • They return.
  • 00:25:19.096 --> 00:25:20.464
  • Jeffress: you need to be an accountant or an economist
  • 00:25:22.166 --> 00:25:24.802
  • To grasp the key principles for handling money.
  • 00:25:24.802 --> 00:25:28.339
  • The bible's simple wisdom about work and money
  • 00:25:28.339 --> 00:25:31.108
  • Are the foundation for financial success.
  • 00:25:31.108 --> 00:25:34.545
  • And if every parent taught these principles to their children,
  • 00:25:34.545 --> 00:25:38.449
  • I believe much of our nation's financial troubles
  • 00:25:38.449 --> 00:25:41.619
  • Could be avoided.
  • 00:25:41.619 --> 00:25:43.420
  • Well, we've looked at what the bible says about earning,
  • 00:25:43.420 --> 00:25:46.323
  • Spending, and debt, and next time we're going to see what
  • 00:25:46.323 --> 00:25:49.760
  • God's word says about saving and giving.
  • 00:25:49.760 --> 00:25:53.297
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
  • 00:25:53.297 --> 00:25:55.899
  • On "pathway to victory."
  • 00:25:55.899 --> 00:25:58.402
  • Jeffress: on the day of our death,
  • 00:25:58.469 --> 00:26:00.437
  • Everything we've accumulated is deemed worthless.
  • 00:26:00.437 --> 00:26:05.342
  • "riches profit not a person in the day of judgment."
  • 00:26:05.342 --> 00:26:09.480
  • And that's why the best time to do whatever we're going to do
  • 00:26:09.480 --> 00:26:14.685
  • For god's kingdom is not later, but it's now.
  • 00:26:14.685 --> 00:26:19.957
  • Announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for part two
  • 00:26:20.024 --> 00:26:22.960
  • Of the message, "what parents wish their children knew
  • 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:25.796
  • About money," here on "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:25.796 --> 00:26:29.700
  • Announcer: experience a journey that will refresh your spirit
  • 00:26:29.767 --> 00:26:32.736
  • And renew your faith on the pathway to victory cruise to
  • 00:26:32.736 --> 00:26:35.973
  • Alaska, june 13-20, 2026.
  • 00:26:35.973 --> 00:26:39.576
  • Jeffress: sail aboard holland america's luxurious koningsdam
  • 00:26:39.576 --> 00:26:42.713
  • Through british columbia's beautiful inside passage.
  • 00:26:42.713 --> 00:26:46.517
  • From the pristine waters of glacier bay to the charming
  • 00:26:46.517 --> 00:26:49.920
  • Frontier towns of juneau, ketchikan, and skagway, you'll
  • 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:54.191
  • Witness god's handiwork on full display.
  • 00:26:54.191 --> 00:26:57.661
  • Announcer: imagine standing on deck surrounded by towering
  • 00:26:57.661 --> 00:27:00.297
  • Glaciers and snowcapped mountains while enjoying
  • 00:27:00.297 --> 00:27:02.900
  • Powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
  • 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:05.736
  • Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien
  • 00:27:05.736 --> 00:27:09.473
  • And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg, america's
  • 00:27:09.473 --> 00:27:12.676
  • Minister of encouragement.
  • 00:27:12.676 --> 00:27:14.445
  • Jeffress: this is more than just a vacation.
  • 00:27:14.445 --> 00:27:16.580
  • It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
  • 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:20.084
  • Announcer: to reserve your cabin on the 2026 pathway to victory
  • 00:27:20.084 --> 00:27:22.853
  • Cruise to alaska, call ... or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:22.853 --> 00:27:29.793