{"id":1168,"date":"2019-10-13T14:35:05","date_gmt":"2019-10-13T21:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/?p=1168"},"modified":"2019-10-13T14:52:47","modified_gmt":"2019-10-13T21:52:47","slug":"its-all-about-the-bottom-line","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/2019\/10\/13\/its-all-about-the-bottom-line\/","title":{"rendered":"It;s All About the Bottom Line!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div style=\"color:black;font: 10pt arial;\"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:WordDocument>   <w:View>Normal<\/w:View>   <w:Zoom>0<\/w:Zoom>   <w:TrackMoves\/>   <w:TrackFormatting\/>   <w:PunctuationKerning\/>   <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas\/>   <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false<\/w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>   <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false<\/w:IgnoreMixedContent>   <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false<\/w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>   <w:DoNotPromoteQF\/>   <w:LidThemeOther>EN-US<\/w:LidThemeOther>   <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeAsian>   <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE<\/w:LidThemeComplexScript>   <w:Compatibility>    <w:BreakWrappedTables\/>    <w:SnapToGridInCell\/>    <w:WrapTextWithPunct\/>    <w:UseAsianBreakRules\/>    <w:DontGrowAutofit\/>    <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark\/>    <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp\/>    <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables\/>    <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx\/>    <w:Word11KerningPairs\/>    <w:CachedColBalance\/>   <\/w:Compatibility>   <m:mathPr>    <m:mathFont m:val=\"Cambria Math\"\/>    <m:brkBin m:val=\"before\"\/>    <m:brkBinSub m:val=\"&#45;-\"\/>    <m:smallFrac m:val=\"off\"\/>    <m:dispDef\/>    <m:lMargin m:val=\"0\"\/>    <m:rMargin m:val=\"0\"\/>    <m:defJc m:val=\"centerGroup\"\/>    <m:wrapIndent m:val=\"1440\"\/>    <m:intLim m:val=\"subSup\"\/>    <m:naryLim m:val=\"undOvr\"\/>   <\/m:mathPr><\/w:WordDocument> <\/xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>  <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState=\"false\" DefUnhideWhenUsed=\"true\"   DefSemiHidden=\"true\" DefQFormat=\"false\" DefPriority=\"99\"   LatentStyleCount=\"267\">   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"0\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Normal\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 7\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 8\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"9\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"heading 9\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 7\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 8\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" Name=\"toc 9\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"35\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"caption\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"10\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Title\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"1\" Name=\"Default Paragraph Font\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"11\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtitle\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"22\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Strong\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"20\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"59\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Table Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Placeholder Text\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"1\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"No Spacing\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Revision\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"34\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"List Paragraph\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"29\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Quote\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"30\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Quote\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 1\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 2\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 3\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 4\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 5\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"60\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Shading Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"61\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"62\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Light Grid Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"63\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"64\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Shading 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"65\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"66\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium List 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"67\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 1 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"68\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 2 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"69\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Medium Grid 3 Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"70\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Dark List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"71\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Shading Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"72\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful List Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"73\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" Name=\"Colorful Grid Accent 6\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"19\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtle Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"21\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Emphasis\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"31\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Subtle Reference\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"32\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Intense Reference\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"33\" SemiHidden=\"false\"    UnhideWhenUsed=\"false\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"Book Title\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"37\" Name=\"Bibliography\"\/>   <w:LsdException Locked=\"false\" Priority=\"39\" QFormat=\"true\" Name=\"TOC Heading\"\/>  <\/w:LatentStyles> <\/xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object  classid=\"clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D\" id=ieooui><\/object> \n\n<style> st1\\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> \n\n<style>  \/* Style Definitions *\/  table.MsoNormalTable \t{mso-style-name:\"Table Normal\"; \tmso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; \tmso-tstyle-colband-size:0; \tmso-style-noshow:yes; \tmso-style-priority:99; \tmso-style-qformat:yes; \tmso-style-parent:\"\"; \tmso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; \tmso-para-margin:0in; \tmso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; \tmso-pagination:widow-orphan; \tfont-size:11.0pt; \tfont-family:\"Calibri\",\"sans-serif\"; \tmso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-fareast-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; \tmso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; \tmso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; \tmso-bidi-font-family:\"Times New Roman\"; \tmso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} <\/style>\n\n <![endif]--><\/p>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;color:#212121\"><audio class=\"wp-audio-shortcode\" id=\"audio-1168-1\" preload=\"none\" style=\"width: 100%;\" controls=\"controls\"><source type=\"audio\/mpeg\" src=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pentecost-18-10-13-19.mp3?_=1\" \/><source type=\"\" src=\"http:\/\/FILELINK?_=1\" \/><a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pentecost-18-10-13-19.mp3\">http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pentecost-18-10-13-19.mp3<\/a><\/audio>&nbsp;<\/span><span style=\"mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">October 13, 2019<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Luke 16:1-13<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It\u2019s All About the Bottom Line!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align:justify;tab-stops:13.5pt .5in 2.5in 238.5pt 337.5pt\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt\">Jesus told his disciples:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThere was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So he called him in and asked him, \u2018What is this I hear about you?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The manager said to himself, \u2018What shall I do now?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My master is taking away my job.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I&#8217;m not strong enough to dig, and I&#8217;m ashamed to beg\u2014I know what I&#8217;ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So he called in each one of his master&#8217;s debtors. <span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;<\/span>He asked the first, \u2018How much do you owe my master?\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018Eight hundred gallons of olive oil,\u2019 he replied.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The manager told him, \u2018Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then he asked the second, \u2018And how much do you owe?\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>\u2018A thousand bushels of wheat,\u2019 he replied.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span>He told them,\u2018Take your bill and make it eight hundred.\u2019<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else&#8217;s property, who will give you property of your own?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>No servant can serve two masters.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>You cannot serve both God and Money.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(NIV1984)<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Perhaps it\u2019s because for almost 15 years I lived about 15 minutes away from the birthplace of the United Auto Workers Union, perhaps it\u2019s because in my previous congregation a large percentage of the members either worked for GM and\/or were members of the UAW, perhaps it\u2019s because I have friends who are either directly or indirectly being impacted by it, but for the last few weeks or so I have been keeping tabs on the UAW strike against GM.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The narrative has not changed much over the course of those weeks.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The UAW maintains that it is fighting for better wages, better profit sharing, better healthcare coverage and better job security.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>GM maintains, \u201cThe company is continuing to negotiate in good faith with very good proposals that benefit employees today and build a stronger future for all of us.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp;&nbsp; <\/span>From my limited perspective the strike comes down to\u2014 the bottom line.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The difficulty, however, centers on whose definition of the \u201cbottom line\u201d one is using.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>GM\u2019s definition of the \u201cbottom line\u201d seems to focus on things such as the long-term profitability and viability of the company.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The last thing that GM wants to do is to agree a contract that could possibly result in another bankruptcy.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The UAW\u2019s definition of the \u201cbottom line\u201d seems to focus on the things that impact its members on a personal level.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">While the UAW strike against GM does not seem to gain much traction out here in California, I think that this strike and these contract negotiations give us a real-life modern-day illustration of what Jesus is talking about here in our text for today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>With that in mind let\u2019s study our text under the theme:<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">It\u2019s All About the Bottom Line.<\/i><\/b><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just as there are two different definitions of the \u201cbottom line\u201d in the contract negotiations between GM and the UAW, so also there are two different definitions of the \u201cbottom line\u201d here in our text for today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Let\u2019s look at both of them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>First, let\u2019s look at the \u201cbottom line\u201d from man\u2019s perspective.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then let\u2019s look at the \u201cbottom line\u201d from God\u2019s perspective.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Our text for today is a part of a series of parables that Jesus used to point out to the Pharisees the error of their ways.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Since the Pharisees were well-known for looking down on others, Jesus spoke the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Lost Coin and the Parable of the Lost Son to emphasize the tremendous value that God places on each and every human being.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Luke 15)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>At the same time since the Pharisees <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cloved money\u201d<\/i> (See Luke 16:14) Jesus spoke our text for today\u2014 the Parable of the Shrewd Manager.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Personally, I think we need to factor in both the Pharisees\u2019 attitude toward others as well as the Pharisees\u2019 attitude toward money in order to properly understand our text.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">When it comes to looking at the \u201cbottom line\u201d from man\u2019s perspective we need look no further than the opening words of our text.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThere was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So he called him in and asked him, \u2018What is this I hear about you?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">The <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201crich man\u201d<\/i> was understandably concerned about his \u201cbottom line.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As soon as he heard that the person he trusted to manage his wealth had taken advantage of that trust\u2014 he fired him!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Who wouldn\u2019t?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But before the manger left he was required to bring the books up to date and turn them in to his master.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>All of that makes perfectly good sense.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Then Jesus continues, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe manager said to himself, \u2018What shall I do now?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My master is taking away my job.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I\u2019m not strong enough to dig, and I\u2019m ashamed to beg\u2014 I know what I\u2019ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.\u2019\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Was the dishonest manger concerned about his own personal \u201cbottom line\u201d He most certainly was!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He knew he couldn\u2019t defend himself.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He knew he couldn\u2019t pass an audit of the books.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He knew he couldn\u2019t take a job that required physical labor.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He knew that he was too proud to beg.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So what did he do to protect his \u201cbottom line\u201d?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He did what he knew best\u2014 he cheated his master.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He quickly contacts the people who owe his master and then he \u201ccooks the books\u201d by reducing their debts.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>His plan to protect his \u201cbottom line\u201d was to earn points with these people so that they would owe him a favor.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He still had the books so he still had authority over what was in those books. What could the master do?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Fire him again?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>So, how did the rich man react to what the dishonest manager did?<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Look at verse 8, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cThe master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The rich man understood the \u201cbottom line\u201d from a human perspective perfectly well.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even though he had been cheated yet once again he praises this manager\u2014 not for his dishonesty, but because he was <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cshrewd.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>The dishonest manager saw the \u201cbottom line,\u201d he saw what needed to be done and he made a plan to see that it got done.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Here is where Jesus\u2019 parable takes an extremely unexpected turn, my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus goes on to say, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cFor the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.\u201d<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">I\u2019m pretty sure that for many people this portion of Scripture can be classified as \u201cmeat\u201d and not \u201cmilk.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(See Hebrews 5:11-14)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We need to \u201cchew\u201d on theses words for awhile before we can properly \u201cdigest\u201d them.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>To help us understand both these words and this parable properly I think we first need to focus on the word that is translated here as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cshrewd.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Very literally, this word means, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cintelligent, discerning, judicious.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Even though this manager was indeed dishonest he was praised for being <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cintelligent, discerning, judicious.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>He was not only able to see the \u201cbottom line,\u201d but he planned<u> <\/u>ahead to protect that \u201cbottom line.\u201d<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">For me it was extremely helpful to see how this Greek word is used in other parts of the New Testament Scriptures.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>As an adjective this word is used to describe the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwise man who built his house on the rock\u201d<\/i> (Matthew 7:24); it is used to describe the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwise servant\u201d<\/i> who faithfully carried out his master\u2019s wishes even though his master had gone away for an undetermined amount of time (Matthew 24:45); and, it is used to describe the <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwise virgins\u201d <\/i>who took extra oil with them while they waited for the bridegroom to arrive (Matthew 25).<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>In each of these examples the Greek word that is translated here in our text as <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cshrewd\u201d <\/i>is used to describe someone who is <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwise\u201d<\/i>\u2014 <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cwise\u201d<\/i> enough to recognize the \u201cbottom line\u201d and then plan their life accordingly.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">That, my friends, is what Jesus is teaching us when He says, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cI tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Like the Pharisees our old sinful nature <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cloves money.\u201d<\/i> We work hard to try and make sure we have enough money to not only satisfy our \u201cneeds,\u201d but also our \u201cwants.\u201d<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But like the Pharisees our old sinful nature all too often wants us to diminish or even disregard the truth that Jesus emphasized in the Parable of the Lost Sheep, the Parable of the Lost Coin and the Parable of the Lost Son.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Our old sinful nature wants us to be concerned mostly if not only exclusively about ourselves and let everyone else fend for themselves \u2014 even when it comes to their eternal welfare.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">When we lift up our eyes and behold the cross on Calvary\u2019s hill to see what our God has already done for us, (Pointing to the cross) when we realize the all-encompassing forgiveness that we already enjoy purely by the amazing grace of God, when we contemplate the glory and the perfection, the joy and the happiness that the good Lord already has stored up and waiting for us in heaven (See 1 Peter 1:3-9) the \u201cbottom line\u201d for us needs to include sharing the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Yes, that means using our <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cworldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves\u201d<\/i>\u2014 not so that we will always have someone to play cards with or to go hiking with, but so that we will always have an opportunity to share our faith with them both by what we say as well as by how we live our life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>And yes, my friends, the \u201cbottom line\u201d includes using our <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cworldly wealth\u201d<\/i> \u2014 the material wealth which God Himself has given to us\u2014 to support God\u2019s Kingdom work here on this earth through the offerings that we place on His altar.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">This perspective on the \u201cbottom line\u201d \u2014 which is God\u2019s perspective on the \u201cbottom line\u201d\u2014 is supported by the closing portion of our text for today.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Jesus summarizes what He is emphasizing here by giving us the well-known words, <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cYou cannot serve both God and Money.\u201d<\/i><span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Just as we can\u2019t walk in two totally opposite directions at the very same time, so also as Christians we can\u2019t have two totally opposite \u201cbottom lines\u201d in our heart and in our life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>We can indeed designate money and enjoying our life here on this earth the \u201cbottom line\u201d in our heart and then plan our life accordingly.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>But, all those plans will come to a very abrupt end the instant we die.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>On the other hand, we can make <i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\">\u201cserving our God,\u201d<\/i> sharing His Gospel and supporting His Kingdom work the \u201cbottom line\u201d in our heart and then plan our life accordingly.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Now, however, those plans will not come to an end when we die, will they!<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Instead, those plans will carry on into eternity on an even more glorious level!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><b style=\"mso-bidi-font-weight:normal\"><i style=\"mso-bidi-font-style:normal\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">It\u2019s All About the Bottom Line,<\/span><\/i><\/b><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\"> my friends.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>Whatever we designate the \u201cbottom line\u201d to be in our heart will automatically determine the plans that we make for our life.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>My prayer is that we will define what our \u201cbottom line\u201d is by staying focused on the cross of Calvary\u2019s hill.<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>(Pointing to the cross)<span style=\"mso-spacerun:yes\">&nbsp; <\/span>That cross not only reveals to us what the \u201cbottom line\u201d was for Jesus, but that cross also reminds us of what the \u201cbottom line\u201d is to be for us\u2014 the saved children of God.<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">To God be the glory!<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">Amen<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"mso-pagination:none\"><span style=\"font-size:12.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;layout-grid-mode:line\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"postie-attachments\">Download sermon audio ::  <a href=\"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Pentecost-18-10-13-19.mp3\">Pentecost-18-10-13-19.MP3<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost October 13, 2019 Luke 16:1-13 It\u2019s All About the Bottom Line! &nbsp; Jesus told his disciples:&nbsp; \u201cThere was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions.&nbsp; So he called him in and asked him, \u2018What is this I hear about you?&nbsp; Give an account of your management, because you [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermon"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1168\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.livingwordpetaluma.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}