The Dialog

In 2007, I was a sophomore at Oral Roberts University. One night they woke us up and sent us to the chapel to pray because "the school was under attack." By Christmas, the president had resigned, ORU was $50 million in debt, and none of us knew if there would be a spring semester. Then the Green family, the founders of Hobby Lobby, wrote a $62 million check that came with conditions.

Prosperity nearly destroyed that school. Prosperity also saved it.

How can the same thing do so much bad and so much good at the same time?

That's the question for Season 2 of The Dialog, a series on God and money. Not what the prosperity gospel says. Not what its critics say. What the Bible actually says about money, wealth, and winning in life God's way.

In this episode, I talk about where I've been and why I say no to so much. I also share the three priorities that run my life. And I give you the assumption I want you to start this season with: you're probably wrong. So am I. Let's find out where.

Don't take my word for it. Search it for yourself.

Scriptures
Ephesians 2:10 · John 14:6 · Matthew 7:13-14 · John 10:10 · Deuteronomy 8:18 · Isaiah 55:8-9 · Romans 11:33-36

People and ideas referenced
Erwin McManus: "I reserve the right to change my mind"
C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves: we think we choose our friends, but God chooses them for us
Oral Roberts University: the 2007 crisis and the Green family's rescue
The 1964 Surgeon General's report on smoking

Chapters
0:00 Cold open and show intro
0:51 Why Season 2 took so long
4:12 Why I say no to so much
6:52 Get-tos, not have-tos
7:59 Ephesians 2:10: you are God's masterpiece
9:15 The three priorities that run my life
14:05 Season 2: what the Bible says about money
14:41 Does God only care about eternity?
16:05 Abundant life (John 14:6, John 10:10)
16:58 Broke or guilty about wealth? (Deuteronomy 8:18)
18:00 The Catholic Church and the vow of poverty
21:05 Growing up around the prosperity gospel
22:34 2007: the night ORU sent us to pray
23:33 A lawsuit, a resignation and $50 million in debt
25:10 The Green family's $62 million check
27:23 Oral Roberts' legacy and stewardship
29:20 Are God and money incompatible?
30:43 The prosperity gospel straw man
31:30 Start with Scripture, not what you were taught
32:26 Can anyone be unbiased?
33:25 My problem with debates
35:02 Safety of beliefs vs. adventure of truth
36:10 Why change travels slower than truth
39:18 Start with this assumption: you're probably wrong
40:00 Isaiah 55: God's thoughts are higher than ours
40:55 Romans 11:33-36: who can know the Lord's thoughts?
44:43 Questions, not conclusions
48:16 Next: Does God want me to be rich?

Previous: 1.43 / 39 lessons in 39 years (Season 1 finale)
Next: 2.2 / Does God want me to be rich? What the Bible actually says

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What is The Dialog?

Ancient philosophers used the dialog to find answers to life’s greatest questions. The Dialog is a search for truth in modern life through the lens of ancient philosophy, history, and theology. This podcast will challenge your assumptions, change your thinking and show you how to master modern living.