Mike Novotny - Money: It's Not The Root of All Evil

June 24, 2025 | 29:0

Time of Grace teaches tough topics in an approachable and relatable way, making the Bible clear and understandable for those who need encouragement in their walks of faith and for those who don’t yet know Jesus at all.

#Money #Finances #Giving #Generosity #Stewardship #Fear #Greed #Charity #Tithing #Economy

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Time Of Grace With Mike Novotny | Mike Novotny - Money: It's Not The Root of All Evil | June 24, 2025

♪ ♪
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>> some people who study
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American culture are stepping
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American culture are stepping back looking at what's happening
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Back looking at what's happening right now in this country
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Right now in this country and claiming that we are
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And claiming that we are in the midst of a, quote,
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"generosity crisis."
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"generosity crisis." have your heard this?
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Have your heard this? people who study philanthropy,
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People who study philanthropy, charitable giving,
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Charitable giving, how people help the homeless,
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How people help the homeless, the poor, churches,
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The poor, churches, christian ministries.
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Christian ministries. they're saying
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They're saying according to the data what
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According to the data what has happened just might be
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Has happened just might be the worst generosity crisis
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The worst generosity crisis in american history.
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In american history. if you're taking notes at home
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If you're taking notes at home or here in church,
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Or here in church, here's what they mean by that.
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Here's what they mean by that. they're saying that in america
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They're saying that in america less people are giving,
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Less people are giving, and people are giving less.
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And people are giving less. now, if you're a grammar nerd
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Now, if you're a grammar nerd i realize it should be
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I realize it should be "fewer people are giving"
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"fewer people are giving" just so we're clear,
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Just so we're clear, but this kind of sticks with me.
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But this kind of sticks with me. less people around us
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Less people around us in our culture are giving
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In our culture are giving and people are giving less.
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And people are giving less. here's the data.
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Here's the data. between the years 2000 and 2016
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Between the years 2000 and 2016 the number of total households
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The number of total households in america increased
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In america increased by 26 million.
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By 26 million. so, a massive increase
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So, a massive increase in american population.
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In american population. but during that same span
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But during that same span from 2000 to 2016,
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From 2000 to 2016, the number of households
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The number of households who gave anything,
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Who gave anything, even a dollar to charity,
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Even a dollar to charity, to churches, or nonprofits it
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To churches, or nonprofits it did not increase by 26 million,
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Did not increase by 26 million, or 20, or 15, or 10, or 5.
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Or 20, or 15, or 10, or 5. it didn't stay flat,
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It didn't stay flat, and it didn't decrease by
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And it didn't decrease by 5, or 10, or 15 million.
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5, or 10, or 15 million. the number of american
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The number of american households that are giving
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Households that are giving anything decreased by
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Anything decreased by 20 million in a span
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20 million in a span where the overall households
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Where the overall households increased by 26 million.
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Increased by 26 million. less people among us are giving.
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Less people among us are giving. and when you look at
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And when you look at the actual percentages,
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The actual percentages, people are giving less.
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People are giving less. if you take, like,
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If you take, like, the poorest chunk of americans
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The poorest chunk of americans per year
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Per year they tend to give 3.2%
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They tend to give 3.2% of their income to others.
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Of their income to others. if you look at the richest
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If you look at the richest people in america,
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People in america, they give 1.3%
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They give 1.3% of their income to others.
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Of their income to others. that's shocking to me.
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That's shocking to me. but both of those numbers
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But both of those numbers are less than the 3.3%
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Are less than the 3.3% that the average american
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That the average american gave during, do you know?
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Gave during, do you know? the great depression.
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The great depression. isn't that insane?
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Isn't that insane? like, the average person who is
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Like, the average person who is standing in a bread line,
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Standing in a bread line, living through the greatest
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Living through the greatest financial crisis in this
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Financial crisis in this country's history,
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Country's history, on average those people
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On average those people gave more than people give
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Gave more than people give in our culture today.
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In our culture today. it is a generosity crisis.
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It is a generosity crisis. less people are giving
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Less people are giving and people are giving less.
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And people are giving less. now, why do you think that is?
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Now, why do you think that is? like, what is it about
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Like, what is it about here and now where it's hard
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Here and now where it's hard to find a person who is generous
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To find a person who is generous and it's really, really hard
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And it's really, really hard to find a person who is
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To find a person who is generous in a big way?
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Generous in a big way? like, if we talk
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Like, if we talk to your best friend,
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To your best friend, let's say she doesn't give much,
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Let's say she doesn't give much, if anything, to charity
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If anything, to charity and we asked her,
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And we asked her, "well, why not?"
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"well, why not?" what do you think she'd say?
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What do you think she'd say? or if we could pass a mic
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Or if we could pass a mic around the room or hand it
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Around the room or hand it to some of you who are
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To some of you who are watching at home and say,
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Watching at home and say, "well, what's up?
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"well, what's up? why don't you give 12%, or 10%,
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Why don't you give 12%, or 10%, or 8%, or 5% of your money
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Or 8%, or 5% of your money to those in need to spread
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To those in need to spread the message of jesus?
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The message of jesus? i wonder what you would say?
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I wonder what you would say? because i can think
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Because i can think of a whole bunch of things
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Of a whole bunch of things we could say,
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We could say, like the economy.
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Like the economy. have any of you tried
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Have any of you tried to rent a place
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To rent a place in our community recently?
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In our community recently? it is wild to me, like,
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It is wild to me, like, seriously wild how much
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Seriously wild how much it costs per month,
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It costs per month, even in a modest community
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Even in a modest community like our own to just find
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Like our own to just find a two bedroom place to live.
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A two bedroom place to live. it's crazy expensive.
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It's crazy expensive. any of you gone
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Any of you gone grocery shopping lately?
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Grocery shopping lately? i had to, like --
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I had to, like -- say, how do --
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Say, how do -- when did this happen?
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When did this happen? how did this happen.
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How did this happen. it's like, day to day
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It's like, day to day living has gotten so --
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Living has gotten so -- any of you sent a kid
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Any of you sent a kid to college recently?
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To college recently? i'm planning on sending
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I'm planning on sending my first kid to college
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My first kid to college in about 18 months
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In about 18 months and my brain cannot compute
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And my brain cannot compute the numbers that are coming --
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The numbers that are coming -- any of you tried to buy
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Any of you tried to buy even a used car recently?
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Even a used car recently? like, it's gotten really,
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Like, it's gotten really, really hard just to do
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Really hard just to do the basic things.
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The basic things. not live a luxurious lifestyle,
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Not live a luxurious lifestyle, but a really average american
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But a really average american lifestyle feels like it's almost
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Lifestyle feels like it's almost out of reach for many, many
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Out of reach for many, many people here in this country.
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People here in this country. so, maybe that's you, you would
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So, maybe that's you, you would love to give a chunk
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Love to give a chunk of your money to others,
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Of your money to others, but you feel like you don't
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But you feel like you don't even have enough for yourself.
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Even have enough for yourself. or maybe, you know, technically
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Or maybe, you know, technically you do have enough money.
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You do have enough money. you could give x%
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You could give x% of your income to others,
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Of your income to others, but you've just really
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But you've just really been saving for something
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Been saving for something that's really emotionally
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That's really emotionally important to you.
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Important to you. or maybe you're broke.
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Or maybe you're broke. i mean, you're a teenage who is,
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I mean, you're a teenage who is, like, making minimum wage,
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Like, making minimum wage, 12 hours a week
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12 hours a week working after school,
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Working after school, or you're older and you're
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Or you're older and you're on a fixed income and you
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On a fixed income and you don't have a ton to give.
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Don't have a ton to give. or, you've been through
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Or, you've been through a divorce and you're trying
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A divorce and you're trying to pay back the crazy
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To pay back the crazy lawyer fees.
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Lawyer fees. or there was an accident
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Or there was an accident and you have medical bills
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And you have medical bills that have stacked up.
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That have stacked up. man, you would love
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Man, you would love if you could push a button
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If you could push a button and just have a bunch
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And just have a bunch of expendable income to give
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Of expendable income to give but maybe you don't,
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But maybe you don't, and so you can't.
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And so you can't. or maybe --
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Or maybe -- can i blame the modern
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Can i blame the modern crisis on the internet?
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Crisis on the internet? i'm not sure what your great,
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I'm not sure what your great, great, great whatever ancestors
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Great, great whatever ancestors were doing in the great
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Were doing in the great depression but i bet that
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Depression but i bet that they weren't scrolling on
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They weren't scrolling on instagram saying,
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Instagram saying, "look at the granite countertops
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"look at the granite countertops in that kitchen."
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In that kitchen." i mean, almost all of us
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I mean, almost all of us spend hours online scrolling
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Spend hours online scrolling seeing image after image,
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Seeing image after image, after image of her haircut
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After image of her haircut which is better than ours,
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Which is better than ours, and his boat,
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And his boat, which is better than ours,
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Which is better than ours, and their car
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And their car which is better than ours.
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Which is better than ours. and their --
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And their -- like, we are constantly
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Like, we are constantly bombarded by this obsessive
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Bombarded by this obsessive comparison to everything
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Comparison to everything that everyone else has.
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That everyone else has. it's really hard to just
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It's really hard to just be content with the basics.
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Be content with the basics. the bible says in one passage,
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The bible says in one passage, "if we have food and clothes
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"if we have food and clothes we'll be content with that."
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We'll be content with that." and i say to myself,
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And i say to myself, "the apostle paul
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"the apostle paul did not scroll online."
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Did not scroll online." it's really hard
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It's really hard to be content with that.
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To be content with that. and then, you add on top of that
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And then, you add on top of that the power of the internet
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The power of the internet to open our eyes to the very
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To open our eyes to the very flawed people who are part
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Flawed people who are part of churches and non-profits.
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Of churches and non-profits. i mean, all of us
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I mean, all of us can think of stories,
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Can think of stories, or heard of stories,
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Or heard of stories, maybe experienced stories,
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Maybe experienced stories, where someone was embezzling
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Where someone was embezzling money from a church,
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Money from a church, a pastor was using
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A pastor was using his platform and the bible
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His platform and the bible for personal financial gain.
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For personal financial gain. there's been so many scandals,
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There's been so many scandals, and so if you're going to work
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And so if you're going to work so, so hard for your money,
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So, so hard for your money, why would you entrust it
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Why would you entrust it to a person or place that
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To a person or place that you don't fully trust?
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You don't fully trust? and now, i'm not sure
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And now, i'm not sure what our reasons are,
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What our reasons are, what your reasons are,
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What your reasons are, what your best friend's
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What your best friend's reasons are,
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Reasons are, but i do know this,
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But i do know this, that lots of us have
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That lots of us have lots of reasons to explain
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Lots of reasons to explain the crisis that we're in.
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The crisis that we're in. less people are giving
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Less people are giving and people are giving less.
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And people are giving less. but if i could --
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But if i could -- if i could say something
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If i could say something really clearly and really
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Really clearly and really boldly it would be this,
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Boldly it would be this, that's bad.
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[laughing]
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That's bad.
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That's bad. like, i get that
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Like, i get that it's complicated and i get
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It's complicated and i get that it's emotional.
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That it's emotional. i get if you're trying
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I get if you're trying to save up for something,
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To save up for something, and get if you have
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And get if you have credit card debt that you're
00:07:21.329 --> 00:07:21.863
Credit card debt that you're trying to pay back.
00:07:21.929 --> 00:07:22.463
Trying to pay back. but, when i just step back
00:07:22.530 --> 00:07:23.498
But, when i just step back and think, is it better,
00:07:23.564 --> 00:07:24.565
And think, is it better, is it worse?
00:07:24.632 --> 00:07:25.399
Is it worse? is it good or bad that
00:07:25.466 --> 00:07:26.667
Is it good or bad that less people are giving
00:07:26.734 --> 00:07:27.768
Less people are giving and people are giving less?
00:07:27.835 --> 00:07:28.369
And people are giving less? the simple answer is,
00:07:28.436 --> 00:07:29.504
The simple answer is, well, that's bad.
00:07:29.570 --> 00:07:32.240
Well, that's bad. so, i know, especially
00:07:32.306 --> 00:07:33.574
So, i know, especially when i'm talking in church,
00:07:33.641 --> 00:07:34.542
When i'm talking in church, this is so complex,
00:07:34.609 --> 00:07:36.477
This is so complex, this is so emotional.
00:07:36.544 --> 00:07:37.879
This is so emotional. but today i just want
00:07:37.945 --> 00:07:38.546
But today i just want to remind you of a simple thing
00:07:38.613 --> 00:07:39.580
To remind you of a simple thing you probably already knew,
00:07:39.647 --> 00:07:40.848
You probably already knew, that giving is a really
00:07:40.915 --> 00:07:42.149
That giving is a really good thing.
00:07:42.216 --> 00:07:44.085
Good thing. when you miss out on giving
00:07:44.151 --> 00:07:45.286
When you miss out on giving you miss put on a blessing.
00:07:45.353 --> 00:07:48.890
You miss put on a blessing. in fact, columbia university --
00:07:48.956 --> 00:07:50.892
In fact, columbia university -- a non-christian source.
00:07:50.958 --> 00:07:51.759
A non-christian source. a bunch of doctors did a bunch
00:07:51.826 --> 00:07:52.894
A bunch of doctors did a bunch of studies and they found out
00:07:52.960 --> 00:07:53.828
Of studies and they found out that people who financially
00:07:53.895 --> 00:07:55.530
That people who financially give get so much personally.
00:07:55.596 --> 00:07:59.767
Give get so much personally. the study said that people
00:07:59.834 --> 00:08:00.735
The study said that people who give generously
00:08:00.801 --> 00:08:01.869
Who give generously when it comes to their money
00:08:01.936 --> 00:08:03.104
When it comes to their money they have better mood,
00:08:03.170 --> 00:08:04.038
They have better mood, better mental health,
00:08:04.105 --> 00:08:04.972
Better mental health, better blood pressure,
00:08:05.039 --> 00:08:06.407
Better blood pressure, and have closer
00:08:06.474 --> 00:08:07.241
And have closer relationships and community.
00:08:07.308 --> 00:08:10.411
Relationships and community. so, if you're struggling with
00:08:10.478 --> 00:08:11.445
So, if you're struggling with your blood pressure,
00:08:11.512 --> 00:08:12.813
Your blood pressure, just give a bunch
00:08:12.880 --> 00:08:13.714
Just give a bunch of money apparently.
00:08:13.781 --> 00:08:14.682
[laughing]
00:08:15.016 --> 00:08:15.416
And when jesus christ up
00:08:16.050 --> 00:08:16.717
And when jesus christ up in heaven heard that study,
00:08:16.784 --> 00:08:18.052
In heaven heard that study, he said, "amen."
00:08:18.119 --> 00:08:21.122
He said, "amen." and then, i think he said,
00:08:21.188 --> 00:08:21.923
And then, i think he said, "but i said it first."
00:08:21.989 --> 00:08:23.090
[laughing]
00:08:23.357 --> 00:08:23.758
You know, the bible,
00:08:24.392 --> 00:08:24.859
You know, the bible, both old testament and new
00:08:24.926 --> 00:08:25.593
Says it's so good to give.
00:08:25.693 --> 00:08:27.061
The god who doesn't need
00:08:27.128 --> 00:08:28.162
Anything from you because all
00:08:28.229 --> 00:08:29.363
You own is really god's on loan.
00:08:29.430 --> 00:08:31.465
He says, like in
00:08:31.532 --> 00:08:32.366
The old testament,
00:08:32.433 --> 00:08:33.367
Generous people prosper.
00:08:33.434 --> 00:08:35.836
People who financially refresh
00:08:35.903 --> 00:08:37.338
Others are themselves refreshed.
00:08:37.405 --> 00:08:40.374
An early christian named paul
00:08:40.441 --> 00:08:41.342
Said people who sow or give
00:08:41.409 --> 00:08:43.411
Generously they reap generously.
00:08:43.477 --> 00:08:45.546
Jesus himself said in acts 20,
00:08:45.613 --> 00:08:47.114
"it is more blessed to give
00:08:47.181 --> 00:08:49.817
Than to receive."
00:08:49.884 --> 00:08:50.518
God doesn't always
00:08:50.585 --> 00:08:51.385
Make you rich when you
00:08:51.452 --> 00:08:52.186
Give financially,
00:08:52.253 --> 00:08:53.321
But he does bless you richly.
00:08:53.387 --> 00:08:55.723
He does bless
00:08:55.823 --> 00:08:56.390
He does bless your church community,
00:08:56.457 --> 00:08:57.124
Your church community, he does bless your
00:08:57.191 --> 00:08:58.526
He does bless your community in general.
00:08:58.593 --> 00:08:59.427
Community in general. he does bless you, physically,
00:08:59.493 --> 00:09:01.662
He does bless you, physically, spiritually, eternally.
00:09:01.729 --> 00:09:03.664
Spiritually, eternally. it's so, so good to give and so,
00:09:03.731 --> 00:09:05.032
It's so, so good to give and so, i want to get you,
00:09:05.099 --> 00:09:05.866
I want to get you, if you're kind of struggling
00:09:05.933 --> 00:09:07.368
If you're kind of struggling to get over the hump
00:09:07.435 --> 00:09:08.269
To get over the hump of generosity,
00:09:08.336 --> 00:09:08.803
Of generosity, i want to kind of use
00:09:08.869 --> 00:09:10.004
I want to kind of use the bible today
00:09:10.071 --> 00:09:10.838
The bible today to push you up the hill
00:09:10.905 --> 00:09:12.640
To push you up the hill to hopefully change your mind
00:09:12.707 --> 00:09:13.474
To hopefully change your mind about giving and then to watch
00:09:13.541 --> 00:09:15.676
About giving and then to watch and celebrate with you as you
00:09:15.743 --> 00:09:16.577
And celebrate with you as you get to enjoy the ride that
00:09:16.644 --> 00:09:17.578
Get to enjoy the ride that many christians before
00:09:17.645 --> 00:09:18.646
Many christians before you have experienced,
00:09:18.713 --> 00:09:19.313
You have experienced, the sheer joy of being
00:09:19.380 --> 00:09:21.649
The sheer joy of being shockingly generous.
00:09:21.716 --> 00:09:24.719
Shockingly generous. so, today, i want to give you
00:09:24.785 --> 00:09:25.753
So, today, i want to give you the first of kind
00:09:25.820 --> 00:09:26.454
The first of kind of a two part mini message
00:09:26.520 --> 00:09:28.823
Of a two part mini message in the bible on money.
00:09:28.889 --> 00:09:30.191
In the bible on money. today and next time we talk,
00:09:30.257 --> 00:09:31.392
Today and next time we talk, i'm going to be in 1 timothy 6,
00:09:31.459 --> 00:09:33.594
I'm going to be in 1 timothy 6, which is a really powerful
00:09:33.661 --> 00:09:34.762
Which is a really powerful section in the bible
00:09:34.829 --> 00:09:35.696
Section in the bible about financial giving.
00:09:35.763 --> 00:09:36.831
About financial giving. and i want to just give you
00:09:36.897 --> 00:09:37.698
And i want to just give you a heads up that today's message
00:09:37.765 --> 00:09:39.100
A heads up that today's message is more of the warning side
00:09:39.166 --> 00:09:41.435
Is more of the warning side of that teaching.
00:09:41.502 --> 00:09:43.504
Of that teaching. the apostle paul is going
00:09:43.571 --> 00:09:44.405
The apostle paul is going to warn us what happens if
00:09:44.472 --> 00:09:45.706
To warn us what happens if we're not financially generous,
00:09:45.773 --> 00:09:46.907
We're not financially generous, what happens if greed
00:09:46.974 --> 00:09:48.142
What happens if greed gets to our hearts and then
00:09:48.209 --> 00:09:50.077
Gets to our hearts and then next time we talk
00:09:50.144 --> 00:09:50.978
Next time we talk he's really going to inspire us
00:09:51.045 --> 00:09:52.046
He's really going to inspire us by the amazing thing,
00:09:52.113 --> 00:09:53.147
By the amazing thing, we can change people's lives
00:09:53.214 --> 00:09:54.882
We can change people's lives by becoming generous people.
00:09:54.949 --> 00:09:57.151
By becoming generous people. so, if you're hoping
00:09:57.218 --> 00:09:57.918
So, if you're hoping for a happy, clappy,
00:09:57.985 --> 00:10:00.855
For a happy, clappy, smile on your face sermon,
00:10:00.921 --> 00:10:04.492
Smile on your face sermon, i'll see you next sunday.
00:10:04.558 --> 00:10:05.159
I'll see you next sunday. but today we've got to dig in
00:10:05.226 --> 00:10:07.528
But today we've got to dig in because every good father
00:10:07.595 --> 00:10:08.696
Because every good father warns his beloved children
00:10:08.763 --> 00:10:10.031
Warns his beloved children about the dangers.
00:10:10.097 --> 00:10:10.765
About the dangers. that's what god wants to do
00:10:10.831 --> 00:10:11.499
That's what god wants to do for us today, and that's what
00:10:11.565 --> 00:10:13.401
For us today, and that's what he says in 1 timothy 6.
00:10:13.467 --> 00:10:15.670
We'll start today with verse 9.
00:10:15.770 --> 00:10:17.872
We'll start today with verse 9. the apostle paul said
00:10:17.938 --> 00:10:18.806
The apostle paul said to his dear friend, timothy,
00:10:18.873 --> 00:10:19.774
To his dear friend, timothy, "those who want to get rich fall
00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:23.110
"those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap
00:10:23.177 --> 00:10:25.579
Into temptation and a trap and into many foolish
00:10:25.646 --> 00:10:26.380
And into many foolish and harmful desires
00:10:26.447 --> 00:10:27.815
And harmful desires that plunge people into
00:10:27.882 --> 00:10:29.817
That plunge people into ruin and destruction.
00:10:29.884 --> 00:10:31.585
Ruin and destruction. for the love of money
00:10:31.652 --> 00:10:32.586
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
00:10:32.653 --> 00:10:34.722
Is a root of all kinds of evil. some people, eager for money,
00:10:34.789 --> 00:10:36.157
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith
00:10:36.223 --> 00:10:38.159
Have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves
00:10:38.225 --> 00:10:39.460
And pierced themselves with many griefs."
00:10:39.527 --> 00:10:42.563
With many griefs." this passage is in
00:10:42.630 --> 00:10:43.731
Its immediate context is written
00:10:43.831 --> 00:10:44.899
Its immediate context is written to pastors but it has plenty
00:10:44.965 --> 00:10:46.300
To pastors but it has plenty of biblical application
00:10:46.367 --> 00:10:48.069
Of biblical application to all of us that
00:10:48.135 --> 00:10:48.969
To all of us that if you love money too much,
00:10:49.036 --> 00:10:51.472
If you love money too much, if you're too eager and excited
00:10:51.539 --> 00:10:53.307
If you're too eager and excited for money that can mess with
00:10:53.374 --> 00:10:55.076
For money that can mess with you in all kinds of ways.
00:10:55.142 --> 00:10:57.845
You in all kinds of ways. i mean, obviously overspending,
00:10:57.912 --> 00:10:58.913
I mean, obviously overspending, not being content with
00:10:58.979 --> 00:10:59.814
Not being content with what you have can
00:10:59.880 --> 00:11:00.514
What you have can lead to crushing debt,
00:11:00.581 --> 00:11:02.116
Lead to crushing debt, it can cause fights
00:11:02.183 --> 00:11:03.084
It can cause fights in a relationship,
00:11:03.150 --> 00:11:04.051
In a relationship, it can mess with your children
00:11:04.118 --> 00:11:05.386
It can mess with your children and lead you into poverty.
00:11:05.453 --> 00:11:07.054
And lead you into poverty. but this one specific thing
00:11:07.121 --> 00:11:08.889
But this one specific thing i want to talk about that paul
00:11:08.956 --> 00:11:10.391
I want to talk about that paul mentions in these verses that
00:11:10.458 --> 00:11:11.659
Mentions in these verses that the love of money can actually
00:11:11.726 --> 00:11:13.060
The love of money can actually cause you to unintentionally
00:11:13.127 --> 00:11:14.395
Cause you to unintentionally wander from jesus.
00:11:14.462 --> 00:11:19.800
Wander from jesus. did any of you hear
00:11:19.867 --> 00:11:20.401
Did any of you hear the story back in 2021,
00:11:20.468 --> 00:11:21.769
The story back in 2021, where a group
00:11:21.836 --> 00:11:22.570
Where a group of chinese elephants broke out
00:11:22.636 --> 00:11:25.639
Of chinese elephants broke out of a nature reserve and wandered
00:11:25.706 --> 00:11:27.908
Hundreds of miles through
00:11:28.008 --> 00:11:28.776
The chinese countryside.
00:11:28.843 --> 00:11:32.313
It's a fascinating story.
00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.013
For some inexplicable reason
00:11:33.080 --> 00:11:34.615
The alpha elephant decided
00:11:34.715 --> 00:11:35.950
The alpha elephant decided he was busting out and 14 other
00:11:36.016 --> 00:11:38.419
He was busting out and 14 other elephants followed him.
00:11:38.486 --> 00:11:39.920
Elephants followed him. and people watched,
00:11:39.987 --> 00:11:41.088
And people watched, they followed the elephants
00:11:41.155 --> 00:11:41.689
They followed the elephants with drones and millions were
00:11:41.756 --> 00:11:43.157
With drones and millions were watching online especially when
00:11:43.224 --> 00:11:44.225
Watching online especially when the herd of elephants broke
00:11:44.291 --> 00:11:45.726
The herd of elephants broke into a chinese car dealership.
00:11:45.793 --> 00:11:48.796
Into a chinese car dealership. can you imagine that?
00:11:48.863 --> 00:11:49.330
Can you imagine that? they got into
00:11:49.396 --> 00:11:49.930
They got into a chinese nursing home,
00:11:49.997 --> 00:11:51.966
A chinese nursing home, and most interesting i saw
00:11:52.032 --> 00:11:53.501
And most interesting i saw one of the baby elephants
00:11:53.567 --> 00:11:54.769
One of the baby elephants stumbled upon a big batch
00:11:54.835 --> 00:11:55.770
Stumbled upon a big batch of fermented grain,
00:11:55.836 --> 00:11:59.440
Of fermented grain, sucked it up in
00:11:59.507 --> 00:12:00.007
Sucked it up in its trunk and got,
00:12:00.074 --> 00:12:00.708
Its trunk and got, like, super tipsy.
00:12:00.775 --> 00:12:01.776
[laughing]
00:12:02.176 --> 00:12:02.610
People were watching
00:12:03.310 --> 00:12:03.844
People were watching and they were wondering,
00:12:03.911 --> 00:12:04.378
And they were wondering, "well, where are they going?"
00:12:04.445 --> 00:12:05.412
"well, where are they going?" and no one quite knew.
00:12:05.479 --> 00:12:06.347
And no one quite knew. the alpha was just wandering,
00:12:06.413 --> 00:12:07.715
The alpha was just wandering, wandering, wandering
00:12:07.782 --> 00:12:09.517
Wandering, wandering a mile, then ten,
00:12:09.583 --> 00:12:10.417
A mile, then ten, then a hundred,
00:12:10.484 --> 00:12:11.118
Then a hundred, then hundreds of miles from
00:12:11.185 --> 00:12:13.420
Then hundreds of miles from the place where he started.
00:12:13.487 --> 00:12:16.157
The place where he started. now, i thought about that story
00:12:16.223 --> 00:12:18.592
Now, i thought about that story when i heard paul's words,
00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:20.761
His concern for
00:12:20.861 --> 00:12:21.328
His concern for the church and money.
00:12:21.395 --> 00:12:21.962
The church and money. he said this in verse 10,
00:12:22.029 --> 00:12:23.998
He said this in verse 10, "some people, eager for money,
00:12:24.064 --> 00:12:26.033
"some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith."
00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:33.941
He didn't say some people eager
00:12:34.041 --> 00:12:34.842
He didn't say some people eager for money have stiff armed,
00:12:34.909 --> 00:12:36.177
For money have stiff armed, rejected, renounced their faith
00:12:36.243 --> 00:12:37.244
Rejected, renounced their faith in jesus, no, it's much less
00:12:37.311 --> 00:12:39.346
In jesus, no, it's much less direct and sudden,
00:12:39.413 --> 00:12:40.414
Direct and sudden, and intentional.
00:12:40.481 --> 00:12:41.081
And intentional. "some people who are eager for
00:12:41.148 --> 00:12:42.249
"some people who are eager for money have wandered from faith."
00:12:42.316 --> 00:12:47.521
Money have wandered from faith." now, i've got to talk to you
00:12:47.588 --> 00:12:48.589
Now, i've got to talk to you about this because i see this
00:12:48.656 --> 00:12:49.490
About this because i see this happening in our church
00:12:49.557 --> 00:12:51.959
Happening in our church literally every month.
00:12:52.026 --> 00:12:53.494
Literally every month. and when people
00:12:53.561 --> 00:12:54.228
And when people are in that position,
00:12:54.295 --> 00:12:54.862
Are in that position, and it happens all the time
00:12:54.929 --> 00:12:56.630
And it happens all the time and classically to people
00:12:56.697 --> 00:12:57.731
And classically to people in their teenage
00:12:57.798 --> 00:12:58.399
In their teenage and twenty years where they
00:12:58.465 --> 00:12:59.600
And twenty years where they just unintentionally wander.
00:12:59.667 --> 00:13:01.468
Just unintentionally wander. i'm always so concerned,
00:13:01.535 --> 00:13:02.236
I'm always so concerned, but they're not and here's why.
00:13:02.303 --> 00:13:03.971
But they're not and here's why. because they'll say,
00:13:04.038 --> 00:13:04.438
Because they'll say, "pastor, it's okay,
00:13:04.505 --> 00:13:05.005
"pastor, it's okay, my faith is fine.
00:13:05.072 --> 00:13:06.106
My faith is fine. i still pray."
00:13:06.173 --> 00:13:08.142
I still pray." yup.
00:13:08.209 --> 00:13:09.910
Yup. "i still believe in jesus."
00:13:09.977 --> 00:13:14.315
"i still believe in jesus." the passage that pops
00:13:14.381 --> 00:13:15.082
The passage that pops into my mind though is what
00:13:15.149 --> 00:13:16.083
Into my mind though is what the bible says in romans 10,
00:13:16.150 --> 00:13:18.419
The bible says in romans 10, maybe some of you
00:13:18.485 --> 00:13:18.919
Maybe some of you have heard this before.
00:13:18.986 --> 00:13:19.420
Have heard this before. it says that, "faith comes from
00:13:19.486 --> 00:13:23.591
It says that, "faith comes from hearing the message."
00:13:23.657 --> 00:13:27.628
Hearing the message." in the bible,
00:13:27.695 --> 00:13:28.629
In the bible, the way you get faith in jesus,
00:13:28.696 --> 00:13:30.598
The way you get faith in jesus, and the way that relationship
00:13:30.664 --> 00:13:31.532
And the way that relationship with jesus stays strong
00:13:31.599 --> 00:13:32.333
With jesus stays strong is not just by praying
00:13:32.399 --> 00:13:33.801
Is not just by praying before you eat or, like,
00:13:33.868 --> 00:13:34.969
Before you eat or, like, technically belie --
00:13:35.035 --> 00:13:35.836
Technically belie -- the way that faith gets
00:13:35.903 --> 00:13:37.471
The way that faith gets strong is this conversation
00:13:37.538 --> 00:13:38.672
Strong is this conversation with god where he speaks
00:13:38.739 --> 00:13:39.740
With god where he speaks to us in this book.
00:13:39.807 --> 00:13:42.843
To us in this book. and so my greatest concern
00:13:42.910 --> 00:13:44.144
And so my greatest concern when people work too much
00:13:44.211 --> 00:13:45.446
When people work too much and worship too little.
00:13:45.512 --> 00:13:46.513
And worship too little. it's not that they're not
00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.248
It's not that they're not here to give offerings,
00:13:47.314 --> 00:13:48.048
Here to give offerings, it's that they very often
00:13:48.115 --> 00:13:50.317
It's that they very often become disconnected from
00:13:50.384 --> 00:13:51.185
Become disconnected from the very message that will
00:13:51.252 --> 00:13:53.053
The very message that will give them faith in jesus
00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.521
Give them faith in jesus and keep that faith strong.
00:13:54.588 --> 00:13:57.024
And keep that faith strong. for the sake of a little bit
00:13:57.091 --> 00:13:58.726
For the sake of a little bit greater standard of living
00:13:58.792 --> 00:14:00.194
Greater standard of living that they will turn down
00:14:00.261 --> 00:14:01.695
That they will turn down their standard of faith
00:14:01.762 --> 00:14:03.030
Their standard of faith and connection to jesus.
00:14:03.097 --> 00:14:06.934
And connection to jesus. listen, money cannot
00:14:07.001 --> 00:14:08.068
Listen, money cannot buy you faith in jesus,
00:14:08.135 --> 00:14:11.205
Buy you faith in jesus, but the love of money can cost
00:14:11.272 --> 00:14:12.473
But the love of money can cost you a great faith in jesus.
00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:18.279
You a great faith in jesus. and so, i want to say
00:14:18.345 --> 00:14:19.013
And so, i want to say to all of you,
00:14:19.079 --> 00:14:20.981
To all of you, be strong and courageous,
00:14:21.048 --> 00:14:25.319
Be strong and courageous, especially to those
00:14:25.386 --> 00:14:26.086
Especially to those of you who are young.
00:14:26.153 --> 00:14:26.687
Of you who are young. as you begin your life,
00:14:26.754 --> 00:14:27.988
As you begin your life, as you get your first job,
00:14:28.055 --> 00:14:29.056
As you get your first job, as they make you
00:14:29.123 --> 00:14:30.291
As they make you an offer be strong and --
00:14:30.357 --> 00:14:31.558
An offer be strong and -- i can almost guarantee you this,
00:14:31.625 --> 00:14:34.295
I can almost guarantee you this, almost, that if you are a
00:14:34.361 --> 00:14:35.262
Almost, that if you are a good worker, a faithful worker,
00:14:35.329 --> 00:14:36.797
Good worker, a faithful worker, a diligent worker,
00:14:36.864 --> 00:14:37.865
A diligent worker, a truly christian worker,
00:14:37.932 --> 00:14:39.433
A truly christian worker, if you say to your boss with
00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:40.634
If you say to your boss with a work ethic like that,
00:14:40.701 --> 00:14:41.669
A work ethic like that, "i can't work
00:14:41.735 --> 00:14:43.003
"i can't work when i go to church."
00:14:43.070 --> 00:14:45.339
When i go to church." man, 90% of the time
00:14:45.406 --> 00:14:46.473
Man, 90% of the time they'll be cool with that.
00:14:46.540 --> 00:14:48.842
They'll be cool with that. so please, do not set yourself
00:14:48.909 --> 00:14:50.544
So please, do not set yourself up for a lifestyle where you
00:14:50.611 --> 00:14:51.445
Up for a lifestyle where you wander from the faith.
00:14:51.512 --> 00:14:53.914
Wander from the faith. it's my passion.
00:14:53.981 --> 00:14:54.348
It's my passion. i don't want you
00:14:54.415 --> 00:14:55.015
I don't want you to go through life without
00:14:55.082 --> 00:14:56.650
To go through life without the closest connection to jesus.
00:14:56.717 --> 00:15:00.120
The closest connection to jesus. i don't want you to have a week
00:15:00.187 --> 00:15:01.121
I don't want you to have a week of chronic pain or struggles
00:15:01.188 --> 00:15:02.856
Of chronic pain or struggles in a relationship where
00:15:02.923 --> 00:15:03.724
In a relationship where you don't get to hear
00:15:03.791 --> 00:15:04.458
You don't get to hear the comforting voice of jesus.
00:15:04.525 --> 00:15:07.127
The comforting voice of jesus. i don't want you to go a month
00:15:07.194 --> 00:15:08.228
I don't want you to go a month of your life without touching
00:15:08.295 --> 00:15:09.129
Of your life without touching a bible where jesus can say,
00:15:09.196 --> 00:15:10.164
A bible where jesus can say, "i love you, i'm with you.
00:15:10.230 --> 00:15:11.665
"i love you, i'm with you. i forgive you,
00:15:11.732 --> 00:15:12.132
I forgive you, i'm going to help you.
00:15:12.199 --> 00:15:12.800
I'm going to help you. i'm going to get
00:15:12.866 --> 00:15:13.334
I'm going to get you through this."
00:15:13.400 --> 00:15:14.735
You through this." this world will not get you back
00:15:14.802 --> 00:15:16.470
This world will not get you back to the best promises of god,
00:15:16.537 --> 00:15:18.005
To the best promises of god, but the word will.
00:15:18.072 --> 00:15:19.873
But the word will. and so, that's my hope.
00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:21.275
And so, that's my hope. if you come next sunday and you
00:15:21.342 --> 00:15:22.142
If you come next sunday and you don't give an offering, fine,
00:15:22.209 --> 00:15:23.677
Don't give an offering, fine, i just want you here so i can
00:15:23.744 --> 00:15:25.212
I just want you here so i can preach to you the amazing
00:15:25.279 --> 00:15:26.780
Preach to you the amazing magnificent name of jesus.
00:15:26.847 --> 00:15:27.881
Magnificent name of jesus. i want to sing it into
00:15:27.948 --> 00:15:28.983
I want to sing it into your heart.
00:15:29.049 --> 00:15:29.383
Your heart. preach it,
00:15:29.450 --> 00:15:29.817
Preach it, read it into your heart,
00:15:29.883 --> 00:15:30.684
Read it into your heart, celebrate it together.
00:15:30.751 --> 00:15:32.786
Celebrate it together. man, because i know this,
00:15:32.853 --> 00:15:33.587
Man, because i know this, a year from now if you
00:15:33.654 --> 00:15:35.189
A year from now if you don't have more money,
00:15:35.255 --> 00:15:35.889
Don't have more money, but you have more jesus
00:15:35.956 --> 00:15:38.125
You will not regret it.
00:15:38.225 --> 00:15:39.059
You will not regret it. now, there is
00:15:39.126 --> 00:15:39.660
Now, there is a generosity crisis,
00:15:39.727 --> 00:15:40.661
A generosity crisis, but that doesn't have to be
00:15:40.728 --> 00:15:41.495
But that doesn't have to be you today because look what
00:15:41.562 --> 00:15:43.364
You today because look what paul says next, verse 11.
00:15:43.430 --> 00:15:45.032
Paul says next, verse 11. "but you, man of god,
00:15:45.099 --> 00:15:47.134
"but you, man of god, flee from all this,
00:15:47.201 --> 00:15:48.969
Flee from all this, and pursue righteousness,
00:15:49.036 --> 00:15:50.738
And pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
00:15:50.804 --> 00:15:51.739
Godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
00:15:51.805 --> 00:15:53.807
Endurance and gentleness. fight the good fight
00:15:53.874 --> 00:15:55.109
Fight the good fight of the faith.
00:15:55.175 --> 00:15:55.576
Of the faith. take hold of the eternal life
00:15:55.642 --> 00:15:57.711
Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
00:15:57.778 --> 00:15:58.379
To which you were called when you made your good
00:15:58.445 --> 00:15:59.313
When you made your good confession in the presence
00:15:59.380 --> 00:16:00.914
Confession in the presence of many witnesses."
00:16:00.981 --> 00:16:03.117
I love that text.
00:16:03.217 --> 00:16:03.917
I love that text. there's an intensity
00:16:03.984 --> 00:16:04.718
There's an intensity to that, isn't there?
00:16:04.785 --> 00:16:06.587
To that, isn't there? i mean, paul's smart enough
00:16:06.653 --> 00:16:07.421
I mean, paul's smart enough to know money is such
00:16:07.488 --> 00:16:08.589
To know money is such a powerful, persuasive thing.
00:16:08.655 --> 00:16:09.957
A powerful, persuasive thing. he doesn't just say,
00:16:10.024 --> 00:16:10.524
He doesn't just say, "hey, put on a snuggie,
00:16:10.591 --> 00:16:12.292
"hey, put on a snuggie, grab your hoodie,
00:16:12.359 --> 00:16:13.193
Grab your hoodie, put on your slippers
00:16:13.260 --> 00:16:13.927
Put on your slippers and see what happens."
00:16:13.994 --> 00:16:15.162
And see what happens." no, you catch the verbs?
00:16:15.229 --> 00:16:16.397
No, you catch the verbs? he says,
00:16:16.463 --> 00:16:16.964
He says, "but you, flee from this.'"
00:16:17.031 --> 00:16:19.967
"but you, flee from this.'" paul used the exact same verb
00:16:20.034 --> 00:16:21.201
Paul used the exact same verb in greek in 1 corinthians 6,
00:16:21.268 --> 00:16:23.070
In greek in 1 corinthians 6, where he was talking about
00:16:23.137 --> 00:16:23.737
Where he was talking about sexual temptation.
00:16:23.804 --> 00:16:24.938
Sexual temptation. he says,
00:16:25.005 --> 00:16:25.906
He says, "you've got to run from it
00:16:25.973 --> 00:16:26.640
"you've got to run from it or it's going to get you.
00:16:26.707 --> 00:16:27.674
Or it's going to get you. flee from it
00:16:27.741 --> 00:16:28.542
Flee from it and pursue righteousness.
00:16:28.609 --> 00:16:30.344
And pursue righteousness. fight the good fight
00:16:30.411 --> 00:16:31.545
Fight the good fight of the faith."
00:16:31.612 --> 00:16:32.546
Of the faith." like, man, "take hold
00:16:32.613 --> 00:16:34.448
Like, man, "take hold of the eternal life
00:16:34.515 --> 00:16:35.349
Of the eternal life to which you were called."
00:16:35.416 --> 00:16:36.150
To which you were called." paul doesn't want you
00:16:36.216 --> 00:16:37.317
Paul doesn't want you to sit there and hope it
00:16:37.384 --> 00:16:38.185
To sit there and hope it works out better,
00:16:38.252 --> 00:16:38.919
Works out better, he wants you to take some
00:16:38.986 --> 00:16:39.820
He wants you to take some specific action today.
00:16:39.887 --> 00:16:41.755
Specific action today. so, that's the question,
00:16:41.822 --> 00:16:42.423
So, that's the question, what do you --
00:16:42.489 --> 00:16:42.990
What do you -- what do we do to guard
00:16:43.057 --> 00:16:44.391
What do we do to guard our hearts from
00:16:44.458 --> 00:16:45.059
Our hearts from the love of money?
00:16:45.125 --> 00:16:45.559
The love of money? i want to give you two answers
00:16:45.626 --> 00:16:46.427
I want to give you two answers today before i say amen,
00:16:46.493 --> 00:16:48.095
Today before i say amen, if you're talking notes.
00:16:48.162 --> 00:16:49.229
If you're talking notes. here's the first one.
00:16:49.296 --> 00:16:52.032
Here's the first one. how do you flee
00:16:52.099 --> 00:16:52.566
How do you flee from the love of money?
00:16:52.633 --> 00:16:53.500
From the love of money? the first answer is by giving.
00:16:53.567 --> 00:16:58.639
The first answer is by giving. by giving.
00:16:58.705 --> 00:17:02.076
By giving. man, if you
00:17:02.142 --> 00:17:02.576
Man, if you struggled with gluttony,
00:17:02.643 --> 00:17:03.610
Struggled with gluttony, the answer would be fasting.
00:17:03.677 --> 00:17:07.347
The answer would be fasting. if you are addicted
00:17:07.414 --> 00:17:07.948
If you are addicted to your phone the answer
00:17:08.015 --> 00:17:08.749
To your phone the answer would be to power it down
00:17:08.816 --> 00:17:10.050
Would be to power it down and have a digital sabbath.
00:17:10.117 --> 00:17:11.251
And have a digital sabbath. and if your struggle is just
00:17:11.318 --> 00:17:12.986
And if your struggle is just spending, needing, wanting more,
00:17:13.053 --> 00:17:14.688
Spending, needing, wanting more, one of the easiest things you
00:17:14.755 --> 00:17:15.622
One of the easiest things you can do to help fight that part
00:17:15.689 --> 00:17:17.491
Can do to help fight that part of your heart is to give
00:17:17.558 --> 00:17:18.492
Of your heart is to give a generous chunk away.
00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:19.426
A generous chunk away. you don't have to give it to me,
00:17:19.493 --> 00:17:20.394
You don't have to give it to me, you don't have to give it
00:17:20.461 --> 00:17:21.128
You don't have to give it to us or our ministry,
00:17:21.195 --> 00:17:21.895
To us or our ministry, but find someone
00:17:21.962 --> 00:17:22.830
But find someone that you trust and give
00:17:22.896 --> 00:17:25.399
That you trust and give before anything else.
00:17:25.466 --> 00:17:29.303
Before anything else. that is such a good thing,
00:17:29.369 --> 00:17:30.370
That is such a good thing, and many of you here
00:17:30.437 --> 00:17:31.171
And many of you here today know that.
00:17:31.238 --> 00:17:33.907
Today know that. my wife and i were
00:17:33.974 --> 00:17:34.508
My wife and i were talking about our childhoods
00:17:34.575 --> 00:17:35.809
Talking about our childhoods and something we totally
00:17:35.876 --> 00:17:36.643
And something we totally took for granted,
00:17:36.710 --> 00:17:37.311
Took for granted, that now we are
00:17:37.377 --> 00:17:37.978
That now we are so incredibly grateful for,
00:17:38.045 --> 00:17:40.013
So incredibly grateful for, is that we were raised
00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:41.615
Is that we were raised in both a family and church
00:17:41.682 --> 00:17:42.816
In both a family and church culture where giving
00:17:42.883 --> 00:17:44.651
Culture where giving was just a given, right?
00:17:44.718 --> 00:17:47.721
Was just a given, right? any of you raised like that?
00:17:47.788 --> 00:17:49.323
Any of you raised like that? like, you got a birthday gift
00:17:49.389 --> 00:17:50.424
Like, you got a birthday gift from grandma, how much are we
00:17:50.491 --> 00:17:52.693
From grandma, how much are we putting in this jar?
00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.594
Putting in this jar? how much are we giving away?
00:17:53.660 --> 00:17:55.529
How much are we giving away? you get an inheritance,
00:17:55.596 --> 00:17:56.263
You get an inheritance, you get a christmas gift,
00:17:56.330 --> 00:17:57.064
You get a christmas gift, you get a tax return,
00:17:57.131 --> 00:17:57.731
You get a tax return, you get a pay check.
00:17:57.798 --> 00:17:59.433
You get a pay check. might be 7 bucks an hour
00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.300
Might be 7 bucks an hour like i started,
00:18:00.367 --> 00:18:01.101
Like i started, it might be way more
00:18:01.168 --> 00:18:02.069
It might be way more like you started,
00:18:02.136 --> 00:18:02.769
Like you started, it might be a big salary,
00:18:02.836 --> 00:18:03.937
It might be a big salary, it might be six figures.
00:18:04.004 --> 00:18:04.671
It might be six figures. it might be barely enough.
00:18:04.738 --> 00:18:05.672
It might be barely enough. that instinct of like,
00:18:05.739 --> 00:18:07.374
That instinct of like, "if god has given
00:18:07.441 --> 00:18:08.075
"if god has given something to me,
00:18:08.142 --> 00:18:09.476
Something to me, i don't even
00:18:09.543 --> 00:18:10.077
I don't even have to think about it.
00:18:10.144 --> 00:18:11.645
Have to think about it. i've picked a percentage
00:18:11.712 --> 00:18:12.312
I've picked a percentage and i want to give
00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.847
And i want to give a generous part back."
00:18:13.914 --> 00:18:15.282
A generous part back." my wife and i were both raised
00:18:15.349 --> 00:18:16.817
My wife and i were both raised by incredibly generous people.
00:18:16.884 --> 00:18:19.720
By incredibly generous people. and we were raised in
00:18:19.786 --> 00:18:20.420
And we were raised in church communities where,
00:18:20.487 --> 00:18:21.989
Church communities where, thank you by the grace of god,
00:18:22.055 --> 00:18:23.056
Thank you by the grace of god, they were trustworthy
00:18:23.123 --> 00:18:23.891
They were trustworthy and responsible with finances.
00:18:23.957 --> 00:18:25.926
And responsible with finances. and they just taught us that
00:18:25.993 --> 00:18:26.727
And they just taught us that from the earliest age,
00:18:26.793 --> 00:18:27.728
From the earliest age, and my journey has been --
00:18:27.794 --> 00:18:30.931
And my journey has been -- the giving is actually not
00:18:30.998 --> 00:18:31.965
The giving is actually not that hard if it's a given.
00:18:32.032 --> 00:18:35.702
That hard if it's a given. if every single time
00:18:35.769 --> 00:18:36.870
If every single time i get a dollar i have
00:18:36.937 --> 00:18:37.604
I get a dollar i have to fight and decide, like,
00:18:37.671 --> 00:18:38.772
To fight and decide, like, am i going to give,
00:18:38.839 --> 00:18:39.439
Am i going to give, am i not going to give?
00:18:39.506 --> 00:18:40.174
Am i not going to give? it's actually a real
00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:41.141
It's actually a real difficult struggle,
00:18:41.208 --> 00:18:42.509
Difficult struggle, and the love of money and all
00:18:42.576 --> 00:18:43.377
And the love of money and all the things you could buy,
00:18:43.443 --> 00:18:44.077
The things you could buy, all the things
00:18:44.144 --> 00:18:44.745
All the things you could purchase,
00:18:44.811 --> 00:18:45.812
You could purchase, it often gets the best of you.
00:18:45.879 --> 00:18:46.680
It often gets the best of you. but if you have
00:18:46.747 --> 00:18:47.314
But if you have pre-decided in your heart,
00:18:47.381 --> 00:18:48.515
Pre-decided in your heart, "god, for the rest of my life
00:18:48.582 --> 00:18:49.583
"god, for the rest of my life any time you give,
00:18:49.650 --> 00:18:50.817
Any time you give, i'm giving back."
00:18:50.884 --> 00:18:53.554
I'm giving back." i'm not going to tell you
00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.321
I'm not going to tell you how much it should be,
00:18:54.388 --> 00:18:54.922
How much it should be, i'm not going to tell you
00:18:54.988 --> 00:18:55.656
I'm not going to tell you where it should go,
00:18:55.722 --> 00:18:56.590
Where it should go, but if you pre-decide
00:18:56.657 --> 00:18:57.291
But if you pre-decide that in your heart
00:18:57.357 --> 00:18:58.058
That in your heart that will help you not only
00:18:58.125 --> 00:18:59.459
That will help you not only experience the blessings
00:18:59.526 --> 00:19:00.427
Experience the blessings of generosity but escape
00:19:00.494 --> 00:19:02.062
Of generosity but escape the love of money.
00:19:02.129 --> 00:19:05.032
The love of money. so, i want you to talk about
00:19:05.098 --> 00:19:05.966
So, i want you to talk about that if you're part of a family,
00:19:06.033 --> 00:19:06.833
That if you're part of a family, if you're married here today,
00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:08.502
If you're married here today, or just in the quietness
00:19:08.569 --> 00:19:09.670
Or just in the quietness of your own heart.
00:19:09.736 --> 00:19:10.370
Of your own heart. pray and ask god to help you
00:19:10.437 --> 00:19:12.372
Pray and ask god to help you make giving a given.
00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:15.776
Make giving a given. i'd hope that you really quickly
00:19:15.842 --> 00:19:16.777
I'd hope that you really quickly experience what jesus said,
00:19:16.843 --> 00:19:17.678
Experience what jesus said, that it is more blessed
00:19:17.744 --> 00:19:18.478
That it is more blessed to give than to receive.
00:19:18.545 --> 00:19:23.217
To give than to receive. but the second answer is
00:19:23.283 --> 00:19:24.284
But the second answer is by far the most important.
00:19:24.351 --> 00:19:25.452
By far the most important. giving, true, is an antidote
00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:27.688
Giving, true, is an antidote to greed but god is
00:19:27.754 --> 00:19:30.257
To greed but god is the antidote to greed.
00:19:30.324 --> 00:19:33.393
The antidote to greed. knowing god, seeking god,
00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:36.463
Knowing god, seeking god, believing in god just does
00:19:36.530 --> 00:19:38.298
Believing in god just does something in the human heart
00:19:38.365 --> 00:19:40.767
Something in the human heart that is almost hard to explain.
00:19:40.834 --> 00:19:43.303
That is almost hard to explain. that's really paul's words here.
00:19:43.370 --> 00:19:44.838
That's really paul's words here. he said, "but you man of god,"
00:19:44.905 --> 00:19:47.074
He said, "but you man of god," like, remember you're
00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:47.774
Like, remember you're a child of the most high
00:19:47.841 --> 00:19:49.243
A child of the most high generous father.
00:19:49.309 --> 00:19:50.377
Generous father. "pursue righteousness,"
00:19:50.444 --> 00:19:51.478
"pursue righteousness," which is a right relationship
00:19:51.545 --> 00:19:52.779
Which is a right relationship with god.
00:19:52.846 --> 00:19:53.547
With god. "pursue godliness,"
00:19:53.614 --> 00:19:54.414
"pursue godliness," which is a lifestyle
00:19:54.481 --> 00:19:55.649
Which is a lifestyle based on god.
00:19:55.716 --> 00:19:56.383
Based on god. "pursue faith," not faith in
00:19:56.450 --> 00:19:58.051
"pursue faith," not faith in general but faith in god.
00:19:58.118 --> 00:19:59.219
General but faith in god. "so to fight the good fight
00:19:59.286 --> 00:20:00.254
"so to fight the good fight of the faith,"
00:20:00.320 --> 00:20:01.622
Of the faith," what's my faith?
00:20:01.688 --> 00:20:02.155
What's my faith? it's my faith in god.
00:20:02.222 --> 00:20:02.856
It's my faith in god. "take hold of the eternal life
00:20:02.923 --> 00:20:04.291
"take hold of the eternal life two which you were called."
00:20:04.358 --> 00:20:05.959
Two which you were called." what life was i called to?
00:20:06.026 --> 00:20:06.994
What life was i called to? i was called to a life that
00:20:07.060 --> 00:20:07.995
I was called to a life that never ends with god in heaven.
00:20:08.061 --> 00:20:10.497
Never ends with god in heaven. i mean, think about this,
00:20:10.564 --> 00:20:12.332
I mean, think about this, when you know god,
00:20:12.399 --> 00:20:14.568
When you know god, i'm talking about
00:20:14.635 --> 00:20:15.469
I'm talking about our father god.
00:20:15.535 --> 00:20:16.770
Our father god. our god who is defined by
00:20:16.837 --> 00:20:17.738
Our god who is defined by love, generosity, truthfulness,
00:20:17.804 --> 00:20:20.674
Love, generosity, truthfulness, righteousness, and integrity.
00:20:20.741 --> 00:20:22.042
Righteousness, and integrity. when you have that god,
00:20:22.109 --> 00:20:24.378
When you have that god, what can the world offer you
00:20:24.444 --> 00:20:25.512
What can the world offer you that's all that interesting?
00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:28.815
That's all that interesting? let me put it this way,
00:20:28.882 --> 00:20:29.716
Let me put it this way, a year from now if you
00:20:29.783 --> 00:20:31.485
A year from now if you can either have a bunch
00:20:31.551 --> 00:20:32.519
Can either have a bunch more money or a bunch more god,
00:20:32.586 --> 00:20:36.390
More money or a bunch more god, what do you think would
00:20:36.456 --> 00:20:36.990
What do you think would be better for your heart?
00:20:37.057 --> 00:20:40.127
Be better for your heart? well, think about it this way,
00:20:40.193 --> 00:20:41.228
Well, think about it this way, you've ever gotten
00:20:41.295 --> 00:20:41.995
You've ever gotten a christmas present that was,
00:20:42.062 --> 00:20:43.163
A christmas present that was, like, super exciting when you
00:20:43.230 --> 00:20:44.231
Like, super exciting when you ripped it open and then, like,
00:20:44.298 --> 00:20:48.135
Ripped it open and then, like, 52 days later it was in the pile
00:20:48.201 --> 00:20:49.803
52 days later it was in the pile for the next garage sale?
00:20:49.870 --> 00:20:52.673
For the next garage sale? it's like, "oh, everything
00:20:52.739 --> 00:20:53.640
It's like, "oh, everything is really, really awesome!"
00:20:53.707 --> 00:20:54.474
Is really, really awesome!" and then, you get used to it
00:20:54.541 --> 00:20:55.375
And then, you get used to it and the new floors,
00:20:55.442 --> 00:20:56.043
And the new floors, and then it's kind of like
00:20:56.109 --> 00:20:56.777
And then it's kind of like the old floor, and, like,
00:20:56.843 --> 00:20:57.811
The old floor, and, like, you get stuff and you earn
00:20:57.878 --> 00:20:59.880
You get stuff and you earn more and then your heart
00:20:59.946 --> 00:21:00.814
More and then your heart just kind of, like,
00:21:00.881 --> 00:21:01.348
Just kind of, like, re-calibrates and you
00:21:01.415 --> 00:21:02.249
Re-calibrates and you just get used to it.
00:21:02.316 --> 00:21:03.050
Just get used to it. do you know what happens
00:21:03.116 --> 00:21:03.984
Do you know what happens when you get more god?
00:21:04.051 --> 00:21:06.320
When you get more god? it's so good.
00:21:06.386 --> 00:21:08.088
It's so good. and you just want more.
00:21:08.155 --> 00:21:09.790
And you just want more. like, when you experience
00:21:09.856 --> 00:21:11.058
Like, when you experience the provision of god,
00:21:11.124 --> 00:21:12.292
The provision of god, when you start to see him
00:21:12.359 --> 00:21:13.160
When you start to see him as your father in heaven
00:21:13.226 --> 00:21:14.361
As your father in heaven who knows about you
00:21:14.428 --> 00:21:15.362
Who knows about you and he forgives you,
00:21:15.429 --> 00:21:16.163
And he forgives you, and he loves you.
00:21:16.229 --> 00:21:16.797
And he loves you. you can never get too much god.
00:21:16.863 --> 00:21:18.699
You can never get too much god. win the lottery,
00:21:18.765 --> 00:21:19.333
Win the lottery, get tons of money and it will
00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:20.434
Get tons of money and it will mess with you in the worst way.
00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:23.070
Mess with you in the worst way. like, surrender everything that
00:21:23.136 --> 00:21:24.771
Like, surrender everything that you have to jesus and it will
00:21:24.838 --> 00:21:26.206
You have to jesus and it will bless you in the best way.
00:21:26.273 --> 00:21:28.075
Bless you in the best way. mess up with your money
00:21:28.141 --> 00:21:29.343
Mess up with your money and there will be no mercy.
00:21:29.409 --> 00:21:30.610
And there will be no mercy. you'll be punished with
00:21:30.677 --> 00:21:31.345
You'll be punished with a bad credit score
00:21:31.411 --> 00:21:32.846
A bad credit score and financial ruin.
00:21:32.913 --> 00:21:33.714
And financial ruin. mess up with god,
00:21:33.780 --> 00:21:36.583
Mess up with god, and he'll shock you
00:21:36.650 --> 00:21:37.184
And he'll shock you with his generous open arms,
00:21:37.250 --> 00:21:39.686
With his generous open arms, and give you jesus,
00:21:39.753 --> 00:21:41.355
And give you jesus, and forgiveness.
00:21:41.421 --> 00:21:43.190
And forgiveness. you won't have
00:21:43.256 --> 00:21:43.623
You won't have some religious debt
00:21:43.690 --> 00:21:44.591
Some religious debt that you have to pay off
00:21:44.658 --> 00:21:45.392
That you have to pay off with the rest of your life
00:21:45.459 --> 00:21:46.360
With the rest of your life doing countless good works.
00:21:46.426 --> 00:21:47.294
Doing countless good works. no, right now in this moment
00:21:47.361 --> 00:21:48.562
No, right now in this moment you'll be reconciled
00:21:48.628 --> 00:21:49.996
You'll be reconciled and good with god because
00:21:50.063 --> 00:21:50.931
And good with god because of the sacrifice at the cross.
00:21:50.997 --> 00:21:53.300
Of the sacrifice at the cross. god, no matter how much money
00:21:53.367 --> 00:21:54.935
God, no matter how much money you have, will treat you
00:21:55.001 --> 00:21:56.002
You have, will treat you like his favorite.
00:21:56.069 --> 00:21:58.105
Like his favorite. you might be dirt poor,
00:21:58.171 --> 00:21:59.272
You might be dirt poor, god don't care,
00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.006
God don't care, he loves you so much
00:22:00.073 --> 00:22:02.008
He loves you so much even if this world doesn't.
00:22:02.075 --> 00:22:03.410
Even if this world doesn't. you might be crazy rich,
00:22:03.477 --> 00:22:04.644
You might be crazy rich, but you won't be the villain
00:22:04.711 --> 00:22:05.412
But you won't be the villain like some people in our culture
00:22:05.479 --> 00:22:06.613
Like some people in our culture try to make you.
00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.547
Try to make you. "let's get the rich!"
00:22:07.614 --> 00:22:08.281
"let's get the rich!" no, god just loves us
00:22:08.348 --> 00:22:09.416
No, god just loves us regardless of our net worth.
00:22:09.483 --> 00:22:10.484
Regardless of our net worth. god is so good.
00:22:10.550 --> 00:22:13.453
God is so good. that's the antidote.
00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:14.020
That's the antidote. the antidote to greed is
00:22:14.087 --> 00:22:16.056
The antidote to greed is to get much, much more of god.
00:22:16.123 --> 00:22:18.024
To get much, much more of god. a forgiving god, a merciful god,
00:22:18.091 --> 00:22:19.426
A forgiving god, a merciful god, a patient god, a loving god,
00:22:19.493 --> 00:22:20.594
A patient god, a loving god, a generous god, a god who will
00:22:20.660 --> 00:22:21.728
A generous god, a god who will change us from the inside out.
00:22:21.795 --> 00:22:27.067
Change us from the inside out. and some people say
00:22:27.134 --> 00:22:27.634
And some people say we're in the midst
00:22:27.701 --> 00:22:28.135
We're in the midst of a generosity crisis,
00:22:28.201 --> 00:22:31.405
Of a generosity crisis, fewer people are giving,
00:22:31.471 --> 00:22:33.507
Fewer people are giving, people are giving less.
00:22:33.573 --> 00:22:34.474
People are giving less. our friends, our neighbors,
00:22:34.541 --> 00:22:37.477
Our friends, our neighbors, our fellow americans,
00:22:37.544 --> 00:22:38.078
Our fellow americans, but according to the data,
00:22:38.145 --> 00:22:40.180
But according to the data, there's one major exception.
00:22:40.247 --> 00:22:43.550
There's one major exception. do you know what it is?
00:22:43.617 --> 00:22:47.921
Do you know what it is? people who believe in god.
00:22:47.988 --> 00:22:52.759
People who believe in god. look at the numbers.
00:22:52.826 --> 00:22:53.460
Look at the numbers. who gives more to the poor?
00:22:53.527 --> 00:22:55.662
Who gives more to the poor? people who believe in god.
00:22:55.729 --> 00:22:56.730
People who believe in god. who volunteers more
00:22:56.797 --> 00:22:57.831
Who volunteers more in their community?
00:22:57.898 --> 00:22:58.398
In their community? people who believe in god.
00:22:58.465 --> 00:22:59.666
People who believe in god. who visits people when
00:22:59.733 --> 00:23:00.534
Who visits people when they're incarcerated?
00:23:00.600 --> 00:23:01.334
They're incarcerated? people who believe in god.
00:23:01.401 --> 00:23:02.536
People who believe in god. who fosters children in need?
00:23:02.602 --> 00:23:03.904
Who fosters children in need? people who believe in god.
00:23:03.970 --> 00:23:05.572
People who believe in god. when natural disasters hit,
00:23:05.639 --> 00:23:06.807
When natural disasters hit, who shows up the most?
00:23:06.873 --> 00:23:07.707
Who shows up the most? people who believe in god.
00:23:07.774 --> 00:23:08.775
People who believe in god. who adopts children that
00:23:08.842 --> 00:23:09.709
Who adopts children that don't have a family?
00:23:09.776 --> 00:23:10.444
Don't have a family? people who believe in god.
00:23:10.510 --> 00:23:11.611
People who believe in god. why would that be?
00:23:11.678 --> 00:23:15.115
Why would that be? oh, the answer's simple.
00:23:15.182 --> 00:23:16.616
Oh, the answer's simple. because we believe in
00:23:16.683 --> 00:23:17.317
Because we believe in a god who first gave.
00:23:17.384 --> 00:23:19.719
A god who first gave. when we were homeless,
00:23:19.786 --> 00:23:21.087
When we were homeless, god opened his arms
00:23:21.154 --> 00:23:21.922
God opened his arms in grace and gave us a home.
00:23:21.988 --> 00:23:23.857
In grace and gave us a home. when we didn't have
00:23:23.924 --> 00:23:24.424
When we didn't have a spiritual family,
00:23:24.491 --> 00:23:25.258
A spiritual family, jesus stretched out his arms
00:23:25.325 --> 00:23:26.660
Jesus stretched out his arms on the cross that we could be
00:23:26.726 --> 00:23:27.761
On the cross that we could be part of the family of god.
00:23:27.828 --> 00:23:29.196
Part of the family of god. when the disaster of our own
00:23:29.262 --> 00:23:30.464
When the disaster of our own choices hit our life
00:23:30.530 --> 00:23:31.231
Choices hit our life like a tornado,
00:23:31.298 --> 00:23:32.165
Like a tornado, jesus showed up by his blood
00:23:32.232 --> 00:23:33.467
Jesus showed up by his blood to clean up the mess.
00:23:33.533 --> 00:23:34.868
To clean up the mess. when we were imprisoned,
00:23:34.935 --> 00:23:35.802
When we were imprisoned, bound for hell,
00:23:35.869 --> 00:23:36.703
Bound for hell, jesus showed up and at
00:23:36.770 --> 00:23:38.205
Jesus showed up and at his cross he flipped the key
00:23:38.271 --> 00:23:39.806
His cross he flipped the key and he set everyone who believes
00:23:39.873 --> 00:23:41.708
And he set everyone who believes absolutely free.
00:23:41.775 --> 00:23:42.809
Absolutely free. we have a god who gives.
00:23:42.876 --> 00:23:44.044
We have a god who gives. a god who loves so much he gives
00:23:44.110 --> 00:23:45.312
A god who loves so much he gives us daily bread and he gave us
00:23:45.378 --> 00:23:47.380
Us daily bread and he gave us his one and only son.
00:23:47.447 --> 00:23:48.248
His one and only son. we worship a jesus who gave
00:23:48.315 --> 00:23:49.282
We worship a jesus who gave his only life and then gave
00:23:49.349 --> 00:23:51.084
His only life and then gave his spirit who would give us
00:23:51.151 --> 00:23:51.985
His spirit who would give us the gift of faith.
00:23:52.052 --> 00:23:53.854
The gift of faith. and the more you
00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.387
And the more you have that kind of god,
00:23:54.454 --> 00:23:55.088
Have that kind of god, the more you look up and say,
00:23:55.155 --> 00:23:56.089
The more you look up and say, "giving, it's a given."
00:23:56.156 --> 00:24:00.760
"giving, it's a given." i'm going to be like my dad
00:24:00.827 --> 00:24:02.429
I'm going to be like my dad who had taught me that
00:24:02.496 --> 00:24:03.063
Who had taught me that it's so much more blessed
00:24:03.129 --> 00:24:03.663
It's so much more blessed to give than to receive.
00:24:03.730 --> 00:24:07.133
To give than to receive. i pray that in my heart and in
00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:08.134
I pray that in my heart and in yours it will be true today,
00:24:08.201 --> 00:24:09.970
Yours it will be true today, tomorrow, and for the rest
00:24:10.036 --> 00:24:11.404
Tomorrow, and for the rest of our lives.
00:24:11.471 --> 00:24:14.007
Of our lives. let's pray.
00:24:14.074 --> 00:24:15.408
Let's pray. dear god, giving is such
00:24:15.475 --> 00:24:16.409
Dear god, giving is such a good thing.
00:24:16.476 --> 00:24:18.578
A good thing. i think of all
00:24:18.645 --> 00:24:19.279
I think of all the generous people in my life
00:24:19.346 --> 00:24:20.046
The generous people in my life and how they've changed me
00:24:20.113 --> 00:24:21.181
And how they've changed me for the better.
00:24:21.248 --> 00:24:21.815
For the better. and i'm so grateful,
00:24:21.882 --> 00:24:23.583
And i'm so grateful, so grateful that you led them
00:24:23.650 --> 00:24:24.784
So grateful that you led them not into temptation,
00:24:24.851 --> 00:24:25.652
Not into temptation, but deliver them from
00:24:25.719 --> 00:24:26.853
But deliver them from the love of money.
00:24:26.920 --> 00:24:29.856
The love of money. god, i think
00:24:29.923 --> 00:24:30.423
God, i think of this church family.
00:24:30.490 --> 00:24:30.991
Of this church family. i think of time of grace.
00:24:31.057 --> 00:24:33.727
I think of time of grace. how many souls have been saved
00:24:33.793 --> 00:24:35.028
How many souls have been saved forever for heaven to be with
00:24:35.095 --> 00:24:36.930
Forever for heaven to be with you for eternal life because
00:24:36.997 --> 00:24:38.832
You for eternal life because of people who generously
00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:39.599
Of people who generously support what we do?
00:24:39.666 --> 00:24:41.902
Support what we do? god, there's nothing we could
00:24:41.968 --> 00:24:43.837
God, there's nothing we could buy that would give us that
00:24:43.904 --> 00:24:44.871
Buy that would give us that much happiness for that
00:24:44.938 --> 00:24:46.506
Much happiness for that long but this can.
00:24:46.573 --> 00:24:48.742
Long but this can. and so, i pray that you
00:24:48.808 --> 00:24:49.476
And so, i pray that you would help us.
00:24:49.543 --> 00:24:50.443
Would help us. some of us
00:24:50.510 --> 00:24:50.977
Some of us are reluctant to give,
00:24:51.044 --> 00:24:51.578
Are reluctant to give, some of us are scared to give,
00:24:51.645 --> 00:24:52.679
Some of us are scared to give, some of us don't think
00:24:52.746 --> 00:24:53.313
Some of us don't think we can give.
00:24:53.380 --> 00:24:55.382
We can give. even if it's two little copper
00:24:55.448 --> 00:24:56.383
Even if it's two little copper coins like that poor widow
00:24:56.449 --> 00:24:57.684
Coins like that poor widow in jesus' day, or for
00:24:57.751 --> 00:25:00.120
In jesus' day, or for generous people like king david
00:25:00.186 --> 00:25:01.888
Generous people like king david who funded the temple.
00:25:01.955 --> 00:25:02.889
Who funded the temple. god, no matter the level
00:25:02.956 --> 00:25:03.790
God, no matter the level of our income,
00:25:03.857 --> 00:25:04.391
Of our income, help us to be excited
00:25:04.457 --> 00:25:05.792
Help us to be excited about the grace of giving.
00:25:05.859 --> 00:25:07.494
About the grace of giving. help us to seek it, pursue it,
00:25:07.561 --> 00:25:09.296
Help us to seek it, pursue it, and then to want to give more
00:25:09.362 --> 00:25:10.263
And then to want to give more and more of it not
00:25:10.330 --> 00:25:11.164
And more of it not because we have to,
00:25:11.231 --> 00:25:12.065
Because we have to, but because we want to.
00:25:12.132 --> 00:25:14.568
But because we want to. i thank you today
00:25:14.634 --> 00:25:15.101
I thank you today for your grace, god.
00:25:15.168 --> 00:25:16.436
For your grace, god. you give grace and then
00:25:16.503 --> 00:25:17.571
You give grace and then you give more grace,
00:25:17.637 --> 00:25:18.204
You give more grace, and then you give more grace.
00:25:18.271 --> 00:25:20.574
And then you give more grace. so, all the times
00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.107
So, all the times that we have wandered,
00:25:21.174 --> 00:25:21.675
That we have wandered, all the times our schedules
00:25:21.741 --> 00:25:22.943
All the times our schedules were backwards,
00:25:23.009 --> 00:25:23.743
Were backwards, all the times our budgets
00:25:23.810 --> 00:25:25.045
All the times our budgets didn't line up with the bible,
00:25:25.111 --> 00:25:26.413
Didn't line up with the bible, you're not going to hold
00:25:26.479 --> 00:25:27.047
You're not going to hold that against us today
00:25:27.113 --> 00:25:27.847
That against us today because of jesus.
00:25:27.914 --> 00:25:29.382
Because of jesus. everyone who repents of their
00:25:29.449 --> 00:25:30.083
Sin and comes with faith in him
00:25:30.183 --> 00:25:32.285
Has a slate that's been wiped
00:25:32.352 --> 00:25:33.520
Clean and a debt that has
00:25:33.587 --> 00:25:34.955
Been fully paid.
00:25:35.021 --> 00:25:36.990
So, please bless us, god.
00:25:37.057 --> 00:25:37.824
We just might be
00:25:37.891 --> 00:25:39.059
One group of people, one church,
00:25:39.125 --> 00:25:41.294
But by your grace we can
00:25:41.361 --> 00:25:42.295
Start a new reformation
00:25:42.362 --> 00:25:43.964
In this broken,
00:25:44.030 --> 00:25:44.864
Greedy place called america.
00:25:44.931 --> 00:25:47.834
We can prove to our neighbors,
00:25:47.901 --> 00:25:48.635
Our family members and friends
00:25:48.702 --> 00:25:49.736
That it is more blessed
00:25:49.803 --> 00:25:50.537
To give than to receive.
00:25:50.604 --> 00:25:52.005
And just by stepping back
00:25:52.072 --> 00:25:52.872
And looking at us,
00:25:52.939 --> 00:25:53.540
Maybe they will see what your
00:25:53.607 --> 00:25:54.741
Word has always said to be true,
00:25:54.808 --> 00:25:55.909
That generous people
00:25:55.976 --> 00:25:57.143
Truly do prosper.
00:25:57.210 --> 00:25:59.679
We're praying big, god,
00:25:59.746 --> 00:26:00.547
For your glory and for
00:26:00.614 --> 00:26:01.448
The good of our hearts.
00:26:01.514 --> 00:26:02.816
And we're asking it today
00:26:02.882 --> 00:26:03.416
In jesus' name, amen."
00:26:03.483 --> 00:26:05.619
>> such a good message
00:26:06.353 --> 00:26:07.220
>> such a good message from pastor mike,
00:26:07.287 --> 00:26:08.254
From pastor mike, teaching us that money
00:26:08.321 --> 00:26:09.322
Teaching us that money can't fill us up but god can,
00:26:09.389 --> 00:26:11.524
Can't fill us up but god can, and investing in god will
00:26:11.591 --> 00:26:12.792
And investing in god will always have a good return.
00:26:12.859 --> 00:26:14.494
Always have a good return. this month, we have a new book
00:26:14.561 --> 00:26:15.996
This month, we have a new book by pastor jeremy mattek.
00:26:16.062 --> 00:26:17.864
By pastor jeremy mattek. it's called,
00:26:17.931 --> 00:26:18.298
It's called, "god understands:
00:26:18.365 --> 00:26:19.065
"god understands: encouragement from
00:26:19.132 --> 00:26:19.966
Encouragement from the book of daniel."
00:26:20.033 --> 00:26:20.900
The book of daniel." this 22-day study of daniel
00:26:20.967 --> 00:26:22.969
This 22-day study of daniel reveals how god compassionately
00:26:23.036 --> 00:26:24.704
Reveals how god compassionately cares for you,
00:26:24.771 --> 00:26:25.705
Cares for you, even when you can't see
00:26:25.772 --> 00:26:27.040
Even when you can't see his hand at work.
00:26:27.107 --> 00:26:27.641
His hand at work. request your copy
00:26:27.707 --> 00:26:28.642
Request your copy with your financial gift
00:26:28.708 --> 00:26:29.576
With your financial gift to time of grace.
00:26:29.643 --> 00:26:30.310
>> life can be
00:26:33.046 --> 00:26:33.613
Uncomfortable and overwhelming,
00:26:33.713 --> 00:26:35.615
With moments that don't
00:26:35.715 --> 00:26:36.483
Always make sense.
00:26:36.583 --> 00:26:37.584
They can feel
00:26:37.684 --> 00:26:38.151
Scary and intimidating.
00:26:38.251 --> 00:26:40.220
Daniel lived most
00:26:40.320 --> 00:26:41.221
Of his life surrounded
00:26:41.321 --> 00:26:42.389
By cultural pressure
00:26:42.489 --> 00:26:43.556
And persecution,
00:26:43.657 --> 00:26:44.858
Yet he knew
00:26:44.958 --> 00:26:45.558
That god understands,
00:26:45.659 --> 00:26:47.160
God cares and god
00:26:47.260 --> 00:26:48.461
Is in control.
00:26:48.561 --> 00:26:49.796
In jeremy mattek's new book,
00:26:49.896 --> 00:26:51.398
"god understands:
00:26:51.498 --> 00:26:52.332
Encouragement from
00:26:52.432 --> 00:26:53.233
The book of daniel,"
00:26:53.333 --> 00:26:54.401
You'll find the courage
00:26:54.501 --> 00:26:55.335
To trust god, live for him
00:26:55.435 --> 00:26:57.537
And find hope in his promises.
00:26:57.637 --> 00:27:01.007
"god understands,"
00:27:01.107 --> 00:27:01.708
Is our way of thanking you
00:27:01.808 --> 00:27:02.642
For helping us show others
00:27:02.742 --> 00:27:03.977
That they too can trust
00:27:04.077 --> 00:27:05.178
God to keep his promises.
00:27:05.278 --> 00:27:07.580
Request yours today
00:27:07.681 --> 00:27:08.515
By calling 800-661-3311
00:27:08.615 --> 00:27:11.951
Visiting timeofgrace.org
00:27:12.052 --> 00:27:13.687
Or writing us at p.o. box 301
00:27:13.787 --> 00:27:16.222
Milwaukee, wisconsin 53201.
00:27:16.322 --> 00:27:18.291
>> announcer: time of grace
00:27:22.796 --> 00:27:23.596
Doesn't end here.
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Visit timeofgrace.org
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And explore
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Contact us and let us know
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Thank you so much
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For your support.
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>> see you next week
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On time of grace.
00:27:49.022 --> 00:27:49.789

Mike Novotny - Money: It's Not The Root of All Evil

June 24, 2025 | 29:0

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