When we were just out West, I ran into my cousin.  He’s a multimillionaire.  We called him and told him we were in town and at Laguna Seca at the race.  He said, “That’s where I am!”  I said, “Well, why don’t we get together?”  He said, “Yeah!  Where are you guys?”  We told him.  I shouldn’t have even bothered asking the question, but I said, “Where are you?”  “I’m in the VIP suites up here with…”  He’s that cousin I’ve told you about that’s like Forrest Gump.  He flies in with Dale Earnhardt and others in their private helicopters to the races.  Presumptuous.  He’s standing there, getting ready at one of the big races, one of the top country groups at that time.  They were going to sing the national anthem, and one of the guys got sick or had to leave.  Jeff was like, “I’ll sing with you guys.”  So, he goes out there and sings with these guys, out there singing the national anthem.

So, that’s kind of who he is.  But he said, “I’m up in the VIPs.”  I said, “Cool.  Where can we meet?”  He said, “Let’s meet down at this particular place.”  He shows up and said, “You don’t have to be rich, just know people that are.”  So, he gave us VIP passes and we went up there and enjoyed all of the amenities of that.  It makes the point.  You don’t have to be rich; just know people who are, and God can use them to bless you.

We’ll show that this is a biblical principle.  Those of us that God chooses to bless with abundance, we’re to be ready to distribute it, aren’t we, based upon the needs of the kingdom because it’s not our money.  We saw in the last session when David was making all of these offerings up to the Lord.  He said, “All we’re doing is returning what You’ve given us.”  Amen?  Do you ever mistake the fact that when you give into the kingdom you think you’re giving?  That you’re giving something that is of you?  Oh, it’s under your oversight.  When Ananias and Saphira lied to the Holy Ghost, Peter gave some great theology, and said, “Wasn’t it yours to do with what you wanted?  Why would you lie to the Holy Ghost and try to put off that you’re as committed as everybody else?  Sacrificing equally with everybody else?”  Just say, “I’m giving, it’s mine!”  At least you’ll be walking in the light, because God doesn’t need your money.  You need to give it because it is more blessed to give than to receive.  Wonder if we live like that most of our lives and in our decision‑making?

It’s hard to get into heaven.  Are we giving proper fear to this?  We talked about the fact of Jesus sitting, watching the offerings being taken, Mark 12:41.  I think it’s interesting that Jesus took the time.  The implication is He sat there for a pretty good period of time.  Now there were problems that Jesus spoke to concerning rich people.  Some even went to the degree of having trumpeters going before them, the big shot’s coming in to give his big offering.  I think the sounding of the trumpets was the containers.  History tells us that they had a big opening.  I don’t know how it manifested, but I can see, possibly, the prayer that’s going forth, “Father, I thank You that You’ve blessed me!”  Clang!  Throws his coins in there, and begins to quote all the different promises.  “We acknowledge You as Lord.”  Clang!  Clang!  Sounding the trumpet, the Scripture says, drawing attention to themselves, very wealthy men.

Then there was the widow with her two mites.  He turns to them and says, “What do you think?  Who gave the most today?  We’ve been here for a while.  Who gave the most?”  “Well, that one guy, man, I just saw him on the telethon, he gave one million dollars!”  Well, the guy’s worth 200 million, big deal.  See, God doesn’t count that way.  That’s not God’s economy.  Who gave the most?  The one that gave of their necessity.  It costs them something to give.  David said, “I will not offer anything to the Lord that has not cost me.”  Many of us have been blessed over the years to be able to give that way.  How rewarding it is, and thankful for the grace of God enabling that.