1 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,379 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:27,019 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:34,960 --> 00:00:39,020 I know you're thinking, oh, I need to turn to Acts chapter 15, 5 00:00:39,079 --> 00:00:42,100 but we're going to take a little hiatus from the book of Acts, 6 00:00:42,840 --> 00:00:49,820 and we're just going to do a topical study today, okay, about socialism. 7 00:00:49,820 --> 00:00:54,479 I mean, it just seems to be the hot topic, doesn't it? 8 00:00:54,539 --> 00:00:56,740 I don't know if you're hearing it day in and day out. 9 00:00:56,820 --> 00:00:58,859 It's just, oh, it's just over and over again. 10 00:00:59,560 --> 00:01:03,380 And a couple months ago, you know, sorting through, 11 00:01:03,679 --> 00:01:06,319 because there's a lot of different passages of Scripture that, 12 00:01:07,019 --> 00:01:11,060 you know, makes you realize that God cares about everyone, 13 00:01:11,060 --> 00:01:13,840 and he's fair, and he wants equality. 14 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,879 You know, we're all made in God's image, and he cares about everyone. 15 00:01:17,879 --> 00:01:23,900 And so there are aspects of Christianity that we can connect with in terms of 16 00:01:23,900 --> 00:01:28,819 wanting, you know, everyone to not go without what they need. 17 00:01:29,439 --> 00:01:31,099 And so that's important. 18 00:01:31,719 --> 00:01:33,599 And yet, then there's other passages of Scripture 19 00:01:33,599 --> 00:01:37,519 that seem to almost reconcile that and say different. 20 00:01:37,799 --> 00:01:40,540 So we're just going to look at those passages today 21 00:01:40,540 --> 00:01:45,099 so that we can get a grasp on what does God think about socialism? 22 00:01:45,439 --> 00:01:46,879 What is his perspective? 23 00:01:46,879 --> 00:01:49,519 This isn't, by the way, going to be political. 24 00:01:49,760 --> 00:01:52,859 I'm not going to be talking about people and the squad and this and that. 25 00:01:53,019 --> 00:01:53,980 We're not doing any of that. 26 00:01:54,359 --> 00:01:58,659 We're just looking at what does God think about socialism, 27 00:01:58,659 --> 00:02:01,519 because you can really sort it out through Scriptures, 28 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:03,340 both Old and New Testament. 29 00:02:04,180 --> 00:02:05,519 So we're going to do that. 30 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:07,180 But first, we're going to pray, 31 00:02:07,560 --> 00:02:10,180 because we really need the hand of God and his mind 32 00:02:10,180 --> 00:02:12,860 and his anointing on this message 33 00:02:12,860 --> 00:02:17,860 so that, you know, we can realize that there's no division here. 34 00:02:18,259 --> 00:02:20,259 And it doesn't matter what party you're in. 35 00:02:20,560 --> 00:02:21,639 It really doesn't matter. 36 00:02:21,800 --> 00:02:25,560 It matters what God thinks about this particular subject. 37 00:02:26,500 --> 00:02:28,259 And so we should think the same way. 38 00:02:28,259 --> 00:02:29,180 That's the bottom line. 39 00:02:29,740 --> 00:02:31,919 So, Father God, we ask you to open up our minds, 40 00:02:32,080 --> 00:02:35,460 give us wisdom, transform our thinking 41 00:02:35,460 --> 00:02:39,539 so that we can view this issue with clarity. 42 00:02:39,539 --> 00:02:43,240 And so we ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 43 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:47,520 So let's start with a definition, shouldn't we? 44 00:02:47,759 --> 00:02:49,259 You know, what is socialism? 45 00:02:50,020 --> 00:02:53,099 And that's a horrible backdrop I chose for that letter. 46 00:02:53,439 --> 00:02:56,439 But anyway, I couldn't find a good one. 47 00:02:57,199 --> 00:03:00,419 So, but socialism is, yeah, I'm going to look at this one, 48 00:03:00,759 --> 00:03:04,379 a political and economic theory of social organization, 49 00:03:04,379 --> 00:03:09,120 which advocates that the means of production, distribution, 50 00:03:09,120 --> 00:03:15,000 and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. 51 00:03:15,539 --> 00:03:18,000 That's what Oxford Languages says about that. 52 00:03:18,460 --> 00:03:21,159 In Merriam-Webster's, you know, they said that 53 00:03:21,159 --> 00:03:24,400 a stage of society in Marxist theory 54 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:29,599 that is transitional between capitalism and communism. 55 00:03:29,960 --> 00:03:33,240 So it's like a bridge, if you will, you know, bridging the gap. 56 00:03:33,699 --> 00:03:37,979 And so that's what the world considers socialism. 57 00:03:37,979 --> 00:03:39,580 So when we're talking about this, 58 00:03:39,900 --> 00:03:44,659 you realize what we're saying, it's not helping people, 59 00:03:45,240 --> 00:03:49,080 it's really the community at large owning everything 60 00:03:49,080 --> 00:03:50,580 and distributing everything. 61 00:03:50,719 --> 00:03:52,120 What can go wrong with that, right? 62 00:03:53,439 --> 00:03:57,400 So first of all, as a Christian, as a believer, 63 00:03:59,360 --> 00:04:04,219 it's right for us to think that we should be benevolent, right? 64 00:04:04,780 --> 00:04:07,120 We should make sure that there are no people 65 00:04:07,120 --> 00:04:09,860 that go in great need. 66 00:04:11,180 --> 00:04:13,060 And if you've ever been to a third world country, 67 00:04:13,120 --> 00:04:14,599 which we've been to several, 68 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,579 and you see people that are just begging 69 00:04:17,579 --> 00:04:23,199 and you see just the real need out there 70 00:04:23,199 --> 00:04:25,800 and people living in squalor conditions 71 00:04:25,800 --> 00:04:28,420 and your heart breaks and you realize, 72 00:04:28,540 --> 00:04:31,000 you know, this should not be, you know? 73 00:04:31,480 --> 00:04:35,279 And so it's right for us as believers 74 00:04:35,279 --> 00:04:38,000 to care about the least of these. 75 00:04:38,180 --> 00:04:40,740 In fact, Jesus even said, you know, he said, 76 00:04:41,379 --> 00:04:46,040 the righteous, they saw me hungry and fed me. 77 00:04:46,519 --> 00:04:48,259 Thirsty gave me something to drink. 78 00:04:49,120 --> 00:04:49,959 Naked gave me clothes. 79 00:04:50,180 --> 00:04:51,819 A stranger, they brought me in. 80 00:04:52,540 --> 00:04:53,939 Sick, they visited me. 81 00:04:54,120 --> 00:04:55,399 A prisoner, they visited me. 82 00:04:55,500 --> 00:04:56,439 And like, wait, whoa, whoa, whoa, 83 00:04:57,199 --> 00:04:59,660 when did we ever see you like that? 84 00:05:00,439 --> 00:05:02,519 Well, when you did it for the least of these, 85 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:04,500 my brethren, you did it for me. 86 00:05:04,500 --> 00:05:09,540 So Christ cares about those who are in need. 87 00:05:09,959 --> 00:05:11,579 And we can see that throughout scripture. 88 00:05:12,639 --> 00:05:14,100 And so that's important. 89 00:05:14,300 --> 00:05:17,000 And also, in the early church, 90 00:05:17,019 --> 00:05:21,160 you see almost socialistic culture 91 00:05:21,779 --> 00:05:22,959 in the early church. 92 00:05:23,620 --> 00:05:25,439 In fact, we read through those chapters 93 00:05:25,439 --> 00:05:26,860 earlier in the year. 94 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:28,560 Acts chapter two, 95 00:05:28,620 --> 00:05:30,899 if you could put that verse up there, JT. 96 00:05:31,519 --> 00:05:33,360 Acts chapter two verse 44, 97 00:05:34,500 --> 00:05:35,899 when they're all coming together, 98 00:05:36,399 --> 00:05:37,680 and there's that koinonia, 99 00:05:37,959 --> 00:05:39,740 and the Holy Spirit bring unity. 100 00:05:39,860 --> 00:05:41,720 Everyone is just loving each other, right? 101 00:05:42,420 --> 00:05:43,819 And we read that now, 102 00:05:44,139 --> 00:05:45,519 all who believe we're together 103 00:05:45,519 --> 00:05:47,420 and had all things in common 104 00:05:47,939 --> 00:05:50,420 and sold their possessions and goods 105 00:05:50,980 --> 00:05:52,779 and divided them among all 106 00:05:52,779 --> 00:05:55,000 as anyone had need. 107 00:05:55,220 --> 00:05:58,680 I mean, that's an isolated 108 00:05:59,759 --> 00:06:01,379 socialistic situation, isn't it? 109 00:06:01,579 --> 00:06:03,459 Because people just, what do you need? 110 00:06:03,459 --> 00:06:07,420 They sold what was theirs and gave to others. 111 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:09,660 Later on in Acts chapter four, 112 00:06:09,759 --> 00:06:11,500 verses 34 to 35, 113 00:06:12,439 --> 00:06:12,819 we read, 114 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,459 nor was there anyone among them who lacked, 115 00:06:16,120 --> 00:06:19,860 for all who were possessors of lands 116 00:06:19,860 --> 00:06:22,160 or houses sold them and brought 117 00:06:22,160 --> 00:06:23,920 the proceeds of the things 118 00:06:23,920 --> 00:06:25,579 that were sold and laid them 119 00:06:25,579 --> 00:06:26,939 at the apostles' feet. 120 00:06:27,660 --> 00:06:29,379 And they distributed to each 121 00:06:29,379 --> 00:06:31,519 as anyone had need. 122 00:06:31,639 --> 00:06:32,319 There you go again. 123 00:06:32,319 --> 00:06:35,160 Just people selling what belonged to them, 124 00:06:35,160 --> 00:06:36,100 they owned it, 125 00:06:36,279 --> 00:06:38,480 but they sold it and distributed it. 126 00:06:38,779 --> 00:06:39,899 I know a lot of times when you talk, 127 00:06:40,000 --> 00:06:41,540 depending on the congregation, 128 00:06:42,000 --> 00:06:43,220 you talk about these verses 129 00:06:43,220 --> 00:06:45,540 and some people say, 130 00:06:45,759 --> 00:06:46,220 yeah, yeah, yeah. 131 00:06:46,439 --> 00:06:47,319 And other people are saying, 132 00:06:47,639 --> 00:06:48,720 yeah, I don't like this. 133 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:50,480 Can we move on from here? 134 00:06:51,279 --> 00:06:53,360 Depending on what status you are in life, 135 00:06:53,620 --> 00:06:54,860 you either like that passage 136 00:06:54,860 --> 00:06:55,759 or you don't, right? 137 00:06:56,259 --> 00:06:56,839 But really, 138 00:06:57,040 --> 00:06:59,800 it's we see that type of giving 139 00:06:59,800 --> 00:07:00,899 and so forth, 140 00:07:00,899 --> 00:07:03,699 and people really caring for one another. 141 00:07:03,899 --> 00:07:04,160 And you know, 142 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:05,220 it's not just, of course, 143 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:06,560 in the New Testament, 144 00:07:07,100 --> 00:07:08,699 but the Old Testament. 145 00:07:09,920 --> 00:07:12,420 Because when God brought his people, 146 00:07:12,639 --> 00:07:15,279 Israel, into the Promised Land, 147 00:07:15,720 --> 00:07:17,680 there were a lot of other people with them. 148 00:07:18,199 --> 00:07:19,379 And he was telling them 149 00:07:19,379 --> 00:07:21,920 to be generous with what they have. 150 00:07:22,439 --> 00:07:22,819 In fact, 151 00:07:22,899 --> 00:07:23,759 I wanted to show you 152 00:07:23,759 --> 00:07:24,699 a couple of the verses 153 00:07:24,699 --> 00:07:26,459 in Leviticus 19, 154 00:07:27,139 --> 00:07:29,079 verses 9 to 10. 155 00:07:29,620 --> 00:07:30,439 He said, 156 00:07:30,600 --> 00:07:32,800 when you reap the harvest of your land, 157 00:07:33,480 --> 00:07:34,819 you shall not wholly reap 158 00:07:34,819 --> 00:07:36,720 the corners of your field, 159 00:07:37,120 --> 00:07:38,399 nor shall you gather 160 00:07:38,399 --> 00:07:40,220 the gleanings of your harvest, 161 00:07:40,980 --> 00:07:43,060 and you shall not glean your vineyard, 162 00:07:43,180 --> 00:07:44,379 nor shall you gather 163 00:07:44,379 --> 00:07:46,300 every grape of your vineyard. 164 00:07:46,779 --> 00:07:47,939 You shall leave them 165 00:07:47,939 --> 00:07:50,000 for the poor and the stranger. 166 00:07:50,399 --> 00:07:52,240 I am the Lord your God. 167 00:07:52,379 --> 00:07:54,279 So we could see if the Lord was saying, 168 00:07:54,480 --> 00:07:55,699 oh, you don't have to like, 169 00:07:55,819 --> 00:07:57,160 make sure you pick everything up 170 00:07:57,160 --> 00:07:58,379 and spend it on yourself. 171 00:07:58,379 --> 00:07:59,839 Let some be high, 172 00:07:59,920 --> 00:08:01,240 because there's needy people 173 00:08:01,240 --> 00:08:02,620 that are just watching 174 00:08:02,620 --> 00:08:04,439 and hungry and needy 175 00:08:04,439 --> 00:08:06,959 and leave it for them. 176 00:08:07,300 --> 00:08:11,240 We read again in Deuteronomy 24, 19 to 22. 177 00:08:12,959 --> 00:08:13,259 He said, 178 00:08:13,420 --> 00:08:15,759 when you reap your harvest in your field 179 00:08:16,300 --> 00:08:18,620 and forget a sheath in the field, 180 00:08:18,939 --> 00:08:21,019 you shall not go back to get it. 181 00:08:21,399 --> 00:08:23,220 It shall be for the stranger, 182 00:08:23,819 --> 00:08:26,259 the fatherless, and the widow, 183 00:08:26,259 --> 00:08:27,819 that the Lord your God 184 00:08:27,819 --> 00:08:29,819 may bless you in all the work 185 00:08:29,819 --> 00:08:30,779 of your hands. 186 00:08:31,519 --> 00:08:33,259 When you beat your olive trees, 187 00:08:33,559 --> 00:08:36,820 you shall not go over the bows again. 188 00:08:37,259 --> 00:08:39,120 It shall be for the stranger, 189 00:08:39,340 --> 00:08:40,700 the fatherless, and the widow. 190 00:08:41,139 --> 00:08:42,360 When you gather the grapes 191 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:43,120 of your vineyard, 192 00:08:43,240 --> 00:08:45,740 you shall not glean it afterward. 193 00:08:46,279 --> 00:08:47,840 It shall be for the stranger, 194 00:08:47,980 --> 00:08:49,340 the fatherless, and the widow, 195 00:08:49,700 --> 00:08:51,139 and you shall remember 196 00:08:51,139 --> 00:08:53,200 that you were a slave 197 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:54,659 in the land of Egypt. 198 00:08:54,659 --> 00:08:57,679 Therefore, I command you to do this thing. 199 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:00,019 So remember where you came from 200 00:09:00,019 --> 00:09:01,740 because you were very needy 201 00:09:01,740 --> 00:09:02,419 and went without 202 00:09:02,419 --> 00:09:04,159 and be generous to others. 203 00:09:04,440 --> 00:09:06,639 So it's right for us as believers 204 00:09:06,639 --> 00:09:08,580 to see this concept 205 00:09:08,580 --> 00:09:09,500 of making sure 206 00:09:09,500 --> 00:09:10,759 no one's left behind 207 00:09:10,759 --> 00:09:11,779 is a good thing. 208 00:09:12,220 --> 00:09:13,919 We even read in the book of Ruth. 209 00:09:14,519 --> 00:09:15,580 Remember, that's how she met 210 00:09:15,580 --> 00:09:18,100 her kinsmen redeemer, Boaz, 211 00:09:18,620 --> 00:09:20,259 that she was told by Naomi, 212 00:09:20,500 --> 00:09:21,360 go in the field 213 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:22,240 and see what you can find. 214 00:09:22,279 --> 00:09:23,240 Actually, she said, 215 00:09:23,620 --> 00:09:24,399 I'm going to go to the field 216 00:09:24,399 --> 00:09:25,299 and see what I can find. 217 00:09:25,779 --> 00:09:27,039 And there she is just gleaning. 218 00:09:27,299 --> 00:09:28,320 And we read that. 219 00:09:28,639 --> 00:09:30,860 Then she left and went and gleaned 220 00:09:30,860 --> 00:09:32,840 in the field after the Reapers. 221 00:09:33,539 --> 00:09:34,679 And she happened to come 222 00:09:34,679 --> 00:09:36,100 to the part of the field 223 00:09:36,100 --> 00:09:37,720 belonging to Boaz, 224 00:09:38,360 --> 00:09:40,259 who was of the family Alimelech. 225 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:41,620 So that's where she ended up 226 00:09:41,620 --> 00:09:43,440 marrying Boaz, of course. 227 00:09:43,759 --> 00:09:45,360 And so all these things 228 00:09:45,360 --> 00:09:47,139 are a picture of God's heart 229 00:09:47,139 --> 00:09:50,379 towards people who do without 230 00:09:50,379 --> 00:09:51,980 and have not. 231 00:09:52,460 --> 00:09:54,039 And so that's important 232 00:09:54,039 --> 00:09:55,679 for us to connect with that 233 00:09:55,679 --> 00:09:57,639 and recognize that, right? 234 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:00,620 But it doesn't really stop there 235 00:10:00,620 --> 00:10:02,440 because there's other areas 236 00:10:02,440 --> 00:10:06,840 where Jesus talks about giving, 237 00:10:07,860 --> 00:10:11,840 but it's even a higher purpose. 238 00:10:12,720 --> 00:10:15,320 It's a spiritual or eternal thing. 239 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:16,720 And let me just tell you what I mean. 240 00:10:17,299 --> 00:10:19,240 Remember when the rich young ruler 241 00:10:19,240 --> 00:10:21,100 came to Jesus, he comes up, 242 00:10:21,399 --> 00:10:23,120 he falls down on his knees 243 00:10:23,679 --> 00:10:24,639 and says, tell me, 244 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:27,399 what must I do to have eternal life? 245 00:10:28,259 --> 00:10:29,299 And Jesus, knowing 246 00:10:29,299 --> 00:10:30,700 that he was a religious guy, 247 00:10:30,779 --> 00:10:31,600 he said, well, you know, 248 00:10:31,919 --> 00:10:33,059 the commandments, you know, 249 00:10:33,519 --> 00:10:34,759 do not commit adultery. 250 00:10:35,779 --> 00:10:36,659 Do not murder. 251 00:10:37,620 --> 00:10:38,440 Don't steal. 252 00:10:38,700 --> 00:10:39,399 Don't lie. 253 00:10:40,299 --> 00:10:41,059 Honor your father or mother. 254 00:10:41,200 --> 00:10:42,379 All these things I've done. 255 00:10:43,580 --> 00:10:45,019 All these things I've done. 256 00:10:45,620 --> 00:10:49,440 And then we read in Matthew 10, 257 00:10:49,580 --> 00:10:51,100 verse 21 to 22. 258 00:10:51,740 --> 00:10:54,960 And Jesus looked at him and loved him 259 00:10:55,659 --> 00:10:58,200 and said to him, one thing you lack, 260 00:10:59,019 --> 00:11:02,799 go your way, sell whatever you have 261 00:11:02,799 --> 00:11:04,240 and give to the poor 262 00:11:05,019 --> 00:11:07,200 and you will have treasure in heaven 263 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:09,259 and come take up the cross 264 00:11:09,980 --> 00:11:11,179 and follow me. 265 00:11:11,759 --> 00:11:13,659 But he was sad at this word 266 00:11:14,540 --> 00:11:16,500 and went away sorrowful, 267 00:11:16,720 --> 00:11:18,559 for he had great possessions. 268 00:11:19,200 --> 00:11:21,700 Now, you can read that one way 269 00:11:21,700 --> 00:11:25,059 and say, so if he sold everything 270 00:11:25,059 --> 00:11:26,620 and gave to the poor, 271 00:11:26,840 --> 00:11:28,659 then he would have eternal life. 272 00:11:29,220 --> 00:11:30,899 And some people actually see 273 00:11:31,520 --> 00:11:32,799 righteousness in heaven 274 00:11:32,799 --> 00:11:36,019 connected with doing good works on earth. 275 00:11:36,759 --> 00:11:38,399 And so they see it that way. 276 00:11:38,559 --> 00:11:40,139 But really, what it was 277 00:11:40,139 --> 00:11:41,799 was Jesus looked at him 278 00:11:41,799 --> 00:11:42,679 and he loved them, 279 00:11:42,679 --> 00:11:45,500 but he realized what was holding him back 280 00:11:45,500 --> 00:11:47,700 from surrendering his life, 281 00:11:47,700 --> 00:11:49,960 because the word also says, 282 00:11:50,440 --> 00:11:54,000 love me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 283 00:11:54,139 --> 00:11:55,840 In other words, give me you. 284 00:11:56,639 --> 00:11:57,779 It's not about the stuff. 285 00:11:58,700 --> 00:11:59,980 Give me you. 286 00:12:01,340 --> 00:12:03,879 And so as he's looking at this rich young ruler 287 00:12:03,879 --> 00:12:06,659 and realizing, he has an idol 288 00:12:06,659 --> 00:12:08,000 and it's his stuff. 289 00:12:09,259 --> 00:12:10,139 And then he goes on 290 00:12:10,139 --> 00:12:10,980 and tells the disciples, 291 00:12:11,200 --> 00:12:12,700 it's really hard for rich people 292 00:12:12,700 --> 00:12:13,340 to enter heaven. 293 00:12:13,899 --> 00:12:15,340 Well, then who can be saved? 294 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:16,980 Well, with man, it's impossible. 295 00:12:16,980 --> 00:12:19,840 With God, all things are possible. 296 00:12:20,379 --> 00:12:20,940 And then he says, 297 00:12:21,379 --> 00:12:23,059 well, we've given up everything to follow you. 298 00:12:23,139 --> 00:12:23,940 You'll be repaid, 299 00:12:24,539 --> 00:12:26,799 but not in material things, 300 00:12:27,580 --> 00:12:29,100 in spiritual things, 301 00:12:29,580 --> 00:12:30,659 in heavenly things, 302 00:12:30,860 --> 00:12:31,720 a hundred fold. 303 00:12:32,340 --> 00:12:33,379 So a lot of times when Jesus 304 00:12:33,379 --> 00:12:35,980 is talking about sustenance, 305 00:12:36,799 --> 00:12:38,259 he's talking about that, 306 00:12:38,340 --> 00:12:39,519 but he's actually talking about 307 00:12:39,519 --> 00:12:41,799 a much higher level of issues 308 00:12:41,799 --> 00:12:45,679 and that spiritual and kingdom mindedness. 309 00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:50,320 Remember the parable 310 00:12:50,320 --> 00:12:53,460 about the landowner and the workers. 311 00:12:55,019 --> 00:12:58,960 And I read that and in my flesh, 312 00:12:59,519 --> 00:13:00,820 I never liked that parable 313 00:13:00,820 --> 00:13:03,139 because it seems so unfair to me. 314 00:13:03,559 --> 00:13:03,580 Okay. 315 00:13:04,220 --> 00:13:05,639 Because Jesus said, 316 00:13:05,759 --> 00:13:08,600 the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner. 317 00:13:09,259 --> 00:13:09,379 Okay. 318 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:11,620 So everything has to do with the landowner. 319 00:13:11,779 --> 00:13:12,039 Okay. 320 00:13:12,720 --> 00:13:13,179 And he says, 321 00:13:13,799 --> 00:13:16,100 and he went out in the morning 322 00:13:16,100 --> 00:13:18,100 and his, I guess his vineyard 323 00:13:18,100 --> 00:13:20,919 was plump and ready to be harvested. 324 00:13:21,779 --> 00:13:23,980 And he went out and he saw some workers. 325 00:13:24,139 --> 00:13:25,659 He goes, I'll pay a denarius 326 00:13:26,240 --> 00:13:27,799 if you work for the day. 327 00:13:28,200 --> 00:13:28,480 Okay. 328 00:13:28,940 --> 00:13:31,299 And so they went out and they're working. 329 00:13:32,039 --> 00:13:33,600 And the third hour of the day, 330 00:13:33,679 --> 00:13:34,360 he's going around. 331 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:35,879 He sees some people sitting idle 332 00:13:35,879 --> 00:13:37,000 in the marketplace and like, 333 00:13:37,019 --> 00:13:39,440 hey, go work for me in my vineyard. 334 00:13:39,919 --> 00:13:41,940 I'll pay you what seems right to me. 335 00:13:42,779 --> 00:13:44,340 He didn't make a wage. 336 00:13:44,340 --> 00:13:47,080 He said, I'll pay you what seems right to me. 337 00:13:47,080 --> 00:13:49,179 So they went later on. 338 00:13:49,240 --> 00:13:50,580 The sixth hour goes out. 339 00:13:50,600 --> 00:13:51,559 Same thing. 340 00:13:51,899 --> 00:13:53,980 I'll pay you what seems right to me. 341 00:13:54,200 --> 00:13:55,019 The ninth hour, 342 00:13:55,279 --> 00:13:57,179 the last hour of the day, 343 00:13:57,600 --> 00:13:59,519 he's seeing some people just sitting around. 344 00:14:00,000 --> 00:14:02,299 You go out and work in my vineyard. 345 00:14:03,019 --> 00:14:05,200 Now, think about this. 346 00:14:05,399 --> 00:14:07,059 You know, if I were just sitting there 347 00:14:07,780 --> 00:14:09,919 and I heard this guy paid a denarius 348 00:14:10,660 --> 00:14:12,740 to go out in the field and work for the day, 349 00:14:12,740 --> 00:14:14,399 there's only one hour left 350 00:14:14,399 --> 00:14:15,980 and he wants me to go and get dirty 351 00:14:15,980 --> 00:14:17,679 and sweaty and cruddy 352 00:14:17,679 --> 00:14:18,740 and all that kind of stuff. 353 00:14:18,899 --> 00:14:20,200 Do I, for an hour? 354 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:22,000 But they went. 355 00:14:22,679 --> 00:14:24,919 You see, all the other people he invited, 356 00:14:25,039 --> 00:14:27,580 it had to do with faith and trust 357 00:14:28,079 --> 00:14:30,460 that he was a righteous landowner. 358 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:33,080 The first people were working for wages 359 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:34,220 and all that was again, 360 00:14:34,320 --> 00:14:37,200 a picture really of working 361 00:14:37,200 --> 00:14:39,139 just like the rich young ruler 362 00:14:39,700 --> 00:14:42,139 for the law, working to get to heaven. 363 00:14:42,720 --> 00:14:44,720 Working, trying to earn heaven 364 00:14:44,720 --> 00:14:46,100 by what we do on earth, 365 00:14:46,440 --> 00:14:48,379 even by giving things to the poor 366 00:14:48,379 --> 00:14:49,419 and so forth. 367 00:14:49,860 --> 00:14:51,620 And so Jesus is saying, 368 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:53,399 it's not really about that. 369 00:14:53,539 --> 00:14:54,340 It's about me. 370 00:14:54,679 --> 00:14:57,220 It's all about me, Jesus Christ. 371 00:14:57,559 --> 00:14:58,480 You need me. 372 00:14:58,539 --> 00:14:59,700 That's how you get to heaven. 373 00:15:00,059 --> 00:15:01,179 With man, it is impossible. 374 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:04,720 With me, all things are possible. 375 00:15:05,100 --> 00:15:06,100 So that's where the bridge, 376 00:15:06,259 --> 00:15:06,919 that's where all of a sudden, 377 00:15:07,120 --> 00:15:08,139 these things start to like, 378 00:15:08,480 --> 00:15:09,000 kind of like, well, 379 00:15:09,019 --> 00:15:10,440 is he talking really about 380 00:15:10,440 --> 00:15:13,120 like, giving as a way of 381 00:15:13,640 --> 00:15:15,200 building the kingdom of God, 382 00:15:15,340 --> 00:15:16,100 giving things, 383 00:15:16,200 --> 00:15:17,799 or is he really talking about, 384 00:15:18,019 --> 00:15:20,139 you know, doing things in my name. 385 00:15:20,860 --> 00:15:21,399 Now, if you notice, 386 00:15:21,460 --> 00:15:22,440 all these things, 387 00:15:23,179 --> 00:15:25,679 as God talks about being generous, 388 00:15:25,860 --> 00:15:26,419 you know, it's better, 389 00:15:26,419 --> 00:15:28,320 better to give than to receive 390 00:15:29,339 --> 00:15:31,720 and giving of ourselves freely, 391 00:15:32,419 --> 00:15:33,519 freely have received, 392 00:15:33,700 --> 00:15:34,480 not freely give. 393 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:36,120 All these things, 394 00:15:36,620 --> 00:15:38,519 you know, there are accountability 395 00:15:39,799 --> 00:15:41,740 factors in what he's sharing. 396 00:15:41,940 --> 00:15:43,519 He always has accountability 397 00:15:43,519 --> 00:15:45,320 built into the equation. 398 00:15:46,139 --> 00:15:46,940 And I'll give you an example. 399 00:15:47,200 --> 00:15:48,919 When he fed the 5,000th, 400 00:15:49,080 --> 00:15:50,539 by the way, did Jesus said, 401 00:15:50,700 --> 00:15:52,100 I came to feed the poor? 402 00:15:54,879 --> 00:15:55,759 He didn't. 403 00:15:55,759 --> 00:15:57,340 He said, I came to give 404 00:15:57,340 --> 00:15:59,200 the gospel to the poor. 405 00:15:59,600 --> 00:16:00,100 Think about that. 406 00:16:00,240 --> 00:16:00,940 So I'm not saying 407 00:16:00,940 --> 00:16:02,039 he doesn't want the poor fed 408 00:16:02,039 --> 00:16:03,740 because he says that again and again, 409 00:16:03,879 --> 00:16:04,600 you know, do this 410 00:16:04,600 --> 00:16:05,500 for the least of these. 411 00:16:06,080 --> 00:16:07,779 But his purpose on earth 412 00:16:07,779 --> 00:16:08,980 was not to feed the poor. 413 00:16:09,419 --> 00:16:11,279 It was to give the path of salvation 414 00:16:11,279 --> 00:16:12,720 because he is salvation. 415 00:16:13,600 --> 00:16:14,480 So anyway, I just thought 416 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:15,179 I threw that out there. 417 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:17,320 So Jesus is out there 418 00:16:17,320 --> 00:16:20,600 and people are following him 419 00:16:21,139 --> 00:16:22,279 for a full day. 420 00:16:22,659 --> 00:16:23,899 And he says, they're really hungry. 421 00:16:24,039 --> 00:16:25,299 We can't send them home now. 422 00:16:25,860 --> 00:16:28,659 So he multiplies the fish and loaves 423 00:16:28,659 --> 00:16:30,019 and feeds the 5,000. 424 00:16:30,559 --> 00:16:30,620 Okay. 425 00:16:31,259 --> 00:16:32,799 They're all happy and everything. 426 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:34,240 And some time passes. 427 00:16:34,720 --> 00:16:35,539 And now they're following 428 00:16:35,539 --> 00:16:36,700 for three days. 429 00:16:36,700 --> 00:16:37,820 And he looks around. 430 00:16:38,039 --> 00:16:38,539 They're hungry. 431 00:16:40,000 --> 00:16:42,000 Same thing, but feeds the 4,000. 432 00:16:42,259 --> 00:16:43,120 Probably many more. 433 00:16:43,299 --> 00:16:44,259 That's just men, right? 434 00:16:44,399 --> 00:16:46,820 So it was women and children as well. 435 00:16:47,340 --> 00:16:49,440 And he feeds them both times. 436 00:16:50,059 --> 00:16:52,080 So now they're like looking for him. 437 00:16:52,100 --> 00:16:53,279 Where's the guy with the bread 438 00:16:53,279 --> 00:16:54,019 and the loaves? 439 00:16:54,299 --> 00:16:55,519 I mean, the loaves and the fish. 440 00:16:55,639 --> 00:16:56,879 Like, we're hungry. 441 00:16:57,279 --> 00:16:59,519 You know, they're looking all over for him. 442 00:16:59,779 --> 00:17:01,440 And then they finally find him. 443 00:17:01,500 --> 00:17:02,620 And he says this to them 444 00:17:02,620 --> 00:17:05,720 in John chapter 6 verse 26. 445 00:17:07,339 --> 00:17:08,380 Jesus answered them. 446 00:17:08,980 --> 00:17:10,240 Most assuredly, I say to you, 447 00:17:10,319 --> 00:17:13,339 you seek me not because you saw the signs, 448 00:17:13,920 --> 00:17:16,099 but because you ate of the loaves 449 00:17:16,099 --> 00:17:17,180 and were filled. 450 00:17:18,019 --> 00:17:20,980 In other words, all you want is to eat. 451 00:17:21,940 --> 00:17:24,039 Like, so he's calling them out. 452 00:17:24,460 --> 00:17:27,460 You know, I can connect with this a little bit. 453 00:17:28,900 --> 00:17:30,680 Back when we first started the church, 454 00:17:30,680 --> 00:17:32,400 we were in a Korean church 455 00:17:32,400 --> 00:17:33,799 over on Mount Vernon Street. 456 00:17:35,099 --> 00:17:38,279 And we used to have M&M nights, okay? 457 00:17:38,859 --> 00:17:41,839 On Friday nights, meals, no, Sunday nights, 458 00:17:41,940 --> 00:17:42,779 whatever it was, I forget. 459 00:17:43,279 --> 00:17:46,140 But meals and music, okay? 460 00:17:46,599 --> 00:17:47,420 Meals and music. 461 00:17:47,900 --> 00:17:49,119 And we'd call them M&M nights 462 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:50,119 and we'd go out on the street 463 00:17:50,119 --> 00:17:50,940 and invite people. 464 00:17:51,500 --> 00:17:52,400 And people would come. 465 00:17:52,559 --> 00:17:55,480 And we would actually go out and find bands. 466 00:17:55,599 --> 00:17:57,160 And we would actually pay them a few dollars 467 00:17:57,160 --> 00:17:58,400 to come out there, a Christian band. 468 00:17:58,900 --> 00:18:00,980 And some of them were really great, you know? 469 00:18:00,980 --> 00:18:02,799 Some of them were putting things together. 470 00:18:03,039 --> 00:18:06,480 But nonetheless, it's free music, free food. 471 00:18:06,960 --> 00:18:09,180 We actually went to, like, Main Street 472 00:18:09,180 --> 00:18:11,359 and other places and had, you know, 473 00:18:12,480 --> 00:18:15,880 gourmet food there for them on these evenings. 474 00:18:16,440 --> 00:18:19,220 And they would come out and so forth. 475 00:18:19,940 --> 00:18:22,480 But then one thing we notice is 476 00:18:23,080 --> 00:18:26,480 they wouldn't come for the music. 477 00:18:27,259 --> 00:18:30,180 They would just wait for the meal, okay? 478 00:18:30,180 --> 00:18:31,720 So they skipped the beginning. 479 00:18:32,039 --> 00:18:33,740 Now notice, Jesus always taught, 480 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:36,079 then you receive, okay? 481 00:18:36,299 --> 00:18:37,839 Because the focus was what? 482 00:18:38,299 --> 00:18:40,220 The gospel, salvation. 483 00:18:40,579 --> 00:18:42,940 He didn't focus on the sustenance, okay? 484 00:18:43,359 --> 00:18:45,099 And so I can kick this 485 00:18:45,099 --> 00:18:46,200 because after a while we realized 486 00:18:46,200 --> 00:18:47,059 they weren't even coming 487 00:18:47,059 --> 00:18:48,480 for the main point we're having. 488 00:18:48,599 --> 00:18:51,000 So we actually over time just ended it 489 00:18:51,000 --> 00:18:53,480 because it went off track, you know? 490 00:18:53,740 --> 00:18:54,720 That's what I really appreciate 491 00:18:54,720 --> 00:18:56,579 about the City Hall ministry in Philly 492 00:18:56,579 --> 00:18:58,319 that we are connected with. 493 00:18:58,599 --> 00:18:59,700 Jerry Dover back there. 494 00:18:59,700 --> 00:19:00,619 Give a little wave, Jerry. 495 00:19:01,160 --> 00:19:02,299 You in the front can't see him, 496 00:19:02,359 --> 00:19:03,380 but he's back there. 497 00:19:03,460 --> 00:19:04,660 If you ever want to, you know, 498 00:19:04,799 --> 00:19:06,559 connect and go down there at City Hall. 499 00:19:07,119 --> 00:19:09,019 But they have the right priorities. 500 00:19:09,619 --> 00:19:10,640 They teach the gospel. 501 00:19:10,940 --> 00:19:11,819 They give the message. 502 00:19:12,019 --> 00:19:13,000 Then they give clothes 503 00:19:13,000 --> 00:19:14,140 and then they give food. 504 00:19:14,359 --> 00:19:16,000 And right now we're in Socktober. 505 00:19:16,160 --> 00:19:18,000 If you have some extra new socks 506 00:19:18,000 --> 00:19:20,980 or old ones, will you take some old ones or? 507 00:19:21,279 --> 00:19:22,539 No. No old socks. 508 00:19:23,079 --> 00:19:25,700 Especially not freshly worn, okay? 509 00:19:26,980 --> 00:19:28,420 We're collecting for socks. 510 00:19:28,420 --> 00:19:30,599 But anyway, but they have the right priorities. 511 00:19:31,079 --> 00:19:32,700 They give the important things. 512 00:19:33,279 --> 00:19:37,099 Then they take care of their needs, 513 00:19:37,359 --> 00:19:38,420 their physical needs. 514 00:19:38,779 --> 00:19:42,839 And so we see this so that, you know, 515 00:19:43,160 --> 00:19:46,099 Christ shows us through demonstration 516 00:19:46,099 --> 00:19:50,420 what's the most important thing, doesn't he? 517 00:19:50,799 --> 00:19:51,000 You know? 518 00:19:51,500 --> 00:19:54,000 And so as we look at all of this, 519 00:19:54,140 --> 00:19:56,799 so then what is the other side of the coin? 520 00:19:56,799 --> 00:19:59,240 We look through how God cares about people. 521 00:19:59,759 --> 00:20:01,599 He believes in fairness, okay? 522 00:20:01,839 --> 00:20:03,680 He demonstrates that. 523 00:20:03,859 --> 00:20:07,059 He cares about the poor, the widow, the fatherless, 524 00:20:07,519 --> 00:20:08,579 the orphan, all that. 525 00:20:08,700 --> 00:20:10,099 He cares about all these things. 526 00:20:10,420 --> 00:20:11,720 He cares about the hungry. 527 00:20:12,640 --> 00:20:14,519 Again and again, he demonstrates that. 528 00:20:14,960 --> 00:20:16,980 But there's another side of this 529 00:20:17,599 --> 00:20:24,680 that rewards effort both on earth and in heaven, right? 530 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:26,980 And it's a reward system. 531 00:20:28,099 --> 00:20:32,019 We're not all equal in terms of the outcome. 532 00:20:32,140 --> 00:20:34,180 I'm just saying we're not. 533 00:20:34,339 --> 00:20:37,160 We're equal in terms of our standing in Christ 534 00:20:37,160 --> 00:20:39,279 and we're all the righteousness of Christ. 535 00:20:39,579 --> 00:20:41,019 But there will be different levels 536 00:20:41,019 --> 00:20:42,960 of whatever happens in the future. 537 00:20:43,400 --> 00:20:44,319 Because he says, you know, 538 00:20:44,440 --> 00:20:46,920 work for the rewards that are in heaven, 539 00:20:47,279 --> 00:20:49,359 you know, where the malls don't eat, 540 00:20:49,500 --> 00:20:54,140 the rust don't contaminate and seal over. 541 00:20:54,140 --> 00:20:58,079 And also the thieves don't steal. 542 00:20:58,839 --> 00:21:04,059 And so we see this picture in Matthew 25, 15. 543 00:21:04,880 --> 00:21:07,559 Again, the kingdom of God is like someone 544 00:21:08,480 --> 00:21:10,640 who goes away, a landowner. 545 00:21:11,519 --> 00:21:16,799 He gave to one five talents, 546 00:21:17,240 --> 00:21:19,500 to another two and to another one, 547 00:21:19,880 --> 00:21:22,160 to each according to his own ability. 548 00:21:22,160 --> 00:21:26,000 And immediately he went on a journey. 549 00:21:26,500 --> 00:21:28,759 Now notice, there's some inequality there. 550 00:21:29,880 --> 00:21:31,579 He gave five to one person. 551 00:21:31,940 --> 00:21:33,000 He gave two to another 552 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:35,019 and he gave one to another person. 553 00:21:35,519 --> 00:21:37,839 So there's that, okay? 554 00:21:38,359 --> 00:21:40,759 And then he goes away and he comes back 555 00:21:41,339 --> 00:21:43,180 and the one guy comes up, look, 556 00:21:43,400 --> 00:21:46,160 I had five, I invested them for your, 557 00:21:46,259 --> 00:21:47,240 and now I got 10. 558 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:50,759 Now, oh, this is a picture really of our lives, isn't it? 559 00:21:50,759 --> 00:21:52,859 It's all a picture of the kingdom of God, okay? 560 00:21:53,700 --> 00:21:55,619 He's talking about sustenance. 561 00:21:55,779 --> 00:21:57,220 He's talking about harvest, 562 00:21:57,339 --> 00:21:59,220 but he's really talking about our souls 563 00:21:59,220 --> 00:22:01,019 and rewards in heaven 564 00:22:01,019 --> 00:22:04,819 and our living in the kingdom of God, right? 565 00:22:05,339 --> 00:22:07,279 And so he's saying, God bless you. 566 00:22:07,599 --> 00:22:09,359 You could keep those five. 567 00:22:09,900 --> 00:22:11,980 So, and wait, you see what happens? 568 00:22:12,700 --> 00:22:14,660 You're even gonna be rewarded more. 569 00:22:14,799 --> 00:22:17,279 I will put you in charge of even more things. 570 00:22:17,779 --> 00:22:20,000 So there's this reward system 571 00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:23,539 for doing more than the one that had two came up. 572 00:22:23,599 --> 00:22:24,339 Look, I got four. 573 00:22:24,859 --> 00:22:25,319 Keep them. 574 00:22:25,420 --> 00:22:25,859 They're yours. 575 00:22:26,119 --> 00:22:26,660 And guess what? 576 00:22:26,740 --> 00:22:28,460 Even more things are coming your way. 577 00:22:28,559 --> 00:22:29,680 I'm paraphrasing, right? 578 00:22:30,140 --> 00:22:31,539 And then the one comes and says, 579 00:22:31,880 --> 00:22:32,299 you know what? 580 00:22:32,619 --> 00:22:34,119 I know what you're like. 581 00:22:35,220 --> 00:22:35,920 You're harsh. 582 00:22:36,259 --> 00:22:36,660 You're mean. 583 00:22:37,319 --> 00:22:39,279 The things you have you didn't even earn. 584 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:40,720 I'm paraphrasing. 585 00:22:41,899 --> 00:22:43,599 And so I buried it. 586 00:22:43,740 --> 00:22:44,420 But here it is. 587 00:22:44,480 --> 00:22:45,079 You can get it. 588 00:22:45,180 --> 00:22:45,599 It's right there. 589 00:22:46,039 --> 00:22:47,220 It doesn't even say, here it is. 590 00:22:47,779 --> 00:22:48,400 You can get it. 591 00:22:48,500 --> 00:22:48,940 It's right there. 592 00:22:48,940 --> 00:22:50,619 Buried in the ground. 593 00:22:51,240 --> 00:22:54,140 And then he responded, you wicked and evil servant. 594 00:22:54,799 --> 00:22:56,299 And then, you know what he says the next verse? 595 00:22:56,500 --> 00:22:58,460 He said, so take the talent from him 596 00:22:58,460 --> 00:23:01,480 and give it to him who has 10 talents. 597 00:23:02,099 --> 00:23:05,339 For to everyone who has more will be given. 598 00:23:05,960 --> 00:23:07,819 And he will have an abundance. 599 00:23:08,140 --> 00:23:11,920 But from the one who has not even what he has 600 00:23:11,920 --> 00:23:13,680 will be taken away. 601 00:23:13,859 --> 00:23:15,680 And that sounds harsh, doesn't it? 602 00:23:16,680 --> 00:23:17,759 It's Jesus Christ. 603 00:23:18,640 --> 00:23:20,500 Like, whatever he says goes. 604 00:23:21,460 --> 00:23:23,619 Whatever you think is, oh, that's mean. 605 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:25,940 You're not aligned with him. 606 00:23:26,840 --> 00:23:29,079 Because he has the final word. 607 00:23:29,200 --> 00:23:30,180 He is the word. 608 00:23:31,059 --> 00:23:32,220 And so we see this. 609 00:23:32,460 --> 00:23:33,400 Now it's suddenly shifting. 610 00:23:33,960 --> 00:23:36,240 And almost seems like a capitalistic kind of, 611 00:23:36,319 --> 00:23:39,900 but it's not about government and earthly systems. 612 00:23:40,339 --> 00:23:43,500 But it's a mindset of God towards these things. 613 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:49,160 There's always accountability built in to the process. 614 00:23:49,759 --> 00:23:50,440 There always is. 615 00:23:51,299 --> 00:23:55,599 When early on we read about the issue with widows 616 00:23:55,599 --> 00:23:58,039 who were going without and they set up a system. 617 00:23:58,140 --> 00:23:59,259 We got to take care of the widows. 618 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:00,279 And it's important, right? 619 00:24:00,779 --> 00:24:04,319 Well, as time went on, like, there were a lot of widows. 620 00:24:04,859 --> 00:24:08,220 And so when Paul was writing to Timothy, 621 00:24:09,640 --> 00:24:12,319 he wrote about the widows. 622 00:24:12,319 --> 00:24:15,900 And he said in 1 Timothy 5, 9 to 10, 623 00:24:16,059 --> 00:24:21,700 he says, no widow may be put on the list, 624 00:24:21,900 --> 00:24:26,359 in other words, of receiving, unless she is over 60, 625 00:24:27,339 --> 00:24:29,420 has been faithful to her husband, 626 00:24:30,119 --> 00:24:32,900 and is well known for her good deeds, 627 00:24:33,380 --> 00:24:37,500 such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, 628 00:24:37,839 --> 00:24:39,660 washing the feet of the Lord's people, 629 00:24:39,880 --> 00:24:41,220 helping those in trouble, 630 00:24:41,220 --> 00:24:45,000 and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds. 631 00:24:45,200 --> 00:24:46,619 I mean, that's a checklist. 632 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:50,680 I mean, that's a resume of good living. 633 00:24:51,079 --> 00:24:54,480 Now, I'm not saying we're called to do a checklist 634 00:24:54,480 --> 00:24:56,380 of everyone we give things to, 635 00:24:56,559 --> 00:25:00,619 because we just can't, wouldn't, and shouldn't. 636 00:25:00,960 --> 00:25:04,500 But I'm saying there's a process of accountability, 637 00:25:04,859 --> 00:25:05,259 isn't there? 638 00:25:05,619 --> 00:25:10,519 Because the Lord cares about where our resources are going. 639 00:25:10,519 --> 00:25:12,039 He's entrusting us. 640 00:25:12,460 --> 00:25:15,119 We are his stewards of what we have, right? 641 00:25:15,920 --> 00:25:18,279 And then he goes on from there in the same letter, 642 00:25:19,440 --> 00:25:21,200 or he actually said this before that, 643 00:25:21,799 --> 00:25:26,019 he said in verse 8, 1 Timothy 5, 8, 644 00:25:27,299 --> 00:25:30,140 anyone who does not provide for their own relatives, 645 00:25:30,539 --> 00:25:32,619 and especially for their own household, 646 00:25:32,900 --> 00:25:37,900 has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 647 00:25:39,440 --> 00:25:41,339 Boom, I mean, ouch. 648 00:25:42,259 --> 00:25:45,319 You know, it hurt me, but I had to share that with somebody. 649 00:25:46,099 --> 00:25:52,460 This year, as they're complaining, no one's helping them. 650 00:25:53,019 --> 00:25:54,039 No one's helping him. 651 00:25:54,460 --> 00:25:56,240 And we did, again and again and again and again. 652 00:25:58,220 --> 00:26:03,460 And kept quitting jobs, family, big family, kids, everything. 653 00:26:05,440 --> 00:26:09,500 And started texting me scriptures of why we're not loving, 654 00:26:09,759 --> 00:26:10,759 why we do, do, do, do, do, do. 655 00:26:10,759 --> 00:26:11,940 And I texted him that. 656 00:26:14,099 --> 00:26:17,539 You know, grow up, your responsibility, 657 00:26:18,619 --> 00:26:21,460 it's your responsibility to take care of your family. 658 00:26:21,920 --> 00:26:24,460 It's not all of us, it's you. 659 00:26:25,259 --> 00:26:27,299 Why do you keep quitting these jobs? 660 00:26:27,500 --> 00:26:29,660 Like, so it hurts, but at a certain point, 661 00:26:29,759 --> 00:26:31,740 you just, some tough love. 662 00:26:31,740 --> 00:26:34,420 You need to hear what the word says. 663 00:26:34,980 --> 00:26:37,400 How about when Paul says those who don't work don't eat? 664 00:26:38,700 --> 00:26:39,400 You know, I mean, come on. 665 00:26:39,539 --> 00:26:42,740 This is like, it's, wow, I don't hear this stuff. 666 00:26:42,880 --> 00:26:44,000 Well, we don't hear this stuff, 667 00:26:44,019 --> 00:26:45,579 but it's scriptural, it's biblical, 668 00:26:45,619 --> 00:26:47,259 and it's Jesus Christ, right? 669 00:26:47,599 --> 00:26:49,380 This is how he feels about things. 670 00:26:49,660 --> 00:26:53,119 And so, you know, there is this shifting 671 00:26:53,119 --> 00:26:55,160 that we have to realize that accountability 672 00:26:56,079 --> 00:26:58,400 is involved in everything. 673 00:26:59,319 --> 00:27:02,859 Now, we're just going to take a brief break on this 674 00:27:02,859 --> 00:27:05,920 and say, you know, there's a practical side of this, too, 675 00:27:06,759 --> 00:27:08,059 because it just doesn't work. 676 00:27:09,039 --> 00:27:10,799 It's never worked socialism. 677 00:27:11,680 --> 00:27:13,660 It's never worked anywhere. 678 00:27:14,259 --> 00:27:15,579 Well, maybe this time we'll get it right. 679 00:27:16,240 --> 00:27:17,119 No, you won't. 680 00:27:18,079 --> 00:27:18,740 And you know why? 681 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:21,079 Because mankind is corrupt. 682 00:27:21,980 --> 00:27:24,160 You could just think, well, the people in charge 683 00:27:24,160 --> 00:27:26,720 who are going to make sure we all own the same amount 684 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:28,160 and that people are in charge 685 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:30,599 who make sure that everyone gets the same things, 686 00:27:30,819 --> 00:27:33,980 that they won't keep any extra for themselves. 687 00:27:35,440 --> 00:27:37,539 Here comes the headlights, dumb deer. 688 00:27:38,299 --> 00:27:42,259 You know, it's like, you're just asking to be run over, okay? 689 00:27:42,640 --> 00:27:48,940 It just doesn't happen because all mankind are unrighteous, right? 690 00:27:49,599 --> 00:27:52,700 The church could be socialistic in their little community. 691 00:27:53,019 --> 00:27:53,880 Because why? 692 00:27:54,440 --> 00:27:56,680 The Holy Spirit was keeping them accountable. 693 00:27:56,839 --> 00:27:58,720 I mean, what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? 694 00:27:59,299 --> 00:28:01,680 When they like sold, hey, that's how everything I sold. 695 00:28:02,059 --> 00:28:04,559 No, no, boom, you're out, right? 696 00:28:04,720 --> 00:28:07,160 I mean, you know, the Lord dealt with things 697 00:28:07,160 --> 00:28:10,000 because it was accountability in the church. 698 00:28:10,220 --> 00:28:13,259 The government doesn't have any accountability for anything. 699 00:28:13,799 --> 00:28:15,559 In fact, they're anti-God, right? 700 00:28:16,019 --> 00:28:19,039 I mean, can you name any socialistic state 701 00:28:19,039 --> 00:28:22,279 that promotes Christianity or God? 702 00:28:22,640 --> 00:28:22,920 None. 703 00:28:23,500 --> 00:28:24,660 They are the God. 704 00:28:25,619 --> 00:28:26,279 You're looking at them. 705 00:28:26,740 --> 00:28:28,500 They are God to you. 706 00:28:29,220 --> 00:28:30,940 How dare you think otherwise, right? 707 00:28:31,279 --> 00:28:32,779 They're in charge, right? 708 00:28:33,779 --> 00:28:37,359 Which really takes me to this final point. 709 00:28:40,460 --> 00:28:41,180 Not that it is... 710 00:28:41,180 --> 00:28:43,019 And you know, I want to show this slide real quick. 711 00:28:43,900 --> 00:28:46,180 John Kratz made this slide for me. 712 00:28:46,980 --> 00:28:49,759 And after I told him, in fact, he knocked this out 713 00:28:49,759 --> 00:28:50,920 in probably like 10 minutes. 714 00:28:50,920 --> 00:28:53,759 You know, there could be wealth under that ground. 715 00:28:53,940 --> 00:28:55,480 There could be materials. 716 00:28:55,640 --> 00:28:57,039 There could be all kinds of things. 717 00:28:57,180 --> 00:29:00,039 It gets squandered and misused. 718 00:29:00,759 --> 00:29:02,460 And it just doesn't work. 719 00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:04,740 And they fail in all these areas. 720 00:29:04,900 --> 00:29:08,420 And the outcomes are all of these outcomes here. 721 00:29:08,599 --> 00:29:09,680 But you know what the worst is? 722 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:11,039 Religious suppression. 723 00:29:12,120 --> 00:29:15,059 They don't allow you to worship. 724 00:29:15,380 --> 00:29:16,599 And I still don't know. 725 00:29:16,599 --> 00:29:20,859 If religion is the opioid of the masses, 726 00:29:21,099 --> 00:29:21,759 did you ever hear that? 727 00:29:21,839 --> 00:29:22,660 I don't even know who said it. 728 00:29:22,720 --> 00:29:23,339 It just came to mind. 729 00:29:23,799 --> 00:29:24,480 You ever hear that? 730 00:29:24,799 --> 00:29:27,059 So why wouldn't you want people to believe 731 00:29:27,059 --> 00:29:28,200 in something they can't see? 732 00:29:28,299 --> 00:29:29,480 Just go to your God. 733 00:29:29,920 --> 00:29:30,559 It's fine. 734 00:29:30,680 --> 00:29:31,299 You're going to be fine. 735 00:29:31,539 --> 00:29:32,680 Just pray to your God. 736 00:29:33,140 --> 00:29:34,920 And let us keep stealing from you 737 00:29:34,920 --> 00:29:36,079 and suppressing you 738 00:29:36,079 --> 00:29:38,500 and just wiping you into the ground. 739 00:29:39,019 --> 00:29:40,420 But worship your God. 740 00:29:40,660 --> 00:29:41,440 It's like an opioid. 741 00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:43,119 Just be happy. 742 00:29:43,940 --> 00:29:45,160 You would think they would want, 743 00:29:45,160 --> 00:29:48,680 but because it's an antiChrist thing. 744 00:29:48,940 --> 00:29:50,519 It's an evil system. 745 00:29:50,880 --> 00:29:52,259 It's wickedness. 746 00:29:52,799 --> 00:29:54,680 And of course, it leads to dictatorship 747 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:58,000 and people owning you. 748 00:29:58,859 --> 00:30:01,839 So thank you, John, for that slide. 749 00:30:03,119 --> 00:30:05,700 But as we get into these final moments of this, 750 00:30:06,240 --> 00:30:07,660 I just want to ask a couple questions 751 00:30:07,660 --> 00:30:09,220 that we could talk about. 752 00:30:09,460 --> 00:30:12,079 Is one, why is it so evil? 753 00:30:12,579 --> 00:30:14,579 Why is socialism so wicked? 754 00:30:14,579 --> 00:30:15,220 Okay. 755 00:30:16,180 --> 00:30:17,200 And the question is, 756 00:30:17,220 --> 00:30:18,920 if you could put that next question up, 757 00:30:19,180 --> 00:30:20,700 because there's two questions we're going to ask. 758 00:30:21,420 --> 00:30:25,460 Who is your provider, God or man? 759 00:30:26,700 --> 00:30:29,680 Because so many people just just take care of us. 760 00:30:30,059 --> 00:30:30,440 Okay. 761 00:30:30,599 --> 00:30:32,359 I need someone to take care of me. 762 00:30:32,400 --> 00:30:34,039 Then I won't have to work so hard. 763 00:30:34,440 --> 00:30:36,140 Well, humanity has always worked hard. 764 00:30:36,539 --> 00:30:37,380 Just the way it is. 765 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:38,519 We probably work less now 766 00:30:38,519 --> 00:30:40,559 than we ever did in humanity, right? 767 00:30:40,759 --> 00:30:41,839 We think we work a lot, 768 00:30:41,839 --> 00:30:48,680 but it's not by the sweat of our brow. 769 00:30:49,279 --> 00:30:51,079 It's instead in front of a computer. 770 00:30:51,240 --> 00:30:52,680 I forgot my Blu-ray glasses. 771 00:30:53,059 --> 00:30:53,700 Oh, I'm good now. 772 00:30:54,740 --> 00:30:57,819 The modern day dilemma 773 00:30:58,560 --> 00:31:02,519 compared to days of antiquity, right? 774 00:31:04,079 --> 00:31:06,140 But who is our provider? 775 00:31:06,440 --> 00:31:09,180 And God enables us to work. 776 00:31:09,180 --> 00:31:14,180 Ecclesiastes 2, 24, when Solomon wrote this, 777 00:31:14,500 --> 00:31:15,980 nothing is better for a man 778 00:31:15,980 --> 00:31:19,099 than that he should eat and drink 779 00:31:19,099 --> 00:31:23,539 and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. 780 00:31:24,279 --> 00:31:28,119 This also I saw was from the hand of God. 781 00:31:28,299 --> 00:31:30,299 You know, work is a gift. 782 00:31:32,099 --> 00:31:36,539 Seeing the rewards and the outcome of our work is a gift. 783 00:31:37,259 --> 00:31:40,140 It's a pleasure to be able to work, 784 00:31:40,579 --> 00:31:43,920 you know, to serve others and serve humanity. 785 00:31:44,160 --> 00:31:45,799 And so this is the idea. 786 00:31:46,279 --> 00:31:48,740 In fact, Solomon also said in Ecclesiastes 787 00:31:48,740 --> 00:31:52,460 that work is our portion and our heritage. 788 00:31:55,479 --> 00:31:58,799 When Israel was led by kings 789 00:31:58,799 --> 00:32:01,000 and Samuel was the last king 790 00:32:02,899 --> 00:32:06,619 and his sons did not follow in his footsteps, unfortunately, 791 00:32:06,960 --> 00:32:10,519 and they sought after greed and so forth. 792 00:32:11,079 --> 00:32:12,559 And so finally, Israel came and said, 793 00:32:12,660 --> 00:32:13,019 you know what? 794 00:32:13,400 --> 00:32:14,220 We've had enough. 795 00:32:14,359 --> 00:32:14,940 We need a king. 796 00:32:16,479 --> 00:32:17,859 Well, you need a king. 797 00:32:18,759 --> 00:32:20,799 Yeah, we need a king like every other nation. 798 00:32:21,000 --> 00:32:21,619 We need a king. 799 00:32:21,700 --> 00:32:23,420 We need someone to take care of us. 800 00:32:24,200 --> 00:32:26,880 And Samuel's like, you know, 801 00:32:27,220 --> 00:32:28,500 God told him what to say. 802 00:32:28,500 --> 00:32:29,940 But to summarize, 803 00:32:30,960 --> 00:32:33,299 we show you at 1 Samuel 8, 6, 7, 804 00:32:33,440 --> 00:32:36,259 but when they said, 805 00:32:36,640 --> 00:32:38,619 give us a king to lead us, 806 00:32:39,079 --> 00:32:40,500 it displeased Samuel. 807 00:32:40,819 --> 00:32:42,119 So he prayed to the Lord 808 00:32:42,119 --> 00:32:43,660 and the Lord told him, 809 00:32:43,839 --> 00:32:46,599 listen to all that the people are saying to you. 810 00:32:47,119 --> 00:32:49,500 It is not you they have rejected, 811 00:32:49,759 --> 00:32:52,700 but they have rejected me as their king. 812 00:32:53,940 --> 00:32:55,519 So give me a king. 813 00:32:55,640 --> 00:32:56,299 Give me a leader. 814 00:32:56,440 --> 00:32:57,160 Give me a government 815 00:32:57,160 --> 00:32:59,400 that will take care of me. 816 00:33:00,400 --> 00:33:02,140 Take care of all of us. 817 00:33:03,019 --> 00:33:04,000 It's wanting a king. 818 00:33:04,680 --> 00:33:05,099 You know, it's funny. 819 00:33:05,220 --> 00:33:06,240 These no king rallies. 820 00:33:06,460 --> 00:33:08,640 I mean, they got it reversed, you know, really. 821 00:33:09,259 --> 00:33:11,480 It's like, I want big government 822 00:33:11,480 --> 00:33:12,559 to take care of me. 823 00:33:12,660 --> 00:33:14,279 I want them to be my provider. 824 00:33:16,299 --> 00:33:19,259 And you see, that's what's so evil about it. 825 00:33:19,460 --> 00:33:20,920 So who is your provider? 826 00:33:21,059 --> 00:33:23,460 And then the second question is, 827 00:33:23,940 --> 00:33:25,259 how are you storing 828 00:33:25,259 --> 00:33:27,839 what God has provided you? 829 00:33:29,420 --> 00:33:30,579 Because, you know, it's funny. 830 00:33:30,700 --> 00:33:32,559 We always want other people 831 00:33:32,559 --> 00:33:34,500 to give what they have, you know. 832 00:33:35,160 --> 00:33:36,140 And when we have things, 833 00:33:36,279 --> 00:33:37,299 it's like, well, yeah, 834 00:33:37,339 --> 00:33:38,279 but this is special. 835 00:33:38,660 --> 00:33:41,259 I read this funny little thing about, 836 00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:43,940 you know, this pastor said to his church, 837 00:33:44,579 --> 00:33:48,180 how many want to share things 838 00:33:48,180 --> 00:33:49,680 what they have with others? 839 00:33:50,299 --> 00:33:52,900 Yeah, I, to measure, 840 00:33:52,960 --> 00:33:54,359 probably all of us would raise our hands. 841 00:33:54,359 --> 00:33:55,299 I'm not going to ask you to 842 00:33:55,299 --> 00:33:55,940 because your hands 843 00:33:55,940 --> 00:33:57,539 might be coming down soon, right? 844 00:33:58,500 --> 00:33:59,519 But how many, you know, 845 00:33:59,640 --> 00:34:00,819 all of us would share. 846 00:34:01,099 --> 00:34:02,779 I mean, you're very giving, right? 847 00:34:03,160 --> 00:34:04,160 Okay, that's great. 848 00:34:04,359 --> 00:34:05,500 Well, the pastor said, awesome. 849 00:34:06,220 --> 00:34:07,299 And he says, okay, you know, 850 00:34:07,559 --> 00:34:09,139 well, then how many people 851 00:34:09,139 --> 00:34:11,059 would share their car? 852 00:34:11,920 --> 00:34:12,320 Okay. 853 00:34:13,440 --> 00:34:14,940 And the hands went all the way down 854 00:34:14,940 --> 00:34:15,820 to just a few. 855 00:34:16,159 --> 00:34:16,420 Okay. 856 00:34:17,679 --> 00:34:18,579 How about your house? 857 00:34:18,780 --> 00:34:19,780 Who, how many people 858 00:34:19,780 --> 00:34:20,940 would open up your house 859 00:34:20,940 --> 00:34:22,239 to let people come in 860 00:34:22,239 --> 00:34:24,820 and stay when needed a couple? 861 00:34:26,059 --> 00:34:26,960 I know there's a lot of you 862 00:34:26,960 --> 00:34:27,900 who haven't do. 863 00:34:28,980 --> 00:34:31,000 And then he says, that's so great. 864 00:34:31,159 --> 00:34:31,300 All right. 865 00:34:31,500 --> 00:34:32,940 How many people today 866 00:34:32,940 --> 00:34:35,139 will give up half of their wealth 867 00:34:37,440 --> 00:34:38,780 to someone else, 868 00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:40,559 to people in need? 869 00:34:41,800 --> 00:34:43,760 And one old guy lifted up his hand 870 00:34:44,579 --> 00:34:48,079 and the preacher said, wow, really? 871 00:34:48,519 --> 00:34:49,960 Like, you'll do that. 872 00:34:50,099 --> 00:34:50,900 You'll give up. 873 00:34:51,619 --> 00:34:53,699 What made you agree 874 00:34:53,699 --> 00:34:55,519 to give up half of your wealth? 875 00:34:56,500 --> 00:34:57,940 Well, because I don't have anything. 876 00:35:01,320 --> 00:35:02,480 You know, it's easy 877 00:35:02,480 --> 00:35:04,280 to give up somebody else's stuff. 878 00:35:05,360 --> 00:35:06,559 But when it's our stuff, 879 00:35:08,139 --> 00:35:10,239 I might be using that next week, 880 00:35:11,079 --> 00:35:11,619 next month. 881 00:35:12,820 --> 00:35:14,300 You know, it's so funny 882 00:35:14,300 --> 00:35:15,800 the things we hang on to. 883 00:35:17,340 --> 00:35:18,239 It's so silly. 884 00:35:18,400 --> 00:35:20,480 I remember we had these paintball guns 885 00:35:20,480 --> 00:35:22,280 our kids were always in it. 886 00:35:22,780 --> 00:35:23,960 Air saw, paintball, 887 00:35:24,179 --> 00:35:25,260 that kind of stuff, you know. 888 00:35:25,659 --> 00:35:26,980 And so I had all these guns 889 00:35:26,980 --> 00:35:28,300 and the kids were getting older 890 00:35:28,300 --> 00:35:29,519 and they hadn't done paintball 891 00:35:29,519 --> 00:35:30,519 in years and all that. 892 00:35:31,179 --> 00:35:34,679 And so I forget who it was, 893 00:35:34,800 --> 00:35:35,780 but it came across 894 00:35:35,780 --> 00:35:37,380 that like I saw an opportunity 895 00:35:37,380 --> 00:35:40,199 to give these these guns away. 896 00:35:42,919 --> 00:35:44,480 And yes, some of them 897 00:35:44,480 --> 00:35:45,679 weren't even living at home anymore, 898 00:35:45,679 --> 00:35:46,300 if not all. 899 00:35:46,739 --> 00:35:47,760 But anyway, I'm like, 900 00:35:48,079 --> 00:35:49,699 and they're sitting in this drawer. 901 00:35:50,480 --> 00:35:51,760 And I'm like, you know, 902 00:35:52,199 --> 00:35:53,000 I call them all. 903 00:35:53,199 --> 00:35:54,539 Hey, guys, can I give these 904 00:35:54,539 --> 00:35:55,760 airsoft guns away, 905 00:35:56,079 --> 00:35:57,340 these paintball guns away? 906 00:35:58,039 --> 00:35:58,480 No. 907 00:36:00,579 --> 00:36:02,179 We might play again. 908 00:36:02,719 --> 00:36:03,639 So I never did. 909 00:36:03,840 --> 00:36:04,760 And that whole opportunity 910 00:36:04,760 --> 00:36:05,679 came and went. 911 00:36:05,920 --> 00:36:07,260 And I still I just felt like 912 00:36:07,260 --> 00:36:08,340 that's so cheap. 913 00:36:09,300 --> 00:36:10,800 So then another opportunity 914 00:36:10,800 --> 00:36:12,599 came along that we used to 915 00:36:12,599 --> 00:36:14,179 they all the kids used to wrestle 916 00:36:14,179 --> 00:36:15,420 and I had this amazing 917 00:36:15,420 --> 00:36:17,980 double thick wrestling mat 918 00:36:17,980 --> 00:36:18,679 in the basement. 919 00:36:18,880 --> 00:36:20,159 And we used to do jujitsu 920 00:36:20,159 --> 00:36:21,500 one and all that kind of stuff. 921 00:36:22,199 --> 00:36:24,739 And and and it was there. 922 00:36:25,019 --> 00:36:25,719 And just I heard 923 00:36:25,719 --> 00:36:26,519 through the grapevine, 924 00:36:26,619 --> 00:36:28,440 like these guys were getting together 925 00:36:28,440 --> 00:36:29,380 and it was almost 926 00:36:29,380 --> 00:36:30,260 kind of like a ministry 927 00:36:30,260 --> 00:36:32,000 and they're doing jujitsu and all that. 928 00:36:32,360 --> 00:36:32,800 And I'm like, 929 00:36:33,199 --> 00:36:34,739 I'm not making that same mistake again. 930 00:36:34,980 --> 00:36:36,599 I'm not going to trip over that mat 931 00:36:36,599 --> 00:36:38,340 when I go downstairs for years, 932 00:36:38,719 --> 00:36:40,800 remembering these guys had no mat. 933 00:36:41,340 --> 00:36:43,079 And here it is collecting dust 934 00:36:43,079 --> 00:36:43,920 on my in my base. 935 00:36:44,219 --> 00:36:45,559 But like, that's what we tend to do. 936 00:36:45,639 --> 00:36:47,179 I might use that something. 937 00:36:47,519 --> 00:36:48,900 I'm trying to just be more like 938 00:36:49,460 --> 00:36:50,579 it's being used. 939 00:36:51,179 --> 00:36:51,840 Let it go. 940 00:36:52,440 --> 00:36:53,639 Give it away, you know, 941 00:36:54,000 --> 00:36:56,519 because you will be blessed more 942 00:36:56,519 --> 00:36:58,639 just being able to let go. 943 00:36:59,320 --> 00:36:59,880 Let go. 944 00:37:00,019 --> 00:37:00,139 Amen. 945 00:37:03,980 --> 00:37:05,539 So I have one last slide, 946 00:37:05,659 --> 00:37:07,739 but as the worship team comes forward. 947 00:37:09,699 --> 00:37:11,980 Again, I know this is a very practical. 948 00:37:12,380 --> 00:37:14,519 It's not you aren't necessarily 949 00:37:14,519 --> 00:37:15,500 having your heart 950 00:37:17,019 --> 00:37:20,639 moved in a sense that like 951 00:37:20,639 --> 00:37:22,460 spiritually connected 952 00:37:23,579 --> 00:37:25,380 or maybe you are, 953 00:37:26,119 --> 00:37:28,079 but to some heavenly thing. 954 00:37:28,219 --> 00:37:28,760 But really, 955 00:37:28,760 --> 00:37:31,340 it's what this is to see 956 00:37:31,340 --> 00:37:32,840 all of our stuff is 957 00:37:32,840 --> 00:37:35,960 we're merely stewards of it. 958 00:37:36,639 --> 00:37:40,380 And in all every single passage 959 00:37:40,380 --> 00:37:41,500 we looked at, 960 00:37:41,739 --> 00:37:44,800 things came from God to people. 961 00:37:45,480 --> 00:37:47,820 And then they had the opportunity, 962 00:37:48,460 --> 00:37:49,260 the privilege 963 00:37:50,000 --> 00:37:51,659 to represent Christ 964 00:37:52,300 --> 00:37:55,480 to others by giving it to others. 965 00:37:56,400 --> 00:37:57,820 See, if you cut out 966 00:37:57,820 --> 00:37:59,179 the middle man, 967 00:37:59,219 --> 00:38:00,980 now you're using the government to do it. 968 00:38:01,059 --> 00:38:02,619 Guess who's not being represented? 969 00:38:03,960 --> 00:38:04,559 God. 970 00:38:05,559 --> 00:38:07,500 God's left totally out of the picture. 971 00:38:07,840 --> 00:38:08,239 I remember 972 00:38:09,039 --> 00:38:11,079 a few mayors ago of Lansdale 973 00:38:11,079 --> 00:38:12,780 and I forget his last name, 974 00:38:12,780 --> 00:38:15,360 but he met with the churches. 975 00:38:16,300 --> 00:38:18,280 We had this little partnership 976 00:38:18,280 --> 00:38:18,800 with churches 977 00:38:18,800 --> 00:38:20,420 and he came and he spoke 978 00:38:20,420 --> 00:38:21,519 and I could tell 979 00:38:21,519 --> 00:38:22,679 where he was coming from 980 00:38:22,679 --> 00:38:23,099 and he says, 981 00:38:23,219 --> 00:38:23,400 you know, 982 00:38:23,900 --> 00:38:24,659 there was a day 983 00:38:24,659 --> 00:38:26,039 that the biggest buildings 984 00:38:26,039 --> 00:38:27,920 in every town and city 985 00:38:28,639 --> 00:38:29,639 were churches, 986 00:38:30,739 --> 00:38:31,980 the highest buildings 987 00:38:31,980 --> 00:38:33,079 with the steeples 988 00:38:33,079 --> 00:38:35,380 and the next was the bank. 989 00:38:36,900 --> 00:38:37,860 Now it's always 990 00:38:37,860 --> 00:38:39,019 the government buildings. 991 00:38:39,940 --> 00:38:41,139 This town is no different. 992 00:38:41,840 --> 00:38:42,320 Nice, 993 00:38:43,239 --> 00:38:43,719 beautiful, 994 00:38:44,460 --> 00:38:44,940 multi, 995 00:38:46,019 --> 00:38:46,500 tens of millions, 996 00:38:46,579 --> 00:38:47,599 whatever cost to build. 997 00:38:48,360 --> 00:38:49,340 It's probably a cheap one 998 00:38:49,340 --> 00:38:50,380 in today's standards, 999 00:38:50,760 --> 00:38:51,139 but it's so, 1000 00:38:51,280 --> 00:38:53,619 you ever drive through Washington, D.C., 1001 00:38:54,420 --> 00:38:54,960 you're like, 1002 00:38:55,860 --> 00:38:58,340 like this is the hugest city 1003 00:38:58,340 --> 00:38:59,739 with the biggest buildings 1004 00:38:59,739 --> 00:39:01,059 and half of it 1005 00:39:01,059 --> 00:39:02,320 is government. 1006 00:39:02,639 --> 00:39:03,099 Now I'm not saying 1007 00:39:03,099 --> 00:39:03,820 we don't need some 1008 00:39:03,820 --> 00:39:04,679 or a lot of it, 1009 00:39:05,360 --> 00:39:06,360 but do we need all this? 1010 00:39:07,860 --> 00:39:09,039 And it's just growing 1011 00:39:09,039 --> 00:39:10,260 and growing 1012 00:39:10,260 --> 00:39:11,260 and growing 1013 00:39:11,260 --> 00:39:13,440 because they are the middleman, 1014 00:39:13,539 --> 00:39:14,360 they're the brokers, 1015 00:39:14,940 --> 00:39:15,820 you see, 1016 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:16,880 of what we have. 1017 00:39:16,980 --> 00:39:17,539 Now just imagine 1018 00:39:17,539 --> 00:39:19,000 turning it all over, 1019 00:39:19,840 --> 00:39:20,400 you see. 1020 00:39:20,760 --> 00:39:21,880 I mean, that's why this is all, 1021 00:39:22,000 --> 00:39:23,000 even we're cutting God 1022 00:39:23,000 --> 00:39:23,639 out of it. 1023 00:39:23,940 --> 00:39:25,500 And so just this last slide 1024 00:39:26,440 --> 00:39:27,500 that I made, 1025 00:39:27,659 --> 00:39:28,000 it says, 1026 00:39:28,360 --> 00:39:29,460 who is the source? 1027 00:39:30,840 --> 00:39:32,019 God's provision 1028 00:39:32,580 --> 00:39:34,400 and voluntary benevolence 1029 00:39:34,400 --> 00:39:35,679 is on one side. 1030 00:39:36,239 --> 00:39:37,039 God gives, 1031 00:39:37,280 --> 00:39:38,219 people steward, 1032 00:39:38,219 --> 00:39:40,280 people freely share. 1033 00:39:40,980 --> 00:39:42,199 And Jesus said, 1034 00:39:42,420 --> 00:39:43,139 freely you have received, 1035 00:39:43,320 --> 00:39:44,380 now freely give. 1036 00:39:45,940 --> 00:39:47,039 But on the other side, 1037 00:39:47,039 --> 00:39:49,440 when the state takes God's place, 1038 00:39:51,159 --> 00:39:51,960 state controls, 1039 00:39:52,519 --> 00:39:53,719 state allocates, 1040 00:39:53,860 --> 00:39:54,619 allocates, 1041 00:39:55,059 --> 00:39:56,300 and people receive, 1042 00:39:56,340 --> 00:39:57,780 they don't have anything to give. 1043 00:39:58,619 --> 00:39:59,780 There's no stewardship, 1044 00:39:59,860 --> 00:40:00,519 they're just getting 1045 00:40:00,519 --> 00:40:02,019 their meager allowance 1046 00:40:03,260 --> 00:40:04,539 to exist. 1047 00:40:05,519 --> 00:40:06,619 And that's not what God wants. 1048 00:40:06,619 --> 00:40:09,500 He wants to bless us, 1049 00:40:10,400 --> 00:40:11,280 prosper us. 1050 00:40:12,360 --> 00:40:13,280 He wants to give us 1051 00:40:13,280 --> 00:40:14,639 an abundant amount, 1052 00:40:14,659 --> 00:40:16,019 so it's overflowing. 1053 00:40:16,400 --> 00:40:16,760 So like say, 1054 00:40:16,860 --> 00:40:18,559 I can't even deal with all this. 1055 00:40:18,739 --> 00:40:19,480 I got to give it 1056 00:40:19,480 --> 00:40:21,239 to somebody else who's in need. 1057 00:40:21,300 --> 00:40:22,239 That's the whole picture 1058 00:40:22,239 --> 00:40:23,679 of the kingdom of God, 1059 00:40:23,880 --> 00:40:25,659 is we are the conduit 1060 00:40:25,659 --> 00:40:27,840 for God's goodness to others. 1061 00:40:28,019 --> 00:40:28,480 Well, guess what? 1062 00:40:28,579 --> 00:40:29,760 You put the government 1063 00:40:29,760 --> 00:40:30,699 in charge of that? 1064 00:40:30,960 --> 00:40:31,960 You're not going to have 1065 00:40:31,960 --> 00:40:33,539 anything to give away. 1066 00:40:35,380 --> 00:40:36,519 And so let's pray. 1067 00:40:37,179 --> 00:40:37,579 Father God, 1068 00:40:38,039 --> 00:40:39,280 I just pray that we all 1069 00:40:39,280 --> 00:40:40,480 receive this message 1070 00:40:40,480 --> 00:40:42,059 with your enlightenment, 1071 00:40:42,480 --> 00:40:45,099 not even a tarnished opinion 1072 00:40:45,099 --> 00:40:46,260 from me, Lord God. 1073 00:40:46,340 --> 00:40:47,159 I just pray that 1074 00:40:47,159 --> 00:40:48,559 we would take to heart 1075 00:40:48,559 --> 00:40:49,360 all these things 1076 00:40:49,360 --> 00:40:50,659 because you are benevolent. 1077 00:40:50,860 --> 00:40:51,780 You do care about 1078 00:40:51,780 --> 00:40:52,960 the least of these. 1079 00:40:53,119 --> 00:40:54,619 You care about the hungry. 1080 00:40:55,179 --> 00:40:56,619 You care about the thirsty, 1081 00:40:56,880 --> 00:40:57,219 Lord God, 1082 00:40:57,360 --> 00:40:58,219 those who are sick, 1083 00:40:58,380 --> 00:40:59,139 those who are needy, 1084 00:40:59,519 --> 00:41:01,440 even those who are incarcerated. 1085 00:41:01,659 --> 00:41:03,199 You care about everyone, 1086 00:41:03,420 --> 00:41:03,780 Lord God, 1087 00:41:03,780 --> 00:41:04,719 the strangers, 1088 00:41:04,960 --> 00:41:05,539 the homeless. 1089 00:41:06,199 --> 00:41:08,460 You care about all of them, Lord. 1090 00:41:08,559 --> 00:41:09,840 But I believe only you 1091 00:41:09,840 --> 00:41:10,539 are the answer 1092 00:41:10,539 --> 00:41:12,340 to all that human need. 1093 00:41:12,840 --> 00:41:13,659 It's you, Lord. 1094 00:41:15,119 --> 00:41:16,960 You are the provider. 1095 00:41:18,159 --> 00:41:19,000 And so Lord God, 1096 00:41:19,340 --> 00:41:20,980 we ask you to just help us 1097 00:41:20,980 --> 00:41:23,719 be providers to others 1098 00:41:23,719 --> 00:41:25,280 in your name. 1099 00:41:25,880 --> 00:41:26,699 That we would be 1100 00:41:26,699 --> 00:41:28,519 your stewards to others. 1101 00:41:28,699 --> 00:41:29,900 That we would be a conduit 1102 00:41:29,900 --> 00:41:30,860 of your goodness 1103 00:41:30,860 --> 00:41:32,179 to other people 1104 00:41:32,179 --> 00:41:33,420 so that they would know 1105 00:41:33,420 --> 00:41:35,380 there is a God 1106 00:41:35,380 --> 00:41:36,539 who is in charge, 1107 00:41:37,760 --> 00:41:39,260 a God who owns the cattles 1108 00:41:39,260 --> 00:41:40,639 on a thousand hills. 1109 00:41:41,920 --> 00:41:43,039 According to your riches 1110 00:41:43,039 --> 00:41:44,139 in glory, Lord God, 1111 00:41:44,219 --> 00:41:44,780 you will provide 1112 00:41:44,780 --> 00:41:46,800 for all of our needs, Lord. 1113 00:41:47,480 --> 00:41:48,719 We can trust you. 1114 00:41:48,960 --> 00:41:51,059 You are the great gift giver, 1115 00:41:52,099 --> 00:41:53,079 the Father of Light. 1116 00:41:53,239 --> 00:41:54,119 So we thank you 1117 00:41:54,119 --> 00:41:55,460 and we praise you 1118 00:41:55,460 --> 00:41:57,280 in Jesus' name, amen. 1119 00:41:57,559 --> 00:41:58,239 Let's give the Lord 1120 00:41:58,239 --> 00:41:59,239 a round of applause. 1121 00:42:00,559 --> 00:42:02,400 And let's stand up and worship. 1122 00:42:06,280 --> 00:42:07,820 Thanks for joining us 1123 00:42:07,820 --> 00:42:09,199 at Lansdale Life Church 1124 00:42:09,199 --> 00:42:10,340 as we praise God 1125 00:42:10,340 --> 00:42:11,719 and discuss His word. 1126 00:42:12,400 --> 00:42:13,639 Don't forget to join us 1127 00:42:13,639 --> 00:42:15,460 for Worship Lives Sunday mornings 1128 00:42:15,460 --> 00:42:17,860 at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 1129 00:42:18,900 --> 00:42:19,320 Be blessed 1130 00:42:19,320 --> 00:42:20,960 and have a great day!