Andy Stanley - A Better Question (Part 3)

January 11, 2025 | S25:E3

Your Move with Andy Stanley — to help people make better decisions and live with fewer regrets.

Closed captions

Show Timecode
Your Move with Andy Stanley | Andy Stanley - A Better Question (Part 3) | January 11, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:00.351
  • Andy stanley: hi, everybody, welcome to "your move,"
  • 00:00:00.485 --> 00:00:01.920
  • Where we help you make better decisions
  • 00:00:02.053 --> 00:00:03.421
  • And live with fewer regrets.
  • 00:00:03.555 --> 00:00:04.756
  • I'm andy stanley, and i'll be your guide.
  • 00:00:04.889 --> 00:00:06.124
  • Did you know it is possible to be good without doing any good,
  • 00:00:06.224 --> 00:00:09.894
  • Without doing anybody any good?
  • 00:00:09.994 --> 00:00:11.429
  • And that's not good, because then, you'll be good for
  • 00:00:11.563 --> 00:00:13.665
  • Nothing, and you'll be good for nobody, and you want to be
  • 00:00:13.765 --> 00:00:16.734
  • Better than that.
  • 00:00:16.868 --> 00:00:18.103
  • Today, i'll tell you how right here on "your move."
  • 00:00:18.236 --> 00:00:20.338
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:21.372 --> 00:00:27.245
  • Andy: today is actually the third part of a three-part
  • 00:00:27.245 --> 00:00:31.749
  • Better question."
  • 00:00:31.749 --> 00:00:33.118
  • And if you've been tracking along with us, what we've said
  • 00:00:33.118 --> 00:00:34.686
  • In this series is, we're in the month of january, and the month
  • 00:00:34.686 --> 00:00:37.522
  • Of january is generally a month when we hopefully look in the
  • 00:00:37.522 --> 00:00:40.158
  • Mirror and think, "hey, what can i do to make myself better?"
  • 00:00:40.158 --> 00:00:43.962
  • We essentially focus on this question: what should i do
  • 00:00:43.962 --> 00:00:46.764
  • About me?
  • 00:00:46.764 --> 00:00:48.099
  • What should i do about me?
  • 00:00:48.099 --> 00:00:49.467
  • How can i make myself slimmer and smarter, stronger,
  • 00:00:49.467 --> 00:00:52.337
  • Healthier, wealthier?
  • 00:00:52.337 --> 00:00:54.305
  • And as i've said, you should address all of those things.
  • 00:00:54.305 --> 00:00:56.774
  • You need to be healthier.
  • 00:00:56.774 --> 00:00:58.143
  • You need to have good financial habits.
  • 00:00:58.143 --> 00:00:59.711
  • If you're, you know, get that degree, break that habit, get
  • 00:00:59.711 --> 00:01:03.081
  • Out of debt, get out of that relationship, you know, whatever
  • 00:01:03.081 --> 00:01:06.184
  • You need to do.
  • 00:01:06.184 --> 00:01:07.552
  • Those are all important things.
  • 00:01:07.552 --> 00:01:08.887
  • But in this series, i've suggested that there's actually
  • 00:01:08.887 --> 00:01:11.289
  • A better question than "what should i do about me?"
  • 00:01:11.289 --> 00:01:14.592
  • And this question, as you've seen, if you focus, if you've
  • 00:01:14.592 --> 00:01:16.961
  • Tracked along with us, this question shifts our focus from
  • 00:01:16.961 --> 00:01:20.498
  • "what should i do about me" to "what needs to be done
  • 00:01:20.498 --> 00:01:23.735
  • Around me?"
  • 00:01:23.735 --> 00:01:25.069
  • It shifts the focus from "what do i need to do about me" to
  • 00:01:25.069 --> 00:01:27.906
  • "what needs to be done around me?"
  • 00:01:27.906 --> 00:01:29.307
  • What needs to be done in the world?
  • 00:01:29.307 --> 00:01:30.808
  • What needs to be done in my community?
  • 00:01:30.808 --> 00:01:32.243
  • What needs to be done in someone else's world?
  • 00:01:32.243 --> 00:01:34.746
  • And our better question is this question: what breaks
  • 00:01:34.746 --> 00:01:38.249
  • Your heart?
  • 00:01:38.249 --> 00:01:39.717
  • What breaks your heart?
  • 00:01:39.717 --> 00:01:42.320
  • You're like me, you're bothered by a lot of things, you're
  • 00:01:42.320 --> 00:01:45.190
  • Irritated by a lot of things, maybe locally, culturally,
  • 00:01:45.190 --> 00:01:49.127
  • Nationally, maybe even internationally.
  • 00:01:49.127 --> 00:01:51.629
  • There's some things in the world, and you look at them, and
  • 00:01:51.629 --> 00:01:53.464
  • You say, "that shouldn't be.
  • 00:01:53.464 --> 00:01:54.832
  • I wish there wasn't that in the world."
  • 00:01:54.832 --> 00:01:57.769
  • But the question we're asking in this series is there are a lot
  • 00:01:57.769 --> 00:02:00.205
  • Of things that irritate us and get on our nerves, but is there,
  • 00:02:00.205 --> 00:02:02.974
  • Is there one thing, is there one thing that bothers you more than
  • 00:02:02.974 --> 00:02:07.845
  • Other things?
  • 00:02:07.845 --> 00:02:09.180
  • Is there something that kind of moves you beyond irritating and
  • 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:12.050
  • Concerning to, hey, something needs to be done about that?
  • 00:02:12.050 --> 00:02:15.587
  • And if that's the case, you should pay attention to that.
  • 00:02:15.587 --> 00:02:17.889
  • And i wanna reiterate something i've said both times we've
  • 00:02:17.889 --> 00:02:20.391
  • Talked about this.
  • 00:02:20.391 --> 00:02:21.726
  • Even if the thing that breaks your heart is beyond your
  • 00:02:21.726 --> 00:02:24.262
  • Control, it's beyond your ability to change or beyond your
  • 00:02:24.262 --> 00:02:27.465
  • Ability to solve, you should pay attention to that.
  • 00:02:27.465 --> 00:02:30.068
  • And as we're gonna see today, you should look for a way to
  • 00:02:30.068 --> 00:02:33.504
  • Give a piece of your life away to that issue.
  • 00:02:33.504 --> 00:02:37.308
  • You should look for a way to give a piece of your resources
  • 00:02:37.308 --> 00:02:40.211
  • Or a piece of your time away to that issue, not because you can
  • 00:02:40.211 --> 00:02:42.981
  • Solve it.
  • 00:02:42.981 --> 00:02:44.315
  • It's probably too big for you to solve.
  • 00:02:44.315 --> 00:02:45.683
  • But there's something so valuable about allowing a broken
  • 00:02:45.683 --> 00:02:49.120
  • Heart to lead us to the place where we give a portion of our
  • 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:52.824
  • Lives away.
  • 00:02:52.824 --> 00:02:54.692
  • But if nothing, if nothing bothers you, be honest, if
  • 00:02:54.692 --> 00:03:02.200
  • Nothing bothers you that doesn't benefit you, and here's what i
  • 00:03:02.200 --> 00:03:05.403
  • Mean by that, if the only things that bother you are things that
  • 00:03:05.403 --> 00:03:10.275
  • Would benefit you if they were solved, if the only thing that
  • 00:03:10.275 --> 00:03:13.478
  • Bothers you is how inflation impacts you, if the only thing
  • 00:03:13.478 --> 00:03:16.814
  • That bothers you is your high electric bill, if you think
  • 00:03:16.814 --> 00:03:19.384
  • About the things that bother you, if all the things that
  • 00:03:19.384 --> 00:03:21.953
  • Bother you rattle you, you know, grab your emotions, if they are
  • 00:03:21.953 --> 00:03:26.257
  • All things that come back to you, in other words, if those
  • 00:03:26.257 --> 00:03:29.193
  • Things were solved, you would be better off but not necessarily
  • 00:03:29.193 --> 00:03:33.364
  • Anybody else, i mean, maybe in some sort of secondary sense,
  • 00:03:33.364 --> 00:03:36.167
  • But the reason these things bother you is because of how
  • 00:03:36.167 --> 00:03:39.003
  • They impact you, if nothing bothers you that doesn't benefit
  • 00:03:39.003 --> 00:03:45.543
  • You, that should bother you.
  • 00:03:45.543 --> 00:03:49.380
  • And here's why.
  • 00:03:49.380 --> 00:03:51.549
  • Because you're in a danger zone, and you probably don't know it.
  • 00:03:51.549 --> 00:03:56.487
  • You--you're actually on the verge, and here's what we're
  • 00:03:56.487 --> 00:03:59.157
  • Gonna unpack today, you're actually on the verge of falling
  • 00:03:59.157 --> 00:04:02.026
  • For an insidious lie, a lie that you will eventually see for what
  • 00:04:02.026 --> 00:04:06.931
  • It is, because over time and with age, we eventually, this
  • 00:04:06.931 --> 00:04:09.801
  • All comes clear.
  • 00:04:09.801 --> 00:04:11.135
  • But if you don't see it in time and if you don't catch this in
  • 00:04:11.135 --> 00:04:14.872
  • Time, you have the potential to waste your most valuable asset,
  • 00:04:14.872 --> 00:04:19.243
  • Something that's running out, even as i talk.
  • 00:04:19.243 --> 00:04:21.512
  • You have the potential of wasting a large portion of your
  • 00:04:21.512 --> 00:04:24.949
  • Life, because this lie that we're gonna talk about, and
  • 00:04:24.949 --> 00:04:28.353
  • Jesus is gonna go right at it in just a minute, this lie that
  • 00:04:28.353 --> 00:04:31.289
  • We're talking about has the potential to reduce you.
  • 00:04:31.289 --> 00:04:33.991
  • But here's, here's the reason you should take this seriously
  • 00:04:33.991 --> 00:04:36.627
  • And should pay attention, whether you're a religious
  • 00:04:36.627 --> 00:04:38.262
  • Person or not, a christian person or not, this goes outside
  • 00:04:38.262 --> 00:04:40.865
  • The bounds of all of this.
  • 00:04:40.865 --> 00:04:42.233
  • This is just kind of a life thing.
  • 00:04:42.233 --> 00:04:43.768
  • This lie has the potential to cheat you out of your brief
  • 00:04:43.768 --> 00:04:48.973
  • Opportunity to live a meaning-filled life.
  • 00:04:48.973 --> 00:04:53.811
  • It has the potential to cheat you out of your brief
  • 00:04:53.811 --> 00:04:57.782
  • Opportunity to live a meaning-filled,
  • 00:04:57.782 --> 00:05:01.452
  • Purpose-filled life.
  • 00:05:01.452 --> 00:05:03.154
  • So this is so important.
  • 00:05:03.154 --> 00:05:04.989
  • Jesus thought it was.
  • 00:05:04.989 --> 00:05:06.791
  • Here's what happened.
  • 00:05:06.791 --> 00:05:08.426
  • Luke brings this narrative to us.
  • 00:05:08.426 --> 00:05:11.028
  • And if you are new to the bible study, or new to christianity,
  • 00:05:11.028 --> 00:05:13.564
  • Or just examining it here, here's something to note.
  • 00:05:13.564 --> 00:05:15.800
  • Luke was a first-century doctor who sort of became a historian,
  • 00:05:15.800 --> 00:05:19.704
  • Super smart guy, who was a jesus follower and decided that
  • 00:05:19.704 --> 00:05:23.307
  • Somebody needed to put together an orderly account of the life
  • 00:05:23.307 --> 00:05:26.377
  • And teaching of jesus, so he interviewed everybody he could
  • 00:05:26.377 --> 00:05:29.013
  • Find who had anything to do with jesus, he wasn't one of jesus's
  • 00:05:29.013 --> 00:05:31.449
  • Disciples, and he interviewed them.
  • 00:05:31.449 --> 00:05:33.484
  • He knew peter, and he knew john.
  • 00:05:33.484 --> 00:05:34.919
  • He knew james, the brother of jesus.
  • 00:05:34.919 --> 00:05:36.687
  • And he puts together this orderly account, and in that
  • 00:05:36.687 --> 00:05:39.157
  • Orderly account, we find this very unique interchange between
  • 00:05:39.157 --> 00:05:42.560
  • Jesus and a crowd.
  • 00:05:42.560 --> 00:05:43.928
  • But i want you to pay close attention to the opening
  • 00:05:43.928 --> 00:05:46.864
  • Statement of this story, because this is not how you
  • 00:05:46.864 --> 00:05:50.134
  • Picture jesus.
  • 00:05:50.134 --> 00:05:51.969
  • Ready?
  • 00:05:51.969 --> 00:05:53.337
  • Here's what luke says happened: "a crowd of many thousands had
  • 00:05:53.337 --> 00:05:58.342
  • Gathered, so that they were trampling on one another."
  • 00:05:58.342 --> 00:06:04.115
  • That's not what you picture, is it.
  • 00:06:04.115 --> 00:06:05.450
  • When we picture jesus, we picture jesus, he's
  • 00:06:05.450 --> 00:06:07.051
  • Kinda isolated.
  • 00:06:07.051 --> 00:06:08.386
  • He's got a long white robe.
  • 00:06:08.386 --> 00:06:09.754
  • He's got this, you know, peaceful look on his face,
  • 00:06:09.754 --> 00:06:11.088
  • Piercing blue eyes.
  • 00:06:11.088 --> 00:06:12.423
  • He's walking along with a couple of people with some
  • 00:06:12.423 --> 00:06:13.925
  • People following.
  • 00:06:13.925 --> 00:06:15.293
  • He does a little healing there and a little healing.
  • 00:06:15.293 --> 00:06:16.627
  • Not the picture.
  • 00:06:16.627 --> 00:06:17.995
  • Everywhere jesus went, read it for yourself in the gospels,
  • 00:06:17.995 --> 00:06:20.465
  • Crowds upon crowds, and the crowds were crazy.
  • 00:06:20.465 --> 00:06:23.801
  • They were trampling one another, why?
  • 00:06:23.801 --> 00:06:26.237
  • Trying to get to jesus.
  • 00:06:26.237 --> 00:06:27.805
  • Imagine strangers constantly touching you!
  • 00:06:27.805 --> 00:06:33.144
  • Imagine everywhere you went there are strangers who just,
  • 00:06:33.144 --> 00:06:35.179
  • They just want a piece of you.
  • 00:06:35.179 --> 00:06:36.514
  • They just wanna touch you.
  • 00:06:36.514 --> 00:06:37.882
  • Welcome to the daily life of jesus.
  • 00:06:37.882 --> 00:06:40.218
  • So here's these, all these crowds.
  • 00:06:40.218 --> 00:06:41.919
  • They're trampling.
  • 00:06:41.919 --> 00:06:43.254
  • They're looking to be healed.
  • 00:06:43.254 --> 00:06:44.622
  • They're bringing their sick.
  • 00:06:44.622 --> 00:06:45.957
  • They want a miracle.
  • 00:06:45.957 --> 00:06:47.325
  • They wanna be close.
  • 00:06:47.325 --> 00:06:48.659
  • They wanna see him.
  • 00:06:48.659 --> 00:06:49.994
  • And he can't move any faster than the crowd because,
  • 00:06:49.994 --> 00:06:51.362
  • Again, everybody's walking.
  • 00:06:51.362 --> 00:06:52.697
  • And then in the midst of this chaos, luke tells us that
  • 00:06:52.697 --> 00:06:55.333
  • Someone in the crowd--we never get the person's name, and i
  • 00:06:55.333 --> 00:06:58.369
  • Don't even know that jesus was able to make eye contact with
  • 00:06:58.369 --> 00:07:00.671
  • This person.
  • 00:07:00.671 --> 00:07:02.039
  • There were so many people.
  • 00:07:02.039 --> 00:07:03.374
  • "someone in the crowd shouts out, 'teacher,'" just out of the
  • 00:07:03.374 --> 00:07:06.010
  • Blue, "'tell my brother to divide the inheritance
  • 00:07:06.010 --> 00:07:09.747
  • With me.'"
  • 00:07:09.747 --> 00:07:11.315
  • I mean, that's like, "what?"
  • 00:07:11.315 --> 00:07:12.817
  • I mean, why are we, why are we talking about that?
  • 00:07:12.817 --> 00:07:15.186
  • Because i mean, this guy couldn't get this resolved and,
  • 00:07:15.186 --> 00:07:18.055
  • "hey, maybe this guy can help!
  • 00:07:18.055 --> 00:07:19.557
  • Teacher!"
  • 00:07:19.557 --> 00:07:20.925
  • You know, "tell my brother divide the inheritance with me,"
  • 00:07:20.925 --> 00:07:22.260
  • A reasonable request, but this was not jesus's agenda.
  • 00:07:22.260 --> 00:07:25.997
  • And jesus paused, stopped, and yelled back and replied to the
  • 00:07:25.997 --> 00:07:30.101
  • Man, "hey, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you,
  • 00:07:30.101 --> 00:07:34.972
  • Between the two of you?"
  • 00:07:34.972 --> 00:07:36.307
  • In other words, "hey, who said i'm the mediator?
  • 00:07:36.307 --> 00:07:39.076
  • I'm not gonna get involved in your family issue.
  • 00:07:39.076 --> 00:07:41.045
  • I mean, why are you choosing me?"
  • 00:07:41.045 --> 00:07:44.782
  • And then jesus does what jesus does.
  • 00:07:44.782 --> 00:07:48.119
  • Jesus sees an opening, an opportunity, a teachable moment,
  • 00:07:48.119 --> 00:07:51.556
  • And he takes hold of something woven into this question and he
  • 00:07:51.556 --> 00:07:57.228
  • Turns the corner and changes the subject to address something he
  • 00:07:57.228 --> 00:08:00.565
  • Wanted to talk about that fit his agenda.
  • 00:08:00.565 --> 00:08:03.534
  • So apparently, he stops, has everybody sit down, and he
  • 00:08:03.534 --> 00:08:07.805
  • Begins to teach.
  • 00:08:07.805 --> 00:08:10.575
  • Here's what he said.
  • 00:08:10.575 --> 00:08:11.943
  • This is so great.
  • 00:08:11.943 --> 00:08:13.277
  • "then he said to them, 'watch out!
  • 00:08:13.277 --> 00:08:16.247
  • Be on your guard against all kinds of greed.'"
  • 00:08:16.247 --> 00:08:20.518
  • Of course, the guy who asked the question is like, "greed?
  • 00:08:20.518 --> 00:08:22.987
  • Why are we talking about greed?
  • 00:08:22.987 --> 00:08:24.322
  • I just want what's fair.
  • 00:08:24.322 --> 00:08:25.690
  • I just want what's coming to me."
  • 00:08:25.690 --> 00:08:27.458
  • Jesus smiles, "watch out!
  • 00:08:27.458 --> 00:08:29.560
  • Be on your guard against all kinds of greed."
  • 00:08:29.560 --> 00:08:33.497
  • Now, i love this greek term.
  • 00:08:33.497 --> 00:08:34.966
  • The greek term for greed is "pleonexia."
  • 00:08:34.966 --> 00:08:37.034
  • Pleonexia, pleonexia, pleonexia sounds like a disease,
  • 00:08:37.034 --> 00:08:41.839
  • Doesn't it?
  • 00:08:41.839 --> 00:08:43.174
  • "ma'am, i don't know how to tell you this,
  • 00:08:43.174 --> 00:08:44.508
  • But you have pleonexia."
  • 00:08:44.508 --> 00:08:45.843
  • "oh no, my mom had that, and her mom had that.
  • 00:08:45.843 --> 00:08:47.378
  • Oh, can you see it?"
  • 00:08:47.378 --> 00:08:48.746
  • "yes, yes, you have pleonexia.
  • 00:08:48.746 --> 00:08:50.081
  • We got something for that, but some, you know."
  • 00:08:50.081 --> 00:08:51.449
  • It's a disea--it's actually a disease.
  • 00:08:51.449 --> 00:08:52.883
  • That's why i like this greek word.
  • 00:08:52.883 --> 00:08:54.585
  • It's the disease of insatiableness.
  • 00:08:54.585 --> 00:08:56.921
  • It's the d--it's the disease of, it's the disease of "never
  • 00:08:56.921 --> 00:09:00.791
  • Enoughness for me-ness," "never enoughness for me-ness."
  • 00:09:00.791 --> 00:09:03.995
  • It's the disease of "since they have one, i should have
  • 00:09:03.995 --> 00:09:06.497
  • One too."
  • 00:09:06.497 --> 00:09:07.865
  • It's the disease of "mine looks older than theirs, and i think i
  • 00:09:07.865 --> 00:09:10.301
  • Should get a new one to match theirs."
  • 00:09:10.301 --> 00:09:11.636
  • It's the disease of discontentment.
  • 00:09:11.636 --> 00:09:13.437
  • It's the disease of always looking around and everything
  • 00:09:13.437 --> 00:09:16.207
  • That you have, it just see--doesn't seem to be what it
  • 00:09:16.207 --> 00:09:18.743
  • Used to be, and there can't--there just isn't ever
  • 00:09:18.743 --> 00:09:21.145
  • Enough to come your way to fill that insatiable bucket of
  • 00:09:21.145 --> 00:09:24.515
  • Getting whatever need that is met.
  • 00:09:24.515 --> 00:09:26.283
  • It's a disease.
  • 00:09:26.283 --> 00:09:28.786
  • And jesus says, jesus says, "you gotta watch out for it."
  • 00:09:28.786 --> 00:09:34.692
  • And he asked them, he says, "you gotta watch out.
  • 00:09:34.692 --> 00:09:36.694
  • Be on your guard."
  • 00:09:36.694 --> 00:09:38.029
  • So i'm gonna ask you the question.
  • 00:09:38.029 --> 00:09:39.363
  • The answer is no.
  • 00:09:39.363 --> 00:09:40.731
  • So, don't pretend like you're better than you are.
  • 00:09:40.731 --> 00:09:42.066
  • The answer is no, but i'm gonna ask it anyway.
  • 00:09:42.066 --> 00:09:43.434
  • Then i'm gonna tell you why.
  • 00:09:43.434 --> 00:09:44.769
  • Are you on your guard against pleonexia?
  • 00:09:44.769 --> 00:09:47.772
  • Are you on the lookout for pleonexia?
  • 00:09:47.772 --> 00:09:50.441
  • Are you watching out daily for greed and pleonexia?
  • 00:09:50.441 --> 00:09:53.844
  • And the answer is no.
  • 00:09:53.844 --> 00:09:55.179
  • And here's why the answer is no.
  • 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:56.747
  • Because we aren't on our guard against things that we don't
  • 00:09:56.747 --> 00:10:00.151
  • Perceive as a threat.
  • 00:10:00.151 --> 00:10:02.019
  • We don't live our lives on guard against things that we don't
  • 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:04.889
  • Perceive as a threat.
  • 00:10:04.889 --> 00:10:06.223
  • You wear sunscreen during the week.
  • 00:10:06.223 --> 00:10:07.758
  • You don't walk around with bear spray, right?
  • 00:10:07.758 --> 00:10:10.795
  • Unless you're on a trail and there's a sign that says "there
  • 00:10:10.795 --> 00:10:13.164
  • Are bears," and it's like, "honey, we need to get some
  • 00:10:13.164 --> 00:10:14.765
  • Bear spray."
  • 00:10:14.765 --> 00:10:16.133
  • As soon as you're aware of a threat, we go on our guard, but
  • 00:10:16.133 --> 00:10:18.002
  • We don't live our lives looking out for our, you know, being on
  • 00:10:18.002 --> 00:10:21.138
  • Guard, on guard against things that we don't perceive as an
  • 00:10:21.138 --> 00:10:23.941
  • Actual threat.
  • 00:10:23.941 --> 00:10:25.309
  • And jesus says that i should be and that you should be on guard
  • 00:10:25.309 --> 00:10:29.613
  • Against "never enoughness," pleonexia, greed, to which we're
  • 00:10:29.613 --> 00:10:35.786
  • All, you were all thinking the same thing, "wait, greed?
  • 00:10:35.786 --> 00:10:38.255
  • I mean, i have issues, but i--" here's his point.
  • 00:10:38.255 --> 00:10:41.125
  • He says, "because pleonexia is sinister and it's subtle."
  • 00:10:41.125 --> 00:10:46.630
  • It wears multiple disguises.
  • 00:10:46.630 --> 00:10:50.234
  • It disguises itself as a virtue: "i'm responsible.
  • 00:10:50.234 --> 00:10:55.106
  • I'm careful, i manage my things well.
  • 00:10:55.106 --> 00:10:57.842
  • I have nice things, i'm just trying to take care.
  • 00:10:57.842 --> 00:10:59.844
  • No, no, don't touch my nice things."
  • 00:10:59.844 --> 00:11:01.178
  • So i have plexiglass all over all my stuff, you know?
  • 00:11:01.178 --> 00:11:03.013
  • You can look, but you can't touch.
  • 00:11:03.013 --> 00:11:04.582
  • It's, "i'm just careful, i'm responsible.
  • 00:11:04.582 --> 00:11:06.484
  • I'm a good steward, i'm taking care of my family."
  • 00:11:06.484 --> 00:11:08.853
  • It disguises itself as a virtue.
  • 00:11:08.853 --> 00:11:10.287
  • It hides behind things like this: "i work hard.
  • 00:11:10.287 --> 00:11:13.657
  • I earned this.
  • 00:11:13.657 --> 00:11:14.992
  • I'm entitled."
  • 00:11:14.992 --> 00:11:16.393
  • "hey, jesus, tell my brother to split the thing up fairly.
  • 00:11:16.393 --> 00:11:20.531
  • I need to get what's coming to me."
  • 00:11:20.531 --> 00:11:23.734
  • And you can't see it in the mirror, so we don't see it as
  • 00:11:23.734 --> 00:11:29.507
  • A threat.
  • 00:11:29.507 --> 00:11:30.875
  • Besides, i'm gonna push back on jesus for just a minute,
  • 00:11:30.875 --> 00:11:32.777
  • Besides jesus.
  • 00:11:32.777 --> 00:11:34.512
  • "okay, greed, pleonexia, whatever, that's interesting,
  • 00:11:34.512 --> 00:11:36.947
  • But what's the threat?
  • 00:11:36.947 --> 00:11:38.315
  • Why do i need to be on guard against that?
  • 00:11:38.315 --> 00:11:39.784
  • So i'm greedy, so what?
  • 00:11:39.784 --> 00:11:41.152
  • I got my stuff.
  • 00:11:41.152 --> 00:11:42.486
  • I don't really care what people think.
  • 00:11:42.486 --> 00:11:43.854
  • So why is the--why should i fear pleonexia?
  • 00:11:43.854 --> 00:11:45.389
  • Why should i fear greed?
  • 00:11:45.389 --> 00:11:46.757
  • Why should i be on guard against it?
  • 00:11:46.757 --> 00:11:48.793
  • You know, you gotta give me some more information,
  • 00:11:48.793 --> 00:11:50.394
  • Jesus, what's at stake?"
  • 00:11:50.394 --> 00:11:52.997
  • And jesus is about to say, "let me tell you what's at stake.
  • 00:11:52.997 --> 00:11:56.000
  • Your life is at stake."
  • 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:58.335
  • What makes life really life is at stake.
  • 00:11:58.335 --> 00:12:00.538
  • What li--makes life really worth living is at stake, and you
  • 00:12:00.538 --> 00:12:03.240
  • Don't realize it.
  • 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.575
  • But that's what is at stake, because greed in all of its
  • 00:12:04.575 --> 00:12:07.545
  • Subtle forms has the potential to rob your life of meaning.
  • 00:12:07.545 --> 00:12:12.983
  • "wait a minute.
  • 00:12:12.983 --> 00:12:14.318
  • How in the world can greed rob my life of meaning?"
  • 00:12:14.318 --> 00:12:18.455
  • You ready for this?
  • 00:12:18.455 --> 00:12:19.824
  • If you have to leave early, here's the bottom line.
  • 00:12:19.824 --> 00:12:21.926
  • Because pleonexia, or greed, ensures we are always an end and
  • 00:12:21.926 --> 00:12:29.133
  • Never a means.
  • 00:12:29.133 --> 00:12:32.102
  • If you're never a means, you'll never experience meaning.
  • 00:12:32.102 --> 00:12:38.275
  • Greed, "it's all coming to me for me.
  • 00:12:38.275 --> 00:12:41.078
  • It's my stuff.
  • 00:12:41.078 --> 00:12:42.413
  • I don't care what you think."
  • 00:12:42.413 --> 00:12:43.781
  • Greed, greed ensures we are always an end, never a means,
  • 00:12:43.781 --> 00:12:50.588
  • And you can't experience meaningful until you are willing
  • 00:12:50.588 --> 00:12:55.626
  • To be a means.
  • 00:12:55.626 --> 00:12:58.295
  • Then jesus continues with his teaching, and he gives them a
  • 00:12:58.295 --> 00:13:00.764
  • Maxim, or a truism, or a principle, or a saying.
  • 00:13:00.764 --> 00:13:03.734
  • Here's what he says: "come on, life, life does not consist in
  • 00:13:03.734 --> 00:13:09.506
  • An abundance of possessions."
  • 00:13:09.506 --> 00:13:12.142
  • In other words, at no point do you
  • 00:13:12.142 --> 00:13:15.045
  • Equate the value of your life with what you own.
  • 00:13:15.045 --> 00:13:18.682
  • To which you would say and i would say,
  • 00:13:18.682 --> 00:13:20.217
  • "well, of course, we don't."
  • 00:13:20.217 --> 00:13:21.552
  • And jesus is like, "yeah, but watch the way you
  • 00:13:21.552 --> 00:13:23.854
  • Live, and watch the way you respond, and look at how you
  • 00:13:23.854 --> 00:13:27.124
  • Guard your time, and guard your assets,
  • 00:13:27.124 --> 00:13:28.893
  • And guard and guard and guard."
  • 00:13:28.893 --> 00:13:30.561
  • You're watching out, you're guarding all the wrong
  • 00:13:30.561 --> 00:13:32.396
  • Things for all the wrong reasons, because at the end of
  • 00:13:32.396 --> 00:13:34.598
  • The day, what you own doesn't equal the value of your life,
  • 00:13:34.598 --> 00:13:39.370
  • Regardless of the amount, right?
  • 00:13:39.370 --> 00:13:41.639
  • Life and stuff, they're two completely different categories.
  • 00:13:41.639 --> 00:13:46.543
  • Pleonexia, all the subtle forms of greed, fools us into thinking
  • 00:13:46.543 --> 00:13:52.383
  • The opposite is true.
  • 00:13:52.383 --> 00:13:54.485
  • So we live our actual lives, even though we know what jesus
  • 00:13:54.485 --> 00:13:57.488
  • Said is true, we live our actual lives as if life does consist in
  • 00:13:57.488 --> 00:14:02.059
  • An abundance of possessions.
  • 00:14:02.059 --> 00:14:04.762
  • But i'm gonna push back one more time.
  • 00:14:04.762 --> 00:14:06.363
  • "okay, good point, jesus, got you.
  • 00:14:06.363 --> 00:14:09.099
  • But so what?
  • 00:14:09.099 --> 00:14:10.734
  • So what?
  • 00:14:10.734 --> 00:14:12.069
  • What is so dangerous about that?
  • 00:14:12.069 --> 00:14:13.904
  • You, you haven't convinced me that this is something i need to
  • 00:14:13.904 --> 00:14:16.273
  • Be on the lookout for.
  • 00:14:16.273 --> 00:14:17.708
  • I'm just not feeling the tension."
  • 00:14:17.708 --> 00:14:20.844
  • And jesus would read our minds
  • 00:14:20.844 --> 00:14:22.346
  • And would read the minds of his audience.
  • 00:14:22.346 --> 00:14:24.682
  • Good question.
  • 00:14:24.682 --> 00:14:26.583
  • And so, do you know what jesus does?
  • 00:14:26.583 --> 00:14:28.419
  • Jesus launches into one of his famous stories.
  • 00:14:28.419 --> 00:14:30.955
  • He launches into a parable.
  • 00:14:30.955 --> 00:14:32.323
  • Let me tell you what this illustrates first.
  • 00:14:32.323 --> 00:14:33.857
  • The point of the parable, to make sure you stay on track to
  • 00:14:33.857 --> 00:14:36.293
  • This, 'cause he kinda goes all over the place.
  • 00:14:36.293 --> 00:14:37.962
  • The point is to illustrate the meaning-depleting--this is
  • 00:14:37.962 --> 00:14:42.066
  • Very important.
  • 00:14:42.066 --> 00:14:43.434
  • He's about to illustrate through this parable the
  • 00:14:43.434 --> 00:14:45.836
  • Meaning-depleting power of pleonexia.
  • 00:14:45.836 --> 00:14:49.239
  • In other words, put it this way, it's the power of greed, the
  • 00:14:49.239 --> 00:14:53.377
  • Power of greed, to rob you while it enriches you.
  • 00:14:53.377 --> 00:14:57.715
  • This is why it's so subtle.
  • 00:14:57.715 --> 00:14:59.216
  • He's about to warn us against the power of greed that actually
  • 00:14:59.216 --> 00:15:02.286
  • Robs us while it enriches us.
  • 00:15:02.286 --> 00:15:06.757
  • So, here's the story.
  • 00:15:06.757 --> 00:15:08.459
  • He says, "the ground of a rich man yielded an abundant
  • 00:15:08.459 --> 00:15:12.896
  • Harvest," so the rich get richer even in the first century.
  • 00:15:12.896 --> 00:15:16.500
  • That's exactly what this means.
  • 00:15:16.500 --> 00:15:17.835
  • Somebody who already had extra just got extra extra.
  • 00:15:17.835 --> 00:15:23.340
  • And this man thought to himself, "my goodness, look at this
  • 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:25.976
  • Abundant crop.
  • 00:15:25.976 --> 00:15:27.311
  • I'm already rich.
  • 00:15:27.311 --> 00:15:28.645
  • I already have more than i need, but now i've got extra extra."
  • 00:15:28.645 --> 00:15:30.914
  • And he thought to himself, "what am i gonna do?"
  • 00:15:30.914 --> 00:15:33.984
  • It wasn't apparent to him what he should do.
  • 00:15:33.984 --> 00:15:37.154
  • "what should i do with all my extra?"
  • 00:15:37.154 --> 00:15:41.358
  • He saw this as a problem he had to solve.
  • 00:15:41.358 --> 00:15:44.428
  • It was actually an opportunity, and he missed it.
  • 00:15:44.428 --> 00:15:46.830
  • He didn't see it that way, and the reason he didn't see it as
  • 00:15:46.830 --> 00:15:48.932
  • An opportunity, pleonexia, greed.
  • 00:15:48.932 --> 00:15:53.203
  • But he didn't know.
  • 00:15:53.203 --> 00:15:54.538
  • He just thought he had a problem, "i've got extra extra.
  • 00:15:54.538 --> 00:15:56.373
  • What do i do with my extra extra?
  • 00:15:56.373 --> 00:15:57.875
  • I don't have any place, oh my goodness.
  • 00:15:57.875 --> 00:15:59.743
  • I have no place to store my crops!"
  • 00:15:59.743 --> 00:16:02.546
  • Now, i was tempted at this point in the sermon to talk about our
  • 00:16:02.546 --> 00:16:04.948
  • Closets, and our attics, and our basements, but i'm not
  • 00:16:04.948 --> 00:16:07.251
  • Gonna--and your special storage unit, and you had to b--i'm not
  • 00:16:07.251 --> 00:16:09.720
  • Gonna do that, okay?
  • 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:11.055
  • That's way too personal.
  • 00:16:11.055 --> 00:16:12.423
  • Anyway, all right.
  • 00:16:12.423 --> 00:16:13.757
  • "what should i do?
  • 00:16:13.757 --> 00:16:15.125
  • I have no place to store my crops."
  • 00:16:15.125 --> 00:16:16.460
  • And here's the assumption.
  • 00:16:16.460 --> 00:16:17.828
  • This is important.
  • 00:16:17.828 --> 00:16:19.163
  • The assumption was, "since it came to me, it's for me."
  • 00:16:19.163 --> 00:16:22.633
  • We call this around here the consumption assumption.
  • 00:16:22.633 --> 00:16:26.270
  • The consumption assumption is "if it comes my way, it's
  • 00:16:26.270 --> 00:16:29.873
  • Obviously for my consumption."
  • 00:16:29.873 --> 00:16:31.809
  • And then he said, "ah, i got it.
  • 00:16:31.809 --> 00:16:33.343
  • I know what i'll do.
  • 00:16:33.343 --> 00:16:35.045
  • I'm gonna tear down my barns, my perfectly good barns, and i'm
  • 00:16:35.045 --> 00:16:39.149
  • Gonna build bigger ones, and there i will store my
  • 00:16:39.149 --> 00:16:42.953
  • Surplus grain.
  • 00:16:42.953 --> 00:16:45.656
  • I'm gonna save it now to consume it later, because if it comes to
  • 00:16:45.656 --> 00:16:50.327
  • Me, obviously, it's for me."
  • 00:16:50.327 --> 00:16:53.497
  • And there it is, a really bad case of pleonexia.
  • 00:16:53.497 --> 00:16:58.869
  • He was an end, not a means to an end.
  • 00:16:58.869 --> 00:17:03.006
  • He was the end, not a means to an end.
  • 00:17:03.006 --> 00:17:06.243
  • If it came to him, it was for him.
  • 00:17:06.243 --> 00:17:09.313
  • And then he says, 'cause he's, he can't see this in the mirror.
  • 00:17:09.313 --> 00:17:11.682
  • None of us can.
  • 00:17:11.682 --> 00:17:13.016
  • He said, "and then i'll say to myself, 'self, you have plenty
  • 00:17:13.016 --> 00:17:16.587
  • Of grain,'" here it is.
  • 00:17:16.587 --> 00:17:17.921
  • Here's the other trap, right here in the parable.
  • 00:17:17.921 --> 00:17:19.656
  • Jesus is brilliant, "you have plenty of grain
  • 00:17:19.656 --> 00:17:22.359
  • Laid up for many years."
  • 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:24.661
  • There's the lie.
  • 00:17:24.661 --> 00:17:26.096
  • "since i have a lot of grain, i've got a lot of life.
  • 00:17:26.096 --> 00:17:30.434
  • Since i have so much provision, i must have enough time to use
  • 00:17:30.434 --> 00:17:34.404
  • Up the provision."
  • 00:17:34.404 --> 00:17:35.873
  • Stuff equals life and stuff equals time.
  • 00:17:35.873 --> 00:17:38.342
  • "i've got all the time in the world 'cause i've got all the
  • 00:17:38.342 --> 00:17:40.077
  • Stuff in the world."
  • 00:17:40.077 --> 00:17:42.179
  • And then i'll say to myself, "take life easy.
  • 00:17:42.179 --> 00:17:45.482
  • Just take life easy; eat, drink and be merry."
  • 00:17:45.482 --> 00:17:49.987
  • And jesus's audience had one thing in common with us,
  • 00:17:49.987 --> 00:17:55.058
  • They were envious.
  • 00:17:55.058 --> 00:17:57.694
  • I mean, wouldn't that be great to just get up every day with no
  • 00:17:57.694 --> 00:18:00.898
  • Responsibility, every day with no pressure, every day with
  • 00:18:00.898 --> 00:18:04.001
  • Enough food to eat, every day with enough?
  • 00:18:04.001 --> 00:18:05.569
  • You can just do whatever you wanna do.
  • 00:18:05.569 --> 00:18:06.937
  • In fact, you don't even have to get up.
  • 00:18:06.937 --> 00:18:08.505
  • You can just lay there all day long, just get up whenever you
  • 00:18:08.505 --> 00:18:10.974
  • Want to do whatever you want to.
  • 00:18:10.974 --> 00:18:15.112
  • But this is a parable, which means jesus has a point to make,
  • 00:18:15.112 --> 00:18:21.485
  • And the point he's about to make goes right to the heart of the
  • 00:18:21.485 --> 00:18:26.223
  • Meaning-depleting deception of greed.
  • 00:18:26.223 --> 00:18:28.592
  • Greed will fill our schedule, it will fill our ego, it will fill
  • 00:18:28.592 --> 00:18:34.464
  • Up our relationship buckets, might even fill up our
  • 00:18:34.464 --> 00:18:37.301
  • Bank accounts.
  • 00:18:37.301 --> 00:18:38.635
  • And while it's filling all of those things up, it can rob us
  • 00:18:38.635 --> 00:18:42.239
  • All at the same time, and jesus is illustrating this through
  • 00:18:42.239 --> 00:18:46.777
  • The parable.
  • 00:18:46.777 --> 00:18:48.145
  • Here's a guy who felt full, but he was empty because he missed
  • 00:18:48.145 --> 00:18:51.515
  • The opportunity of a lifetime.
  • 00:18:51.515 --> 00:18:53.884
  • And jesus says at this point in the story, because remember,
  • 00:18:53.884 --> 00:18:56.553
  • It's a made up story, jesus introduces god into the story,
  • 00:18:56.553 --> 00:19:00.891
  • And he says, "as happy as this guy was about his future and as
  • 00:19:00.891 --> 00:19:03.961
  • Secure as he felt about his future," he said, "but god said
  • 00:19:03.961 --> 00:19:07.364
  • To him," because in a parable, anything can happen, right?
  • 00:19:07.364 --> 00:19:10.100
  • God said to the rich man, "you fool!"
  • 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:14.438
  • And everybody in jesus's audience is like, "fool?
  • 00:19:14.438 --> 00:19:17.608
  • I would love to be that fool!
  • 00:19:17.608 --> 00:19:19.543
  • What do you mean, he's a fool?
  • 00:19:19.543 --> 00:19:21.111
  • And i mean, how could he be a fool?
  • 00:19:21.111 --> 00:19:22.746
  • He was actually wise.
  • 00:19:22.746 --> 00:19:24.114
  • He was responsible.
  • 00:19:24.114 --> 00:19:25.449
  • He was smart enough to be wealthy.
  • 00:19:25.449 --> 00:19:26.783
  • Now he got wealthier.
  • 00:19:26.783 --> 00:19:28.151
  • How can you be a fool?
  • 00:19:28.151 --> 00:19:29.486
  • I mean, he was wise, not a fool."
  • 00:19:29.486 --> 00:19:30.854
  • And jesus says, "no."
  • 00:19:30.854 --> 00:19:32.189
  • And here's why jesus says no.
  • 00:19:32.189 --> 00:19:34.458
  • And this is for you and this is for me.
  • 00:19:34.458 --> 00:19:36.693
  • Because the man in the parable made the mistake of presuming on
  • 00:19:36.693 --> 00:19:41.665
  • The future.
  • 00:19:41.665 --> 00:19:43.033
  • You know what that means?
  • 00:19:43.033 --> 00:19:44.368
  • It means, "i've got so much stuff, i must have so
  • 00:19:44.368 --> 00:19:46.737
  • Much time."
  • 00:19:46.737 --> 00:19:48.105
  • To presume on the future is to assume time that you don't know
  • 00:19:48.105 --> 00:19:52.042
  • You have.
  • 00:19:52.042 --> 00:19:53.377
  • To presume on the future is to assume opportunity that you may
  • 00:19:53.377 --> 00:19:56.847
  • Never get.
  • 00:19:56.847 --> 00:19:58.215
  • It's to assume opportunities to do good things later.
  • 00:19:58.215 --> 00:20:01.551
  • "you know, once i'm an adult, once i get to my 30s, once i'm
  • 00:20:01.551 --> 00:20:04.488
  • 40, once we get the kids out of the house, once we get everybody
  • 00:20:04.488 --> 00:20:06.757
  • Graduated, once we pay off our debt, once we, once we, once we.
  • 00:20:06.757 --> 00:20:09.826
  • Then i'm gonna take care of that opportunity
  • 00:20:09.826 --> 00:20:12.229
  • To do something beyond myself."
  • 00:20:12.229 --> 00:20:13.630
  • And jesus says, "you fool!
  • 00:20:13.630 --> 00:20:16.166
  • You don't know what the future holds.
  • 00:20:16.166 --> 00:20:18.368
  • You don't have any guarantees.
  • 00:20:18.368 --> 00:20:20.070
  • You don't even know what this day holds."
  • 00:20:20.070 --> 00:20:22.706
  • He was a fool, not because of what he owned.
  • 00:20:22.706 --> 00:20:25.942
  • He was a fool because he was owned by what he owned, and he
  • 00:20:25.942 --> 00:20:31.948
  • Wasn't on guard against the subtle realities, the subtleness
  • 00:20:31.948 --> 00:20:37.854
  • Of pleonexia.
  • 00:20:37.854 --> 00:20:40.157
  • But god said to him, "you fool!
  • 00:20:40.157 --> 00:20:43.093
  • This very night your life will be demanded from you."
  • 00:20:43.093 --> 00:20:47.931
  • "wait, wait, that's not possible!
  • 00:20:47.931 --> 00:20:49.833
  • Have you seen how much grain i have?
  • 00:20:49.833 --> 00:20:52.336
  • Have you not seen how much i have yet to consume?
  • 00:20:52.336 --> 00:20:55.038
  • I have so much stuff.
  • 00:20:55.038 --> 00:20:56.406
  • Doesn't more stuff equal more life?"
  • 00:20:56.406 --> 00:20:58.875
  • No, of course it doesn't.
  • 00:20:58.875 --> 00:21:01.645
  • You fool.
  • 00:21:01.645 --> 00:21:04.948
  • God said to him, "you fool!
  • 00:21:03.613 --> 00:21:06.283
  • This very night your life will be demanded from you."
  • 00:21:06.283 --> 00:21:09.152
  • And then, jesus presses in with this amazing question: "then
  • 00:21:09.152 --> 00:21:15.859
  • Who, then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?
  • 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:26.169
  • Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"
  • 00:21:26.236 --> 00:21:31.575
  • And it's like, oh, i know the answer to that, someone else.
  • 00:21:31.575 --> 00:21:41.485
  • But not because he was generous.
  • 00:21:41.485 --> 00:21:45.489
  • Because he was dead.
  • 00:21:45.489 --> 00:21:48.558
  • And then the punch line, or the punch in the gut line for me and
  • 00:21:51.728 --> 00:21:54.965
  • The punch in the gut line for us, jesus gives us the
  • 00:21:54.965 --> 00:21:57.033
  • Punch line.
  • 00:21:57.033 --> 00:21:58.368
  • This is the wake up call.
  • 00:21:58.368 --> 00:21:59.736
  • This is why, this is why you've got to discover something
  • 00:21:59.736 --> 00:22:01.571
  • Outside of you that breaks your heart.
  • 00:22:01.571 --> 00:22:02.973
  • This is why you can't be consumed with you.
  • 00:22:02.973 --> 00:22:04.908
  • This why we cannot--we can't get locked into the consumption
  • 00:22:04.908 --> 00:22:07.744
  • Assumption, and it's so easy for us because of where we live and
  • 00:22:07.744 --> 00:22:10.514
  • What we have in the, the era of human history that we live in.
  • 00:22:10.514 --> 00:22:14.117
  • This is, this is why you, you've got to find a way to devote at
  • 00:22:14.117 --> 00:22:18.155
  • Least a piece of yourself to something beyond you.
  • 00:22:18.155 --> 00:22:23.593
  • Otherwise, we fall into this trap.
  • 00:22:23.593 --> 00:22:25.762
  • And then jesus leaves the parable.
  • 00:22:25.762 --> 00:22:27.597
  • This is important, 'cause that's the end of the parable.
  • 00:22:27.597 --> 00:22:29.433
  • He pulls out of the parable, and now, he addresses us directly,
  • 00:22:29.433 --> 00:22:32.803
  • And he addresses his audience directly, and here's what
  • 00:22:32.803 --> 00:22:35.472
  • He says.
  • 00:22:35.472 --> 00:22:36.807
  • This is so convicting and inspiring if we take it the
  • 00:22:36.807 --> 00:22:40.510
  • Right way.
  • 00:22:40.510 --> 00:22:42.145
  • He says, "this, this is how it will be," to which we're like,
  • 00:22:42.145 --> 00:22:46.650
  • "wait, wait, wait, what is this?"
  • 00:22:46.650 --> 00:22:48.518
  • "oh, oh, let me find that for you," jesus would say.
  • 00:22:48.518 --> 00:22:50.887
  • This is total loss.
  • 00:22:50.887 --> 00:22:52.989
  • Total loss is how it will be.
  • 00:22:52.989 --> 00:22:54.991
  • He lost his life, he lost his stuff, and he lost
  • 00:22:54.991 --> 00:22:57.027
  • His opportunity.
  • 00:22:57.027 --> 00:22:58.695
  • He lost everything.
  • 00:22:58.695 --> 00:23:00.030
  • It was a--there's nothing, there's nothing to show for him
  • 00:23:00.030 --> 00:23:02.632
  • Because it was all about him.
  • 00:23:02.632 --> 00:23:05.368
  • There was nothing to show for him because it was all about
  • 00:23:05.368 --> 00:23:09.272
  • Him, because he wasn't on guard against pleonexia.
  • 00:23:09.272 --> 00:23:14.811
  • He lost everything.
  • 00:23:14.811 --> 00:23:16.146
  • "this is, this is how it will be," this is where we come in,
  • 00:23:16.146 --> 00:23:18.815
  • "for whoever," i'm a whoever, you're a whoever, "this is how
  • 00:23:18.815 --> 00:23:23.453
  • It will be for whoever stores up things for themselves," to be
  • 00:23:23.453 --> 00:23:27.724
  • Consumed on themselves, that plan to consume everything that
  • 00:23:27.724 --> 00:23:32.529
  • Comes their way.
  • 00:23:32.529 --> 00:23:33.897
  • This is how it will be for people who are tricked.
  • 00:23:33.897 --> 00:23:36.666
  • "this is, this is how it will be for whoever stores up things for
  • 00:23:36.666 --> 00:23:40.070
  • Themselves," and then he gives the other opportunity, "but is
  • 00:23:40.070 --> 00:23:42.606
  • Not rich toward god." now, this phrase "rich toward god" shows
  • 00:23:42.606 --> 00:23:46.743
  • Up in other places in the gospels, and when you put 'em
  • 00:23:46.743 --> 00:23:48.512
  • All together, it's very evident what jesus is talking about when
  • 00:23:48.512 --> 00:23:51.114
  • He uses the phrase "rich toward god."
  • 00:23:51.114 --> 00:23:52.682
  • To be rich toward god isn't about giving things to god.
  • 00:23:52.682 --> 00:23:55.118
  • God doesn't need your things.
  • 00:23:55.118 --> 00:23:56.453
  • God doesn't need our stuff.
  • 00:23:56.453 --> 00:23:57.787
  • God doesn't need anything.
  • 00:23:57.787 --> 00:23:59.155
  • God is immaterial.
  • 00:23:59.155 --> 00:24:00.490
  • "god is spirit," jesus said.
  • 00:24:00.490 --> 00:24:02.259
  • So this isn't about giving gifts to god.
  • 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:04.160
  • You know what this means?
  • 00:24:04.160 --> 00:24:05.529
  • To be rich towards god is to do for others what god has done for
  • 00:24:05.529 --> 00:24:10.133
  • You, to do for others what god has done for you, specifically,
  • 00:24:10.133 --> 00:24:15.405
  • To do for others what god through christ has done for you,
  • 00:24:15.405 --> 00:24:18.975
  • That when you had a need, he met it.
  • 00:24:18.975 --> 00:24:21.211
  • When you needed forgiveness, he gave it.
  • 00:24:21.211 --> 00:24:23.613
  • When you needed peace with god, he provided it.
  • 00:24:23.613 --> 00:24:26.082
  • He says, "now i don't need you to give me anything back.
  • 00:24:26.082 --> 00:24:28.218
  • I want you to, i want you to essentially pay it forward.
  • 00:24:28.218 --> 00:24:30.520
  • I want you to do for others in whatever way you can as a
  • 00:24:30.520 --> 00:24:33.823
  • Reflection of your gratitude for what i've done for you." jesus
  • 00:24:33.823 --> 00:24:37.160
  • Says, "this is how you be rich toward god.
  • 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:41.865
  • But if you're not careful, greed will rob you of that
  • 00:24:41.865 --> 00:24:45.168
  • Opportunity, 'cause greed is a thief."
  • 00:24:45.168 --> 00:24:46.603
  • Here's why: greed promises more but always leaves you with less
  • 00:24:46.603 --> 00:24:52.909
  • In the end, less of what matters.
  • 00:24:52.909 --> 00:24:55.345
  • So, circling all the way back around, here is the code, here's
  • 00:24:55.345 --> 00:24:59.950
  • The password.
  • 00:24:59.950 --> 00:25:01.284
  • We're gonna crack the code.
  • 00:25:01.284 --> 00:25:02.652
  • We're gonna unpack what it means to have a meaningful life, and
  • 00:25:02.652 --> 00:25:04.988
  • It's very, very simple.
  • 00:25:04.988 --> 00:25:06.356
  • I've said it several times.
  • 00:25:06.356 --> 00:25:08.224
  • It's "become a means to an end that doesn't end with you."
  • 00:25:08.224 --> 00:25:12.062
  • That's it.
  • 00:25:12.062 --> 00:25:13.396
  • It's "become a means to an end that doesn't end with you."
  • 00:25:13.396 --> 00:25:17.000
  • That's, that's what makes something meaningful.
  • 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:20.503
  • If you think about a pen that you write with, when it runs out
  • 00:25:20.503 --> 00:25:22.539
  • Of ink, it can't do what it was meant to do.
  • 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:24.341
  • It becomes meaningless.
  • 00:25:24.341 --> 00:25:27.043
  • You are the same way, and i am the same way.
  • 00:25:27.043 --> 00:25:31.247
  • And jesus, because he loves you, is warning us not to allow that
  • 00:25:31.247 --> 00:25:35.485
  • To happen and inviting us into a meaningful, purposeful life.
  • 00:25:35.485 --> 00:25:39.155
  • He said, "but in order to do that, you have to be
  • 00:25:39.155 --> 00:25:41.691
  • Intentional, and you have to find a way, even if it's a small
  • 00:25:41.691 --> 00:25:45.662
  • Way, to be a means to an end that doesn't end with you."
  • 00:25:45.662 --> 00:25:49.299
  • That's what meaning means.
  • 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:51.034
  • That's how something becomes meaningful.
  • 00:25:51.034 --> 00:25:53.436
  • That's where purpose is found.
  • 00:25:53.436 --> 00:25:55.572
  • That's where happiness is found.
  • 00:25:55.572 --> 00:25:58.208
  • That's where joy is found.
  • 00:25:58.208 --> 00:26:01.378
  • And that's the invitation to all of us.
  • 00:26:01.378 --> 00:26:05.448
  • That's what makes something meaningful.
  • 00:26:05.448 --> 00:26:08.618
  • So, again, to go back to jesus's words, be on your guard
  • 00:26:08.618 --> 00:26:14.357
  • Against pleonexia!
  • 00:26:14.357 --> 00:26:16.092
  • It is subtle.
  • 00:26:16.092 --> 00:26:17.694
  • It is taking root in all of our lives in some form we're not
  • 00:26:17.694 --> 00:26:20.563
  • Even aware of, and we don't know it because it's so difficult
  • 00:26:20.563 --> 00:26:23.700
  • To find.
  • 00:26:23.700 --> 00:26:25.068
  • And jesus, through this parable and through this teaching, says,
  • 00:26:25.068 --> 00:26:27.270
  • "i've told you what to do.
  • 00:26:27.270 --> 00:26:28.972
  • You've got to find a way to be a means to an end
  • 00:26:28.972 --> 00:26:31.341
  • That doesn't end with you."
  • 00:26:31.341 --> 00:26:32.676
  • Don't be greedy with your life.
  • 00:26:32.676 --> 00:26:34.310
  • Don't be greedy with your time.
  • 00:26:34.310 --> 00:26:36.446
  • Don't be greedy with the influence you have.
  • 00:26:36.446 --> 00:26:38.848
  • Don't be greedy with the connections you've made.
  • 00:26:38.848 --> 00:26:40.483
  • Don't be greedy with your education.
  • 00:26:40.483 --> 00:26:41.885
  • Don't be greedy with your experience.
  • 00:26:41.885 --> 00:26:43.586
  • Choose something that doesn't benefit you
  • 00:26:43.586 --> 00:26:46.456
  • And commit some of you to it.
  • 00:26:46.456 --> 00:26:50.427
  • So, one last time, what breaks your heart?
  • 00:26:50.427 --> 00:26:56.800
  • What breaks your heart?
  • 00:26:56.800 --> 00:26:58.268
  • What needs to change?
  • 00:26:58.268 --> 00:26:59.969
  • Carve off a piece of you and invest it in that.
  • 00:26:59.969 --> 00:27:03.640
  • And if nothing breaks your heart, just choose
  • 00:27:03.640 --> 00:27:05.842
  • Something quick!
  • 00:27:05.842 --> 00:27:07.210
  • Your time's running out, no matter how old you are, because
  • 00:27:07.210 --> 00:27:09.279
  • In the end, as i tell you all the time, in the end, do you
  • 00:27:09.279 --> 00:27:11.848
  • Know what makes your life worth celebrating and what makes my
  • 00:27:11.848 --> 00:27:13.650
  • Life we're celebrating?
  • 00:27:13.650 --> 00:27:15.051
  • In the end, the value of your life, the value of my life will
  • 00:27:15.051 --> 00:27:18.588
  • Be determined and celebrated by how much of it was actually
  • 00:27:18.588 --> 00:27:22.659
  • Given away.
  • 00:27:22.659 --> 00:27:23.993
  • It's in the end that we understand the power of becoming
  • 00:27:23.993 --> 00:27:29.199
  • A means to an end that doesn't point back to us.
  • 00:27:29.199 --> 00:27:34.104
  • So, what breaks your heart?
  • 00:27:34.104 --> 00:27:37.574
  • And if nothing breaks your heart, find something, invest in
  • 00:27:37.574 --> 00:27:41.544
  • It, and don't succumb to pleonexia.
  • 00:27:41.544 --> 00:27:46.416
  • Andy: hey, everybody, thank you so much for tuning in.
  • 00:27:46.483 --> 00:27:49.152
  • If you'd like to watch this episode again or share it with a
  • 00:27:49.152 --> 00:27:51.421
  • Friend, head on over to the website at the bottom of
  • 00:27:51.421 --> 00:27:53.656
  • The screen.
  • 00:27:53.656 --> 00:27:55.024
  • The website is the best place for you to find other "your
  • 00:27:55.024 --> 00:27:57.093
  • Move" episodes, access additional resources, and learn
  • 00:27:57.093 --> 00:28:00.363
  • More about our mission to engage culture with the teaching of
  • 00:28:00.363 --> 00:28:03.500
  • Jesus, because we're convinced following jesus will make your
  • 00:28:03.500 --> 00:28:06.669
  • Life better and make the world a better place.
  • 00:28:06.669 --> 00:28:09.472
  • And now, it's your move.
  • 00:28:09.472 --> 00:28:11.274
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:28:11.274 --> 00:28:21.885
  • ...
  • 00:28:25.121 --> 00:28:30.000