217 00:26:06.415 --> 00:26:10.984 Very good to see you. Very good to see you. If you would do me a favor and, uh, 218 00:26:10.985 --> 00:26:13.945 welcome my family, my wife and all of my children are here, 219 00:26:14.405 --> 00:26:17.825 and you guys just give them a little love, that would be great. 220 00:26:21.665 --> 00:26:24.865 Um, if you don't know me, uh, particularly for those of you joining online, 221 00:26:24.925 --> 00:26:29.625 my name is Leon. And, uh, I'm so glad to be with you today. 222 00:26:30.425 --> 00:26:32.625 Uh, today we're gonna dive into one of my favorite topics, 223 00:26:33.405 --> 00:26:36.625 and that is how to be a blessing in the world. 224 00:26:36.905 --> 00:26:39.905 It very much goes along with the video we just watched together, 225 00:26:40.045 --> 00:26:42.865 and we're gonna bounce around several scriptures. Uh, 226 00:26:43.105 --> 00:26:47.845 but our anchor verse will come from Proverbs chapter 11, verse 25. 227 00:26:48.105 --> 00:26:52.365 And I wanna read it in two different versions because one's very fun and one's 228 00:26:52.366 --> 00:26:55.445 very clear. And sometimes you gotta have some fun with some clear amen. 229 00:26:55.865 --> 00:26:59.765 And so here's the first version. It's, it's the IFF version. Proverbs 1125. 230 00:26:59.766 --> 00:27:00.599 Listen to this, 231 00:27:01.805 --> 00:27:06.244 A soul that eth shall be made fat. 232 00:27:06.445 --> 00:27:10.605 I just like that. I want to have a fat soul, juicy. 233 00:27:12.065 --> 00:27:14.405 And he will say, or she, 234 00:27:14.875 --> 00:27:18.845 that eth shall be filled. Also, listen to it in the NLT. 235 00:27:18.905 --> 00:27:23.765 The generous will prosper and those who 236 00:27:23.955 --> 00:27:27.885 refresh others will themselves be 237 00:27:28.515 --> 00:27:31.765 refreshed, let's say a quick prayer together. Father, we thank you. 238 00:27:32.465 --> 00:27:34.725 We thank you that you are here with us. 239 00:27:34.865 --> 00:27:37.005 We thank you that you are with us wherever we are, 240 00:27:37.665 --> 00:27:39.484 we thank you that the medium doesn't matter, 241 00:27:39.485 --> 00:27:41.165 but that when the spirit of God moves, 242 00:27:41.166 --> 00:27:44.165 that our hearts can be changed and transformed and ignited. 243 00:27:44.945 --> 00:27:49.925 And so we pray now first that you would hide me behind your hand and that 244 00:27:49.926 --> 00:27:52.005 we would experience the call Yahweh, 245 00:27:52.006 --> 00:27:56.365 the voice of God that can only be heard in the gathering of God's people. 246 00:27:57.065 --> 00:28:00.484 And that we would be transformed no matter where we are on our journey with 247 00:28:00.485 --> 00:28:01.318 Jesus, 248 00:28:01.715 --> 00:28:05.645 that we would be fully transformed in some significant way. 249 00:28:05.855 --> 00:28:10.165 Today we ask it in the precious and matchless name of Jesus. 250 00:28:10.785 --> 00:28:15.165 And if you believe that the Lord is good, would you say with me? Amen. Amen. 251 00:28:16.205 --> 00:28:21.085 Uh, most of us are probably not familiar with a man named Julius Rosenwald. 252 00:28:21.305 --> 00:28:25.005 He, like many others, has been forgotten to time. 253 00:28:25.665 --> 00:28:29.805 But Julius Rosenwald was one of several presidents of the retail chain, 254 00:28:30.255 --> 00:28:34.165 Sears and Roebuck. Remember when that existed? And in 1910, 255 00:28:34.815 --> 00:28:37.565 after being freshly minted as a new president, 256 00:28:37.905 --> 00:28:41.285 he had a chance to meet with a man named Dr. Booker t Washington. 257 00:28:41.345 --> 00:28:43.285 If you don't know who that is, look him up. He's a, 258 00:28:43.565 --> 00:28:47.045 a gift to this nation and a gift to our society, uh, 259 00:28:47.046 --> 00:28:49.565 and a world changer in his time. You see, 260 00:28:49.566 --> 00:28:54.045 during this time in the Jim Crow South education was nearly 261 00:28:54.205 --> 00:28:56.365 non-existent for the African American community. 262 00:28:56.745 --> 00:28:59.725 So under the leadership of his friend, Dr. Washington, 263 00:28:59.985 --> 00:29:04.725 Mr. Rosewell began a quiet partnership with black communities in the South 264 00:29:04.785 --> 00:29:05.645 to build schools, 265 00:29:06.265 --> 00:29:10.685 to build teacher housing and to resource education materials. 266 00:29:10.686 --> 00:29:14.205 Between 1912 and 1932, 267 00:29:14.275 --> 00:29:18.805 Rosenwald and his partners built 4,978 268 00:29:19.115 --> 00:29:21.765 schools. Rosenwald invested, listen to this, 269 00:29:22.065 --> 00:29:24.525 nearly $1 billion, 270 00:29:24.625 --> 00:29:29.245 nearly $1 billion of his own money in today's 271 00:29:29.805 --> 00:29:33.085 currency to be able to do this. Now, 272 00:29:33.086 --> 00:29:37.485 while most of us have never heard of Mr. Rosenwald, maybe before today, 273 00:29:38.575 --> 00:29:42.165 we've likely heard of Medgar Evers, Maya Angelou, 274 00:29:43.105 --> 00:29:46.205 and Atlanta's own congressman John Lewis, 275 00:29:47.625 --> 00:29:52.605 all among a short list of people who were educated in the 276 00:29:52.606 --> 00:29:55.005 schools that Rosenwald started. 277 00:29:57.035 --> 00:29:58.245 Rosenwald was generous, 278 00:29:59.585 --> 00:30:02.245 and yet he never even got to see the fruit of his generosity. 279 00:30:03.175 --> 00:30:06.885 While we have the benefit of looking back in history at what he accomplished, 280 00:30:07.305 --> 00:30:10.245 he actually died on January 6th, 1932. 281 00:30:10.585 --> 00:30:14.765 He never saw the fullness of what he did. He was a generous man, 282 00:30:14.905 --> 00:30:16.765 not only because he believed in the work, 283 00:30:17.865 --> 00:30:21.725 but because of his own deep Christian belief. 284 00:30:22.465 --> 00:30:26.885 And when he was asked why he devoted so much time and wealth to giving, 285 00:30:27.505 --> 00:30:31.325 his response was incredible. Listen to what he said. He said, 286 00:30:31.326 --> 00:30:35.085 giving is the greatest pleasure in life. 287 00:30:36.465 --> 00:30:41.285 Giving is the greatest pleasure in life no matter 288 00:30:41.286 --> 00:30:44.365 where you are on your spiritual journey. We all, 289 00:30:44.565 --> 00:30:46.205 I believe want to be this type of person. 290 00:30:47.105 --> 00:30:51.885 We want to be the type of person who blesses others with that level of 291 00:30:52.065 --> 00:30:54.525 impact and joy and dedication. 292 00:30:55.085 --> 00:30:59.445 I believe that we all wish to be what we read together in the proverbs, 293 00:30:59.645 --> 00:31:01.805 a soul of blessing. 294 00:31:02.985 --> 00:31:05.925 And yet as inspiring as Mr. Rosenwald story is, 295 00:31:06.825 --> 00:31:09.885 and as much as we might wish to be that type of person, 296 00:31:10.195 --> 00:31:14.805 there's an equal and opposite counter motivator that we face. 297 00:31:15.105 --> 00:31:18.485 Here's what it is. Often giving feels like losing, 298 00:31:19.545 --> 00:31:24.365 giving feels like losing. Whether you are in touch with that feeling or not. 299 00:31:24.525 --> 00:31:26.845 I imagine if you did a quick inventory of your heart, 300 00:31:27.065 --> 00:31:28.805 you would find some resonance there. 301 00:31:29.065 --> 00:31:32.325 Giving for many of us feels like a loss. 302 00:31:32.505 --> 00:31:36.765 We may feel like we're losing out on something that we want or something that we 303 00:31:36.766 --> 00:31:41.125 think we need. Perhaps we feel a loss of our sense of security or, 304 00:31:41.265 --> 00:31:43.765 or maybe even control whatever it is. 305 00:31:44.185 --> 00:31:46.485 Giving feels like loss, 306 00:31:46.615 --> 00:31:49.325 especially when you can't see where it's initially going. 307 00:31:51.665 --> 00:31:53.325 If you invest in a kingdom endeavor, 308 00:31:54.825 --> 00:31:58.045 it might not immediately yield the return that you're gonna see much like Mr. 309 00:31:58.275 --> 00:32:02.165 Rosenwald. And so it might not feel like you're getting anything back. 310 00:32:02.305 --> 00:32:03.485 But here's the thing, 311 00:32:04.185 --> 00:32:08.045 and I'm talking specifically to those of us who say we practice the way of 312 00:32:08.135 --> 00:32:11.285 Jesus. If you don't practice the way of Jesus, you are off the hook. 313 00:32:11.985 --> 00:32:15.885 But for those of us who say we practice the way of Jesus, here's the thing. 314 00:32:16.705 --> 00:32:19.965 If we believe that our God will supply every need, 315 00:32:20.705 --> 00:32:23.325 if we believe that our God this is right outta your Bible, 316 00:32:24.125 --> 00:32:27.125 supplies every need and owns the cattle on on a thousand hills, 317 00:32:27.465 --> 00:32:32.245 if we believe that God will return our generosity with his 318 00:32:32.246 --> 00:32:37.045 abundance, the Bible says press down, shaken together and running over, 319 00:32:38.805 --> 00:32:42.325 then giving should not feel like losing. 320 00:32:43.425 --> 00:32:46.245 And I can empathize. I'm gonna tell you a very embarrassing story. 321 00:32:48.195 --> 00:32:52.755 I remember feeling like I was losing every time I gave and there was even a 322 00:32:52.756 --> 00:32:54.635 time. This is, this is so shameful. 323 00:32:55.365 --> 00:32:59.395 There was even a time that I gave and then a few days later I unga, 324 00:33:00.695 --> 00:33:04.755 you can laugh. I know it's uncomfortable. It's okay. Let it out. I unga. 325 00:33:06.115 --> 00:33:08.915 I attended a conference for pastors 'cause that's what pastors do. 326 00:33:10.015 --> 00:33:11.155 And on the final day, 327 00:33:11.215 --> 00:33:14.635 the organizers asked the attendees to consider making an investment in the work 328 00:33:14.636 --> 00:33:18.075 so that more people would be able to come to the conference. The next year, I, 329 00:33:18.195 --> 00:33:20.555 I felt prompted. I felt moved by the Holy Spirit. 330 00:33:20.715 --> 00:33:24.035 I felt compelled they were doing good work. I wanted to be a part of it. 331 00:33:24.395 --> 00:33:26.515 I prayed and asked God what to give. 332 00:33:26.535 --> 00:33:30.635 And then I gave and a couple of days later before the check, yes a check, 333 00:33:30.636 --> 00:33:34.515 some of you have never seen a check, but a check had cleared my account. 334 00:33:35.035 --> 00:33:35.868 I freaked out. 335 00:33:37.275 --> 00:33:40.955 I was afraid that I wouldn't have enough money to make it through the rest of 336 00:33:40.956 --> 00:33:41.196 the month. 337 00:33:41.196 --> 00:33:46.155 So I called my bank shamefully and I stopped the check and I 338 00:33:46.156 --> 00:33:49.435 felt so crushed because I knew I had disobeyed God. 339 00:33:50.265 --> 00:33:55.035 Well the month went on and it turned out that I had enough to have given even 340 00:33:55.065 --> 00:33:56.475 more than the sum that I gave. 341 00:33:57.455 --> 00:34:00.315 But I was so afraid of losing something. 342 00:34:01.295 --> 00:34:05.955 And so in need of control that I missed an 343 00:34:05.956 --> 00:34:09.835 opportunity to be a blessing and thereby be blessed. 344 00:34:09.905 --> 00:34:11.114 It's a shameful story. 345 00:34:12.375 --> 00:34:16.875 But my hope as always is that my transparency will 346 00:34:16.945 --> 00:34:20.035 cultivate a culture of honesty in our community. Amen. 347 00:34:21.705 --> 00:34:26.035 Fast forward to today by God's grace alone. And hear me say it again. 348 00:34:26.055 --> 00:34:30.675 By God's grace alone, this is not a humble brag of any kind. Brianna, 349 00:34:30.676 --> 00:34:35.435 my wife and I are now able to give away about 17% of our 350 00:34:35.436 --> 00:34:39.915 yearly income. And maybe you're wondering what changed and when. 351 00:34:40.864 --> 00:34:42.155 Well, about 11 years ago, 352 00:34:43.035 --> 00:34:47.475 I received a clear and straightforward understanding from God while I was 353 00:34:47.476 --> 00:34:48.475 reading the scriptures. 354 00:34:48.655 --> 00:34:53.555 It became unavoidably clear to me that nothing I 355 00:34:53.665 --> 00:34:57.114 have is mine. I don't own anything, 356 00:34:58.135 --> 00:35:01.435 but I get to manage everything that God has entrusted to me. 357 00:35:02.255 --> 00:35:05.955 Now maybe I'm slow. You know, maybe you had this epiphany years ago. 358 00:35:05.995 --> 00:35:08.114 I have had multiple concussions, you know that. 359 00:35:08.775 --> 00:35:11.755 And so maybe I'm on on the train a little later than you, 360 00:35:12.815 --> 00:35:17.114 but I did not see it until I was 32 years old and already 361 00:35:17.225 --> 00:35:20.475 pastoring a church. And when I be, 362 00:35:20.955 --> 00:35:25.755 begin to finally see myself as a manager of God's 363 00:35:25.844 --> 00:35:27.715 stuff, listen to this, don't miss this. 364 00:35:28.835 --> 00:35:33.635 A manager of God's stuff rather than an owner of my stuff. 365 00:35:34.715 --> 00:35:38.965 Brianna and I started to give big and in faith and our family began to 366 00:35:38.966 --> 00:35:41.445 experience immense blessing of every kind. 367 00:35:41.445 --> 00:35:43.005 And when you hear me say the word blessing, 368 00:35:43.065 --> 00:35:45.844 I'm not talking about wishing a Lamborghini into your driveway. 369 00:35:46.025 --> 00:35:47.005 That's not the gospel. 370 00:35:48.585 --> 00:35:52.364 I'm talking about blessing that far exceeds even monetary blessing. 371 00:35:52.985 --> 00:35:55.405 And yet the Bible even promises some of that as well. 372 00:35:55.425 --> 00:36:00.285 And so today I wanna share four truths concerning money and possessions 373 00:36:00.315 --> 00:36:04.765 that are helping me grow into a soul of blessing. 374 00:36:05.265 --> 00:36:08.325 And I believe they can help you too. But here's a quick note. 375 00:36:08.326 --> 00:36:10.565 Here's a quick note For those of you who are new here, 376 00:36:10.566 --> 00:36:15.245 whether online or in the room or those wrestling with their faith, 377 00:36:16.105 --> 00:36:17.965 you're probably thinking to yourself, great. 378 00:36:19.245 --> 00:36:23.525 I show up to church and they get the biggest dude on the teaching team to shake 379 00:36:23.526 --> 00:36:25.405 me down for money. , 380 00:36:28.005 --> 00:36:32.844 I wanna put your mind at ease. Okay? Today's not about that. 381 00:36:34.335 --> 00:36:39.195 Giving to God through your local church is not something to be forced or feared. 382 00:36:39.695 --> 00:36:40.995 Can I get a good amen on that? 383 00:36:42.995 --> 00:36:45.775 It is the convergence of two things. 384 00:36:46.765 --> 00:36:51.614 Your own personal spiritual journey of becoming a soul 385 00:36:51.615 --> 00:36:56.175 of blessing and your own trust in what God 386 00:36:56.755 --> 00:37:01.495 is doing in a local church. And so today is not about that. 387 00:37:01.815 --> 00:37:03.895 It's it's only about the first part of the equation. 388 00:37:04.915 --> 00:37:09.895 Our personal spiritual journey toward becoming a soul 389 00:37:10.114 --> 00:37:13.295 of blessing. And my singular hope today, 390 00:37:13.955 --> 00:37:18.495 my singular hope is that at the end of this, you will take just one step, 391 00:37:19.594 --> 00:37:24.375 one step forward on your spiritual journey toward generosity, 392 00:37:24.815 --> 00:37:27.375 whatever that looks like for you. So I'm gonna tell you this, 393 00:37:27.376 --> 00:37:28.815 take out your pen and paper, 394 00:37:28.915 --> 00:37:32.695 get your Presbyterian amens ready 'cause you want to write this down. Okay? 395 00:37:33.114 --> 00:37:35.695 The first principle or the first truth, 396 00:37:35.696 --> 00:37:39.255 rather we call the cosmic ownership principle. 397 00:37:39.755 --> 00:37:43.775 The cosmic ownership principle. God owns it all. 398 00:37:44.475 --> 00:37:48.415 God owns it all. The psalmist writes this in Psalm 24, 399 00:37:48.755 --> 00:37:50.535 the Earth and everything in it, 400 00:37:51.114 --> 00:37:54.735 the world and its inhabitants belonged to the Lord. 401 00:37:55.355 --> 00:38:00.015 For he laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the 402 00:38:00.016 --> 00:38:04.855 rivers. The psalmist tells us that all created things, anate and inanimate, 403 00:38:04.905 --> 00:38:09.495 human and animal material and immaterial belong to God. 404 00:38:09.875 --> 00:38:14.335 All of it is His why, because he made it all. He shapes it all, 405 00:38:14.635 --> 00:38:17.655 he sustains it all. He holds it all together. 406 00:38:17.725 --> 00:38:19.935 Paul says by the word of his power, 407 00:38:21.755 --> 00:38:22.985 it all belongs to him. 408 00:38:24.525 --> 00:38:27.385 And given that everything in the known and unknown world belongs to God, 409 00:38:29.065 --> 00:38:32.105 that it stands to reason that what we have in our hands, 410 00:38:33.015 --> 00:38:35.570 what we have in our pockets, what we have in our accounts, 411 00:38:35.635 --> 00:38:38.125 what we have in our properties, what we have in assets, 412 00:38:38.665 --> 00:38:40.565 all of that belongs to him too. 413 00:38:40.955 --> 00:38:45.725 It's His God owns everything. And if God owns everything, 414 00:38:45.726 --> 00:38:48.364 guess what that means that I own nothing. 415 00:38:49.185 --> 00:38:52.085 That's the cosmic ownership principle. In his book, 416 00:38:52.086 --> 00:38:55.605 the Treasure principle author Randy Alcorn, great book by the, 417 00:38:55.785 --> 00:38:57.844 by the way you should read it, uh, 418 00:38:57.905 --> 00:39:01.285 shares a story of a local business owner who experienced this epiphany. 419 00:39:01.455 --> 00:39:06.085 Jerry Craven had a successful restaurant chain. He, he had two banks, 420 00:39:06.225 --> 00:39:11.045 not one, but two a ranch. He's basically living my dream life, okay? 421 00:39:11.195 --> 00:39:14.525 Real estate ventures. And at age 59, 422 00:39:15.255 --> 00:39:17.285 Jerry began looking toward retirement. 423 00:39:17.425 --> 00:39:20.085 Who here would like to retire by 59 ? That's, 424 00:39:20.355 --> 00:39:23.645 it's not gonna happen for most of us. Let's just, we're gonna work forever. 425 00:39:24.525 --> 00:39:29.094 'cause the interest rates keep climbing. Age 59, 426 00:39:29.095 --> 00:39:30.175 he was looking toward retirement. 427 00:39:31.315 --> 00:39:33.775 He began searching for a lovely lakeside property. 428 00:39:35.715 --> 00:39:39.055 And then I imagine he was sitting in a worship service at some point in his life 429 00:39:39.056 --> 00:39:42.975 and God got a hold of his heart and turned it into a different direction, 430 00:39:43.515 --> 00:39:45.055 toward greater giving instead. 431 00:39:45.795 --> 00:39:49.495 And when asked what changed his attitude toward giving, this is what, 432 00:39:49.645 --> 00:39:54.094 this is what Jerry said. Look at it. He said it was realizing 433 00:39:55.625 --> 00:39:56.458 God's ownership. 434 00:39:57.765 --> 00:40:02.135 Once we understood that we were giving away God's money 435 00:40:02.594 --> 00:40:03.855 to do God's work, 436 00:40:04.275 --> 00:40:09.135 we discovered a peace and a joy we never 437 00:40:09.515 --> 00:40:13.094 had back when we thought it was our money. 438 00:40:14.355 --> 00:40:17.375 It clicked for Jerry. God owns everything. 439 00:40:18.155 --> 00:40:22.335 So he gets to decide what happens with what Jerry and his wife possess. 440 00:40:22.395 --> 00:40:25.335 God owns it all. In fact, Hagga I two eight says this, 441 00:40:25.614 --> 00:40:29.295 the silver is mine and the gold is mine, says the Lord of hosts. 442 00:40:29.594 --> 00:40:31.455 One can't get more precise than that. 443 00:40:32.515 --> 00:40:34.614 The currency itself belongs to God, 444 00:40:34.915 --> 00:40:37.735 not just the land and the people and the polar ends of the universe. 445 00:40:38.114 --> 00:40:42.535 It all belongs to him. And so if you want to be a soul of blessing, 446 00:40:43.635 --> 00:40:47.135 the first step is to accept that you own nothing. 447 00:40:47.885 --> 00:40:50.655 Nothing you have is yours. 448 00:40:50.656 --> 00:40:53.455 Knowing God owns everything leads us to the second truth. 449 00:40:54.195 --> 00:40:59.015 And that is that we manage God's money, we manage God's money. 450 00:40:59.715 --> 00:41:01.655 The stewardship principle, that's what that's called. 451 00:41:01.715 --> 00:41:05.815 The stewardship principle tells us that we have the privilege. Listen, 452 00:41:06.275 --> 00:41:09.055 the privilege of managing God's possessions, 453 00:41:09.785 --> 00:41:13.575 being God's manager is a noble calling. 454 00:41:14.555 --> 00:41:17.055 Now you may be thinking to yourself as I have in the past, 455 00:41:17.445 --> 00:41:22.055 well I made this money, I'm the one working 60, 70, 80 hours a week, 456 00:41:22.075 --> 00:41:27.055 90 hours a week I made this money. But as a follow of the way of Jesus, 457 00:41:28.275 --> 00:41:30.094 how do we reconcile thinking that? 458 00:41:30.114 --> 00:41:32.295 And this is a question I've asked myself in the past. 459 00:41:32.635 --> 00:41:35.125 How do I reconcile thinking that with God's own words? 460 00:41:35.126 --> 00:41:39.965 Listen to it from Deuteronomy eight 17 through 18. You may say to yourself, 461 00:41:39.995 --> 00:41:43.965 it's almost like the Bible has something to address everything that we might be 462 00:41:43.966 --> 00:41:46.844 thinking. You may say to yourself, 463 00:41:47.864 --> 00:41:51.965 my power and my own ability have gained this wealth from me. 464 00:41:52.625 --> 00:41:55.045 But remember that the Lord, 465 00:41:55.235 --> 00:41:59.605 your God gives you the power to gain wealth 466 00:42:00.465 --> 00:42:05.205 in order to confirm his covenant that he swore to your 467 00:42:05.206 --> 00:42:05.905 ancestors, 468 00:42:05.905 --> 00:42:10.725 as it is to God gives us the power to get money. 469 00:42:11.305 --> 00:42:14.445 So do you see how these are building on one another? God owns it. 470 00:42:15.425 --> 00:42:19.085 God gives us the power to get it, which reasonably means what? 471 00:42:19.195 --> 00:42:22.405 That God expects good management of his stuff. 472 00:42:23.065 --> 00:42:27.165 And so hearing that at minimum should make us ask the question and am I a good 473 00:42:27.594 --> 00:42:32.405 manager of God's stuff? Okay, so God owns it all. 474 00:42:33.364 --> 00:42:37.925 We have the privilege of managing God's possessions, stewardship principle, 475 00:42:37.926 --> 00:42:39.405 the cosmic ownership principle. 476 00:42:39.825 --> 00:42:44.085 And then the third truth comes from Jesus' own words and and it is this, 477 00:42:45.105 --> 00:42:49.045 my heart follows where I put God's money. 478 00:42:49.675 --> 00:42:50.725 It's a heart principle. 479 00:42:51.465 --> 00:42:54.725 My heart follows where I put God's money. 480 00:42:54.726 --> 00:42:57.245 Look at Matthew six 19 through 21 with me. 481 00:42:57.535 --> 00:43:02.285 Don't store up treasures here on earth where moths eat them 482 00:43:02.985 --> 00:43:04.965 and rust destroys them. 483 00:43:05.655 --> 00:43:08.045 Where thieves break in and steal them. 484 00:43:08.105 --> 00:43:13.045 Rather store your treasure in heaven where moths and rust cannot 485 00:43:13.275 --> 00:43:16.645 destroy, where thieves do not break in and steal. 486 00:43:16.875 --> 00:43:21.085 Because wherever your treasure is there, 487 00:43:21.305 --> 00:43:24.125 the desires of your heart will be also. 488 00:43:25.385 --> 00:43:26.725 Martin Luther said this, 489 00:43:26.755 --> 00:43:31.165 show me where a man spends his time and his money 490 00:43:31.945 --> 00:43:36.015 and I will show you his God, our spending, 491 00:43:37.075 --> 00:43:39.855 our saving if we do it, our investments, 492 00:43:39.856 --> 00:43:43.735 if we're able our giving or lack thereof, 493 00:43:44.675 --> 00:43:47.455 it reflects our heart and our priorities. 494 00:43:48.555 --> 00:43:53.015 It may be worth noting today that Jesus talked about money 495 00:43:53.844 --> 00:43:57.455 more than he did life or death, heaven or Hell, 496 00:43:58.094 --> 00:44:01.575 13 of his parables or about money in possessions. Why is that? 497 00:44:02.815 --> 00:44:05.585 Because that is the thing that holds so tightly to our hearts. 498 00:44:07.455 --> 00:44:09.435 And if he can get that, then he's got all of us. 499 00:44:10.225 --> 00:44:14.355 He's got every part of us by telling us that our hearts follow our treasure. 500 00:44:14.685 --> 00:44:17.515 Jesus is essentially saying, show me your bank account. 501 00:44:17.985 --> 00:44:21.155 Show me your credit card statement. Show me your receipts. 502 00:44:21.555 --> 00:44:25.915 I will show you where your heart is. Money leads, heart follows. 503 00:44:27.094 --> 00:44:29.635 If you want giving to feel like gain and not loss, 504 00:44:30.585 --> 00:44:35.325 then you have to let your heart be led to eternal endeavors and not 505 00:44:35.364 --> 00:44:38.285 temporal ones. A w to you said this, 506 00:44:38.305 --> 00:44:42.245 any temporal possession can be turned into everlasting wealth. 507 00:44:42.965 --> 00:44:46.725 Whatever is given to Christ is immediately touched with immortality. 508 00:44:49.295 --> 00:44:52.114 So we have the cosmic ownership principle, the stewardship principle, 509 00:44:52.135 --> 00:44:53.155 the heart principle. 510 00:44:54.055 --> 00:44:58.195 And the final truth that I'll share today is this. 511 00:44:58.465 --> 00:45:03.395 Give God your first and your best and you will be blessed. 512 00:45:04.665 --> 00:45:08.675 Give God your first. I didn't even mean to rhyme that it just happened. 513 00:45:09.795 --> 00:45:10.628 It just happened. 514 00:45:11.344 --> 00:45:16.235 Give God your first and your best and you will be blessed. Well, 515 00:45:16.236 --> 00:45:19.635 where do you get that from? Pastor. It's the first fruits principle. 516 00:45:20.635 --> 00:45:25.635 Proverbs three, nine through 10. Honor the Lord with the what? 517 00:45:26.605 --> 00:45:31.075 First of your possessions and the first of your produce, 518 00:45:31.335 --> 00:45:35.915 of your entire harvest. Then. So there's an if then clause here, 519 00:45:36.425 --> 00:45:41.195 then your barns will be completely filled and your vats will overflow with new 520 00:45:41.196 --> 00:45:44.315 wine. Can we get a shout for some new wine? Bless God. 521 00:45:45.695 --> 00:45:47.875 The rest of you're Baptist. I know. Um, 522 00:45:49.895 --> 00:45:54.075 now we don't typically deal in produce. All right there, 523 00:45:54.076 --> 00:45:57.675 there's a urban farming thing going on in Atlanta that I don't understand, 524 00:45:58.505 --> 00:46:01.594 like there's goats just hanging out in people's front yards. And you know, 525 00:46:01.614 --> 00:46:05.355 I'm like subway weight or trains going by, 526 00:46:05.635 --> 00:46:09.875 buses going by the goats just looking. So, so that is happening. 527 00:46:10.695 --> 00:46:13.995 In fact, our worship pastor has a full garden in his backyard, 528 00:46:15.295 --> 00:46:19.315 but most of us don't deal in produce. And so how does this apply? Well, 529 00:46:19.665 --> 00:46:22.835 back then, this was the currency. They didn't have gold and, 530 00:46:23.395 --> 00:46:24.835 and and silver the way that we do now. 531 00:46:24.836 --> 00:46:28.195 They certainly didn't have paper money the way they did that they dealt was in 532 00:46:28.196 --> 00:46:32.075 trading. Trading what they grew, what they raised, 533 00:46:32.425 --> 00:46:35.515 what they had in land and possessions. 534 00:46:36.575 --> 00:46:38.955 And so the principle here in Proverbs three is saying, 535 00:46:38.956 --> 00:46:43.875 give God your first and your best and you will be blessed hearing in varying 536 00:46:43.876 --> 00:46:47.475 places in the scriptures and through the lens of varying authors. 537 00:46:47.495 --> 00:46:49.995 We see this as the first fruits principle. Why? 538 00:46:51.035 --> 00:46:56.005 Because what we believe about God is most 539 00:46:56.075 --> 00:47:00.614 evident in what we do with money and possessions. 540 00:47:01.685 --> 00:47:03.535 When you give God your first and your best, 541 00:47:04.475 --> 00:47:07.575 you're showing that your deepest affection is toward him. 542 00:47:08.125 --> 00:47:13.055 This is a discipleship issue and intertwined in that affection and 543 00:47:13.445 --> 00:47:16.135 intertwined in that relational bond, God says, 544 00:47:16.395 --> 00:47:20.415 is unspeakable blessing for us. And so Solomon tells us, 545 00:47:20.864 --> 00:47:25.575 honor God with your best honor means to hold him in high esteem 546 00:47:25.844 --> 00:47:28.375 with your first and your best. 547 00:47:30.505 --> 00:47:31.265 In most sense, 548 00:47:31.265 --> 00:47:35.885 you'll find yourself in the midst of biblical math where the more you give, 549 00:47:36.905 --> 00:47:39.165 the more you seem to have to give. 550 00:47:41.065 --> 00:47:44.405 He certainly understood this principle as he wrote in in, 551 00:47:44.425 --> 00:47:46.325 in the rest of Proverbs chapter 11. 552 00:47:47.665 --> 00:47:50.925 One person gives freely yet gains more. 553 00:47:52.575 --> 00:47:55.305 Another person withholds what is right, 554 00:47:56.455 --> 00:47:57.985 only to become poor. 555 00:47:59.665 --> 00:48:03.105 A generous person will be enriched. 556 00:48:05.045 --> 00:48:09.625 And so when we roll all of these together, the cosmic ownership principle, 557 00:48:09.626 --> 00:48:14.025 the stewardship principle, the heart principle, the first fruits principle, 558 00:48:14.995 --> 00:48:19.614 and we understand the biblical narrative that God is writing about, 559 00:48:19.755 --> 00:48:22.135 how we handle what he entrusts to us, 560 00:48:22.445 --> 00:48:25.455 then our thinking gets reversed. 561 00:48:26.075 --> 00:48:29.255 And we no longer think that giving is losing. 562 00:48:29.594 --> 00:48:33.375 No giving is gain. Giving is gain. 563 00:48:33.555 --> 00:48:35.975 It is not lost. It is gain. 564 00:48:36.275 --> 00:48:39.895 And when we choose to join God in blessing this world, 565 00:48:40.155 --> 00:48:45.015 he continually restocks our shelves so that we always 566 00:48:45.205 --> 00:48:50.094 have more to bless others with. And for those of you who are nerds like me, 567 00:48:50.335 --> 00:48:51.775 lemme give you a little science as well. 568 00:48:53.415 --> 00:48:57.735 Evidence shows that consistent givers even beyond 569 00:48:57.935 --> 00:48:59.695 finances, let's not get locked in there. 570 00:49:00.525 --> 00:49:04.975 Even beyond finances are blessed. This is what the evidence shows, 571 00:49:05.005 --> 00:49:08.535 that they are happier than those who do not give consistently. 572 00:49:08.685 --> 00:49:11.215 That they suffer fewer illnesses and injuries. 573 00:49:11.695 --> 00:49:15.335 I don't even know how that's related. That they live a greater purpose, 574 00:49:15.405 --> 00:49:17.695 that they experience less depression. 575 00:49:17.696 --> 00:49:22.015 Giving according to science is a sort of miracle drug. 576 00:49:24.815 --> 00:49:29.635 And it's an opportunity for us to participate in the wonderful work that God is 577 00:49:29.636 --> 00:49:31.635 doing in the world. Now, 578 00:49:32.015 --> 00:49:36.795 if you're not yet a follow the way of Jesus or you are generally suspicious of 579 00:49:36.796 --> 00:49:40.915 the church, then today could feel like a high hurdle. 580 00:49:42.055 --> 00:49:45.515 And I wanna pull as much of that down as possible before we close our time. 581 00:49:46.775 --> 00:49:50.555 You may have thought that people only give under compulsion or pressure or 582 00:49:50.605 --> 00:49:54.675 guilt, but the scriptures are clear that it's not supposed to be that way. 583 00:49:55.135 --> 00:49:58.114 Giving is a response to God's generosity. 584 00:49:59.695 --> 00:50:01.435 God was the one that went first. 585 00:50:02.575 --> 00:50:07.395 God went first when he gave Jesus to the world before we gave him anything. 586 00:50:08.655 --> 00:50:13.195 And Jesus came to this earth and he lived perfectly and he died tragically and 587 00:50:13.395 --> 00:50:16.715 unjustly at the hands of his own people in the Roman government. 588 00:50:16.895 --> 00:50:18.715 But only because he allowed it. 589 00:50:19.055 --> 00:50:23.995 He gave his life so that you and I could receive forgiveness for rejecting his 590 00:50:23.996 --> 00:50:24.955 love and his leadership. 591 00:50:25.055 --> 00:50:29.285 He gave his life so that you and I could live an eternal and 592 00:50:29.645 --> 00:50:32.965 abundant life. Anything we give to God, 593 00:50:33.725 --> 00:50:38.045 anything we give to God is a response to the generosity he extended to us first. 594 00:50:39.344 --> 00:50:41.285 Not an effort to earn anything from him. 595 00:50:43.425 --> 00:50:46.385 And so the invitation today, if you are not yet a follower of Jesus, 596 00:50:47.785 --> 00:50:52.705 is to commit to following Jesus so that you see what life with him 597 00:50:52.805 --> 00:50:56.905 is actually about. This is not a shakedown, it's an invitation. 598 00:50:58.085 --> 00:50:59.225 In fact, here's what I want to do. 599 00:50:59.305 --> 00:51:03.785 I want to give you a chance to today to either commit or recommit your life to 600 00:51:03.864 --> 00:51:06.025 Jesus. I don't know if you guys do this here, 601 00:51:06.026 --> 00:51:08.425 but I'm gonna ask you to humor me for a moment. Every head bowed, 602 00:51:08.426 --> 00:51:09.259 every eye close. 603 00:51:10.205 --> 00:51:14.825 If today is a day that you want to recommit or commit your life to Jesus, 604 00:51:14.835 --> 00:51:17.545 would you just let me know by slipping up your hands so I can pray for you? 605 00:51:17.575 --> 00:51:19.505 Amen. I see that. Anybody else, 606 00:51:22.015 --> 00:51:24.235 if today is that day for you, praise God, 607 00:51:25.355 --> 00:51:29.395 I wanna invite you to do a second thing. It's a simple prayer. A simple prayer. 608 00:51:29.396 --> 00:51:32.515 And this, it's not a magical prayer. There's no magic in the prayer. 609 00:51:32.545 --> 00:51:37.355 It's just words to gather our thoughts around what Jesus might be doing 610 00:51:37.356 --> 00:51:40.235 in your heart. And if you wanna pray this with me, 611 00:51:40.236 --> 00:51:44.355 you can pray quietly right there in your seat to yourself or on your couch or 612 00:51:44.356 --> 00:51:47.875 kitchen table, wherever you are. Jesus, I trust you. 613 00:51:49.594 --> 00:51:52.555 I regret rejecting your love and your leadership. 614 00:51:53.795 --> 00:51:58.155 I accept your forgiveness. I commit to following you. 615 00:52:00.415 --> 00:52:03.435 Now, if you all would indulge me one more time, 616 00:52:04.415 --> 00:52:07.555 the Bible says that when one person returns to the Lord, 617 00:52:07.575 --> 00:52:08.715 all of heaven celebrates. 618 00:52:08.735 --> 00:52:13.114 Can we celebrate together that somebody's life changed for eternity today? 619 00:52:15.025 --> 00:52:15.858 Amen. 620 00:52:18.575 --> 00:52:22.275 If you prayed that prayer in faith and you're here in the room, 621 00:52:22.415 --> 00:52:25.955 I'm gonna invite you to let us know by texting follow to 622 00:52:25.956 --> 00:52:30.795 7 2 9 8 9 text follow to 7 2 9 8 9. 623 00:52:30.796 --> 00:52:35.155 And we will help you take the next step into life united with Jesus and his 624 00:52:35.156 --> 00:52:39.235 people. And if you're online with us, just type in the chat, follow, 625 00:52:39.545 --> 00:52:40.594 just type it in the chat. 626 00:52:40.795 --> 00:52:44.515 And one of our pastors will circle back with you as soon as they can. 627 00:52:45.094 --> 00:52:48.555 And then I'll make one other invitation that somebody's gonna be watching this 628 00:52:48.614 --> 00:52:49.447 on demand. 629 00:52:49.895 --> 00:52:52.555 You're gonna be watching it in the middle of the night or on your lunch break 630 00:52:52.614 --> 00:52:55.075 or, or at some point in the future. And, and, 631 00:52:55.355 --> 00:52:59.035 and if this is your moment to commit or recommit to Jesus, 632 00:53:00.105 --> 00:53:00.995 just send that text, 633 00:53:01.395 --> 00:53:06.395 follow to 7 2 9 8 9 and we will 634 00:53:06.396 --> 00:53:10.355 walk with you toward the abundant life that Jesus promises 635 00:53:12.175 --> 00:53:14.635 to everyone. Our invitation today is clear, 636 00:53:16.255 --> 00:53:18.435 become a soul of blessing. 637 00:53:19.935 --> 00:53:24.875 Strive to live so that your generosity with all that God 638 00:53:24.876 --> 00:53:29.325 has entrusted to you makes everything better everywhere 639 00:53:29.705 --> 00:53:30.538 you are. 640 00:53:31.594 --> 00:53:35.965 Take one step and here's what I promise, 641 00:53:37.364 --> 00:53:40.525 I promise you that while it won't 642 00:53:41.835 --> 00:53:42.668 immediate, 643 00:53:42.835 --> 00:53:47.085 most likely you will begin to see your heart. 644 00:53:47.585 --> 00:53:51.685 Follow Jesus in a new open-handed way. 645 00:53:52.745 --> 00:53:56.844 And your soul, your soul will grow fat 646 00:53:58.344 --> 00:54:01.325 and your life will become richer. 647 00:54:02.885 --> 00:54:06.685 I see hope community as a church of overwhelming 648 00:54:07.535 --> 00:54:11.725 generosity and overwhelmingly blessed people. 649 00:54:12.645 --> 00:54:16.925 I see hope as a church that the surrounding community cannot live without. 650 00:54:16.926 --> 00:54:21.405 That if these doors were to close, then the whole triangle would suffer. 651 00:54:23.225 --> 00:54:26.085 And for us to live into being that community, 652 00:54:27.885 --> 00:54:30.844 then we must see giving as gain. 653 00:54:32.185 --> 00:54:37.045 We must see God as owner and we 654 00:54:37.046 --> 00:54:42.045 have to trust him with open hands and everything 655 00:54:42.046 --> 00:54:42.879 around us. 656 00:54:43.575 --> 00:54:48.405 Everything around us will become more transformed 657 00:54:49.185 --> 00:54:52.245 and reflective of the kingdom of God. 658 00:54:53.225 --> 00:54:55.925 If you want to be a part of that, I'm gonna ask you one more time, 659 00:54:57.045 --> 00:54:58.165 give me a good amen. 660 00:54:59.205 --> 00:54:59.585 Amen. 661 00:54:59.585 --> 00:55:04.565 Father, we thank you now in the name of Jesus that when you speak, 662 00:55:04.585 --> 00:55:09.445 we listen even when it's something that is disquieting or 663 00:55:09.594 --> 00:55:13.085 uncomfortable. And so we pray now 664 00:55:14.795 --> 00:55:18.485 that whatever is stirring in our hearts that you were directed to, 665 00:55:19.685 --> 00:55:24.485 to your ends and that your spirit would do the work that only your spirit 666 00:55:24.665 --> 00:55:25.498 can do 667 00:55:26.945 --> 00:55:31.605 and that we would truly be changed to people when we reenter 668 00:55:31.985 --> 00:55:33.045 the world tomorrow, 669 00:55:34.385 --> 00:55:37.605 we ask it all in the precious and matchless name of Jesus. 670 00:55:38.715 --> 00:55:40.925 Amen And amen. Thank you guys.