Talk
BRO. ALVIN BARCELONA:
Welcome back to our powerfully inspiring series: Plenty: How To Live in God’s Radical Generosity. Tell the person beside you: “This is the message to bring home.” Say: Stop Taking… Start Receiving.
By nature, we are takers. We want to take things. Look at babies, toddlers. They just take anything and everything that they see. They will not only take. They will put that thing in their mouth and swallow it.
I know—because I have two children. My daughter, the younger one, Aia, when she was young, she picked up a paper clip, put it in her mouth, and swallowed it. Of course, we didn’t know it was a paper clip. We just saw her trying to throw up. She was choking! And we were panicking!
Me, I would just be, “Oh, let’s pray!
But her Mommy—thank God for mommies, they can think straight…Mommy picked up Aia, put her upside down, and forcefully tapped her back until she threw up—and that’s how we found out what she swallowed: a paper clip!
And I was like, “Does she have some documents in her tummy that she needs a paper clip to compile them?”
But here, her older sibling—you probably know him: Aio— I found out only recently during one of our casual chats, he swallowed a battery! His Mommy did the same—slapped his back several times until he threw up the battery.
My God, why didn’t I know about that? Now I know why my son is so energised
We Are Grabbers
But this is what’s funny… When we were kids—no exception, probably, we liked to grab things.
Look at this photo:
The kids are grabbing over a toy. But there are more toys around them.
We are like that. We have something but when someone has something else, we put down what we have and grab what the other one has. It’s crazy.
We were irrational when we were kids. But this is the sad part: We bring this attitude even when we become adults. We still want to grab.
Oh, this one is okay–provided you pay for the item
We become grabbers. We push, we step on each other, we shove, and we force ourselves into somebody else’s place just to get what we want—even when we already have the same item. Many adults still act like toddlers.
Why? Why do we continue to take? You know, the answer is more than because we need it. Sometimes not. Or, more than because of anger.
It’s fear. We are afraid that we might run out of supplies… We are afraid the other would have more than we have. Crazy. And this mindset is the fruit of conflicts even among families, companies, and countries to the point of going to war. Because we want to grab—to take even if the thing is no longer ours or is not yet ours.
Taking in the Bible
Even in the Bible, from the start— in Genesis—taking already happened.
Let’s sing to the Word of the Lord:
Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path.
I’m going to read about something we already talked about, especially last Sunday. Because even from the start, in Genesis, the serpent said to Eve:
“Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” (Genesis 3:1 NLT)
The Devil was lying…
Eve took what she was not to have. The irony of this, three verses back, she said to the serpent that she was not supposed even to touch it.
Eve answered the serpent:
“Of course, we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied. “It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’” (Genesis 3:2-3 NLT)
She corrected the lie of the serpent– but added a lie of her own. Because God never said, “If you touch it, you will die.”
Eve was the first to say not to touch the fruit. But she was the first to touch it.
So, we must be careful We might be like Eve. We might be adding to the rules and then be the first to violate them.
So, Eve took of the fruit and ate it.
You know, in the Bible, taking means even more. In Bible language, taking happens when you do not trust God. And you force your will instead.
You know why?
Eve believed in the serpent more than in God.
The serpent said, “No, no, that’s not what God said. God was only insecure.
He was afraid you might become like Him.”
But God already said, right in Genesis 1 man would be in His image. But Eve believed in what the serpent said more than what God said.
Repeating the First Fall
Perhaps, even up to now, when we put matters into our hands, we’re repeating the First Fall. We’re becoming Eves again– every time we take what is not supposed to be ours. Or what is not yet to be meant for us.
Let me pray for you:
Father in Heaven, Thank You for reminding us today that we should stop taking and we should start receiving, and fully trusting and surrendering that You know what is best for us. That You give us more than enough. This we receive. In Jesus’ name. Amen. As we sing:
Thy Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a Light unto my path.
You know what? Since this is the last Grand Feast for Feast Bay Area Year 2023… we will do something different.
You know that I’m a teacher, right? So, we’ll have a class recitation.
This taking thing is not just with Eve or Adam. Even with big names in the Bible.
Like Abraham—he took Hagar. Even as he already had Sarah. He took matters into his own hands. It is being said that’s the root of the (Israel-Hamas) war.
David took Bathsheba. And he took her while she was taking a bath… But after the First Fall, there was a taking that happened on a grand scale.
Class Recitation: The Tower of Babel
BRO. ALVIN: We’ll now have the recitation with the Feast Builders present here. Like Bro. John Ben Rodriguez. You know, Bro. John Ben had a Feast before the (Coronavirus Disease) Pandemic– Feast Ermita. But because of the Pandemic… Now he has good news.
BRO. JOHN BEN: Please pray for this: We’re planting a Feast in Binondo (in Chinatown) if you want to serve, come, let’s serve together.
BRO. ALVIN: We have another Feast Builder.
Before the Pandemic, he was the leader of Feast Mall of Asia. Now he has good news.
Bro. Didoy Lubaton is here.
BRO. DIDOY: Hello, Teacher Alvin. I’m very happy to say that we are building a new Feast—Feast Asiana—at St. John Paul II Chapel near the Mall of Asia Arena. We’re going to be launching on December 17 at 3:00 p.m. – family- friendly, pet-friendly, and much more.
BRO. ALVIN: Let’s start. You know, especially the Feast Builders, about the Tower of Babel. I will read the Bible story and
Bro. Didoy and Bro. JB, please help me share with our Feasters about the story.
In Genesis 11: 4, we read that the Babel people said: “Come, let’s build a great city for ourselves with a tower that reaches into the sky. This will make us famous and keep us from being scattered all over the world.” (Genesis 11:4 NLT)
In the New International Version, it says, “that we may make a name for ourselves.”
Where is the taking there? Building a tall tower. Doesn’t that mean progress?
What’s wrong if they had such an ambition?
What’s the issue here, Didoy, or John Ben?
Gathering Instead of Scattering
BRO. JOHN BEN: Bro. Alvin, Didoy recently went to the Middle East. I think he saw the Burj Khalifa (at left, a skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the world’s tallest building). So, I think it’s like that: an engineering marvel, right? But what was wrong with it (the Tower of Babel)? Didoy, did you see the Burj Khalifa?
BRO. DIDOY: Yes, I saw it. It’s a very high building. It was my first time to see it. And I could imagine how long it took, how expensive it took for it to be built. And you know, the Tower of Babel, I imagine it must be magnificent, a marvel, for people to see.
But I think building a tower reaching the sky has a lot of meaning—especially in the Jewish culture.
BRO. ALVIN: So, we must understand this. It must be saying some coded message in the Bible. What is the issue here?
BRO. JOHN BEN: That’s it, Bro. Alvin. Isn’t it we were taught that when we’re reading the Old Testament we must always look at the lens of the context and what was the time back then?
Why was (building the Tower of Babel) taking? At that time, building a tower like that was against the will of God. Because the will of God back then was for them to be fruitful and to multiply. But isn’t it they wanted to build so they could gather and they would not scatter anymore? Because they thought, “We would all fit in this Tower.”
BRO. ALVIN: Because in Genesis 1:28, the mandate of God was to be fruitful and to multiply. Fill the Earth, scatter. So, now, you’re saying they’re now going against the instruction of the Lord—because they did not want to scatter.
BRO. JOHN BEN: Yes, Bro. Alvin. So it’s like Eve going against what God wanted her to do.
So, that’s what happened.
Reaching for the Sky
BRO. ALVIN: So, this was not just an ordinary construction project. It was a coup d’état. They did not want to scatter as God instructed.
And the sky, you mentioned it Didoy. In ancient thinking, especially in Jewish, the sky means something, right?
BRO. DIDOY: In the Jewish culture, sky is a place reserved for God. And if the people at that time, wanted to build the Tower so it would reach the sky, it basically says, they wanted to take that place of God. It’s taking the place of God instead of worshipping God and honoring Him. Building a name for themselves, a magnificent tower for themselves—again, taking the place of God. So, that’s it.
BRO. ALVIN: There! So, it’s like they also wanted to be God. Of course. God, after all, said we are created in His image. But this is different. They’re conquering… And what’s more, at the root of every taking, we want to take over God’s throne. But I want us to see that a few chapters after, Abram will appear. Yes, he became Abraham.
We read that in Genesis 12:1-2. Here is the story: “The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country,your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. 2 “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing…” (Genesis 12:1-2 NIV)
So, what is this saying, Doc Didoy?
BRO. DIDOY: Exactly, Bro. Alvin. It’s a beautiful narrative. A few chapters after that is what God has given to the people who trust Him. So, from the time they wanted to build the Tower of Babel, they wanted to build a great city, a great name for themselves, they’re taking the throne, the place of God. But a few chapters later, God was giving a great nation, a great name for them.
Blessed and Blessing
BRO. DIDOY: Bro. Alvin, it’s a matter of not just taking, but trusting and receiving what God has in store for you.
And it comes with a promise. If our sight is sharp, we will see that God said, “I will make your nation great, I will make your name great, and I will bless you—so that you will be a blessing.”
That means you will become a blessing—not just you will be blessed. And that’s something that we want to learn today.
Taking is not good. Receiving is good.
But there’s something more that God has planned for you—more than just receiving.
BRO. ALVIN: Very good, right? But what we’re saying, this was God’s plan for them. But they hastened it. Is that right, John Ben?
BRO. JOHN BEN: Yes, Bro. Alvin. Because that was really what God wanted, but they took it upon themselves to implement their plan…
And I think, to this day, it’s an invitation to everyone to actually bring your goals to God. If you have a dream, always bring it to God. Because– Didoy taught me this— we must always pray for clarity and alignment. Is that goal aligned with what God wants in your life? Because sometimes, we have different motives behind our goals.
For example, you want to put to shame everyone who treated you unfairly. You’re like, “I want to prove that I am better than you.” “Or, the reason I am fit now is I want my ex who left me would be like, “Who you?” — because I already have abs.”
God is teaching us that if you want your goals to be aligned with His goals, you must start praying for clarity so you won’t take. You will align with His will so you will receive and in the process, you get to bless people around you.
BRO. ALVIN: Very good! Bro. John Ben and Bro. Didoy! I don’t have my class record. But your grade is 99!
Working with God
We move forward and we’ll talk more about taking and receiving… I will ask the one who wrote this Talk.
Bro. Bo, are taking and receiving really different from each other? Because there is this song: Take and receive, Oh, Lord… Right?
BRO. BO SANCHEZ: At least from the Biblical perspective, taking is grabbing what you want– based on my definition of what is good and bad– apart from God. So, that’s what taking is.
Receiving is different because… By the way, because we think taking is grabbing, it’s active, it’s me active. And then receiving—ah, that might be passive.
You’re just like, “Lord, ikaw na ang bahala.
–It’s all up to you…”
No. Receiving is working with God—actively working with God. But then you just give all the results to Him: “Lord, ikaw na.—You surrender the results to Him and then, you trust that in the end, He will give you what you need.
BRO. ALVIN: We already have a valedictorianJ.
Thank you so much, Bro. Bo.
Trusting God
BRO. ALVIN: Isn’t this story beautiful when you look at Abraham, what Didoy said, that you are blessed—so that you can bless others?
Let’s ask our other Builders. We have with us Doc Ryan Capitulo and Bro. Philip Sumera. Audee Villaraza knew there would be a recitation today so he decided to be absentJ
We have a story about Abraham. We said the Babel people hastened to be great, not knowing that was really
Let’s read the story and let’s chat…
But wait… Doc Ryan, Bro. Philip, you might have news about Feast Manila…
DOC RYAN CAPITULO: Actually, we really have news. You know most of those attending Feast SM Manila are the youth. What I wanted to share is we are struggling right now.
This Talk is perfect for what we’re going through. We have been serving the young people of the University Belt for the past 14 years. And so many young people have been blessed.
So many young people have been inspired to serve the Lord. Because they passed through The Feast Manila, and now they are serving in the other Feasts all over the world. Here are servants who went through Feast SM Manila when they were students and now they’re serving because they’re now professionals.
So, it’s very easy for us to be entitled, right? It’s very easy for us to be proud.
And to start feeling that we can take – all the blessings, all the finances, all the money. And demanding money from people—because so many, thousands upon thousands we have blessed, we have inspired.
But the Lord is teaching us, you know: “Don’t have that attitude. Even you’re struggling financially now, your attitude should be to receive—continue ministering to the young people but have an unexpectant heart. Have a great faith and trust in God that the money will come, that the resources will come and that we can continue Feast Manila.
Lesson from Abraham
BRO. ALVIN: Thank you so much, Doc Ryan. I like that we have exciting news. I like that we are vulnerable and honest and that we need more help for us to continue this Feast with our young people.
Bro. Lep is a product of The Feast for the young people and now he is one of our Builders.
BRO. LEP: Yes, po,
Bro. Alvin. Feast Manila has been my venue of transformation where I met and got to know the Lord. And I never thought this was
His plan – that the black sheep who just attended before is now a shepherd ministering to the young people who are lost as well. So, we’re grateful just like what Doc Ryan said—we’re grateful for the opportunity to continue to do this.
And I love our declaration as we began our Worship that the Lord is here and Bro. Bo shared that the Lord is our Good Shepherd—because when Jesus is with you, even the valley is plenty. That’s what we’re claiming will happen. Abundance will happen not just in our Feast, but in all the Feasts around the world.
BRO. ALVIN: Wonderful. And you’re showing us that most of the time we have to be patient. Again, like the story of Abraham. They hurried to build the Tower, but that was really the plan for God’s nation. In Genesis 12:1-3 we read again: “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you…
God is talking to Abram here who, again becomes Abraham.
… I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3 NIV)
Now, here’s a very interesting story. Again, to emphasize the message
Stop Taking, Start Receiving.
But it doesn’t end there. It doesn’t end in receiving. As we’ve read, it should result in giving. We are blessed so that we can bless others more. When we have the confidence of a generous God, we can be very generous as well in giving.
Scarcity Mentality
BRO. ALVIN: Look at this story: Genesis 13: 5-7: “Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. 6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. 7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (Genesis 13:5-7 NLT)
They were already rich. Abram was already rich and still was called to have more. His wealth could be measured by his many animals. Lot, he had a lot alreadyJ. But Lot wanted more. But still, they quarreled. And the root of this was the mindset that “I might run out of wealth. The other one might get what’s mine.”
It’s the scarcity fear mentality that brings in conflict. Isn’t it, Doc Ryan?
DOC RYAN: Yes, it’s an interesting contrast–the story of the Babel people and the story of Abram. It’s like God is teaching us: “You know I will bless you,
I will grant your prayers.”
What would be your response to that? What would you do? Are you going to be too proud? Would you feel entitled? That you should be obeyed because you were the only one favored by God?
Or, would you be humble, and you would be generous like how God is generous to you?
BRO. ALVIN: That was the issue. Their workers were already quarreling. This was Abram’s solution: Genesis 13: 8-9: “Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.” (Genesis 13:8-9 NLT)
Abraham Did Not Take
BRO. ALVIN: Lot was the nephew of Abram. Abram was the boss. But he was the one who suggested that Lot choose which part of the property he wanted. Abram should have been the one to have that opportunity because: “I’m Abram. I was the one God spoke to.”
People, if you allow them to choose, of course, will choose the best part. Lot chose the more fertile land, more rich. You know what that was? Sodom and Gomorrah. What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah…
What was left for Abram was the second choice—Canaan. Abram did no choose the one that was really for him. He gave way for Lot…
Ryan, that’s what you’re saying.
DOC RYAN: You know what’s a beautiful example of that? Here, at our Feast. Our leaders– Bro. Bo Sanchez and Bro. Alvin Barcelona– even as they are the founders, they are our spiritual advisers, they are our Light Group (Caring Group) leaders, they are the most humble actually. May we give them a big hand?
Because they can very well make demands and yet, they gave their entire life to The Feast. They always choose to give others the best. Earlier, you were all not yet here, Bro. Alvin was outside, waiting for people to arrive. Instead of preparing for his talk, instead of meditating backstage, he was there outside.
And legendary already Bro. Bo’s humility, right? That’s what we all aspire for.
So, they are our Abraham here at The Feast because they continue to give others what’s the best, the favor– and yet they continue to serve with all humility.
BRO. ALVIN: Thank you so much, Doc Ryan. And again, Abraham taught us that. He didn’t take what he thought he deserved. He chose to receive what God wanted to give him. But hey, you can never defeat God in giving. We can never outdo God in His generosity. When you have an abundance and a trusting mindset, you’ll be so generous, wow, whatever you give will come back to you, siksik, liglig, at umaapaw—good measure, pressed down, and overflowing… “
(Luke 6:38).
What story followed, Lep?
Cycle of Generosity
BRO. LEP: What happened here is God saw the heart of Abraham, Bro. Alvin. That yes, he gave way. He let Lot choose the best, but at the end of the day, God knew what was really the best. What was for Abraham, the Lord delivered. Because God saw his heart, God saw his humility, God had a beautiful plan for him.
BRO. ALVIN: I’ll read about it— This is where God foils all human logic. God meets Abram’s generosity with even greater generosity.
Genesis says: “After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see…” (Genesis 13:14-15 NLT).
Great. He thought all he had was the second choice. But as it turned out, his sight could not reach what God would give him.
And because of that—that taking and receiving attitude- – that Radical Generosity would become a cycle. It continues. Even among relatives, isn’t it?
Left, right. If we existed through grabbing, fighting would continue up to your children, up to your grandchildren. But if we break that cycle, if we learn to give, that is what we could pass on to the next generation, right?
BRO. LEP: Right, Bro. Alvin. Because most of the time, we think: “I deserve this… I was the one who worked hard, so, I will just grab this. Take this. Because again, I deserve this. I was the one always tired when I go home…”
But when we start to think: “No. I love. I will just give, and give, and give, and love, and love… Because a wise man once said—I read this in his book. Let’s hide him by the name Bro. Bo Sanchez J : “When you love, you get your hands dirty.”
So you continue to just give, work on loving. Yes, not thinking of what I will get in return.
What’s beautiful about this—this time, what Fr. Bob McConaghy said: “ The Lord notices what you’re doing. And God will be the One to give to you.”
So, in the process, Bro. Alvin, you will not lack or lose what you need.
Giving—with Wisdom
BRO. ALVIN: You know, that can also be applied when you’re hurt. When someone hurts us, we want revenge. And that revenge has no end– it will be passed on to enemies until their race and yours become extinct.
So, you have to break that. We heal that conflict by forgiveness. And when you’re generous with forgiving, you might start, you will start a culture, a generation who starts to forgive.
Let’s applaud Doc Ryan and Bro. Lep.
Again, to heal the relationship, we should start giving without expectation. Just an advice. It’s not said that you give wastefully—meaning, you did not discern about it. Because sometimes,
generosity may be abused. Because unwise giving harms more than helps. Always give with love—but also with wisdom.
I know that. Because every day, many ask me for help. If I give to everyone, tomorrow, I’d already be the one asking. Sometimes, if it’s an emergency,
I give—even if I don’t know the person. The first time, he asked for money
for medicine, then the following week, for food, then, already for a laptop. I myself lost a laptop, then I have to give a laptop?
So, let’s be careful. Because we are prone to giving financial help.
Your conscience will bother you if you don’t give… So, give with love but with discernment as well.
Last point. Sometimes, the reason we are takers, we don’t understand how God gives. Because God gives in two ways.
First, God has supplied us already a mountain of blessings. But most of the time, what He gives are raw materials. These raw materials are already in front of you. These are talents, and intelligence, and capabilities. But sometimes, we don’t want those.
Second, God gives us the capacity to build anything. But we are in a hurry.
We want results right away.
God Gives Raw Materials
BRO. ALVIN:
For example, I’ll make you choose. What do you want:
This shiny, attractive toy car or pieces of Lego?
Any takers?
BRO. TONY, grabbing the car: Toy car! It’s shiny… It’s new… It sounds…
BRO. ALVIN: Sorry, JC. You get the Legos.
But we forget: God most of the time gives raw materials.
And the capacity is there, the potential is there for a lot of things. God usually gives bones, seeds. But we don’t want seed. We want fruits right away—can be eaten already. Forgetting that the seed, if you plant it, with much patience and perseverance, will yield more and more fruits that you can eat, and even bless others with.
Like the Lego. Just be patient, suddenly, you’ll have a car… a house … a spaceship.
See? What God gives us are raw materials, again, using your talent, using your skills will give you endless possibilities.
BRO. TONY: Bro. Alvin, I feel I already want the Lego.
BRO. ALVIN: See? You already have a car, you still want his Legos…
BRO. TONY: I want JB and I share the Legos…
BRO. ALVIN: If you’re now confident that you have more than enough, you can start giving and be happy in sharing.
Bro. JC and Bro. Tony! Thank you very much.
Epitome of Generosity
We are already blessed and inspired, and awed by the generosity of Abraham. He gave way for Lot.
But later on, much later on, we would see the culmination, the epitome, the fullness of God’s generosity when our Lord Jesus Christ came. Jesus was ready to give, and indeed gave up His heavenly home for a carpenter’s shack. He gave up His Divine Glory for a human body. He gave up His glorious throne for a crown of thorns… Came down to us and was willing, and in fact, gave us His life.
You know why? He was not afraid to give up everything for love. Because
He loves us. But also because He was so confident that His Father would have more for Him.
In 2 Corinthians 8:9 we read:
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9 NIV).
Even His Life He readily gave up to the grave. But why? He knew His Father in Heaven, would have plenty for Him. He knew… that God would resurrect Him.
We Receive
God continues to invite us, Jesus continues to invite us that if we have true trust in our Father in Heaven, we are ready to give, even our life. Because we very well know, God will return it to us. He will raise us up so we can raise others u. He will bless us even more so that we can bless others more So, I invite you to come and worship this God. Live in His Radical Generosity. Because at the very core of Worship, it’s not just singing songs. It’s not just offering prayers to God, It is opening ourselves to receive His love. To receive His plenty.
So, come, let us worship God and receive. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Lift up your hands or put your hands close to your heart as a symbol of your full trust and surrender to God who knows what you need in your family, in your health life, in your dreams, in your finances, in your businesses, in your career.
God knows what you need. And all He asks of you is to trust in Him with patience, with perseverance, with faith, and to keep on actively waiting and receiving. We actively wait and receive, by receiving Jesus every day. Because when we receive Jesus we have everything.
So, today, we receive in Jesus Name. Amen.