1 00:00:05,027 --> 00:00:06,983 This comes from Leah. 2 00:00:06,983 --> 00:00:10,224 She says, "I don't have one specific question for you. 3 00:00:10,224 --> 00:00:12,980 It's more of a situation that my husband and I 4 00:00:12,980 --> 00:00:16,362 are just really becoming very discouraged by." 5 00:00:16,362 --> 00:00:18,809 Now, you've got to follow this one. 6 00:00:18,809 --> 00:00:21,863 "We've been Christians for about 7 years. 7 00:00:21,863 --> 00:00:24,933 We've seen God work so much in our lives 8 00:00:24,933 --> 00:00:27,346 and has brought us through many difficulties. 9 00:00:27,346 --> 00:00:30,635 We made many financial mistakes in our early 20's 10 00:00:30,635 --> 00:00:32,927 that we are now paying for. 11 00:00:32,927 --> 00:00:36,058 My husband works 50 plus hours per week 12 00:00:36,058 --> 00:00:38,544 and we are paycheck to paycheck. 13 00:00:38,544 --> 00:00:40,304 I stay at home with our three boys, 14 00:00:40,304 --> 00:00:47,208 ages 2 and 7 month old twins 15 00:00:47,208 --> 00:00:49,600 who were born 11 weeks premature 16 00:00:49,600 --> 00:00:51,145 and have some extra needs. 17 00:00:51,145 --> 00:00:53,415 We're struggling both with time and money. 18 00:00:53,415 --> 00:00:54,883 Soon my husband may need to 19 00:00:54,883 --> 00:00:56,740 get a second job. 20 00:00:56,740 --> 00:00:59,214 I spend the entire day bouncing back and forth 21 00:00:59,214 --> 00:01:01,694 between different kids' needs, 22 00:01:01,694 --> 00:01:04,257 trying and often failing at minimally keeping up 23 00:01:04,257 --> 00:01:06,292 with the house, laundry, and cooking. 24 00:01:06,292 --> 00:01:08,238 But the biggest problem here is that 25 00:01:08,238 --> 00:01:10,672 we have less and less time for prayer, 26 00:01:10,672 --> 00:01:11,923 reading the Word, 27 00:01:11,923 --> 00:01:13,714 going to Bible studies, 28 00:01:13,714 --> 00:01:17,096 evangelism, our marriage, etc. 29 00:01:17,096 --> 00:01:19,291 We've cut out all luxuries like television, 30 00:01:19,291 --> 00:01:20,514 going out to dinner, 31 00:01:20,514 --> 00:01:22,920 and other things for both time and money. 32 00:01:22,920 --> 00:01:25,075 We've been praying for a very long time 33 00:01:25,075 --> 00:01:27,450 for help in paying off debt 34 00:01:27,450 --> 00:01:29,239 and for an income source 35 00:01:29,239 --> 00:01:31,023 for my husband that doesn't require 36 00:01:31,023 --> 00:01:33,508 quite so much time away from home 37 00:01:33,508 --> 00:01:36,808 at both the job and the drive time. 38 00:01:36,808 --> 00:01:39,871 While in all other areas that we've prayed for 39 00:01:39,871 --> 00:01:42,088 we have felt His presence 40 00:01:42,088 --> 00:01:44,780 and have seen answers in one way or another, 41 00:01:44,780 --> 00:01:49,583 this is one area that we just feel He is quiet. 42 00:01:49,583 --> 00:01:51,803 I struggle with praying for issues 43 00:01:51,803 --> 00:01:54,247 related to money because I spent years 44 00:01:54,247 --> 00:01:57,207 in a megachurch that focused too much on money, 45 00:01:57,207 --> 00:01:59,146 in addition to other major flaws, 46 00:01:59,146 --> 00:02:01,756 so I am very apprehensive in praying 47 00:02:01,756 --> 00:02:03,547 for this area of our lives. 48 00:02:03,547 --> 00:02:05,585 We don't want our prayers answered 49 00:02:05,585 --> 00:02:09,347 so we can add luxuries back into our lives. 50 00:02:09,347 --> 00:02:11,555 We see how God is using this time 51 00:02:11,555 --> 00:02:13,725 to strip us of things that have brought 52 00:02:13,725 --> 00:02:16,591 sin into our lives and hindered our walk with Him. 53 00:02:16,591 --> 00:02:18,780 We just want more time to spend with God 54 00:02:18,780 --> 00:02:19,981 to grow spiritually, 55 00:02:19,981 --> 00:02:21,108 to grow in our marriage 56 00:02:21,108 --> 00:02:23,112 and to be able to pour into our children. 57 00:02:23,112 --> 00:02:26,554 Right now, I just feel like we are simply existing. 58 00:02:26,554 --> 00:02:28,050 We use the time we have to put 59 00:02:28,050 --> 00:02:29,463 a sermon on in the background 60 00:02:29,463 --> 00:02:30,892 while taking care of the kids, 61 00:02:30,892 --> 00:02:32,677 and my husband uses his drive time 62 00:02:32,677 --> 00:02:34,354 and his lunch hour to pray. 63 00:02:34,354 --> 00:02:35,803 But we don't have the time to 64 00:02:35,803 --> 00:02:38,906 cry out to Him for all that we need to pray for: 65 00:02:38,906 --> 00:02:41,117 for our family, for church needs, 66 00:02:41,117 --> 00:02:43,226 for this nation, for missionaries, 67 00:02:43,226 --> 00:02:44,949 for our children's salvation, 68 00:02:44,949 --> 00:02:47,114 and to be spending uninterrupted time 69 00:02:47,114 --> 00:02:50,292 learning and memorizing His Word. 70 00:02:50,292 --> 00:02:52,422 We just need some encouragement, 71 00:02:52,422 --> 00:02:53,874 direction and prayer. 72 00:02:53,874 --> 00:02:56,438 I want to be sure that I understand the difference 73 00:02:56,438 --> 00:02:59,994 in His Word about praying for spiritual things 74 00:02:59,994 --> 00:03:04,626 versus supernatural things. 75 00:03:04,626 --> 00:03:07,390 I've listened to sermons and read about prayer many times, 76 00:03:07,390 --> 00:03:10,261 but I want to be sure to be praying for these things in a way 77 00:03:10,261 --> 00:03:11,443 that is honoring to God. 78 00:03:11,443 --> 00:03:14,190 Thank you, Leah." 79 00:03:14,190 --> 00:03:17,711 So, you kind of get the gist? 80 00:03:17,711 --> 00:03:25,633 Anything jump out at you? 81 00:03:25,633 --> 00:03:27,154 (from the room) 82 00:03:27,154 --> 00:03:32,088 Maybe experientially, it sounds like 83 00:03:32,088 --> 00:03:33,511 listening to sermons, 84 00:03:33,511 --> 00:03:35,326 or maybe even reading books - 85 00:03:35,326 --> 00:03:36,566 it can be very hard, 86 00:03:36,566 --> 00:03:37,808 especially for a mother 87 00:03:37,808 --> 00:03:40,716 to be hearing a pastor talking about praying 88 00:03:40,716 --> 00:03:42,329 and long times of praying, 89 00:03:42,329 --> 00:03:44,944 and then a mother trying to assimilate that 90 00:03:44,944 --> 00:03:46,522 into her life with three children 91 00:03:46,522 --> 00:03:49,025 and kind of feel like I'm not doing it. 92 00:03:49,025 --> 00:03:51,451 I can't do what they're saying, 93 00:03:51,451 --> 00:03:53,718 and feel like she's not doing enough, 94 00:03:53,718 --> 00:03:57,015 which sort of sounds like that's the problem. 95 00:03:57,015 --> 00:04:00,699 It sounds like she's pressing on, 96 00:04:00,699 --> 00:04:03,172 but she has this high standard 97 00:04:03,172 --> 00:04:05,381 that maybe has been created by 98 00:04:05,381 --> 00:04:08,602 hearing of great missionaries in the past 99 00:04:08,602 --> 00:04:17,433 or some sermon. 100 00:04:17,433 --> 00:04:20,838 Tim: Yeah, it's interesting. 101 00:04:20,838 --> 00:04:24,912 She says that her husband uses his drive time. 102 00:04:24,912 --> 00:04:28,399 Now, she first said that her husband 103 00:04:28,399 --> 00:04:30,026 is working 50 plus hours 104 00:04:30,026 --> 00:04:31,095 plus the drive time, 105 00:04:31,095 --> 00:04:34,178 which makes you think that the drive time is fairly significant. 106 00:04:34,178 --> 00:04:37,254 And then she says he's using his drive time for prayer 107 00:04:37,254 --> 00:04:39,301 and his lunch hours, 108 00:04:39,301 --> 00:04:45,066 but she says that she lacks - 109 00:04:45,066 --> 00:04:47,087 "we don't have the time to cry out to Him 110 00:04:47,087 --> 00:04:48,939 for all that we need to pray for: 111 00:04:48,939 --> 00:04:50,834 for family, church needs, nation, 112 00:04:50,834 --> 00:04:53,587 missionaries, children's salvation..." 113 00:04:53,587 --> 00:04:58,853 And you know the reality is, 114 00:04:58,853 --> 00:05:01,853 (incomplete thought) 115 00:05:01,853 --> 00:05:04,643 if you use - I don't know how much of the lunch hour, 116 00:05:04,643 --> 00:05:08,389 but if you use the majority of an hour at lunch for prayer - 117 00:05:08,389 --> 00:05:10,099 let's say you bring your lunch; 118 00:05:10,099 --> 00:05:11,886 you pack it, you bring it with you, 119 00:05:11,886 --> 00:05:14,064 you take some time to eat it. 120 00:05:14,064 --> 00:05:18,878 You could easily give a half hour to devoted prayer. 121 00:05:18,878 --> 00:05:23,474 And let's assume he's driving a half hour each way. 122 00:05:23,474 --> 00:05:28,025 I suspect that Christian men 123 00:05:28,025 --> 00:05:29,957 who give an hour and a half 124 00:05:29,957 --> 00:05:37,407 to dedicated prayer is probably the exception. 125 00:05:37,407 --> 00:05:39,617 And so, yeah, I think you're right. 126 00:05:39,617 --> 00:05:43,392 I think her standard - 127 00:05:43,392 --> 00:05:44,931 she may desire something 128 00:05:44,931 --> 00:05:47,824 that she feels like she's not able to accomplish, 129 00:05:47,824 --> 00:05:50,707 but the truth is we do often get into certain chapters 130 00:05:50,707 --> 00:05:56,804 of our life where there are needs - 131 00:05:56,804 --> 00:05:59,789 especially when there's children. 132 00:05:59,789 --> 00:06:02,458 What we all have to do is prioritize. 133 00:06:02,458 --> 00:06:04,717 And life is changing all the time. 134 00:06:04,717 --> 00:06:06,024 You talk to R.L. 135 00:06:06,024 --> 00:06:08,894 R.L. getting a mechanical engineering degree. 136 00:06:08,894 --> 00:06:11,753 This portion of his life looks different. 137 00:06:11,753 --> 00:06:13,241 You talk to my wife. 138 00:06:13,241 --> 00:06:17,704 From about the time that we had the four children 139 00:06:17,704 --> 00:06:21,935 until the youngest child got to five or six years old 140 00:06:21,935 --> 00:06:23,520 where the oldest was actually 141 00:06:23,520 --> 00:06:27,922 significantly able to start really helping out, 142 00:06:27,922 --> 00:06:31,115 that time in her life is far different 143 00:06:31,115 --> 00:06:33,493 from this time in her life. 144 00:06:33,493 --> 00:06:36,972 The thing is, there was a time 145 00:06:36,972 --> 00:06:41,532 when I was seeking to plant a church 146 00:06:41,532 --> 00:06:43,283 down in Stockdale, TX, 147 00:06:43,283 --> 00:06:45,263 and I was the primary guy down there. 148 00:06:45,263 --> 00:06:46,604 I was doing the preaching. 149 00:06:46,604 --> 00:06:48,213 I was leading the prayer meeting. 150 00:06:48,213 --> 00:06:50,196 I was leading the evangelism. 151 00:06:50,196 --> 00:06:52,346 I had a full time secular position. 152 00:06:52,346 --> 00:06:55,017 And I had a full time family. 153 00:06:55,017 --> 00:06:56,810 And so life looks different 154 00:06:56,810 --> 00:07:01,614 in different chapters of our life. 155 00:07:01,614 --> 00:07:03,537 That's just the way it is. 156 00:07:03,537 --> 00:07:05,624 And what you have to do is prioritize. 157 00:07:05,624 --> 00:07:09,099 Many of you know about Susannah Wesley 158 00:07:09,099 --> 00:07:10,539 and all the children she had. 159 00:07:10,539 --> 00:07:12,115 What? Upwards of 20? 160 00:07:12,115 --> 00:07:16,833 And this lady has three. 161 00:07:16,833 --> 00:07:19,548 And I'm not diminishing the difficulty of having three - 162 00:07:19,548 --> 00:07:23,864 especially twins, but when you have 20... 163 00:07:23,864 --> 00:07:28,872 There are ladies historically 164 00:07:28,872 --> 00:07:31,021 who have walked with Christ 165 00:07:31,021 --> 00:07:32,098 and what would she do? 166 00:07:32,098 --> 00:07:34,672 She would put her apron over her head. 167 00:07:34,672 --> 00:07:38,156 She would choose those choice times. 168 00:07:38,156 --> 00:07:41,046 One of the godliest men you could read about 169 00:07:41,046 --> 00:07:44,904 is John G. Paton's father. 170 00:07:44,904 --> 00:07:47,677 He would go into an inner room in the house. 171 00:07:47,677 --> 00:07:49,977 He had a business right there 172 00:07:49,977 --> 00:07:51,253 in his home, 173 00:07:51,253 --> 00:07:53,591 and at lunch time he would go in there 174 00:07:53,591 --> 00:07:54,799 and he would pray. 175 00:07:54,799 --> 00:07:57,201 And they would hear him just crying out 176 00:07:57,201 --> 00:08:00,829 on behalf of their souls. 177 00:08:00,829 --> 00:08:04,286 You know, we have to prioritize. 178 00:08:04,286 --> 00:08:08,531 The Lord doesn't expect us 179 00:08:08,531 --> 00:08:10,920 to do what we can't do. 180 00:08:10,920 --> 00:08:12,713 But He does expect us to do 181 00:08:12,713 --> 00:08:14,857 everything we're supposed to do. 182 00:08:14,857 --> 00:08:19,032 And you need to capture that thought. 183 00:08:19,032 --> 00:08:21,835 If God has given you ten responsibilities 184 00:08:21,835 --> 00:08:25,068 in your life, He expects you to take care 185 00:08:25,068 --> 00:08:27,540 of those ten responsibilities in your life. 186 00:08:27,540 --> 00:08:29,590 But the thing is, 187 00:08:29,590 --> 00:08:32,428 prayer may be one aspect of that. 188 00:08:32,428 --> 00:08:33,999 The time you spend in the Word 189 00:08:33,999 --> 00:08:35,771 may be one aspect of that. 190 00:08:35,771 --> 00:08:37,718 But at that certain time in your life, 191 00:08:37,718 --> 00:08:40,826 you also have to balance the other 8 things. 192 00:08:40,826 --> 00:08:43,681 He doesn't expect you to pray 24 hours a day. 193 00:08:43,681 --> 00:08:46,240 He doesn't expect you to pray all your waking hours. 194 00:08:46,240 --> 00:08:47,968 In fact, there is a time 195 00:08:47,968 --> 00:08:51,645 when praying would be wrong. 196 00:08:51,645 --> 00:08:54,636 You can go to work for somebody. 197 00:08:54,636 --> 00:08:58,013 This very man, if he thought, 198 00:08:58,013 --> 00:08:59,438 I need to pray more, 199 00:08:59,438 --> 00:09:01,600 and so you know what I'm going to do? 200 00:09:01,600 --> 00:09:02,999 Aside from my lunch break, 201 00:09:02,999 --> 00:09:05,051 I'm going to sneak away at different times 202 00:09:05,051 --> 00:09:06,899 and find a secluded closet somewhere 203 00:09:06,899 --> 00:09:08,093 that I can go pray, 204 00:09:08,093 --> 00:09:11,376 and his boss would not think that's a good thing. 205 00:09:11,376 --> 00:09:14,081 And I don't believe God would think that's a good thing. 206 00:09:14,081 --> 00:09:15,461 You say, he needs to pray. 207 00:09:15,461 --> 00:09:16,568 We need more prayer. 208 00:09:16,568 --> 00:09:20,028 No, not at that time you don't. 209 00:09:20,028 --> 00:09:21,445 If you do need more prayer, 210 00:09:21,445 --> 00:09:24,602 then there needs to be proper prioritization. 211 00:09:24,602 --> 00:09:26,574 One thing is you need to sleep too, 212 00:09:26,574 --> 00:09:27,725 and if you're not well slept, 213 00:09:27,725 --> 00:09:29,366 you're not going to give your employer 214 00:09:29,366 --> 00:09:32,036 the kind of time that you need to be able to give to him. 215 00:09:32,036 --> 00:09:33,947 So, I would also say this. 216 00:09:33,947 --> 00:09:35,983 There seemed like this woman 217 00:09:35,983 --> 00:09:37,885 had a hesitation to pray 218 00:09:37,885 --> 00:09:40,973 because of some experience she had at a megachurch. 219 00:09:40,973 --> 00:09:44,430 She had a hesitation to pray for money. 220 00:09:44,430 --> 00:09:49,480 It's almost like, we pray for spiritual things, 221 00:09:49,480 --> 00:09:52,005 and God answers us, 222 00:09:52,005 --> 00:09:57,462 but we're kind of hesitant to pray about this. 223 00:09:57,462 --> 00:09:59,576 It's kind of like coming out of a background 224 00:09:59,576 --> 00:10:02,657 where you have this mindset that sex is dirty. 225 00:10:02,657 --> 00:10:04,475 And now suddenly you're saved, 226 00:10:04,475 --> 00:10:05,938 and you want to cast that off. 227 00:10:05,938 --> 00:10:07,279 God created that. 228 00:10:07,279 --> 00:10:08,847 Or you have this idea, you know, 229 00:10:08,847 --> 00:10:11,510 miracles or whatever - that's charismatic. 230 00:10:11,510 --> 00:10:14,263 But wait a second, what we have to do 231 00:10:14,263 --> 00:10:17,325 is we have to look again at Scripture. 232 00:10:17,325 --> 00:10:19,115 Scripture has to guide us. 233 00:10:19,115 --> 00:10:20,817 Would Scripture ever indicate to us 234 00:10:20,817 --> 00:10:22,746 that praying for financial things; 235 00:10:22,746 --> 00:10:25,029 asking God to supply our needs 236 00:10:25,029 --> 00:10:34,008 is carnal or secular or unspiritual? 237 00:10:34,008 --> 00:10:36,106 It's interesting this lady's saying 238 00:10:36,106 --> 00:10:38,860 we know lots of answers to our prayer, 239 00:10:38,860 --> 00:10:41,629 but it just seems like this area - 240 00:10:41,629 --> 00:10:43,704 she's admitting we don't really pray. 241 00:10:43,704 --> 00:10:45,771 We're not getting the kind of answers 242 00:10:45,771 --> 00:10:48,699 that we want, but we're not really even asking. 243 00:10:48,699 --> 00:10:51,214 And I would say to somebody like that, 244 00:10:51,214 --> 00:10:53,918 well, you need to ask. 245 00:10:53,918 --> 00:10:55,757 Why would you not ask? 246 00:10:55,757 --> 00:10:57,547 Especially when she's emphasizing, 247 00:10:57,547 --> 00:11:01,423 well, look, it's not that we want luxuries. 248 00:11:01,423 --> 00:11:03,179 It's that we don't want my husband 249 00:11:03,179 --> 00:11:04,624 to be working 50 plus hours 250 00:11:04,624 --> 00:11:07,426 and now maybe even have to find a second job 251 00:11:07,426 --> 00:11:09,339 for us to make ends meet. 252 00:11:09,339 --> 00:11:10,615 I would say this, 253 00:11:10,615 --> 00:11:13,075 you definitely want to pray. 254 00:11:13,075 --> 00:11:16,724 I think they ought to be praying about - 255 00:11:16,724 --> 00:11:21,376 she didn't say anything about their giving, 256 00:11:21,376 --> 00:11:23,959 but I do know that Scripturally, 257 00:11:23,959 --> 00:11:26,268 I'm often drawn to the text 258 00:11:26,268 --> 00:11:34,459 that says there's one who gives more than he ought, 259 00:11:34,459 --> 00:11:38,325 and the thing is it seems that he only 260 00:11:38,325 --> 00:11:41,192 becomes all the more richer. 261 00:11:41,192 --> 00:11:43,049 Then you have somebody that withholds 262 00:11:43,049 --> 00:11:45,640 what they shouldn't withhold. 263 00:11:45,640 --> 00:11:48,440 And it tends only to their penury 264 00:11:48,440 --> 00:11:52,159 as the KJV says - poverty. 265 00:11:52,159 --> 00:11:54,116 And so I would say this, 266 00:11:54,116 --> 00:11:57,912 give sacrificially and then pray. 267 00:11:57,912 --> 00:12:00,379 Here's the reality. 268 00:12:00,379 --> 00:12:02,594 In fact, I would encourage this woman. 269 00:12:02,594 --> 00:12:04,661 I've found great help and I know many have 270 00:12:04,661 --> 00:12:06,898 in our church, especially in the early days, 271 00:12:06,898 --> 00:12:09,640 often quoted from Isaiah 53. 272 00:12:09,640 --> 00:12:12,110 But in Isaiah 53, there are promises there 273 00:12:12,110 --> 00:12:14,639 about you pouring yourself out for the hungry; 274 00:12:14,639 --> 00:12:17,125 you giving to the needy, 275 00:12:17,125 --> 00:12:20,044 (chapter 58, not 53) 276 00:12:20,044 --> 00:12:22,937 Isaiah 58. 277 00:12:22,937 --> 00:12:27,728 And the promise there is this: 278 00:12:27,728 --> 00:12:30,328 that when you cry, 279 00:12:30,328 --> 00:12:34,120 God's going to say, "Here I am." 280 00:12:34,120 --> 00:12:36,008 And I have always found that to be 281 00:12:36,008 --> 00:12:39,732 a great argument in prayer. 282 00:12:39,732 --> 00:12:41,003 Lord, we've given. 283 00:12:41,003 --> 00:12:43,453 Lord, we've given. We've sought to be sacrificial. 284 00:12:43,453 --> 00:12:44,930 We've sought to pay our debts. 285 00:12:44,930 --> 00:12:46,766 We've sought to help the needy. 286 00:12:46,766 --> 00:12:48,732 We've sought to support the family. 287 00:12:48,732 --> 00:12:51,896 After all, if you don't support your family, what? 288 00:12:51,896 --> 00:12:53,355 Worse than an infidel. 289 00:12:53,355 --> 00:12:55,651 So, God wants you to support your family. 290 00:12:55,651 --> 00:13:00,371 God wants you to give to the needs of the needy. 291 00:13:00,371 --> 00:13:01,926 God wants you to pay your debt. 292 00:13:01,926 --> 00:13:04,432 I can show you texts that say all three of those. 293 00:13:04,432 --> 00:13:05,954 And so if you're doing what God 294 00:13:05,954 --> 00:13:07,452 wants you to do with the money 295 00:13:07,452 --> 00:13:09,073 and now you're running out, 296 00:13:09,073 --> 00:13:11,339 you have every reason to come and say, 297 00:13:11,339 --> 00:13:14,537 Lord, You promised to supply all my need. 298 00:13:14,537 --> 00:13:15,637 You've promised. 299 00:13:15,637 --> 00:13:17,987 And You've promised that if I would be merciful, 300 00:13:17,987 --> 00:13:20,151 that when I cry, You'll say, "Here I am." 301 00:13:20,151 --> 00:13:21,873 And Jesus talking about storing up 302 00:13:21,873 --> 00:13:23,109 treasure in heaven. 303 00:13:23,109 --> 00:13:29,669 And see, I don't want to stretch this 304 00:13:29,669 --> 00:13:32,670 where it ought not to go, but listen. 305 00:13:32,670 --> 00:13:35,917 I think because of texts like Isaiah 58, 306 00:13:35,917 --> 00:13:38,904 I have reason to believe that this fits 307 00:13:38,904 --> 00:13:40,960 into the words that Jesus said. 308 00:13:40,960 --> 00:13:45,205 When He talks about storing up treasure in heaven - 309 00:13:45,205 --> 00:13:47,363 not storing up here. 310 00:13:47,363 --> 00:13:49,944 So my mindset is this. 311 00:13:49,944 --> 00:13:56,685 I'm going to strive to not build empires here. 312 00:13:56,685 --> 00:13:59,418 I'm going to strive not to build up huge savings here. 313 00:13:59,418 --> 00:14:02,160 I'm going to strive not to build up huge retirement here, 314 00:14:02,160 --> 00:14:04,254 but rather I'm going to store it there. 315 00:14:04,254 --> 00:14:07,279 And then when I come to have needs here, 316 00:14:07,279 --> 00:14:08,840 I'm going to look and say, 317 00:14:08,840 --> 00:14:10,190 Lord, I stored it all there. 318 00:14:10,190 --> 00:14:11,464 I don't have anything here 319 00:14:11,464 --> 00:14:14,178 and I have a need over here. 320 00:14:14,178 --> 00:14:16,396 When I'm thinking about storing up 321 00:14:16,396 --> 00:14:18,056 treasure in heaven, I'm not just 322 00:14:18,056 --> 00:14:19,636 thinking about when I die, 323 00:14:19,636 --> 00:14:20,963 I'm going to go to heaven 324 00:14:20,963 --> 00:14:22,882 and there's going to be treasure there. 325 00:14:22,882 --> 00:14:24,922 Now, obviously, that is a primary emphasis 326 00:14:24,922 --> 00:14:26,426 of what Jesus is saying there 327 00:14:26,426 --> 00:14:29,537 in the Sermon on the Mount. 328 00:14:29,537 --> 00:14:33,373 But, I also believe that storing up 329 00:14:33,373 --> 00:14:36,217 treasure in heaven carries the reality 330 00:14:36,217 --> 00:14:43,533 that that's where my surplus is. 331 00:14:43,533 --> 00:14:45,478 That's where my supply is. 332 00:14:45,478 --> 00:14:47,764 And I'm storing it up there 333 00:14:47,764 --> 00:14:50,634 just kind of like putting it in the bank, 334 00:14:50,634 --> 00:14:51,915 but I'm storing it there. 335 00:14:51,915 --> 00:14:53,538 I'm giving it to the Lord. 336 00:14:53,538 --> 00:14:55,501 I'm trusting Him. 337 00:14:55,501 --> 00:14:57,097 Not just that there's going to be 338 00:14:57,097 --> 00:14:59,055 treasure there when I die and get there, 339 00:14:59,055 --> 00:15:00,973 but that there's treasure there 340 00:15:00,973 --> 00:15:04,384 to be drawn on anytime that I need it here. 341 00:15:04,384 --> 00:15:06,672 And like I say, I take that from promises 342 00:15:06,672 --> 00:15:09,360 like, "You'll call and I'll say, 'Here I am.'" 343 00:15:09,360 --> 00:15:12,936 I take it from the promises of God 344 00:15:12,936 --> 00:15:14,619 concerning finances, 345 00:15:14,619 --> 00:15:16,348 that both are a reality. 346 00:15:16,348 --> 00:15:17,679 That what I'm doing is 347 00:15:17,679 --> 00:15:21,197 I'm storing up and there's a promise 348 00:15:21,197 --> 00:15:23,972 in my storing up there that when I 349 00:15:23,972 --> 00:15:25,486 come to have need here, 350 00:15:25,486 --> 00:15:26,885 God's going to meet it. 351 00:15:26,885 --> 00:15:27,892 When it's a need, 352 00:15:27,892 --> 00:15:29,134 and He sees it as a need - 353 00:15:29,134 --> 00:15:32,794 not just when I want my standard of living increased. 354 00:15:32,794 --> 00:15:35,375 Not when it's something that He doesn't think I need, 355 00:15:35,375 --> 00:15:36,346 but I think I need. 356 00:15:36,346 --> 00:15:37,937 See, that's one of the problems. 357 00:15:37,937 --> 00:15:39,354 We like to put it in the bank 358 00:15:39,354 --> 00:15:41,125 because see, then I can tap that 359 00:15:41,125 --> 00:15:44,555 when I think I have a need. 360 00:15:44,555 --> 00:15:46,863 Sometimes it has to do with trusting the Lord. 361 00:15:46,863 --> 00:15:48,203 If we give it all to Him, 362 00:15:48,203 --> 00:15:51,396 well, what if I'm in need and He doesn't give me. 363 00:15:51,396 --> 00:15:53,282 But you know what I have found 364 00:15:53,282 --> 00:15:54,986 is He always does. 365 00:15:54,986 --> 00:15:57,476 He always does. 366 00:15:57,476 --> 00:16:00,258 (incomplete thought) 367 00:16:00,258 --> 00:16:02,400 I have typically found, 368 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:04,322 even when it's things that seem 369 00:16:04,322 --> 00:16:06,882 really practical - like that just makes sense 370 00:16:06,882 --> 00:16:08,307 that we should have that - 371 00:16:08,307 --> 00:16:09,518 He provides for it. 372 00:16:09,518 --> 00:16:12,594 Even though I had no funds there before that 373 00:16:12,594 --> 00:16:14,356 or very little. 374 00:16:14,356 --> 00:16:17,920 I mean, yes, I'm 52 years old 375 00:16:17,920 --> 00:16:19,762 and I live paycheck to paycheck. 376 00:16:19,762 --> 00:16:24,584 But, we are seeking to store up 377 00:16:24,584 --> 00:16:25,814 treasure in heaven, 378 00:16:25,814 --> 00:16:27,359 and I really have confidence 379 00:16:27,359 --> 00:16:29,247 that the Lord is going to provide 380 00:16:29,247 --> 00:16:30,616 whenever there's need, 381 00:16:30,616 --> 00:16:33,897 even if that's retirement. 382 00:16:33,897 --> 00:16:35,856 And the thing is, I can tell you this, 383 00:16:35,856 --> 00:16:38,303 that I've walked with the Lord for 26 years 384 00:16:38,303 --> 00:16:41,301 and He hasn't let me down once. 385 00:16:41,301 --> 00:16:44,826 He hasn't failed me. 386 00:16:44,826 --> 00:16:48,702 So I would say that to this lady. 387 00:16:48,702 --> 00:16:51,298 One of the things that you don't want to do 388 00:16:51,298 --> 00:16:53,270 when you're in financial difficulty 389 00:16:53,270 --> 00:16:57,033 is stop giving. 390 00:16:57,033 --> 00:16:58,628 Now, look, I'm not saying, 391 00:16:58,628 --> 00:17:01,165 well how much did they give? 392 00:17:01,165 --> 00:17:03,317 I would just say this. 393 00:17:03,317 --> 00:17:07,486 Let the highly praised, 394 00:17:07,486 --> 00:17:09,877 highly commended Macedonians 395 00:17:09,877 --> 00:17:13,581 be your example when you're in straits. 396 00:17:13,581 --> 00:17:15,178 They gave liberally. 397 00:17:15,178 --> 00:17:18,583 They amazed even an apostle. 398 00:17:18,583 --> 00:17:21,387 I would say that. 399 00:17:21,387 --> 00:17:24,726 Go to 2 Corinthians 8-9. 400 00:17:24,726 --> 00:17:26,935 Right there in 8, you've got the example 401 00:17:26,935 --> 00:17:27,947 of the Macedonians. 402 00:17:27,947 --> 00:17:30,622 Let them be an example. 403 00:17:30,622 --> 00:17:36,390 Give something in the spirit of that. 404 00:17:36,390 --> 00:17:38,913 Take care of your family. 405 00:17:38,913 --> 00:17:41,509 Take care of your debt. 406 00:17:41,509 --> 00:17:42,960 And look to the Lord 407 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:44,106 and call upon the Lord 408 00:17:44,106 --> 00:17:46,114 and ask the Lord to provide. 409 00:17:46,114 --> 00:17:48,255 She's admitting that she hasn't prayed 410 00:17:48,255 --> 00:17:50,223 because of this megachurch mindset 411 00:17:50,223 --> 00:17:51,683 that's been pressed upon her - 412 00:17:51,683 --> 00:17:54,299 something like the love of money 413 00:17:54,299 --> 00:17:55,666 is the root of all evil, 414 00:17:55,666 --> 00:17:57,540 and sometimes we get it in our heads 415 00:17:57,540 --> 00:17:59,289 that money is the root of all evil. 416 00:17:59,289 --> 00:18:02,366 Well, we need money. 417 00:18:02,366 --> 00:18:05,750 There's a place for money 418 00:18:05,750 --> 00:18:09,182 so that dad can be with the family more. 419 00:18:09,182 --> 00:18:17,302 There is a place for that. 420 00:18:17,302 --> 00:18:21,158 Any other thoughts on that? 421 00:18:21,158 --> 00:18:22,101 (from the room) 422 00:18:22,101 --> 00:18:24,298 I think one thing that stood out as well 423 00:18:24,298 --> 00:18:26,982 is that she said that through this time 424 00:18:26,982 --> 00:18:28,408 and season in their life, 425 00:18:28,408 --> 00:18:30,379 that it's made her more like Christ; 426 00:18:30,379 --> 00:18:32,969 or at least, it's shown her and her husband 427 00:18:32,969 --> 00:18:34,765 their sin in their lives. 428 00:18:34,765 --> 00:18:36,817 And I think there's a certain aspect 429 00:18:36,817 --> 00:18:43,274 of thinking about just embracing the suffering. 430 00:18:43,274 --> 00:18:45,955 And I hope I don't sound apathetic in any way, 431 00:18:45,955 --> 00:18:48,724 but I think there's room to embrace it in some way 432 00:18:48,724 --> 00:18:52,861 where texts such as James and 1 Peter, 433 00:18:52,861 --> 00:18:55,640 and just seeing that our suffering 434 00:18:55,640 --> 00:18:59,124 makes us more like Christ. 435 00:18:59,124 --> 00:19:04,689 And it helps us not to settle in here on earth. 436 00:19:04,689 --> 00:19:09,227 And it really just fixes our mind on heaven, basically. 437 00:19:09,227 --> 00:19:10,638 That's just my thought. 438 00:19:10,638 --> 00:19:12,119 Tim: Right. Embrace it. 439 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:13,849 And there may be a place for that. 440 00:19:13,849 --> 00:19:16,047 Because the reality is working 50 hours - 441 00:19:16,047 --> 00:19:18,307 even though that might not be what you want, 442 00:19:18,307 --> 00:19:20,574 and you might want more time with dad 443 00:19:20,574 --> 00:19:22,065 being with the children, 444 00:19:22,065 --> 00:19:24,028 especially when they're at a certain age 445 00:19:24,028 --> 00:19:26,540 and you know having devotions and everything. 446 00:19:26,540 --> 00:19:28,458 But you know what? 447 00:19:28,458 --> 00:19:34,731 Working 50 or 60 hours a week is not bad. 448 00:19:34,731 --> 00:19:38,645 And it sounds to me like they are 449 00:19:38,645 --> 00:19:41,271 giving up some of the non-essentials 450 00:19:41,271 --> 00:19:43,124 in their life, and that they do 451 00:19:43,124 --> 00:19:45,956 actually have reasonable time. 452 00:19:45,956 --> 00:19:49,008 She said it feels like they're just existing, 453 00:19:49,008 --> 00:19:52,950 but perhaps that's because certain things, 454 00:19:52,950 --> 00:19:55,574 certain endeavors that they would like to have 455 00:19:55,574 --> 00:20:00,088 in their life that God's just now allowing them right now. 456 00:20:00,088 --> 00:20:03,046 Maybe they're putting too much 457 00:20:03,046 --> 00:20:07,096 of a high priority on. 458 00:20:07,096 --> 00:20:12,054 And very often, we do get into situations 459 00:20:12,054 --> 00:20:17,213 where things are tight. 460 00:20:17,213 --> 00:20:19,397 When our children were small, 461 00:20:19,397 --> 00:20:21,538 the amount Ruby had to spend on food 462 00:20:21,538 --> 00:20:25,798 was extremely tight. 463 00:20:25,798 --> 00:20:28,198 But you know, there are seasons like that. 464 00:20:28,198 --> 00:20:31,441 And certain Christians in certain countries, 465 00:20:31,441 --> 00:20:37,173 we might say there's lives like that.