"Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful." 1 Corinthians 4:2, KJV.
"Every Christian is a steward of God, entrusted with His goods.... A steward identifies himself with his master. He accepts the responsibilities of a steward, and he must act in his master's stead, doing as his master would do were he presiding. His master's interests become his. The position of a steward is one of dignity, because his master trusts him." —Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 246.
You are God's steward! You are entrusted with your Lord's goods! You are to care for your Master's interests!
Life and all that goes with it will either be wellspent or misspent; either way, we are all answerable to the Lord. But more than all others, the Lord's disciples are responsible for their health, family, home, church, community, and the use of possessions, whether personal capabilities or money and property. Life itself is a heaven-sent privilege and responsibility.
In this lesson you will discover—
GOD'S PLAN FOR GIVING THE GOSPEL
1. What is God's plan for making disciples? Matthew 28:19, 20.
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20) and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Write out the main part of this gospel commission:
2. What is God's method for making disciples? Romans 10:13-15.
Romans 10:13-15 (NIV) for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14) How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15) And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"
3. What did the Lord instruct Israel to do in support of His work? Exodus 35:4-10.
Exodus 35:4-10 (NIV) Moses said to the whole Israelite community, "This is what the LORD has commanded: 5) From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; 6) blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 7) ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows ; acacia wood; 8) olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 9) and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. 10) "All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded:
4. Who created the earth and man? Psalm 33:6, 9.
Psalms 33:6 (NIV) By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.
Psalms 33:9 (NIV) For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.
5. How much of this earth belongs to God? Psalms 24:1; 50:10-12.
Psalms 24:1 (NIV) Of David. A psalm. The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
Psalms 50:10-12 (NIV) for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11) I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. 12) If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.
Note: "All the good that man enjoys comes because of the mercy of God. He is the great and bountiful Giver. His love is manifest to all the abundant provision made for man."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 385.
6. In addition to being our Creator, what other relationship does the Lord have with His disciples? 1 Peter 1:18, 19.
1 Peter 1:18-19 (NIV) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19) but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.
7. What is the Lord's plan for the support of the gospel ministry? 1 Corinthians 9:7, 13, 14.
1 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk?
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 (NIV) Don't you know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? 14) In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.
8. What was this special portion called that belonged to the Lord? How was it used? Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:21.
Leviticus 27:30 (NIV) "'A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.
Numbers 18:21 (NIV) "I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the Tent of Meeting.
9. Who are some of the tithe payers mentioned in the Bible? Hebrews 7:1, 2; Genesis 28:20-22.
Hebrews 7:1-2 (NIV) This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2) and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace."
Genesis 28:20-22 (NIV) Then Jacob made a vow, saying, "If God will be with me and will watch over me on this journey I am taking and will give me food to eat and clothes to wear 21) so that I return safely to my father's house, then the LORD will be my God 22) and this stone that I have set up as a pillar will be God's house, and of all that you give me I will give you a tenth."
10. What did Jesus say in support of tithing? Matthew 23:23.
Matthew 23:23 (NIV) "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices-- mint, dill and cummin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law--justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
Note: The key emphasis in our Lord's words is this: "You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former."
11. What blessings does God promise to those who tithe? Malachi 3:10, 11. Describe the promise in your own words:
Malachi 3:10-11 (NIV) Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. 11) I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty.
Note: "He [God] places His treasures in the hands of men, but requires one tenth shall be faithfully laid aside for His work. He requires this portion to be placed in His treasury. It is to be rendered to Him as His own; it is sacred and is to be used for sacred purposes, for the support of those who carry the message of salvation to all parts of the world."—Testimonies, vol. 6, p. 386.
12. Where does man get the ability to produce wealth? Deuteronomy 8:18.
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV) But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.
DISCIPLESHIP COMMITMENT
"God also entrusts men with means. He gives them power to get wealth. . . . And He asks for a return of His own.
"Our money has not been given us that we might honor and glorify ourselves. As faithful stewards we are to use it for the honor and glory of God." —Christ's Object Lessons, p. 351.
Are you experiencing God's blessing in returning tithe and offerings for the support of His worldwide work? In what ways do you feel blessed?
Unless otherwise designated, scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION�. Copyright � 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.