Hope for All
Series: Share Hope
Speaker: Steve Jeffrey
Date: 28th June 2020
Passages:
00:00:00 --> 00:00:08 Oh, good. Good morning. It's great being with you again this morning as we close off our mission month here at St. Paul's.
00:00:08 --> 00:00:29 We have been looking at raising funds for a variety of ministries, but particularly looking at raising the profile for us as a church to seek to share what God has given to us,
00:00:29 --> 00:00:37 but also to seek to shape us as a church of compassion and mercy as we look into the future.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:44 So I'd like to pray before we launch in to this final message and wrapping up this mission month for us.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 Gracious God, we thank you that you are the God of radical generosity.
00:00:49 --> 00:00:56 We thank you that in the Lord Jesus, you have taken us from spiritual poverty and bankruptcy,
00:00:56 --> 00:01:05 and you have overwhelmed us in such a way that we are rich in you beyond all measure,
00:01:05 --> 00:01:10 beyond any comparison, we are overwhelmingly wealthy.
00:01:11 --> 00:01:18 We pray that the good news of the gospel will shape our hearts and our lifestyles.
00:01:19 --> 00:01:29 And so use this time now in your word to speak to us and to reform our hearts, we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
00:01:29 --> 00:01:40 A little over three years ago now, Australian mining magnate Andrew Forrest gathered the media and politicians together to announce
00:01:40 --> 00:01:46 that he will give away $400 million of his personal fortune.
00:01:47 --> 00:01:53 It is the largest single donation by a living person in Australian history.
00:01:54 --> 00:01:57 Forrest said, and I quote,
00:01:57 --> 00:02:02 All of us who have done well have been blessed by good fortune.
00:02:03 --> 00:02:08 And so the generous person, the loving person gives back.
00:02:09 --> 00:02:11 Now at the time of making that donation,
00:02:11 --> 00:02:20 Andrew Forrest ranked as the sixth wealthiest Australian with a personal fortune of $6.84 billion.
00:02:20 --> 00:02:27 Today he's apparently worth something in the order of $10 billion.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:32 Forrest then said as part of the announcement,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:40 Now that he was in a better financial position, he was able to be generous.
00:02:40 --> 00:02:49 Now that statement, now that he is financially secure, which is probably an understatement in some ways.
00:02:50 --> 00:03:00 Now that he is financially secure, he is able to give back to Australians and to be generous.
00:03:00 --> 00:03:14 The assumption is that I can't afford to be generous.
00:03:14 --> 00:03:21 I can't afford to help is in fact one of the biggest roadblocks that we have to a life of mercy and justice.
00:03:21 --> 00:03:29 So can I just encourage you now to get your Bibles, open them up and also go to the St. Paul's app.
00:03:29 --> 00:03:33 And you've got a bit of an outline of where we're going to head in today's message.
00:03:33 --> 00:03:45 If you have just tuned into this series, we have been using the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10 as our foundational text for mission month.
00:03:45 --> 00:03:58 And the purpose of the parable of the parable of the parable of the parable of the good Samaritan is to answer the question that was posed to Jesus by an expert in the law, Jewish law.
00:03:59 --> 00:04:05 And the question that he posed to Jesus is, who is my neighbor?
00:04:07 --> 00:04:12 And we are told that the man was seeking to justify himself.
00:04:12 --> 00:04:22 He wanted Jesus to reduce the command, to make it manageable so that he could love his neighbor in an attainable kind of way.
00:04:22 --> 00:04:26 Trying to narrow the command so that he could in fact obey the command.
00:04:28 --> 00:04:29 And Jesus' answer is clear.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:33 There is no limits to mercy.
00:04:34 --> 00:04:41 And in fact, Jesus sets a standard for us in the parable of the good Samaritan that is unattainable.
00:04:42 --> 00:04:55 His true goal in the parable of the good Samaritan was to show the law expert and us that he and we are in fact spiritually poor.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:56 We are bankrupt.
00:04:59 --> 00:05:07 And he wants to prepare us to seek the spiritual riches that are the mercy of God.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:16 What is the mercy that Jesus is preparing the law expert for and us for?
00:05:17 --> 00:05:18 Well, here it is.
00:05:19 --> 00:05:26 All of humanity is like that man beaten on the road in the parable of the good Samaritan.
00:05:26 --> 00:05:30 Lying in our own blood, waiting for death.
00:05:30 --> 00:05:32 We are spiritually bankrupt.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:33 We are lost.
00:05:34 --> 00:05:36 Unable to help ourselves.
00:05:36 --> 00:05:44 And yet God has provided spiritual health and wealth and healing and life in the Lord Jesus.
00:05:44 --> 00:06:03 And the way he did that was he impoverished his own son, the Lord Jesus, on a cross so that all of Jesus' riches and his health and his righteousness and his life could be given to those who put their trust in him.
00:06:03 --> 00:06:13 2 Corinthians chapter 5, 21 in the New Testament reveals this merciful transaction so clearly when it says,
00:06:13 --> 00:06:24 God made him, this is talking about Jesus, who had no sin to be sin for us so that we in him might become the righteousness of God.
00:06:24 --> 00:06:27 That we might become wealthy beyond our imagination.
00:06:27 --> 00:06:43 So the foundational core element of the Christian faith is that though we are spiritually bankrupt, we have been made rich beyond our comprehension through the mercy of God.
00:06:43 --> 00:06:59 Now one powerful effect that the gospel of grace, the core element of Christianity has on a person is that it creates a life of radical generosity.
00:07:00 --> 00:07:03 We saw it again in the parable of the good Samaritan.
00:07:04 --> 00:07:09 That the aid that the Samaritan rendered to the injured man was expensive.
00:07:09 --> 00:07:13 Luke chapter 10 verse 35 says,
00:07:13 --> 00:07:19 The next day he took two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, looked after him, he said,
00:07:20 --> 00:07:27 And when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense that you may have.
00:07:29 --> 00:07:38 So this man, this Samaritan, obviously ignored his schedule when he showed mercy.
00:07:38 --> 00:07:44 Wherever it was that he was heading in that moment, he didn't get there on that particular day.
00:07:44 --> 00:07:50 He also risked his own safety to stop on such a dangerous road to bring aid to an enemy.
00:07:51 --> 00:07:56 He also took the man to a hotel where he got cared for him during the course of the night.
00:07:56 --> 00:08:04 And the next day, he paid the owner of the hotel for the room until the guy recovered whenever that was going to be.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:10 His mercy in reality to his enemy is open-handed because he says,
00:08:10 --> 00:08:16 When I return, I'll reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.
00:08:16 --> 00:08:24 Now in the past number of weeks, we have been looking at this issue in the Bible.
00:08:25 --> 00:08:29 And it raises a big question for us.
00:08:29 --> 00:08:33 One that I want to unpack for the rest of our time today.
00:08:33 --> 00:08:41 Is it possible for us to share hope, which is what this whole series is about.
00:08:41 --> 00:08:50 Is it possible to share hope without radically altering our lifestyle?
00:08:50 --> 00:09:03 Now over the years, there have been many proponents of Christians adopting what could be called a simple lifestyle.
00:09:05 --> 00:09:10 Possibly the most famous historical model was John Wesley.
00:09:10 --> 00:09:20 When Wesley died, his estate consisted of a coat and two silver spoons.
00:09:21 --> 00:09:25 When I've mentioned this to people recently, they go, what did he have two spoons for?
00:09:25 --> 00:09:28 I mean, I don't know why he had two spoons.
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 But it's not much.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:32 A coat and two silver spoons.
00:09:32 --> 00:09:44 And that was despite the fact that the sale of his sermons and his books meant that in the latter stages of his life,
00:09:44 --> 00:09:48 he earned as much as 1400 pounds a year.
00:09:48 --> 00:09:56 Which is equivalent nowadays of $331 a year in Australian dollars.
00:09:56 --> 00:10:06 When his income increased 40-fold over the years, his lifestyle never did.
00:10:08 --> 00:10:16 He was able to maintain the cost of his living to 40 pounds a year all of his life.
00:10:17 --> 00:10:21 That's basically $10 a year in today's money.
00:10:21 --> 00:10:24 Wesley once wrote,
00:10:24 --> 00:10:36 If I leave behind 10 pounds, you and all of humanity can bear witness against me that I lived and died a thief and a robber.
00:10:38 --> 00:10:42 In a sermon on Matthew chapter 6 verses 19 to 23,
00:10:43 --> 00:10:47 and the exhortation for us not to store up our treasures in heaven,
00:10:47 --> 00:10:49 sorry, not to store up our treasures on earth,
00:10:49 --> 00:11:02 he stated that any Christian who has more than the plain necessities of life lives in open, habitual denial of Christ,
00:11:02 --> 00:11:06 and they gain both riches and hell.
00:11:09 --> 00:11:13 So the idea of a simple lifestyle wasn't just confined to Wesley, though.
00:11:13 --> 00:11:16 This is not just one guy out there on the periphery.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:22 It was very common teaching in the evangelical churches of the 18th and 19th centuries.
00:11:22 --> 00:11:24 John Newton was another one.
00:11:25 --> 00:11:30 The Bible says two things very clearly about our lifestyle.
00:11:30 --> 00:11:32 Is Wesley right?
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 Is the question.
00:11:36 --> 00:11:38 Well, let's have a look at what the Bible says about two things.
00:11:39 --> 00:11:41 And I'll give you the answers now, and then I'll unpack a bit more.
00:11:41 --> 00:11:46 First of all, it says moderate lifestyle.
00:11:46 --> 00:11:50 And secondly, it says be content with your lifestyle.
00:11:52 --> 00:11:56 Now, there are no lack of passages which urge Christians to live a moderate lifestyle.
00:11:57 --> 00:12:00 Hebrews 13 verse 5, let me just read that to you.
00:12:00 --> 00:12:23 That is, we cannot be happy if we are not free from the love of money and covetedness,
00:12:23 --> 00:12:29 which is defined as a continual drive to increase the standard of our living.
00:12:30 --> 00:12:37 Hebrews 13 is not particularly specific in terms of understanding what that sort of standard of living might be.
00:12:38 --> 00:12:44 But 1 Timothy 6 verses 6 to 10 is much more specific.
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 Let me read it to you.
00:12:46 --> 00:12:52 Godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.
00:12:53 --> 00:12:58 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.
00:12:58 --> 00:13:03 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap,
00:13:03 --> 00:13:10 and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.
00:13:10 --> 00:13:18 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
00:13:19 --> 00:13:26 Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
00:13:27 --> 00:13:31 So up there earlier in that passage, talked about food and clothing.
00:13:32 --> 00:13:38 Some suggest that food and shelter, instead of food and clothing, is in fact a better translation.
00:13:38 --> 00:13:49 Either way, Paul seems to be saying here that we need a lifestyle that is sufficient enough to preserve our health.
00:13:50 --> 00:13:56 A lifestyle where we live below our means.
00:13:58 --> 00:14:05 Let me just clarify, below our means, not a lifestyle within our means, and certainly not above our means.
00:14:05 --> 00:14:11 Listen, what Paul is saying here is, with that you can be satisfied, you can be content.
00:14:12 --> 00:14:18 The word content occurs in both Hebrews 13 and in 1 Timothy 6.
00:14:18 --> 00:14:22 And it's a word that means genuine soul satisfaction.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:27 I'm filled up on the inside by Jesus.
00:14:27 --> 00:14:35 there is no anxiety there's no gnawing regret or resentment towards people who have what i don't
00:14:35 --> 00:14:44 have the difference between the christian and the non-christian is a trust in god for material
00:14:44 --> 00:14:51 provision now that doesn't mean that the christian has no motivation for making money or increasing
00:14:51 --> 00:14:58 their income there are i think at least two motivations in the bible to do that firstly
00:14:58 --> 00:15:04 there is the pursuit of excellence in our work the bible calls us to be skillful to work hard
00:15:04 --> 00:15:11 as a way of glorifying god and loving our neighbor making a contribution to shape the good of society
00:15:11 --> 00:15:21 hard work often increases income although it's a consequence rather than the motive
00:15:21 --> 00:15:31 it's the consequence not the motive proverbs 23 4 says do not wear yourself out to get rich
00:15:31 --> 00:15:37 the second motive to increase income is to be fruitful in good works
00:15:37 --> 00:15:44 paul was referring to thieves who had become christians when he wrote in ephesians chapter 4
00:15:44 --> 00:15:55 anyone who's been stealing must steal no longer but must work doing something useful with their own hands
00:15:55 --> 00:15:59 that they may have something to share with those in need
00:15:59 --> 00:16:13 so wealth is to be accumulated strictly for doing good works of mercy and spreading the gospel of the lord
00:16:13 --> 00:16:26 the lord jesus christ so matthew 6 makes it clear that wealth is not to be stored up for ourselves
00:16:26 --> 00:16:37 and this is my second point what where does wealth fit then wealth and god's calling on our life should we
00:16:37 --> 00:16:43 just therefore give all of our money away is substantial wealth if you see of someone who's
00:16:43 --> 00:16:49 substantially wealthy uh is that a sign that they are wicked that they lack love and they lack mercy
00:16:49 --> 00:16:59 well i don't think the bible supports either of those ideas the bible tells us several things about wealth
00:16:59 --> 00:17:10 firstly 1 timothy 6 verse 9 says that those who want to get rich fall into a trap and yet later in the same chapter
00:17:10 --> 00:17:17 it says command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth
00:17:17 --> 00:17:24 which is so uncertain but to put their hope in god who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment
00:17:24 --> 00:17:31 command them to do good to be rich in good deeds and to be generous and willing to share
00:17:31 --> 00:17:39 in this way they will lay up they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age
00:17:39 --> 00:17:42 so that they may take hold of the life which is truly life
00:17:42 --> 00:17:50 notice what paul doesn't say there he doesn't say you wealthy stop being wealthy
00:17:50 --> 00:17:59 that's not what he says he does however want them to think biblically about their wealth he wants them to
00:17:59 --> 00:18:06 have a gospel orientation towards their wealth he tells them that god gives the wealth so the rich
00:18:06 --> 00:18:15 person should not become arrogant and that's difficult for us to believe we often consciously or
00:18:15 --> 00:18:25 unconsciously subconsciously subconsciously put our hard our wealth down to our hard work and our abilities
00:18:25 --> 00:18:34 the the biblical perspective is that every ability that we have every effort every opportunity we have
00:18:34 --> 00:18:42 all of our efforts have been provided to us by god himself and they are god's gifts to us
00:18:42 --> 00:18:52 and the means by which wealth is accumulated then in verse 18 paul says he tells the rich to use their
00:18:52 --> 00:19:03 money so as to be rich in good deeds now this is not mere tokenism this directly echoes what jesus says
00:19:03 --> 00:19:10 in luke chapter 12 verse 33 sell your possessions give to the poor provide purses for yourselves that will
00:19:10 --> 00:19:19 not wear out a treasure in heaven that will never fail when no thief comes near and no moth destroys
00:19:19 --> 00:19:29 and then in matthew 13 22 jesus offers a strong warning the seed falling among the thorn refers to someone
00:19:29 --> 00:19:39 who hears the word but the worries of this life the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word making it
00:19:39 --> 00:19:50 unfruitful so i think what jesus and paul are both saying here is that disposable wealth
00:19:50 --> 00:20:01 not put to use in god's work will threaten the very roots of your spiritual life
00:20:01 --> 00:20:09 what we must conclude from both jesus and paul is that while there might be rich christians
00:20:09 --> 00:20:15 there should not be rich living christians
00:20:15 --> 00:20:24 middle and upper income christians are not required to give away all of their money and their assets
00:20:24 --> 00:20:35 but they must invest in good deeds rather than in their own comfort a good steward for the lord knows that wealth
00:20:35 --> 00:20:46 if held and managed properly will produce more good deeds over a longer period of time than if it was just
00:20:46 --> 00:20:57 given away for good deeds all at once wealth is wrong and it is destructive if we build it up
00:20:57 --> 00:21:08 so that we can say the words of luke 19 sorry 12 verse 19 you have plenty of grain laid up for many years
00:21:08 --> 00:21:18 take life easy eat drink and be merry god calls such a person a fool
00:21:18 --> 00:21:27 notice though that the call to be content and to live a moderate lifestyle
00:21:27 --> 00:21:34 is written both to the affluent and those who have little
00:21:34 --> 00:21:37 in 1 timothy 6 verses 6 to 8
00:21:37 --> 00:21:44 it instructs the poor not to resent their lack of riches
00:21:44 --> 00:21:49 but to be satisfied with their modest economic state
00:21:49 --> 00:21:55 and his appeal instructs the rich not to be proud
00:21:55 --> 00:22:02 but to voluntarily be satisfied with a more modest standard of living also
00:22:02 --> 00:22:08 so how do we get the balance in our lifestyle
00:22:08 --> 00:22:13 let's bring some of these principles to bear on our lifestyle
00:22:13 --> 00:22:22 firstly first point we need to give we need to be radically generous to give
00:22:22 --> 00:22:28 until we feel the burden of the needy ourselves on our lifestyle
00:22:28 --> 00:22:36 the 17th century american pastor and theologian jonathan edwards gave a very vivid illustration of this
00:22:36 --> 00:22:42 he says a poor man is walking along with a burden
00:22:42 --> 00:22:45 a burden of discomfort and inconvenience
00:22:45 --> 00:22:48 when a christian comes along and says
00:22:48 --> 00:22:50 i can't afford to help the poor
00:22:50 --> 00:22:54 he says when a person comes along and says
00:22:54 --> 00:22:56 i can't afford to help the poor
00:22:56 --> 00:22:57 they're actually saying
00:22:57 --> 00:23:01 if i help you in this moment with your burden
00:23:01 --> 00:23:04 i will have to carry some of the burden
00:23:04 --> 00:23:08 it will cut into my lifestyle
00:23:08 --> 00:23:12 some of the poor man's burden
00:23:12 --> 00:23:14 would slide over onto me
00:23:14 --> 00:23:16 the helper and i will have to carry it
00:23:16 --> 00:23:23 edward responds
00:23:23 --> 00:23:25 that's the point
00:23:25 --> 00:23:27 that's the point
00:23:27 --> 00:23:31 that's what the bible is calling us to live out
00:23:31 --> 00:23:34 if our giving to the needy
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 to poor
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 to ministry
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 to compassion
00:23:37 --> 00:23:40 means that we do not feel the burden
00:23:40 --> 00:23:43 it doesn't cut into our lifestyle at all
00:23:43 --> 00:23:45 edward says
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 and i think the apostle paul says
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 and jesus says
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 give more
00:23:48 --> 00:23:52 it's possible to give
00:23:52 --> 00:23:55 400 million dollars away
00:23:55 --> 00:23:56 and it will
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 don't get me wrong
00:23:57 --> 00:24:00 it will do an enormous amount of good
00:24:00 --> 00:24:06 but if it hasn't put a dent in your lifestyle
00:24:06 --> 00:24:09 in such a way that you feel the burden
00:24:09 --> 00:24:10 of the recipients
00:24:10 --> 00:24:15 then you can't call it radical generosity
00:24:15 --> 00:24:17 you can call it kind
00:24:17 --> 00:24:22 but you can't call it radical generosity
00:24:22 --> 00:24:27 now this is a biblical principle
00:24:27 --> 00:24:29 that has ramifications for all of us
00:24:29 --> 00:24:32 edwards would say
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 if he was standing here right now
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 edwards would say
00:24:34 --> 00:24:36 that the family that can give away
00:24:36 --> 00:24:38 10% of their income
00:24:38 --> 00:24:41 without any dent on their lifestyle
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 he says
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 you've got to give more
00:24:43 --> 00:24:47 this is a word to those
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 who suggest
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 that all they need to do
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 is give 10%
00:24:50 --> 00:24:52 of their income
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 no more
00:24:53 --> 00:24:54 of course
00:24:54 --> 00:24:55 bearing in mind
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 that
00:24:56 --> 00:24:57 research
00:24:57 --> 00:24:58 in the western world
00:24:58 --> 00:24:59 indicates that
00:24:59 --> 00:25:01 only 5%
00:25:01 --> 00:25:03 of Christians
00:25:03 --> 00:25:04 actually give
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 10%
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 or more
00:25:06 --> 00:25:07 of their income away
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 and so frankly
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 this word
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 is to
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 potentially
00:25:11 --> 00:25:13 95% of us
00:25:13 --> 00:25:13 listening to it
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 right now
00:25:14 --> 00:25:19 American author
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 and pastor
00:25:20 --> 00:25:20 John Piper
00:25:20 --> 00:25:22 argues this point
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 very strongly
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 on the back of
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 edwards comment
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 he says
00:25:26 --> 00:25:28 it is a biblical truth
00:25:28 --> 00:25:29 beyond all dispute
00:25:29 --> 00:25:32 all of your money
00:25:32 --> 00:25:34 is God's
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 Psalm 24
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 verse 1
00:25:36 --> 00:25:38 and has been loaned
00:25:38 --> 00:25:39 to you
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 as a steward
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 to use
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 in ways
00:25:42 --> 00:25:44 that maximize
00:25:44 --> 00:25:46 the glorification
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 of God's mercy
00:25:47 --> 00:25:48 in the world
00:25:48 --> 00:25:50 Matthew 25
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 verses 14
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 to 30
00:25:51 --> 00:25:53 and it is irrational
00:25:53 --> 00:25:54 to think
00:25:54 --> 00:25:55 this is Piper still
00:25:55 --> 00:25:56 it is irrational
00:25:56 --> 00:25:57 to think
00:25:57 --> 00:25:58 that giving
00:25:58 --> 00:25:59 10%
00:25:59 --> 00:25:59 of that money
00:25:59 --> 00:26:00 to church
00:26:00 --> 00:26:02 settles the issue
00:26:02 --> 00:26:03 of good stewardship
00:26:03 --> 00:26:06 in a world
00:26:06 --> 00:26:07 of such immense need
00:26:07 --> 00:26:08 and in a country
00:26:08 --> 00:26:10 of such immense luxury
00:26:10 --> 00:26:12 and under the commission
00:26:12 --> 00:26:14 of such a powerful Lord
00:26:14 --> 00:26:16 the issue
00:26:16 --> 00:26:16 of stewardship
00:26:16 --> 00:26:18 is not
00:26:18 --> 00:26:20 should I tithe
00:26:20 --> 00:26:22 but rather
00:26:22 --> 00:26:25 how much
00:26:25 --> 00:26:25 of God's
00:26:25 --> 00:26:27 trust fund
00:26:27 --> 00:26:29 dare I
00:26:29 --> 00:26:29 surround
00:26:29 --> 00:26:31 dare I use
00:26:31 --> 00:26:32 to surround
00:26:32 --> 00:26:32 myself
00:26:32 --> 00:26:34 in comforts
00:26:34 --> 00:26:35 that's the issue
00:26:35 --> 00:26:40 so that's the first thing
00:26:40 --> 00:26:42 we need to give
00:26:42 --> 00:26:43 until we feel
00:26:43 --> 00:26:44 the burden
00:26:44 --> 00:26:44 of the needy
00:26:44 --> 00:26:45 second
00:26:45 --> 00:26:47 this is the other
00:26:47 --> 00:26:48 side of the equation
00:26:48 --> 00:26:50 we must
00:26:50 --> 00:26:51 not be
00:26:51 --> 00:26:53 so unwise
00:26:53 --> 00:26:54 in our giving
00:26:54 --> 00:26:55 that we
00:26:55 --> 00:26:56 and our family
00:26:56 --> 00:26:57 become liabilities
00:26:57 --> 00:26:58 to others
00:26:58 --> 00:27:01 this is one of the most
00:27:01 --> 00:27:02 difficult balances
00:27:02 --> 00:27:03 to strike
00:27:03 --> 00:27:03 I think
00:27:03 --> 00:27:04 on the one hand
00:27:04 --> 00:27:05 you hear the likes
00:27:05 --> 00:27:06 of Wesley
00:27:06 --> 00:27:07 John Wesley
00:27:07 --> 00:27:07 John Piper
00:27:07 --> 00:27:08 Jonathan Edwards
00:27:08 --> 00:27:09 they're all John
00:27:09 --> 00:27:12 we hear them
00:27:12 --> 00:27:13 to say things like
00:27:13 --> 00:27:14 you shouldn't save
00:27:14 --> 00:27:15 lots of money
00:27:15 --> 00:27:15 and you should be
00:27:15 --> 00:27:16 radically generous
00:27:16 --> 00:27:17 and on the other hand
00:27:17 --> 00:27:19 1 Timothy 5 verse 8
00:27:19 --> 00:27:20 says anyone
00:27:20 --> 00:27:21 who does not
00:27:21 --> 00:27:21 provide for their
00:27:21 --> 00:27:22 relatives
00:27:22 --> 00:27:23 and especially
00:27:23 --> 00:27:23 for their own
00:27:23 --> 00:27:24 household
00:27:24 --> 00:27:25 has denied the
00:27:25 --> 00:27:25 faith
00:27:25 --> 00:27:26 and is worse
00:27:26 --> 00:27:26 than any
00:27:26 --> 00:27:27 unbeliever
00:27:27 --> 00:27:29 now wisdom
00:27:29 --> 00:27:30 tells us
00:27:30 --> 00:27:31 that we must
00:27:31 --> 00:27:32 not give away
00:27:32 --> 00:27:33 our income
00:27:33 --> 00:27:33 and all of our
00:27:33 --> 00:27:34 possessions
00:27:34 --> 00:27:35 in such a way
00:27:35 --> 00:27:36 that our children
00:27:36 --> 00:27:37 our elderly
00:27:37 --> 00:27:38 parents
00:27:38 --> 00:27:39 or whoever it is
00:27:39 --> 00:27:40 become financial
00:27:40 --> 00:27:40 burdens
00:27:40 --> 00:27:41 for others
00:27:41 --> 00:27:42 to feed
00:27:42 --> 00:27:42 to house
00:27:42 --> 00:27:43 to clothe
00:27:43 --> 00:27:44 in future years
00:27:44 --> 00:27:47 now I think
00:27:47 --> 00:27:48 we have a tendency
00:27:48 --> 00:27:50 to rationalise
00:27:50 --> 00:27:51 too much
00:27:51 --> 00:27:52 investment
00:27:52 --> 00:27:52 into our
00:27:52 --> 00:27:53 family
00:27:53 --> 00:27:54 rather than
00:27:54 --> 00:27:55 in the poor
00:27:55 --> 00:27:58 our children
00:27:58 --> 00:27:58 are well
00:27:58 --> 00:27:59 provided for
00:27:59 --> 00:28:00 if they are
00:28:00 --> 00:28:00 clothed
00:28:00 --> 00:28:01 if they are
00:28:01 --> 00:28:02 schooled
00:28:02 --> 00:28:02 if they are
00:28:02 --> 00:28:03 fed
00:28:03 --> 00:28:04 and they have
00:28:04 --> 00:28:04 a roof over
00:28:04 --> 00:28:05 their head
00:28:05 --> 00:28:05 and they have
00:28:05 --> 00:28:06 access to
00:28:06 --> 00:28:06 medical attention
00:28:06 --> 00:28:08 they are well
00:28:08 --> 00:28:08 provided for
00:28:08 --> 00:28:12 and we teach
00:28:12 --> 00:28:13 our children
00:28:13 --> 00:28:14 a great lesson
00:28:14 --> 00:28:16 when with
00:28:16 --> 00:28:16 them
00:28:16 --> 00:28:18 as a family
00:28:18 --> 00:28:20 we work
00:28:20 --> 00:28:20 together
00:28:20 --> 00:28:21 to surrender
00:28:21 --> 00:28:22 our convenience
00:28:22 --> 00:28:23 and our comfort
00:28:23 --> 00:28:24 for the sake
00:28:24 --> 00:28:25 of the needy
00:28:25 --> 00:28:29 so perhaps
00:28:29 --> 00:28:31 it's best
00:28:31 --> 00:28:33 not to call
00:28:33 --> 00:28:33 us into
00:28:33 --> 00:28:35 simple living
00:28:35 --> 00:28:37 but to call
00:28:37 --> 00:28:38 us into
00:28:38 --> 00:28:39 justice
00:28:39 --> 00:28:40 living
00:28:40 --> 00:28:41 a justice
00:28:41 --> 00:28:42 lifestyle
00:28:42 --> 00:28:47 simple living
00:28:47 --> 00:28:48 is a
00:28:48 --> 00:28:49 helpful term
00:28:49 --> 00:28:50 but it
00:28:50 --> 00:28:51 carries the
00:28:51 --> 00:28:51 idea that
00:28:51 --> 00:28:52 it's an
00:28:52 --> 00:28:52 option for
00:28:52 --> 00:28:53 me
00:28:53 --> 00:28:55 what the
00:28:55 --> 00:28:55 Bible
00:28:55 --> 00:28:56 is calling
00:28:56 --> 00:28:57 us to
00:28:57 --> 00:28:57 is not
00:28:57 --> 00:28:58 an abstract
00:28:58 --> 00:28:59 exercise
00:28:59 --> 00:29:00 in self
00:29:00 --> 00:29:00 denial
00:29:00 --> 00:29:01 but rather
00:29:01 --> 00:29:03 as a means
00:29:03 --> 00:29:03 to an end
00:29:03 --> 00:29:04 in direct
00:29:04 --> 00:29:05 ministry
00:29:05 --> 00:29:06 to the
00:29:06 --> 00:29:07 needy
00:29:07 --> 00:29:10 how then
00:29:10 --> 00:29:10 do we
00:29:10 --> 00:29:11 determine
00:29:11 --> 00:29:12 do we
00:29:12 --> 00:29:12 determine
00:29:12 --> 00:29:13 how much
00:29:13 --> 00:29:13 to give
00:29:13 --> 00:29:13 away
00:29:13 --> 00:29:16 radical
00:29:16 --> 00:29:17 generosity
00:29:17 --> 00:29:18 cuts into
00:29:18 --> 00:29:19 our lifestyle
00:29:19 --> 00:29:20 in such
00:29:20 --> 00:29:21 a way
00:29:21 --> 00:29:21 that we
00:29:21 --> 00:29:22 feel the
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 burden
00:29:22 --> 00:29:22 of the
00:29:22 --> 00:29:23 needy
00:29:23 --> 00:29:24 so this
00:29:24 --> 00:29:25 is a
00:29:25 --> 00:29:25 calling
00:29:25 --> 00:29:26 here for
00:29:26 --> 00:29:27 every person
00:29:27 --> 00:29:27 and family
00:29:27 --> 00:29:29 every church
00:29:29 --> 00:29:30 in Christ
00:29:30 --> 00:29:31 to live
00:29:31 --> 00:29:32 below
00:29:32 --> 00:29:33 their means
00:29:33 --> 00:29:34 below
00:29:34 --> 00:29:35 their means
00:29:35 --> 00:29:36 in order
00:29:36 --> 00:29:36 to share
00:29:36 --> 00:29:37 hope
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 with
00:29:37 --> 00:29:37 others
00:29:37 --> 00:29:39 so let
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 me
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 point
00:29:39 --> 00:29:39 you
00:29:39 --> 00:29:40 to
00:29:40 --> 00:29:41 four
00:29:41 --> 00:29:41 things
00:29:41 --> 00:29:42 that we
00:29:42 --> 00:29:43 have an
00:29:43 --> 00:29:43 opportunity
00:29:43 --> 00:29:44 to address
00:29:44 --> 00:29:45 right now
00:29:45 --> 00:29:46 today
00:29:46 --> 00:29:46 by the end
00:29:46 --> 00:29:47 of today
00:29:47 --> 00:29:50 number one
00:29:50 --> 00:29:51 since
00:29:51 --> 00:29:52 COVID-19
00:29:52 --> 00:29:52 has hit
00:29:52 --> 00:29:53 us
00:29:53 --> 00:29:54 our own
00:29:54 --> 00:29:54 parish
00:29:54 --> 00:29:55 offertory
00:29:55 --> 00:29:55 has been
00:29:55 --> 00:29:56 down by
00:29:56 --> 00:29:57 $10
00:29:57 --> 00:29:57 a month
00:29:57 --> 00:29:58 that's the
00:29:58 --> 00:29:58 first thing
00:29:58 --> 00:30:01 where people
00:30:01 --> 00:30:02 were giving
00:30:02 --> 00:30:02 we're now
00:30:02 --> 00:30:03 pulling back
00:30:03 --> 00:30:05 number two
00:30:05 --> 00:30:06 we have
00:30:06 --> 00:30:07 raised
00:30:07 --> 00:30:09 from when
00:30:09 --> 00:30:10 I wrote
00:30:10 --> 00:30:10 this early
00:30:10 --> 00:30:11 this morning
00:30:11 --> 00:30:14 $10
00:30:14 --> 00:30:15 of our
00:30:15 --> 00:30:16 targeted
00:30:16 --> 00:30:18 $20
00:30:18 --> 00:30:18 towards
00:30:18 --> 00:30:19 Lowe's
00:30:19 --> 00:30:19 ministry
00:30:19 --> 00:30:20 of planting
00:30:20 --> 00:30:21 the church
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 in the
00:30:21 --> 00:30:21 Gold Coast
00:30:21 --> 00:30:22 that is
00:30:22 --> 00:30:23 we have
00:30:23 --> 00:30:23 so far
00:30:23 --> 00:30:24 in the
00:30:24 --> 00:30:24 last five
00:30:24 --> 00:30:25 weeks
00:30:25 --> 00:30:25 got
00:30:25 --> 00:30:26 54%
00:30:26 --> 00:30:27 of our
00:30:27 --> 00:30:27 target
00:30:27 --> 00:30:30 we have
00:30:30 --> 00:30:30 raised
00:30:30 --> 00:30:33 $4
00:30:33 --> 00:30:34 of our
00:30:34 --> 00:30:34 target
00:30:34 --> 00:30:35 $10
00:30:35 --> 00:30:36 for Narrabri
00:30:36 --> 00:30:37 Drought Appeal
00:30:37 --> 00:30:37 that's
00:30:37 --> 00:30:39 43%
00:30:39 --> 00:30:41 of that
00:30:41 --> 00:30:41 target
00:30:41 --> 00:30:42 in the
00:30:42 --> 00:30:43 last five
00:30:43 --> 00:30:43 weeks
00:30:43 --> 00:30:46 and as
00:30:46 --> 00:30:47 you would
00:30:47 --> 00:30:47 also be
00:30:47 --> 00:30:48 aware
00:30:48 --> 00:30:48 we now
00:30:48 --> 00:30:49 have a
00:30:49 --> 00:30:50 St Paul's
00:30:50 --> 00:30:50 Hope Fund
00:30:50 --> 00:30:52 that is
00:30:52 --> 00:30:52 operating
00:30:52 --> 00:30:54 and we
00:30:54 --> 00:30:55 could do
00:30:55 --> 00:30:55 I think
00:30:55 --> 00:30:55 with at
00:30:55 --> 00:30:56 least
00:30:56 --> 00:30:57 $2
00:30:57 --> 00:30:57 in it
00:30:57 --> 00:30:58 to be
00:30:58 --> 00:30:58 ready
00:30:58 --> 00:30:59 to meet
00:30:59 --> 00:31:00 needs
00:31:00 --> 00:31:01 ready
00:31:01 --> 00:31:02 to meet
00:31:02 --> 00:31:02 needs
00:31:02 --> 00:31:03 as they
00:31:03 --> 00:31:03 arise
00:31:03 --> 00:31:06 let me
00:31:06 --> 00:31:07 just say
00:31:07 --> 00:31:08 that we
00:31:08 --> 00:31:08 have been
00:31:08 --> 00:31:09 in stronger
00:31:09 --> 00:31:10 positions
00:31:10 --> 00:31:11 than this
00:31:11 --> 00:31:12 in previous
00:31:12 --> 00:31:14 mission
00:31:14 --> 00:31:14 months
00:31:14 --> 00:31:17 it is
00:31:17 --> 00:31:17 possible
00:31:17 --> 00:31:18 that some
00:31:18 --> 00:31:19 of us
00:31:19 --> 00:31:20 right now
00:31:20 --> 00:31:21 are being
00:31:21 --> 00:31:21 cautious
00:31:21 --> 00:31:23 because of
00:31:23 --> 00:31:24 recent
00:31:24 --> 00:31:24 announcements
00:31:24 --> 00:31:25 of our
00:31:25 --> 00:31:25 country
00:31:25 --> 00:31:26 being
00:31:26 --> 00:31:26 in a
00:31:26 --> 00:31:27 recession
00:31:27 --> 00:31:28 I
00:31:28 --> 00:31:29 understand
00:31:29 --> 00:31:29 that
00:31:29 --> 00:31:31 let me
00:31:31 --> 00:31:32 just say
00:31:32 --> 00:31:32 though
00:31:32 --> 00:31:34 if you're
00:31:34 --> 00:31:35 sitting here
00:31:35 --> 00:31:35 and you're
00:31:35 --> 00:31:36 listening to
00:31:36 --> 00:31:36 this
00:31:36 --> 00:31:37 right now
00:31:37 --> 00:31:37 and you're
00:31:37 --> 00:31:37 a member
00:31:37 --> 00:31:38 of St Paul's
00:31:38 --> 00:31:39 if the
00:31:39 --> 00:31:39 income
00:31:39 --> 00:31:40 is still
00:31:40 --> 00:31:40 coming
00:31:40 --> 00:31:41 in
00:31:41 --> 00:31:43 today
00:31:43 --> 00:31:43 is the
00:31:43 --> 00:31:44 day to
00:31:44 --> 00:31:44 serve
00:31:44 --> 00:31:44 the Lord
00:31:44 --> 00:31:46 let him
00:31:46 --> 00:31:47 worry about
00:31:47 --> 00:31:47 tomorrow
00:31:47 --> 00:31:48 let him
00:31:48 --> 00:31:49 worry about
00:31:49 --> 00:31:49 a month
00:31:49 --> 00:31:50 and a year's
00:31:50 --> 00:31:51 time
00:31:51 --> 00:31:51 today
00:31:51 --> 00:31:52 is the
00:31:52 --> 00:31:52 day
00:31:52 --> 00:31:53 to
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 serve
00:31:53 --> 00:31:53 him
00:31:53 --> 00:31:54 and
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 trust
00:31:54 --> 00:31:54 him
00:31:54 --> 00:31:55 with
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 the
00:31:55 --> 00:31:55 future
00:31:55 --> 00:31:58 heed
00:31:58 --> 00:31:59 this
00:31:59 --> 00:32:00 warning
00:32:00 --> 00:32:01 Jesus
00:32:01 --> 00:32:02 and the
00:32:02 --> 00:32:03 apostles
00:32:03 --> 00:32:04 considered
00:32:04 --> 00:32:05 money
00:32:05 --> 00:32:06 hazardous
00:32:06 --> 00:32:08 and
00:32:08 --> 00:32:08 helpful
00:32:08 --> 00:32:10 it's
00:32:10 --> 00:32:10 hazardous
00:32:10 --> 00:32:12 and
00:32:12 --> 00:32:13 therefore
00:32:13 --> 00:32:13 I
00:32:13 --> 00:32:14 encourage
00:32:14 --> 00:32:14 you
00:32:14 --> 00:32:15 to put
00:32:15 --> 00:32:16 limits
00:32:16 --> 00:32:17 on how
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 much
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 you
00:32:17 --> 00:32:17 keep
00:32:17 --> 00:32:18 for
00:32:18 --> 00:32:18 yourself
00:32:18 --> 00:32:20 don't
00:32:20 --> 00:32:21 put
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 limits
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 on how
00:32:21 --> 00:32:21 much
00:32:21 --> 00:32:22 you
00:32:22 --> 00:32:22 make
00:32:22 --> 00:32:24 but
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 how
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 much
00:32:24 --> 00:32:24 you
00:32:24 --> 00:32:25 keep
00:32:25 --> 00:32:28 secondly
00:32:28 --> 00:32:29 it's
00:32:29 --> 00:32:30 helpful
00:32:30 --> 00:32:31 which
00:32:31 --> 00:32:31 means
00:32:31 --> 00:32:32 you
00:32:32 --> 00:32:33 get
00:32:33 --> 00:32:34 and
00:32:34 --> 00:32:35 you
00:32:35 --> 00:32:35 get
00:32:35 --> 00:32:35 this
00:32:35 --> 00:32:36 incredible
00:32:36 --> 00:32:36 joy
00:32:36 --> 00:32:37 of
00:32:37 --> 00:32:37 giving
00:32:37 --> 00:32:38 more
00:32:38 --> 00:32:38 and
00:32:38 --> 00:32:39 more
00:32:39 --> 00:32:40 and
00:32:40 --> 00:32:40 sharing
00:32:40 --> 00:32:42 the
00:32:42 --> 00:32:42 radical
00:32:42 --> 00:32:43 generosity
00:32:43 --> 00:32:43 of the
00:32:43 --> 00:32:44 Lord
00:32:44 --> 00:32:44 Jesus
00:32:44 --> 00:32:44 Christ
00:32:44 --> 00:32:45 to
00:32:45 --> 00:32:46 us
00:32:46 --> 00:32:47 to
00:32:47 --> 00:32:47 others
00:32:47 --> 00:32:49 Amen