1 00:00:00,030 --> 00:00:04,710 so I encourage you if we come along to 2 00:00:02,280 --> 00:00:06,509 that which will be great filled in your 3 00:00:04,710 --> 00:00:11,130 Bibles are telling me to the book of 4 00:00:06,509 --> 00:00:17,270 Acts Acts chapter 20 Acts chapter 20 5 00:00:11,130 --> 00:00:21,150 verse 35 Acts chapter 20 verse 35 it 6 00:00:17,270 --> 00:00:22,890 says this I've shown you in every way by 7 00:00:21,150 --> 00:00:25,019 laboring like this that you must support 8 00:00:22,890 --> 00:00:27,359 the weak and remember the words of the 9 00:00:25,019 --> 00:00:30,060 Lord Jesus that he said it's more 10 00:00:27,359 --> 00:00:32,070 blessed to give than it is to receive I 11 00:00:30,060 --> 00:00:33,719 read that again I've shown you in every 12 00:00:32,070 --> 00:00:35,460 way by laboring like this that you must 13 00:00:33,719 --> 00:00:37,110 support the meat of the weak remember 14 00:00:35,460 --> 00:00:39,420 the words of the Lord Jesus that he said 15 00:00:37,110 --> 00:00:41,160 it's more blessed to give than it is to 16 00:00:39,420 --> 00:00:43,860 receive title my message today is called 17 00:00:41,160 --> 00:00:45,390 get blessed let's pray father I thank 18 00:00:43,860 --> 00:00:47,399 you for your word I just ask and pray 19 00:00:45,390 --> 00:00:49,289 that you would bring your Kingdom 20 00:00:47,399 --> 00:00:51,660 mindset into our heart so I thank you 21 00:00:49,289 --> 00:00:52,649 and praise you for a lot in Jesus name 22 00:00:51,660 --> 00:00:55,440 Amen 23 00:00:52,649 --> 00:00:58,010 as a preacher and I've been preaching 24 00:00:55,440 --> 00:01:00,629 now for twenty years you always know 25 00:00:58,010 --> 00:01:04,110 certain topics will get certain types of 26 00:01:00,629 --> 00:01:05,850 responses and so and so as a preacher 27 00:01:04,110 --> 00:01:08,010 there are some topics that are very easy 28 00:01:05,850 --> 00:01:10,110 to preach on and there are some others 29 00:01:08,010 --> 00:01:11,610 where literally you can sometimes get a 30 00:01:10,110 --> 00:01:13,409 little bit of kickback when you talk 31 00:01:11,610 --> 00:01:14,970 about it but the scripture says the 32 00:01:13,409 --> 00:01:17,610 Apostle Paul preached on the whole 33 00:01:14,970 --> 00:01:19,710 counsel of God and so as a preacher it 34 00:01:17,610 --> 00:01:21,150 is important that there are a number of 35 00:01:19,710 --> 00:01:23,100 topics regardless of whether they're 36 00:01:21,150 --> 00:01:24,689 controversial regardless of whether 37 00:01:23,100 --> 00:01:27,630 they're popular that as a preacher it's 38 00:01:24,689 --> 00:01:30,060 important for us to talk about here 39 00:01:27,630 --> 00:01:32,610 Jesus says it's quoted by the Apostle 40 00:01:30,060 --> 00:01:35,280 Paul quoting Jesus and Jesus said it's 41 00:01:32,610 --> 00:01:37,650 more blessed to give than it is to 42 00:01:35,280 --> 00:01:39,689 receive now that's a verse that I had 43 00:01:37,650 --> 00:01:41,939 heard many times growing up in church 44 00:01:39,689 --> 00:01:44,700 but I had misunderstood what it meant 45 00:01:41,939 --> 00:01:47,369 when I heard the term it's more blessed 46 00:01:44,700 --> 00:01:50,040 to give I just equated blessing with how 47 00:01:47,369 --> 00:01:53,460 you feel so I thought it meant it feels 48 00:01:50,040 --> 00:01:55,290 nicer to give than it is to receive but 49 00:01:53,460 --> 00:01:56,360 who knows as you live life that's not 50 00:01:55,290 --> 00:01:58,979 necessarily true 51 00:01:56,360 --> 00:02:00,689 but actually I'll be honest with you 52 00:01:58,979 --> 00:02:02,280 actually feels a lot nicer to receive 53 00:02:00,689 --> 00:02:04,590 you know what I'm saying 54 00:02:02,280 --> 00:02:07,290 that sometimes it actually hurts to give 55 00:02:04,590 --> 00:02:09,810 so the word it says blessed it's not 56 00:02:07,290 --> 00:02:11,069 actually talking about how we feel in 57 00:02:09,810 --> 00:02:12,130 the scripture when it talks about 58 00:02:11,069 --> 00:02:14,770 blessing there's 59 00:02:12,130 --> 00:02:15,940 always consequences as a result when God 60 00:02:14,770 --> 00:02:18,280 says I'm going to bless you this 61 00:02:15,940 --> 00:02:20,170 tangible outcomes and consequences that 62 00:02:18,280 --> 00:02:21,790 we see come into people's lives it's 63 00:02:20,170 --> 00:02:23,980 more than a feeling it's more than an 64 00:02:21,790 --> 00:02:26,530 ethereal thing it's actually things that 65 00:02:23,980 --> 00:02:28,420 we actually get to experience so when 66 00:02:26,530 --> 00:02:30,850 Jesus says it's more blessed to give 67 00:02:28,420 --> 00:02:32,560 than it is to receive he is basically 68 00:02:30,850 --> 00:02:35,230 saying that there's nothing wrong with 69 00:02:32,560 --> 00:02:36,430 receiving in fact I know some people I 70 00:02:35,230 --> 00:02:38,410 don't know have you ever tried to give 71 00:02:36,430 --> 00:02:40,780 something to somebody and they haven't 72 00:02:38,410 --> 00:02:41,890 wanted to receive it and it's like you 73 00:02:40,780 --> 00:02:43,330 know and it's like that there's 74 00:02:41,890 --> 00:02:44,710 something that somehow there's something 75 00:02:43,330 --> 00:02:47,500 wrong with it there's no problem with 76 00:02:44,710 --> 00:02:49,030 receiving receiving is a blessing but 77 00:02:47,500 --> 00:02:51,370 the scripture he tells us that it's 78 00:02:49,030 --> 00:02:53,050 actually more blessed to give what does 79 00:02:51,370 --> 00:02:55,210 that mean it means that it's more 80 00:02:53,050 --> 00:02:57,400 blessing if you open up more of the 81 00:02:55,210 --> 00:02:58,810 blessings of God and positive tangible 82 00:02:57,400 --> 00:03:00,790 outcomes in your life than by simply 83 00:02:58,810 --> 00:03:02,710 receiving there's nothing wrong with 84 00:03:00,790 --> 00:03:04,810 receiving but it's actually more blessed 85 00:03:02,710 --> 00:03:06,160 to give and all through the scripture 86 00:03:04,810 --> 00:03:08,140 there are a number of things where it 87 00:03:06,160 --> 00:03:11,080 indicates that when you give these 88 00:03:08,140 --> 00:03:13,270 outcomes pop-open into your life and 89 00:03:11,080 --> 00:03:15,490 Jesus here is saying it's more blessed 90 00:03:13,270 --> 00:03:17,740 you are more blessed you access more of 91 00:03:15,490 --> 00:03:20,110 the blessings of God by giving than by 92 00:03:17,740 --> 00:03:21,400 simply receiving this has been a message 93 00:03:20,110 --> 00:03:23,950 this is something that I've been 94 00:03:21,400 --> 00:03:25,750 passionate about for around about 20 95 00:03:23,950 --> 00:03:28,600 years in fact 10 years ago I actually 96 00:03:25,750 --> 00:03:30,310 wrote a book about it and arm but I also 97 00:03:28,600 --> 00:03:32,140 found that there was sometimes there 98 00:03:30,310 --> 00:03:33,820 were people who kind of question my 99 00:03:32,140 --> 00:03:36,070 motives when I was actually talking 100 00:03:33,820 --> 00:03:37,660 about it I remember one time I was 101 00:03:36,070 --> 00:03:39,460 actually at a local shopping center 102 00:03:37,660 --> 00:03:41,620 talking to one of the kids from my youth 103 00:03:39,460 --> 00:03:42,340 group and a lady came up to me and she 104 00:03:41,620 --> 00:03:45,010 said excuse me 105 00:03:42,340 --> 00:03:46,000 you've been Itoko I said yeah and and I 106 00:03:45,010 --> 00:03:48,970 thought you know she was wanting an 107 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:50,620 autograph or something and and I was 108 00:03:48,970 --> 00:03:52,480 getting getting ready to sign and she 109 00:03:50,620 --> 00:03:53,980 goes I just want to let you know now 110 00:03:52,480 --> 00:03:56,110 what had happened was our senior pastor 111 00:03:53,980 --> 00:03:58,360 it asked me to do a series on giving at 112 00:03:56,110 --> 00:03:59,950 our church for a few weeks and it really 113 00:03:58,360 --> 00:04:02,380 lifted the lid of some people's lives 114 00:03:59,950 --> 00:04:03,400 and and so I did that and but she was 115 00:04:02,380 --> 00:04:05,440 obviously one of the people who was 116 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,970 going there and she came up to me she 117 00:04:05,440 --> 00:04:08,850 goes oh listen I've been coming to 118 00:04:06,970 --> 00:04:10,959 church for a few years and she said but 119 00:04:08,850 --> 00:04:12,820 lately you've been doing talking about 120 00:04:10,959 --> 00:04:14,320 giving the last few weeks I said yeah 121 00:04:12,820 --> 00:04:17,230 that's right she has I just want to let 122 00:04:14,320 --> 00:04:19,720 you know I'm sick of it and she goes she 123 00:04:17,230 --> 00:04:21,190 goes I've heard enough she said I know a 124 00:04:19,720 --> 00:04:22,510 lot of other people are probably sick of 125 00:04:21,190 --> 00:04:24,060 it too and I'm just letting you know you 126 00:04:22,510 --> 00:04:26,160 got to stop talking about it 127 00:04:24,060 --> 00:04:28,430 and so and I was like cuz of a 128 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:29,550 completely blindsided me I'm like oh 129 00:04:28,430 --> 00:04:33,000 thanks 130 00:04:29,550 --> 00:04:35,970 okay and and the kid I was with he 131 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:37,830 looked at he goes whoa you know and I 132 00:04:35,970 --> 00:04:40,530 said welcome to my world champ anyway 133 00:04:37,830 --> 00:04:42,240 and so and after that I thought oh man 134 00:04:40,530 --> 00:04:44,940 you know I don't want to put people off 135 00:04:42,240 --> 00:04:46,800 by talking about it and I thought you 136 00:04:44,940 --> 00:04:49,230 know what I'll do I won't talk about it 137 00:04:46,800 --> 00:04:51,030 I'll just keep it quiet I'll just 138 00:04:49,230 --> 00:04:52,860 believe God for myself and I will never 139 00:04:51,030 --> 00:04:54,840 talk about giving and then I made the 140 00:04:52,860 --> 00:04:58,950 mistake of bringing that to the Lord and 141 00:04:54,840 --> 00:05:01,860 and he rebuked me and he said don't you 142 00:04:58,950 --> 00:05:04,200 dare he said you care about your 143 00:05:01,860 --> 00:05:06,270 reputation more than you do my people 144 00:05:04,200 --> 00:05:08,610 the scripture says it's money guys 145 00:05:06,270 --> 00:05:11,340 you're trying to shield my people from 146 00:05:08,610 --> 00:05:14,010 my blessing and he said so don't you 147 00:05:11,340 --> 00:05:15,810 dare do that and so and I said okay and 148 00:05:14,010 --> 00:05:16,890 I thought like because the motive was 149 00:05:15,810 --> 00:05:18,930 not to try and get more money out of 150 00:05:16,890 --> 00:05:20,700 people the motive is that people 151 00:05:18,930 --> 00:05:22,500 actually the scripture says people are 152 00:05:20,700 --> 00:05:24,540 more blessed when they give they're 153 00:05:22,500 --> 00:05:27,270 better off I would not be doing my job 154 00:05:24,540 --> 00:05:30,000 as a pastor if I withheld the potential 155 00:05:27,270 --> 00:05:31,530 for that blessing to pop open into 156 00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:32,790 people's lives remember another time 157 00:05:31,530 --> 00:05:33,990 we're at a conference I was writing 158 00:05:32,790 --> 00:05:35,700 conference and we're doing an offering 159 00:05:33,990 --> 00:05:37,140 and in the midst of the offering the 160 00:05:35,700 --> 00:05:39,840 back three rows got up and walked out 161 00:05:37,140 --> 00:05:41,550 and no growth then they came from a 162 00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:43,260 church that didn't want you to talk and 163 00:05:41,550 --> 00:05:45,150 we were just doing a normal offering and 164 00:05:43,260 --> 00:05:46,290 and I knew they were leaving because we 165 00:05:45,150 --> 00:05:48,570 were taking up an offering at the 166 00:05:46,290 --> 00:05:49,950 conference and I thought oh I thought 167 00:05:48,570 --> 00:05:52,110 and the guy was talking I thought maybe 168 00:05:49,950 --> 00:05:53,430 I should stop him you know and then I 169 00:05:52,110 --> 00:05:54,419 felt and I said law what do you want to 170 00:05:53,430 --> 00:05:56,400 do you want to stop him and I want to 171 00:05:54,419 --> 00:05:58,260 offend anybody and he said and he goes 172 00:05:56,400 --> 00:06:00,930 what's your motive for taking up the 173 00:05:58,260 --> 00:06:03,180 offering I said well my motive is that 174 00:06:00,930 --> 00:06:05,520 the people will be blessed and he said 175 00:06:03,180 --> 00:06:07,800 well why stop it was it oh okay 176 00:06:05,520 --> 00:06:10,020 and so I realized that it's something 177 00:06:07,800 --> 00:06:11,850 that the world has a mindset about 178 00:06:10,020 --> 00:06:13,470 certain things I believe the enemy has 179 00:06:11,850 --> 00:06:15,630 tried to infiltrate the mindset of 180 00:06:13,470 --> 00:06:17,760 people and try and turn people against 181 00:06:15,630 --> 00:06:19,650 this but the scripture is very clear all 182 00:06:17,760 --> 00:06:22,260 through it it is more blessed to give 183 00:06:19,650 --> 00:06:25,470 than it is to receive and so I'm gonna 184 00:06:22,260 --> 00:06:27,690 do a mini-series on the topic of the 185 00:06:25,470 --> 00:06:28,740 consequences of giving and I'm gonna 186 00:06:27,690 --> 00:06:30,780 call it get blessed and I'm breaking 187 00:06:28,740 --> 00:06:32,520 every rule in the book for actually 188 00:06:30,780 --> 00:06:34,919 doing it if you're gonna do a series 189 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:36,210 like that in your church number one 190 00:06:34,919 --> 00:06:37,290 you would go and do it to the lowest 191 00:06:36,210 --> 00:06:39,810 giving campus 192 00:06:37,290 --> 00:06:40,710 I know but I'm not going to do it to 193 00:06:39,810 --> 00:06:43,530 them I'm going to do it to this one 194 00:06:40,710 --> 00:06:46,260 which is actually quite good also you 195 00:06:43,530 --> 00:06:48,510 wouldn't do it in holidays but I'm going 196 00:06:46,260 --> 00:06:50,430 to be doing it in the midst of holidays 197 00:06:48,510 --> 00:06:52,890 and you wouldn't do it when you actually 198 00:06:50,430 --> 00:06:54,780 don't need it and the reality is as a 199 00:06:52,890 --> 00:06:56,040 church we've just done our audit reports 200 00:06:54,780 --> 00:06:57,450 and our financials we have the 201 00:06:56,040 --> 00:07:03,210 healthiest financial year we've had in 202 00:06:57,450 --> 00:07:05,400 many many years as a church we are not 203 00:07:03,210 --> 00:07:08,400 in a position of lack we are not in a 204 00:07:05,400 --> 00:07:10,590 position of desperation we're fine and 205 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:12,270 so and so if you're thinking oh you're 206 00:07:10,590 --> 00:07:14,670 exactly doing that because you know I'm 207 00:07:12,270 --> 00:07:16,200 not well literally I just felt God put 208 00:07:14,670 --> 00:07:18,270 in this little window we have before the 209 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:19,860 21 days our breakthrough to just share 210 00:07:18,270 --> 00:07:22,110 on some of these principles but please 211 00:07:19,860 --> 00:07:24,810 hear my heart know my heart the reason 212 00:07:22,110 --> 00:07:26,160 and the motivation is because I want if 213 00:07:24,810 --> 00:07:28,890 I've got a chance to lead a group of 214 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:32,310 people I want them to know that it is 215 00:07:28,890 --> 00:07:34,950 more blessed to give than it is to 216 00:07:32,310 --> 00:07:35,940 receive and so buckle up next couple of 217 00:07:34,950 --> 00:07:37,470 weeks and I'm just going to share a 218 00:07:35,940 --> 00:07:39,930 couple of things that the scripture 219 00:07:37,470 --> 00:07:43,800 indicates about some of the consequences 220 00:07:39,930 --> 00:07:48,480 of giving amen and so and we won't be 221 00:07:43,800 --> 00:07:49,830 doing an offering after this you know 222 00:07:48,480 --> 00:07:51,720 and I mean it won't be I'm not going to 223 00:07:49,830 --> 00:07:53,760 sign you up for any pledges I'm not 224 00:07:51,720 --> 00:07:56,400 gonna sign you up for anything please 225 00:07:53,760 --> 00:07:57,780 hear my heart that the reason is it's 226 00:07:56,400 --> 00:07:59,640 because we believe it's more blessed 227 00:07:57,780 --> 00:08:02,010 it's just the mindset it's a topic in 228 00:07:59,640 --> 00:08:03,720 the midst of Scripture amen and there'll 229 00:08:02,010 --> 00:08:05,910 be other times we'll preach on unpopular 230 00:08:03,720 --> 00:08:07,260 topics like holiness and purity and that 231 00:08:05,910 --> 00:08:09,050 sort of thing as well so don't worry 232 00:08:07,260 --> 00:08:12,840 about it 233 00:08:09,050 --> 00:08:15,060 amen so with that in mind throw me in 234 00:08:12,840 --> 00:08:16,800 the book of Malachi Malachi chapter 3 235 00:08:15,060 --> 00:08:17,880 and if you got to do something on giving 236 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:19,800 at a church you shouldn't talk about 237 00:08:17,880 --> 00:08:23,870 Malachi 3 but that's what I'm going to 238 00:08:19,800 --> 00:08:27,870 do so Malachi chapter 3 verses wonderful 239 00:08:23,870 --> 00:08:29,880 says this behold I send my messenger and 240 00:08:27,870 --> 00:08:31,470 he will prepare the way before me and 241 00:08:29,880 --> 00:08:34,320 the Lord whom you seek will suddenly 242 00:08:31,470 --> 00:08:36,150 come to his temple even the messenger of 243 00:08:34,320 --> 00:08:38,370 the Covenant whom you delight behold he 244 00:08:36,150 --> 00:08:39,960 is coming says the Lord of Hosts but who 245 00:08:38,370 --> 00:08:42,150 can enjoy the day of his coming and who 246 00:08:39,960 --> 00:08:44,820 can stand when he appears for his like a 247 00:08:42,150 --> 00:08:47,460 refiners fire like a laundry soap he 248 00:08:44,820 --> 00:08:49,650 will sit as a refiner and a purifier of 249 00:08:47,460 --> 00:08:50,730 silver he will purify the sons of Levi 250 00:08:49,650 --> 00:08:52,500 and purge 251 00:08:50,730 --> 00:08:54,000 as gold and silver that they may offer 252 00:08:52,500 --> 00:08:56,279 to the Lord and offering in 253 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:57,839 righteousness then the offering of Judah 254 00:08:56,279 --> 00:09:00,420 and Jerusalem will be pleasant to the 255 00:08:57,839 --> 00:09:02,070 Lord as in the days of old as in the 256 00:09:00,420 --> 00:09:04,680 former years now I'm going to jump 257 00:09:02,070 --> 00:09:07,620 forward to Malachi chapter 3 verse 8 and 258 00:09:04,680 --> 00:09:09,540 it says this well the man Rob God yet 259 00:09:07,620 --> 00:09:11,459 you have robbed me but you say in what 260 00:09:09,540 --> 00:09:13,350 way have we robbed you in tithes and 261 00:09:11,459 --> 00:09:14,820 offerings your curse with a curse for 262 00:09:13,350 --> 00:09:16,709 you've robbed me even this whole nation 263 00:09:14,820 --> 00:09:19,440 bring all the tithes into the storehouse 264 00:09:16,709 --> 00:09:21,209 so there may be food in my house try me 265 00:09:19,440 --> 00:09:22,470 now and this is a Lord of Hosts if I 266 00:09:21,209 --> 00:09:24,750 will not open for you the windows of 267 00:09:22,470 --> 00:09:26,370 heaven pour out for you such blessing 268 00:09:24,750 --> 00:09:28,350 that there will not be enough room to 269 00:09:26,370 --> 00:09:30,180 receive it and I'll rebuke the Devourer 270 00:09:28,350 --> 00:09:31,980 for your sakes so that he will not 271 00:09:30,180 --> 00:09:33,720 destroy the fruit of the ground nor 272 00:09:31,980 --> 00:09:35,220 shall the vine fail to bear fruit for 273 00:09:33,720 --> 00:09:37,260 you and the field says the Lord of hosts 274 00:09:35,220 --> 00:09:40,170 and all nations will call you blessed 275 00:09:37,260 --> 00:09:42,810 for you will be a delightful land says 276 00:09:40,170 --> 00:09:45,870 the Lord of hosts in here there are a 277 00:09:42,810 --> 00:09:48,480 number of things that indicate some of 278 00:09:45,870 --> 00:09:51,839 the blessings that are released as a 279 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:54,480 result of actually generosity towards 280 00:09:51,839 --> 00:09:56,550 God's kingdom the first one the first 281 00:09:54,480 --> 00:09:59,850 outcome and positive outcome of giving 282 00:09:56,550 --> 00:10:02,250 is number one it actually blesses god it 283 00:09:59,850 --> 00:10:03,630 actually blesses God it's not a topic 284 00:10:02,250 --> 00:10:07,260 where it's like God doesn't actually 285 00:10:03,630 --> 00:10:09,449 care that actually our generosity is one 286 00:10:07,260 --> 00:10:12,389 of the ways we worship Him and it 287 00:10:09,449 --> 00:10:14,279 actually is a blessing towards him you 288 00:10:12,389 --> 00:10:15,630 know there's been times of Hope people 289 00:10:14,279 --> 00:10:17,730 saying when you talk about this topic 290 00:10:15,630 --> 00:10:19,500 and people say things like well no 291 00:10:17,730 --> 00:10:20,910 that's something for the Old Testament 292 00:10:19,500 --> 00:10:21,360 that's not something that's relevant 293 00:10:20,910 --> 00:10:23,370 today 294 00:10:21,360 --> 00:10:25,800 but if we look in Malachi chapter 3 295 00:10:23,370 --> 00:10:27,899 that's not actually the case if you meet 296 00:10:25,800 --> 00:10:30,329 Mela if you read Malachi the reason why 297 00:10:27,899 --> 00:10:32,790 I read Malachi chapter 3 verses 1 to 4 298 00:10:30,329 --> 00:10:34,980 that's actually setting up before the 299 00:10:32,790 --> 00:10:36,870 New Testament so Malachi is the last 300 00:10:34,980 --> 00:10:37,889 book of the Old Testament there's a 400 301 00:10:36,870 --> 00:10:40,769 period called the intertestamental 302 00:10:37,889 --> 00:10:42,839 period and then the New Testament starts 303 00:10:40,769 --> 00:10:45,240 and he is here at the start of Malachi 304 00:10:42,839 --> 00:10:47,880 chapter 3 predicting what he's saying 305 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:49,860 he's actually prophesying there about 306 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:51,899 the coming of John the Baptist and 307 00:10:49,860 --> 00:10:53,699 actually prophesying about the coming of 308 00:10:51,899 --> 00:10:54,720 Christ so he is saying this is what's 309 00:10:53,699 --> 00:10:57,180 going to happen they're going to come 310 00:10:54,720 --> 00:10:59,519 and then he says after that after they 311 00:10:57,180 --> 00:11:01,920 come in Malachi chapter 3 verse 4 he 312 00:10:59,519 --> 00:11:04,290 says then the offering of Judah and 313 00:11:01,920 --> 00:11:06,329 Jerusalem will be pleasant to the Lord 314 00:11:04,290 --> 00:11:08,880 as in the days of old as in the former 315 00:11:06,329 --> 00:11:10,920 years so what are you saying there he's 316 00:11:08,880 --> 00:11:12,240 not saying that when they come there 317 00:11:10,920 --> 00:11:14,730 actually won't be any more generosity 318 00:11:12,240 --> 00:11:16,230 from people to the house of God he's 319 00:11:14,730 --> 00:11:18,149 actually saying it's going to be done 320 00:11:16,230 --> 00:11:20,670 with the right motive and it's actually 321 00:11:18,149 --> 00:11:23,190 going to be pleasing because before this 322 00:11:20,670 --> 00:11:24,779 in verse 3 of Malachi chapter 3 he 323 00:11:23,190 --> 00:11:27,870 actually says then people will give 324 00:11:24,779 --> 00:11:29,100 offerings in righteousness so he doesn't 325 00:11:27,870 --> 00:11:31,019 say they're going to give offerings of 326 00:11:29,100 --> 00:11:33,360 righteousness it's not like I offer him 327 00:11:31,019 --> 00:11:35,339 my righteousness he's actually saying we 328 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:37,350 give offerings in righteousness what 329 00:11:35,339 --> 00:11:39,600 does that mean it means that we still 330 00:11:37,350 --> 00:11:41,790 give to the kingdom of God but we do it 331 00:11:39,600 --> 00:11:43,470 with the right heart attitude one of the 332 00:11:41,790 --> 00:11:44,730 things that disappointed him here is 333 00:11:43,470 --> 00:11:46,620 that people were giving with the wrong 334 00:11:44,730 --> 00:11:49,079 motivation they weren't doing it the 335 00:11:46,620 --> 00:11:50,579 right way and he say no no no well I 336 00:11:49,079 --> 00:11:53,100 still want people to give but it's going 337 00:11:50,579 --> 00:11:55,740 to be pleasing when they do it with the 338 00:11:53,100 --> 00:11:57,240 right heart attitude that's why there's 339 00:11:55,740 --> 00:12:00,180 some interesting passages of Scripture 340 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:01,920 there in the New Testament it says I'm 341 00:12:00,180 --> 00:12:05,850 going to jump forward in Matthew 23 342 00:12:01,920 --> 00:12:08,190 verse 23 Jesus says to the Pharisees he 343 00:12:05,850 --> 00:12:10,079 says woe to you scribes and Pharisees he 344 00:12:08,190 --> 00:12:12,540 says for you pay tithes of mint and 345 00:12:10,079 --> 00:12:15,180 anise and cummin and have neglected the 346 00:12:12,540 --> 00:12:17,819 weightier matters of the law justice and 347 00:12:15,180 --> 00:12:20,490 mercy and faith these you ought to have 348 00:12:17,819 --> 00:12:23,279 done without leaving the others undone 349 00:12:20,490 --> 00:12:25,410 now this was a really important verse in 350 00:12:23,279 --> 00:12:28,319 the New Testament it's the only time 351 00:12:25,410 --> 00:12:30,300 where Jesus addresses the biblical topic 352 00:12:28,319 --> 00:12:32,610 of tithing and that's talking about the 353 00:12:30,300 --> 00:12:35,579 contribution that people make to the 354 00:12:32,610 --> 00:12:37,290 house of God and so some people say well 355 00:12:35,579 --> 00:12:39,420 listen it's only in the Old Testaments 356 00:12:37,290 --> 00:12:40,949 not for the new but one of the keys to 357 00:12:39,420 --> 00:12:43,199 interpreting the Old Testament is 358 00:12:40,949 --> 00:12:44,940 whenever Christ affirmed something in 359 00:12:43,199 --> 00:12:47,370 the New Testament then it continues on 360 00:12:44,940 --> 00:12:49,290 anything that the Apostle Paul affirms 361 00:12:47,370 --> 00:12:52,139 in the New Testament then it actually 362 00:12:49,290 --> 00:12:53,639 continues on anything that they say in 363 00:12:52,139 --> 00:12:55,079 the opposite to the Old Testament I say 364 00:12:53,639 --> 00:12:56,430 what was done this way but now it's done 365 00:12:55,079 --> 00:12:58,740 that way then we take that 366 00:12:56,430 --> 00:13:01,319 interpretation but this is the only time 367 00:12:58,740 --> 00:13:03,660 that Jesus actually talks about this 368 00:13:01,319 --> 00:13:05,009 topic and he says to the Pharisees he 369 00:13:03,660 --> 00:13:08,610 goes you here but grits 370 00:13:05,009 --> 00:13:11,519 he said you tired everything even tie 371 00:13:08,610 --> 00:13:13,709 the herbs and spices he said but you 372 00:13:11,519 --> 00:13:17,880 neglect the weightier matters of the law 373 00:13:13,709 --> 00:13:21,480 and then he says this this you should do 374 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:22,889 without neglecting the former he doesn't 375 00:13:21,480 --> 00:13:24,329 say this you should do and don't worry 376 00:13:22,889 --> 00:13:25,350 about giving anymore it's more important 377 00:13:24,329 --> 00:13:28,050 that you live a righteous life he 378 00:13:25,350 --> 00:13:30,360 doesn't say that he says keep doing that 379 00:13:28,050 --> 00:13:32,610 keep being generous but he says you've 380 00:13:30,360 --> 00:13:34,560 got to do it with the right attitude you 381 00:13:32,610 --> 00:13:36,839 can't neglect more important matters 382 00:13:34,560 --> 00:13:38,610 like having mercy and like having faith 383 00:13:36,839 --> 00:13:41,220 in justice that's what he's saying so 384 00:13:38,610 --> 00:13:44,399 the only time Jesus talks about it is 385 00:13:41,220 --> 00:13:46,769 it's a continuation why is that because 386 00:13:44,399 --> 00:13:49,019 it's actually a way that we honor and 387 00:13:46,769 --> 00:13:51,420 bless God it's actually an active way of 388 00:13:49,019 --> 00:13:53,519 worship what happened when Jesus was 389 00:13:51,420 --> 00:13:55,860 actually born the Bible says that he 390 00:13:53,519 --> 00:13:58,170 actually had some wise men come and what 391 00:13:55,860 --> 00:14:00,329 did wise men do the wise men do whatever 392 00:13:58,170 --> 00:14:02,550 you do when you approach a king and they 393 00:14:00,329 --> 00:14:04,680 actually brought him gifts of gold and 394 00:14:02,550 --> 00:14:06,690 frankincense and myrrh then we look at 395 00:14:04,680 --> 00:14:08,339 the New Testament church and in the New 396 00:14:06,690 --> 00:14:10,230 Testament church the Bible says that 397 00:14:08,339 --> 00:14:11,940 were people were selling properties and 398 00:14:10,230 --> 00:14:15,240 actually bringing that in and laying 399 00:14:11,940 --> 00:14:17,579 them at the feet of the Apostles so all 400 00:14:15,240 --> 00:14:19,889 the way through Scripture giving us one 401 00:14:17,579 --> 00:14:21,360 of the ways that we bless God that is 402 00:14:19,889 --> 00:14:23,639 why it should be something that is 403 00:14:21,360 --> 00:14:25,980 joyful because it's a way that we can 404 00:14:23,639 --> 00:14:27,899 honor and bless him I mean to think that 405 00:14:25,980 --> 00:14:30,329 I could do something that would actually 406 00:14:27,899 --> 00:14:32,490 bless his holy name to think that I 407 00:14:30,329 --> 00:14:34,889 could do something that would actually 408 00:14:32,490 --> 00:14:36,810 bring him some glory one of the ways 409 00:14:34,889 --> 00:14:39,000 that we do that there are other ways 410 00:14:36,810 --> 00:14:40,829 that we worship God we worship Him with 411 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:42,689 our singing we worship Him with our 412 00:14:40,829 --> 00:14:45,180 prayer we worship Him with the lifestyle 413 00:14:42,689 --> 00:14:47,910 that we live but make no mistake another 414 00:14:45,180 --> 00:14:50,519 element of it is actually this this is 415 00:14:47,910 --> 00:14:53,069 why Zacchaeus when he first got saved 416 00:14:50,519 --> 00:14:54,870 and he gave his life to Christ and then 417 00:14:53,069 --> 00:14:56,730 he said this is what I'm gonna do I'm 418 00:14:54,870 --> 00:14:58,649 gonna give away half of what I earn and 419 00:14:56,730 --> 00:15:00,389 anyone live wrong I'm gonna pay him back 420 00:14:58,649 --> 00:15:03,740 four times and you know what Jesus said 421 00:15:00,389 --> 00:15:06,120 now I know salvations come to this house 422 00:15:03,740 --> 00:15:09,029 now he's actually living the Christian 423 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:12,060 life because part of the Christian life 424 00:15:09,029 --> 00:15:15,120 is actually generosity and it's a way 425 00:15:12,060 --> 00:15:17,519 that we can bless and honor our Lord the 426 00:15:15,120 --> 00:15:19,439 Bible says in 2nd Corinthians 9 verse 7 427 00:15:17,519 --> 00:15:21,899 says so let each one give as he purposes 428 00:15:19,439 --> 00:15:26,540 in his heart not grudgingly or of 429 00:15:21,899 --> 00:15:29,540 necessity for God loves a cheerful 430 00:15:26,540 --> 00:15:29,540 person 431 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:39,140 don't say that God loves a cheerful 432 00:15:34,630 --> 00:15:41,720 Giver so it's the attitude and it's the 433 00:15:39,140 --> 00:15:44,300 act he actually wants both give me 434 00:15:41,720 --> 00:15:46,070 offerings in righteousness he says he 435 00:15:44,300 --> 00:15:48,950 says then that will be pleasing to me 436 00:15:46,070 --> 00:15:50,930 and so it's not just the attitude it's 437 00:15:48,950 --> 00:15:53,420 actually the actors well he actually 438 00:15:50,930 --> 00:15:55,820 loves it and the beauty of it is this he 439 00:15:53,420 --> 00:15:56,480 doesn't ask us to give what we can't 440 00:15:55,820 --> 00:15:58,279 afford 441 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:59,720 he only and he doesn't ask us to 442 00:15:58,279 --> 00:16:02,029 percentage-wise give any more than 443 00:15:59,720 --> 00:16:04,910 anyone else he wants us to all have the 444 00:16:02,029 --> 00:16:07,160 opportunity to participate in actually 445 00:16:04,910 --> 00:16:10,250 worshiping him in this way it actually 446 00:16:07,160 --> 00:16:12,680 pleases God I told you the story last 447 00:16:10,250 --> 00:16:15,200 year about when Jesus was actually in 448 00:16:12,680 --> 00:16:16,279 the temple and he was looking at people 449 00:16:15,200 --> 00:16:20,120 bringing their offerings 450 00:16:16,279 --> 00:16:21,770 I mean how rude not even you know just 451 00:16:20,120 --> 00:16:23,480 put her on a card and slipping it in or 452 00:16:21,770 --> 00:16:25,580 anything while Jesus was like he was 453 00:16:23,480 --> 00:16:28,279 standing right there and people were 454 00:16:25,580 --> 00:16:31,520 coming up and they were giving their 455 00:16:28,279 --> 00:16:33,560 offerings and he's looking at it did you 456 00:16:31,520 --> 00:16:34,940 imagine if we were here and you know 457 00:16:33,560 --> 00:16:37,760 we're passing the offering bucket pass 458 00:16:34,940 --> 00:16:40,000 and pastor Robb gierlach walks along no 459 00:16:37,760 --> 00:16:44,180 no you need to put in a bit more I mean 460 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:47,270 he'll Rudy's cheese's like seriously and 461 00:16:44,180 --> 00:16:50,000 he said and then a lady comes and all 462 00:16:47,270 --> 00:16:51,650 she gives us a couple of coins and other 463 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:55,970 people have been given so much more than 464 00:16:51,650 --> 00:16:57,920 her and at that Jesus rejoices and he 465 00:16:55,970 --> 00:17:00,709 calls his he calls he some disciples of 466 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:05,150 his his boys get over here he says this 467 00:17:00,709 --> 00:17:07,220 lady she gave all that she had everyone 468 00:17:05,150 --> 00:17:08,720 else gave out of their abundance and he 469 00:17:07,220 --> 00:17:11,089 was rejoicing over it why he was 470 00:17:08,720 --> 00:17:14,209 celebrating actually at her generosity 471 00:17:11,089 --> 00:17:15,860 it blessed him and then the interesting 472 00:17:14,209 --> 00:17:18,020 thing for me is and I mention this to 473 00:17:15,860 --> 00:17:23,120 you last year he didn't give her the 474 00:17:18,020 --> 00:17:26,750 money back he knew it was all that she 475 00:17:23,120 --> 00:17:29,660 had could you imagine that 476 00:17:26,750 --> 00:17:32,600 on the front of the bulletin pass that 477 00:17:29,660 --> 00:17:36,110 takes widows last two coins 478 00:17:32,600 --> 00:17:38,929 how will that go down and here's Jesus 479 00:17:36,110 --> 00:17:41,929 and hexie says awesome we caused the 480 00:17:38,929 --> 00:17:43,220 boys over boys this is amazing imagine 481 00:17:41,929 --> 00:17:45,889 Judas saying Lord that you think we 482 00:17:43,220 --> 00:17:50,720 should give it back and he says no and 483 00:17:45,889 --> 00:17:54,500 he lets her go so she gives everything 484 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:58,580 she's got he's rejoicing and then he 485 00:17:54,500 --> 00:18:02,600 lets her go so that means he was wanting 486 00:17:58,580 --> 00:18:12,110 so one option is this Jesus let her go 487 00:18:02,600 --> 00:18:14,169 and knew she was going to die amen or he 488 00:18:12,110 --> 00:18:18,919 knew that even though she had given that 489 00:18:14,169 --> 00:18:21,710 God will still take care of her amen 490 00:18:18,919 --> 00:18:24,850 I've got a feeling it's probably the 491 00:18:21,710 --> 00:18:28,090 second part does that make sense 492 00:18:24,850 --> 00:18:31,519 when we gift him it's an act of worship 493 00:18:28,090 --> 00:18:35,450 when we give to him it's a blessing the 494 00:18:31,519 --> 00:18:37,519 Bible says in Psalm 116 12 to 14 what 495 00:18:35,450 --> 00:18:38,870 should i render to the Lord for all his 496 00:18:37,519 --> 00:18:40,639 benefits towards me what could I 497 00:18:38,870 --> 00:18:41,539 possibly give him what could I do for 498 00:18:40,639 --> 00:18:43,940 him 499 00:18:41,539 --> 00:18:45,500 after all that he's done for me well the 500 00:18:43,940 --> 00:18:48,080 awesome thing it actually tells us next 501 00:18:45,500 --> 00:18:51,500 I will take up the cup of salvation get 502 00:18:48,080 --> 00:18:54,590 saved and call upon the name of the Lord 503 00:18:51,500 --> 00:18:55,509 praise Him and pray I will pay my vows 504 00:18:54,590 --> 00:18:58,009 to the Lord 505 00:18:55,509 --> 00:19:01,039 talking about generosity now in the 506 00:18:58,009 --> 00:19:02,480 presence of his people go to church it's 507 00:19:01,039 --> 00:19:03,049 a pretty simple Christian life you know 508 00:19:02,480 --> 00:19:05,570 what I'm saying 509 00:19:03,049 --> 00:19:07,129 that's all he requires of us that we 510 00:19:05,570 --> 00:19:09,259 would be people who would give our lives 511 00:19:07,129 --> 00:19:11,659 to him that we will be people willing to 512 00:19:09,259 --> 00:19:13,309 praise people who would be generous and 513 00:19:11,659 --> 00:19:15,590 people who are still part of the 514 00:19:13,309 --> 00:19:17,299 community of faith amen that's all he's 515 00:19:15,590 --> 00:19:20,019 really requiring for them from us in 516 00:19:17,299 --> 00:19:23,539 return when we give we are actually 517 00:19:20,019 --> 00:19:27,500 blessing our Lord and Savior the second 518 00:19:23,539 --> 00:19:31,820 thing that it says is this and verses in 519 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:34,129 verse verse 8 says will a man Rob God 520 00:19:31,820 --> 00:19:36,409 yet you've robbed me but you say and 521 00:19:34,129 --> 00:19:39,139 what way we robbed you in tithes and 522 00:19:36,409 --> 00:19:41,960 offerings the second consequence of 523 00:19:39,139 --> 00:19:45,430 giving the second outcome of giving is 524 00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:48,850 trust and what that means is that we 525 00:19:45,430 --> 00:19:50,320 actually build trust with the Lord the 526 00:19:48,850 --> 00:19:52,450 Bible doesn't tell us that God 527 00:19:50,320 --> 00:19:54,850 automatically trusts us in fact there's 528 00:19:52,450 --> 00:19:57,070 times when he withholds from us because 529 00:19:54,850 --> 00:19:59,770 we can't actually be trusted but one of 530 00:19:57,070 --> 00:20:01,750 the ways he actually we build trust with 531 00:19:59,770 --> 00:20:04,780 the Lord is in the way that we actually 532 00:20:01,750 --> 00:20:07,570 handle our finances the Bible says in 533 00:20:04,780 --> 00:20:10,000 Luke 16 verses 10 to 11 he is faithful 534 00:20:07,570 --> 00:20:12,670 and what is is what his least is also 535 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:14,350 faithful in much he was unjust in what 536 00:20:12,670 --> 00:20:16,180 is least is also unjust in much 537 00:20:14,350 --> 00:20:19,120 therefore if you have not been faithful 538 00:20:16,180 --> 00:20:21,550 in unrighteous mammon who will commit to 539 00:20:19,120 --> 00:20:23,380 your trust the true riches in other 540 00:20:21,550 --> 00:20:25,390 translations of the Bible that says this 541 00:20:23,380 --> 00:20:27,580 if we haven't been faithful and handling 542 00:20:25,390 --> 00:20:30,190 worldly wealth who then can trust us 543 00:20:27,580 --> 00:20:31,960 with spiritual riches one of the things 544 00:20:30,190 --> 00:20:34,180 I noticed when I ran a Bible College 545 00:20:31,960 --> 00:20:35,620 because very often it was new Christians 546 00:20:34,180 --> 00:20:37,210 that were coming to the Bible College 547 00:20:35,620 --> 00:20:39,400 that encountered God and they were 548 00:20:37,210 --> 00:20:41,110 passionate for the things of God but 549 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:43,480 then often God would start challenging 550 00:20:41,110 --> 00:20:45,070 them on areas of their life and one of 551 00:20:43,480 --> 00:20:46,510 the areas that God would change them and 552 00:20:45,070 --> 00:20:47,950 this would be independent this wasn't 553 00:20:46,510 --> 00:20:50,110 something that we would push at the 554 00:20:47,950 --> 00:20:51,250 Bible College or anything like that but 555 00:20:50,110 --> 00:20:52,960 one of the areas that they were 556 00:20:51,250 --> 00:20:56,260 challenged on is their use of their 557 00:20:52,960 --> 00:20:59,020 finances and especially in the way and 558 00:20:56,260 --> 00:21:00,670 when it came to giving and that would 559 00:20:59,020 --> 00:21:02,560 often be in a bit of a dilemma they 560 00:21:00,670 --> 00:21:04,810 would say well what does that got to do 561 00:21:02,560 --> 00:21:06,340 with this you know what is my handling 562 00:21:04,810 --> 00:21:08,980 of my finances have got to do with the 563 00:21:06,340 --> 00:21:10,450 fact that I want to see revival in the 564 00:21:08,980 --> 00:21:13,510 things that you know in what God has for 565 00:21:10,450 --> 00:21:14,920 me but that's how God uses that's how 566 00:21:13,510 --> 00:21:17,320 I've got one of the ways that we can 567 00:21:14,920 --> 00:21:20,110 build trust with him the way we handle 568 00:21:17,320 --> 00:21:22,300 our finance will determine how much more 569 00:21:20,110 --> 00:21:24,820 of spiritual riches which are much more 570 00:21:22,300 --> 00:21:27,160 important which are much more value that 571 00:21:24,820 --> 00:21:29,530 he can actually release to us one of the 572 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:31,180 things I observed we ran a conference in 573 00:21:29,530 --> 00:21:33,610 North Queensland it was called extreme 574 00:21:31,180 --> 00:21:35,080 youth conference and and I remember the 575 00:21:33,610 --> 00:21:37,780 first year that we ran it we had about 576 00:21:35,080 --> 00:21:40,510 80 kids come to it which was great and 577 00:21:37,780 --> 00:21:43,420 and I end on the first night I received 578 00:21:40,510 --> 00:21:44,920 an offering for the conference and we 579 00:21:43,420 --> 00:21:47,710 received three hundred and sixty dollars 580 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:48,640 and I was so excited because I just 581 00:21:47,710 --> 00:21:51,880 thought this is great 582 00:21:48,640 --> 00:21:53,440 you know we only need another 900 583 00:21:51,880 --> 00:21:55,270 dollars to actually break even and not 584 00:21:53,440 --> 00:21:57,280 pay for the rest of my credit card and 585 00:21:55,270 --> 00:21:57,920 so I was feeling good about it and the 586 00:21:57,280 --> 00:22:00,110 next 587 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:06,740 our guest speaker received the offering 588 00:22:00,110 --> 00:22:08,960 and we receive $9,000 amen and it was 589 00:22:06,740 --> 00:22:10,130 absolutely incredible and there's and 590 00:22:08,960 --> 00:22:11,600 and you know kids were getting 591 00:22:10,130 --> 00:22:13,070 permission off their parents are feeling 592 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:15,080 in their heart they wanted to be 593 00:22:13,070 --> 00:22:17,030 generous from that moment on I ran Youth 594 00:22:15,080 --> 00:22:19,130 alive for North Queensland every youth 595 00:22:17,030 --> 00:22:21,650 alive event we put on every outreach was 596 00:22:19,130 --> 00:22:23,540 completely free we would fund it and and 597 00:22:21,650 --> 00:22:24,860 that sort of thing it was incredible but 598 00:22:23,540 --> 00:22:26,570 one of the other things I noticed 599 00:22:24,860 --> 00:22:29,270 happening was that the youth ministries 600 00:22:26,570 --> 00:22:30,620 in our city started expanding I know my 601 00:22:29,270 --> 00:22:31,790 youth ministry which had been going 602 00:22:30,620 --> 00:22:34,250 around in circles for a couple years 603 00:22:31,790 --> 00:22:37,850 from that moment started enlarging and 604 00:22:34,250 --> 00:22:39,500 increasing I also noticed that that 605 00:22:37,850 --> 00:22:41,150 there were churches in our city who 606 00:22:39,500 --> 00:22:43,040 didn't even attend that conference that 607 00:22:41,150 --> 00:22:44,660 all of a sudden they started having 608 00:22:43,040 --> 00:22:46,520 youth ministries and now the youth 609 00:22:44,660 --> 00:22:48,890 ministry started growing what had 610 00:22:46,520 --> 00:22:52,100 happened God started giving us more of 611 00:22:48,890 --> 00:22:54,200 the city after we the young people 612 00:22:52,100 --> 00:22:56,150 proved faithful when it came to 613 00:22:54,200 --> 00:22:58,580 generosity there's actually a 614 00:22:56,150 --> 00:23:00,470 correlation that's why the Bible says in 615 00:22:58,580 --> 00:23:02,450 Malachi and it sounds pretty heavy but 616 00:23:00,470 --> 00:23:05,300 that's why I'm Malachi chapter 3 verse 8 617 00:23:02,450 --> 00:23:08,720 God uses the word Rob before when we 618 00:23:05,300 --> 00:23:10,550 withhold from him because what a man Rob 619 00:23:08,720 --> 00:23:13,460 God yet you've robbed me that's what he 620 00:23:10,550 --> 00:23:15,790 says use word Rob and so that indicates 621 00:23:13,460 --> 00:23:17,900 then that it actually belongs to him 622 00:23:15,790 --> 00:23:20,870 then it's actually when we it's not 623 00:23:17,900 --> 00:23:23,300 actually mine I was talking to a guy one 624 00:23:20,870 --> 00:23:25,430 time and many years ago he goes I hate 625 00:23:23,300 --> 00:23:26,780 it at the church when they take up the 626 00:23:25,430 --> 00:23:29,690 offering they all they want to do is get 627 00:23:26,780 --> 00:23:31,250 my money and actually you know that's 628 00:23:29,690 --> 00:23:32,840 not completely true because the Bible 629 00:23:31,250 --> 00:23:35,210 says a part of it actually belongs to 630 00:23:32,840 --> 00:23:37,430 the Lord and he actually gives us the 631 00:23:35,210 --> 00:23:40,610 opportunity to actually pour it back 632 00:23:37,430 --> 00:23:42,200 into him and he uses the word Rob which 633 00:23:40,610 --> 00:23:45,830 is a strong word I would have preferred 634 00:23:42,200 --> 00:23:47,810 if he had to use the word still you know 635 00:23:45,830 --> 00:23:49,670 cuz stealing or thieving means that 636 00:23:47,810 --> 00:23:52,100 someone takes something from me when I'm 637 00:23:49,670 --> 00:23:54,500 not actually looking I would actually 638 00:23:52,100 --> 00:23:57,280 prefer that but he doesn't use the word 639 00:23:54,500 --> 00:24:00,170 still he actually uses the word rob 640 00:23:57,280 --> 00:24:02,000 that's like going to a bank or going to 641 00:24:00,170 --> 00:24:04,070 a petrol station and confronting them 642 00:24:02,000 --> 00:24:05,870 and forcibly taking it off him that's 643 00:24:04,070 --> 00:24:08,030 what he's actually saying there it 644 00:24:05,870 --> 00:24:11,600 belongs to him and so when we prove 645 00:24:08,030 --> 00:24:13,850 faithful to him there's a level of trust 646 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:16,490 that actually comes back that is just 647 00:24:13,850 --> 00:24:18,320 absolutely incredible and it's more than 648 00:24:16,490 --> 00:24:21,110 a natural thing it's actually a 649 00:24:18,320 --> 00:24:23,450 spiritual thing but this also goes to 650 00:24:21,110 --> 00:24:26,330 not just in terms of generosity but 651 00:24:23,450 --> 00:24:28,730 actually how we handle our finances as 652 00:24:26,330 --> 00:24:30,350 well when we first came here one of the 653 00:24:28,730 --> 00:24:32,540 things that I felt we needed to do as 654 00:24:30,350 --> 00:24:34,760 you know we needed to handle our 655 00:24:32,540 --> 00:24:37,100 finances better in fact that scripture 656 00:24:34,760 --> 00:24:39,440 Luke 16 10 or 11 was the one that God 657 00:24:37,100 --> 00:24:40,910 kept speaking to me about because if 658 00:24:39,440 --> 00:24:43,340 you're faithful in handling worldly 659 00:24:40,910 --> 00:24:45,590 wealth and I realized there were some 660 00:24:43,340 --> 00:24:47,840 things we needed to adjust and that's 661 00:24:45,590 --> 00:24:49,520 why last year I didn't want to come to 662 00:24:47,840 --> 00:24:51,200 the people and and and come to the 663 00:24:49,520 --> 00:24:51,980 people for money because I felt that was 664 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:53,930 not the issue 665 00:24:51,980 --> 00:24:55,670 I felt the issue was that we needed to 666 00:24:53,930 --> 00:24:57,350 handle it better and one of the things 667 00:24:55,670 --> 00:24:59,840 I've noticed is that as we've done that 668 00:24:57,350 --> 00:25:02,690 things have been popping out and God is 669 00:24:59,840 --> 00:25:06,080 doing God is doing great things but part 670 00:25:02,690 --> 00:25:09,020 of the way we use our money is also in 671 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:12,050 the realm of giving and so when we give 672 00:25:09,020 --> 00:25:14,240 it actually increases the trust between 673 00:25:12,050 --> 00:25:16,280 us and the Lord if we're faithful a 674 00:25:14,240 --> 00:25:18,170 little be faithful and much there was 675 00:25:16,280 --> 00:25:20,860 actually a parable that was actually in 676 00:25:18,170 --> 00:25:22,970 Luke chapter 16 and it talks about a man 677 00:25:20,860 --> 00:25:24,680 servants who were giving a number of 678 00:25:22,970 --> 00:25:27,680 talents and talents was actually 679 00:25:24,680 --> 00:25:29,690 financed and it's a parable and that and 680 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:32,390 and the and them and the servants that 681 00:25:29,690 --> 00:25:34,850 actually multiplied the talents God says 682 00:25:32,390 --> 00:25:36,800 God says to them you've been faithful 683 00:25:34,850 --> 00:25:38,780 that all you'll be faithful in much he 684 00:25:36,800 --> 00:25:40,790 goes on now he said to the man who gave 685 00:25:38,780 --> 00:25:43,610 him ten coins he says now I'm going to 686 00:25:40,790 --> 00:25:46,790 give you ten cities what had happened 687 00:25:43,610 --> 00:25:49,280 because he was faithful in that God then 688 00:25:46,790 --> 00:25:52,190 actually gave him more to overlook in 689 00:25:49,280 --> 00:25:55,130 her and to oversee our giving and the 690 00:25:52,190 --> 00:25:58,280 way we handle our finances is a way that 691 00:25:55,130 --> 00:26:00,500 we actually build trust with the Lord 692 00:25:58,280 --> 00:26:01,970 and I'm not just talking about giving on 693 00:26:00,500 --> 00:26:03,830 that as well I'm talking about the 694 00:26:01,970 --> 00:26:06,170 overall handling of our personal 695 00:26:03,830 --> 00:26:09,800 stewardship of everything that God gives 696 00:26:06,170 --> 00:26:13,160 us the third thing the third benefit and 697 00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:15,710 blessing of giving is it can bring 698 00:26:13,160 --> 00:26:16,910 resources into the house our God says 699 00:26:15,710 --> 00:26:19,730 bring all of the tithes into the 700 00:26:16,910 --> 00:26:22,700 storehouse that there may be food in my 701 00:26:19,730 --> 00:26:25,250 house and so it says and so God is 702 00:26:22,700 --> 00:26:25,730 saying that there may be food in my 703 00:26:25,250 --> 00:26:27,679 house 704 00:26:25,730 --> 00:26:30,590 what is he saying he's saying that my 705 00:26:27,679 --> 00:26:33,230 house can be adequately resourced to be 706 00:26:30,590 --> 00:26:36,200 able to do all that it's actually being 707 00:26:33,230 --> 00:26:38,690 called to do now this is not just a 708 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:42,470 physical natural thing I believe this is 709 00:26:38,690 --> 00:26:44,659 also a spiritual thing because as we as 710 00:26:42,470 --> 00:26:46,730 we actually prove faithful in the 711 00:26:44,659 --> 00:26:49,370 handling of our finance then I believe 712 00:26:46,730 --> 00:26:51,289 God spiritually gives us more there are 713 00:26:49,370 --> 00:26:54,139 a number of denominations that are 714 00:26:51,289 --> 00:26:56,630 absolutely loaded and rolling with money 715 00:26:54,139 --> 00:26:58,190 because of all their investments and so 716 00:26:56,630 --> 00:27:00,380 they don't really talk to their people 717 00:26:58,190 --> 00:27:02,059 about giving and that sort of thing but 718 00:27:00,380 --> 00:27:04,519 they're actually loaded with money but 719 00:27:02,059 --> 00:27:06,380 often those denominations even though 720 00:27:04,519 --> 00:27:08,480 they're financially wealthy and have a 721 00:27:06,380 --> 00:27:10,429 lot of problem our property are actually 722 00:27:08,480 --> 00:27:13,220 in attendance and in seeing soul saved 723 00:27:10,429 --> 00:27:15,289 are actually declining and because it's 724 00:27:13,220 --> 00:27:17,450 more than just the fact of having money 725 00:27:15,289 --> 00:27:19,330 it's actually the fact about the trust 726 00:27:17,450 --> 00:27:22,220 built and the more that God will release 727 00:27:19,330 --> 00:27:24,740 back into the life of the local church 728 00:27:22,220 --> 00:27:26,659 but make no mistake there is a practical 729 00:27:24,740 --> 00:27:28,850 element to it as well 730 00:27:26,659 --> 00:27:31,130 I know number of years ago and when I 731 00:27:28,850 --> 00:27:32,750 was working in McCoy and I don't know if 732 00:27:31,130 --> 00:27:35,990 he'll be happy to for me to say this but 733 00:27:32,750 --> 00:27:37,760 it's ok zin McCoy and I'm and my senior 734 00:27:35,990 --> 00:27:39,860 pastor said to me one day he goes Ben 735 00:27:37,760 --> 00:27:41,480 because the church was really generous 736 00:27:39,860 --> 00:27:43,970 and that sort of thing he goes Ben I've 737 00:27:41,480 --> 00:27:45,200 got so much we've got so much money in 738 00:27:43,970 --> 00:27:48,409 the church or don't know what to do with 739 00:27:45,200 --> 00:27:51,649 it now I've been in church for 20 years 740 00:27:48,409 --> 00:27:54,610 I visit a lot of churches I've never met 741 00:27:51,649 --> 00:27:57,950 a pastor that's actually ever said that 742 00:27:54,610 --> 00:27:59,090 and he said and he goes and I say he 743 00:27:57,950 --> 00:28:01,580 goes what do you want to spend it on 744 00:27:59,090 --> 00:28:03,260 well I said wow ok 745 00:28:01,580 --> 00:28:06,260 I'm glad briefs ecology wasn't his youth 746 00:28:03,260 --> 00:28:09,740 pastor actually because he's got big big 747 00:28:06,260 --> 00:28:11,600 asking and and so I was and I said to my 748 00:28:09,740 --> 00:28:13,130 said I said he coming so he put on for 749 00:28:11,600 --> 00:28:15,470 us in high school outreach going and 750 00:28:13,130 --> 00:28:16,970 some help in the admin department of 751 00:28:15,470 --> 00:28:18,529 their youth and that sort of thing from 752 00:28:16,970 --> 00:28:20,659 that moment on a youth ministry just 753 00:28:18,529 --> 00:28:22,130 started expanding we used to do all we 754 00:28:20,659 --> 00:28:23,690 used to do lunchtime programmes 755 00:28:22,130 --> 00:28:25,820 everywhere was about twelve thousand 756 00:28:23,690 --> 00:28:26,929 dollars a week we paid for no no I was 757 00:28:25,820 --> 00:28:29,360 more there was twenty thousand dollars 758 00:28:26,929 --> 00:28:31,519 that we paid for to do programs 759 00:28:29,360 --> 00:28:33,289 throughout the schools and all and you 760 00:28:31,519 --> 00:28:35,450 know that we didn't ask the youth to do 761 00:28:33,289 --> 00:28:37,789 and we did it and we just started 762 00:28:35,450 --> 00:28:39,290 increase in scenes Souls saved a youth 763 00:28:37,789 --> 00:28:40,820 ministry doubled and all 764 00:28:39,290 --> 00:28:43,400 these things started happening as a 765 00:28:40,820 --> 00:28:46,400 result and as an ability of actually 766 00:28:43,400 --> 00:28:48,380 being adequately resourced so often the 767 00:28:46,400 --> 00:28:51,020 tightening of that or the misuse of that 768 00:28:48,380 --> 00:28:52,760 can actually stop a church and the 769 00:28:51,020 --> 00:28:54,470 kingdom of God from actually advancing 770 00:28:52,760 --> 00:28:57,730 it's no different from any other 771 00:28:54,470 --> 00:29:00,440 Enterprise except we have a spiritual 772 00:28:57,730 --> 00:29:02,690 opposition against us that is why is 773 00:29:00,440 --> 00:29:05,390 both a spiritual and natural component 774 00:29:02,690 --> 00:29:07,640 tied to this which we will see even more 775 00:29:05,390 --> 00:29:09,140 over the next couple of weeks but one of 776 00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:12,500 the things that happens is it actually 777 00:29:09,140 --> 00:29:14,180 brings and releases more resource into 778 00:29:12,500 --> 00:29:15,560 the church the fourth thing that 779 00:29:14,180 --> 00:29:16,940 actually happens is this the fourth 780 00:29:15,560 --> 00:29:19,850 blessing and consequence of giving 781 00:29:16,940 --> 00:29:21,290 Malachi 3:10 says bring all the tithes 782 00:29:19,850 --> 00:29:24,280 into the storehouse that there may be 783 00:29:21,290 --> 00:29:27,440 food in my house try me now in this says 784 00:29:24,280 --> 00:29:28,670 the Lord of hosts a lot pour open for 785 00:29:27,440 --> 00:29:30,350 you the windows of heaven and pour out 786 00:29:28,670 --> 00:29:32,390 for you such blessing but there will not 787 00:29:30,350 --> 00:29:34,400 be enough room to receive it he says try 788 00:29:32,390 --> 00:29:37,850 me now on this other translations of the 789 00:29:34,400 --> 00:29:41,510 Bible say test me in this so God is 790 00:29:37,850 --> 00:29:44,390 saying to the people test me which is 791 00:29:41,510 --> 00:29:46,550 theologically interesting because in 792 00:29:44,390 --> 00:29:49,370 Luke chapter 4 when it talks about Jesus 793 00:29:46,550 --> 00:29:51,920 being tempted by the devil and the devil 794 00:29:49,370 --> 00:29:53,150 said to Jesus get up onto that you know 795 00:29:51,920 --> 00:29:55,040 get up onto that building and throw 796 00:29:53,150 --> 00:29:57,200 yourself off and God will rescue you and 797 00:29:55,040 --> 00:29:58,400 he says the scripture says don't put the 798 00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:01,400 Lord your God to the test 799 00:29:58,400 --> 00:30:04,250 so it's interesting in most things we're 800 00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:05,900 not supposed to put the Lord our God to 801 00:30:04,250 --> 00:30:07,190 the test we're not supposed to get on 802 00:30:05,900 --> 00:30:09,170 the building and jump and say God if 803 00:30:07,190 --> 00:30:11,420 you're real you got to have to catch me 804 00:30:09,170 --> 00:30:15,160 we're not supposed to do that however 805 00:30:11,420 --> 00:30:17,960 God says we can test him in this area 806 00:30:15,160 --> 00:30:20,330 this is the one area were actually 807 00:30:17,960 --> 00:30:22,160 allowed to test him and it's actually in 808 00:30:20,330 --> 00:30:25,070 the realm of our giving 809 00:30:22,160 --> 00:30:26,840 he says test me in this and then see if 810 00:30:25,070 --> 00:30:29,360 I don't open the windows of heaven and 811 00:30:26,840 --> 00:30:32,240 pour out such blessing that there won't 812 00:30:29,360 --> 00:30:34,100 be enough room to receive it test me in 813 00:30:32,240 --> 00:30:36,140 this one of the things I found is this 814 00:30:34,100 --> 00:30:37,220 that when people test him in this area 815 00:30:36,140 --> 00:30:39,140 if it's something that they've never 816 00:30:37,220 --> 00:30:41,420 done before if it's something that 817 00:30:39,140 --> 00:30:44,060 they've never expressed their faith in 818 00:30:41,420 --> 00:30:46,070 before I have found so many times where 819 00:30:44,060 --> 00:30:49,040 people's faith has been enlarged and 820 00:30:46,070 --> 00:30:50,990 expanded when it comes to testing God in 821 00:30:49,040 --> 00:30:52,760 the realm of their finances they're 822 00:30:50,990 --> 00:30:54,560 literally our finances of the 823 00:30:52,760 --> 00:30:56,660 of life it's the thing that actually 824 00:30:54,560 --> 00:30:58,130 helps us every single one of us every 825 00:30:56,660 --> 00:31:00,380 family it's the thing that actually 826 00:30:58,130 --> 00:31:02,450 helps us to do the things that we want 827 00:31:00,380 --> 00:31:04,610 to do so when we trust God in that area 828 00:31:02,450 --> 00:31:08,210 in some ways we're actually trusting God 829 00:31:04,610 --> 00:31:10,430 with our life and when we see God come 830 00:31:08,210 --> 00:31:12,890 through for us as so many of us have 831 00:31:10,430 --> 00:31:15,710 it's incredible to see the faith that is 832 00:31:12,890 --> 00:31:18,320 lifted in someone's life I told you last 833 00:31:15,710 --> 00:31:20,660 year of the story about how we had a 834 00:31:18,320 --> 00:31:23,210 conference in Mackay and there was a and 835 00:31:20,660 --> 00:31:24,410 there was a lady who actually I'm sorry 836 00:31:23,210 --> 00:31:27,200 there was a guy in the conference who 837 00:31:24,410 --> 00:31:28,490 felt that night that he should bring an 838 00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:30,140 offering and we're receiving a 839 00:31:28,490 --> 00:31:31,880 breakthrough offering so just like the 840 00:31:30,140 --> 00:31:33,380 breakthrough offering we do in June we 841 00:31:31,880 --> 00:31:35,540 were doing we would do one on the last 842 00:31:33,380 --> 00:31:38,060 night of our conference in my car and he 843 00:31:35,540 --> 00:31:39,800 felt God tell him that he had to give 50 844 00:31:38,060 --> 00:31:41,360 bucks in the offering and he thought to 845 00:31:39,800 --> 00:31:43,280 himself me and my wife's not going to be 846 00:31:41,360 --> 00:31:45,110 happy with this you know that's a third 847 00:31:43,280 --> 00:31:46,910 of our grocery bill our finances are 848 00:31:45,110 --> 00:31:48,860 really tight and he thought I kind of 849 00:31:46,910 --> 00:31:51,140 better go talk to her so went home and 850 00:31:48,860 --> 00:31:52,520 he spoke to his wife and he said babe I 851 00:31:51,140 --> 00:31:53,540 just felt really challenged that we've 852 00:31:52,520 --> 00:31:56,030 got to give him the breakthrough 853 00:31:53,540 --> 00:31:57,770 offering tonight she goes why he goes I 854 00:31:56,030 --> 00:31:59,150 just felt good saying that we got to do 855 00:31:57,770 --> 00:32:01,640 it she goes well you know how much you 856 00:31:59,150 --> 00:32:03,890 want to give and he goes fifty dot 50 857 00:32:01,640 --> 00:32:05,570 bucks you guys 50 bucks she goes that's 858 00:32:03,890 --> 00:32:07,730 all now you know that's a third of our 859 00:32:05,570 --> 00:32:09,290 shopping money for the week you know 860 00:32:07,730 --> 00:32:10,790 what they be responsible they don't even 861 00:32:09,290 --> 00:32:12,050 need the money at the conference why 862 00:32:10,790 --> 00:32:13,760 would you even bother doing he said I 863 00:32:12,050 --> 00:32:15,920 just felt God tell me that I'm supposed 864 00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:18,290 to do it and she was so angry she 865 00:32:15,920 --> 00:32:20,660 actually went out for a prayer walk and 866 00:32:18,290 --> 00:32:21,980 so and so I must admit sometimes when I 867 00:32:20,660 --> 00:32:24,110 see some of you doing prayer walks 868 00:32:21,980 --> 00:32:28,910 around the observatory Kingsmore I do 869 00:32:24,110 --> 00:32:30,380 wonder if you had a fight at home but it 870 00:32:28,910 --> 00:32:31,700 say she went out and she's saying Lord 871 00:32:30,380 --> 00:32:33,530 you know it's not right he's been 872 00:32:31,700 --> 00:32:34,910 irresponsible you know why he shouldn't 873 00:32:33,530 --> 00:32:36,830 be giving our money away you know we 874 00:32:34,910 --> 00:32:38,720 worked hard for this and she just felt 875 00:32:36,830 --> 00:32:40,490 the Holy Spirit say to her this is her 876 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:42,310 words I cannot mine she got the Holy 877 00:32:40,490 --> 00:32:48,350 Spirit say to her submit to your husband 878 00:32:42,310 --> 00:32:51,350 and she's long so she goes home she says 879 00:32:48,350 --> 00:32:54,320 to her husband okay you can do it but 880 00:32:51,350 --> 00:32:57,260 I'm not happy about it and she goes and 881 00:32:54,320 --> 00:32:59,750 he goes thanks honey and so that night 882 00:32:57,260 --> 00:33:02,060 he took 50 bucks and he went there and 883 00:32:59,750 --> 00:33:03,380 put it in the offering at the end of the 884 00:33:02,060 --> 00:33:04,670 service there was another couple that 885 00:33:03,380 --> 00:33:06,590 they'd never met before 886 00:33:04,670 --> 00:33:09,080 that actually came up to them after 887 00:33:06,590 --> 00:33:10,820 and say and I had seen them across the 888 00:33:09,080 --> 00:33:12,200 room at the conference earlier and they 889 00:33:10,820 --> 00:33:14,389 felt God say to him I wanted you to give 890 00:33:12,200 --> 00:33:16,700 that couple some money and the amount 891 00:33:14,389 --> 00:33:19,789 that they would they gave them was 500 892 00:33:16,700 --> 00:33:21,139 bucks cash and so they and then I found 893 00:33:19,789 --> 00:33:23,240 this is this is just one of the unusual 894 00:33:21,139 --> 00:33:25,850 ones where I know the whole trial that 895 00:33:23,240 --> 00:33:27,769 couple that $500 they gave was actually 896 00:33:25,850 --> 00:33:28,909 the money that they needed for their 897 00:33:27,769 --> 00:33:31,249 spending money they'll go into Hamilton 898 00:33:28,909 --> 00:33:33,169 Island the next day and that was their 899 00:33:31,249 --> 00:33:36,470 spending money but the person who took 900 00:33:33,169 --> 00:33:38,120 them to shoot harbour to go to catch the 901 00:33:36,470 --> 00:33:40,399 ferry over to Hamilton Island actually 902 00:33:38,120 --> 00:33:43,100 gave them on the way over there without 903 00:33:40,399 --> 00:33:46,340 and it wasn't pretty organized gave him 904 00:33:43,100 --> 00:33:48,830 five thousand bucks which was just which 905 00:33:46,340 --> 00:33:50,539 was just awesome but then it's late lady 906 00:33:48,830 --> 00:33:52,669 got the five hundred dollars that she 907 00:33:50,539 --> 00:33:54,350 just could not believe it so she came 908 00:33:52,669 --> 00:33:55,639 out to me and told me about it I said 909 00:33:54,350 --> 00:33:57,080 listen do you want to risk would you 910 00:33:55,639 --> 00:33:58,220 like to share a testimony at church 911 00:33:57,080 --> 00:34:00,619 tomorrow around the offering 912 00:33:58,220 --> 00:34:02,330 she has no worries so she gets up and I 913 00:34:00,619 --> 00:34:04,220 said hey we got you know lands gonna 914 00:34:02,330 --> 00:34:05,990 give a testimony today about something 915 00:34:04,220 --> 00:34:07,639 that happened on the weekend she gets up 916 00:34:05,990 --> 00:34:09,649 she goes you know my husband came home 917 00:34:07,639 --> 00:34:10,879 he wanted to give 50 bucks I didn't want 918 00:34:09,649 --> 00:34:12,169 to give him 50 bucks so I thought he was 919 00:34:10,879 --> 00:34:13,639 irresponsible someone went and prayed 920 00:34:12,169 --> 00:34:15,109 and God Tommy he's got to give 250 back 921 00:34:13,639 --> 00:34:16,700 so I said we gave her 50 bucks but I'm 922 00:34:15,109 --> 00:34:17,990 not happy about it and he gave the 50 923 00:34:16,700 --> 00:34:22,339 bucks and then after the Soviet someone 924 00:34:17,990 --> 00:34:23,750 gave us 500 bucks and there was like and 925 00:34:22,339 --> 00:34:29,780 actually did I was going to grab the mic 926 00:34:23,750 --> 00:34:35,560 off her and then she goes and now I know 927 00:34:29,780 --> 00:34:35,560 I can do anything God wants me to do 928 00:34:36,280 --> 00:34:46,510 amen what happened her faith when she 929 00:34:42,919 --> 00:34:49,369 tested God in the realm of her finance 930 00:34:46,510 --> 00:34:51,169 maybe there's someone here I sometimes 931 00:34:49,369 --> 00:34:52,159 fought I'm kind of fighting myself a 932 00:34:51,169 --> 00:34:53,089 little bit I thought these people I 933 00:34:52,159 --> 00:34:55,069 don't think these people need to hear 934 00:34:53,089 --> 00:34:57,530 this and some of you look at me like 935 00:34:55,069 --> 00:35:01,280 yeah I know yeah yeah I don't know who 936 00:34:57,530 --> 00:35:04,400 it is but I just felt there are some 937 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:07,280 people here to get to the faith level 938 00:35:04,400 --> 00:35:10,790 you need for what God's got for you to 939 00:35:07,280 --> 00:35:13,490 do he's been challenging you on this 940 00:35:10,790 --> 00:35:15,470 topic and he's just sent me today to 941 00:35:13,490 --> 00:35:18,560 stand up in front of you to confirm it 942 00:35:15,470 --> 00:35:20,180 that when we give to the Lord and we 943 00:35:18,560 --> 00:35:22,670 prove faithful in that 944 00:35:20,180 --> 00:35:24,829 it's amazing how it actually lifts our 945 00:35:22,670 --> 00:35:26,779 faith and prepares us for what he has 946 00:35:24,829 --> 00:35:31,130 and takes us to a new level 947 00:35:26,779 --> 00:35:33,589 amen it is more blessed to give than it 948 00:35:31,130 --> 00:35:35,750 is to receive the world says you're 949 00:35:33,589 --> 00:35:38,000 worse off the world says you're 950 00:35:35,750 --> 00:35:40,369 discarding but I'm here to let you know 951 00:35:38,000 --> 00:35:41,480 in the words of Jim I mean the Apostle 952 00:35:40,369 --> 00:35:45,619 Paul must have been trying to convince 953 00:35:41,480 --> 00:35:48,529 him he said in the words of Jesus it's 954 00:35:45,619 --> 00:35:51,559 more blessed to give than it is to 955 00:35:48,529 --> 00:35:54,319 receive Amen and my prayer is that 956 00:35:51,559 --> 00:35:55,549 everyone in our church and blessing is 957 00:35:54,319 --> 00:35:56,930 you know we're not talking about 958 00:35:55,549 --> 00:35:58,819 everybody driving around in Lamborghinis 959 00:35:56,930 --> 00:36:00,529 although some might praise God and we're 960 00:35:58,819 --> 00:36:01,819 not talking about everyone having 25 961 00:36:00,529 --> 00:36:03,529 properties worth like that that's not 962 00:36:01,819 --> 00:36:05,720 what we're saying we're just praying 963 00:36:03,529 --> 00:36:07,279 that everyone will be able to walk in 964 00:36:05,720 --> 00:36:09,980 the blessing that God has for him and 965 00:36:07,279 --> 00:36:13,700 the scripture tells us it's more blessed 966 00:36:09,980 --> 00:36:17,020 to give than it is to receive amen can I 967 00:36:13,700 --> 00:36:17,020 just ask you to close your eyes and be