This is the awesomeness that makes it almost too good to be true, that God,

Almighty, who have made heaven and earth, delights to give us the kingdom.

It is his heartbeat, its enthusiasm.

If there ever was any volcano exploding, God is exploding with delight over his

purposes to give, give, give, give you everything.

This thought really sticks with me. God is exploding with delight over his purposes to give.

That's not how most people imagine God, but what if that's who he really is?

I'm Dan Kroover. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper helps us see that the generosity

of God isn't just real. It's his heartbeat. This teaching was originally delivered at

Bethlehem Baptist Church on Wednesday evening, February 13, 1991.

Well, let's begin with a word of prayer.

O Father in Heaven, our topic tonight is one that is, I believe, right at the center of your concern for us,

how to be really rich forever and ever and ever.

Teach us tonight, be our teacher,

draw near by the spirit of truth,

and through our discussion in your word and your spirit,

grant, I pray that we know we understand what true wealth is and how to obtain it so make us radical and free people

tonight I pray in Jesus name. These verses might at first look

like they don't fit the theme, but I think you'll see that they are related. The situation is

the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness. The devil took him up and showed him all the

kingdoms of the world in a moment of time and said to him to you, I will give all this authority

and their glory, for it has been delivered to me,

...