Crawford Loritts - The Heart of Generosity

November 24, 2024 | S

Messages of hope and redemption from Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, with Louie Giglio.

#RelationshipwithGod #LoveofGod #Gospel #Sacrifice #Religion #inActive #Gratitude #Giving #Generosity #PassionwithLouieGiglio #LouieGiglio #CrawfordLoritts

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Passion with Louie Giglio | Crawford Loritts - The Heart of Generosity | November 24, 2024

♪ ♪
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>> when you think
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>> when you think about generosity,
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About generosity, you think about giving,
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You think about giving, often one of the frustrations --
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Often one of the frustrations -- i've pastored for a number
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I've pastored for a number of years,
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Of years, and one of the frustrations
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And one of the frustrations that i used to have
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That i used to have all the time.
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All the time. whenever you talk about money,
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Whenever you talk about money, people, you know,
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People, you know, they roll their eyes,
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They roll their eyes, their head goes back,
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Their head goes back, they start yawning,
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They start yawning, or they get a little nervous
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Or they get a little nervous and this kinda thing.
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And this kinda thing. and part of that is because we
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And part of that is because we think that finances and giving
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Think that finances and giving and that kind of thing is
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And that kind of thing is a little parenthesis
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A little parenthesis or most postscript
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Or most postscript to our christianity.
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To our christianity. that somehow or another,
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That somehow or another, resources are not core
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Resources are not core to the christian life.
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To the christian life. and that's partially our fault,
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And that's partially our fault, those of us who teach
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Those of us who teach and preach.
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And preach. it's a discipleship issue.
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It's a discipleship issue. the truth of the matter is
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The truth of the matter is that giving resources
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That giving resources is a part of worship.
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Is a part of worship. and, in fact,
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And, in fact, if you check out giving
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If you check out giving in the bible it is
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In the bible it is a direct re --
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A direct re -- there's a direct
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There's a direct relationship between
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Relationship between our spirituality,
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Our spirituality, our vibrancy,
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Our vibrancy, and our love for god
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And our love for god and our open hands.
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And our open hands. it's all about sacrifice,
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It's all about sacrifice, and the bible
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And the bible is about sacrifice.
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Is about sacrifice. so, i'm just gonna
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So, i'm just gonna say two big things.
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Say two big things. they're really big headers
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They're really big headers 'cause i could be
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'cause i could be here all week long
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Here all week long unpacking these two big things.
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Unpacking these two big things. well, the two big things
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Well, the two big things that i really believe
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That i really believe expresses and summarizes
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Expresses and summarizes the heart of god when it comes
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The heart of god when it comes to generosity are these,
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To generosity are these, number one,
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Number one, that generosity is
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That generosity is a picture of the gospel.
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A picture of the gospel. it is a picture of the gospel.
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It is a picture of the gospel. i'mma take that in a second.
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I'mma take that in a second. and the second thing i wanna say
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And the second thing i wanna say is that, believe it or not,
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Is that, believe it or not, that generosity is a pathway
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That generosity is a pathway to provision,
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To provision, meaning your provision,
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Meaning your provision, my provision.
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My provision. it's a pathway
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It's a pathway to those two things.
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To those two things. the first one
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The first one is this, generosity.
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Is this, generosity. generosity is a picture
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Generosity is a picture of the gospel.
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Of the gospel. it's a portrait of the gospel.
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It's a portrait of the gospel. it is a statement of the severe
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It is a statement of the severe love and sacrificial
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Love and sacrificial generosity of god.
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Generosity of god. did you know that generosity
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Did you know that generosity and sacrifice is god's
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And sacrifice is god's disposition toward us,
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Disposition toward us, toward us?
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It's his disposition toward us.
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It's his disposition toward us. god is not up in heaven waiting
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God is not up in heaven waiting to punish you,
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To punish you, or punish me,
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Or punish me, restrict us,
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Restrict us, beat us up,
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Beat us up, tell us when we're wrong.
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Tell us when we're wrong. his disposition toward us
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His disposition toward us is sacrifice, is to give.
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Listen to these words,
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Listen to these words, romans 8:32 says,
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Romans 8:32 says, "he who did not spare
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"he who did not spare his own son
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His own son but gave him up for us all,
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But gave him up for us all, how will he not also
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How will he not also graciously give us all things?"
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Graciously give us all things?" this is the heart of god.
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This is the heart of god. "god spared not his own son,
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"god spared not his own son, but he gave him
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But he gave him up for us all,
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Up for us all, and if he did that,
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And if he did that, he says,
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He says, 'well how will he not
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'well how will he not also freely give us all things?"
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Also freely give us all things?" this is kinda like you go
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This is kinda like you go to the jewelry store
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To the jewelry store and you buy your,
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And you buy your, you know,
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You know, the woman that you're gonna
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The woman that you're gonna ask to marry you this,
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Ask to marry you this, you know,
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You know, $5,000 diamond ring,
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$5,000 diamond ring, and now you wanna haggle
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And now you wanna haggle with the jeweler
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With the jeweler about getting a box.
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About getting a box. see, have you lost your mind?
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See, have you lost your mind? you bought the ring,
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You bought the ring, you get the box.
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You get the box. and so it is with god,
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And so it is with god, his predisposition.
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His predisposition. i know it's hard
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I know it's hard for us to believe that.
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For us to believe that. some of us have
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Some of us have performance orientation.
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Performance orientation. we're down on ourselves.
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We're down on ourselves. we beat ourselves up.
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We beat ourselves up. but god's disposition
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But god's disposition toward us is sacrifice.
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Toward us is sacrifice. we are what he was looking for.
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We are what he was looking for. and some of these great verses
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And some of these great verses that we quote,
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That we quote, sometimes we need
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Sometimes we need to sit in them and marinate
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To sit in them and marinate in them and notice
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In them and notice the verbs in the verses.
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The verbs in the verses. "what do you mean by that?"
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"what do you mean by that?" john 3:16,
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John 3:16, "for god so loved the world
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"for god so loved the world that he gave, gave,
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That he gave, gave, gave, gave, gave, exclusive,
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Gave, gave, gave, exclusive, only son."
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Only son." who did he do that for?
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Who did he do that for? you.
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You. me.
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Me. "that whoever believes in him
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"that whoever believes in him should not perish
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Should not perish but have everlasting life."
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But have everlasting life." romans 5:8,
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Romans 5:8, "god demonstrates his love
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"god demonstrates his love toward us in that
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Toward us in that while we were still sinners,"
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While we were still sinners," parenthesis,
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Parenthesis, screwed up and messed up,
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Screwed up and messed up, "while we were still sinners
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"while we were still sinners christ died for us."
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Christ died for us." god's love is an
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God's love is an expensive love.
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Expensive love. it's a sacrificial love.
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It's a sacrificial love. and then what?
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And then what? 2 corinthians 5:21,
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2 corinthians 5:21, notice how the apostle
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Notice how the apostle paul phrases this.
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Paul phrases this. "for your sake,
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"for your sake, for your sake,
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For your sake, he made him who knew no sin
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He made him who knew no sin to be sin for us in order
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To be sin for us in order that we might be made
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That we might be made the righteousness
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The righteousness of god in him."
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Of god in him." god's disposition toward us.
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God's disposition toward us. sacrifice.
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Sacrifice. how much more --
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How much more -- god would say to us,
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God would say to us, "how much more do i need
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"how much more do i need to prove to you how
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To prove to you how valuable you are?
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Valuable you are? my giving models to you
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My giving models to you how much i love you."
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How much i love you." it's like the love
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It's like the love of parents for their kids.
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Of parents for their kids. there's not a healthy
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There's not a healthy parent in here.
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Parent in here. i know there's
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I know there's dysfunctional homes,
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Dysfunctional homes, don't get me wrong.
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Don't get me wrong. but most of us as parents
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But most of us as parents that question is not even
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That question is not even on the table.
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On the table. well, if my child has some life,
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Well, if my child has some life, you know, threatening disease,
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You know, threatening disease, the question is not,
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The question is not, "what would i give up?"
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"what would i give up?" i'd do anything.
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I'd do anything. i'd give up everything.
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I'd give up everything. same thing with my wife,
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Same thing with my wife, i'd give up everything.
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I'd give up everything. god says,
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God says, "that's what i did for you.
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"that's what i did for you. i gave everything."
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I gave everything." now, related to that,
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Now, related to that, is that giving is an
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Is that giving is an expression of gratitude then
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Expression of gratitude then therefore for the mercy
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Therefore for the mercy and grace we have received.
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And grace we have received. this is the connection.
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This is the connection. we don't piecemeal our worship.
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We don't piecemeal our worship. we don't piecemeal it.
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We don't piecemeal it. everything we have --
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Everything we have -- technically, have should be in
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Technically, have should be in quotes because we own nothing
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Quotes because we own nothing including our lives.
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Including our lives. at any moment god can say,
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At any moment god can say, "give me back my breath."
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"give me back my breath." that's the reason why
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That's the reason why it's a little bit --
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It's a little bit -- it's a little bit silly
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It's a little bit silly and stupid to be high control,
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And stupid to be high control, because you control
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Because you control and i control
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And i control absolutely nothing.
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Absolutely nothing. we are all very,
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We are all very, very fragile and very,
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Very fragile and very, very vulnerable.
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Very vulnerable. so, we stand in his presence,
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So, we stand in his presence, and we are grateful
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And we are grateful for his mercy and grace.
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For his mercy and grace. listen, 2 corinthians 9:12-15,
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Listen, 2 corinthians 9:12-15, incredible passage.
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Incredible passage. the apostle paul is encouraging
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The apostle paul is encouraging the church at corinth to finish
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The church at corinth to finish up the collection
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Up the collection for the christians
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For the christians there in jerusalem,
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There in jerusalem, the church in jerusalem.
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The church in jerusalem. they'd gone through a hard time.
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They'd gone through a hard time. they were suffering.
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They were suffering. and so, they said,
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And so, they said, "let's --
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"let's -- and this above
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And this above and beyond campaign.
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And beyond campaign. you need to finish raising
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You need to finish raising that money and send
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That money and send it over there
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It over there to the city of refuge
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To the city of refuge and send it over."
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And send it over." this is the same deal here.
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This is the same deal here. but he's answering
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But he's answering the question why you do it.
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The question why you do it. "what's the motivation here?
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"what's the motivation here? should i get a standing
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Should i get a standing o for giving?"
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O for giving?" listen to what he says here,
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Listen to what he says here, verse 9 --
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Verse 9 -- well, actually, drop
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Well, actually, drop your eye down to verse 12.
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Your eye down to verse 12. he says,
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He says, "for the ministry
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"for the ministry of this service,"
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Of this service," that is of giving,
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That is of giving, "is not only supplying
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"is not only supplying the needs of the saints,
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The needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many
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But is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to god.
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Thanksgivings to god. by their approval
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By their approval of this service,
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Of this service, they will glorify god,"
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They will glorify god," now, notice this line,
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Now, notice this line, "because of your submission
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"because of your submission that comes from your confession
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That comes from your confession of the gospel of christ,
00:08:48.650 --> 00:08:51.119
Of the gospel of christ, and the generosity
00:08:51.186 --> 00:08:52.254
And the generosity of your contribution for them
00:08:52.321 --> 00:08:53.989
Of your contribution for them and for all others,
00:08:54.056 --> 00:08:56.124
And for all others, while they long for you
00:08:56.191 --> 00:08:57.359
While they long for you and pray for you,
00:08:57.426 --> 00:08:58.827
And pray for you, because of the surpassing
00:08:58.894 --> 00:09:00.195
Because of the surpassing grace of god upon you."
00:09:00.262 --> 00:09:03.398
Grace of god upon you." that grace meaning your
00:09:03.465 --> 00:09:05.867
That grace meaning your gratitude for the severe mercy
00:09:05.934 --> 00:09:08.870
Gratitude for the severe mercy and forgiveness of god you've
00:09:08.937 --> 00:09:11.273
And forgiveness of god you've opened your hands.
00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:14.109
Opened your hands. "thanks be to god
00:09:14.176 --> 00:09:15.544
"thanks be to god for his inexpressible gift."
00:09:15.611 --> 00:09:18.714
For his inexpressible gift." what is he referring?
00:09:18.780 --> 00:09:19.648
What is he referring? he's connecting your motivation
00:09:19.715 --> 00:09:22.050
He's connecting your motivation for giving to the gratitude
00:09:22.117 --> 00:09:24.486
For giving to the gratitude that should fill your heart,
00:09:24.553 --> 00:09:27.422
That should fill your heart, that should fill your heart.
00:09:27.489 --> 00:09:31.893
That should fill your heart. so, this remind us,
00:09:31.960 --> 00:09:34.930
So, this remind us, when i give,
00:09:34.997 --> 00:09:36.131
When i give, it's a reminder to me
00:09:36.198 --> 00:09:38.333
It's a reminder to me that i remember god's lavish
00:09:38.400 --> 00:09:40.235
That i remember god's lavish sacrificial mercy and the grace
00:09:40.302 --> 00:09:42.604
Sacrificial mercy and the grace that he poured out over me.
00:09:42.671 --> 00:09:45.240
That he poured out over me. here's a little
00:09:45.307 --> 00:09:46.008
Here's a little bit of a problem.
00:09:46.074 --> 00:09:48.844
Bit of a problem. i got a little mileage on me,
00:09:48.910 --> 00:09:49.978
I got a little mileage on me, and i've seen this temptation
00:09:50.045 --> 00:09:51.413
And i've seen this temptation in my own life,
00:09:51.480 --> 00:09:52.180
In my own life, and i've seen it in the lives
00:09:52.247 --> 00:09:53.148
And i've seen it in the lives of so many of us who have
00:09:53.215 --> 00:09:54.116
Of so many of us who have been believers
00:09:54.182 --> 00:09:54.816
Been believers for a long time.
00:09:54.883 --> 00:09:56.284
For a long time. after you've been a follower
00:09:56.351 --> 00:09:57.219
After you've been a follower of christ for a long time,
00:09:57.285 --> 00:09:58.320
Of christ for a long time, what ends up happening
00:09:58.387 --> 00:09:59.454
What ends up happening is that you gotta
00:09:59.521 --> 00:10:00.455
Is that you gotta fight the rote regurgitate
00:10:00.522 --> 00:10:02.057
Fight the rote regurgitate response to god.
00:10:02.124 --> 00:10:03.425
Response to god. "what is that?
00:10:03.492 --> 00:10:03.959
"what is that? what do you mean by that?"
00:10:04.026 --> 00:10:04.960
What do you mean by that?" it's get normative.
00:10:05.027 --> 00:10:06.261
It's get normative. you get used
00:10:06.328 --> 00:10:06.895
You get used to this kind of stuff.
00:10:06.962 --> 00:10:08.897
To this kind of stuff. okay?
00:10:08.964 --> 00:10:10.999
Okay? and familiarity always
00:10:11.066 --> 00:10:12.801
And familiarity always breeds entitlement.
00:10:12.868 --> 00:10:18.140
Breeds entitlement. it always breeds entitlement.
00:10:18.206 --> 00:10:20.609
It always breeds entitlement. you get accustomed to it.
00:10:20.676 --> 00:10:22.744
You get accustomed to it. "this is what i'm
00:10:22.811 --> 00:10:23.478
"this is what i'm supposed to get.
00:10:23.545 --> 00:10:24.813
Supposed to get. i can get rather transactional
00:10:24.880 --> 00:10:26.982
I can get rather transactional and pragmatic about
00:10:27.049 --> 00:10:28.250
And pragmatic about my relationship with god."
00:10:28.316 --> 00:10:31.987
My relationship with god." and entitlement,
00:10:32.054 --> 00:10:33.588
And entitlement, "i deserve this.
00:10:33.655 --> 00:10:34.356
"i deserve this. i paid my dues.
00:10:34.423 --> 00:10:35.791
I paid my dues. don't they understand who i am?"
00:10:35.857 --> 00:10:37.459
Don't they understand who i am?" this kind of thing.
00:10:37.526 --> 00:10:38.360
This kind of thing. you know, you think you're
00:10:38.427 --> 00:10:39.327
You know, you think you're the center of everything
00:10:39.394 --> 00:10:40.996
The center of everything and that's just a half
00:10:41.063 --> 00:10:41.897
And that's just a half a click away from narcissism.
00:10:41.963 --> 00:10:46.301
A click away from narcissism. and there are too many
00:10:46.368 --> 00:10:47.169
And there are too many narcissistic christian who
00:10:47.235 --> 00:10:49.905
Narcissistic christian who believe that their christianity
00:10:49.971 --> 00:10:51.673
Believe that their christianity is all about them and that god
00:10:51.740 --> 00:10:53.008
Is all about them and that god exists to make them a better
00:10:53.075 --> 00:10:54.109
Exists to make them a better version of themselves.
00:10:54.176 --> 00:10:55.677
Version of themselves. that somehow or another,
00:10:55.744 --> 00:10:56.845
That somehow or another, god is giving them a standing
00:10:56.912 --> 00:10:58.246
God is giving them a standing ovation because after all,
00:10:58.313 --> 00:11:00.215
Ovation because after all, they deserve health
00:11:00.282 --> 00:11:01.349
They deserve health and wealth and long life
00:11:01.416 --> 00:11:02.617
And wealth and long life and all of these other things.
00:11:02.684 --> 00:11:03.952
And all of these other things. and so, they're
00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:04.786
And so, they're the center of attention.
00:11:04.853 --> 00:11:07.155
The center of attention. but gratitude is always
00:11:07.222 --> 00:11:08.690
But gratitude is always the pathway to humility.
00:11:08.757 --> 00:11:10.826
The pathway to humility. gratitude is attractive.
00:11:10.892 --> 00:11:13.028
Gratitude is attractive. gratitude says,
00:11:13.095 --> 00:11:14.096
Gratitude says, "my hands are open,
00:11:14.162 --> 00:11:15.197
"my hands are open, and my heart is open
00:11:15.263 --> 00:11:16.598
And my heart is open to god because of all
00:11:16.665 --> 00:11:18.066
To god because of all that he's done for me."
00:11:18.133 --> 00:11:19.434
That he's done for me." i have not forgotten
00:11:19.501 --> 00:11:20.602
I have not forgotten how i used to wake up
00:11:20.669 --> 00:11:21.737
How i used to wake up in the middle of night
00:11:21.803 --> 00:11:22.571
In the middle of night and wonder what's gonna
00:11:22.637 --> 00:11:23.305
And wonder what's gonna happen to me if i should
00:11:23.371 --> 00:11:24.106
Happen to me if i should die because i was lost.
00:11:24.172 --> 00:11:26.208
Die because i was lost. i have not forgotten
00:11:26.274 --> 00:11:27.576
I have not forgotten how i couldn't get
00:11:27.642 --> 00:11:28.610
How i couldn't get rid of the guilt of my sin,
00:11:28.677 --> 00:11:31.379
Rid of the guilt of my sin, how it plagued me,
00:11:31.446 --> 00:11:33.148
How it plagued me, and the gospel ran me down.
00:11:33.215 --> 00:11:36.017
And the gospel ran me down. i've not forgotten about that.
00:11:36.084 --> 00:11:37.385
I've not forgotten about that. and every time i give,
00:11:37.452 --> 00:11:38.520
And every time i give, and i open my hands
00:11:38.587 --> 00:11:39.955
And i open my hands and extend it to god,
00:11:40.021 --> 00:11:41.723
And extend it to god, and say,
00:11:41.790 --> 00:11:42.290
And say, "i own nothing,
00:11:42.357 --> 00:11:43.391
"i own nothing, you own it all.
00:11:43.458 --> 00:11:44.292
You own it all. i'm just a steward,"
00:11:44.359 --> 00:11:47.429
I'm just a steward," i'm reminded
00:11:47.496 --> 00:11:47.929
I'm reminded of the severe mercy
00:11:47.996 --> 00:11:50.031
Of the severe mercy and the grace of god.
00:11:50.098 --> 00:11:52.834
And the grace of god. but also,
00:11:52.901 --> 00:11:53.401
But also, this kind of gratitude,
00:11:53.468 --> 00:11:57.672
This kind of gratitude, is a statement that i
00:11:57.739 --> 00:11:59.074
Is a statement that i want to be a vehicle
00:11:59.141 --> 00:12:00.275
Want to be a vehicle to bring that mercy
00:12:00.342 --> 00:12:01.610
To bring that mercy and grace to others.
00:12:01.676 --> 00:12:05.480
And grace to others. i want god to use me.
00:12:05.547 --> 00:12:08.416
I want god to use me. see, this --
00:12:08.483 --> 00:12:09.251
See, this -- the ministry here,
00:12:09.317 --> 00:12:10.352
The ministry here, we have a --
00:12:10.418 --> 00:12:12.454
We have a -- let me just say
00:12:12.521 --> 00:12:13.054
Let me just say what i'm feeling.
00:12:13.121 --> 00:12:13.889
What i'm feeling. we have a jacked-up
00:12:13.955 --> 00:12:15.290
We have a jacked-up vision of church.
00:12:15.357 --> 00:12:18.126
Vision of church. when you think about,
00:12:18.193 --> 00:12:18.927
When you think about, you know,
00:12:18.994 --> 00:12:19.728
You know, church is about the people
00:12:19.795 --> 00:12:21.229
Church is about the people who put the programs together
00:12:21.296 --> 00:12:22.831
Who put the programs together and the stuff from --
00:12:22.898 --> 00:12:24.166
And the stuff from -- to occupy my kids and me,
00:12:24.232 --> 00:12:25.433
To occupy my kids and me, and this kind of thing.
00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.635
And this kind of thing. and so, i then, therefore,
00:12:26.701 --> 00:12:27.869
And so, i then, therefore, become a consumer.
00:12:27.936 --> 00:12:31.206
Become a consumer. it's not about consumption.
00:12:31.273 --> 00:12:34.009
It's not about consumption. the church is kingdom.
00:12:34.075 --> 00:12:36.144
The church is kingdom. it's about participation.
00:12:36.211 --> 00:12:38.380
It's about participation. it's about involvement.
00:12:38.446 --> 00:12:40.115
It's about involvement. it's about everybody
00:12:40.182 --> 00:12:41.183
It's about everybody paying the price.
00:12:41.249 --> 00:12:42.484
Paying the price. it's about contributing.
00:12:42.551 --> 00:12:44.286
It's about contributing. it's about the synergy
00:12:44.352 --> 00:12:45.821
It's about the synergy of a gospel that's flowing
00:12:45.887 --> 00:12:47.689
Of a gospel that's flowing in and through all of us
00:12:47.756 --> 00:12:48.957
In and through all of us here who named
00:12:49.024 --> 00:12:50.025
Here who named the name of christ.
00:12:50.091 --> 00:12:55.730
The name of christ. and as i embraced that,
00:12:55.797 --> 00:12:58.099
And as i embraced that, i began to understand that my
00:12:58.166 --> 00:13:00.068
I began to understand that my christianity is
00:13:00.135 --> 00:13:00.969
Christianity is not one dimensional.
00:13:01.036 --> 00:13:02.404
Not one dimensional. i'm not an
00:13:02.470 --> 00:13:02.904
I'm not an independent contractor.
00:13:02.971 --> 00:13:04.973
Independent contractor. my christianity
00:13:05.040 --> 00:13:05.841
My christianity is not just about me.
00:13:05.907 --> 00:13:08.276
Is not just about me. i'm a part of the family of god.
00:13:08.343 --> 00:13:10.545
I'm a part of the family of god. and it's not just about us here,
00:13:10.612 --> 00:13:13.882
And it's not just about us here, this group.
00:13:13.949 --> 00:13:15.183
This group. it's about a lost world.
00:13:15.250 --> 00:13:16.685
It's about a lost world. it's about being salt and light.
00:13:16.751 --> 00:13:18.286
It's about being salt and light. it's about leveraging what god
00:13:18.353 --> 00:13:19.955
It's about leveraging what god has done in and through my life
00:13:20.021 --> 00:13:21.456
Has done in and through my life to bless other people.
00:13:21.523 --> 00:13:22.958
To bless other people. it's about them experiencing
00:13:23.024 --> 00:13:24.392
It's about them experiencing what i'm experiencing.
00:13:24.459 --> 00:13:25.627
What i'm experiencing. it's about them having
00:13:25.694 --> 00:13:26.528
It's about them having hope like i have hope.
00:13:26.595 --> 00:13:29.965
Hope like i have hope. so, everything that i have
00:13:30.031 --> 00:13:30.932
So, everything that i have i open to him,
00:13:30.999 --> 00:13:31.867
I open to him, and i say,
00:13:31.933 --> 00:13:32.400
And i say, "god, use it.
00:13:32.467 --> 00:13:33.735
"god, use it. my gifts, my talents,
00:13:33.802 --> 00:13:34.970
My gifts, my talents, my background, my pocketbook,
00:13:35.036 --> 00:13:36.571
My background, my pocketbook, whatever it is, it's yours."
00:13:36.638 --> 00:13:39.140
Whatever it is, it's yours." and you don't a la carte that.
00:13:39.207 --> 00:13:43.879
And you don't a la carte that. so, the heart of generosity,
00:13:43.945 --> 00:13:49.751
So, the heart of generosity, it ain't that heavy.
00:13:49.818 --> 00:13:51.620
It ain't that heavy. the heart of generosity said
00:13:51.686 --> 00:13:52.854
The heart of generosity said it's a picture of the gospel.
00:13:52.921 --> 00:13:58.126
It's a picture of the gospel. but secondly,
00:13:58.193 --> 00:14:02.564
But secondly, generosity is
00:14:02.631 --> 00:14:04.366
Generosity is the pathway to provision,
00:14:04.432 --> 00:14:09.104
The pathway to provision, meaning your provision
00:14:09.170 --> 00:14:12.540
Meaning your provision and my provision.
00:14:12.607 --> 00:14:14.075
And my provision. "yeah, well,
00:14:14.142 --> 00:14:14.743
"yeah, well, this sound squarely here."
00:14:14.809 --> 00:14:15.644
This sound squarely here." no, it's not.
00:14:15.710 --> 00:14:16.945
No, it's not. read the bible.
00:14:17.012 --> 00:14:18.813
[laughter]
00:14:19.581 --> 00:14:21.449
2 corinthians 9 again
00:14:22.584 --> 00:14:25.320
2 corinthians 9 again up to verse 6.
00:14:25.387 --> 00:14:27.889
Up to verse 6. listen to what paul says
00:14:27.956 --> 00:14:29.391
Listen to what paul says about giving, their --
00:14:29.457 --> 00:14:32.827
About giving, their -- generous sacrificial giving.
00:14:32.894 --> 00:14:35.664
Generous sacrificial giving. verse 6 says,
00:14:35.730 --> 00:14:36.464
Verse 6 says, "the point is this:
00:14:36.531 --> 00:14:37.399
"the point is this: whoever sows sparingly
00:14:37.465 --> 00:14:38.800
Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly,
00:14:38.867 --> 00:14:40.135
Will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully
00:14:40.201 --> 00:14:41.770
And whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
00:14:41.836 --> 00:14:44.039
Will also reap bountifully. each one must give as he has
00:14:44.105 --> 00:14:45.774
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart,
00:14:45.840 --> 00:14:47.142
Decided in his heart, not reluctantly
00:14:47.208 --> 00:14:48.009
Not reluctantly or under compulsion."
00:14:48.076 --> 00:14:49.110
Or under compulsion." let me just say this here.
00:14:49.177 --> 00:14:50.578
Let me just say this here. let me just --
00:14:50.645 --> 00:14:51.179
Let me just -- listen, listen to me.
00:14:51.246 --> 00:14:51.980
Listen, listen to me. listen to me.
00:14:52.047 --> 00:14:55.650
Listen to me. god does not need your money.
00:14:55.717 --> 00:14:59.187
God does not need your money. god does not need my money.
00:14:59.254 --> 00:15:02.924
God does not need my money. god's resources
00:15:02.991 --> 00:15:04.359
God's resources never are depleted.
00:15:04.426 --> 00:15:08.697
Never are depleted. it's not so much that
00:15:08.763 --> 00:15:09.531
It's not so much that god needs our money,
00:15:09.597 --> 00:15:11.866
God needs our money, we need to give.
00:15:11.933 --> 00:15:14.202
We need to give. but then he says,
00:15:14.269 --> 00:15:15.103
But then he says, "but you don't give because
00:15:15.170 --> 00:15:16.271
"but you don't give because somebody is beating you up."
00:15:16.338 --> 00:15:18.707
Somebody is beating you up." if you have
00:15:18.773 --> 00:15:20.208
If you have to twitch every time,
00:15:20.275 --> 00:15:21.142
To twitch every time, you know, somebody
00:15:21.209 --> 00:15:21.977
You know, somebody is asking for a donation,
00:15:22.043 --> 00:15:23.011
Is asking for a donation, somebody is asking
00:15:23.078 --> 00:15:23.645
Somebody is asking for something,
00:15:23.712 --> 00:15:24.179
For something, and you just get kinda tight
00:15:24.245 --> 00:15:25.380
And you just get kinda tight fists and just kinda --
00:15:25.447 --> 00:15:26.047
Fists and just kinda -- keep your money.
00:15:26.114 --> 00:15:28.183
Keep your money. keep your money.
00:15:28.249 --> 00:15:28.750
Keep your money. you know --
00:15:28.817 --> 00:15:29.317
You know -- you know, fellows,
00:15:29.384 --> 00:15:30.218
You know, fellows, you don't --
00:15:30.285 --> 00:15:30.585
You don't -- you don't --
00:15:30.652 --> 00:15:31.119
You don't -- you don't let people
00:15:31.186 --> 00:15:31.886
You don't let people pressure you into giving.
00:15:31.953 --> 00:15:33.288
Pressure you into giving. so nice to know that's not
00:15:33.355 --> 00:15:34.622
So nice to know that's not the reason why we give here.
00:15:34.689 --> 00:15:36.391
The reason why we give here. but notice the text, it says,
00:15:36.458 --> 00:15:40.095
But notice the text, it says, "for god loves
00:15:40.161 --> 00:15:41.329
"for god loves a cheerful giver."
00:15:41.396 --> 00:15:45.834
A cheerful giver." i want you to be free
00:15:45.900 --> 00:15:47.969
I want you to be free and joyful in your giving.
00:15:48.036 --> 00:15:51.306
And joyful in your giving. why?
00:15:51.373 --> 00:15:51.740
Why? because of what i said earlier,
00:15:51.806 --> 00:15:52.841
Because of what i said earlier, your giving in anchored
00:15:52.907 --> 00:15:54.142
Your giving in anchored in gratitude and not
00:15:54.209 --> 00:15:56.511
In gratitude and not in obligation.
00:15:56.578 --> 00:15:58.913
In obligation. we're grateful and we ought
00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:02.050
We're grateful and we ought to give god a standing ovation
00:16:02.117 --> 00:16:03.585
To give god a standing ovation whenever offering is mentioned.
00:16:03.651 --> 00:16:08.189
Whenever offering is mentioned. then he says this,
00:16:08.256 --> 00:16:08.857
Then he says this, "and god is able,"
00:16:08.923 --> 00:16:10.058
"and god is able," here's the point,
00:16:10.125 --> 00:16:10.925
Here's the point, "to make all grace
00:16:10.992 --> 00:16:12.093
"to make all grace abound to you,
00:16:12.160 --> 00:16:14.729
Abound to you, to you,
00:16:14.796 --> 00:16:16.097
To you, so that having all
00:16:16.164 --> 00:16:17.032
So that having all sufficiency," --
00:16:17.098 --> 00:16:18.666
Sufficiency," -- and do you know what
00:16:18.733 --> 00:16:19.367
And do you know what that word sufficiency is
00:16:19.434 --> 00:16:20.168
That word sufficiency is in the greek text?
00:16:20.235 --> 00:16:21.469
In the greek text? it actually could have been
00:16:21.536 --> 00:16:22.470
It actually could have been translated contentment.
00:16:22.537 --> 00:16:24.239
Translated contentment. you know, you're content.
00:16:24.305 --> 00:16:27.342
You know, you're content. why are you content?
00:16:27.409 --> 00:16:27.976
Why are you content? because god takes care of you.
00:16:28.043 --> 00:16:32.580
Because god takes care of you. god takes care of you.
00:16:32.647 --> 00:16:35.517
God takes care of you. so, you are content.
00:16:35.583 --> 00:16:39.020
So, you are content. "all sufficient in all things
00:16:39.087 --> 00:16:40.288
"all sufficient in all things at all times,
00:16:40.355 --> 00:16:41.589
At all times, you may abound
00:16:41.656 --> 00:16:42.257
You may abound in every good work."
00:16:42.323 --> 00:16:43.491
In every good work." what i'm trying to say is this,
00:16:43.558 --> 00:16:45.060
What i'm trying to say is this, listen to me,
00:16:45.126 --> 00:16:45.627
Listen to me, listen to me.
00:16:45.693 --> 00:16:46.127
Listen to me. now, i gotta make sure
00:16:46.194 --> 00:16:46.895
Now, i gotta make sure i'm understood here.
00:16:46.961 --> 00:16:47.862
I'm understood here. we don't give to get.
00:16:47.929 --> 00:16:51.466
We don't give to get. we don't give to get, okay?
00:16:51.533 --> 00:16:53.635
We don't give to get, okay? that is hellacious, ignorant,
00:16:53.701 --> 00:16:56.805
That is hellacious, ignorant, stupid, destructive theology.
00:16:56.871 --> 00:17:00.341
Stupid, destructive theology. nobody pimps god and nobody
00:17:00.408 --> 00:17:02.110
Nobody pimps god and nobody manipulates him, okay?
00:17:02.177 --> 00:17:03.812
Manipulates him, okay? we don't give to get.
00:17:03.878 --> 00:17:05.313
We don't give to get. however, we do give
00:17:05.380 --> 00:17:06.815
However, we do give to get to give again.
00:17:06.881 --> 00:17:13.054
To get to give again. god meets our needs
00:17:13.121 --> 00:17:16.724
God meets our needs because we give.
00:17:16.791 --> 00:17:19.294
Because we give. now, having said that,
00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:20.728
Now, having said that, i wanna land the plane
00:17:20.795 --> 00:17:22.030
I wanna land the plane on philippians 4 where paul
00:17:22.097 --> 00:17:24.732
On philippians 4 where paul applies this to himself.
00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:27.135
Applies this to himself. fast forward,
00:17:27.202 --> 00:17:28.169
Fast forward, after he wrote this letter
00:17:28.236 --> 00:17:29.370
After he wrote this letter to the church there
00:17:29.437 --> 00:17:30.138
To the church there at corinth and say,
00:17:30.205 --> 00:17:30.972
At corinth and say, "hey, look, y'all
00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:32.340
"hey, look, y'all said you gon' give.
00:17:32.407 --> 00:17:33.308
Said you gon' give. i just wanna remind you
00:17:33.374 --> 00:17:35.009
I just wanna remind you that saints still
00:17:35.076 --> 00:17:35.710
That saints still have that need.
00:17:35.777 --> 00:17:37.312
Have that need. i'm not begging you,
00:17:37.378 --> 00:17:39.180
I'm not begging you, but it's your privilege
00:17:39.247 --> 00:17:40.248
But it's your privilege to give and i'm
00:17:40.315 --> 00:17:41.549
To give and i'm sharing this with you."
00:17:41.616 --> 00:17:43.051
Sharing this with you." fast forward.
00:17:43.118 --> 00:17:44.285
Fast forward. now, paul is near
00:17:44.352 --> 00:17:45.453
Now, paul is near the end of his life.
00:17:45.520 --> 00:17:47.355
The end of his life. he's in jail.
00:17:47.422 --> 00:17:48.690
He's in jail. he's in jail
00:17:48.756 --> 00:17:49.224
He's in jail for trumped up charges.
00:17:49.290 --> 00:17:50.658
For trumped up charges. they lied on him.
00:17:50.725 --> 00:17:52.460
They lied on him. and history tells us
00:17:52.527 --> 00:17:53.862
And history tells us he got decapitated.
00:17:53.928 --> 00:17:57.031
He got decapitated. so, we come to chapter 4 here,
00:17:57.098 --> 00:17:59.167
So, we come to chapter 4 here, and one of the reason
00:17:59.234 --> 00:17:59.968
And one of the reason why he writes the letter
00:18:00.034 --> 00:18:01.669
Why he writes the letter to the church at philippi,
00:18:01.736 --> 00:18:02.871
To the church at philippi, check it out,
00:18:02.937 --> 00:18:03.838
Check it out, was because they sent a
00:18:03.905 --> 00:18:05.073
Was because they sent a very generous gift to him.
00:18:05.140 --> 00:18:08.009
Very generous gift to him. notice how he responds
00:18:08.076 --> 00:18:09.344
Notice how he responds to them up in verse 16,
00:18:09.410 --> 00:18:15.950
To them up in verse 16, actually verse 17.
00:18:16.017 --> 00:18:17.051
Actually verse 17. he says,
00:18:17.118 --> 00:18:18.153
He says, "not that i seek the gift."
00:18:18.219 --> 00:18:21.256
"not that i seek the gift." he did have a need,
00:18:21.322 --> 00:18:22.123
He did have a need, but he said,
00:18:22.190 --> 00:18:22.624
But he said, "not that i seek the gift,"
00:18:22.690 --> 00:18:24.125
"not that i seek the gift," what am i seeking?
00:18:24.192 --> 00:18:26.060
What am i seeking? "but i seek the fruit
00:18:26.127 --> 00:18:28.062
"but i seek the fruit that increases to your credit."
00:18:28.129 --> 00:18:32.934
That increases to your credit." woah, woah, woah.
00:18:33.001 --> 00:18:34.636
Woah, woah, woah. he said,
00:18:34.702 --> 00:18:35.103
He said, "no, i -- it's not that
00:18:35.170 --> 00:18:36.171
"no, i -- it's not that i -- thank you for the gift.
00:18:36.237 --> 00:18:37.739
I -- thank you for the gift. i thank you, but what motivates
00:18:37.805 --> 00:18:42.310
I thank you, but what motivates me more than the gift is what
00:18:42.377 --> 00:18:45.513
Me more than the gift is what your giving does for you,
00:18:45.580 --> 00:18:49.250
Your giving does for you, what it does for you
00:18:49.317 --> 00:18:51.052
What it does for you because you open your hands.
00:18:51.119 --> 00:18:54.756
Because you open your hands. you see, when you --
00:18:54.822 --> 00:18:55.757
You see, when you -- when you give to the kingdom,
00:18:55.823 --> 00:18:59.761
When you give to the kingdom, you're investing
00:18:59.827 --> 00:19:00.495
You're investing in your own welfare,
00:19:00.562 --> 00:19:04.332
In your own welfare, what it does for you.
00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:07.402
What it does for you. now, one of the most important
00:19:07.468 --> 00:19:11.706
Now, one of the most important lessons i learned in my life
00:19:11.773 --> 00:19:13.608
Lessons i learned in my life about giving took place
00:19:13.675 --> 00:19:15.210
About giving took place when i was 12 years old.
00:19:15.276 --> 00:19:19.480
When i was 12 years old. i was given some money by my
00:19:19.547 --> 00:19:21.349
I was given some money by my parents to buy my sisters
00:19:21.416 --> 00:19:24.219
Parents to buy my sisters a christmas present.
00:19:24.285 --> 00:19:26.854
A christmas present. but i was ticked off
00:19:26.921 --> 00:19:27.555
But i was ticked off of my older sister
00:19:27.622 --> 00:19:30.658
Of my older sister and i wasn't gon' buy her
00:19:30.725 --> 00:19:31.993
And i wasn't gon' buy her a present 'cause she didn't
00:19:32.060 --> 00:19:33.995
A present 'cause she didn't deserve it.
00:19:34.062 --> 00:19:36.664
Deserve it. well, my mother caught
00:19:36.731 --> 00:19:38.366
Well, my mother caught wind to that,
00:19:38.433 --> 00:19:39.133
Wind to that, and my mother was a --
00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.935
And my mother was a -- both of my parents were
00:19:41.002 --> 00:19:41.936
Both of my parents were incredible givers.
00:19:42.003 --> 00:19:43.271
Incredible givers. they tithed.
00:19:43.338 --> 00:19:44.305
They tithed. they gave.
00:19:44.372 --> 00:19:44.973
They gave. they were generous people,
00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.574
They were generous people, sacrificial, especially mom.
00:19:46.641 --> 00:19:50.545
Sacrificial, especially mom. when my mother heard of it
00:19:50.612 --> 00:19:51.713
When my mother heard of it and she said,
00:19:51.779 --> 00:19:52.247
And she said, "now, boy, we gave you
00:19:52.313 --> 00:19:53.381
"now, boy, we gave you that money.
00:19:53.448 --> 00:19:53.848
That money. you're gonna buy
00:19:53.915 --> 00:19:54.482
You're gonna buy elena a present."
00:19:54.549 --> 00:19:55.750
Elena a present." i said,
00:19:55.817 --> 00:19:56.150
I said, "no, i'm not."
00:19:56.217 --> 00:19:58.820
"no, i'm not." stepping back, i said that.
00:19:58.886 --> 00:20:00.121
Stepping back, i said that. i said.
00:20:00.188 --> 00:20:00.555
[laughter]
00:20:00.888 --> 00:20:01.356
"no, i'm not."
00:20:01.723 --> 00:20:03.124
"no, i'm not." my mother said, "what?"
00:20:03.191 --> 00:20:04.892
My mother said, "what?" she said, "ball your first up."
00:20:04.959 --> 00:20:08.796
I said, "what?"
00:20:08.896 --> 00:20:09.697
I said, "what?" she said, "ball your first up."
00:20:09.764 --> 00:20:13.301
She said, "ball your first up." i said, "this ain't gon' be --
00:20:13.368 --> 00:20:16.604
I said, "this ain't gon' be -- end well if i hit my mother.
00:20:16.671 --> 00:20:18.139
End well if i hit my mother. i, you know," --
00:20:18.206 --> 00:20:18.706
[laughter]
00:20:19.040 --> 00:20:19.641
She said,
00:20:20.041 --> 00:20:20.308
She said, "ball your first up."
00:20:20.375 --> 00:20:23.745
When you have
00:20:23.845 --> 00:20:24.479
When you have your hand closed,
00:20:24.545 --> 00:20:27.081
Your hand closed, god can't put anything in it.
00:20:27.148 --> 00:20:28.950
[applause]
00:20:31.786 --> 00:20:35.423
Listen to me.
00:20:35.790 --> 00:20:39.160
Listen to me. some of us are holding on so
00:20:39.227 --> 00:20:42.597
Some of us are holding on so tightly to what we have,
00:20:42.664 --> 00:20:46.701
Tightly to what we have, god can't put in our hands
00:20:46.768 --> 00:20:48.770
God can't put in our hands what we need.
00:20:48.836 --> 00:20:54.642
What we need. and i never forgot that lesson.
00:20:54.709 --> 00:20:57.712
And i never forgot that lesson. so, here in the text paul
00:20:57.779 --> 00:21:01.316
So, here in the text paul quotes philippians 4:19.
00:21:01.382 --> 00:21:04.085
Quotes philippians 4:19. he says,
00:21:04.152 --> 00:21:05.386
He says, "and my god shall supply
00:21:05.453 --> 00:21:06.754
"and my god shall supply every need of yours according
00:21:06.821 --> 00:21:08.489
Every need of yours according to his riches in glory
00:21:08.556 --> 00:21:09.991
To his riches in glory in christ jesus."
00:21:10.058 --> 00:21:12.060
In christ jesus." but notice the context here.
00:21:12.126 --> 00:21:13.461
But notice the context here. he's gonna supply
00:21:13.528 --> 00:21:14.329
He's gonna supply all your needs.
00:21:14.395 --> 00:21:14.996
All your needs. why?
00:21:15.063 --> 00:21:15.863
Why? you've been motivated
00:21:15.930 --> 00:21:16.931
You've been motivated by generosity.
00:21:16.998 --> 00:21:18.800
By generosity. you opened your hands.
00:21:18.866 --> 00:21:22.270
You opened your hands. you became a conduit,
00:21:22.337 --> 00:21:24.005
You became a conduit, not a cul-de-sac.
00:21:24.072 --> 00:21:26.441
Not a cul-de-sac. things are flowing through you.
00:21:26.507 --> 00:21:29.510
Things are flowing through you. "you're not owned
00:21:29.577 --> 00:21:30.278
"you're not owned by what you have.
00:21:30.345 --> 00:21:31.813
By what you have. what you have is owned by me.
00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:35.683
What you have is owned by me. and i'm gonna," --
00:21:35.750 --> 00:21:36.551
And i'm gonna," -- god's gonna supply all
00:21:36.617 --> 00:21:37.852
God's gonna supply all your needs according
00:21:37.919 --> 00:21:39.654
Your needs according to his riches in glory.
00:21:39.721 --> 00:21:41.823
To his riches in glory. let me land the plane
00:21:41.889 --> 00:21:42.457
Let me land the plane on this story.
00:21:42.523 --> 00:21:44.992
On this story. my wife and i were
00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:46.060
My wife and i were married in college.
00:21:46.127 --> 00:21:47.462
Married in college. i was finishing up
00:21:47.528 --> 00:21:49.430
I was finishing up my senior year in college,
00:21:49.497 --> 00:21:51.833
My senior year in college, and we weren't poor,
00:21:51.899 --> 00:21:57.672
And we weren't poor, we were po,
00:21:57.739 --> 00:22:00.208
We were po, couldn't afford the other "or."
00:22:00.274 --> 00:22:01.409
[laughter]
00:22:01.876 --> 00:22:02.543
So, we weren't poor.
00:22:02.910 --> 00:22:06.914
So, we weren't poor. so, but we were living --
00:22:06.981 --> 00:22:10.084
So, but we were living -- we were living --
00:22:10.151 --> 00:22:12.220
We were living -- it ain't that funny.
00:22:12.286 --> 00:22:13.154
It ain't that funny. but we --
00:22:13.221 --> 00:22:13.488
[laughter]
00:22:13.821 --> 00:22:14.322
We were --
00:22:14.989 --> 00:22:15.323
We were -- we were living
00:22:15.390 --> 00:22:16.324
We were living at 1722 broadway in camden,
00:22:16.391 --> 00:22:19.460
At 1722 broadway in camden, new jersey.
00:22:19.527 --> 00:22:20.395
New jersey. that's not an
00:22:20.461 --> 00:22:21.229
That's not an exotic address, alright?
00:22:21.295 --> 00:22:23.498
Exotic address, alright? it's across
00:22:23.564 --> 00:22:24.065
It's across the ben franklin bridge
00:22:24.132 --> 00:22:27.168
The ben franklin bridge in camden, new jersey.
00:22:27.235 --> 00:22:28.369
In camden, new jersey. i went to college in philly
00:22:28.436 --> 00:22:29.270
I went to college in philly and she was working
00:22:29.337 --> 00:22:30.004
And she was working in philadelphia ca --
00:22:30.071 --> 00:22:31.472
In philadelphia ca -- at an insurance company.
00:22:31.539 --> 00:22:32.473
At an insurance company. and we lived in this small,
00:22:32.540 --> 00:22:35.410
And we lived in this small, tiny three-room apartment
00:22:35.476 --> 00:22:38.846
Tiny three-room apartment over a city mission.
00:22:38.913 --> 00:22:41.649
Over a city mission. now, the reason why
00:22:41.716 --> 00:22:42.984
Now, the reason why we were living there,
00:22:43.050 --> 00:22:44.118
We were living there, i heard that we could live
00:22:44.185 --> 00:22:46.020
I heard that we could live there free if we kept
00:22:46.087 --> 00:22:48.823
There free if we kept downstairs clean.
00:22:48.890 --> 00:22:49.624
Downstairs clean. i said,
00:22:49.690 --> 00:22:49.924
I said, "well, i can push a broom.
00:22:49.991 --> 00:22:50.892
"well, i can push a broom. free is good."
00:22:50.958 --> 00:22:52.126
Free is good." so, we were living there.
00:22:52.193 --> 00:22:54.095
So, we were living there. and i need to paint a little
00:22:54.162 --> 00:22:56.264
And i need to paint a little bit of the picture here.
00:22:56.330 --> 00:22:58.032
Bit of the picture here. we -- and every --
00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.633
We -- and every -- i mean, we were --
00:22:58.699 --> 00:22:59.300
I mean, we were -- we were desperately poor.
00:22:59.367 --> 00:23:02.770
We were desperately poor. we had a tv, black and white tv.
00:23:02.837 --> 00:23:06.140
We had a tv, black and white tv. now, i know some
00:23:06.207 --> 00:23:06.908
Now, i know some of the younger ones,
00:23:06.974 --> 00:23:07.608
Of the younger ones, you don't know what that --
00:23:07.675 --> 00:23:08.810
You don't know what that -- just high pitch.
00:23:08.876 --> 00:23:10.912
Just high pitch. black and white tv,
00:23:10.978 --> 00:23:12.413
Black and white tv, now this is really
00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.247
Now this is really gonna date me,
00:23:13.314 --> 00:23:14.982
Gonna date me, that had rabbit ears.
00:23:15.049 --> 00:23:16.651
That had rabbit ears. any of my baby boomers here
00:23:16.717 --> 00:23:18.419
Any of my baby boomers here remember rabbit ears?
00:23:18.486 --> 00:23:19.253
Remember rabbit ears? there you go.
00:23:19.320 --> 00:23:20.054
There you go. there you go.
00:23:20.121 --> 00:23:21.556
There you go. had rabbit ears.
00:23:21.622 --> 00:23:22.657
Had rabbit ears. they'll explain.
00:23:22.723 --> 00:23:23.324
They'll explain. google it.
00:23:23.391 --> 00:23:23.825
Google it. you'll get it.
00:23:23.891 --> 00:23:24.692
You'll get it. had rabbit ears
00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.060
Had rabbit ears and it didn't have sound.
00:23:26.127 --> 00:23:29.797
And it didn't have sound. but it did have a clear picture
00:23:29.864 --> 00:23:32.433
But it did have a clear picture on the abc affiliate.
00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:34.669
On the abc affiliate. but the abc affiliate,
00:23:34.735 --> 00:23:36.304
But the abc affiliate, also, for some crazy reason,
00:23:36.370 --> 00:23:39.340
Also, for some crazy reason, broadcasted tv program
00:23:39.407 --> 00:23:41.742
Broadcasted tv program on a radio band.
00:23:41.809 --> 00:23:43.444
On a radio band. so, genius me,
00:23:43.511 --> 00:23:44.679
So, genius me, i stuck the radio
00:23:44.745 --> 00:23:45.947
I stuck the radio behind the tv, right?
00:23:46.013 --> 00:23:50.084
Behind the tv, right? abc is my favorite channel
00:23:50.151 --> 00:23:51.619
Abc is my favorite channel for that reason.
00:23:51.686 --> 00:23:52.186
For that reason. nostalgia.
00:23:52.253 --> 00:23:53.888
Nostalgia. karen comes home from work one
00:23:53.955 --> 00:23:58.459
Karen comes home from work one friday evening and as soon
00:23:58.526 --> 00:23:59.961
Friday evening and as soon as she walks into our little
00:24:00.027 --> 00:24:00.895
As she walks into our little apartment she starts crying.
00:24:00.962 --> 00:24:03.431
Apartment she starts crying. i said,
00:24:03.498 --> 00:24:03.764
I said, "well, what's wrong?"
00:24:03.831 --> 00:24:06.534
"well, what's wrong?" well, she says,
00:24:06.601 --> 00:24:07.101
Well, she says, "sweetheart, philadelphia
00:24:07.168 --> 00:24:10.238
"sweetheart, philadelphia enacted this tax
00:24:10.304 --> 00:24:11.372
Enacted this tax for those of us who --
00:24:11.439 --> 00:24:12.440
For those of us who -- a city tax for those
00:24:12.507 --> 00:24:13.841
A city tax for those of us who live in
00:24:13.908 --> 00:24:14.575
Of us who live in new jersey but work
00:24:14.642 --> 00:24:15.376
New jersey but work in philadelphia
00:24:15.443 --> 00:24:16.577
In philadelphia and made it retroactive."
00:24:16.644 --> 00:24:18.479
And made it retroactive." i said,
00:24:18.546 --> 00:24:18.746
I said, "you ain't got that much money
00:24:18.813 --> 00:24:19.514
"you ain't got that much money for anything to be retroactive."
00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.882
For anything to be retroactive." but made it retroactive,
00:24:20.948 --> 00:24:22.583
But made it retroactive, and the only thing we had left
00:24:22.650 --> 00:24:24.886
And the only thing we had left for two weeks was 25 cents.
00:24:24.952 --> 00:24:28.990
For two weeks was 25 cents. she said,
00:24:29.056 --> 00:24:29.524
She said, "what are we gonna do?"
00:24:29.590 --> 00:24:33.261
"what are we gonna do?" we got down on our knees
00:24:33.327 --> 00:24:35.229
We got down on our knees in that little apartment,
00:24:35.296 --> 00:24:36.063
In that little apartment, and we prayed.
00:24:36.130 --> 00:24:37.665
And we prayed. i quoted every bible verse
00:24:37.732 --> 00:24:39.834
I quoted every bible verse i knew about god taking
00:24:39.901 --> 00:24:41.369
I knew about god taking care of us and i think
00:24:41.435 --> 00:24:42.937
Care of us and i think of few other verses that weren't
00:24:43.004 --> 00:24:44.305
Of few other verses that weren't in the bible just to --
00:24:44.372 --> 00:24:45.373
[laughter]
00:24:45.873 --> 00:24:48.409
I was scared spitless, man.
00:24:48.809 --> 00:24:50.645
I was scared spitless, man. so, we had these high-speed
00:24:50.711 --> 00:24:54.415
So, we had these high-speed train cars so we can get back
00:24:54.482 --> 00:24:55.950
Train cars so we can get back and forth on monday
00:24:56.017 --> 00:24:56.918
And forth on monday to her to work
00:24:56.984 --> 00:24:57.952
To her to work and me to school,
00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.786
And me to school, and didn't know what
00:24:58.853 --> 00:25:00.388
And didn't know what we were gonna do.
00:25:00.454 --> 00:25:03.090
We were gonna do. i get to school and i went to my
00:25:03.157 --> 00:25:04.358
I get to school and i went to my mailbox and there was a card.
00:25:04.425 --> 00:25:08.362
Mailbox and there was a card. and i pulled that out and opened
00:25:08.429 --> 00:25:09.931
And i pulled that out and opened up the card there.
00:25:09.997 --> 00:25:11.399
Up the card there. it was a note from the parents
00:25:11.465 --> 00:25:13.034
It was a note from the parents of one of my classmates.
00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:14.201
Of one of my classmates. i had spoken in
00:25:14.268 --> 00:25:14.936
I had spoken in western pennsylvania
00:25:15.002 --> 00:25:16.771
Western pennsylvania at the youth for christ
00:25:16.837 --> 00:25:17.638
At the youth for christ thing some months earlier.
00:25:17.705 --> 00:25:19.240
Thing some months earlier. and he said,
00:25:19.307 --> 00:25:19.807
And he said, "i've been intending
00:25:19.874 --> 00:25:20.942
"i've been intending to send to this to you,
00:25:21.008 --> 00:25:21.776
To send to this to you, crawford, but i just get
00:25:21.842 --> 00:25:22.944
Crawford, but i just get forgetting about it."
00:25:23.010 --> 00:25:24.845
Forgetting about it." and then inside the card
00:25:24.912 --> 00:25:26.113
And then inside the card was a check for $250.
00:25:26.180 --> 00:25:30.484
Was a check for $250. that may as well been
00:25:30.551 --> 00:25:31.285
That may as well been 2.5 million dollars.
00:25:31.352 --> 00:25:32.653
[laughter]
00:25:33.087 --> 00:25:34.622
And i remember coming home.
00:25:34.989 --> 00:25:38.459
And i remember coming home. we got home and my bride got
00:25:38.526 --> 00:25:41.896
We got home and my bride got into a little apartment,
00:25:41.963 --> 00:25:43.331
Into a little apartment, and i showed her that,
00:25:43.397 --> 00:25:44.165
And i showed her that, and we slipped to our knees.
00:25:44.231 --> 00:25:45.866
And we slipped to our knees. and god spoke to my heart,
00:25:45.933 --> 00:25:47.535
And god spoke to my heart, and this has benchmarked
00:25:47.602 --> 00:25:48.736
And this has benchmarked our lives for these 53
00:25:48.803 --> 00:25:50.171
Our lives for these 53 years we've been married.
00:25:50.237 --> 00:25:53.007
Years we've been married. god spoke to me.
00:25:53.074 --> 00:25:53.874
God spoke to me. now, god didn't speak
00:25:53.941 --> 00:25:54.842
Now, god didn't speak to me audibly,
00:25:54.909 --> 00:25:55.776
To me audibly, well, close to it through
00:25:55.843 --> 00:25:56.844
Well, close to it through a second soprano
00:25:56.911 --> 00:25:57.778
A second soprano that i'm married to.
00:25:57.845 --> 00:25:58.746
That i'm married to. sometimes he speaks that way.
00:25:58.813 --> 00:25:59.814
[laughter]
00:26:00.247 --> 00:26:00.748
But god spoke to my heart.
00:26:01.115 --> 00:26:05.753
But god spoke to my heart. and i said this to karen,
00:26:05.820 --> 00:26:06.854
And i said this to karen, i said, "sweetheart,
00:26:06.921 --> 00:26:08.589
I said, "sweetheart, this is the way god
00:26:08.656 --> 00:26:09.490
This is the way god wants us to live,
00:26:09.557 --> 00:26:11.759
Wants us to live, to trust him
00:26:11.826 --> 00:26:13.561
To trust him and to live by faith."
00:26:13.628 --> 00:26:15.463
And to live by faith." and for 53 years,
00:26:15.529 --> 00:26:16.597
And for 53 years, we have been living from god's
00:26:16.664 --> 00:26:17.932
We have been living from god's hand to our mouths
00:26:17.999 --> 00:26:18.899
Hand to our mouths and he's taken care of us
00:26:18.966 --> 00:26:20.167
And he's taken care of us in impeccable ways.
00:26:20.234 --> 00:26:21.202
[applause]
00:26:21.636 --> 00:26:27.308
I shared that with you
00:26:27.742 --> 00:26:29.443
I shared that with you because it was a test.
00:26:29.510 --> 00:26:32.480
Because it was a test. "crawford, i'mma give it back
00:26:32.546 --> 00:26:33.280
"crawford, i'mma give it back to you, but don't you hold
00:26:33.347 --> 00:26:34.949
To you, but don't you hold on to it.
00:26:35.016 --> 00:26:36.283
On to it. don't let it stick to you.
00:26:36.350 --> 00:26:38.285
Don't let it stick to you. let it flow through you.
00:26:38.352 --> 00:26:39.854
Let it flow through you. can i trust you?
00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:41.722
Can i trust you? and if you invest in my
00:26:41.789 --> 00:26:42.823
And if you invest in my cause and my kingdom,
00:26:42.890 --> 00:26:44.058
Cause and my kingdom, i'm not promising you
00:26:44.125 --> 00:26:45.326
I'm not promising you that you're gonna get this money
00:26:45.393 --> 00:26:46.394
That you're gonna get this money back or this kinda --
00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.828
Back or this kinda -- it is gonna be financial
00:26:47.895 --> 00:26:48.729
It is gonna be financial all the time,
00:26:48.796 --> 00:26:50.731
All the time, but i will tell you,
00:26:50.798 --> 00:26:51.499
But i will tell you, i'll take care of you.
00:26:51.565 --> 00:26:54.168
I'll take care of you. just live for me."
00:26:54.235 --> 00:26:56.570
Just live for me." and that's what god
00:26:56.637 --> 00:26:57.238
And that's what god wants to do in your life
00:26:57.304 --> 00:26:59.940
Wants to do in your life and in my life.
00:27:00.007 --> 00:27:00.608
♪ ♪
00:27:01.142 --> 00:27:25.499

Crawford Loritts - The Heart of Generosity

November 24, 2024 | S

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