WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.319 Welcome to the Awakening Church podcast. 00:00:02.479 --> 00:00:07.040 We pray this message encourages you and provides the hope and light of Jesus Christ. 00:00:07.200 --> 00:00:08.640 Thanks for tuning in. 00:00:19.760 --> 00:00:22.000 Well, good morning, Awakening Church. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:24.000 Welcome to those who are joining us online. 00:00:24.160 --> 00:00:25.920 We're thrilled to have you today. 00:00:26.079 --> 00:00:31.600 My name's Ryan, and uh man, what a great, great day to be together. 00:00:31.760 --> 00:00:34.000 How good was that extra half hour of sleep? 00:00:34.079 --> 00:00:35.039 Did anybody notice it? 00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:35.759 Maybe you don't. 00:00:35.920 --> 00:00:42.159 I noticed it on Sundays, um, but maybe you won't notice it until tomorrow uh after that. 00:00:42.240 --> 00:00:48.880 And maybe you needed to bring a snack to the second service to get you through uh, you know, the the lunch hour there. 00:00:49.119 --> 00:00:52.079 Uh anybody, hey, here's another thing. 00:00:52.159 --> 00:00:54.640 Um this is shift now. 00:00:54.799 --> 00:00:55.840 We're into sermon now. 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:56.479 Here we go. 00:00:56.719 --> 00:00:59.840 Um I eat fast. 00:01:00.640 --> 00:01:03.840 I know I felt like I was just confessing something really bad, right? 00:01:04.000 --> 00:01:05.840 Um, anybody else fast eaters? 00:01:05.920 --> 00:01:08.000 Like you eat really thank God, okay. 00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:10.959 Uh so we can do meals really quickly. 00:01:11.120 --> 00:01:12.640 I mean, I eat really fast. 00:01:12.879 --> 00:01:17.359 Um you'll look down, my look up, my plate's gone, you know. 00:01:17.519 --> 00:01:19.200 And I blame my brothers. 00:01:19.280 --> 00:01:22.480 Uh I have twin older brothers, they're six and a half years older. 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:26.159 I could blame myself, but it'd be easier and better to blame my brothers. 00:01:26.319 --> 00:01:29.280 And so six and a half years, think about this. 00:01:29.359 --> 00:01:33.599 So when I'm six, seven, eight, they're 13, 14, 15, right? 00:01:33.760 --> 00:01:44.719 Um, and so to even get seconds uh in my house, you had to eat fast with teenage brothers that were just consuming everything in front of them. 00:01:44.879 --> 00:01:51.120 So I developed this habit of just like there's a scarcity mentality of food at the table. 00:01:51.200 --> 00:01:58.560 And if I want to get whatever was the best, you know, dish around dinner, I had to eat really fast to get seconds. 00:01:58.640 --> 00:02:05.040 And then that translated into so many other areas, but it but especially my mom would do this at Christmas time. 00:02:05.200 --> 00:02:06.159 I love shrimp. 00:02:06.239 --> 00:02:08.080 Any shellfish people shrimp? 00:02:08.159 --> 00:02:08.719 Okay, good. 00:02:08.800 --> 00:02:10.800 Uh we weren't the same as fast eaters. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:11.680 That's odd. 00:02:11.840 --> 00:02:13.759 Um, I'm alone in that. 00:02:14.080 --> 00:02:16.000 But but she would get this. 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:16.960 This was such a treat. 00:02:17.120 --> 00:02:21.680 She would get the um like a little tray of shrimp cocktail, you know. 00:02:21.840 --> 00:02:23.520 It's like, oh, just at Christmas. 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:27.199 It was a small one, and I'd hover over it, right? 00:02:27.360 --> 00:02:32.400 And I would have, you know, stand there and I'd just be popping them as fast as I could. 00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:35.759 Not to savor, and this is the problem, right? 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:39.199 And you know, I'd be asked, like, did you even taste it, Ryan? 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:45.039 And no, no, it's it's just to cure it, because I don't want my brothers eating the shrimp. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:51.360 That I'm like, those are my shrimp, and so I'm gonna hover over it and I'm gonna consume it, I'm gonna get it as fast as I can. 00:02:51.439 --> 00:02:55.919 Uh, and I and I don't really even enjoy it because it's going so fast. 00:02:56.080 --> 00:03:12.800 I look up and I'm in this, you know, shrimp, you know, like uh comatose, uh, because I just was trying to gulp it down and consume it, and there's this scarcity mindset, and like, oh my goodness, I have to get it, I have to keep mine, I have to get mine, I have to protect mine. 00:03:13.919 --> 00:03:17.280 And today we're starting a series on contentment. 00:03:18.240 --> 00:03:18.879 Contentment. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:20.400 Go ahead and say that with me. 00:03:20.879 --> 00:03:21.360 Contentment. 00:03:21.439 --> 00:03:22.159 Yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:03:22.400 --> 00:03:30.319 A state of satisfaction, an ease of mind and peace, a feeling of quiet happiness. 00:03:32.159 --> 00:03:33.520 Doesn't that sound nice? 00:03:35.759 --> 00:03:42.479 Don't we need it in this season as we hurry and hustle into the new next holiday season? 00:03:42.560 --> 00:03:45.439 Like, wouldn't it be so great to have that? 00:03:47.439 --> 00:04:11.520 Isn't it interesting, at least for me, that I think though we can see as kids some of this, you know, dissatisfaction, discontentment, however you want to say it, this need to guard and protect the more that we have these little things, like we don't just grow out of it, we actually simply become more sophisticated in our thinking about it. 00:04:12.240 --> 00:04:18.560 And we bring and adopt those things from our childhood into our everyday life. 00:04:18.800 --> 00:04:31.360 And I think one of the reasons we don't experience contentment in our everyday life, especially today, is uh we call it or you know, live out what I call the myth of more. 00:04:32.079 --> 00:04:33.519 Like we're sophisticated in it. 00:04:33.600 --> 00:04:40.319 We're not gonna hover over the um, you know, shrimp and like guard it from your brothers or family members. 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:59.759 We're sophisticated in it, but we have a built-out uh ideology that keeps us captive in discontentment, and it goes something like this when I get blank, then I'll be happy or content or satisfied. 00:05:00.800 --> 00:05:05.439 When I get that new job, then I'll be content. 00:05:05.759 --> 00:05:11.839 When I finally get enough money in the bank, then I'll feel secure. 00:05:12.399 --> 00:05:35.680 When we finally get married, when we finally have kids, when when we're able to own a home, when we're able to own a bigger home, when I'm able to drive the hottest, coolest electric car out, and then you get a Tesla, and you're like, woo-hoo! And then Rivian comes out, and what do you do with that? 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:46.879 You're like, we buy into this that when I get it, then I'll be, then I'll have, I'll finally be satisfied. 00:05:47.279 --> 00:05:56.079 And yet we never quite arrive because then this other thought comes, and it's simply this if some is good, more is better. 00:05:56.399 --> 00:05:56.720 Right? 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:57.600 So you get it. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:58.959 You're like, oh man, I got it. 00:05:59.040 --> 00:06:00.560 Oh, that's good, but that is good. 00:06:00.720 --> 00:06:24.160 So a little bit more would be better, a little bit more money in the bank, a little bit more, you know, um uh progression in my work, a little bit more, you know, renown, a little bit more followers, whatever your more is, if some's good, then more has gotta be better because we got it, it was good, it felt good, and I need a little bit more. 00:06:24.319 --> 00:06:31.519 And underneath this ideology is this thinking more is the key to life, happiness, and safety. 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:45.600 We fundamentally begin to buy into this idea that if I get more and attaining more and having more, it's the key to life. 00:06:46.240 --> 00:06:48.639 And you're like, no, no, no, Ryan, I'm a Christian. 00:06:48.800 --> 00:06:50.639 Jesus is the key to life, okay? 00:06:50.720 --> 00:06:52.240 I I got the right answers. 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:53.199 We're in church. 00:06:53.360 --> 00:06:57.040 I may not give that right answer at work, that's a different story, different sermon. 00:06:57.199 --> 00:06:58.959 But more is the key to life. 00:06:59.279 --> 00:07:07.519 But here it is, it's the key to happiness because it's our ever-consuming pursuit, and it is the key, we think the key to security. 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:16.560 And here's the reason why I know that we have inflation, and we have a looming recession. 00:07:18.079 --> 00:07:24.319 And what has happened to your contentment, your security, your peace? 00:07:25.040 --> 00:07:25.519 Right? 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:36.480 The 401k, you're on the verge of retirement, and your 401k just dropped 30%, and all of a sudden you're filled with anxiety and fear. 00:07:36.720 --> 00:07:38.800 Will I be able to retire? 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:39.920 Because more. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:44.000 Your stock market is going down. 00:07:44.160 --> 00:07:46.399 Oh no, the cost of goods is going up. 00:07:46.720 --> 00:07:48.959 I need more to be secure. 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:49.759 How much more? 00:07:49.839 --> 00:07:54.879 I'm not sure because when I get it, I just need a little bit more. 00:07:54.959 --> 00:08:06.879 And we buy into the myth of more, thinking that if when we get it, when we finally get it, we'll actually then be satisfied and yet we never arrive. 00:08:08.079 --> 00:08:12.240 Let me ask you this, as we think about this, unpack this. 00:08:13.040 --> 00:08:16.959 Why do we own more but possess less peace? 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:18.879 You ever thought about that? 00:08:19.360 --> 00:08:34.080 Like we live in a time, just think about this, in the most wealthy country in the world at the most prosperous time in world history with the greatest amenities that anyone on the planet has ever experienced. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:41.360 Yet we have less peace in our hearts, don't we? 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:48.159 Why does owning more create more anxiety instead of security? 00:08:48.720 --> 00:08:55.519 Why is it when you buy that new car, it doesn't create more security, it creates more anxiety because the old car you didn't care if anybody hit. 00:08:55.919 --> 00:08:57.519 The new car, hey, don't touch that kid. 00:08:57.600 --> 00:09:00.879 So don't don't you dare bring that milkshake in the car. 00:09:01.200 --> 00:09:01.840 Right? 00:09:02.399 --> 00:09:03.759 You're gonna double park that. 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:11.440 You're like, I don't care what people think about me, I'm not letting someone scratch it, and then you scratch it, somebody, not you, somebody scratches it because you double parked. 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:13.039 That's a whole nother story. 00:09:14.000 --> 00:09:18.559 But why do we have more and less peace and owning more? 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:26.080 It creates more anxiety because isn't it funny that the more you have, the more you have to worry about? 00:09:26.399 --> 00:09:32.559 And when you had nothing in the bank, you really didn't worry as much. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:36.639 Why does someone else's more? 00:09:36.879 --> 00:09:41.440 Think about this, tend to rob us of happiness with our more? 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:52.799 Like, why does when somebody else get a little bit more than you and you go like, well, I have more, but I don't have as much that they have, and why does it tend to rob you? 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:53.919 Oh, they got the new car. 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:55.440 Oh, look, did you see her outfit? 00:09:55.519 --> 00:09:56.879 Oh my gosh, look at that. 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:58.879 Oh, those shoes, those are on fire. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:01.279 Do you know how expensive those shoes are? 00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:07.279 Why does someone else's more tend to rob us of happiness with our more? 00:10:07.519 --> 00:10:09.120 And think about this, parents. 00:10:09.279 --> 00:10:14.639 Why does giving our kids more tend to hurt them more than help them? 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:22.000 Isn't it true that as parents, one of the things we say that we really want is we want our kids to have more than what we had? 00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:37.360 And yet what's fascinating, and Malcolm Gladwell does a whole thing on it in David and Goliath, is there's actually an inverted U curve that the more you make, there's a point in which you make so much that it actually hurts your kids than helping them. 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:41.200 And think about this. 00:10:42.399 --> 00:10:49.919 Why do those in parts of the world with less seem to have more peace and happiness? 00:10:52.080 --> 00:11:03.039 Why can you go with those who don't have running water in their house, who don't have electricity, who don't have garbage pickup? 00:11:03.679 --> 00:11:24.159 And if you've ever been, and I'd encourage you, especially if you never, you know, you know, we do all these vacations, they're wonderful and fantastic, you travel to these great places, but if you haven't done like a trip where you actually get to see how a majority of the world lives and get an eye-opening and go, like, what you'll find out is they have far less than you ever have. 00:11:25.600 --> 00:11:30.480 And yet they seem to possess far more peace and happiness than you ever could. 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:33.919 And think about this too. 00:11:34.080 --> 00:11:35.440 Um, last one. 00:11:38.159 --> 00:11:43.279 If I asked you to think about the time when you were most content, go ahead. 00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:55.840 When you are most satisfied, isn't it true that the time that you're thinking about, maybe you're married and is early married, maybe as you're strapped and you're a broke college student, you actually had less. 00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:59.519 And yet there was this deep contentment. 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:05.440 See, the myth of more has undermined and robbed us of our contentment. 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:07.360 And so today, let's wrestle with this. 00:12:07.440 --> 00:12:14.480 How do you cultivate contentment in a world constantly trying to make you dissatisfied with everything you own? 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:18.480 It's the demand, it's the relentless demand. 00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:22.559 I mean, everything you own, it's like, friends, look at this. 00:12:22.639 --> 00:12:24.000 I I have a confession. 00:12:24.159 --> 00:12:25.840 I have an iPhone 10. 00:12:28.159 --> 00:12:30.240 I know it's hideous. 00:12:31.039 --> 00:12:37.360 I mean, how could I be so far behind the Apple drops, you know? 00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:43.039 I'm not at the iPhone 14 Plus Pro Max, whatever thing. 00:12:43.679 --> 00:12:53.120 But we have a relentless demand that says, whatever you have, regardless if it's working just fine, you need to upgrade it and get better new next now. 00:12:55.279 --> 00:13:04.000 And advertising and social media and companies, it all is driven towards making you dissatisfied with what you own. 00:13:04.080 --> 00:13:16.480 How in the world do we cultivate contentment, satisfaction, peace in a world that's constantly trying to create a deep dissatisfaction with everything you own? 00:13:16.639 --> 00:13:19.200 Uh, today I want to talk about rich simplicity. 00:13:19.440 --> 00:13:20.159 Rich simplicity. 00:13:20.240 --> 00:13:21.919 Why don't you go ahead and say that with me? 00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:23.360 Rich simplicity. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:31.120 We're gonna talk about this whole idea of experiencing this richness in life, and it's actually quite, quite simple. 00:13:31.279 --> 00:13:38.159 In fact, the Apostle Paul is gonna be talking to his protege Timothy, and it's a letter that he's writing. 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:43.120 Uh, we call it 1 Timothy, because it's the first letter that we have that he wrote to Timothy. 00:13:43.279 --> 00:13:49.039 But he's gonna be writing to Timothy, his protege, who's pastoring this church uh in Ephesus. 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:56.480 Now, for context's sake, Ephesus is like the crown jewel of cities in Asia Minor, modern-day Turkey. 00:13:56.639 --> 00:14:04.639 Ephesus is the de facto capital for the Roman Empire in the Asian territory, Asian province. 00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:11.919 And Ephesus holds and boasts one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Temple of Artemis or Diana. 00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:14.320 I mean, people travel from all over. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:21.120 This is one of the most influential cities in the ancient world, one of the most affluent cities in the ancient world. 00:14:21.200 --> 00:14:26.480 And what happened here in the trade and the commerce, people traveled from all over to be here. 00:14:26.639 --> 00:14:29.759 Sounds a little bit like Silicon Valley. 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:34.720 And it was filled with people who had a lot more than most had. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:40.240 And the Apostle Paul has an incredibly powerful word for us. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:47.840 And how do we cultivate contentment when we live under this constant pressure to be satisfied with everything we own? 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:53.039 And by the way, if you're like, Ryan, I don't know if I'm gonna make it through the whole sermon, that's okay. 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:55.360 Let me give you the big idea right now, okay? 00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:58.720 So you can go like, oh, I got it, and then we're gonna unpack it. 00:14:58.879 --> 00:15:07.840 The big idea, rich simplicity, it's really simple, is contentment is a decision of the heart, not a destination in life. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:13.039 Contentment, this the rich simplicity of it, is actually a decision of the heart. 00:15:13.200 --> 00:15:14.960 Here's incredible, incredible. 00:15:15.039 --> 00:15:15.919 Think about this. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:20.000 You can start to walk out today content. 00:15:22.320 --> 00:15:23.840 Isn't that crazy? 00:15:24.480 --> 00:15:28.080 Like, like it's a decision that you can make, not a destination. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:30.240 We treat contentment like a destination. 00:15:30.399 --> 00:15:32.000 When I get, then I'll be. 00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:33.759 Once I have, I'll finally arrive. 00:15:33.919 --> 00:15:35.759 Always striving, never arriving. 00:15:35.840 --> 00:15:36.960 It's this destination. 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:51.200 And so it's always this elusive thing in front of us, and he's going like, no, it's a decision that you make, and he's gonna unpack it for us in 1 Timothy 6, if you got your Bibles, verse 6, contentment, a decision of the heart. 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:55.759 And it begins this way but godliness with contentment. 00:15:56.000 --> 00:15:56.720 Godliness? 00:15:56.799 --> 00:15:57.840 What is godliness? 00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:01.519 It's following the way of life from the author of life. 00:16:01.600 --> 00:16:03.279 That's simply what godliness is. 00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:07.759 It's the way of life from the person who authored life, who knows how life ought to be. 00:16:07.919 --> 00:16:13.440 And he says, that's godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:16:14.080 --> 00:16:14.799 Great gain. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:15.279 Why? 00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:24.480 Well, we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it, but if we have food and clothing, our basic necessities, we'll be content with that. 00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:33.919 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:44.879 So many people would go to Ephesus because that's where the markets were, that's where the jobs were, that's where you went to be prosperous, a little bit like Silicon Valley. 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:49.120 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 00:16:49.360 --> 00:16:55.360 Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 00:16:55.519 --> 00:17:01.360 How do you cultivate contentment in a world constantly trying to make you dissatisfied with everything you own? 00:17:01.600 --> 00:17:02.879 What's the decision of the heart? 00:17:02.960 --> 00:17:15.839 And he's been, I want to begin with just a fundamental, foundational truth, then some practical steps for us, and a word of warning, and then just give you one basic, really core practice, okay? 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:22.240 That you go, like you can walk out of here and you go, I can decide today whether I'm gonna begin to cultivate contentment. 00:17:22.400 --> 00:17:31.599 The foundational truth is if we're buying into the myth of more especially, is simply this contentment has a better return than more. 00:17:32.720 --> 00:17:33.440 Contentment. 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:38.400 If we're talking about a return on investment, right, and you guys like to invest, I can see it in your eyes. 00:17:38.480 --> 00:17:39.920 Uh or maybe not right now, you don't. 00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:41.359 You're like, I hate investing. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:42.720 This is the worst time ever. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.319 The Fed, unbelievable. 00:17:44.400 --> 00:17:45.759 Why do you keep doing this to us? 00:17:45.920 --> 00:17:46.240 Right? 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:50.160 But contentment has a better return on investment than more. 00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:54.319 See, we think the more we get, the better off we'll be. 00:17:54.400 --> 00:17:59.759 And what he's he says, but godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:03.039 In fact, he's using financial terms here. 00:18:03.279 --> 00:18:06.000 That word great is the word megas. 00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:08.640 Where we get our word mega, right? 00:18:08.799 --> 00:18:13.200 It's this incredible, huge, massive gain. 00:18:13.359 --> 00:18:16.400 It's this um where he's talking about it, where is it? 00:18:16.480 --> 00:18:17.759 Hang on, I had in my notes. 00:18:18.000 --> 00:18:24.079 Remarkable or out of the ordinary in degree, in magnitude or effort. 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:26.480 It's this incredible gain. 00:18:26.720 --> 00:18:30.720 See, we fundamentally assume that more is better, don't we? 00:18:32.640 --> 00:18:36.559 And so if I get more, then I'm better off with more. 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:41.359 One example that often happens is a promotion. 00:18:41.680 --> 00:18:42.799 And isn't that the pursuit? 00:18:42.960 --> 00:18:43.920 Isn't that what we're looking for? 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:55.839 It's to be upwardly mobile, to make your way through the ranks to somehow achieve a level of respect and clout and be able to, you know, be in charge of your own destiny. 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:57.279 And so promotion, of course. 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.559 Oh my gosh. 00:18:58.799 --> 00:19:01.200 And we all know that you can get over-promoted. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:10.960 I have a friend whose name is Will, and Will was a part of a startup here in the valley, like a number of you have been part. 00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:23.200 And uh Will was a he was you know on the ground floor early on, got all the options, and this company just took off and really, really grew. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:27.759 And he was, you know, over the VP of design and all that side of it. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:34.640 And at some point he realized he's like, Ryan, my quality of life is down here. 00:19:34.880 --> 00:19:36.160 I don't want to do this. 00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:40.799 I'm making this, I'm in charge of this, but that's actually not what life is about. 00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:56.240 See, because you can get promoted, you can get a bigger salary, you can be in charge of more people, you can have a title in front of your name, but you can actually have less peace, you can actually have more anxiety, more travel, less life. 00:19:56.319 --> 00:20:01.599 You can have all those things, and I'm not against promotion, so don't go like Ryan said, I'm not gonna take this promotion. 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:05.119 No, but you should think about it. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:08.640 Because more is not always better. 00:20:09.200 --> 00:20:11.359 You know what he did is so fascinating? 00:20:11.599 --> 00:20:16.880 He actually promoted one guy that he hired to his position and he demoted himself. 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:20.799 Whoo! Is that radical in our day? 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:24.880 And he loves that decision. 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.000 Why? 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:32.240 Because contentment, contentment, it has a better return than more. 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:34.400 Well, why do we run after more? 00:20:34.559 --> 00:20:40.160 There's a single word why we run after more, and the word is simply comparison. 00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.680 Comparison. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.799 We compare, don't we? 00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:43.680 Constantly. 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:45.039 Keeping up with the Joneses. 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:45.680 What do they have? 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:46.880 What do the neighbors have? 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:52.319 And and and then like weddings today, they're crazy. 00:20:52.640 --> 00:20:58.480 I know some of you are getting married, coming up on 20 years married this December. 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:00.400 Um, yeah, amazing. 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:03.279 But we didn't have interest, uh, interests. 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:06.960 We uh Instagram or Pinterest or any of those sort of things. 00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:11.839 So we didn't know even how to do a wedding or what a wedding really should have looked like. 00:21:12.160 --> 00:21:16.799 And of course we would have done some things differently, but we it's crazy. 00:21:16.960 --> 00:21:22.000 You start to compare, and you're like, well, I have to have this, I have to look this, and oh man, my proposal has to look this way. 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:32.880 And then there's promposal because then now it's not just a proposal there, and now a promposal, and and that's gotta be a big deal, and we just compare our way out of contentment. 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:37.200 The biblical word, we don't like to use this word for comparing, is called envy. 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:39.440 Yeah, sounds nasty, doesn't it? 00:21:39.519 --> 00:21:41.440 It's like, no, no, no, compare's better, Ryan. 00:21:41.599 --> 00:21:43.039 I'm sorry, it's the word envy. 00:21:43.200 --> 00:21:53.440 In fact, the most um wise person who ever walked the planet, Solomon, who experienced it all, had it all, the wealthiest person, he wrote these profound words in Ecclesiastes 4 4. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:59.440 He says, And I saw the toil and all the achievements spring from one person's envy of another. 00:22:00.079 --> 00:22:06.079 All the striving, all the running, all the tiring and wasting of your life is envy. 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:11.680 Envy means I just need what they have to be respected. 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:15.759 I just need what they have to be accepted. 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:19.440 I just need what they have to be loved. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:20.720 It springs from envy. 00:22:20.880 --> 00:22:23.599 This too is meaningless, a chasing after a wind. 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:30.880 Better is one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and a chasing after a wind. 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:33.759 So in fact, there is something better than more. 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:37.759 It's satisfied with what you have in your hands already. 00:22:38.240 --> 00:22:55.359 It's better to have one handful with tranquility, with peace and contentment than to have two handfuls to end up with more and always striving, anxious, stressed out, trying to achieve. 00:23:07.119 --> 00:23:17.440 Another way to say our foundational truth: contentment is better return than comparison. 00:23:18.160 --> 00:23:21.920 Contentment has a far better return than comparison. 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:27.279 And comparison, by the way, you can never compare your way to peace. 00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:30.480 You will never compare your way to contentment. 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:37.119 You will never compare your way and all of a sudden wake up and go, like, oh, I'm so satisfied. 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:40.640 No, it will constantly create dissatisfaction. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:47.200 And you're just looking at where they traveled, how they live, and watching their highlight reels and going like, my life sucks. 00:23:48.079 --> 00:23:52.079 Contentment has a better return than comparison. 00:23:53.119 --> 00:23:58.319 Another way to say this is comparison has the power to steal your contentment. 00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:13.920 To quote the great philosophical movie of the 90s, Cool Runnings, one of the characters said, if you're not enough without it, you'll never be enough with it. 00:24:14.799 --> 00:24:16.319 I know it's good, right? 00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:17.279 You had no idea. 00:24:17.440 --> 00:24:18.640 Go back and watch the movie. 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:22.720 And I remember, we can even spiritualize this. 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:25.680 I remember in my early 30s, I began to compare. 00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:33.359 I began to compare where I was at in my life, in my ministry, and what was happening to other people with a similar stage of life. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:35.599 I'm like, Stephen Furtick and I, we're similar ages. 00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:37.200 Oh, Judith Smith and I, we're similar ages. 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.920 Look at what they're doing. 00:24:38.079 --> 00:24:38.640 Oh my gosh. 00:24:38.799 --> 00:24:43.920 And it just began to rob and still your peace. 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:47.200 Contentment has a far better return. 00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:48.000 Foundational. 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:52.079 We have to go, you know, more is not necessarily better. 00:24:52.319 --> 00:24:54.160 And then let's give, what do we do? 00:24:54.319 --> 00:24:58.400 Two things I want to call us to do, or the apostle Paul is going to call us to do first. 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:00.640 Focus on that which will last forever. 00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.640 Focus on what will last forever. 00:25:02.799 --> 00:25:06.720 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:11.279 You came into this world naked, you're going to leave. 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.839 Naked. 00:25:15.359 --> 00:25:17.440 You didn't bring anything into it. 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:21.279 And you can't take anything with you. 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:30.640 And yet we spend the short little bit of our time trying to amass, trying to gain, trying to attain why. 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:34.240 You can't take what you make. 00:25:39.200 --> 00:25:45.119 Life is short, life is fragile, and life is fleeting. 00:25:47.519 --> 00:25:50.880 Focus on that which will last forever. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:59.839 And when you begin to understand that life is short and you brought nothing into the world, and you can take nothing out of it, then you understand, you know what? 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:06.720 When I come into the world, anything that I had has just been passed on to me, and I'm gonna eventually pass it on to someone else. 00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:17.359 And so instead of trying to gain all for me, I'm gonna recognize that I, for this one little blip of time that I get to call my life, I'm a steward. 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:20.079 I'm entrusted. 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:23.680 And at some point, I will actually pass this on. 00:26:23.839 --> 00:26:25.599 And will I invest my time? 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:27.279 Will I invest my treasures? 00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:33.440 Will I invest what I have for eternity, for that which will last forever? 00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:40.160 And by the way, nobody at the end of their life said, I really wish I got a second house. 00:26:41.279 --> 00:26:44.160 I really wish I would have worked longer hours. 00:26:45.599 --> 00:26:49.759 In fact, if you were given a week to live, no, no, well, let's just go. 00:26:49.839 --> 00:26:53.440 If you were given a month to live, oh not even that. 00:26:53.599 --> 00:26:55.359 If you were given a year to live. 00:26:57.519 --> 00:27:04.480 Isn't it interesting how all of a sudden all of life becomes clear in priorities just that one little exercise, and you're realizing none at all. 00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:05.279 Absolutely. 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:11.279 Focus on that which will last forever. 00:27:12.079 --> 00:27:20.160 Moses in Psalm 90 would say it this way: Teach us to number our days, O Lord, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:22.799 You want to navigate this life wisely and well. 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:27.440 You actually need to count the days that you have and steward them well. 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:35.680 The first thing he's gonna tell us is focus on that which will last forever and that which carries the weight of eternity. 00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:39.200 And then he says, Don't confuse once for needs. 00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:41.440 Don't confuse once for needs. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:46.559 And the more you have, the easier it is for once to move into the need category. 00:27:46.799 --> 00:27:47.039 Right? 00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:51.119 He said, We brought nothing in, we take nothing out, and then he goes on to say what? 00:27:51.359 --> 00:27:58.160 He says, but if we have food and clothing, needs, we'll be content with that. 00:27:58.480 --> 00:28:00.160 Food, clothing. 00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:03.359 You guys remember Maslow's hierarchy of needs, right? 00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.240 You studied that. 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:05.440 You're like, of course. 00:28:05.519 --> 00:28:07.599 I was just thinking about that the other day, Ryan. 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:14.480 On the base level is like food, it's physiological, it's it's you know, food and clothing. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:16.640 And the next one is security, right? 00:28:16.799 --> 00:28:18.079 That you need to feel safe. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:19.759 The next one's belonging, right? 00:28:19.839 --> 00:28:26.400 And you're just working your way up at the top is self-actualization, which um isn't the way we define self-actualization in our day. 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:28.079 That's a whole nother sermon. 00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:38.880 But the higher up we get away from the base core needs, we then begin to shift our wants into needs. 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:41.119 Here's what's amazing. 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:46.640 The apostle Paul would say it this way in Philippians 4 12, in clarifying this. 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:51.759 He says, I know what it's like to be in need, and I know what it's like to have plenty. 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:56.079 So, real quick, the issue isn't about having a lot. 00:28:56.640 --> 00:28:59.920 It's not I need to have little or have a lot. 00:29:01.039 --> 00:29:02.720 The issue is what has you? 00:29:02.880 --> 00:29:11.440 He says, I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, well, well fed or living in plenty or in one. 00:29:11.599 --> 00:29:17.680 And then the most often quoted passage out of context in the Bible. 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:23.039 I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength. 00:29:23.359 --> 00:29:25.839 Did you even know that was the context? 00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:28.799 Like Ryan, I got it tattooed right here. 00:29:29.920 --> 00:29:32.000 The context is contentment. 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:39.599 The context is you can, and this is even a bigger deal, you can have contentment when you have a lot. 00:29:41.119 --> 00:29:44.960 That's the power of Christ working in the moment and in you. 00:29:45.119 --> 00:29:47.519 And you can have contentment when you don't. 00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:51.839 I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength. 00:29:52.079 --> 00:29:52.640 You know what? 00:29:52.799 --> 00:29:53.519 Here's what it is. 00:29:53.680 --> 00:29:58.400 We're gonna focus on what will last forever, and we're not gonna confuse our wants for our needs. 00:29:58.559 --> 00:30:05.200 And the more we have, the more we transition our wants into needs, and we say it like this well, I just need a new car. 00:30:06.319 --> 00:30:07.440 What do you? 00:30:08.160 --> 00:30:09.920 I just need new shoes. 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.480 There's no holes. 00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.920 I need a new outfit. 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:16.559 I got a big date, I need to get a new outfit. 00:30:16.799 --> 00:30:17.119 Right? 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:20.079 We we we use the word need so often. 00:30:20.640 --> 00:30:21.920 Here's what's fascinating. 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.960 I shared this with you. 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:26.720 Um, my wife and I were like, we just bought a house, really excited. 00:30:26.799 --> 00:30:39.200 We live 15 years uh in the same house we've rented for 15 years, and because um the generosity of some family early inheritance, my wife, she's a real estate agent, she's done pretty good, uh, which we're really grateful for that. 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:43.039 We've got three kids heading off to college here, uh, so that's needed, yeah. 00:30:43.519 --> 00:30:49.839 And so we're able to buy a house, and some things that I've never thought about are becoming a reality. 00:30:50.400 --> 00:31:03.920 See, we live in a 900 square foot house with five kids, five people and a dog, um, and we have one full bathroom and a half bath, and I've never we've never had 15 years, my wife and I, we've never had a closet. 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:16.400 All my clothes are under the bed, so as it got cold, I was looking for my jackets, I don't know where they are, and I couldn't find them, and eventually it's all the bin that got lost in the middle of the bed, you know, underneath, and I feel like I got my jacket back, all right, you know. 00:31:16.880 --> 00:31:20.000 I'm like, in the new house, we're gonna have a closet. 00:31:20.319 --> 00:31:21.279 Like, what is that like? 00:31:21.359 --> 00:31:22.720 I can hang things. 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:30.400 I mean, five people and showers in the morning getting ready, it's a challenge with one. 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:43.759 I we I we don't have a vanity or like a medicine cabinet, and so my um yeah, like you know, the stuff I use to get ready, my deodorant and all those sort of things. 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.400 What are those called? 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.920 Toiletries, thank you. 00:31:46.640 --> 00:31:49.839 They're in a box above the dryer. 00:31:49.920 --> 00:31:55.920 So every morning I take my box down, and I get you know all of my stuff. 00:31:56.559 --> 00:32:05.680 And here's something that I've had when we're just like talking about this, like, oh my gosh, someone I remember someone saying this, oh my gosh, how have you lived like that for 15 years? 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:09.599 Like you suffering for Jesus. 00:32:12.160 --> 00:32:13.440 And I say, Amen. 00:32:14.960 --> 00:32:16.480 Don't you forget it. 00:32:19.839 --> 00:32:21.680 Here's what's fascinating. 00:32:22.480 --> 00:32:32.640 I go in this house, 900 square foot, and there's this sink and a faucet, and I turn it on, and water comes out. 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:35.119 Turn it off, stop. 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:38.720 I mean, I just turn it on and it's clear and it flows. 00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.759 I'm responsible. 00:32:39.839 --> 00:32:40.880 I understand we're in a job. 00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:42.319 I don't just leave it on, no. 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.519 My wife trained me well. 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:47.440 I turn it off during brushing my teeth and turn it back on. 00:32:48.000 --> 00:32:56.000 But can you realize most of the world does not have running water in their house, and we get to do this? 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:59.759 We have water even in our toilet. 00:32:59.839 --> 00:33:06.480 I won't go that far because I know it gets a little gross, but how crazy we have a room that just takes it away. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:11.680 We flip a switch and all of a sudden light. 00:33:14.720 --> 00:33:20.319 And we take for granted these little things that most of the world doesn't even have. 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:25.440 But if I have food or clothing, I'll be content with that. 00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:29.119 Don't confuse wants or needs. 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.559 Those are nice. 00:33:31.279 --> 00:33:32.799 Let's do let's call them what they are. 00:33:32.880 --> 00:33:34.880 They're nice, but they're not a need. 00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:37.920 Let's be clear on that. 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:42.960 And when you get clear on that, then you go, man, that's nice, and I'm gonna enjoy that. 00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:48.400 We'll talk more about that next week of how to enjoy the good that God has given you. 00:33:48.960 --> 00:33:55.200 But when they become needs, then they become expectations. 00:33:57.680 --> 00:34:04.720 They become demands, and we live discontent, dissatisfied lives. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:06.559 Focus on what will last forever. 00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:11.519 Don't confuse needs or wants for needs, and then he's gonna give us this warning. 00:34:11.599 --> 00:34:16.239 And here's the warning chasing more always leaves you wanting more. 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:22.239 He's actually gonna set up more as an appetite. 00:34:22.400 --> 00:34:23.920 You know what appetite is? 00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:24.639 Right? 00:34:24.880 --> 00:34:25.519 Yeah. 00:34:25.760 --> 00:34:26.960 Right now you're hungry. 00:34:27.039 --> 00:34:28.800 You're saying, Ryan, land the plane. 00:34:28.960 --> 00:34:31.440 We have a lunch because I'm hungry. 00:34:31.599 --> 00:34:32.880 It's an appetite. 00:34:33.119 --> 00:34:35.360 And here's what he says: listen to this. 00:34:36.079 --> 00:34:39.519 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation. 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:44.079 That word want is a desire or purpose, an appetite, a strong want. 00:34:44.480 --> 00:34:52.960 Fall into temptation and trap into many foolish, harmful desires or cravings or appetites that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 00:34:53.280 --> 00:34:56.000 Chasing more always leaves you wanting more. 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:56.320 Why? 00:34:56.400 --> 00:35:01.440 Because it's an appetite, and an appetite is never finally or fully satisfied. 00:35:02.239 --> 00:35:08.000 And so the more you acquire, here's the danger the more you desire. 00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:11.280 The more you acquire, it's natural, it's an appetite. 00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:13.360 What you feed grows. 00:35:14.159 --> 00:35:21.920 Isn't it amazing how you can eat the biggest dinner the night before and you're stuffed? 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:28.239 And the next day, I've been guilty of saying this later in the day. 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:30.480 Man, I'm starving. 00:35:31.599 --> 00:35:35.280 Because it's never fully satisfied. 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:37.360 So you have to be aware of more. 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:40.880 It's nice, but we have to understand it's an appetite, and what you feed grows. 00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:45.119 And we understand if you consume more sugar, you're gonna crave more sugar. 00:35:45.199 --> 00:35:47.679 The more you acquire, the more you desire. 00:35:47.840 --> 00:35:51.440 And chasing more always leaves you wanting more. 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:54.000 It has this thing that just is a pool. 00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:56.000 You gotta be aware, you gotta have this. 00:35:56.159 --> 00:36:03.039 I, you know, like, okay, I'm I'm gonna, as we step in, even as we step into this new house, I'm like, okay, I want to be so aware. 00:36:03.199 --> 00:36:06.639 I don't ever want to lose the gratitude of, like, whoa, a closet. 00:36:06.800 --> 00:36:10.559 That's unbelievable, or a drawer for my deodorants. 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:11.440 Wow. 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:17.599 He goes on for the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 00:36:17.760 --> 00:36:23.920 Some people eager for money have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 00:36:25.599 --> 00:36:28.000 Here's the reason why this is such a big deal. 00:36:28.159 --> 00:36:31.440 He says, the love of money, you're like, well, Ryan, I don't love money. 00:36:31.760 --> 00:36:32.639 No, you're right. 00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:35.920 You love what money tries to provide. 00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:38.639 And I love what money tries to provide. 00:36:38.719 --> 00:36:40.639 And some of you are like, no, actually, I do love money. 00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:41.360 Let's just be real. 00:36:41.440 --> 00:36:42.000 Let's keep it. 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:46.159 I love when my stock market is going up, uh, portfolio that is. 00:36:46.239 --> 00:36:48.639 I love um, you know, building this. 00:36:48.719 --> 00:36:49.599 But you know what I love? 00:36:49.760 --> 00:36:52.480 I love the security that it often tries to provide. 00:36:52.639 --> 00:36:55.039 I love the comfort that it tries to provide. 00:36:55.199 --> 00:36:58.079 I love the autonomy and the freedom that it provides. 00:36:58.239 --> 00:37:03.440 Like that is, you know, I may not say I love money, but I love what it provides. 00:37:03.679 --> 00:37:05.360 And here's so what's interesting. 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:07.360 For the love of money is a root. 00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:18.000 So if earlier we quoted the most often misquoted verse out of context, this is just the most often misquoted verse in the Bible. 00:37:18.320 --> 00:37:26.079 See, it doesn't say for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil, but it does say it's a root. 00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:29.280 Now, here's what's fascinating about roots, and you know this. 00:37:29.519 --> 00:37:33.360 The root is the source of life for any plant, right? 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:38.079 And if you have a weed in the garden, if you just cut the top off, what's gonna happen? 00:37:38.320 --> 00:37:39.679 The weed's gonna grow back. 00:37:39.840 --> 00:37:40.800 You get this. 00:37:41.360 --> 00:37:44.079 If you get the root, you get it out. 00:37:45.199 --> 00:37:48.639 We have to pay attention when the Bible says of the root. 00:37:50.079 --> 00:37:54.559 A lot of the stuff we deal with is just surface stuff and behavior modification. 00:37:54.719 --> 00:37:57.039 When he says it's a root, you should pay attention. 00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:59.360 You're like, I don't really think I have a problem with this. 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:06.880 I think we live in the most wealthy country in the world, and if I'm discontent, we have a problem with it. 00:38:07.519 --> 00:38:11.360 The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 00:38:11.519 --> 00:38:15.760 Well, let me just unpack what does the love of money look like and what is a root on here? 00:38:15.920 --> 00:38:20.320 Love of money, a strong desire to get or keep money or possessions. 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:23.199 I want to get it, I want to keep it, I gotta have it. 00:38:23.360 --> 00:38:28.559 And then this idea of evil, because I want to give you a word we don't use a whole lot. 00:38:28.719 --> 00:38:34.719 Um, because I think sometimes we wrestle, well, evil, I don't know about evil, maybe not the best. 00:38:35.119 --> 00:38:36.719 You know, we try to squirm out of this. 00:38:36.880 --> 00:38:39.440 Like, I don't want to, evil's strong, Ryan. 00:38:39.760 --> 00:38:42.719 I know it's God's word, it's deal with it. 00:38:42.960 --> 00:38:47.440 Um but the evil, another word for it, pernicious. 00:38:47.599 --> 00:38:48.880 Go ahead, next slide. 00:38:49.199 --> 00:38:50.000 Pernicious. 00:38:50.079 --> 00:38:50.559 We don't use that. 00:38:50.639 --> 00:38:51.199 Isn't that fun? 00:38:51.360 --> 00:38:51.599 Say that. 00:38:51.679 --> 00:38:52.559 That's a fun word to say. 00:38:52.719 --> 00:38:54.320 Pernicious, yeah. 00:38:55.119 --> 00:38:59.920 Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way. 00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:08.559 The love of money has a harmful effect on your life, especially in a gradual or subtle way. 00:39:08.719 --> 00:39:15.360 It's one in which you don't notice it, and you're just, it's where he's talking just earlier, it's a temptation, it's a trap. 00:39:15.679 --> 00:39:18.719 You don't notice it and it takes you over. 00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:21.119 Think about this, and we know the stats. 00:39:21.280 --> 00:39:23.679 Half of all marriages in America end in divorce. 00:39:23.760 --> 00:39:25.599 That's Christian or non-Christian. 00:39:25.920 --> 00:39:32.079 Did you know that 80% of divorced people indicate that financial issues played a primary role? 00:39:34.719 --> 00:39:35.760 Think about this. 00:39:36.000 --> 00:39:48.480 If we just, as the church, really got serious about what God's word said about money and our hearts and decided how we were going to address this, maybe our relationships would be way better. 00:39:48.800 --> 00:39:55.199 Our marriages would be stronger, kids would grow up in a home with both parents together. 00:39:56.880 --> 00:40:00.320 Well, how do you counteract the love of money? 00:40:01.199 --> 00:40:02.719 Rich simplicity. 00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:04.559 It's not complicated. 00:40:05.599 --> 00:40:07.440 It's just give generously. 00:40:08.159 --> 00:40:09.760 How do you counteract it? 00:40:10.559 --> 00:40:11.920 Give generously. 00:40:12.960 --> 00:40:13.840 That's it. 00:40:16.079 --> 00:40:23.039 I realized this recently, because I'm like, man, we for most of our life we've never made a lot. 00:40:23.119 --> 00:40:26.480 Then Jenny, you know, started working, we have more than we've ever had. 00:40:27.840 --> 00:40:35.519 And we've decided in our giving from the early days, my parents taught me give, save, spend, give 10%, save 10%, live on the rest. 00:40:35.599 --> 00:40:37.039 And we've been doing that. 00:40:37.679 --> 00:40:41.840 And so we have this percentage-based giving, it's regardless of what you make. 00:40:42.320 --> 00:40:51.760 And I realized that man, the love of money was creeping and getting in my heart when I saw that the amount of money starting to go out. 00:40:52.079 --> 00:40:53.199 You ever do this? 00:40:53.440 --> 00:40:57.840 Because when you do percentage-based, it's not like you're giving more, it's just you have more. 00:40:57.920 --> 00:41:01.360 It's not that you're more generous, it's just you have more. 00:41:03.199 --> 00:41:06.000 And I looked at that and there was this tension in my soul. 00:41:06.159 --> 00:41:08.239 I'm like, oh, where did that come from? 00:41:09.280 --> 00:41:11.039 What in the world? 00:41:11.360 --> 00:41:14.000 And I had a choice to make. 00:41:14.880 --> 00:41:17.440 A decision of the heart to make. 00:41:19.039 --> 00:41:23.440 Will I just begin to drop the percentage down as the income goes up? 00:41:23.679 --> 00:41:28.960 By the way, the richer you get studies show, the less generous you become, ironically. 00:41:32.000 --> 00:41:34.639 Or no. 00:41:36.800 --> 00:41:39.199 I'm gonna continue to give generously. 00:41:39.280 --> 00:41:40.559 I wrestled with this question. 00:41:40.800 --> 00:41:41.840 Maybe for you. 00:41:42.079 --> 00:41:48.639 How difficult is it for you to give consistently, systematically, and significantly? 00:41:48.880 --> 00:41:52.000 How difficult is it to give consistently? 00:41:52.159 --> 00:41:58.559 Not one time you see a person on the side of the road, you give to them, or you, you know, like, hey, there's something happening at church, there's a special thing. 00:41:58.639 --> 00:42:02.960 Oh, yeah, I'm gonna give, but consistently, like it's a habitual part of your plan. 00:42:03.119 --> 00:42:12.639 Like, I'm gonna consistently give of what I make systematically, like you have a plan for it, like the Bible says, the first fruits of what you come in, like give it away. 00:42:12.719 --> 00:42:14.800 Like I have a system and a plan. 00:42:14.960 --> 00:42:18.159 It's not just like, hey, whatever is left at the end of the month, let's figure it out. 00:42:18.480 --> 00:42:24.239 No, I have a system and that is significant, like where you choose a percentage, and it's not like, oh, well, this is nice. 00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:30.719 How difficult you want to see is if the love of money is in you? 00:42:32.960 --> 00:42:38.400 What would it look like consistently, systematically, significantly? 00:42:39.679 --> 00:42:42.960 And here's why this is so important. 00:42:43.280 --> 00:42:44.639 And this is what Jesus would say. 00:42:44.800 --> 00:42:46.159 We've said this over the years. 00:42:47.599 --> 00:42:50.800 Where your money goes, your heart follows. 00:42:51.760 --> 00:42:52.960 A decision of the heart. 00:42:53.119 --> 00:42:56.880 Where your money goes, your heart follows. 00:42:57.599 --> 00:43:02.320 Like there's this invisible line between your stuff and your possessions and your heart. 00:43:02.480 --> 00:43:23.039 And when you begin to redirect it after the purposes of God, when you begin to give it away, when you allow the love of money to not have its way, but then you begin to steward it because life is short, eternity is long, and I'm gonna focus on that which will last forever, and I begin to steward it that way, then your heart begins to turn that direction. 00:43:24.880 --> 00:43:30.800 And it releases the grip of greed and the love of money on your heart. 00:43:30.960 --> 00:43:38.320 Jesus said it this way do not store up for yourself treasure on earth where moth and vermin destroy, and where the stock market drops every time the Fed raises. 00:43:38.400 --> 00:43:39.440 Oh, that's not in there. 00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:48.960 Um but store up for yourself treasure in heaven, eternal value where moth and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in the stin. 00:43:49.039 --> 00:43:49.360 Why? 00:43:49.599 --> 00:43:55.360 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 00:43:56.719 --> 00:43:58.239 Rich simplicity. 00:44:00.239 --> 00:44:02.000 Cultivating contentment. 00:44:03.360 --> 00:44:06.719 Contentment has a far better return than more. 00:44:08.480 --> 00:44:11.360 And so we're going to focus on what will last forever. 00:44:11.599 --> 00:44:14.079 We're not going to confuse wants or needs. 00:44:14.159 --> 00:44:17.440 We recognize that chasing more always leaves us wanting more. 00:44:17.519 --> 00:44:18.800 And here's the practice. 00:44:18.960 --> 00:44:22.239 We understand wherever our money goes, our heart follows. 00:44:22.320 --> 00:44:27.840 And so if you want to experience contentment, you actually just have to practice generosity. 00:44:28.880 --> 00:44:34.960 You just have to practice it consistently, systematically, and significantly. 00:44:35.199 --> 00:44:39.199 Because wherever your money goes, there your heart follows. 00:44:40.079 --> 00:44:42.320 And for some, you do that. 00:44:43.679 --> 00:44:47.199 And you've experienced the power of contentment. 00:44:47.440 --> 00:44:51.519 But I'd say for many of us, we don't actually lean in. 00:44:52.960 --> 00:44:57.039 And you have that moment that I had where you look at it and you go, ooh. 00:44:58.480 --> 00:44:59.440 Oh, you know what? 00:44:59.599 --> 00:45:00.800 I don't like that. 00:45:01.519 --> 00:45:03.199 I don't like what that's doing in me. 00:45:03.280 --> 00:45:04.960 I don't like the hesitancy of my soul. 00:45:05.039 --> 00:45:20.000 I don't like that my natural inclination is that little kid around the shrimp that wanted to make sure his brothers didn't get any of his shrimp, and so he just consumed it as fast as he could. 00:45:21.599 --> 00:45:24.719 I gotta get mine, I gotta protect mine, I gotta secure mine. 00:45:26.639 --> 00:45:30.480 Rich simplicity is just giving generously. 00:45:31.760 --> 00:45:32.480 Contentment. 00:45:32.559 --> 00:45:34.719 It's a decision of the heart. 00:45:36.159 --> 00:45:37.920 And for you, where are you at? 00:45:38.639 --> 00:45:40.800 What decision do you need to make? 00:45:42.400 --> 00:45:47.920 And by the way, this isn't a message to get you to give to awakening. 00:45:49.199 --> 00:45:52.079 I think it's a great place to give, and you should give here. 00:45:52.320 --> 00:45:54.880 But many of you don't know us, you don't trust us. 00:45:55.039 --> 00:45:55.920 Give somewhere else. 00:45:56.079 --> 00:46:00.719 Give to some incredible place that God's doing incredible work at. 00:46:00.880 --> 00:46:03.599 But for contentment's sake, give. 00:46:05.599 --> 00:46:08.079 For your heart's sake, give. 00:46:09.119 --> 00:46:18.000 If you want your heart to break for orphans and widows in their distress, just like James says, start giving to organizations and places like that. 00:46:18.159 --> 00:46:22.639 And what you'll find is your heart will go there. 00:46:23.760 --> 00:46:29.199 And so, as we close, we'll pick it up next week with living richly. 00:46:29.360 --> 00:46:31.519 Like, how do you actually live richly? 00:46:31.760 --> 00:46:35.440 Because Ryan, this was a bit of a downer at points, I'm not gonna lie. 00:46:36.159 --> 00:46:41.119 Like, there's a rich life that God invites us into, and he actually calls us to enjoy our stuff. 00:46:41.440 --> 00:46:42.159 That's next week. 00:46:42.239 --> 00:46:43.840 How do we live richly? 00:46:44.639 --> 00:46:47.119 Well, let me leave you with this question. 00:46:47.599 --> 00:46:50.800 What's your contentment worth to you? 00:46:53.280 --> 00:47:01.679 Because isn't it true that you've been going about life, striving after the myth of more and trying to gain and attain? 00:47:01.920 --> 00:47:03.599 And how's that working? 00:47:04.159 --> 00:47:07.280 What's your contentment worth to you? 00:47:07.840 --> 00:47:10.480 Would it be worth trying for a season? 00:47:10.559 --> 00:47:12.400 Say, God, I'm just gonna for a season. 00:47:12.480 --> 00:47:14.800 I'm gonna start giving generously. 00:47:15.360 --> 00:47:16.719 It's gonna be consistent. 00:47:16.960 --> 00:47:18.719 There's gonna have a system, a plan. 00:47:18.880 --> 00:47:19.920 It's gonna be significant. 00:47:20.400 --> 00:47:28.000 I gotta have that bit of like, okay, um, I'm not just kind of adding a little extra at the end of the month. 00:47:28.079 --> 00:47:29.679 What's your contentment worth to you? 00:47:29.760 --> 00:47:31.599 And we'll pick it up next week. 00:47:32.239 --> 00:47:34.239 With contentment and living risk week. 00:47:34.320 --> 00:47:36.159 Why don't you stand with us and we'll close? 00:47:39.840 --> 00:47:43.039 Heavenly Father, I thank you for my friends. 00:47:45.119 --> 00:47:48.239 And we live in a world of excess. 00:47:49.599 --> 00:47:54.239 And yet what's crazy is we're constantly dissatisfied. 00:47:57.679 --> 00:48:03.199 Leave us with, we can do all of this, whether in plenty or in want, through Christ who gives us strength. 00:48:03.280 --> 00:48:07.360 And so, right now, in this moment, God, would you strengthen each heart? 00:48:07.599 --> 00:48:14.480 Would you give them the wisdom to know what to do with what they just heard, and then the courage to follow through and do it. 00:48:15.199 --> 00:48:17.760 In Jesus' name, amen. 00:48:19.760 --> 00:48:22.000 We hope you are blessed by this message. 00:48:22.159 --> 00:48:26.639 Please subscribe to our podcast for access to every episode as they're uploaded. 00:48:26.800 --> 00:48:28.880 And hey, we'd love to connect with you. 00:48:29.039 --> 00:48:34.960 Take a next step by filling out our virtual connection card at awakeningchurch.com slash card.