WEBVTT NOTE Podcast: Acts 29 Vancouver Episode: Unprecedented Living: Ruling over Resources Publishing Date: 2009-05-17T06:00:44-07:00 Podcast URL: https://acts29.ca Episode URL: https://acts29.ca/unprecedented-living-ruling-over-resources/ 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.360 We've been dealing with unprecedented living. 00:00:02.360 --> 00:00:08.520 And so last week we dealt with what it is to live in life more abundant. 00:00:08.520 --> 00:00:14.520 And I've said that life more abundant applies to different areas of our lives. 00:00:14.520 --> 00:00:16.840 And we talked about healing last week. 00:00:16.840 --> 00:00:20.680 And this week we begin to talk about wealth or money. 00:00:20.680 --> 00:00:22.560 That's what we're going to talk about this week. 00:00:22.560 --> 00:00:29.920 And this may be one of maybe two or three such topics on wealth or resources. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.040 But we begin here. This is the foundation for it. 00:00:33.040 --> 00:00:38.040 So we've often talked about us being priest-kings. 00:00:38.040 --> 00:00:42.840 And because we are priest-kings, we often talk about reigning and ruling. 00:00:42.840 --> 00:00:44.240 So here's my question to you. 00:00:44.240 --> 00:00:49.120 Is there a difference between reigning and ruling? 00:00:49.120 --> 00:00:54.120 Is there a difference between reigning and ruling or is it just semantics? 00:01:00.880 --> 00:01:03.880 Priest-kings are called to reign and rule. Is there a difference? 00:01:05.880 --> 00:01:07.880 Since I heard so many... 00:01:07.880 --> 00:01:08.880 Sorry? 00:01:08.880 --> 00:01:11.880 There is probably a difference. 00:01:11.880 --> 00:01:13.880 You could probably be right. 00:01:17.880 --> 00:01:19.880 There is a difference. 00:01:19.880 --> 00:01:22.880 And the difference is reigning is our privilege. 00:01:22.880 --> 00:01:27.880 Reigning is our privilege. 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:33.840 And ruling is our responsibility. 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:40.840 Nearly there. 00:01:40.840 --> 00:01:44.840 Reigning is our privilege. Ruling is our responsibility. 00:01:44.840 --> 00:01:46.840 Rulership is our responsibility. 00:01:46.840 --> 00:01:50.840 Reigning is locating yourself in the position of a ruler. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:55.840 So if someone asks you to reign, they would not ask you to reign if you were a priest. 00:01:56.800 --> 00:02:03.800 They would not ask you to reign if you did not have the privilege of moving into a location as a ruler. 00:02:03.800 --> 00:02:08.800 So to reign, one has to be given the privilege of rulership. 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:15.800 But rulership in itself is the execution of your responsibilities from that position. 00:02:15.800 --> 00:02:17.800 There's a difference. 00:02:17.800 --> 00:02:22.800 So let's assume there's a king who has a son. 00:02:22.800 --> 00:02:25.800 He will reign after the king has died. 00:02:26.760 --> 00:02:37.760 But if one were to comment on his rulership, that would be based solely on whether the son executed the responsibilities of his position properly. 00:02:37.760 --> 00:02:40.760 And in the Kingdom of God, it's the same. 00:02:40.760 --> 00:02:47.760 Because as we go today, we'll see different parables where Jesus invited people to reign and gave them things to do. 00:02:47.760 --> 00:02:54.760 But then he judged them on the way they ruled from that position he gave them. 00:02:55.720 --> 00:03:02.720 And accordingly, he would compliment them or he would say, you squandered the reign I gave you. 00:03:02.720 --> 00:03:06.720 Time and time again you see this in the ways of the Kingdom of God. 00:03:06.720 --> 00:03:15.720 For instance, if you go to Matthew 24, verse 45 to 47, you see a theme like that being developed there. 00:03:15.720 --> 00:03:22.720 It doesn't put it in the same words as I did, but Matthew 24, verses 45 to 47. 00:03:23.680 --> 00:03:28.680 Matthew 24, verse 45 to 47. 00:03:28.680 --> 00:03:31.680 Am I loud enough? 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:32.680 Okay. 00:03:32.680 --> 00:03:36.680 Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom the master has put in charge? 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:37.680 The put in charge is the reign. 00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:45.680 Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food and at the proper time? 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:50.680 It would be good for that servant whose master finds them doing so much for the sake of the kingdom. 00:03:51.640 --> 00:03:58.640 If the master finds the servant whose master finds them doing so when he returns, I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 00:03:58.640 --> 00:04:00.640 It carries two conditions there. 00:04:00.640 --> 00:04:05.640 One that the master has now appointed a servant to rule from a position. 00:04:05.640 --> 00:04:10.640 But then the second question is, was this servant faithful in his rulership? 00:04:10.640 --> 00:04:15.640 And as priest-kings, it is insufficient to just reign. 00:04:16.600 --> 00:04:26.600 Because we've talked so much about priest-kings and we can think about we will reign, but rulership is determined by a responsibility over the resources given to you to reign over. 00:04:26.600 --> 00:04:27.600 Let me say that again. 00:04:27.600 --> 00:04:34.600 I think it's worth writing down because it's one of the primary principles in stewardship and in the management of resources. 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:42.560 So, rulership is determined by your responsibility over resources given to you to reign over. 00:05:05.560 --> 00:05:10.560 If you notice the title of the teaching is, what is it? 00:05:10.560 --> 00:05:13.560 Ruling over resources in Babylon. 00:05:13.560 --> 00:05:20.560 Folks, like it or not, the system that we earn wealth in, spend wealth in at present is a Babylonian system. 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:23.560 So, it's a system that we have to use to make money. 00:05:23.560 --> 00:05:26.560 So, it's a system that we have to use to make money. 00:05:26.560 --> 00:05:29.560 So, it's a system that we have to use to make money. 00:05:30.520 --> 00:05:35.520 So, the system that we earn wealth in, spend wealth in at present is a Babylonian system. 00:05:35.520 --> 00:05:38.520 We're not living in heaven right now. 00:05:38.520 --> 00:05:47.520 We're surrounded by a Babylonian system and all our trading and everything that happens in terms of money happens within the context of the Babylonian system. 00:05:47.520 --> 00:05:54.520 But kingdom people know how to manage the resources in the Babylonian system and that's what we're going to talk about today. 00:05:55.480 --> 00:06:00.480 If you don't fully comprehend the Babylonian system, you can ask for a tape and we can give it to you because we did four weeks on Babylon. 00:06:00.480 --> 00:06:06.480 So, rulership is determined by your responsibility over the resources given to you to reign over. 00:06:06.480 --> 00:06:09.480 And we need to learn how to manage these resources. 00:06:09.480 --> 00:06:19.480 Because folks, be it you as a person or be it us as a church, first God gives us a vision and then God gives us his provision. 00:06:20.440 --> 00:06:29.440 Okay, first he gives you a vision and then God will supply you provision so that we'll be able to carry out the vision. 00:06:30.440 --> 00:06:32.440 Money has been around for ages. 00:06:32.440 --> 00:06:35.440 It's the love of money that is evil. 00:06:35.440 --> 00:06:40.440 But if you look at the parables God has, God has plenty of parables on money. 00:06:40.440 --> 00:06:43.440 He has no problems with money. 00:06:44.400 --> 00:06:51.400 But we need to understand that first God will give you a vision, be it for you as an individual or be it for us as a house. 00:06:51.400 --> 00:06:58.400 And then he wants to supply us the provision so that now that we have the vision and we have the provision to execute that vision, 00:06:58.400 --> 00:07:06.400 we can allow God to help us model how we can be people who know how to rule over the resources given us. 00:07:09.400 --> 00:07:11.400 Questions? 00:07:14.400 --> 00:07:17.400 No, that's why I call it resources. 00:07:17.400 --> 00:07:21.400 If it was money I'd probably call it wealth perhaps. 00:07:21.400 --> 00:07:27.400 Resources is more encompassing so it includes wealth but it's more than wealth. 00:07:27.400 --> 00:07:30.400 Yeah, it can include people too. 00:07:30.400 --> 00:07:33.400 Any questions? 00:07:34.400 --> 00:07:37.400 Okay, in which case let's turn to Matthew 25. 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:45.360 Because we're going to take the parable of the talents and draw some principles out of it in terms of how we need to rule over resources in a Babylonian system. 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:48.360 Matthew 25. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:52.360 Hey Tina, did you clean this? 00:07:52.360 --> 00:07:55.360 Yeah, it does feel good. 00:07:55.360 --> 00:08:00.360 Matthew 25, let's read from 15 or 16. 00:08:01.320 --> 00:08:04.320 The parable of the talents, depending on which Bible you're reading. 00:08:04.320 --> 00:08:11.320 Again it will be like a man going on a journey who called his servants and entrusted his property to them. 00:08:11.320 --> 00:08:18.320 To one he gave five talents of money, to another two talents and to another one talent, each according to his ability. 00:08:18.320 --> 00:08:25.320 Then he went on his journey, the man who gave five talents of money, to another two talents and to another one talent, each according to his ability. 00:08:26.280 --> 00:08:33.280 Then he went on his journey, the man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. 00:08:33.280 --> 00:08:36.280 So also with the one with the two talents gained two more. 00:08:36.280 --> 00:08:43.280 But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 00:08:43.280 --> 00:08:48.280 After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 00:08:48.280 --> 00:08:51.280 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 00:08:52.040 --> 00:08:54.040 The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 00:08:54.220 --> 00:08:57.220 Master he said, You entrusted me with five talents see I've gained five more. 00:08:57.220 --> 00:09:03.220 His master replied, Well done good and faithful servant, you've been faithful with a few things, I'll put you in charge of many things. 00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:04.220 Come and share your master's happiness. 00:09:04.780 --> 00:09:06.780 The man with the two talents also came. 00:09:06.880 --> 00:09:10.820 Master he said, You entrusted me with two talents see I've gained two more. 00:09:10.820 --> 00:09:16.820 His master replied, Well done good and faithful servant, You've been faithful with a few things, I'll put you in charge of many things. 00:09:16.820 --> 00:09:18.360 Come and share your master's happiness. 00:09:18.360 --> 00:09:21.000 Then the man who had received the one talent came. 00:09:21.000 --> 00:09:23.440 Master, he said, I knew that you're a hard man, 00:09:23.440 --> 00:09:27.640 harvesting where you've not sown and gathering where you've not scattered seeds. 00:09:27.640 --> 00:09:30.280 So I was afraid and went over and hid your talents in the ground. 00:09:30.280 --> 00:09:32.160 See, here is what belongs to you. 00:09:32.160 --> 00:09:34.440 His master replied, you wicked lazy servant. 00:09:34.440 --> 00:09:38.280 So you knew that I harvest where I've not sown and gather where I've not scattered seed. 00:09:38.280 --> 00:09:41.440 Well, then you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers 00:09:41.440 --> 00:09:44.320 so that when I returned I'd have received it back with interest. 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:47.160 Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:51.280 For everyone who has will be given more and he will have an abundance. 00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:54.400 Whoever does not have even what he has will be taken away from him. 00:09:54.400 --> 00:09:57.040 And throw the worthless servant outside into the darkness 00:09:57.040 --> 00:09:59.320 where they will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 00:09:59.320 --> 00:10:03.440 Folks, last week we talked about the mindset of life more abundant. 00:10:03.440 --> 00:10:06.760 And we'll see how it's a mindset. 00:10:06.760 --> 00:10:11.320 And once we change our mindset, we see things very differently. 00:10:11.320 --> 00:10:15.560 When we look at this story, if you notice each person is trusted by the master 00:10:15.560 --> 00:10:17.120 with wealth according to what? 00:10:17.120 --> 00:10:18.440 Ability. 00:10:18.440 --> 00:10:19.040 Yeah. 00:10:19.040 --> 00:10:22.280 So the first thing we need to understand is God trusts you with wealth 00:10:22.280 --> 00:10:24.680 according to your ability. 00:10:24.680 --> 00:10:25.280 OK. 00:10:25.280 --> 00:10:28.360 So if I am able to handle a certain amount, 00:10:28.360 --> 00:10:30.440 he is willing to trust me with that certain amount. 00:10:30.440 --> 00:10:32.480 Which doesn't mean I get stuck there. 00:10:32.480 --> 00:10:36.000 It means that as I show myself faithful, things begin to expand. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:40.760 So know this for sure that God knows the ability of every human being 00:10:40.760 --> 00:10:44.320 on the face of the earth in terms of handling money, especially his children. 00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:49.960 And so God will give you resources and wealth according to your ability. 00:10:49.960 --> 00:10:52.520 And what is he talking about when he talks about ability? 00:10:55.640 --> 00:10:57.120 What is this ability he's talking about? 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:06.160 True. 00:11:06.160 --> 00:11:08.000 I'd like you to be a little more specific, 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:11.240 because I'm not able to understand what you mean by handle. 00:11:14.320 --> 00:11:15.320 True. 00:11:15.320 --> 00:11:16.320 True. 00:11:16.320 --> 00:11:17.320 Anything else you can add to that? 00:11:20.320 --> 00:11:23.320 If you were to give me some money, and you said, 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:25.920 Jacob, I'm giving this money to you according to your ability, 00:11:25.920 --> 00:11:26.920 what do you expect? 00:11:30.920 --> 00:11:31.920 Use it wisely. 00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:34.920 So tell me what using it wisely would look like. 00:11:44.920 --> 00:11:46.920 And finally, use it wisely. 00:11:55.920 --> 00:11:57.920 Okay, Jacob, now that's on me. 00:12:03.920 --> 00:12:07.920 I think that would mean if you don't pay your rent, then you spend it all. 00:12:10.920 --> 00:12:11.920 I think that would mean if you don't pay your rent, then you spend it all. 00:12:14.920 --> 00:12:15.920 Okay, here's the thing. 00:12:15.920 --> 00:12:18.920 Since asking questions is dangerous in this church. 00:12:20.920 --> 00:12:21.920 Stay out of debt? 00:12:21.920 --> 00:12:22.920 What else? 00:12:22.920 --> 00:12:23.920 You have given me some money. 00:12:23.920 --> 00:12:28.920 Now we've established that one, don't spend it ridiculously. 00:12:28.920 --> 00:12:29.920 Be faithful. 00:12:29.920 --> 00:12:30.920 Stay out of debt. 00:12:30.920 --> 00:12:31.920 What else? 00:12:31.920 --> 00:12:32.920 Give. 00:12:32.920 --> 00:12:33.920 Give? 00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:34.920 What else? 00:12:34.920 --> 00:12:35.920 You're still missing one big element. 00:12:35.920 --> 00:12:36.920 Multiply. 00:12:36.920 --> 00:12:37.920 Multiply. 00:12:38.520 --> 00:12:46.520 Money is not given to us for just keeping folks, or just playing safe, or just being 00:12:46.520 --> 00:12:51.120 careful with it and not spending it on hockey. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:13:01.120 Money is given to us so that we trade with it. 00:13:01.120 --> 00:13:02.680 Multiply it. 00:13:02.680 --> 00:13:03.680 Trade with it. 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:07.200 The word used in the Bible is trade or gain. 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:32.200 And the sense of this word is an intrinsic ability to bring into existence 00:13:32.200 --> 00:13:41.200 what God has mandated or planned with that money. 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:46.200 Mandated or planned with that money. 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:50.200 Okay? 00:13:50.200 --> 00:13:57.200 So when this master gave his servant money, he said, go trade with it, or go invest it, 00:13:57.200 --> 00:14:00.200 or go gain something with it, go sow it. 00:14:00.200 --> 00:14:07.200 So the sense is that God knows your intrinsic ability to take that money he's given you 00:14:07.200 --> 00:14:13.200 and now begin to create with it or bring into existence with it what he knows you can do 00:14:13.200 --> 00:14:14.200 with it. 00:14:14.200 --> 00:14:15.200 Some are business people. 00:14:15.200 --> 00:14:21.200 God gives them money knowing that they have an ability for business, and God then expects 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:23.200 them to multiply that. 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:24.200 Some are givers. 00:14:24.200 --> 00:14:29.200 God gives them money knowing that these guys can give like nobody's business and he can 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:30.200 trust them to. 00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:36.200 So they give like crazy and are usually always giving and they have nothing in their pocket, 00:14:36.200 --> 00:14:42.200 but out of one pocket as it goes into the other pocket money keeps coming. 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:48.200 Some are people who save, and some have that intrinsic ability to save without being stingy 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:50.200 or miserly. 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:52.200 And they store up wealth that they then begin to give to. 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:55.200 Others, it depends on what God thinks you can do. 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.200 Some have ideas. 00:14:56.200 --> 00:14:58.200 Some are creative in ideas. 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:03.200 God gives them money and he gives them ideas now to take the money and practically put 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:08.200 that idea into actual work. 00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:15.200 Money was given to us to do with our intrinsic ability something that would bring into existence 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:17.200 what God has mandated. 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:23.200 No, because most of our thinking about money is I'm earning, I receive, it feeds me, I 00:15:23.200 --> 00:15:26.200 put some in the bank because there might be rainy days. 00:15:26.200 --> 00:15:29.200 That's the beginning and the end of money for most of us. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:33.200 But Christians, we don't think so. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:37.200 You would hope so, but I would say most Christians do. 00:15:41.200 --> 00:15:43.200 It's a whole different way of viewing it. 00:15:45.200 --> 00:15:49.200 God gave these three people money according to their abilities. 00:15:49.200 --> 00:15:55.200 He was right about their abilities, but two of them proved their ability and one did not. 00:15:55.200 --> 00:15:57.200 Two of them doubled their money. 00:15:57.200 --> 00:16:00.200 Now, can you say one had more ability than the other? 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:04.200 Not really, because one doubled five to ten and one doubled two to four. 00:16:04.200 --> 00:16:12.200 In terms of excellence, maybe one's excellence was better than the others, but both did the same thing. 00:16:12.200 --> 00:16:15.200 So, but there was one guy who did not. 00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:20.200 And if you notice, what did God punish him or call him up for? 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:22.200 Was it embezzlement? 00:16:22.200 --> 00:16:23.200 No. 00:16:23.200 --> 00:16:24.200 Was it moral failure? 00:16:24.200 --> 00:16:25.200 No. 00:16:25.200 --> 00:16:29.200 It was because he kept the money safe. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:33.200 Imagine that. 00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:41.200 A guy gets called up and God says you did wrong, not because he embezzled, not because he took or gave bribes, 00:16:41.200 --> 00:16:47.200 not because of moral failure, but simply because he decided he would take the money and keep it safe. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:56.200 The one who was punished was not punished for moral failure or embezzlement, but for returning the money safely. 00:16:56.200 --> 00:17:01.200 What do you say that the difference between two and five was the difference of responsibility? 00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:06.200 Yeah, but both of them did excellently. 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:09.200 It's just that our degrees of excellence may vary. 00:17:09.200 --> 00:17:12.200 So if you get $10,000 to do it, you can do it. 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:15.200 It's just that our degrees of excellence may vary. 00:17:15.200 --> 00:17:22.200 So if you get $10,000 to build a house and I get $5,000, we may both build excellently to the degree we can. 00:17:22.200 --> 00:17:26.200 But your $10,000 house will look better than a $5,000 house. 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:28.200 What about the responsibility? 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:30.200 It could be responsibility too. 00:17:30.200 --> 00:17:39.200 That God knew that this person was responsible with a larger amount and this person at present is not responsible with that amount, but is good with this amount. 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:43.200 But the two can go to five because you see him increasing in his rulership towards the end of the story. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:48.200 But the mismanagement of resources in this case was just keeping it safe. 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:51.200 Saving, right? 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:55.200 Saving would be different. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:58.200 Here he was not keeping it safe for saving. 00:17:58.200 --> 00:18:01.200 Here, this is the beauty of it, Valentina. 00:18:01.200 --> 00:18:08.200 He operated not with the wealth that was given to him, but by the principle of fear that was not given to him. 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:11.200 That's what is the problem. 00:18:11.200 --> 00:18:13.200 Here the problem is not that he saved the money. 00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:15.200 He was given wealth to operate with. 00:18:15.200 --> 00:18:18.200 He began to operate with the principle of fear instead. 00:18:18.200 --> 00:18:21.200 The fear was what would happen to him. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:22.200 Yeah, what would happen to him? 00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:23.200 What if I lost this money? 00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:24.200 These things came. 00:18:24.200 --> 00:18:27.200 You know why he dug and put it in? 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:32.200 Because if you kept it in your house and someone robbed it, you were still responsible. 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:39.200 But if you dug it and put it in and someone dug it out, according to Jewish law, you didn't have to pay it. 00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:48.200 He went so far that he dug it and put it so that if it gets lost, he will not be held accountable. 00:18:48.200 --> 00:18:52.200 Because the law was if it's in your house and it's taken, you will have to pay. 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:55.200 But if you dig it and put it, then someone has to go dig it out, pull it out, take it. 00:18:55.200 --> 00:19:00.200 You're not responsible. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:05.200 They didn't have banks in. 00:19:05.200 --> 00:19:08.200 It's the way of talking for us in English. 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:10.200 Meaning they didn't have actual banks in. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.200 Banking. 00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:12.200 Yeah. 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:15.200 That's the easiest way we would understand it. 00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:16.200 Yeah. 00:19:16.200 --> 00:19:18.200 Well, at least he should have borrowed it. 00:19:18.200 --> 00:19:20.200 Maybe it made interest on him. 00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:21.200 Yeah. 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:29.200 What he was trying to say, what Jesus was trying to say is you should have given it as usury to someone so that they would return it with a little bit of interest added on. 00:19:29.200 --> 00:19:30.200 That's what he's saying. 00:19:30.200 --> 00:19:31.200 Yeah. 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:46.200 We will come to that later. 00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:53.200 But here the point is that here was a man who was given money to wealth to operate with, but he operated by the principle of fear. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:20:08.200 And I would suggest to you without any hesitation that most of us have at some point or perhaps still are often operating in fear when it comes to money. 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:20.200 It is part of the poverty mentality that we talked about when we talked about Cheddo Laumer, the king who met Abraham in Genesis 14. 00:20:20.200 --> 00:20:25.200 But many of us operate with this idea of fear. 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:29.200 It is one thing to be prudent, but prudence comes out of wisdom. 00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:35.200 There is another thing that we call prudence today, which is something that is spawned out of fear. 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:37.200 And it's two different things. 00:20:37.200 --> 00:20:42.200 And I know when I'm afraid about money and I know when I'm not afraid about money. 00:20:42.200 --> 00:20:48.200 Yeah, I would personally. 00:20:48.200 --> 00:20:50.200 Yeah, yeah. 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:54.200 If you were to come to me and ask me, Jacob, what do you think about speculating in the market? 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:55.200 I'd suggest not. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:21:11.200 And that's perhaps partly due to my lack of knowledge about it, partly because I sometimes think one, I go to that promise which says one who tries to make to make money quickly usually ends up with money that is not worth it. 00:21:11.200 --> 00:21:14.200 And usually ends up with money getting wings and flying away. 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:22.200 So it is better to know what you're doing to like if you want to invest with Warren Buffett, that may be a good idea. 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:25.200 Because he does not take risks. 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:29.200 He only goes into stocks that are a certain kind. 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:33.200 But if it's speculating, I'd suggest that it's a little like gambling. 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:37.200 And I've won tremendously in gambling and I've lost greater in gambling. 00:21:37.200 --> 00:21:41.200 Just be aware of that. 00:21:41.200 --> 00:22:01.200 So, go ahead. 00:22:01.200 --> 00:22:08.200 In 30 minutes, 27 minutes and 42 minutes, and then two weeks from now to. 00:22:08.200 --> 00:22:20.200 So, fear forces you to bury your talent, not so it fear forces you to bury your talent and not so it. 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:30.200 And when that happens, you go into that cheddar Lammer that whole handful of sheeps mentality that we talked about two weeks ago. 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:34.200 Folks, I know what it is to live like this. I have lived in fear of losing what I have. 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:45.200 It would. You just have to know that there are people who just go take what they don't have and hope that the markets will climb. 00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:47.200 I'm saying that kind of risk is dangerous. 00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:56.200 But if you know what you're doing and you studied and go and it's not it's not based on dice, that's different. 00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:58.200 But I don't know anything about markets. 00:22:58.200 --> 00:23:04.200 So if you come and ask me for investment, this thing you'll have to find sign a disclaimer first. 00:23:04.200 --> 00:23:08.200 Disclaimer will say if you lose all your investment, you're not to blame. 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:11.200 Jacob, if you win 20 percent, you'll have to give me three. 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:18.200 Yeah, no, I'm not sure losing on that. 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:20.200 That I'd go three. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:22.200 I have lived in fear of losing what I have. 00:23:22.200 --> 00:23:27.200 And what happens when you have fear is your fist is tight and you cannot give freely. 00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:31.200 And unfortunately, your hand is not open to receive either. 00:23:31.200 --> 00:23:33.200 There's two ways, guys. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:37.200 On one hand, the fear of losing keeps me keeps my fist tight. 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:39.200 So now I can't give freely. 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:43.200 And the other thing is because my fist is tight, I can't even receive freely. 00:23:43.200 --> 00:23:48.200 That's a sad part. 00:23:48.200 --> 00:23:53.200 And Satan keeps touching money then because he knows that this is an area that Jacob is afraid of. 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:55.200 So keep keep touching it. 00:23:55.200 --> 00:24:06.200 Keep just elbowing him in this area because he'll always live in the fear and his fist will get tighter and tighter till you got rheumatoid financial fists. 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:12.200 I mean, that's how it works, folks, because he keeps touching you in that area because he knows your area of fear. 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:16.200 So just remember that. 00:24:16.200 --> 00:24:21.200 The other thing that this man had, the third servant had, was he had a wrong perception of the master. 00:24:21.200 --> 00:24:24.200 He had a wrong perception of the master. 00:24:24.200 --> 00:24:33.200 Instead of seeing God as continuously gracious, continuously kind, continuously giving, continuously blessing. 00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:40.200 Instead of seeing God as a blesser, he says, I knew you were a harsh man who harvests where he has not sown. 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:43.200 And he had a completely wrong perception of God. 00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:48.200 And because of the wrong perception of God, his attitude with money was warped. 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:58.200 And I'd suggest to you again that sometimes we have a warped perception of God when it comes to money. 00:24:58.200 --> 00:25:06.200 We somehow think that in that area, he is not as generous as other areas. 00:25:06.200 --> 00:25:08.200 He will be generous in healing. 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:11.200 He'll be generous in worship and all this stuff. 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:17.200 But when it comes to money, he doesn't seem to have the same generosity. 00:25:17.200 --> 00:25:24.200 And my warped thinking of God then begins to affect my receiving resources, my spending resources, 00:25:24.200 --> 00:25:30.200 and my whole attitude of either being a prosperity adherent or a poverty adherent. 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:34.200 Both are perversions of the Godhead. 00:25:34.200 --> 00:25:37.200 So this man had a wrong concept of God. 00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:44.200 And so he could all the more reason why he had to bury his talent because he was living with a completely distorted image of God. 00:25:44.200 --> 00:25:48.200 He saw him as hard, miserly, unwilling, partial, unjust. 00:25:48.200 --> 00:25:55.200 Now we may not say God is miserly, but we sometimes think of him as unwilling or partial or unjust. 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:57.200 Unwilling, partial or unjust. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:59.200 That we often think of when money doesn't come through. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:08.200 Folks, it's vital to correct our mindset because wealth was taken away from one and was transferred to the other. 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:18.200 When our mindset changes as we approach money, we'll see that we can end up ruling over more or we cannot end up having even what we actually had. 00:26:18.200 --> 00:26:24.200 It says there, take away from him who had and give it to the one who had an abundance, give it to him. 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:27.200 The one who had a little will now have nothing. Why? 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:30.200 Because there is a mindset that is wrong there. 00:26:30.200 --> 00:26:34.200 When money is driven by fear, when money is driven by a distorted image of God, 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:38.200 then what happens is what you have is also taken away and it goes into someone else's hands. 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:40.200 So we have to be careful about that. 00:26:40.200 --> 00:26:42.200 And so we have to be careful about that. 00:26:42.200 --> 00:26:45.200 When money is driven by fear, when money is driven by a distorted image of God, 00:26:45.200 --> 00:26:48.200 then what happens is what you have is also taken away and it goes into someone else's hands. 00:26:51.200 --> 00:26:52.200 Questions? 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:07.200 Yeah, because it's a resource that's given. 00:27:10.200 --> 00:27:11.200 Go ahead, Laureen. 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:16.200 She's saying why did he give it to the guy who had 10 and not to the five? 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:19.200 The guy who had five doubled it, right? 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:20.200 Yeah. 00:27:20.200 --> 00:27:21.200 So he gave it to him. 00:27:21.200 --> 00:27:22.200 He also doubled it, who had two? 00:27:22.200 --> 00:27:25.200 Yeah, maybe according to his ability again. 00:27:25.200 --> 00:27:31.200 But the, yeah, to him who has more has been given because he's been found trustworthy with it. 00:27:31.200 --> 00:27:33.200 So now he knows he can handle some more. 00:27:33.200 --> 00:27:35.200 Laureen was saying something else I just said. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.200 Good husband there. 00:27:40.200 --> 00:27:42.200 Laureen's thinking what's he saying? 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:49.200 Okay, the next bit we deal with is kingdom perspective on work in the Babylonian system. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:52.200 Kingdom perspective on work in the Babylonian system. 00:27:52.200 --> 00:27:55.200 Like I said, we work in a Babylonian system. 00:27:55.200 --> 00:27:59.200 We need to understand first that sometimes the opposite of God is not the devil. 00:27:59.200 --> 00:28:01.200 The opposite of God is mammon. 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:06.200 Okay, the Bible says do not serve God and mammon. 00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:07.200 Mammon. 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:10.200 So sometimes the opposite of God is not the devil. 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:11.200 The opposite of God is mammon. 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:16.200 And mammon is basically need and greed that is satisfied at the altar of money. 00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:21.200 Need and greed that is satisfied at the altar of money. 00:28:21.200 --> 00:28:25.200 That's kind of not the definition but the concept behind mammon. 00:28:25.200 --> 00:28:30.200 A system of need and greed that captures the heart and is satisfied at the altar of money. 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:34.200 Matthew 6 24, if you want to turn to Matthew 6 24. 00:28:36.200 --> 00:28:37.200 Money. 00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.200 Money. 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:41.200 Matthew 6 24. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:44.200 No one can serve two masters. 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:48.200 Either he will hate one and love the other or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. 00:28:48.200 --> 00:28:52.200 You cannot serve both God and money. 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:56.200 So understand that that sometimes the devil is not the enemy. 00:28:56.200 --> 00:28:59.200 Sometimes the enemy of God is mammon or money. 00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:02.200 The love of God and the love of money. 00:29:02.200 --> 00:29:05.200 Yeah, the love of God and the love of money. 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:08.200 Yeah, it's the root of all evil. 00:29:08.200 --> 00:29:13.200 Understand that we live in the Babylonian system but can thrive in it without becoming part of it. 00:29:13.200 --> 00:29:18.200 We live in a Babylonian system, we work in it but we can thrive in it without becoming a part of it. 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:22.200 I mean if you check Genesis 26 verse 12 you can do that later. 00:29:22.200 --> 00:29:32.200 Isaac went into Philistine territory in a time of famine and sowed and he reaped a hundredfold. 00:29:32.200 --> 00:29:37.200 Isaac went into Philistine territory during a famine into a hostile territory. 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:40.200 He sowed and he reaped a hundredfold. 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:41.200 Genesis 26 verse 12. 00:29:41.200 --> 00:29:47.200 So it's possible to live in a hostile place called Babylon and thrive without becoming part of it. 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:48.200 It is possible. 00:29:48.200 --> 00:29:54.200 Of this world. 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:57.200 The Babylonian and folks here's the rub, okay. 00:29:57.200 --> 00:30:05.200 The Babylonian system works on the premise of buying and selling. 00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:07.200 That's what it works on. 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:10.200 The Babylonian system works on the premise of buying and selling. 00:30:10.200 --> 00:30:14.200 If you want to go to Ezekiel 28 verse 5 you'll see that there. 00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:21.200 That right off the bat the one who runs the Babylonian system had this as one of his major qualifications. 00:30:21.200 --> 00:30:23.200 Ezekiel 28 verse 5. 00:30:27.200 --> 00:30:34.200 Ezekiel 28 verse 5 says this is a prophecy against the king of Tyre or against Lucifer. 00:30:34.200 --> 00:30:43.200 And it says that you buy your great, buy your wisdom and understanding you've gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:49.200 By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. 00:30:49.200 --> 00:30:52.200 Satan runs the Babylonian system. 00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:55.200 He knows what it is to indulge in trade. 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:59.200 Buying and selling is the premise on which Babylon operates. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:03.200 And I'll tell you why we need to talk about it because then we'll talk about how the kingdom works. 00:31:03.200 --> 00:31:10.200 If you go to Revelation 13 verse 12 you'll see that towards the end of the day the story is the same. 00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:12.200 Revelation 13 verse 12. 00:31:12.200 --> 00:31:15.200 Ezekiel 28 verse 5 talks about the beginning. 00:31:15.200 --> 00:31:17.200 Revelation 13 verse 16. 00:31:17.200 --> 00:31:18.200 Sorry, not 12. 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:21.200 Revelation 13 verse 16 talks about the end. 00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:24.200 Revelation 13 and 16. 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:39.200 He also forced everyone, small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on his right hand or on his forehead so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark which is the name of the beast or the number of the name. 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:41.200 So the same thing continues. 00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:48.200 Buying and selling has been a premise of Babylon through which it controls people's nations, corporations, everything. 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:51.200 It's controlled by this one premise. 00:31:51.200 --> 00:31:53.200 Revelation 13 and 16 talks about it. 00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:58.200 And we'll talk about the forehead and the right hand when we do the Book of Revelation chapter 13. 00:31:58.200 --> 00:32:04.200 Come and listen because it may not be what you think it is. 00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:11.200 The other thing Babylon does is it demands work. 00:32:11.200 --> 00:32:19.200 It instills a fear of losing work. 00:32:19.200 --> 00:32:36.200 And it elevates the curse of Genesis 3 that you shall eat by the toil, by the sweat, eat by the sweat of your brow. 00:32:42.200 --> 00:32:45.200 So that's another thing Babylon does. 00:32:45.200 --> 00:32:50.200 Babylon demands work, meaning have you noticed how work is demanded of you? 00:32:50.200 --> 00:32:53.200 Very often it's not even a voluntary offering. 00:32:53.200 --> 00:32:58.200 I mean here in church, work is not demanded of you, but I've seen how wonderfully you work. 00:32:58.200 --> 00:33:01.200 But work is demanded of you by a system. 00:33:01.200 --> 00:33:06.200 It's not a person, it's a whole system that has been growing on the earth for thousands and thousands of years. 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:08.200 It demands work of you. 00:33:08.200 --> 00:33:10.200 It instills a fear of losing work. 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:15.200 What is the thing that panics us most? 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:17.200 Losing work, losing a job. 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:27.200 And it elevates to a status that it should not be elevated to, that you shall earn bread or eat by the toil of your, by the sweat of your brow. 00:33:27.200 --> 00:33:30.200 That is elevated, the curse is elevated. 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.200 I've got to work, I've got to go. 00:33:31.200 --> 00:33:32.200 No, no, this is not enough. 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:33.200 I have to work more, I have to work more. 00:33:33.200 --> 00:33:36.200 It's a constant by the sweat of your brow. 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:43.200 The thing is it's so pervasive and all-pervading, if I may use that word, that we haven't even realized that it's happening. 00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:46.200 We think it's the natural system of life. 00:33:46.200 --> 00:33:47.200 This is life. 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:49.200 But it's not really life, folks. 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:59.200 As you know, in a Christian religion, there's a certain belief that you should work, you need to work hard. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:01.200 Yeah, I'll talk about that. 00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:05.200 But it's a complete distinction that God makes about work as with Babylon. 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:07.200 Babylon demands work. 00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:09.200 God does not demand work. 00:34:09.200 --> 00:34:11.200 God places value on work. 00:34:11.200 --> 00:34:12.200 Let's go straight there. 00:34:12.200 --> 00:34:13.200 God places value on work. 00:34:13.200 --> 00:34:14.200 He esteems work. 00:34:14.200 --> 00:34:23.200 But it is never demanded as a slave driver demands, nor is it ever at the threat of the fear of work. 00:34:23.200 --> 00:34:25.200 God never put that in. 00:34:25.200 --> 00:34:31.200 He didn't put it in Eden when God gave him stewardship over the garden. 00:34:31.200 --> 00:34:39.200 He didn't appreciate it in Egypt when they had to work to produce a quota of bricks. 00:34:42.200 --> 00:34:44.200 So God places value on work. 00:34:44.200 --> 00:34:47.200 Like Gizli is saying in 1st Thessalonians or 2nd Thessalonians, it says, 00:34:47.200 --> 00:34:52.200 He who is idle should be told to work, otherwise he shall not eat. 00:34:52.200 --> 00:34:58.200 So it's not that he despises work, but work was supposed to be something that Adam was supposed to enjoy in the garden, 00:34:58.200 --> 00:35:00.200 and that's what God still wants to bring back. 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:04.200 But these are the things that Babylon elevates. 00:35:04.200 --> 00:35:07.200 So what is the principle in the kingdom? 00:35:07.200 --> 00:35:09.200 The kingdom principle is Deuteronomy 8.18. 00:35:09.200 --> 00:35:12.200 One of the kingdom principles is Deuteronomy 8.18. 00:35:12.200 --> 00:35:17.200 Folks, if we begin to actually first wrap our minds around this, 00:35:18.200 --> 00:35:23.200 it will begin to change our way of living in a Babylonian system, even at the age you are. 00:35:23.200 --> 00:35:27.200 Meaning that you are only 30 or 35, that's what I meant. 00:35:27.200 --> 00:35:30.200 Deuteronomy 8.18. 00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:41.200 Deuteronomy 8.18. 00:35:41.200 --> 00:35:42.200 Very simple. 00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:50.200 But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce or gain wealth. 00:35:50.200 --> 00:35:56.200 That is one of the foundational principles of the kingdom in terms of work. 00:35:56.200 --> 00:36:03.200 The kingdom perspective on work is I can work my fingers to the bone, which in my case may take long. 00:36:03.200 --> 00:36:07.200 But the point is that at the end of the day, 00:36:07.200 --> 00:36:11.200 God gives me the ability to gain wealth. 00:36:11.200 --> 00:36:17.200 That's where not by the sweat of my brow, not by any other things, 00:36:17.200 --> 00:36:20.200 simply by God giving me the ability to gain wealth. 00:36:20.200 --> 00:36:25.200 Once this begins to settle in, it begins to change our thinking that this is life. 00:36:25.200 --> 00:36:27.200 This was not supposed to be life. 00:36:27.200 --> 00:36:33.200 And then here's the second principle that will rock your boat because it did mine. 00:36:33.200 --> 00:36:40.200 The kingdom works on the premise, this is just ridiculous, but God does such ridiculous things. 00:36:40.200 --> 00:36:45.200 This is the principle of Babylon, buying and selling. 00:36:45.200 --> 00:36:47.200 And now look at the kingdom principle. 00:37:03.200 --> 00:37:07.200 Giving and receiving. 00:37:07.200 --> 00:37:12.200 I'm telling you guys, it's a completely opposite thing. 00:37:12.200 --> 00:37:21.200 And here we will struggle to prosper, here we will struggle not to. 00:37:21.200 --> 00:37:28.200 But we've been crafted by the Babylonian system for so long that the change has to happen here first. 00:37:28.200 --> 00:37:33.200 This is not about a token giving off of tight in the church for one month that will change things. 00:37:33.200 --> 00:37:40.200 Or it's not picking up the phone when you see that TV Vandal is asking for a donation that's a multiple of seven. 00:37:40.200 --> 00:37:43.200 That's not what makes this happen. 00:37:43.200 --> 00:37:45.200 It's a mindset that I have to change. 00:37:45.200 --> 00:37:48.200 It's a lifestyle which becomes my breathing way of living. 00:37:48.200 --> 00:37:51.200 That one, God gives me the ability to gain wealth. 00:37:51.200 --> 00:37:55.200 Two, I do not work by Babylon system, which is buying and selling, 00:37:55.200 --> 00:38:00.200 which is elevating the curse and saying by the sweat of my brow, I operate by a different system, 00:38:00.200 --> 00:38:08.200 which says God gives me the ability to gain wealth and I amass resources by giving it away and receiving it. 00:38:08.200 --> 00:38:11.200 God so loved the world that he sold his only son. 00:38:11.200 --> 00:38:15.200 No, God so loved the world that he gave his only son. 00:38:15.200 --> 00:38:17.200 It's an old, old principle. 00:38:17.200 --> 00:38:23.200 Just as Ezekiel 28, 5 says, Lucifer knew how to buy and sell right from the beginning to amass wealth. 00:38:23.200 --> 00:38:26.200 God forever has been saying, I know how to amass wealth. 00:38:26.200 --> 00:38:28.200 I've always been giving and I'm receiving. 00:38:28.200 --> 00:38:35.200 He bruised Jesus and gave him up as a sacrifice and now has seen a huge return in terms of us. 00:38:35.200 --> 00:38:39.200 Isaiah 53. 00:38:39.200 --> 00:38:40.200 Yeah, it says so. 00:38:40.200 --> 00:38:48.200 And he has seen the travail of his soul and he has seen how much he has gotten back through that one giving. 00:38:48.200 --> 00:38:51.200 Folks, this is a... 00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:06.200 Yeah, I agree. 00:39:06.200 --> 00:39:07.200 I agree. 00:39:07.200 --> 00:39:11.200 I'm not taking away from what Gisela is saying, but I'm saying this is a mind shift. 00:39:11.200 --> 00:39:13.200 It is not about Christian generosity of giving. 00:39:13.200 --> 00:39:18.200 I'm talking about a completely different way of living in a system that is hostile to you and your God. 00:39:18.200 --> 00:39:20.200 I agree with what Gisela is saying. 00:39:20.200 --> 00:39:22.200 Yeah, no, no, I'm not disagreeing with you, Gisela. 00:39:22.200 --> 00:39:30.200 I'm just saying take the principles she's saying about giving and apply it to changing our very mindset. 00:39:30.200 --> 00:39:32.200 Because we are not talking about... 00:39:32.200 --> 00:39:36.200 Right now I'm not interested in us giving to the church, which is part of it. 00:39:36.200 --> 00:39:37.200 But that's not what the focus is. 00:39:37.200 --> 00:39:38.200 The focus is on mindset. 00:39:38.200 --> 00:39:44.200 And then we'll talk about giving to different situations and churches and stuff like that. 00:39:44.200 --> 00:39:47.200 What has happened to Christians is that they... 00:39:47.200 --> 00:39:52.200 See, if you want to prosper in the Babylonian system, you've got only two choices, folks. 00:39:52.200 --> 00:40:03.200 Either live corruptly or position yourself in the principles of giving and receiving and Deuteronomy 8.18. 00:40:03.200 --> 00:40:06.200 Those are your choices if you want to prosper in Babylon. 00:40:06.200 --> 00:40:12.200 And Joseph prospered, Daniel prospered, people prospered, Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego prospered. 00:40:12.200 --> 00:40:14.200 If you want to prosper in Babylon, live corruptly. 00:40:14.200 --> 00:40:18.200 All live by these principles and you'll see amazing things happen. 00:40:18.200 --> 00:40:19.200 Go ahead. 00:40:19.200 --> 00:40:29.200 I think that statement will rule out all the people who are doing well, who are believers, who are trying and trying and are not corrupt. 00:40:29.200 --> 00:40:31.200 No, I'm not talking about doing well, folks. 00:40:31.200 --> 00:40:34.200 I'm talking about rulership over the resources of God. 00:40:34.200 --> 00:40:36.200 God, this is not about me doing well. 00:40:36.200 --> 00:40:39.200 When I talk about amassing wealth, I'm not talking about my bank account. 00:40:39.200 --> 00:40:45.200 I'm talking about living a different way in a system that operates by buying, selling, buying, selling. 00:40:45.200 --> 00:40:51.200 When God says, let me show you a different way that will help you live a completely different lifestyle. 00:40:51.200 --> 00:40:57.200 It's a giving and receiving is completely contrary to the way the world lives. 00:40:57.200 --> 00:41:02.200 I'm not saying that people who do not live corruptly will not do well. 00:41:02.200 --> 00:41:04.200 No, but let me tell you this. 00:41:04.200 --> 00:41:12.200 When you're dealing with millions of dollars, I am yet to come and I met a few, not too many. 00:41:12.200 --> 00:41:24.200 I am yet to come across millionaires who have been able to stay completely clean in terms of God and them. 00:41:24.200 --> 00:41:29.200 There always has to be some give and take with Babylon to make millions. 00:41:30.200 --> 00:41:32.200 It is a very sad fact. 00:41:32.200 --> 00:41:37.200 But the after effects are going to be like Galatians and Abraham and... 00:41:37.200 --> 00:41:41.200 Yes, I have met millionaire Christians, man. 00:41:41.200 --> 00:41:50.200 I can show you my phone right now with text messages from some millionaire Christians who are texting me saying, 00:41:50.200 --> 00:41:55.200 I have to bribe this man, otherwise I won't have the money released. 00:41:55.200 --> 00:41:58.200 I'm not kidding you. 00:41:58.200 --> 00:42:03.200 And these are men who are trying very hard to live clean. 00:42:06.200 --> 00:42:11.200 Who want to collect the PST, who want to collect the GST, who don't want to give anything under, 00:42:11.200 --> 00:42:16.200 but who sometimes will have stuff stuck in the port and cannot trust God to release it from the port 00:42:16.200 --> 00:42:20.200 and therefore have to go give someone something to make it happen. 00:42:20.200 --> 00:42:26.200 Or a lawyer who won't clear papers and has the paper stuck because he asked for a larger commission. 00:42:30.200 --> 00:42:33.200 So going back to what Diana was saying, it is possible, folks. 00:42:33.200 --> 00:42:42.200 I'm not saying it's not possible, but I'm saying usually what happens is Christians end up either siding a little with the world 00:42:42.200 --> 00:42:45.200 or living by the principles. 00:42:45.200 --> 00:42:48.200 And I'm saying living by the principles is a much easier option. 00:42:48.200 --> 00:42:51.200 Now, Diana, what you're saying holds good. 00:42:51.200 --> 00:42:53.200 There are many who are doing well without being corrupt. 00:42:53.200 --> 00:43:01.200 But I'm talking about a degree of let's go to amassing wealth where that kind of amassing wealth does not happen 00:43:01.200 --> 00:43:04.200 except through corruption, unfortunately. 00:43:04.200 --> 00:43:08.200 Because Babylon will not release money without amassing wealth. 00:43:08.200 --> 00:43:13.200 Because Babylon will not release money until you play their way 00:43:13.200 --> 00:43:18.200 or you have to play by the rules of a kingdom that is completely different. 00:43:25.200 --> 00:43:26.200 12 minutes. 00:43:30.200 --> 00:43:31.200 We'll come to that. 00:43:32.200 --> 00:43:33.200 Do you want to add to that? 00:43:33.200 --> 00:43:35.200 Do you understand what I'm saying? 00:43:35.200 --> 00:43:37.200 The problem is... 00:43:37.200 --> 00:43:38.200 Sure, go ahead. 00:44:05.200 --> 00:44:11.200 I'm not bribing him, but it's a fee and whatever receipt I have to take out. 00:44:11.200 --> 00:44:13.200 Are you asking me whether you can look at it that way? 00:44:13.200 --> 00:44:14.200 Yeah. 00:44:14.200 --> 00:44:16.200 Then my response is no, you can't. 00:44:16.200 --> 00:44:18.200 Because it would be a bribe, really. 00:44:18.200 --> 00:44:24.200 I've been in situations like that where I was in a train in India and I had my ticket and everything. 00:44:24.200 --> 00:44:28.200 But I didn't know that if you wanted to sit there, you got to pay him extra 15 bucks. 00:44:28.200 --> 00:44:31.200 And thinking of standing for the next 12 hours, I took out 15 bucks and gave him. 00:44:31.200 --> 00:44:33.200 And I was paying him a bribe that I knew it. 00:44:33.200 --> 00:44:35.200 I justified it, but I did pay him. 00:44:52.200 --> 00:44:53.200 Yeah. 00:44:53.200 --> 00:44:56.200 I somehow find that I'm still indulging in something. 00:44:59.200 --> 00:45:00.200 Oh, you're getting a receipt for it? 00:45:00.200 --> 00:45:02.200 Oh, I didn't know you said you got a receipt for it. 00:45:11.200 --> 00:45:12.200 Yeah, bribe is underhand. 00:45:12.200 --> 00:45:14.200 If it is legal, it's different. 00:45:14.200 --> 00:45:20.200 But if it's illegal and I'm doing it, then the Bible very clearly says, sorry, Jacob, you know what you're doing. 00:45:23.200 --> 00:45:24.200 Unfortunately, the Bible... 00:45:24.200 --> 00:45:25.200 Not unfortunately. 00:45:25.200 --> 00:45:32.200 The Bible says that he who asks for a bribe and he who gives bribe, both are as guilty as the other. 00:45:33.200 --> 00:45:34.200 Yeah. 00:45:51.200 --> 00:45:54.200 I would say each situation would have to be judged. 00:45:54.200 --> 00:45:59.200 But I would say many times we justify it, but often I know what I'm doing. 00:46:02.200 --> 00:46:06.200 As far as I know, if I'm the waiter, your tip is not a bribe. 00:46:06.200 --> 00:46:08.200 You're just paying me for my services. 00:46:08.200 --> 00:46:09.200 Sorry. 00:46:09.200 --> 00:46:11.200 Bribe is not always money. 00:46:11.200 --> 00:46:13.200 Yeah, bribe is not always money. 00:46:15.200 --> 00:46:17.200 So just be aware of it. 00:46:18.200 --> 00:46:20.200 Hey, they bribe pastors, man. 00:46:22.200 --> 00:46:23.200 Do you know how they bribe pastors? 00:46:23.200 --> 00:46:29.200 They give you some extra cash so that you'll come and do an extra blessing or an extra prayer, 00:46:29.200 --> 00:46:32.200 or you will overlook the fact that people are getting drunk at your son's wedding. 00:46:32.200 --> 00:46:33.200 Just give him... 00:46:33.200 --> 00:46:35.200 Pastor, we want to give you a love offering. 00:46:35.200 --> 00:46:36.200 Here. 00:46:36.200 --> 00:46:40.200 So now you get the love offering and people are getting drunk at their son's wedding and... 00:46:40.200 --> 00:46:44.200 Oh, but that's okay, Father, forgive them for they have just given me $10,000. 00:46:44.200 --> 00:46:46.200 So that's the way you bribe pastors. 00:46:46.200 --> 00:46:48.200 So there are lots of ways, man. 00:46:48.200 --> 00:46:49.200 It just goes by... 00:46:49.200 --> 00:46:51.200 Rose by any other name is what? 00:46:51.200 --> 00:46:53.200 It smells different. 00:46:53.200 --> 00:46:54.200 Yeah. 00:46:54.200 --> 00:46:55.200 Yeah. 00:46:55.200 --> 00:47:01.200 So what has happened to us Christians is we know enough not to live corruptly, 00:47:01.200 --> 00:47:04.200 but we don't know enough to position ourselves in these principles. 00:47:05.200 --> 00:47:07.200 So, see... 00:47:12.200 --> 00:47:17.200 Yeah, but it will have to be clarified because he was not saying that if you grow rich, you can't enter the kingdom of God. 00:47:17.200 --> 00:47:22.200 And then my question would be, where does the line come in terms of rich 00:47:22.200 --> 00:47:27.200 by the standards of every 80% of India, you are filthy rich. 00:47:29.200 --> 00:47:30.200 So where is the line? 00:47:30.200 --> 00:47:31.200 Most of us are. 00:47:31.200 --> 00:47:32.200 Yeah, no, no. 00:47:32.200 --> 00:47:33.200 What I mean? 00:47:33.200 --> 00:47:34.200 Yeah, most of us are. 00:47:36.200 --> 00:47:38.200 If you take Italian liras. 00:47:38.200 --> 00:47:40.200 Oh, if you take Italian liras. 00:47:40.200 --> 00:47:43.200 So we wouldn't know where to put the line in terms of rich. 00:47:43.200 --> 00:47:44.200 So we'll come back to that. 00:47:45.200 --> 00:47:47.200 You can't just lie to us. 00:47:48.200 --> 00:47:49.200 Yeah. 00:47:50.200 --> 00:47:53.200 What has happened to Christians is that they know enough not to live corruptly, 00:47:53.200 --> 00:47:57.200 but don't know enough to position themselves in principles of favor. 00:47:57.200 --> 00:48:02.200 We therefore end up working 20 years in two jobs with 10 wage cuts for Uncle Leban. 00:48:04.200 --> 00:48:05.200 Okay. 00:48:05.200 --> 00:48:07.200 How many years did Jacob work for Leban? 00:48:09.200 --> 00:48:11.200 You think 14, right? 00:48:11.200 --> 00:48:15.200 He worked 7 for Rachel, 7 for Leah, and then he spent another 6 years. 00:48:15.200 --> 00:48:17.200 He worked 20 years. 00:48:18.200 --> 00:48:26.200 He worked 20 years at two jobs for Uncle Leban and had his wages cut 10 times. 00:48:26.200 --> 00:48:28.200 Genesis 31, verse 41, you'll see that. 00:48:28.200 --> 00:48:31.200 And many of us will end up doing that, folks. 00:48:33.200 --> 00:48:36.200 Unless we operate by these other principles. 00:48:38.200 --> 00:48:41.200 Hey, I just want to apologize if I came out rudely to you, Gisela, 00:48:41.200 --> 00:48:45.200 and saying that filthy rich, I didn't mean it in a rude way, so I apologize. 00:48:47.200 --> 00:48:48.200 Sorry? 00:48:49.200 --> 00:48:54.200 We know enough to not live corruptly, but we don't know enough to live by these principles. 00:48:54.200 --> 00:48:57.200 So we are caught in the middle. 00:49:01.200 --> 00:49:05.200 Giving and receiving requires the grace to part with money, folks. 00:49:05.200 --> 00:49:09.200 Which requires the renewing of my secular mindset. 00:49:09.200 --> 00:49:16.200 Giving and receiving requires a grace because it's not our natural human nature to give and receive. 00:49:16.200 --> 00:49:19.200 And if you notice, I've said give and receive. 00:49:19.200 --> 00:49:22.200 Some of us are excellent at giving but not good at receiving. 00:49:22.200 --> 00:49:24.200 So we've got to think of that too. 00:49:24.200 --> 00:49:28.200 This is human nature not to do it. 00:49:30.200 --> 00:49:34.200 Giving and receiving requires grace to part with money. 00:49:36.200 --> 00:49:39.200 Giving and receiving requires grace to part with money. 00:49:43.200 --> 00:49:45.200 Okay, so let's turn the page over. 00:49:46.200 --> 00:49:49.200 Go ahead. 00:50:04.200 --> 00:50:11.200 I would say that every time I receive money, I know when there's a catch attached and when there is not. 00:50:11.200 --> 00:50:13.200 I always know. 00:50:13.200 --> 00:50:15.200 Yeah, you will know it. 00:50:15.200 --> 00:50:18.200 Whenever you receive money, you know what the Lord is saying. 00:50:18.200 --> 00:50:20.200 That son, this is not good seed. 00:50:20.200 --> 00:50:24.200 There are times when I don't take money because I know it's not good seed. 00:50:24.200 --> 00:50:27.200 That the crop demanded of you later will be wrong. 00:50:32.200 --> 00:50:34.200 True, that's that too. 00:50:34.200 --> 00:50:37.200 But I would rather not if the intent is wrong. 00:50:37.200 --> 00:50:39.200 So just be aware of that. 00:50:39.200 --> 00:50:43.200 So if you turn to the next page, principles for generating wealth. 00:50:43.200 --> 00:50:48.200 One of the principles for generating wealth is wealth distribution, which is basically giving. 00:50:48.200 --> 00:50:52.200 So let's talk about, I don't know if we'll finish this today. 00:50:52.200 --> 00:50:54.200 If not, I'll come back and finish it. 00:50:54.200 --> 00:50:56.200 But let's just talk about wealth distribution. 00:50:56.200 --> 00:51:01.200 Then we can talk about wealth creation and wealth transfer another time if we don't finish it. 00:51:01.200 --> 00:51:03.200 Wealth distribution. 00:51:03.200 --> 00:51:06.200 Wealth distribution is a trait of apostolic people, folks. 00:51:06.200 --> 00:51:09.200 Let's go back and remember what apostolic is. 00:51:09.200 --> 00:51:11.200 What's apostolic? 00:51:11.200 --> 00:51:13.200 Send people to do what? 00:51:13.200 --> 00:51:16.200 To represent the character of Christ. 00:51:16.200 --> 00:51:19.200 Yeah, we are sent to represent the accurate character of Christ. 00:51:19.200 --> 00:51:26.200 And giving is a very natural trait of sent people. 00:51:26.200 --> 00:51:34.200 If you go to Acts 423, you'll see that the church would bring things so that it could be distributed among the people. 00:51:34.200 --> 00:51:45.200 I mean, one of the things I liked about the email that was sent out last week with regard to Anne's stuff that was being sold at the garage sale was this little note at the bottom. 00:51:45.200 --> 00:51:49.200 It said, if anyone from Acts 29 wants it, feel free to come and take it. 00:51:49.200 --> 00:51:53.200 Not buy it. Feel free to come and take it. 00:51:53.200 --> 00:51:59.200 I got it. 00:51:59.200 --> 00:52:04.200 Maybe there's something wrong with the tellers account. 00:52:04.200 --> 00:52:08.200 No, others got it. James got it. 00:52:08.200 --> 00:52:14.200 Quite a few didn't get it. 00:52:14.200 --> 00:52:22.200 Okay, well, because she was moving, there was a lot of stuff that was sent out. 00:52:22.200 --> 00:52:33.200 There was a lot of stuff that was put on a garage sale, and there was a note on the email saying, for those from Acts 29, if you want it, just come and take it. 00:52:33.200 --> 00:52:38.200 I put that down in my notes because apostolic houses are like that. 00:52:38.200 --> 00:52:44.200 A house that is sent to accurately represent Christ, which is what it means to be apostolic, are like that. 00:52:44.200 --> 00:52:47.200 It should be natural between us to give and receive folks. 00:52:47.200 --> 00:52:49.200 Both to give and receive. 00:52:49.200 --> 00:53:01.200 We were recipients of that today because when I got that email, my parents are going to be moving from the place that they're into a new, independent, assisted living. 00:53:01.200 --> 00:53:06.200 One of the things that we had to downtime was their big entertainment center. 00:53:06.200 --> 00:53:18.200 It was suggested that we look for a small TV stand to put their TV on, but their TV is a really old one, 12, 13 years old, and it's a smaller one. 00:53:18.200 --> 00:53:27.200 When I saw Anne, 32 inches in the stand, I emailed her right away and talked her over the phone. 00:53:27.200 --> 00:53:30.200 Today we went and we picked it up. 00:53:30.200 --> 00:53:37.200 One of the things that I was struggling with was I wanted to pay her for it because it wasn't for us, it was for my parents. 00:53:37.200 --> 00:53:47.200 I told her it was for my parents, but then I realized, no, I'm going to steal her blessing if I don't receive it because that's what's in her heart. 00:53:47.200 --> 00:53:49.200 Right on. And this is the way it should be. 00:53:49.200 --> 00:53:55.200 Never feel hesitant to come here if you have something to give and tell the church that I want to give it away. 00:53:55.200 --> 00:54:02.200 And if you have a need for it, never feel hesitant to stand up in the middle of the congregation and say, I want it. 00:54:02.200 --> 00:54:05.200 Because sometimes there's a difficulty in receiving folks. 00:54:05.200 --> 00:54:11.200 I may not want to say it in front, so just as Anne is getting into the van, I'll run to her and tell her. 00:54:11.200 --> 00:54:19.200 Feel free to let it be known because sometimes my difficulty in receiving is not because of anything else but sheer pride. 00:54:19.200 --> 00:54:23.200 Sheer pride. Just be aware of that. 00:54:23.200 --> 00:54:29.200 Do not hesitate to distribute, glean, give and receive. It creates room. 00:54:29.200 --> 00:54:34.200 It creates room. Do not hesitate to give, glean. 00:54:34.200 --> 00:54:37.200 Do you know what gleaning is? 00:54:37.200 --> 00:54:48.200 In the Old Testament, they used to have these trees in their farm and the trees after it was harvested, after all the apples were plucked, the trees will still bear apples after that. 00:54:48.200 --> 00:54:56.200 And so God told the Israelites, guys, when the tree you've harvested it and there's some apples left, don't go try to get every apple from the tree. 00:54:56.200 --> 00:55:01.200 Leave those apples for people who come walking by and they see an apple and they want to take it. 00:55:01.200 --> 00:55:04.200 Anything. Yeah. 00:55:04.200 --> 00:55:07.200 Ruth went around gleaning. 00:55:07.200 --> 00:55:13.200 And even then, when they finished gleaning it, and then there was some left, then they were supposed to leave it for the birds. 00:55:13.200 --> 00:55:15.200 Leave it. Yeah. Leave it for the birds. 00:55:15.200 --> 00:55:25.200 I mean, that's the principle of gleaning. I'm telling you, there have been times when I practiced gleaning and there has never been a time when I have not received something new for what I've gleaned. 00:55:25.200 --> 00:55:31.200 Gleaning is giving away your old china. Gleaning is giving away your brand new china. 00:55:31.200 --> 00:55:39.200 Gleaning is giving away that which you are not using that has been there since your father's 30th birthday. 00:55:39.200 --> 00:55:44.200 Time to give it away, because as you give it away, it creates more room. 00:55:44.200 --> 00:55:57.200 Shirts that you were given in Indonesia that would perhaps brand you as something else if you wore it here. 00:55:57.200 --> 00:56:01.200 Things should not go on tape like this. 00:56:01.200 --> 00:56:07.200 Yeah. Yeah. I mean, we have gleaned toys to each other. 00:56:07.200 --> 00:56:12.200 I gave him one toy last week. The week before that he gave me another toy. 00:56:12.200 --> 00:56:13.200 Electronic toys. 00:56:13.200 --> 00:56:22.200 Electronic toys. Toys that someone gave him and he's not using. Go ahead. 00:56:22.200 --> 00:56:28.200 Yeah, but I'm the one who's giving it away. I'm not going harvesting everything. 00:56:28.200 --> 00:56:36.200 Yeah. So you wouldn't know the shirts in my cupboard unless I brought them out and display because I would not allow you in. 00:56:36.200 --> 00:56:45.200 So, cleaning is, cleaning is giving away. Do that because you'll create room. Giving always creates room, folks. Always creates room. 00:56:45.200 --> 00:56:57.200 The opposing spirit is the spirit of Jezebel. Jezebel is the one who wants to keep the keys of Ahab in her pocket so that the royal resources that are Ahabs will never be given away. 00:56:57.200 --> 00:57:02.200 That's the spirit of Jezebel. That's one of the functions of the spirit of Jezebel. Go against it. 00:57:02.200 --> 00:57:12.200 Because our kingdom works by this amazing, amazing, ridiculous, illogical, upside down principle. Give, receive. 00:57:12.200 --> 00:57:18.200 So, reap. So generously, reap generously. So sparingly, reap sparingly. 00:57:18.200 --> 00:57:24.200 It's a, it's a, I'm telling you it's a foolproof way of living. You will always win. 00:57:24.200 --> 00:57:32.200 Here's, I mean the reason we don't take up an offering here is not because I'm scared of taking up an offering. 00:57:32.200 --> 00:57:39.200 Just because we want you to hilariously give without obligation or compulsion. And praise God you are. 00:57:39.200 --> 00:57:49.200 I pray God that next time you go there we'll put a tape, little tape recorder there. Put it on so that when you go you should go ha ha ha ha and throw your money in. 00:57:49.200 --> 00:58:00.200 There you go. Give joyfully. Joyful giver, cheerful giver. Hilariously give. 00:58:00.200 --> 00:58:07.200 Because I sometimes think we should occasionally do an offering just so we remember what it was like. 00:58:07.200 --> 00:58:15.200 But the point is so that there's no compulsion or obligation or necessity. But give joyfully. When you go there to drop your envelope do it joyfully. 00:58:15.200 --> 00:58:23.200 Know that there's no little plate or ashtray going around. But I suggest four ways of giving. 00:58:23.200 --> 00:58:35.200 And these are four ways that I do practice and I've seen tremendous benefits from it. 00:58:35.200 --> 00:58:42.200 One when it comes to giving, give to the needs of the house. So the first one is give to the needs of the house. 00:58:42.200 --> 00:58:50.200 Because one of the things when you teach something like this is usually the ones who teach this are the ones who probably don't do it. 00:58:50.200 --> 00:58:55.200 Because somehow when pastors teach this they think they have a free ride for two months not giving. 00:58:55.200 --> 00:59:00.200 Because I did teach it, at least they will give. No, I'd like to say to you that I practice these. 00:59:00.200 --> 00:59:07.200 Give to the needs of the house. 00:59:07.200 --> 00:59:13.200 Give to the sowing of the word. 00:59:13.200 --> 00:59:18.200 Give to Melchizedek's. 00:59:18.200 --> 00:59:22.200 And I'll explain what that means. 00:59:22.200 --> 00:59:26.200 I think we'll have to stop with just the first part we'll do. 00:59:26.200 --> 00:59:30.200 Well, I'll explain what that means. 00:59:30.200 --> 00:59:35.200 Give to help. 00:59:35.200 --> 00:59:40.200 These are four different ways of giving. 00:59:40.200 --> 00:59:47.200 Hey Ryan, can I ask you to just do a hot water thingy please? 00:59:47.200 --> 00:59:52.200 These are four different ways of giving. 00:59:52.200 --> 00:59:57.200 The first one is give to the house. Why house? 00:59:57.200 --> 01:00:06.200 Because if I were to quote Proverbs 5.26 to suit my purpose in a sense of speaking, this is the wife of my youth. 01:00:06.200 --> 01:00:13.200 This house is the wife of my youth. Why should I go distribute the springs and the fountains of my life elsewhere first? 01:00:13.200 --> 01:00:18.200 Proverbs 5.26 says, give to the house. 01:00:18.200 --> 01:00:23.200 I would rather give my resources first here. 01:00:23.200 --> 01:00:28.200 I'm not saying it should only be here. But I'm saying this should be something here. 01:00:28.200 --> 01:00:33.200 This is the wife of my youth. 01:00:33.200 --> 01:00:38.200 This is the wife of my youth. This body is that which I'm connected to. 01:00:38.200 --> 01:00:44.200 So rather than give my resources first somewhere else, I would rather give my resources first here. 01:00:44.200 --> 01:00:49.200 It should only be here. But I'm saying this should be something that I first give to. 01:00:49.200 --> 01:00:54.200 Fed. 01:00:54.200 --> 01:01:00.200 Actually that scripture is not right when it says bring your food into the storehouse. 01:01:00.200 --> 01:01:08.200 The storehouse was never where you got fed. The storehouse was a place that would take grain so that the immigrants are poor and the Levites would be fed. 01:01:08.200 --> 01:01:10.200 It was never for your feeding. 01:01:10.200 --> 01:01:15.200 So in a sense that scripture is wonkyly interpreted. 01:01:15.200 --> 01:01:22.200 It was never meant to be a place where you get fed. It was supposed to be a place where you bring so that others get fed. 01:01:22.200 --> 01:01:27.200 So we'll deal with that another time. 01:01:27.200 --> 01:01:32.200 Give to help. 01:01:32.200 --> 01:01:37.200 Food in my house. 01:01:37.200 --> 01:01:43.200 Yeah, in my house to give to the poor, the immigrant and the others, not necessarily the place where you are fed. 01:01:43.200 --> 01:01:49.200 But that's a whole different teaching on tithing, which we did ages ago, but we might have to visit again. 01:01:49.200 --> 01:01:55.200 So give to the house that you are a part of because God uses me to supply his promotion. 01:01:55.200 --> 01:02:01.200 Sorry, God, God uses me to supply his provision to provide, promote his vision for his house. 01:02:01.200 --> 01:02:07.200 God uses me to supply his provision for his vision for his house. 01:02:07.200 --> 01:02:13.200 So one of the places you give is you give to the needs of the house. 01:02:13.200 --> 01:02:22.200 I mean, a lot of the money that is given here goes for rent and for the salary that is not salary for what is paid to me because I'm not really salaried. 01:02:22.200 --> 01:02:26.200 What is paid to me? But you know, one thing, let me just put this simply. 01:02:26.200 --> 01:02:35.200 And I know Heidi is here. So if I'm not telling the truth, she can just raise her hands slightly because because the money is given here will come to me. 01:02:35.200 --> 01:02:41.200 I don't necessarily give the monies as something that is receded to my advantage. 01:02:41.200 --> 01:02:47.200 I give the monies to what we have called the Benevolent Fund so that if there is a need in the church, the church can be helped. 01:02:47.200 --> 01:02:52.200 Otherwise, in a sense, I'm paying my own. 01:02:52.200 --> 01:02:57.200 I'm paying my own self and that is I'm not saying it's wrong, but there are better ways. 01:02:57.200 --> 01:03:05.200 If there is a better way of doing things, do it the better way, because you have to do whatever it takes to give like crazy because your God is extravagant. 01:03:05.200 --> 01:03:15.200 So that's one of the things I just want to throw in there just to show you that there is a way we can operate by giving and receiving that is mind blowing. 01:03:15.200 --> 01:03:20.200 Any questions with regard to giving to the house? 01:03:20.200 --> 01:03:29.200 God uses you to supply his provision to promote his vision for his house. 01:03:29.200 --> 01:03:39.200 That's what he's doing. God uses you to provide for his vision in his house. 01:03:39.200 --> 01:03:41.200 That's what he's doing when you give money. 01:03:41.200 --> 01:03:46.200 I'm reading the whole Bible now. 01:03:46.200 --> 01:03:49.200 Thanks Ryan. 01:03:49.200 --> 01:03:55.200 He said to the people, he should bring the offering of God towards the feast. 01:03:55.200 --> 01:03:59.200 To give it to God was to let the breeze through into the home. 01:03:59.200 --> 01:04:02.200 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 01:04:02.200 --> 01:04:08.200 The second reason I give is the second reason we give, we give to the sowing of the word. 01:04:08.200 --> 01:04:20.200 Folks, this is where you may not be able to go across, but then you go and sow in places where the word will go across because the word has to go free folks. 01:04:20.200 --> 01:04:22.200 You know the reason we don't charge for CDs? 01:04:22.200 --> 01:04:27.200 There are far richer churches than us that charge for CDs and stuff like that. 01:04:27.200 --> 01:04:32.200 We can't charge for stuff that, I mean, Jesus said, do the sons pay tax? 01:04:32.200 --> 01:04:37.200 No, we can't charge the sons of the house money for listening to the word of God. 01:04:37.200 --> 01:04:41.200 The word of God, as far as possible, has to keep going free. 01:04:41.200 --> 01:04:46.200 You think anyone in this church who has gone on trips was paid by the church? 01:04:46.200 --> 01:04:56.200 You should ask Anne whether we gave her a cent out of this church or Heidi or Sue or Elmer or myself. 01:04:56.200 --> 01:04:59.200 That has to be done free. 01:04:59.200 --> 01:05:01.200 That's your giving. 01:05:01.200 --> 01:05:04.200 Give and I guarantee you it will come back. 01:05:04.200 --> 01:05:07.200 Guarantee you it will come back. 01:05:07.200 --> 01:05:10.200 And you don't have to be a pastor for that. 01:05:10.200 --> 01:05:14.200 God is no respecter of pastors, folks. 01:05:14.200 --> 01:05:18.200 I have been struggling with that one for a long time. 01:05:18.200 --> 01:05:19.200 He just gives, man. 01:05:19.200 --> 01:05:26.200 Because faith was not the realm of full-time or part-time workers of God because there's nothing like that. 01:05:26.200 --> 01:05:29.200 All of us are priests, folks, and he's got to provide. 01:05:29.200 --> 01:05:35.200 For kingdom purpose, kingdom king provides. 01:05:35.200 --> 01:05:38.200 It may not come in a day, but it'll come. 01:05:38.200 --> 01:05:41.200 I mean, let me give you a ridiculous example. 01:05:41.200 --> 01:05:44.200 You know how much I spent on air travel last year? 01:05:44.200 --> 01:05:45.200 $18,000. 01:05:45.200 --> 01:05:46.200 I just did my taxes. 01:05:46.200 --> 01:05:50.200 $18,000 for air travel. 01:05:50.200 --> 01:05:52.200 You know how long it took me to get it back? 01:05:52.200 --> 01:05:55.200 One and a half days. 01:05:55.200 --> 01:06:04.200 Out of the blue, someone came and said, I would like to give you $20,000. 01:06:04.200 --> 01:06:07.200 Doesn't come to this church. 01:06:07.200 --> 01:06:09.200 None of you know him. 01:06:09.200 --> 01:06:11.200 Or maybe he's... 01:06:11.200 --> 01:06:12.200 Yeah. 01:06:12.200 --> 01:06:16.200 The point is, God does it ridiculously. 01:06:16.200 --> 01:06:19.200 So never hesitate to give to the sowing of the word. 01:06:19.200 --> 01:06:22.200 And folks, we have four methods here. 01:06:22.200 --> 01:06:28.200 We usually decide that if we have a pizza called Moneys, that this slice is what I will give away. 01:06:28.200 --> 01:06:30.200 Now, if we have four methods, the slice gets smaller. 01:06:30.200 --> 01:06:31.200 No, no, no, no. 01:06:31.200 --> 01:06:33.200 The slice should get bigger. 01:06:33.200 --> 01:06:37.200 Because as you make the slice bigger, the pizza gets getting bigger too. 01:06:37.200 --> 01:06:41.200 What we do is we now decide, I've got to take 10% and divide it by four. 01:06:41.200 --> 01:06:46.200 If you're like me in math, it'll take you a little while, but you end up getting 2.5% each to all these four. 01:06:46.200 --> 01:06:47.200 No, no, no. 01:06:47.200 --> 01:06:52.200 Why not try and say, Father, here are four things that I would like to begin giving to as you show me. 01:06:52.200 --> 01:06:58.200 And as you show me, I want to give as much as you tell me to. 01:06:58.200 --> 01:07:01.200 Because it is not 10% that belongs to God. 01:07:01.200 --> 01:07:05.200 All your money belongs to him. 01:07:05.200 --> 01:07:07.200 All your money belongs to him. 01:07:07.200 --> 01:07:08.200 All your money belongs to him. 01:07:08.200 --> 01:07:12.200 It's not just 10%. 01:07:12.200 --> 01:07:13.200 Ask him. 01:07:13.200 --> 01:07:17.200 Like I said, this is the most beautiful way to part with money. 01:07:17.200 --> 01:07:19.200 It is so helpful when you think like this. 01:07:19.200 --> 01:07:20.200 Father, it's your money. 01:07:20.200 --> 01:07:22.200 What do you want to do with it? 01:07:22.200 --> 01:07:26.200 I'm telling you, man, it takes a burden off your shoulders. 01:07:26.200 --> 01:07:28.200 Because suddenly you're not saying, Father, it's my money. 01:07:28.200 --> 01:07:30.200 How much of it do you want me to give away? 01:07:30.200 --> 01:07:31.200 Father, it's your money. 01:07:31.200 --> 01:07:35.200 How much do you want to give away? 01:07:35.200 --> 01:07:41.200 Because now when he tells you a figure, be it small or big, you may react in shock or delight. 01:07:41.200 --> 01:07:45.200 But the point is you'll give it away because it's not yours to begin with. 01:07:45.200 --> 01:07:48.200 I loved giving my dad's money away when he used to give me money. 01:07:48.200 --> 01:07:49.200 He could never understand. 01:07:49.200 --> 01:07:50.200 Any church would ask for money. 01:07:50.200 --> 01:07:51.200 I'd write out checks. 01:07:51.200 --> 01:07:52.200 Why? Because it wasn't coming out of my wallet. 01:07:52.200 --> 01:07:54.200 It was my dad's money. 01:07:54.200 --> 01:07:56.200 And then I'd say, I need some more money. 01:07:56.200 --> 01:07:57.200 What happened to the last amount? 01:07:57.200 --> 01:07:59.200 I said, oh, a church needed. 01:07:59.200 --> 01:08:01.200 And he would look at me like, what's wrong with you? 01:08:01.200 --> 01:08:05.200 I mean, when you start earning, you'll know what it feels like. 01:08:05.200 --> 01:08:08.200 But it felt good to write away checks of my dad's money away. 01:08:08.200 --> 01:08:09.200 I agree with you. 01:08:09.200 --> 01:08:10.200 Yeah. 01:08:12.200 --> 01:08:13.200 Don't look at me. 01:08:13.200 --> 01:08:15.200 I'm not going to give you checks. 01:08:19.200 --> 01:08:23.200 I often think this man will prosper because of what the Lord did at that coffee shop. 01:08:23.200 --> 01:08:25.200 Remember when we took up an offering and the Lord said, give it to him? 01:08:25.200 --> 01:08:30.200 And it was just a token to show you that all throughout your life you will be provided for well, by God. 01:08:31.200 --> 01:08:33.200 You're the only one to receive an offering in the church. 01:08:33.200 --> 01:08:34.200 You know that? 01:08:34.200 --> 01:08:36.200 And it was not because your parents didn't have money. 01:08:36.200 --> 01:08:38.200 They had enough money. 01:08:38.200 --> 01:08:40.200 Crazy what God did that day. 01:08:46.200 --> 01:08:47.200 Yeah. 01:08:47.200 --> 01:08:48.200 And we didn't even know why we were collecting it. 01:08:48.200 --> 01:08:50.200 All we knew was God saying, take up an offering. 01:08:50.200 --> 01:08:53.200 We'd taken up an offering and now we don't know what to do with it. 01:08:53.200 --> 01:08:55.200 And the Lord says, give it to Ryan. 01:08:55.200 --> 01:08:56.200 Folks, why Melchizedeks? 01:08:56.200 --> 01:08:57.200 Who are Melchizedeks? 01:08:57.200 --> 01:09:02.200 Melchizedeks are those who bring you bread and wine. 01:09:02.200 --> 01:09:17.200 And sometimes when you have extra money, give it to the Melchizedeks in your life. 01:09:17.200 --> 01:09:23.200 For instance, when I got some extra money recently, I was able to buy a new house. 01:09:23.200 --> 01:09:26.200 And I got some extra money recently. 01:09:26.200 --> 01:09:30.200 I took a chunk of it and sent it to Eddie. 01:09:30.200 --> 01:09:38.200 Eddie isn't part of this church, but he's a Melchizedek in my life where he has brought me bread and wine. 01:09:38.200 --> 01:09:40.200 And I have benefited from it. 01:09:40.200 --> 01:09:42.200 So I took that money and sent it to Eddie. 01:09:42.200 --> 01:09:47.200 And then there's another guy I met in Switzerland on this last trip called Segi, 01:09:47.200 --> 01:09:51.200 whose teachings I have benefited from and you have benefited as a result of that. 01:09:51.200 --> 01:09:54.200 I've gained tremendously from his teachings and from his tapes. 01:09:54.200 --> 01:09:59.200 And a lot of what I have talked over the last seven or eight weeks came from what he input into my life. 01:09:59.200 --> 01:10:01.200 He brought me bread and wine. 01:10:01.200 --> 01:10:07.200 So after sending Eddie, I sent that man a part of what I wanted to. 01:10:07.200 --> 01:10:10.200 Both are in South Africa. 01:10:10.200 --> 01:10:12.200 I don't even know whether he knows it. 01:10:12.200 --> 01:10:16.200 I don't know whether he'll even know where it came from, but that doesn't matter. 01:10:16.200 --> 01:10:21.200 I'm giving to Melchizedek because they gave me bread and wine for my life. 01:10:21.200 --> 01:10:24.200 And what is the benefit? 01:10:24.200 --> 01:10:28.200 Suddenly you're not just honoring the gift, you're honoring the giver of the gift. 01:10:28.200 --> 01:10:34.200 And that's how you keep your bread and wine vibrant instead of it turning into mold and vinegar. 01:10:34.200 --> 01:10:39.200 Because sometimes bread and wine can turn stale when we only aspire after the gift 01:10:39.200 --> 01:10:44.200 and do not recognize the grace that is in the person who is giving the gift. 01:10:45.200 --> 01:10:46.200 Pardon? 01:10:48.200 --> 01:10:51.200 Someone who you are receiving bread and wine from. 01:10:53.200 --> 01:10:54.200 Spiritually. 01:10:54.200 --> 01:10:57.200 And you don't have to do this on a regular basis. 01:10:57.200 --> 01:11:02.200 Do it when you sense the Lord saying it and when you have some extra cash to spare. 01:11:03.200 --> 01:11:07.200 Because if you realize, what did Abraham give Melchizedek? 01:11:07.200 --> 01:11:12.200 He gave him out of the spoils of war or he gave him out of his victory. 01:11:12.200 --> 01:11:20.200 So whenever you suddenly have an influx or a sudden extra surge because it's something that God has given, 01:11:20.200 --> 01:11:23.200 give it to Melchizedek. It'll benefit you folks. 01:11:23.200 --> 01:11:26.200 I know that I will benefit. 01:11:27.200 --> 01:11:32.200 And that's why I said I practice this, therefore I'm okay about talking about it too. 01:11:32.200 --> 01:11:39.200 And on top, the Lord can use it to spread the kingdom of God in the other part of the world. 01:11:39.200 --> 01:11:45.200 Or he can use that to buy the guy good food and a brand new TV and a Wii. 01:11:45.200 --> 01:11:47.200 And some hockey cards. 01:11:48.200 --> 01:11:51.200 Or don't, see Gisela, she's talking about hockey cards. 01:11:52.200 --> 01:11:53.200 I must have won. 01:11:53.200 --> 01:11:54.200 You can't give up. 01:11:54.200 --> 01:11:56.200 No, she's bringing it up again. 01:11:56.200 --> 01:12:02.200 So because they have sold in my life, because you are benefiting because of what I have benefited from this guy called Segi, 01:12:02.200 --> 01:12:08.200 very humble man, many other things, Aaron's rod. 01:12:08.200 --> 01:12:12.200 This is the same guy who was talking about the Lord's Supper when my tailbone got healed. 01:12:12.200 --> 01:12:13.200 Same guy. 01:12:14.200 --> 01:12:17.200 So I see him as someone who's given me bread and wine. 01:12:17.200 --> 01:12:22.200 And so the least I can do is honor this thing. 01:12:22.200 --> 01:12:23.200 This is just another thing. 01:12:23.200 --> 01:12:24.200 And the last one is give to help. 01:12:24.200 --> 01:12:32.200 I think this is the principle that we need to identify because there are biblical scriptures and then there are principles we derive out of them. 01:12:33.200 --> 01:12:36.200 The two have to be seen separately. 01:12:36.200 --> 01:12:40.200 There are tons and tons of scripture and then there are principles you draw out of them. 01:12:41.200 --> 01:12:45.200 Because the first one is the second one is the third one. 01:12:45.200 --> 01:12:46.200 separately. 01:12:46.200 --> 01:12:50.200 There are tons and tons of scripture and then there are principles you draw out of them. 01:12:51.200 --> 01:12:57.200 Because I, for instance, this has been in the Bible always, right? 01:12:58.200 --> 01:13:01.200 But I'd suggest to you that this is one of the first times we are hearing about it. 01:13:01.200 --> 01:13:06.200 So it was not because of the lack of scripture, but because now out of the scriptures, the principle has been drawn. 01:13:08.200 --> 01:13:10.200 So that's how we need to see it. 01:13:15.200 --> 01:13:21.200 Yeah, that could perhaps. 01:13:21.200 --> 01:13:25.200 Yeah, I'm not arguing, but these are different ways we can give. 01:13:25.200 --> 01:13:27.200 And the last one is give to help. 01:13:27.200 --> 01:13:33.200 Help is I have received in my lack and now I can give because I have more to give. 01:13:33.200 --> 01:13:37.200 Folks, you have no idea how much lack I was in. 01:13:37.200 --> 01:13:38.200 I won't even go into it. 01:13:38.200 --> 01:13:44.200 But you have also no idea of how many people helped me when I was in lack. 01:13:44.200 --> 01:13:49.200 Just would give me without without holding back. 01:13:49.200 --> 01:13:51.200 They would give me. 01:13:51.200 --> 01:13:57.200 And now that I have, I should be in a position to help someone else's lack. 01:13:57.200 --> 01:14:01.200 And I've seen it work when you suddenly respond to God asking you to go give somebody. 01:14:01.200 --> 01:14:03.200 It's nuts. The timing is just perfect, man. 01:14:03.200 --> 01:14:09.200 I remember a certain situation where the Lord told me to give to somebody who used to give to me when I was in lack. 01:14:09.200 --> 01:14:10.200 And I go give to the person. 01:14:10.200 --> 01:14:15.200 And two hours before I went to give the person this large amount of money, 01:14:15.200 --> 01:14:20.200 the person had received a note from EI saying that his EI was denied. 01:14:20.200 --> 01:14:24.200 And two hours later, I'm going there and the amount was about the same as the EI. 01:14:24.200 --> 01:14:26.200 And it blew his mind. 01:14:26.200 --> 01:14:30.200 But suddenly that morning, the Lord said, remember how he used to give you when you had nothing? 01:14:30.200 --> 01:14:34.200 You need to go and give him right now. 01:14:34.200 --> 01:14:39.200 When we do it when he wants and the timing is perfect, if we do it not in timing, it will still be great. 01:14:39.200 --> 01:14:42.200 But sometimes an adventure is missed out on. 01:14:42.200 --> 01:14:44.200 So go ahead. 01:14:44.200 --> 01:14:56.200 Sometimes, yes, sometimes, sometimes generosity becomes so natural sometimes for some people that they give even just because that's the nature of God. 01:14:56.200 --> 01:15:00.200 Sometimes you need to ask. 01:15:00.200 --> 01:15:02.200 I'm almost done, folks. 01:15:02.200 --> 01:15:04.200 So we won't finish the rest. 01:15:04.200 --> 01:15:08.200 Pardon? 01:15:08.200 --> 01:15:11.200 Yeah. 01:15:11.200 --> 01:15:13.200 I can never say no to that. 01:15:13.200 --> 01:15:18.200 It depends on. 01:15:18.200 --> 01:15:21.200 Yeah, then make the make a judgment call. 01:15:21.200 --> 01:15:26.200 My usual way is to ask if they ask for money, I say, why don't you come out, sit with you and let's have some food. 01:15:26.200 --> 01:15:30.200 So I take and if they say no, then I don't know what to do. 01:15:30.200 --> 01:15:36.200 But usually if a person is hungry, they'll respond to wanting food and to sit with the person in need. 01:15:36.200 --> 01:15:37.200 Yeah, I know you do. 01:15:37.200 --> 01:15:43.200 But I'm saying sometimes you have to make that judgment call. 01:15:43.200 --> 01:15:50.200 Yeah, that's why emotional giving is not always a smart idea. 01:15:50.200 --> 01:15:58.200 A fifth concept that if you want to throw in, you can throw in is that pay your debts if you're able to. 01:15:59.200 --> 01:16:06.200 To hold back when you have, regardless of whether the person is well off or not, is stealing. 01:16:06.200 --> 01:16:15.200 If you have debts, all these giving may be fine, but if you add a fifth one, it's my debt. 01:16:15.200 --> 01:16:24.200 If I give all this, but I hold back from people that I owe money to, regardless of how well off they are, I need to give to them. 01:16:24.200 --> 01:16:31.200 Yeah, I mean, let me go to a hockey story. 01:16:31.200 --> 01:16:38.200 Recently, about 12 years ago, someone gave me row three hockey tickets to the Canucks. 01:16:38.200 --> 01:16:40.200 Yeah, that's right up front. 01:16:40.200 --> 01:16:42.200 And those tickets cost 120 bucks. 01:16:42.200 --> 01:16:47.200 And I was so desperate to go see the game that I said, yeah, yeah, I'll take the ticket. 01:16:47.200 --> 01:16:54.200 And about four days ago, the Lord reminded me that I hadn't paid them for 12 years. 01:16:54.200 --> 01:17:03.200 So now, I know they won't, but they'll be shocked to even think that where this money has come from. 01:17:03.200 --> 01:17:11.200 But I have to pay them 120 bucks because four days ago, very clearly, the Lord said, you owe them 120 for a ticket. 01:17:11.200 --> 01:17:13.200 You haven't paid them for 12 years. 01:17:17.200 --> 01:17:18.200 No, they didn't give it to me. 01:17:18.200 --> 01:17:22.200 I just didn't pay them and they were nice enough not to run after me. 01:17:22.200 --> 01:17:26.200 No, I haven't. 01:17:26.200 --> 01:17:31.200 No, because I didn't know how to break it to them. 01:17:31.200 --> 01:17:34.200 It would look a little ridiculous, but I have found a way. 01:17:34.200 --> 01:17:37.200 Yeah, because I thought of that. 01:17:37.200 --> 01:17:43.200 Kingdom principles are giving and receiving are vital to propel you into Kingdom provision. 01:17:43.200 --> 01:17:45.200 It goes against the grain of Babylon. 01:17:45.200 --> 01:17:51.200 All this has to be done with free will, without legislation, to the degree you have faith for it. 01:17:51.200 --> 01:17:55.200 So generously, you'll reap abundantly. 01:17:55.200 --> 01:17:58.200 And don't divide your pie into smaller pieces. 01:17:58.200 --> 01:18:00.200 Instead, enlarge the portions. 01:18:00.200 --> 01:18:04.200 And we'll deal with wealth creation and wealth transfer another time. 01:18:04.200 --> 01:18:06.200 Any questions on these folks? 01:18:06.200 --> 01:18:10.200 Folks, please understand these are not meant to take advantage of you. 01:18:10.200 --> 01:18:13.200 These are meant to prosper you. 01:18:13.200 --> 01:18:16.200 But the mentality has to change here first. 01:18:16.200 --> 01:18:18.200 It's here that it has to change. 01:18:18.200 --> 01:18:22.200 Any questions? 01:18:22.200 --> 01:18:25.200 Wealth creation is interesting. 01:18:25.200 --> 01:18:42.200 I mean, do you know, for instance, that if Tino stays around in this church forever, that we will see him create some kind of thing that will be used in farms and agriculture? 01:18:42.200 --> 01:18:47.200 And agricultural areas in South America. 01:18:47.200 --> 01:18:48.200 Right? 01:18:48.200 --> 01:18:50.200 That's the word on you. 01:18:50.200 --> 01:18:52.200 God gives ideas for wealth creation, man. 01:18:52.200 --> 01:18:53.200 That's something he'll do. 01:18:53.200 --> 01:19:10.200 Did you know that Pastor Jerry, who was here, that he has a patent or patent that will run out this year on a simple piping that is used in toilet pipes all over the world? 01:19:10.200 --> 01:19:12.200 And that suddenly the Lord gave him the idea. 01:19:12.200 --> 01:19:17.200 And when he first started it, he and his children and four of them would sit and with their hand, they would put it together. 01:19:17.200 --> 01:19:18.200 That's how they started. 01:19:18.200 --> 01:19:19.200 And then they patented it. 01:19:19.200 --> 01:19:25.200 And he's been getting a patent royalty on it for the last hundreds of years.