"The Lord said to Moses, 'Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive the offering for me from each man whose heart prompts him to give.' " Exodus 25:1, 2.
In ancient Israel, when Moses under divine direction was making plans for the construction of a sanctuary tabernacle for the worship of the true God, an announcement was made to give offerings. Devotion to God and a spirit of sacrifice were the first requisites in preparing for the worship of the Most High. This giving program to God by His people all through their history has been the source of support for the gospel work.
You can share in financing the fellowship! Your giving of tithe and offerings is an act of worship! Your support helps to advance the gospel worldwide!
The Christian life involves a constant interchange of receiving blessings from and returning blessings to the Lord. This joyous experience of free exchange in God's bountiful blessings brings personal growth. On this same interchange depends the life and growth of the church. Fresh spiritual blessings come from continuously sharing God's treasures.
In this lesson you will discover that—
FREEWILL OFFERINGS
1. What two sources of financial support were used in ancient Israel? Deuteronomy 12:6.
Deuteronomy 12:6 (NIV) there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks.
Note: The Bible teaches that God has instructed His people to return the tithe for the support of the ministry and the giving of freewill offerings in order to advance the work of God throughout the world. All that we own is God's entrusted treasure, and we have the privilege of being faithful stewards. The Lord promises to pour out His blessings upon our faithfulness.
2. In what spirit or attitude should we give freewill offerings? 1 Chronicles 29:17.
1 Chronicles 29:17 (NIV) I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. All these things have I given willingly and with honest intent. And now I have seen with joy how willingly your people who are here have given to you.
3. In what way may an individual test his or her spiritual commitment? Luke 12:34.
Luke 12:34 (NIV) For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
4. How did Israel respond in building the ancient tabernacle? Exodus 35:29.
Exodus 35:29 (NIV) All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do.
5. Describe the response of God's people. Exodus 36:3.
Exodus 36:3 (NIV) They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning.
6. What restraint finally had to be put upon the people? Exodus 36:5-7.
Exodus 36:5-7 (NIV) and said to Moses, "The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD commanded to be done." 6) Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: "No man or woman is to make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary." And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7) because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work.
How would you apply this example today?
7. How did Israel's leaders respond to erect a temple? 1 Chronicles 29:9.
1 Chronicles 29:9 (NIV) The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the LORD. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
8. How liberally did the returning captives donate? Ezra 2:68, 69.
Ezra 2:68-69 (NIV) When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings toward the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. 69) According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments.
9. What guideline did Moses use when the needs of God's work were presented? Deuteronomy 16:17.
Deuteronomy 16:17 (NIV) Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.
10. What difference did Jesus make between the gifts of the rich and the poor? Why was the widow's gift more significant? Luke 21:1-4.
Luke 21:1-4 (NIV) As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2) He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3) "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4) All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
11. What makes one's gift acceptable to God? 2 Corinthians 8:12.
2 Corinthians 8:12 (NIV) For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.
HERITAGE TIE
Supporting the Church Program
The financial support of the total church program consists of tithe and freewill offerings. No tithe funds are retained by the local church, but are remitted to the local conference for the biblical support of the ministry. A portion of this tithe is sent on to the union conference and to the General Conference for their support of the gospel work.
Since no tithe funds are retained in the local church, the local church must provide for its needs from the freewill offerings. You share in meeting these expenses through your regular, systematic giving. The tithes and offerings envelope gives a list of the various offerings that meet the total needs. If you have further questions about this subject, ask your pastor or elder. The Seventh-day Adventist Church ranks at or near the top in per-capita giving among the various Christian denominations.
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.