1 00:00:04,100 --> 00:00:08,200 Responsibilities that accompany the privilege of being a 2 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,800 Christian are many. One of which is the necessity of 3 00:00:12,800 --> 00:00:18,000 providing a proper example to those that are in the world or 4 00:00:18,000 --> 00:00:22,900 as the New Testament in the King James version describes those 5 00:00:22,900 --> 00:00:26,700 that are without you. And I as members of the body of 6 00:00:26,700 --> 00:00:32,100 Christ, have a awesome He of setting the proper example, to 7 00:00:32,100 --> 00:00:36,600 those that are outside of the Ark of Safety, those that are 8 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:40,600 outside of the Lord's Church. You remember that? 9 00:00:40,600 --> 00:00:45,900 Jesus said that we are to be lights of the world and the salt 10 00:00:45,900 --> 00:00:49,400 of the earth you remember, on the great Sermon on the Mount, 11 00:00:49,400 --> 00:00:52,300 in the fifth chapter of the Book of Matthew beginning there in 12 00:00:52,300 --> 00:00:57,100 verse 13, very familiar verses of scripture, where Jesus said, 13 00:00:57,500 --> 00:01:01,700 ye are the salt of the earth but if the salt Had lost its Savor 14 00:01:02,100 --> 00:01:04,400 wherewith, shall it? Be salted? 15 00:01:04,599 --> 00:01:08,500 It is thenceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and 16 00:01:08,500 --> 00:01:12,700 be trodden Under Foot of man, ye are the light of the world. 17 00:01:12,900 --> 00:01:15,900 A city that is set on a hill. Cannot be hid. 18 00:01:16,300 --> 00:01:19,600 Neither do men, light a candle and put it under a bushel, but 19 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:23,400 on a Candlestick and it giveth light unto all that are in the 20 00:01:23,408 --> 00:01:25,700 house. Let your light. 21 00:01:25,700 --> 00:01:29,400 So shine before men that they may see your good works. 22 00:01:29,700 --> 00:01:33,400 And And glorify your father, which is in heaven. 23 00:01:33,900 --> 00:01:37,600 But in doing this, we must understand this requires 24 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:43,100 outstanding, and honorable conduct on our part, in 1st 25 00:01:43,100 --> 00:01:47,400 Peter, chapter 2 and verse 12. The Bible says they're having 26 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:52,200 your conversation honest. Among the Gentiles that, whereas 27 00:01:52,200 --> 00:01:57,000 they speak against you, as evildoers, they may by your good 28 00:01:57,000 --> 00:02:03,200 works, which they Shall Behold. God in the day of visitation. 29 00:02:03,700 --> 00:02:06,500 You know, I think the point that we need to understand is and 30 00:02:06,500 --> 00:02:09,400 living the Christian Life and we can look at this from a very 31 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,200 practical standpoint. I am sure. 32 00:02:12,500 --> 00:02:15,800 Truly, there are all of us who have had things happen in our 33 00:02:15,800 --> 00:02:20,400 life where the world looks to us and is wondering how it is, that 34 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:24,000 we are going to handle the circumstance that has happened 35 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:27,200 to us. Sometimes tragedy will strike in 36 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:31,200 a particular person's life and if they Our Christian, the world 37 00:02:31,200 --> 00:02:35,700 is watching just to see how strong their faith is going to 38 00:02:35,700 --> 00:02:38,600 be the point being. And that's what we need to 39 00:02:38,608 --> 00:02:41,900 understand when we go through those times. 40 00:02:41,900 --> 00:02:47,000 And when we behave ourselves properly and the reason that we 41 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:52,700 are behaving ourselves properly is because of our faith than God 42 00:02:52,700 --> 00:02:55,400 gets the glory. That's what's wonderful about 43 00:02:55,400 --> 00:02:59,100 that when people understand that, when we go through things 44 00:02:59,100 --> 00:03:04,400 in our lives, When we behave properly and the reason for it 45 00:03:04,400 --> 00:03:07,700 is because of our faith it is God. 46 00:03:07,900 --> 00:03:11,400 That gets the glory. You know, our Good Conduct is 47 00:03:11,400 --> 00:03:16,100 especially necessary as we go about the business of making a 48 00:03:16,108 --> 00:03:19,500 living for ourselves. The reason that that is and I 49 00:03:19,500 --> 00:03:23,100 got to thinking about this concept or this idea the other 50 00:03:23,100 --> 00:03:26,400 day that of all the things that we do. 51 00:03:26,800 --> 00:03:30,300 The thing that we do on a regular basis more More than 52 00:03:30,300 --> 00:03:33,700 anything else. Perhaps is the time that we 53 00:03:33,700 --> 00:03:37,500 spend in the workplace. Now I'll tell you something. 54 00:03:37,500 --> 00:03:41,700 If there's ever a time when a Christian can slip usually it's 55 00:03:41,700 --> 00:03:46,100 found in the workplace. Say for example work for 40 56 00:03:46,100 --> 00:03:49,700 hours for a for a particular establishment and you're working 57 00:03:49,700 --> 00:03:52,400 for a particular employer. You're going to work by and 58 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:56,900 large 40 hours a week you're working eight hours a day, five 59 00:03:56,900 --> 00:04:00,600 days a week, that's a long time if you're in Is Miss and you're 60 00:04:00,600 --> 00:04:03,700 successful at it. Chances are, you're spending 61 00:04:03,700 --> 00:04:05,900 even more time than 8 hours a day. 62 00:04:06,100 --> 00:04:11,400 Maybe 12 years, 12 hours, 16 hours, whatever, it might be in 63 00:04:11,400 --> 00:04:15,200 the field of business. The point being is, if we are 64 00:04:15,200 --> 00:04:19,899 going to spend a great deal of time like that in doing that, 65 00:04:19,899 --> 00:04:26,100 then chances are we raise the risk of slipping because of the 66 00:04:26,100 --> 00:04:30,800 time that we're spending in that activity, Hear the words of the 67 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:34,300 Apostle Paul and second Thessalonians chapter 3 and 68 00:04:34,300 --> 00:04:38,900 verses 11 and 12 you remember when Paul said for we hear that 69 00:04:38,900 --> 00:04:42,800 there are some which walk among you disorderly. 70 00:04:43,100 --> 00:04:44,900 Now, what was it that they were doing? 71 00:04:44,900 --> 00:04:49,700 That was disorderly. He said, working not at all, but 72 00:04:49,700 --> 00:04:52,900 are busybodies now them that are such. 73 00:04:52,900 --> 00:04:56,900 We command and exhort by our Lord, Jesus Christ that with 74 00:04:56,900 --> 00:05:02,100 Ghent that with quietness, they work and Eat their own bread. 75 00:05:02,400 --> 00:05:05,200 You remember when we studied this about a year ago as we 76 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:09,400 studied, Paul's letters to the church at thessalonica that he 77 00:05:09,400 --> 00:05:13,200 wrote the second one by divine inspiration for the purpose of 78 00:05:13,200 --> 00:05:17,400 correcting, the notion, or the idea that Jesus was going to 79 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:20,600 come back. So soon that they were going to 80 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:25,400 be able to cast aside their daily responsibilities in terms 81 00:05:25,400 --> 00:05:29,700 of what they were obligated to do and providing for themselves. 82 00:05:29,900 --> 00:05:34,200 With and their household and their families and all of their 83 00:05:34,200 --> 00:05:38,000 other responsibilities that they have day by day. 84 00:05:38,100 --> 00:05:41,300 They were casting those things aside because of their 85 00:05:41,300 --> 00:05:45,700 misunderstanding of what Paul meant in the first letter about 86 00:05:45,700 --> 00:05:48,400 when Jesus was going to come back. 87 00:05:48,500 --> 00:05:50,500 What did Paul say that they were doing? 88 00:05:50,600 --> 00:05:53,500 They were working. Not at all know what happens 89 00:05:53,500 --> 00:05:56,400 when you sit around. I do and do absolutely nothing. 90 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,700 You know, there's no to adage that says Idle Hands are too. 91 00:05:59,900 --> 00:06:04,300 For the devil, but an idle mind is his Workshop. 92 00:06:04,900 --> 00:06:08,800 You know, what they did? They were idle working, not at 93 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:13,700 all and because of that, they became busy bodies in other 94 00:06:13,700 --> 00:06:19,900 men's business, in other men's Affairs, that was sinful. 95 00:06:20,100 --> 00:06:22,600 And that's what he had to correct. 96 00:06:22,800 --> 00:06:27,000 The question is tonight though, how can we know or how can we be 97 00:06:27,000 --> 00:06:29,700 sure that we are behaving properly? 98 00:06:29,800 --> 00:06:35,000 He toured or around those that are in the world in our business 99 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:38,100 Affairs. First of all, how to keep 100 00:06:38,100 --> 00:06:42,900 business in its proper place or proper perspective. 101 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:47,800 Number one, we must remember, what should take priority in our 102 00:06:47,800 --> 00:06:50,500 life. It is the fact of life and I 103 00:06:50,508 --> 00:06:54,300 alluded to it just a moment ago, rather briefly that you and I 104 00:06:54,300 --> 00:06:58,800 have a responsibility to live and provide for our families. 105 00:06:59,000 --> 00:07:01,800 We understand. That the Bible teaches that, in 106 00:07:01,800 --> 00:07:06,600 fact, if I'm the person and I am of able mind and Able Body and I 107 00:07:06,600 --> 00:07:11,400 am able to go out and work for a living and I choose not to do 108 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,100 that. Not only is it a sin because I'm 109 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:17,700 providing as the Apostle Paul writing to a young evangelist. 110 00:07:17,700 --> 00:07:21,300 Timothy said those very things he said that a man that would 111 00:07:21,300 --> 00:07:25,100 provide not for his own, especially of his own house. 112 00:07:25,300 --> 00:07:29,300 Has denied the faith and he is worse than an Infidel. 113 00:07:29,500 --> 00:07:33,700 He Is worse than an unbeliever and we know that an Infidel or 114 00:07:33,700 --> 00:07:37,000 an unbeliever. The fate of that person is going 115 00:07:37,000 --> 00:07:41,100 to find himself in a devil's. Hell for all eternity. 116 00:07:41,300 --> 00:07:45,400 The Apostle Paul said that a person that finds himself in the 117 00:07:45,400 --> 00:07:50,000 category of not providing for his own, especially of his own 118 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:54,600 house, has denied the faith and he's worse than the unbeliever. 119 00:07:54,700 --> 00:08:00,500 Whose fate is eternal condemnation. in fact, let me 120 00:08:00,500 --> 00:08:04,200 just say this, I believe with all my heart that if I'm 121 00:08:04,200 --> 00:08:08,900 able-bodied enable mind, And I choose not to go out and even 122 00:08:08,900 --> 00:08:11,600 though I'm a Christian, but I choose not to go out and work 123 00:08:11,600 --> 00:08:13,600 with my hands and support my family. 124 00:08:13,600 --> 00:08:16,800 If I make that choice, I believe that the Lord's church is under 125 00:08:16,800 --> 00:08:22,200 no obligation whatsoever to help me if I choose not to. 126 00:08:23,100 --> 00:08:24,800 Now, God takes care of his people. 127 00:08:24,800 --> 00:08:26,800 He really does. Let me make that point. 128 00:08:27,100 --> 00:08:30,200 Not only does he take care of us through his Providence and we 129 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:32,900 understand if we seek first, the kingdom of God, and his 130 00:08:32,900 --> 00:08:36,299 righteousness, and all these things will be added unto us. 131 00:08:36,799 --> 00:08:40,100 Thew chapter 6 and verse 33. We believe that with all of our 132 00:08:40,100 --> 00:08:44,000 heart one way is that God answers our prayers and provides 133 00:08:44,000 --> 00:08:46,300 for us? And when we work in a secular 134 00:08:46,300 --> 00:08:49,300 capacity, God Is providing for us. 135 00:08:49,500 --> 00:08:53,600 And God is fulfilling the promise that Jesus wants made in 136 00:08:53,600 --> 00:08:57,700 The Sermon on the Mount. Also, God's people being members 137 00:08:57,700 --> 00:09:00,900 of the body of Christ, the money that is given by way of the 138 00:09:00,900 --> 00:09:05,400 contribution, is another way that God helps his people that 139 00:09:05,400 --> 00:09:08,700 are in need and I Going to tell you something, if I all of a 140 00:09:08,700 --> 00:09:12,200 sudden one day decide that I want to be a freeloader and I 141 00:09:12,208 --> 00:09:16,200 want to stop doing what my responsibility dictates to me 142 00:09:16,300 --> 00:09:21,000 that I must do and I decide on no longer going to try and work. 143 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:25,000 I do not believe that the church is responsible for fulfilling 144 00:09:25,000 --> 00:09:29,100 the promise Jesus gave in helping me at all. 145 00:09:29,800 --> 00:09:32,900 You know what somebody needs to do to really help me is pushed 146 00:09:32,900 --> 00:09:35,800 me out the door and tell me to get a job. 147 00:09:36,200 --> 00:09:39,600 Or tell me to do what is my responsibility to do? 148 00:09:40,000 --> 00:09:44,400 That's the help that I would need in that second 149 00:09:44,400 --> 00:09:46,500 Thessalonians chapter 3 and verse 6. 150 00:09:46,500 --> 00:09:48,500 You remember that the Apostle Paul said. 151 00:09:48,700 --> 00:09:51,200 Now we command you brethren in the name of our Lord. 152 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:55,500 Jesus Christ that you withdraw yourself from every brother that 153 00:09:55,500 --> 00:10:00,600 walketh disorderly and not after the tradition, which he received 154 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:02,900 of us. The Lord's church is not 155 00:10:02,900 --> 00:10:07,200 responsible because I'm irresponsible And I'm lazy. 156 00:10:07,200 --> 00:10:12,300 And I refuse to do that, which is my obligation to do. 157 00:10:12,800 --> 00:10:16,000 But, you know, misplaced priorities can be very harmful 158 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:20,900 to our well-being. Hear the words of Solomon of old 159 00:10:20,900 --> 00:10:25,600 as he tells us what is truly profitable in Proverbs Chapter 160 00:10:25,600 --> 00:10:30,800 11 and verse 4, it says rich is profit, not in the day of Wrath, 161 00:10:31,100 --> 00:10:35,300 but righteousness, delivereth from Death, you know what? 162 00:10:35,300 --> 00:10:38,300 I got to thinking Out, when I read that verse of scripture the 163 00:10:38,300 --> 00:10:41,600 other evening, I got to thinking about the rich man and Lazarus. 164 00:10:41,600 --> 00:10:45,100 And I'm not going to that very, very much or in any great 165 00:10:45,100 --> 00:10:46,700 detail. I'll just say this by way of 166 00:10:46,700 --> 00:10:50,200 remembrance you remember how the Bible pictures, him and 167 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:53,700 incidentally, whether they're this is a parable or whether 168 00:10:53,700 --> 00:10:57,400 this is Jesus, recanting. Something that actually 169 00:10:57,400 --> 00:10:59,300 happened, really doesn't make any difference. 170 00:10:59,500 --> 00:11:03,500 Jesus is either saying this already happened and therefore, 171 00:11:03,500 --> 00:11:07,500 you can use it as an example or he's saying it, it's possible to 172 00:11:07,500 --> 00:11:10,300 happen. Therefore Parable, either way, 173 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:13,500 this is things you need to know and these are things that are 174 00:11:13,500 --> 00:11:16,300 possible and this is the way that it is. 175 00:11:17,000 --> 00:11:21,600 Jesus said there was a certain man, that was a rich man and 176 00:11:21,600 --> 00:11:26,700 fared sumptuously every day. I got to thinking about this 177 00:11:26,700 --> 00:11:29,000 because on the other hand here was just poor beggar. 178 00:11:29,000 --> 00:11:31,900 That was waiting for the crumbs to fall from the rich man's 179 00:11:31,900 --> 00:11:35,700 table. My point is this, you know, when 180 00:11:35,700 --> 00:11:42,000 they both died, one says he was, he died the rich man and was 181 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,300 buried, you know, I would imagine we can picture in our 182 00:11:45,300 --> 00:11:48,500 minds. I couldn't we the great big 183 00:11:48,500 --> 00:11:52,600 funeral that this man had oh, what a send-off, good luck at 184 00:11:52,600 --> 00:11:55,500 your new location. I would just imagine that they 185 00:11:55,500 --> 00:11:59,900 sent out all of the, all of the music and all of the flares and 186 00:11:59,900 --> 00:12:04,700 all of the Pomp and Circumstance for this man, that was Which the 187 00:12:04,700 --> 00:12:09,100 Bible says he was in torment and all the riches that he had in 188 00:12:09,100 --> 00:12:10,200 his life. Did him? 189 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:12,500 No good. It might have paid for a fancy 190 00:12:12,500 --> 00:12:17,100 funeral but it did no good after this life. 191 00:12:18,300 --> 00:12:22,700 But then the beautiful account of Lazarus carried to Abraham's 192 00:12:22,700 --> 00:12:28,100 bosom, a place of rest, a man who had nothing in this life, 193 00:12:28,600 --> 00:12:32,900 you see righteousness and not riches is what's going to matter 194 00:12:33,200 --> 00:12:36,300 over there. We should seek after 195 00:12:36,400 --> 00:12:39,500 righteousness rather than riches. 196 00:12:39,500 --> 00:12:43,200 But listen at the expense of righteousness. 197 00:12:43,500 --> 00:12:46,900 I am not saying that it is wrong for a person to make a living. 198 00:12:47,100 --> 00:12:50,200 I'm also saying and it's not wrong to go make a good business 199 00:12:50,200 --> 00:12:52,800 deal, maybe even have a large sum of money, that's not the 200 00:12:52,800 --> 00:12:54,800 point. And that's not what Solomon's 201 00:12:54,800 --> 00:12:58,300 talking about Solomon is talking about the things that you need 202 00:12:58,300 --> 00:13:02,900 to have as priorities in your life because the riches in this 203 00:13:02,900 --> 00:13:06,700 life, if you seek after them if our priorities are not what they 204 00:13:06,700 --> 00:13:12,000 ought to be and we seek after riches instead of righteousness 205 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:14,700 or at the expense of righteousness. 206 00:13:14,900 --> 00:13:17,900 Just remember that those riches would do it. 207 00:13:18,100 --> 00:13:22,000 No good. After this life in Proverbs 208 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:26,400 Chapter 11 and verse 28. It says he that trusteth in his 209 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:31,200 riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as a 210 00:13:31,200 --> 00:13:34,900 branch and so it is far better to have a little with 211 00:13:34,900 --> 00:13:40,100 righteousness than to be rich and wicked in Proverbs chapter 212 00:13:40,100 --> 00:13:42,300 16. And verse 8, it says better is a 213 00:13:42,300 --> 00:13:47,900 little with righteousness than great revenues without right. 214 00:13:48,000 --> 00:13:51,500 Right. But secondly, it is so important 215 00:13:51,500 --> 00:13:53,500 and this is a pattern for Success. 216 00:13:54,300 --> 00:14:00,100 It really is we must involve God in our business Affairs. 217 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:04,400 We really need to do that. It is when we seek out other 218 00:14:04,400 --> 00:14:09,400 ways outside of God, when we forsake God, and when we leave 219 00:14:09,400 --> 00:14:14,200 God out of our plans when we run into trouble, but if we would 220 00:14:14,200 --> 00:14:18,600 involve God in our business, Affairs in doing, so our Efforts 221 00:14:18,600 --> 00:14:23,700 are more likely to succeed and Proverbs chapter 16 and verse 3. 222 00:14:24,900 --> 00:14:30,000 It says, commit thy Works unto the Lord and thy thoughts shall 223 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:33,100 be established. You know, a good example of this 224 00:14:33,100 --> 00:14:36,700 was Joseph and the 39th chapter of the Book of Genesis in verses 225 00:14:36,700 --> 00:14:40,100 2 through 5, where the Bible talks about him being a 226 00:14:40,100 --> 00:14:44,100 prosperous man and talks about how he was blessed, but he was 227 00:14:44,100 --> 00:14:48,700 blessed. Because God was in his plans. 228 00:14:48,900 --> 00:14:52,900 Also, when we involve God in our business Affairs, we are more 229 00:14:52,900 --> 00:14:58,900 likely, to be able to To enjoy what we receive you ever stopped 230 00:14:58,900 --> 00:15:04,700 to consider that when you are blessed by God, God wants you to 231 00:15:04,700 --> 00:15:07,300 enjoy that. How do I know that listen to 232 00:15:07,308 --> 00:15:11,500 this? Listen to proverbs 10 and 22. 233 00:15:12,800 --> 00:15:15,100 This was a very encouraging passage of scripture. 234 00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:21,400 For me, it says, the blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich, and he 235 00:15:21,400 --> 00:15:27,000 addeth no sorrow with it. The blessings that come from 236 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:30,100 God. There is not a sorrowful string 237 00:15:30,100 --> 00:15:34,900 attached to that, that tells me, that God intends for me, to 238 00:15:34,900 --> 00:15:38,300 enjoy, what he's blessed me with notice. 239 00:15:39,100 --> 00:15:44,400 These chapter 5 and verses 18 through 20, which says, behold 240 00:15:44,400 --> 00:15:49,500 that which I have seen it is good and comely for one to eat 241 00:15:49,500 --> 00:15:54,300 and to drink and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he 242 00:15:54,300 --> 00:15:59,100 taketh Under the Sun, all the days of his life which God 243 00:15:59,100 --> 00:16:03,400 giveth him for it is his portion every man. 244 00:16:03,400 --> 00:16:07,300 Also to whom God have given riches and wealth and hath given 245 00:16:07,300 --> 00:16:11,400 him the poor to eat thereof. Of and take his portion and to 246 00:16:11,400 --> 00:16:15,800 rejoice in his labor. This is the gift of God for. 247 00:16:15,800 --> 00:16:19,900 He shall not much remember the days of his life, because God, 248 00:16:19,900 --> 00:16:24,200 answereth him in the joy of his heart. 249 00:16:25,100 --> 00:16:30,000 But thirdly, you know, why that we need to involve God in our 250 00:16:30,000 --> 00:16:35,100 business Affairs and not put too much emphasis on business? 251 00:16:36,300 --> 00:16:39,000 In getting things in its proper perspective. 252 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:45,200 Because there is nothing that is sure about business ever. 253 00:16:45,200 --> 00:16:49,100 Had somebody say to you, hey, getting on the ground floor on 254 00:16:49,100 --> 00:16:52,700 this deal. It's a sure thing ever hear 255 00:16:52,700 --> 00:16:56,900 somebody say that get involved in a business transaction. 256 00:16:57,200 --> 00:17:01,400 That is a sure thing. You know, it doesn't make any 257 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:04,300 difference about all the guarantees that man might give 258 00:17:04,300 --> 00:17:07,900 in such categories like that. Or in such circumstances like 259 00:17:07,900 --> 00:17:11,599 that because there is no such thing as tomorrow. 260 00:17:12,099 --> 00:17:16,099 There is no such thing in the surety of Tomorrow. 261 00:17:16,400 --> 00:17:20,099 We never know what might happen tomorrow. 262 00:17:20,500 --> 00:17:23,599 We can do all the greatest planning in the world, we really 263 00:17:23,599 --> 00:17:25,099 can. And by the way, it's good to 264 00:17:25,099 --> 00:17:26,400 plan. We need to plan. 265 00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:30,100 We need to purpose. That is a Biblical concept. 266 00:17:30,100 --> 00:17:34,900 We need to plan and purpose but with all the planning, there are 267 00:17:34,900 --> 00:17:40,200 things that are Extenuating circumstances beyond our control 268 00:17:40,400 --> 00:17:43,400 and the greatest extenuating circumstances, beyond our 269 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:46,400 control. Is if God decides to send Jesus 270 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:52,400 back or we lose our life, and therefore in our life, there is 271 00:17:52,400 --> 00:17:56,400 no tomorrow. All the planning in the world. 272 00:17:57,100 --> 00:18:01,300 Cannot erase that. Proverbs chapter 27 verse 1, 273 00:18:01,300 --> 00:18:06,400 says boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest, not 274 00:18:06,800 --> 00:18:11,000 what a day may bring forth. You know, we've been studying in 275 00:18:11,000 --> 00:18:13,900 our Wednesday evening studies in the book of James. 276 00:18:15,800 --> 00:18:18,700 And in the fourth chapter of the Book of James beginning in verse 277 00:18:18,700 --> 00:18:21,700 13, listen to how James pictures this. 278 00:18:23,100 --> 00:18:27,000 Go to now ye that say today or tomorrow, we will go into such a 279 00:18:27,008 --> 00:18:32,000 city and continue their a year and buy and sell and get game. 280 00:18:32,500 --> 00:18:36,200 Whereas you know, not what shall be on the morrow for. 281 00:18:36,200 --> 00:18:39,100 What is your life? It is even a vapor that 282 00:18:39,100 --> 00:18:43,200 appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth away for that, 283 00:18:43,200 --> 00:18:47,400 you ought to say, if the Lord Wills, we shall live and do this 284 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:51,900 or that, but now you rejoice in your boastings all such 285 00:18:51,900 --> 00:18:55,400 rejoicing. He is evil, you know, there's 286 00:18:55,400 --> 00:18:58,400 another shortcoming with reference to business and that 287 00:18:58,400 --> 00:19:01,600 is that wealth is a fleeting commodity. 288 00:19:02,100 --> 00:19:07,100 What you can acquire in business is fleeting, in Proverbs chapter 289 00:19:07,100 --> 00:19:11,900 23 and Verses 4 and 5. It says Labour, not to be rich 290 00:19:12,100 --> 00:19:16,300 cease from thine own wisdom wilt, thou set thine eyes upon 291 00:19:16,300 --> 00:19:20,700 that, which is not for riches. Certainly make themselves Wings. 292 00:19:20,700 --> 00:19:24,500 They fly away as an eagle. Oil toward heaven. 293 00:19:26,300 --> 00:19:30,100 Have you ever sat next to someone who's life? 294 00:19:31,400 --> 00:19:36,300 Was about used up, they were about done in this hole in this 295 00:19:36,300 --> 00:19:40,900 old world and they start reflecting back on their life. 296 00:19:42,400 --> 00:19:44,500 You ever notice? When somebody does that, 297 00:19:44,900 --> 00:19:48,900 sometimes they have things that they regret You don't. 298 00:19:48,900 --> 00:19:53,200 Regret is a horribly burden. Something really is. 299 00:19:54,300 --> 00:19:57,600 You know, involve the people, then my young life and my short 300 00:19:57,600 --> 00:20:00,700 life and I've ever talked to that was older, that was getting 301 00:20:00,700 --> 00:20:04,300 to the point their life. When they knew that in some 302 00:20:04,300 --> 00:20:06,800 short time they no longer would be here. 303 00:20:07,800 --> 00:20:12,800 I have never once. Heard somebody say, if I only 304 00:20:12,800 --> 00:20:20,000 would have spent more time at the office, not even once. if I 305 00:20:20,000 --> 00:20:24,200 only would have made more money, you know what they say? 306 00:20:25,100 --> 00:20:28,800 I wish I was a better mother. Wish I was a better father. 307 00:20:29,900 --> 00:20:34,500 Wish I was a better example. Wish I can go back and change. 308 00:20:34,500 --> 00:20:38,500 What was a priority in my life? Because of the example that I 309 00:20:38,500 --> 00:20:42,800 sit, that's what people say. Because that's really what 310 00:20:42,800 --> 00:20:46,600 matters when a person gets to the end of life and I realize 311 00:20:46,600 --> 00:20:49,600 that can no longer spend what it is that they would amass. 312 00:20:50,700 --> 00:20:54,200 Then you realize what's important, they start thinking 313 00:20:54,200 --> 00:20:57,100 about the things in the sinful practices may be that they had 314 00:20:57,100 --> 00:21:01,700 in their life, whatever it is, Regret is a burdensome thing 315 00:21:02,500 --> 00:21:06,600 because we start thinking of all the things we should have been 316 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:12,800 and we're not That's sobering to me, the things that really 317 00:21:12,800 --> 00:21:16,000 matter. Many people come to learn the 318 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:19,700 truths that are found in and spoken in the Book of Proverbs 319 00:21:19,700 --> 00:21:24,700 only after a lifetime of mistakes and come to realize 320 00:21:24,700 --> 00:21:28,100 that they have wasted. So many years chasing something 321 00:21:28,900 --> 00:21:32,700 that's fleeting you ever hear that song on the radio, the one 322 00:21:32,700 --> 00:21:37,500 called the dollar There's a story of a little boy, who asked 323 00:21:37,500 --> 00:21:40,600 his mother wears where daddy goes when he leaves. 324 00:21:41,800 --> 00:21:45,300 And that's sobering to me. That a boy asks, his mother. 325 00:21:45,300 --> 00:21:47,400 Where does daddy go? And she says, well, he goes out 326 00:21:47,400 --> 00:21:51,300 and works and then they pay him for his time, but he goes 327 00:21:51,300 --> 00:21:54,200 upstairs, and gets a quarter. And three dimes, and comes back 328 00:21:54,200 --> 00:21:59,000 and asks his mother. He says How much time will this 329 00:21:59,000 --> 00:22:02,900 buy me? How much time? 330 00:22:04,300 --> 00:22:08,000 It's sobering to me. He says, would it is it enough 331 00:22:08,000 --> 00:22:12,300 to take take me fishing or throw a football in the street? 332 00:22:13,700 --> 00:22:17,300 If I'm a little short, just tell me how much does daddy need. 333 00:22:18,400 --> 00:22:24,600 To spend some time with me. there come a day when business 334 00:22:24,600 --> 00:22:29,100 won't really matter, will it We need to look and understand 335 00:22:29,100 --> 00:22:32,000 those things and what's important, we only get one shot 336 00:22:32,000 --> 00:22:35,000 with our kids. We only get one shot with our 337 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,600 example. We only get one shot with the 338 00:22:37,600 --> 00:22:41,700 way that we are going to live to influence others for that, which 339 00:22:41,700 --> 00:22:43,400 is good. And that, which is right. 340 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:48,700 We go through here, once we need to make it count, in all that we 341 00:22:48,700 --> 00:22:51,900 do. Keeping these now in in proper 342 00:22:51,900 --> 00:22:54,100 perspective. And realizing, we do have a 343 00:22:54,100 --> 00:22:56,800 responsibility for providing for our own. 344 00:22:57,200 --> 00:22:59,200 Now, I want to talk to you about two things and I'm going to 345 00:22:59,200 --> 00:23:02,100 quit. Number one, let's learn how to 346 00:23:02,100 --> 00:23:06,000 be a successful laborer. You know, the Bible says some 347 00:23:06,000 --> 00:23:09,100 things about that. It is very important that even 348 00:23:09,100 --> 00:23:12,000 understanding the priorities that I just said and we've just 349 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:14,100 established and what's really important? 350 00:23:14,500 --> 00:23:17,500 We need to understand. We have a responsibility of 351 00:23:17,500 --> 00:23:24,100 being a successful labor First of all, what not to do the very 352 00:23:24,100 --> 00:23:28,500 first thing not to do when you are a laborer is and I'll say 353 00:23:28,500 --> 00:23:33,900 this from personal experience, if you are a laborer or working 354 00:23:33,900 --> 00:23:38,000 for another what not to do, number one, don't be lazy. 355 00:23:39,600 --> 00:23:41,800 Personal experience. I know this personally. 356 00:23:42,300 --> 00:23:46,200 It will greatly irritate your boss. 357 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:52,700 If a person is lazy, it will greatly irritate. 358 00:23:52,700 --> 00:23:57,500 Your boss biblical concept, proverbs, 10, and verse 26. 359 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:00,200 You know what? Solomon says that it's like to 360 00:24:00,200 --> 00:24:02,800 have a guy that works for you. That's lazy. 361 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:06,200 You know what? It's like, sometimes we think go 362 00:24:06,200 --> 00:24:09,700 put my time in, no, you know, it's Solomon said about being 363 00:24:09,700 --> 00:24:15,700 lazy, listen, he said as vinegar to the teeth and as smoke to the 364 00:24:15,700 --> 00:24:19,600 eyes, so, So is the sluggard to them. 365 00:24:19,600 --> 00:24:22,900 That send him. You know, smoke in your eyes, 366 00:24:22,900 --> 00:24:25,800 not very fun, is it? How about vinegar on the teeth? 367 00:24:26,500 --> 00:24:28,300 These things aren't happy things. 368 00:24:28,300 --> 00:24:29,900 These things aren't comforting thing. 369 00:24:31,100 --> 00:24:34,000 That's what it's like for the boss. 370 00:24:34,000 --> 00:24:38,200 That sends a sluggard or a lazy man to go do a job. 371 00:24:38,700 --> 00:24:42,200 Yes. Being lazy will greatly irritate 372 00:24:42,200 --> 00:24:46,100 your boss. Secondly, don't be slothful in 373 00:24:46,100 --> 00:24:49,600 your work. If slothfulness is let go long 374 00:24:49,600 --> 00:24:53,300 enough, it will ruin. In the company in which you work 375 00:24:53,300 --> 00:24:56,600 for as quickly as the competition will. 376 00:24:56,800 --> 00:25:00,100 Incidentally, how long do you think that a company would be 377 00:25:00,100 --> 00:25:05,100 able to compete if every single member that worked or every 378 00:25:05,100 --> 00:25:09,300 single employee that worked in that company was lazy and 379 00:25:09,300 --> 00:25:11,800 slothful? How long would that business 380 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:13,900 stand? Well, I'll tell you this pretty 381 00:25:13,900 --> 00:25:16,000 soon. It would no longer be able to 382 00:25:16,000 --> 00:25:18,300 compete. So what's it have to do? 383 00:25:18,300 --> 00:25:22,100 It has to make a decision. It either raises his Sue's or 384 00:25:22,100 --> 00:25:25,600 start to eliminating expenses. You know what the very first 385 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:29,200 expense to eliminate is labor. You start getting rid of 386 00:25:29,200 --> 00:25:33,200 employees and pretty soon. You see how it's connected. 387 00:25:33,200 --> 00:25:37,200 Sometimes the worker, or the employee doesn't understand the 388 00:25:37,200 --> 00:25:42,400 concept that that person is directly responsible for. 389 00:25:42,400 --> 00:25:47,100 Whether he has a job in the future to some degree, because 390 00:25:47,100 --> 00:25:51,100 if he slothful and lazy pretty soon company, can't compete. 391 00:25:51,300 --> 00:25:53,800 They start eliminating jobs, maybe even yours. 392 00:25:55,300 --> 00:26:00,900 Don't be slothful in what you do working wise, Proverbs, 18 and 9 393 00:26:00,900 --> 00:26:04,500 cents. He, that is slothful in his work 394 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:08,500 is brother to him. That is a great waster. 395 00:26:09,100 --> 00:26:12,600 What should you do though? You should develop skill in your 396 00:26:12,600 --> 00:26:15,200 work. You know, I know that sometimes 397 00:26:15,200 --> 00:26:19,900 we don't think that we get all the do or the just do that that 398 00:26:20,100 --> 00:26:22,200 we've got coming sometimes that's true. 399 00:26:22,300 --> 00:26:24,900 But by and large the principal is though. 400 00:26:25,100 --> 00:26:29,000 That when you have skill in your work, it does not go. 401 00:26:29,000 --> 00:26:33,500 Unnoticed, another biblical principle in Proverbs chapter 22 402 00:26:33,500 --> 00:26:37,900 and verse 29, it says seest Thou, a man diligent in his 403 00:26:37,900 --> 00:26:41,400 business. He shall stand before Kings. 404 00:26:41,500 --> 00:26:45,100 He shall not stand before mean men. 405 00:26:45,300 --> 00:26:50,500 It is not going to go unnoticed secondly, be diligent in your 406 00:26:50,500 --> 00:26:54,900 work to ensure promotion and Proverbs chapter 12 and verse 407 00:26:55,000 --> 00:26:59,800 Verse 24, it says the hand of the diligent shall bear rule, 408 00:27:00,100 --> 00:27:05,300 but the slothful shall be under tribute and here's a good one. 409 00:27:07,500 --> 00:27:12,100 Impress people with the quality of your work and not the 410 00:27:12,100 --> 00:27:16,900 quantity of your words. You ever hear somebody tell you 411 00:27:16,908 --> 00:27:20,100 how good they are, how valuable they are. 412 00:27:21,100 --> 00:27:23,900 You know, when I've ever done anything in my life, that was of 413 00:27:23,900 --> 00:27:29,400 any value, it spoke for itself. And sometimes when I want to 414 00:27:29,400 --> 00:27:33,500 oversell, maybe what I've done, chances are, it's because I've 415 00:27:33,500 --> 00:27:36,500 been deficient. But if I would go out and be 416 00:27:36,500 --> 00:27:40,600 diligent, then, the activity that I've done and the results 417 00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:43,400 of the things that I've done will speak for themselves. 418 00:27:44,700 --> 00:27:47,000 You know, you don't have to I'm a firm believer in this if 419 00:27:47,000 --> 00:27:49,800 you're a boss. You don't, there's something 420 00:27:49,800 --> 00:27:51,900 wrong with a fellow. That's keeps having to go to his 421 00:27:51,900 --> 00:27:53,300 employees, and say, I'm the boss. 422 00:27:53,300 --> 00:27:55,200 I'm the boss. I'm, they know, you're the boss. 423 00:27:56,700 --> 00:27:59,900 And if you want them to respect you as the boss, then you 424 00:27:59,900 --> 00:28:03,800 conduct yourself in a way or in a manner that warrants that kind 425 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:07,300 of respect. Also, if your subordinate to 426 00:28:07,300 --> 00:28:10,200 that person you're working, you don't have to keep going out and 427 00:28:10,200 --> 00:28:13,400 continually telling what you're doing your record speaks for 428 00:28:13,400 --> 00:28:17,500 itself. So let's be known by the quality 429 00:28:17,500 --> 00:28:20,900 of our work. And not the quantity of our 430 00:28:20,900 --> 00:28:23,100 words. Proverbs 14. 431 00:28:23,100 --> 00:28:29,300 And 23, says, in all labor, there is profit, but the talk of 432 00:28:29,300 --> 00:28:34,800 the lips tendeth, only to poverty, You know, in today's 433 00:28:34,800 --> 00:28:38,700 competitive job market, I realized the sad State of 434 00:28:38,700 --> 00:28:42,300 Affairs when characteristics and qualities like the ones I'm 435 00:28:42,300 --> 00:28:46,200 going to speak of right now are few and far between. 436 00:28:46,800 --> 00:28:50,900 It's a sad State of Affairs on society but it still holds true 437 00:28:50,900 --> 00:28:54,200 that these are things that really make a difference. 438 00:28:55,500 --> 00:28:59,200 These are things that make a difference in your life, develop 439 00:28:59,200 --> 00:29:05,500 the skills of diligence and honesty, you develop those 440 00:29:05,500 --> 00:29:09,300 skills, you put your nose to the grindstone as it were. 441 00:29:09,300 --> 00:29:12,000 My dad used to say this. He said Son, you will never get 442 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:16,100 into trouble in your life. if, for every nickel you're paid 443 00:29:16,100 --> 00:29:21,300 your worth a dime, He said if you can do that you will never 444 00:29:21,300 --> 00:29:24,900 go wanting you will never lose out on a promotion. 445 00:29:25,100 --> 00:29:27,800 You will be successful for the rest of your life. 446 00:29:27,900 --> 00:29:32,200 If you will have the attitude that whatever I am paid, if I'm 447 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:34,600 paid a nickel, I'm going to be worth a dime. 448 00:29:34,800 --> 00:29:38,600 Now if we do that and we have that kind of diligence and we're 449 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:44,000 honest people, we are going to go so far in this life and we 450 00:29:44,000 --> 00:29:47,800 are going to set the proper example to those again. 451 00:29:48,300 --> 00:29:52,200 That are without heating. The wisdom of Proverbs can help 452 00:29:52,200 --> 00:29:56,600 one become a very valuable commodity to those that are 453 00:29:56,800 --> 00:30:01,100 around us. But secondly, Proverbs also 454 00:30:01,100 --> 00:30:06,600 provides wisdom on how to be a successful manager or employer. 455 00:30:08,200 --> 00:30:12,300 You know, I tell you, it is very important to understand that 456 00:30:12,300 --> 00:30:16,800 when we've been given a position of authority that we don't step 457 00:30:16,800 --> 00:30:22,100 over that line of authority and use that to be destructive to 458 00:30:22,100 --> 00:30:25,800 someone else. Really, if you talk about being 459 00:30:25,800 --> 00:30:29,200 an employer or being a manager, you're talking about a leader. 460 00:30:30,000 --> 00:30:32,900 Now, if you're a leader, you want to be able to do something, 461 00:30:32,900 --> 00:30:36,800 you want to be able to move people to Greatness, you want to 462 00:30:36,808 --> 00:30:41,100 be able to inspire Fire people. Now I freely admit there is no 463 00:30:41,100 --> 00:30:44,200 way that I can motivate somebody that does not want to be 464 00:30:44,200 --> 00:30:46,600 motivated. I am convinced a person 465 00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:49,500 motivates themselves. If they are going to forge ahead 466 00:30:49,500 --> 00:30:54,000 or be anything, they must have the intestinal fortitude as it 467 00:30:54,000 --> 00:30:58,000 were to rise up and be that. I understand. 468 00:30:58,100 --> 00:31:01,500 But you and I as perhaps we might have some influence in 469 00:31:01,500 --> 00:31:05,500 their life, we become the Catalyst in their life to help 470 00:31:05,500 --> 00:31:09,900 them desire to be those things. That's an effective leader, 471 00:31:10,000 --> 00:31:15,400 that's an effective manager. And to be a wise manager, notice 472 00:31:15,400 --> 00:31:20,800 a few more things about that, we must be diligent in our planning 473 00:31:21,600 --> 00:31:25,100 and not Hasty in getting things done. 474 00:31:25,500 --> 00:31:30,100 Again, that goes back to the biblical concept of purposing. 475 00:31:30,600 --> 00:31:33,000 We have to sit down a little bit, you know, Jesus talked 476 00:31:33,000 --> 00:31:34,600 about that when he talked about the kingdom. 477 00:31:34,600 --> 00:31:37,200 What did he say? Said you got to count the cost. 478 00:31:39,000 --> 00:31:41,400 You see just because we're Christians doesn't mean that we 479 00:31:41,400 --> 00:31:43,900 have to be ignorant. We have to be smart about this 480 00:31:44,900 --> 00:31:47,500 because we have faith in God and put our trust in him. 481 00:31:47,500 --> 00:31:52,700 We still have to be smart about the Affairs of our business. 482 00:31:53,500 --> 00:31:56,100 That means we have a responsibility, God's doing his 483 00:31:56,100 --> 00:31:59,200 party promised to do his part. He's right there for us, but we 484 00:31:59,200 --> 00:32:04,400 have a responsibility to plan and make the right decisions 485 00:32:04,400 --> 00:32:08,700 that will best suit our companies in our businesses and 486 00:32:08,800 --> 00:32:13,300 Whoever it is that we are over Proverbs 21 and five says, the 487 00:32:13,300 --> 00:32:18,900 thoughts of the diligent tend only to plenty of sniffs, but 488 00:32:18,900 --> 00:32:22,100 everyone that is Hasty only to want. 489 00:32:23,400 --> 00:32:24,900 You know, there's something else we need to do. 490 00:32:24,900 --> 00:32:27,800 That's not very easy for young people, really isn't. 491 00:32:28,800 --> 00:32:32,100 Now, just say this to you, I'm fortunate about this because I 492 00:32:32,108 --> 00:32:36,100 was raised different, I really was, I was raised that it was a 493 00:32:36,100 --> 00:32:41,200 good thing to seek the counsel of somebody older that was 494 00:32:41,200 --> 00:32:45,100 ingrained in me, I respected. My father, who was my example? 495 00:32:45,500 --> 00:32:49,100 So that's not hard for me to do, I'll just freely admit that it's 496 00:32:49,100 --> 00:32:51,900 one of my easy ones, have a lot of other things that are 497 00:32:51,900 --> 00:32:53,800 difficult, but that's one of my easy ones. 498 00:32:54,700 --> 00:32:58,400 But I know that young people sometimes, do not want to almost 499 00:32:58,400 --> 00:33:02,200 like it's taking something away from them, to seek, the counsel 500 00:33:02,400 --> 00:33:06,900 of someone that is wiser, or someone that may have more 501 00:33:06,900 --> 00:33:11,100 knowledge on that subject. But notice what the Bible says 502 00:33:11,100 --> 00:33:16,900 about that we must nurture and utilize counsel from others, 503 00:33:17,800 --> 00:33:23,100 Proverbs 15, and 22 says, without counsel purposes are 504 00:33:23,100 --> 00:33:25,900 disappointed. But in a multitude of 505 00:33:25,900 --> 00:33:28,900 counselors, they are established. 506 00:33:29,400 --> 00:33:32,300 You know, the old adage? We we all know this that a wise 507 00:33:32,300 --> 00:33:34,800 man, learn from the experience of others. 508 00:33:35,300 --> 00:33:38,500 That's exactly what that's all about and, you know, we can 509 00:33:38,500 --> 00:33:41,200 learn and those of us that are young, let's step out of the 510 00:33:41,208 --> 00:33:44,800 business world and let's look to living the Christian Life in the 511 00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:47,700 Lord's Church. Those of us that are young. 512 00:33:47,700 --> 00:33:50,400 Now we all follow God's word. What did Paul say though? 513 00:33:50,400 --> 00:33:54,100 He said follow those as they follow Christ. 514 00:33:54,100 --> 00:33:57,900 So There are those that are older older wiser people in the 515 00:33:57,900 --> 00:34:02,000 Lord, in the church that we can go and seek counsel after them, 516 00:34:02,100 --> 00:34:06,900 and as long as they're doing, what's in the Bible, Paul said 517 00:34:07,200 --> 00:34:12,100 we can imitate them. We can be imitators of them, not 518 00:34:12,100 --> 00:34:15,600 just because of their status or position because they are 519 00:34:15,600 --> 00:34:18,300 following Christ. And with that kind of an 520 00:34:18,300 --> 00:34:21,800 example, we can learn from those as well. 521 00:34:22,300 --> 00:34:27,400 But thirdly a good man. Juror will stay on top of his 522 00:34:27,400 --> 00:34:29,400 job. You know, I thought this was 523 00:34:29,400 --> 00:34:32,400 very interesting about this because these are practical 524 00:34:32,400 --> 00:34:35,900 things. If you would go take a business 525 00:34:35,900 --> 00:34:39,000 course or a business seminar, they tell you these things. 526 00:34:39,400 --> 00:34:42,000 They would tell you, you have to sit down and plan. 527 00:34:42,300 --> 00:34:45,300 There are those in financial services that say, plan your 528 00:34:45,300 --> 00:34:48,199 work and work, your plan. There are those the people that 529 00:34:48,199 --> 00:34:53,500 say people don't fail to plan, they just they don't plan to 530 00:34:53,500 --> 00:34:55,500 fail. They just fail to plan and so 531 00:34:55,500 --> 00:34:57,900 on. These are Concepts in the world. 532 00:34:57,900 --> 00:35:01,300 And yet, the Bible pictures that we need to stay on top of our 533 00:35:01,300 --> 00:35:03,800 jobs, we need to purpose or plan. 534 00:35:04,000 --> 00:35:07,600 Can we need to seek out? Good Counsel, all these things 535 00:35:07,600 --> 00:35:10,800 are found in the Bible. Proverbs 27. 536 00:35:11,200 --> 00:35:16,200 Beginning in verse 23, be thou, diligent to know the state of 537 00:35:16,200 --> 00:35:20,500 thy flocks yet to know what the score is be. 538 00:35:20,500 --> 00:35:27,100 Diligent to know the state of your flocks and look well to the 539 00:35:27,100 --> 00:35:32,100 herds for riches are not forever and death. 540 00:35:32,100 --> 00:35:37,100 The crown in door to every Iteration the hey appeareth and 541 00:35:37,100 --> 00:35:40,900 the tender grass show us the itself and herbs of the 542 00:35:40,900 --> 00:35:44,800 mountains are gathered. The lamps are for the clothing 543 00:35:45,000 --> 00:35:47,800 and the goats are for the price of the field. 544 00:35:48,000 --> 00:35:52,300 And thou shalt have goats milk enough for thy food for the food 545 00:35:52,300 --> 00:35:57,100 of the household and for the maintenance of thy maidens. 546 00:35:57,600 --> 00:36:03,300 And again, To be a good leader. You've heard me say this before? 547 00:36:05,300 --> 00:36:07,700 But to be a good leader is to figure out. 548 00:36:09,200 --> 00:36:11,600 You know, I think that's what Paul meant through divine 549 00:36:11,600 --> 00:36:14,800 inspiration when he gave those qualifications to be an elder. 550 00:36:15,900 --> 00:36:19,500 You know, the greatest leadership position known to man 551 00:36:19,500 --> 00:36:22,100 is right in the body of Christ, and that's the Elder. 552 00:36:23,700 --> 00:36:26,000 You know what an awesome responsibility that is and the 553 00:36:26,000 --> 00:36:28,700 strict and stringent qualifications of becoming an 554 00:36:28,700 --> 00:36:30,900 elder. It's because you've got to 555 00:36:30,900 --> 00:36:36,400 figure out a way to deal with every single personality and get 556 00:36:36,400 --> 00:36:43,100 the most and the best from them and that's not easy to do but to 557 00:36:43,100 --> 00:36:47,500 Be an Effective leader whether it's business life or the 558 00:36:47,500 --> 00:36:52,700 church, it requires us to do that and something else too. 559 00:36:53,600 --> 00:36:58,900 Being a good leader is necessary that we provide good treatment 560 00:36:58,900 --> 00:37:03,600 for those that are subordinate to us, you know, we can bark out 561 00:37:03,600 --> 00:37:06,200 some orders and be mean and we can do some things like that. 562 00:37:06,400 --> 00:37:10,000 And to our face, they can act a certain way. 563 00:37:11,200 --> 00:37:13,300 But if you really want to get the most, and I listened, I 564 00:37:13,300 --> 00:37:16,000 freely admit, there are people, there are people that are bad. 565 00:37:16,000 --> 00:37:18,000 People. There is Jesus pictured, that 566 00:37:18,000 --> 00:37:19,300 will not go into that any further. 567 00:37:19,300 --> 00:37:21,300 We just talked about that though very recently. 568 00:37:21,300 --> 00:37:23,500 Jesus said there's good seeds in Bad Seeds. 569 00:37:23,500 --> 00:37:25,300 There are bad people in this world. 570 00:37:25,400 --> 00:37:30,300 That's a fact, but by and large, the rule is this, if I will 571 00:37:30,300 --> 00:37:33,700 treat somebody that subordinate to me, for example, in business, 572 00:37:33,900 --> 00:37:37,500 kindly or treat them. Well, I'm going to get more from 573 00:37:37,500 --> 00:37:40,400 that person. In fact, notice what the Bible 574 00:37:40,400 --> 00:37:45,500 says How about that, too. And Proverbs 29 and 21. 575 00:37:45,700 --> 00:37:49,500 Beautiful words. He that delicately bringeth up 576 00:37:49,500 --> 00:37:55,800 his servant from a child shall have him become his son at the 577 00:37:55,800 --> 00:37:58,400 length. Think about that. 578 00:37:58,400 --> 00:38:02,600 How would you nurture a child? If you nurture, or brought along 579 00:38:02,600 --> 00:38:05,300 a subordinate, that work for you and that way? 580 00:38:06,300 --> 00:38:09,700 Again, the rule there are exceptions, but the rule is, 581 00:38:09,900 --> 00:38:14,400 he'll be like a son to you. When you get older, what a 582 00:38:14,400 --> 00:38:17,600 children do it take care of dads. 583 00:38:18,300 --> 00:38:21,100 It, take care of their moms. That's what they do. 584 00:38:22,000 --> 00:38:24,200 That's what Solomon's trying to picture you. 585 00:38:24,200 --> 00:38:26,600 Take care of them and you bring them up like they're your own 586 00:38:26,600 --> 00:38:30,300 children, treat them with respect and care and delicately 587 00:38:30,300 --> 00:38:33,900 bring them up and when they get old, they will be like a child 588 00:38:33,900 --> 00:38:36,100 to. You they'll take care of you. 589 00:38:36,500 --> 00:38:39,500 That's a beautiful picture. Isn't it of how it is that we 590 00:38:39,500 --> 00:38:44,000 can both work together? Standing that the example that 591 00:38:44,000 --> 00:38:47,300 we sit, whether were a subordinate or whether we're the 592 00:38:47,300 --> 00:38:52,700 boss, the world is watching. And just remember, if, what we 593 00:38:52,700 --> 00:38:56,700 are doing, is because we're Christians because of our faith, 594 00:38:57,400 --> 00:38:58,900 that's the best part of the whole thing. 595 00:38:59,600 --> 00:39:02,900 God gets the glory and conclusion tonight, I'm through, 596 00:39:03,800 --> 00:39:07,200 we know that a Christian must always behave himself properly 597 00:39:07,200 --> 00:39:08,700 in the presence of those in the world. 598 00:39:08,700 --> 00:39:12,100 We know that we know that we must work out in the world. 599 00:39:12,200 --> 00:39:14,600 Old and support ourselves and support our families. 600 00:39:14,600 --> 00:39:18,300 We must work hard and doing. So, we also understand that one 601 00:39:18,300 --> 00:39:22,100 of the easiest ways to destroy our influence, is to misbehave 602 00:39:22,100 --> 00:39:27,600 in the workplace or misbehaving business, but let's also always 603 00:39:27,600 --> 00:39:32,900 have the proper have behavior and keep business in its proper 604 00:39:32,900 --> 00:39:37,500 perspective and never lose sight of the fact that it is 605 00:39:37,500 --> 00:39:42,900 righteousness and not riches. We should truly aspire to have. 606 00:39:43,800 --> 00:39:47,800 Many examples in God's word where people were rich, but they 607 00:39:47,800 --> 00:39:52,900 won't go down in history as those that were Rich, they were 608 00:39:52,900 --> 00:39:53,700 Rich. Sure. 609 00:39:54,900 --> 00:39:58,900 But they'll go down in history. As those of great faith, they'll 610 00:39:58,900 --> 00:40:02,300 go down in history as great men for other reasons, and God's 611 00:40:02,300 --> 00:40:05,500 word other than because of riches. 612 00:40:06,000 --> 00:40:10,800 Every time Jesus pictured riches or rich man in lieu of 613 00:40:10,800 --> 00:40:12,800 righteousness, was in a negative way. 614 00:40:13,500 --> 00:40:18,200 It was in a negative fashion. Set our things on things above 615 00:40:18,700 --> 00:40:22,900 and not on things on the Earth. We thank you for listening to 616 00:40:22,900 --> 00:40:27,700 our podcast, put on by the Church of Christ at 22:15 plans. 617 00:40:27,700 --> 00:40:31,200 Road in Bakersfield, if you would like any additional 618 00:40:31,200 --> 00:40:34,500 information or you would like to receive a free Bible 619 00:40:34,500 --> 00:40:40,000 correspondence, course by mail. Please email us at info at True 620 00:40:40,000 --> 00:40:42,400 Church of Christ Bakersfield.com. 621 00:40:43,100 --> 00:40:48,300 Our service times are on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. and 622 00:40:48,300 --> 00:40:52,800 Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Please make plans to join us. 623 00:40:53,300 --> 00:40:55,500 We would love for you to be our honored guest.