1. ICEL God’s economy The risk of sowing: some falls on the wayside Luke 8:5 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the path, and was trodden under foot, and the birds of the air devoured it. 2 Corinthians 9:6 6 The point is this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

2. ICEL The Rich Man in Mark 10 17 As he (Jesus) was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”… 21 “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions… 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! …

3. ICEL 26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.” Salvation is linked to a “heart change” You cannot mimic faith

4. ICEL The Samaritan businessman in Luke 10 33 … But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, 34 and went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’…

5. ICEL Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV) 11 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what evil may happen on earth. 3 If the clouds are full of rain, they empty themselves on the earth; and if a tree falls to the south or to the north, in the place where the tree falls, there it will lie. 4 He who observes the wind will not sow; and he who regards the clouds will not reap.

6. ICEL Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 - New international version NIV NIV: ? (newest edition) 1 Ship your grain across the sea; after many days you may receive a return. 2 Invest in seven ventures, yes, in eight; you do not know what disaster may come upon the land. Spreading the risk… or become passionate and generous! MS Logos…1970 The bank of heaven…

7. ICEL

8. Ecclesiastes 11:1-4 - Contemporary English Version 11 Be generous, and someday you will be rewarded. 2 Share what you have with seven or eight others, because you never know when disaster may strike. 3 Rain clouds always bring rain; trees always stay wherever they fall. 4 If you worry about the weather and don’t plant seeds, you won’t harvest a crop.

9. ICEL Matthew 6 3 … when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing… 19 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal… 24 “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve God and mammon. 25 “…do not be anxious about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink, nor about your body, what you shall put on. 34 “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow…