1. Part of God's Family - Dec. 31-Jan. 6

Sabbath Afternoon - December 31, 2022

Reading for the Week

Gal. 3:26, 29; Ps. 50:10–12; 1 Chron. 29:13, 14; Phil. 4:19; 1 John 5:3; Matt. 6:19–21.

Prayer Thought

The life of Christ was an ever-widening, shoreless influence, an influence that bound Him to God and to the whole human family. Through Christ, God has invested man with an influence that makes it impossible for him to live to himself. Individually we are connected with our fellow men, a part of God's great whole, and we stand under mutual obligations. No man can be independent of his fellow men; for the well-being of each affects others. It is God's purpose that each shall feel himself necessary to others' welfare, and seek to promote their happiness. {COL 339.2}

Memory Text

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. {1 John 3:1}

This SS week's Lesson will answer some questions and discuss their relevance to our Christian living financially and spiritually. This includes the responsibilities as well given and vested upon each believer and how God's cause is being supported and run progressively.

Study Outline

Sunday - January 1, 2023

We are Part of God's Family (Who is part of God's Family?)

Eph. 3:14, 15; Matt. 6:9; Lk. 11:2; John 20:17; Exo. 3:10; 5:1; Gal. 3:26, 29

Monday - January 2, 2023

God Is the Owner of Everything (Who is the Owner of Everything?)

Ps. 50:10-12; 24:1; 1 Chron. 17:2; 29:13, 14; Hag. 2:8; Gen. 1:1; John 1;1; Ps. 33:6, 9

Tuesday - January 3, 2023

Resources Available for God's Family (What Resources are at our Disposal?)

John 3:16; 1:12; 14:15-17; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:2; Matt. 6:33; Ps. 23:1; 37:25; Phil. 4:19; Acts 17:25, 28

Wednesday - January 4, 2023

Responsibilities of God's Family Members (What are our Responsibilities?)

Deut. 6:5; Matt. 7:21-27; 22:37; Deut. 10:12, 13; 1 John 5:3; 1 John 5:3

Thursday - January 5, 2023

Treasure in Heaven (What should we do with what we have?)

Matt. 6:19-21; James 2:23; Gen 12:2, 3; Gal. 3:9

Friday - January 6, 2023

Further Study and Meditation

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Sunday - January 1, 2023

We are Part of God's Family (Who is part of God's Family?)

Eph. 3:14, 15; Matt. 6:9; Lk. 11:2; John 20:17; Exo. 3:10; 5:1; Gal. 3:26, 29

“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26)

The Heritage of the People of God

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (1 John 3:2). The heritage of the people of God is discerned through faith in the Word of God. "This is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent" (John 17:3). {FW 115.1}

We're Born of God Through Faith

Through Jesus the fallen sons of Adam become "sons of God." "Both He that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren." Hebrews 2:11. The Christian's life should be one of faith, victory, and joy in God. "Whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4. Truly spoke God's servant Nehemiah: "The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10. And Paul says: "Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. {GC 477.3}

Through the Scripture, we're to Live Pure and Perfect Life

Through searching the Scriptures we may come to understand what we are to Christ, and what He is to us. By beholding Him we are to become changed into His image, becoming colaborers with Him, representatives of Him in life and character. We must learn to realize that we are to live as the sons and daughters of God, loving God supremely, and our neighbors as ourselves. We are to live a pure, perfect life for Christ's sake. We are to love perfection because Jesus is the embodiment of perfection, the great center of attraction. In the life, we now live we must live by faith in the Son of God. {RC 318.3}

Consider the Following

Adam was “the son of God” (Luke 3:38). Does it mean that all his descendants are children of God too (Malachi 2:10)?

All humans are children of God because of Creation. However, this doesn’t make us part of God’s family. In order to be part of His family we must be “born of God.” (1 John 5:1)

John explained that we are children of God because He loves us (1 John 3:1-2). When Jesus became human, He became part of our family so anyone who wants to be part of God’s family can be so (Hebrews 2:11-18). This is why Jesus talked about “my Father” and “your Father.” (John 20:17)

Monday - January 2, 2023

God Is the Owner of Everything (Who is the Owner of Everything?)

Ps. 50:10-12; 24:1; 1 Chron. 17:2; 29:13, 14; Hag. 2:8; Gen. 1:1; John 1;1; Ps. 33:6, 9

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof. (Psalm 50:12)

The Owner of All - Look Beyond the Honor and Wealth

God is the owner of all that man has, the owner of the riches which the selfish appropriate to their own use. With one motion of His hand He could sweep away everything they possess. Then for real power we must look beyond the honored and wealthy men of the world. Those whose minds reach heavenward find the first cause of all greatness, all honor, all majesty. In comparison with Him, human beings are but the small dust of the balance. {ST, December 18, 1901 par. 2}

Boundless Riches of God, We are His Stewards

But there are no impossibilities with God. The riches of the earth belong to God. The gold and the silver are His, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. Everything that He has committed to men is simply entrusted to them that they may act as His stewards. They are to dedicate every power and faculty to His service, and consecrate themselves and all they have to His work. How carefully we should examine ourselves that we may understand for whom we are putting our talents out, and whether they are yielding usury for their rightful owner. {20MR 166.2}

Consider the Following

God told David that he couldn’t build the temple, so his son Solomon would do it. David prepared all the materials needed (1 Chronicles 22:6-10, 14).

Then, David invited the people to bring a special offering for the construction (1 Chronicles 29:6-10). David responded to their generosity by praying as follows (1 Chronicles 29:11-16):

— “Everything in heaven and earth is Yours” (11)

— “Wealth and honor come from You” (12)

— “Everything comes from You” (14)

— “We have given You only what comes from Your hand” (14)

— “All this abundance […] comes from Your hand” (16)

— “All of it belongs to You” (16)

Tuesday - January 3, 2023

Resources Available for God's Family (What Resources are at our Disposal?)

John 3:16; 1:12; 14:15-17; 16:13; 1 Cor. 2:2; Matt. 6:33; Ps. 23:1; 37:25; Phil. 4:19; Acts 17:25, 28

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)

God is the Immeasurable Supplier and Provider

"According to the measure of the gift of Christ." Ephesians 4:7. Angels are watching with intense interest to see how man is dealing with his fellow men. When they see one manifest Christlike sympathy for the erring, they press to his side and bring to his remembrance words to speak that will be as the bread of life to the soul. So "God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19. Your testimony in its genuineness and reality He will make powerful in the power of the life to come. The word of the Lord will be in your mouth as truth and righteousness. {COL 148.4}

Consider the Following

The greatest gift God has given us is His Son, Jesus (John 3:16).

What spiritual and physical gifts is God offering to us?

— Existence (Acts 17:25)

— Salvation (1 Peter 1:5)

— The Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13)

— Spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

— Material blessings (Matthew 6:31-33)

To a greater or less degree, all are placed in charge of the talents of their Lord. The spiritual, mental, and physical ability, the influence, station, possessions, affections, sympathies, all are precious talents to be used in the cause of the Master for the salvation of souls for whom Christ died.--R. & H., Oct. 26, 1911. {CS 117.2}

Wednesday - January 4, 2023

Responsibilities of God's Family Members (What are our Responsibilities?)

Deut. 6:5; Matt. 7:21-27; 22:37; Deut. 10:12, 13; 1 John 5:3; 1 John 5:3

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Responsibility to Love the Lord thy God

Let the mind be kept sweet and pure, and open to heaven's first law, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself." Luke 10:27. If those who act a part in the training of the youth will leave many things unsaid, and present before the students the importance of the principles they must obey in order to have eternal life, there will be seen a work of true reform. {CT 403.1}

Responsibility to Execute the Judgment (Fatherless, widow and strangers)

For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. Thou shalt fear the Lord thy God; Him shalt thou serve, and to Him shalt thou cleave, and swear by His name. He is thy praise, and He is thy God." {FE 477.2}

Consider the Following

God has given us everything, and He has appointed us as stewards of it (Genesis 1:27-28).

He’s also expecting a response of love (Matthew 22:37). How can we show that we love Him?

John explained it: “In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome.” (1 John 5:3)

Loving God involves obeying His commandments. We cannot say that we love our Heavenly Father if we are not willing to obey Him.

Thursday - January 5, 2023

Treasure in Heaven (What should we do with what we have?)

Matt. 6:19-21; James 2:23; Gen 12:2, 3; Gal. 3:9

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.” (Matthew 6:19)

Use our Treasures for the Advancement of God's Cause

We claim to be Christians, waiting for the second appearing of our Lord in the clouds of heaven. Then what shall we do with our time, our understanding, our possessions, which are not ours, but are entrusted to us to test our honesty? Let us bring them to Jesus. Let us use our treasures for the advancement of His cause. Thus we shall obey the injunction, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."--R. & H., April 9, 1901. {CS 116.5}

Laying Up Treasures in Heaven

They forget that He said also, "Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven;" that in so doing they are working for their own interest. The treasure laid up in heaven is safe; no thief can approach nor moth corrupt it. But their treasure is upon the earth, and their affections are upon their treasure. {CS 209.2}

Consider the Following

If God gives us everything and asks us to take care of it, why did Jesus say that we must not have treasures on earth (Matthew 6:19)?

There are people in the Bible who were wealthy and remained faithful to God, like Abraham or Job. However, their trust was not set in their riches. They considered their wealth something temporary, borrowed, fungible… (Job 1:21)

Jesus encouraged us to lay up “treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:20). How can we do that?

— Making God and His cause our top priority (Matthew 6:33)

— Using our resources to satisfy our needs (1 Timothy 5:8)

— Preaching the Gospel both by speaking and by our example (Romans 10:14-15)

— Blessing others with our resources and our actions (Luke 10:36-37)

Friday - January 6, 2023

Further Study and Meditation

“Be polite to those with whom you come in contact; thus you will be polite to God. Praise Him for His goodness; thus you are witnesses for Him, and you are preparing for the society of the angels. You are learning in this world how to conduct yourselves in the family of Christ in heaven.

Lose no time in becoming acquainted with the principles that the children of God must follow. We are here to copy the character of Christ, to become familiar with His gentleness, His lowliness. This will place us where our record will be, ‘Ye are complete in him.’ (Colossians 2:10)” E. G. W. (The Upward Look, August 22)

Questions to Ponder

1. What specific role we're playing as a member of God's family?

2. How can we relate ourselves to all, believers and unbelievers, wicked and righteous as to a treatment of being created in His own image?

3. Do we adhere to the principles set forth in the scriptures with regard to God's ownership and our attitude toward our possessions?

4. What does God require us concerning His provisions and blessings He bestowed?

5. How do we express our love to our heavenly Father amidst frustrations and trials in life?

6. Why do we need to lay treasure in heaven when we suffer poverty on earth? Is it related to the heart? Please explain!

7. Based on the statement above, E. G. W. (The Upward Look, August 22), what does it mean to you? How would you be able to do it, when in fact we're darkened by the darts of Satan?

From the Pen of Inspiration

Those chosen to manage this work must be careful, consecrated men, lest investigation prove that the cause of God is not advanced by the efforts put forth. A work may apparently bear the features of supreme excellence, but it is not good in God's sight unless it is performed with an earnest desire to do His will and fulfill His purpose. If God is not recognized as the author and end of our actions, they are weighed in the balances of the sanctuary and found wanting. {4MR 289.2}

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