100:00:00,000 –> 00:00:03,500Music200:00:03,500 –> 00:00:07,860Jesus makes it very clear that money is a master and it will seek300:00:07,860 –> 00:00:11,000to gain control of your life.400:00:11,000 –> 00:00:15,440It will lure you by offering great benefits500:00:15,440 –> 00:00:20,260but then it will hide from you its increasing demands600:00:20,260 –> 00:00:24,500and money is a marvellous servant700:00:24,500 –> 00:00:28,100but it is a terrible master.800:00:28,100 –> 00:00:32,099Welcome to Open the Bible with Pastor Colin Smith and David Pick900:00:32,099 –> 00:00:34,099and glad you could join us again today1000:00:34,099 –> 00:00:38,599and Colin, that’s a powerful and evocative statement right there1100:00:38,599 –> 00:00:40,660money is a wonderful servant1200:00:40,660 –> 00:00:42,200but a terrible master.1300:00:42,200 –> 00:00:45,599Yes, so all of us have a relationship1400:00:45,599 –> 00:00:48,700with money and the question is who’s going to be the boss?1500:00:48,700 –> 00:00:52,200Is money going to be a master over me?1600:00:52,200 –> 00:00:56,400Am I going to be its servant or am I going to be a master over money?1700:00:56,500 –> 00:00:59,500Is it going to be in the position of the servant?1800:00:59,500 –> 00:01:02,000These are all really, really important questions1900:01:02,000 –> 00:01:06,199and the Book of Proverbs has a great deal to say to us2000:01:06,199 –> 00:01:08,400about our relationship with money.2100:01:08,400 –> 00:01:10,199But let me ask you this question2200:01:10,199 –> 00:01:15,300Do you know the harm that money can bring to you?2300:01:15,300 –> 00:01:18,699Because proverbs is very specific about the harm2400:01:18,699 –> 00:01:20,800that money can bring to you2500:01:20,800 –> 00:01:22,500You’ve got to know what that is2600:01:22,500 –> 00:01:25,500so that you can be on your guard against it2700:01:25,500 –> 00:01:29,400and then, the other thing that is very clear in the Book of Proverbs2800:01:29,400 –> 00:01:32,900is that everything that we have and everything that we enjoy2900:01:32,900 –> 00:01:36,099is a good gift that comes from the hand of God3000:01:36,099 –> 00:01:38,800that he has actually trusted to us3100:01:38,800 –> 00:01:40,300everything that we enjoy3200:01:40,300 –> 00:01:44,000and therefore we are stewards of what belongs to him3300:01:44,000 –> 00:01:46,800The Book of Proverbs is wonderful on this subject3400:01:46,800 –> 00:01:48,400again it’s so practical3500:01:48,400 –> 00:01:51,099and I have been greatly helped and challenged3600:01:51,099 –> 00:01:53,800by the wisdom of the Book of Proverbs3700:01:53,800 –> 00:01:55,900in regards to the subject of money3800:01:55,900 –> 00:01:57,900and I think that you’re going to be helped3900:01:57,900 –> 00:01:59,300and challenged by it too4000:01:59,300 –> 00:02:02,000Well, join us if you can in the Book of Proverbs4100:02:02,000 –> 00:02:04,699as we begin a message called Wealth4200:02:04,699 –> 00:02:06,699Here’s Pastor Colin4300:02:06,699 –> 00:02:09,500I want to make four observations today4400:02:09,500 –> 00:02:12,600from the Book of Proverbs about money4500:02:12,600 –> 00:02:15,500and they boil down to four words4600:02:15,500 –> 00:02:17,100here’s everything you need to know about money4700:02:17,100 –> 00:02:19,199from the Book of Proverbs in four words4800:02:19,800 –> 00:02:22,399blessing, danger, priority, and opportunity4900:02:22,399 –> 00:02:25,500that’s the range of what is covered in this5000:02:25,500 –> 00:02:29,399marvellous book of scripture on this very important5100:02:29,399 –> 00:02:32,000and very practical subject5200:02:32,000 –> 00:02:34,000so let’s jump into it together5300:02:34,000 –> 00:02:36,199and we begin first with blessing5400:02:36,199 –> 00:02:40,100the Book of Proverbs celebrates the blessing of money5500:02:40,100 –> 00:02:44,399as a good and gracious gift from the Lord5600:02:44,399 –> 00:02:46,699Proverbs chapter 10 and verse 225700:02:46,699 –> 00:02:51,500the blessing of the Lord makes rich5800:02:51,500 –> 00:02:56,500and he adds no sorrow with it5900:02:56,500 –> 00:02:59,000now alongside that statement in the Book of Proverbs6000:02:59,000 –> 00:03:01,800we need to put another one that is very similar6100:03:01,800 –> 00:03:03,899and stands alongside6200:03:03,899 –> 00:03:06,699and that is Proverbs chapter 10 and verse 46300:03:06,699 –> 00:03:09,699that says, the slack hand causes poverty6400:03:09,699 –> 00:03:14,500but the hand of the diligent makes rich6500:03:15,100 –> 00:03:16,600now put these two together6600:03:16,600 –> 00:03:20,699Solomon is affirming the importance and the value6700:03:20,699 –> 00:03:23,300of hard work6800:03:23,300 –> 00:03:25,199and so on the one hand he says6900:03:25,199 –> 00:03:27,800it is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich7000:03:27,800 –> 00:03:29,300on the other he says7100:03:29,300 –> 00:03:33,500it is the hand of the diligent that makes rich7200:03:33,500 –> 00:03:37,699and this reminds us of a very important principle7300:03:37,699 –> 00:03:39,399that runs throughout the Bible7400:03:39,600 –> 00:03:44,800and it’s this that God works through means7500:03:45,500 –> 00:03:50,100and the normal means by which he prospers us7600:03:50,500 –> 00:03:54,800is through the diligent work of our own hands7700:03:55,699 –> 00:03:58,000but while our own hard work7800:03:58,000 –> 00:04:01,699may be the means by which blessing has come7900:04:02,000 –> 00:04:05,300Proverbs is reminding us that God is the source8000:04:05,300 –> 00:04:08,699of that blessing that comes through the work8100:04:09,000 –> 00:04:12,500of our hands the blessing of the Lord makes rich8200:04:12,500 –> 00:04:14,100and you find this how God works8300:04:14,100 –> 00:04:15,899through means all over the Bible.8400:04:15,899 –> 00:04:18,200For example Sam 1278500:04:19,200 –> 00:04:22,600unless the Lord builds the house8600:04:23,500 –> 00:04:25,700the Laborers are working in vain.8700:04:26,100 –> 00:04:27,200So who’s doing the building?8800:04:27,200 –> 00:04:29,399Well, the laborers are building the house.8900:04:29,399 –> 00:04:31,100Yes, but it’s the Lord who builds the house.9000:04:31,100 –> 00:04:32,299He works through means9100:04:32,299 –> 00:04:35,799and he works through the means of these laborers,9200:04:35,799 –> 00:04:40,100but it is God who is building the house.9300:04:40,399 –> 00:04:43,100Now, notice the wonderful statement that’s made here9400:04:43,200 –> 00:04:46,200The blessing of the Lord makes rich9500:04:46,200 –> 00:04:49,679all that we have is a blessing from the Lord9600:04:49,799 –> 00:04:51,200a gift from his hand.9700:04:51,500 –> 00:04:56,600And he adds no sorrow to it.9800:04:58,100 –> 00:05:01,600It was a great tragedy when someone has a great deal of money9900:05:01,600 –> 00:05:03,500and is not able to enjoy it.10000:05:04,200 –> 00:05:10,299Sorrow came with it and it may have come10100:05:10,299 –> 00:05:14,600because of guilt as they look back on how they got it.10200:05:15,700 –> 00:05:20,000Or the sorrow may come because of fear that they have10300:05:20,000 –> 00:05:22,500about how, and where, and when they might lose it.10400:05:23,500 –> 00:05:29,399But when you know that what you have really has come10500:05:29,399 –> 00:05:32,399as a blessing from God through the work of your hands10600:05:32,399 –> 00:05:38,399then you have the freedom and the peace to enjoy it.10700:05:38,799 –> 00:05:41,399And no sorrow is added.10800:05:43,600 –> 00:05:46,299And this is a major theme in the book of Proverbs10900:05:46,299 –> 00:05:49,399that Proverbs celebrates the blessing of money11000:05:49,399 –> 00:05:53,399as a good and gracious gift from the Lord.11100:05:53,799 –> 00:05:56,399So all you have, give thanks to God for it11200:05:56,399 –> 00:05:59,399because every good gift comes from his hand.11300:05:59,399 –> 00:06:00,799That’s the first thing, blessing.11400:06:00,799 –> 00:06:05,200Never forget this is a blessing from the Lord.11500:06:05,200 –> 00:06:08,500Second, danger, danger.11600:06:09,299 –> 00:06:14,299Now if money is a blessing, how can it also be a danger?11700:06:14,700 –> 00:06:17,000And the answer to that as we all know11800:06:17,000 –> 00:06:19,399is that money is a power.11900:06:19,799 –> 00:06:24,399It lures us almost as a rival to God himself.12000:06:24,600 –> 00:06:28,700Remember Jesus said no man can serve two masters.12100:06:29,200 –> 00:06:33,100You cannot serve God and money.12200:06:33,100 –> 00:06:35,200In other words, Jesus makes it very clear12300:06:35,200 –> 00:06:37,799that money is a master and it will seek12400:06:37,799 –> 00:06:40,799to gain control of your life.12500:06:41,399 –> 00:06:45,700It will lure you by offering great benefits12600:06:45,700 –> 00:06:50,299but then it will hide from you its increasing demands.12700:06:50,700 –> 00:06:54,000And money is a marvelous servant.12800:06:54,899 –> 00:06:58,500But it is a terrible master.12900:06:59,000 –> 00:07:01,000By the way here’s an encouragement.13000:07:01,500 –> 00:07:06,000Never envy someone who has more money than you do.13100:07:06,700 –> 00:07:07,500Never.13200:07:08,000 –> 00:07:13,200Never envy someone who has more money than you do.13300:07:13,500 –> 00:07:18,399Here’s why, because that person has more responsibilities13400:07:18,399 –> 00:07:20,299than you do in this regard.13500:07:20,299 –> 00:07:24,600That person has more temptations than you do in this regard.13600:07:24,799 –> 00:07:28,500And that person has more to account to God for13700:07:28,600 –> 00:07:30,799than you do in this regard.13800:07:30,899 –> 00:07:36,100So never envy someone who has more money than you do.13900:07:36,299 –> 00:07:40,299Because Jesus said everyone to whom much was given14000:07:40,299 –> 00:07:42,100of him much will be required.14100:07:42,100 –> 00:07:45,700There’s a lot that is required with all that we are given14200:07:45,700 –> 00:07:47,799and trusted from the hand of the Lord.14300:07:47,799 –> 00:07:50,600And that is why Proverbs said better a little14400:07:51,000 –> 00:07:53,899with the fear of the Lord than great treasure14500:07:53,899 –> 00:07:55,299and trouble with it.14600:07:56,299 –> 00:07:58,700We must all give an account14700:07:58,799 –> 00:08:02,799for what we did with what God has trusted to us.14800:08:02,899 –> 00:08:04,600And the more that you have there14900:08:04,600 –> 00:08:08,100for the greater your responsibility in that regard.15000:08:08,100 –> 00:08:10,100And therefore, every one of us,15100:08:10,100 –> 00:08:12,100whatever we have been trusted with,15200:08:12,100 –> 00:08:13,899whether it be much or whether it be little,15300:08:13,899 –> 00:08:15,600we need to be very familiar15400:08:15,700 –> 00:08:18,000with the dangers that come with money,15500:08:18,000 –> 00:08:21,500the dangers money brings.15600:08:21,600 –> 00:08:24,399Now what dangers does money bring?15700:08:24,399 –> 00:08:27,700Let me point out three from the Book of Proverbs.15800:08:27,700 –> 00:08:30,299The first is that money can ruin you.15900:08:30,299 –> 00:08:32,500There are two Proverbs on that.16000:08:32,599 –> 00:08:35,299First Proverbs, 20 and verse 21.16100:08:35,400 –> 00:08:41,299An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning16200:08:41,900 –> 00:08:44,599will not be blessed in the end.16300:08:45,299 –> 00:08:48,000Or 13 and verse 11, similar,16400:08:48,000 –> 00:08:52,400wealth gained hastily will dwindle16500:08:52,799 –> 00:08:56,400but whoever gathers little by little16600:08:57,299 –> 00:08:58,599will increase it.16700:08:58,700 –> 00:09:00,700Now you see that these two Proverbs16800:09:00,799 –> 00:09:05,299are warning us particularly about the dangers that come16900:09:05,299 –> 00:09:09,099especially when money is gained quickly,17000:09:09,099 –> 00:09:11,900gained hastily.17100:09:12,700 –> 00:09:16,099I remember still with great sadness17200:09:16,700 –> 00:09:19,700a man in the church that I pastored in London17300:09:19,700 –> 00:09:21,400before we came here17400:09:22,500 –> 00:09:25,200who told me with great joy, one day,17500:09:26,200 –> 00:09:28,400that he had been head hunted for17600:09:28,400 –> 00:09:31,099a prestigious job in the city of London17700:09:31,099 –> 00:09:33,700and he had quadrupled his salary overnight.17800:09:34,099 –> 00:09:35,500And I rejoiced with him.17900:09:35,900 –> 00:09:38,099Marvelous. Marvelous. What a blessing.18000:09:38,599 –> 00:09:40,200And within a year,18100:09:41,700 –> 00:09:43,099he had left his wife18200:09:43,099 –> 00:09:45,599and he had abandoned the faith that he had professed.18300:09:48,299 –> 00:09:50,200Very simply, as I saw it,18400:09:51,200 –> 00:09:53,599the money went to his head18500:09:54,599 –> 00:09:56,000and it ruined him18600:09:56,299 –> 00:09:57,500within a year.18700:09:59,299 –> 00:10:01,400Now parents who have money18800:10:01,400 –> 00:10:05,599should observe the teaching of these important proverbs,18900:10:05,599 –> 00:10:09,500an inheritance gained hastily19000:10:09,500 –> 00:10:13,799in the beginning will not be blessed in the end.19100:10:16,200 –> 00:10:19,200What would be the effect on your children19200:10:19,200 –> 00:10:22,099of landing suddenly a large amount of money19300:10:22,099 –> 00:10:24,099as an inheritance on them?19400:10:26,000 –> 00:10:27,700Money is a blessing,19500:10:27,700 –> 00:10:29,299but it also brings a huge responsibility19600:10:29,299 –> 00:10:31,400before God.19700:10:32,599 –> 00:10:34,500And those who are wise19800:10:35,400 –> 00:10:38,700will think about the capacity of a person19900:10:38,700 –> 00:10:41,799to handle the responsibility that comes with it.20000:10:45,299 –> 00:10:48,099Wealth gained hastily,20100:10:48,099 –> 00:10:50,099twice Proverbs warns us about this.20200:10:50,099 –> 00:10:51,400How else does that happen?20300:10:51,400 –> 00:10:54,099Well, it can happen through an inheritance.20400:10:54,099 –> 00:10:56,099It can happen, of course.20500:10:56,099 –> 00:10:59,599Well, this is what the lotteries thrive on, isn’t it?20600:10:59,599 –> 00:11:01,700I mean, you drive down the interstate20700:11:01,700 –> 00:11:04,299and you see these flashing billboards20800:11:04,299 –> 00:11:07,500with multiple millions.20900:11:08,400 –> 00:11:10,799And when it is won, what will happen?21000:11:10,799 –> 00:11:14,400It will drop a massive responsibility21100:11:14,400 –> 00:11:17,900on someone who may not be able to handle it well at all.21200:11:20,000 –> 00:11:22,599And the same, of course, applies to another way21300:11:22,599 –> 00:11:26,020in which in our culture people gain fabulous wealth21400:11:26,020 –> 00:11:28,400hastily and that is through lawsuits.21500:11:29,340 –> 00:11:34,239And instead, Proverbs commends to us something different.21600:11:34,239 –> 00:11:39,099The great value of money that is saved21700:11:39,099 –> 00:11:43,299little by little, little by little,21800:11:43,299 –> 00:11:45,140wealth gained hastily will dwindle21900:11:45,140 –> 00:11:50,039but whoever gathers little by little will increase it.22000:11:50,039 –> 00:11:55,039So begin to save and as the money that you save grows,22100:11:55,780 –> 00:12:01,179your wisdom to handle it will grow alongside.22200:12:01,179 –> 00:12:03,979You are listening to Open The Bible with Pastor Colin Smith22300:12:03,979 –> 00:12:05,799and we have to pause the message briefly here22400:12:05,799 –> 00:12:09,340but we’ll be back shortly, so please do stay with us.22500:12:09,340 –> 00:12:11,500The message is called wealth22600:12:11,500 –> 00:12:14,280and if you ever miss one of the messages in the series,22700:12:14,280 –> 00:12:16,979then it’s easy to catch up or go back and listen again22800:12:16,979 –> 00:12:19,479by coming online to our website,22900:12:19,479 –> 00:12:22,979that’s at openinghebible.org.uk23000:12:23,400 –> 00:12:28,080or search in your favourite podcast site23100:12:28,080 –> 00:12:30,760for Open The Bible UK.23200:12:30,760 –> 00:12:34,679Back to the message now, here again is Pastor Colin.23300:12:34,679 –> 00:12:37,080Money can ruin you, we need to take that seriously23400:12:37,080 –> 00:12:39,159and especially if it comes hastily.23500:12:40,000 –> 00:12:43,359Second, money can’t save you.23600:12:43,359 –> 00:12:45,299Proverbs 11 and verse four,23700:12:45,299 –> 00:12:49,440riches do not profit in the day of wrath23800:12:49,460 –> 00:12:53,719but righteousness delivers from death.23900:12:53,719 –> 00:12:55,440And very simply, the principle here24000:12:55,440 –> 00:13:00,359is that money makes us more comfortable in this world.24100:13:00,359 –> 00:13:02,719And because it makes us more comfortable in this world,24200:13:02,719 –> 00:13:05,859it therefore distracts us from the plain reality24300:13:05,859 –> 00:13:08,679that none of us are going to be here for very long.24400:13:09,520 –> 00:13:12,599It is appointed to man once to die24500:13:12,599 –> 00:13:15,299and after that comes the judgment.24600:13:16,260 –> 00:13:19,820And so Jesus said, what will it profit a man24700:13:19,820 –> 00:13:22,659if he gains the whole world24800:13:22,659 –> 00:13:26,000and then loses his own soul?24900:13:27,059 –> 00:13:31,179Do you remember that Jesus told a story about a rich man,25000:13:31,179 –> 00:13:33,700he was already rich and then he got a bumper harvest,25100:13:33,700 –> 00:13:35,900so he can be even richer?25200:13:35,900 –> 00:13:37,059And he said, what shall I do?25300:13:37,059 –> 00:13:38,960I don’t have place to store my crops,25400:13:38,960 –> 00:13:41,419I’ll tear down my barns, I will make bigger ones25500:13:41,419 –> 00:13:42,859and I will say to my soul,25600:13:43,299 –> 00:13:47,200you have ample goods laid up for many years.25700:13:47,200 –> 00:13:49,580Wouldn’t that be wonderful, by the way,25800:13:49,580 –> 00:13:53,359to have ample goods for many years?25900:13:55,099 –> 00:13:58,320But God said to him, you fool,26000:14:00,020 –> 00:14:01,359this night26100:14:02,859 –> 00:14:05,580your soul will be required of you.26200:14:07,500 –> 00:14:12,500You see, this man had money to enjoy for many years26300:14:12,780 –> 00:14:16,940but he did not have many years to enjoy his money.26400:14:18,640 –> 00:14:22,239So this is the thing, money seems so solid,26500:14:23,159 –> 00:14:25,099it seems so real,26600:14:26,179 –> 00:14:30,739you got a folder with your investment reports, this is real.26700:14:32,299 –> 00:14:36,419And eternity, oh the pastor talks about that26800:14:36,419 –> 00:14:40,780and it seems so vague and it seems so distant.26900:14:43,020 –> 00:14:47,659But actually the reality is exactly the opposite way around.27000:14:49,619 –> 00:14:52,299So Proverbs says chapter 23 verses four and five,27100:14:52,299 –> 00:14:54,359Do not toil to acquire wealth,27200:14:54,359 –> 00:14:56,260don’t make that your goal in life.27300:14:57,780 –> 00:15:00,280Be discerning enough to desist,27400:15:00,280 –> 00:15:02,919when your eyes light on it, that’s in other words,27500:15:02,919 –> 00:15:06,479when that’s the thing that you go after, it is gone.27600:15:07,479 –> 00:15:10,859For suddenly it’s sprouts wings27700:15:11,840 –> 00:15:16,479flying like an eagle toward heaven.27800:15:17,679 –> 00:15:19,859So Proverbs is saying to us remember this,27900:15:19,859 –> 00:15:21,979it’s actually money that is fleeting,28000:15:22,900 –> 00:15:26,080that’s the thing that is passing away.28100:15:26,080 –> 00:15:28,859Because one of these two things is absolutely certain,28200:15:28,859 –> 00:15:30,679either you will be taken from your money28300:15:30,679 –> 00:15:33,460or your money will be taken from you.28400:15:33,460 –> 00:15:36,260So setting your heart on making money28500:15:36,260 –> 00:15:37,700is simply the wrong goal,28600:15:37,739 –> 00:15:40,140the only things that are solid and real28700:15:40,140 –> 00:15:43,559and lasting in this world are the things that are unseen.28800:15:44,960 –> 00:15:47,200So set your heart on things above28900:15:47,200 –> 00:15:50,260where Jesus Christ is seated,29000:15:50,260 –> 00:15:54,000because riches do not profit in the day of wrath,29100:15:54,000 –> 00:15:57,239but righteousness, that’s what delivers from death.29200:15:57,239 –> 00:16:00,299So going after righteousness,29300:16:00,299 –> 00:16:05,299that is far wiser than going after riches.29400:16:08,099 –> 00:16:09,580So we’re on the dangers.29500:16:09,580 –> 00:16:12,380Money is a great blessing, a gift from the Lord,29600:16:12,380 –> 00:16:15,020but it brings with it certain inherent dangers.29700:16:16,159 –> 00:16:17,460The danger that it can ruin you,29800:16:17,460 –> 00:16:19,039especially if it comes quickly.29900:16:19,039 –> 00:16:21,940The reality that it cannot save you.30000:16:21,940 –> 00:16:23,260And then here’s the third thing30100:16:23,260 –> 00:16:27,500that money has this inherent danger that it will tempt you.30200:16:27,500 –> 00:16:29,479It will tempt you.30300:16:29,479 –> 00:16:32,159And Proverbs identifies four particular ways30400:16:32,159 –> 00:16:33,539in which money will tempt you.30500:16:33,539 –> 00:16:37,099The first is it will tempt you to control30600:16:37,340 –> 00:16:38,780this feeling that if you have money,30700:16:38,780 –> 00:16:42,000you can use it as a means of control.30800:16:42,940 –> 00:16:46,140Look at Proverbs 11 and verse 26.30900:16:46,140 –> 00:16:51,080The people curse Him who holds back grain,31000:16:52,239 –> 00:16:57,239but a blessing is on the head of Him who sells it.31100:16:59,400 –> 00:17:01,219Now what’s happening here is very simple.31200:17:01,219 –> 00:17:05,619There are people, a community that needs food.31300:17:05,699 –> 00:17:09,900And there is a merchant who has grain.31400:17:09,900 –> 00:17:14,900God has blessed this farmer with a good crop.31500:17:16,239 –> 00:17:18,380But instead of bringing it to the market,31600:17:18,380 –> 00:17:20,959He holds it back and the reason that He31700:17:20,959 –> 00:17:24,959holds it back is in order to drive up the price.31800:17:26,719 –> 00:17:29,280And the people can’t make Him sell, of course.31900:17:29,280 –> 00:17:33,160There’s no law that can compel a man to sell what he owns.32000:17:33,180 –> 00:17:36,020And so the people are helpless to get this grain32100:17:36,020 –> 00:17:39,040that is there on to the market so that they can be fed.32200:17:40,819 –> 00:17:43,540And because the man’s motive is pure selfishness,32300:17:43,540 –> 00:17:45,420he’s holding it back to drive up the price.32400:17:45,420 –> 00:17:46,739The people curse him.32500:17:47,819 –> 00:17:49,219They curse him.32600:17:49,219 –> 00:17:54,219But a blessing is on the head of Him who sells it.32700:17:56,579 –> 00:18:00,560So here’s another farmer and he also has a bumper crop.32800:18:01,540 –> 00:18:03,400And he says to himself, you know,32900:18:03,400 –> 00:18:05,500if I held this back off the market,33000:18:05,500 –> 00:18:08,140I could get more in the longer run for it,33100:18:08,140 –> 00:18:12,699but there’s a community that really needs grain right now.33200:18:13,719 –> 00:18:15,380And so I will sell it.33300:18:16,719 –> 00:18:19,119He figures that into his calculation.33400:18:20,540 –> 00:18:23,260Charles Bridges makes this comment.33500:18:23,260 –> 00:18:27,739To him, that subordinates his own interest33600:18:28,140 –> 00:18:30,339to the public good.33700:18:30,339 –> 00:18:32,839Blessings will be upon his head.33800:18:33,819 –> 00:18:37,260And remember, the cursing came from the people33900:18:37,260 –> 00:18:39,260who cursed the one who withheld.34000:18:40,219 –> 00:18:42,219But here the blessing is a blessing34100:18:42,219 –> 00:18:44,660that comes from God himself.34200:18:44,660 –> 00:18:48,619A blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.34300:18:48,619 –> 00:18:49,780Now, you see what this is saying,34400:18:49,780 –> 00:18:52,500and it’s very important and practical.34500:18:52,500 –> 00:18:57,300To only consider your own bottom line34600:18:58,439 –> 00:19:03,280and not to give weight for the needs and the good of others,34700:19:04,619 –> 00:19:06,339that is to be cursed.34800:19:07,319 –> 00:19:09,900But to subordinate your own interests34900:19:09,900 –> 00:19:12,619to consider also the good of others,35000:19:12,619 –> 00:19:16,300that will be blessed.35100:19:17,160 –> 00:19:20,439Or as our Lord Jesus put it in the Sermon on the Mount,35200:19:20,439 –> 00:19:25,420you do to others as you would have them do to you.35300:19:26,420 –> 00:19:30,660That’s the first temptation it’s in regards to control.35400:19:30,660 –> 00:19:31,619The second, of course,35500:19:31,619 –> 00:19:33,739is the temptation to cheat.35600:19:33,739 –> 00:19:35,780Proverbs 20 and verse 23,35700:19:35,780 –> 00:19:40,780unequal weights are an abomination to the Lord35800:19:40,819 –> 00:19:45,380and false scales are not good.35900:19:45,380 –> 00:19:47,979Now here we’re in the marketplace36000:19:47,979 –> 00:19:50,939and a customer comes and wants to buy,36100:19:50,939 –> 00:19:54,560let’s say, 10 pounds of grain.36200:19:54,800 –> 00:19:56,680The merchant pours this grain36300:19:56,680 –> 00:20:00,000into a bucket that’s on one side of the scales36400:20:00,000 –> 00:20:03,359and on the other side of the scales he places a weight36500:20:04,199 –> 00:20:06,260and on the weight there’s a marking36600:20:06,260 –> 00:20:09,319that says 10 pounds.36700:20:09,319 –> 00:20:13,380But it’s not 10 pounds, it’s actually eight pounds,36800:20:13,380 –> 00:20:16,420and so when the scales balance,36900:20:16,420 –> 00:20:20,959the customer gets short-changed.37000:20:20,959 –> 00:20:23,280Proverbs says that unequal weights,37100:20:23,280 –> 00:20:25,599that’s what’s being described here,37200:20:25,599 –> 00:20:30,599they are an abomination, strong word, to the Lord.37300:20:32,560 –> 00:20:35,239Now, of course, there are so many ways37400:20:35,239 –> 00:20:37,079in which we are under pressure37500:20:37,079 –> 00:20:39,619in this regard, in business today.37600:20:39,619 –> 00:20:42,400You know, what’s hidden in the small prints,37700:20:42,400 –> 00:20:45,800the added costs that are not mentioned in the sale37800:20:45,800 –> 00:20:49,880and so forth and so on, money will tempt you to cheat,37900:20:50,880 –> 00:20:53,439and this would be a very good conversation38000:20:53,439 –> 00:20:55,040for us in the life groups this week38100:20:55,040 –> 00:20:57,660about the particular ways in which that pressure38200:20:57,660 –> 00:21:00,680is experienced in our working lives,38300:21:00,680 –> 00:21:05,680it comes with the pressure that is upon us in business.38400:21:06,520 –> 00:21:10,719And then thirdly, money may tempt you to credit yourself.38500:21:10,719 –> 00:21:14,959A rich man is wise in his own eyes38600:21:14,959 –> 00:21:19,959but a poor man who has understanding will find him out.38700:21:22,000 –> 00:21:25,680Now notice that Proverbs suggests38800:21:25,680 –> 00:21:28,900that being wise in your own eyes38900:21:29,760 –> 00:21:33,119is a temptation that particularly comes to who?39000:21:33,119 –> 00:21:35,359Answer, to a rich man.39100:21:36,839 –> 00:21:40,560This is a temptation that comes with any success.39200:21:40,560 –> 00:21:43,199With any kind of success, the natural temptation39300:21:43,260 –> 00:21:45,560that comes in its wake is that you credit39400:21:45,560 –> 00:21:48,839that success to yourself.39500:21:48,839 –> 00:21:51,560And so you become overconfident,39600:21:51,560 –> 00:21:55,500and so you lose the ability to listen meaningfully39700:21:55,500 –> 00:21:59,520to others, I know, I can do it, I’ve proved it.39800:22:01,439 –> 00:22:04,119And so the Lord says when God’s people come39900:22:04,119 –> 00:22:08,079into the promised land,40000:22:08,079 –> 00:22:11,060beware, because there they’re going to prosper.40100:22:11,119 –> 00:22:15,800Beware, when you do, lest you say in your heart40200:22:15,800 –> 00:22:19,819my power and the might of my hand40300:22:19,819 –> 00:22:22,459have gotten me this wealth,40400:22:22,459 –> 00:22:25,319you shall remember that the Lord, the Lord your God,40500:22:25,319 –> 00:22:30,319for it is he who gives you the power to get the wealth.40600:22:32,859 –> 00:22:34,699You’ve been listening to Open the Bible40700:22:34,699 –> 00:22:37,859with Pastor Colin Smith, and a message called Wealth.40800:22:37,859 –> 00:22:39,819Part of our series, Wisdom for Life,40900:22:40,160 –> 00:22:41,699is based on the Book of Proverbs.41000:22:42,739 –> 00:22:46,760We’ve seen the blessing and dangers of money.41100:22:46,760 –> 00:22:49,140And next time, we’ll look at the priority41200:22:49,140 –> 00:22:51,160and opportunity that it presents.41300:22:51,160 –> 00:22:53,300I hope you’ll join us for that.41400:22:53,300 –> 00:22:55,619If you ever miss one of the messages in the series,41500:22:55,619 –> 00:22:58,219you can catch up or go back and listen again41600:22:58,219 –> 00:23:03,219by coming online to our website openthebible.org.uk.41700:23:03,500 –> 00:23:06,579You can also find us on all the main podcast sites.41800:23:06,599 –> 00:23:09,420Search for Open the Bible UK.41900:23:09,420 –> 00:23:12,020Open the Bible is supported by our listeners.42000:23:12,020 –> 00:23:14,619We’re able to bring you Pastor Colin’s teaching42100:23:14,619 –> 00:23:17,439on the radio, internet, and podcasts42200:23:17,439 –> 00:23:20,719as a result of the generosity of listeners like you.42300:23:20,719 –> 00:23:23,319So if you already give to support our work,42400:23:23,319 –> 00:23:26,459thank you so much, we do appreciate it.42500:23:26,459 –> 00:23:28,199This month when you begin to support42600:23:28,199 –> 00:23:29,939Open the Bible for the first time,42700:23:29,939 –> 00:23:31,359we’d love to say thank you,42800:23:31,359 –> 00:23:33,439by sending you a copy of Pastor Colin’s42900:23:33,439 –> 00:23:35,680brand new book, Grow in Faith.43000:23:35,680 –> 00:23:38,680This devotional book is not yet available in the UK,43100:23:38,680 –> 00:23:40,959so our offer is very exclusive.43200:23:41,979 –> 00:23:44,500Colin, who is this book for?43300:23:44,500 –> 00:23:47,119Well it’s for everyone who wants to grow in their faith,43400:23:47,119 –> 00:23:49,979and hopefully that’s every Christian believer.43500:23:49,979 –> 00:23:52,780You know the disciples at one point said to Jesus,43600:23:52,780 –> 00:23:55,780Lord increase our faith,43700:23:55,780 –> 00:23:57,459and they’d been following Jesus43800:23:57,459 –> 00:23:59,459for some time when they said it.43900:23:59,459 –> 00:24:02,060They’d left everything in order to follow Him,44000:24:02,060 –> 00:24:04,500but they came to a place at one point44100:24:04,500 –> 00:24:06,140where they realised,44200:24:06,180 –> 00:24:08,959we’re going to need to grow in faith.44300:24:08,959 –> 00:24:12,439And I think every Christian comes to a place like that.44400:24:12,439 –> 00:24:14,900I’ve been trusting Jesus for some time,44500:24:14,900 –> 00:24:16,680but now I’m facing circumstances44600:24:16,680 –> 00:24:18,880where I’m really going to have to trust Him,44700:24:18,880 –> 00:24:21,579Lord increase my faith.44800:24:21,579 –> 00:24:25,119So, this 30 day devotional book44900:24:25,119 –> 00:24:29,979is designed to help and encourage growing in faith.45000:24:29,979 –> 00:24:32,319I have loved working on this,45100:24:32,319 –> 00:24:33,780and I’m very excited45200:24:34,219 –> 00:24:36,199about the opportunity of sharing it with you.45300:24:36,199 –> 00:24:37,719Well, Pastor Colin’s book,45400:24:37,719 –> 00:24:41,099Grow in Faith is our special offer to you this month45500:24:41,099 –> 00:24:43,219when you support Open the Bible financially45600:24:43,219 –> 00:24:44,479for the first time.45700:24:44,479 –> 00:24:47,219With a one-off gift of 60 pounds or more,45800:24:47,219 –> 00:24:52,140or a monthly direct debit of five pounds per month or more.45900:24:52,140 –> 00:24:54,739Full terms and conditions are on our website.46000:24:54,739 –> 00:24:58,060That’s at openthebible.org.uk46100:24:58,060 –> 00:24:59,619and you can give online.46200:24:59,619 –> 00:25:02,680Please do remember to leave your full name and address46300:25:02,739 –> 00:25:04,020when you set up your payment46400:25:04,020 –> 00:25:06,819so we can send you your free gift.46500:25:06,819 –> 00:25:09,280For Open the Bible and Pastor Colin Smith,46600:25:09,280 –> 00:25:12,140I’m David Pick and I look forward to you joining us again46700:25:12,140 –> 00:25:14,119next time on Open the Bible.46800:25:18,979 –> 00:25:21,160How can you master your money46900:25:21,160 –> 00:25:24,560rather than having your money mastering you?47000:25:24,560 –> 00:25:27,260Find out next time on Open the Bible.