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Sabbath Afternoon - January 21, 2023
Reading for the Week
2 Cor. 9:6, 7; Deut. 16:17; 1 Chron. 16:29; Ps. 116:12–18; Mark 12:41–44; Mark 14:3–9.
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Prayer Thought
The consecrated messengers who in the early days of Christianity carried to a perishing world the glad tidings of salvation, allowed no thought of self-exaltation to mar their presentation of Christ and Him crucified. They coveted neither authority nor pre-eminence. Hiding self in the Saviour, they exalted the great plan of salvation, and the life of Christ, the Author and Finisher of this plan. Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, was the burden of their teaching. {AA 209.1}
Memory Text
What shall I render unto the LORD [for] all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows unto the LORD now in the presence of all his people. {Ps. 116:12-14}
This week's SS Lesson will answer some questions concerning the offering, its reasons, amount and purposes. It also includes the economic and religious principles which are applied in our personal responsibility and duties to God.
Study Outline
Questions about Offerings
Sunday - January 22, 2023
Why should we give offerings - Motivation for Giving
Matt. 6:31-34; Deut. 28:1-14; 2 Cor. 9:6, 7
Monday - January 23, 2023
How much should we give? - What Portion for Offerings
Rev. 16:17; Lk. 12:48; Ps. 116:12-14; Matt. 10:8; John 3:16
Beyond the Economic Repercussions
Tuesday - January 24, 2023
Offerings and Worship - An Act of Worship
Deut. 16:16; 1 Chron. 16:29; Ps. 96:8, 9; 116:16-18
Wednesday - January 25, 2023
How God Sees the Offerings - God Takes Note of Our Offerings
Mk. 12:41-44; Acts 10:1-4; Matt. 6:21; Lk. 10:27
Special Offerings
Thursday - January 26, 2023
Special Projects: "Big Jar Giving
Mk. 14:3-9; John 12;2-8; Matt. 6:21; 26:15; Acts 4:36, 37
Friday - January 27, 2023
Further Study and Meditation
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Questions about Offerings
Sunday - January 22, 2023
Why should we give offerings - Motivation for Giving
Matt. 6:31-34; Deut. 28:1-14; 2 Cor. 9:6, 7
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)
Thank, Freewill and Trespass Offerings
It is God who blesses men with property, and He does this that they may be able to give toward the advancement of His cause. He sends the sunshine and the rain. He causes vegetation to flourish. He gives health and the ability to acquire means. All our blessings come from His bountiful hand. In turn, He would have men and women show their gratitude by returning Him a portion in tithes and offerings--in thank offerings, in freewill offerings, in trespass offerings. Should means flow into the treasury in accordance with this divinely appointed plan,--a tenth of all the increase, and liberal offerings,--there would be an abundance for the advancement of the Lord's work. {AA 75.1}
Spiritual Motivation for Giving
An offering appeal should include both the practical need and the spiritual motivation for giving.--I appeal to the congregation that regularly assemble at our Tabernacle: Will you not bring in your offerings to lift the debt from the Lord's house? I appeal to those who send their children to Battle Creek, where they unite with us in the worship of God: Will you not assist us to lift this debt? I invite all to be especially liberal at this time. Let cheerful freewill--offerings be brought to the Lord, let us consecrate to Him all that we are, and all that we have. . . .--RH Jan. 4, 1881. {PaM 181.3}
Consider the Following
— Giving an offering to God is a voluntary act, not an obligation (Psalm 54:6). However, not giving an offering is considered as a theft by God (Malachi 3:8).
— What should be our motivation when giving our offerings?
(1) Thanking Jesus for His sacrifice and His blessings.
(2) Expressing our full submission to God.
(3) Showing that we trust Him.
(4) Revealing our love for God and our neighbor.
(5) Rejecting the love of money.
Right Motivation Essential
It is the motive that gives character to our acts, stamping them with ignominy or with high moral worth. Not the great things which every eye sees and every tongue praises does God account most precious. The little duties cheerfully done, the little gifts which make no show, and which to human eyes may appear worthless, often stand highest in His sight. A heart of faith and love is dearer to God than the most costly gift.--The Desire of Ages, p. 615. {WM 315.1}
Monday - January 23, 2023
How much should we give? - What Portion for Offerings
Rev. 16:17; Lk. 12:48; Ps. 116:12-14; Matt. 10:8; John 3:16
Every man [shall give] as he is able, according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. (Deuteronomy 16:17}
According as the Lord Has Blessed - we give
God gave direction to the Israelites to assemble before him in the place which he should choose, and observe special days, at set periods, wherein no unnecessary work was to be done; but the time was to be devoted to a consideration of the blessings of God bestowed upon them. At these special seasons they were to bring gifts, free-will offerings, and thank-offerings, unto the Lord, according as the Lord had blessed them. They were directed to rejoice--the man-servant and maid-servant, the stranger, the fatherless and widow--that God had by his own wonderful power brought them from servile bondage to the enjoyment of freedom. And they were commanded not to appear before the Lord empty. They were to bring tokens of their gratitude to God for his continual mercies and blessings bestowed upon them. These offerings were varied, according to the estimate which the donors placed upon the blessings they were privileged to enjoy. Thus the characters of the people were plainly developed. Those who placed a high value upon the blessings God bestowed upon them, brought offerings in accordance with their appreciation of his blessings. Those whose moral powers were stupefied and benumbed by selfishness and idolatrous love of the favors received, rather than of fervent love of their bountiful Benefactor, brought meager offerings. Thus their hearts were revealed. Besides these special religious feast-days of gladness and rejoicing, the yearly passover was to be commemorated by the Jewish nation. The Lord covenanted that if they were faithful in the observance of his requirements, he would bless them in all their increase, and in all the works of their hands. {RH, August 2, 1870 par. 3}
Consider the Following
— Giving an offering is an act of thankfulness for the blessings we’ve received. Therefore, it makes sense that the offerings should be proportional to the blessings.
— Does that mean that we pay the Lord for His blessings with our offerings (Psalm 116:12-14)?
— David was very clear. We cannot pay God for the things He does for us. We can only respond to His blessings with thanksgiving. We show how thankful we are by being generous with God’s cause and our neighbors.
— When we are generous, we also eradicate selfishness from our hearts. Giving offerings to the Lord is a Christian duty with spiritual and moral repercussions. Which ones?
Beyond the Economic Repercussions
Tuesday - January 24, 2023
Offerings and Worship - An Act of Worship
Deut. 16:16; 1 Chron. 16:29; Ps. 96:8, 9; 116:16-18
“Give to the Lord the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come into His courts.” (Psalm 96:8)
Our Action is an Act of Worship even Giving
"By exercising your judgment, by giving where you see there is need in any line of the work, you are putting out your money to the exchangers. If you see in any locality that the truth is gaining a foothold, and there is no place of worship, then do something to meet the necessity. By your own action encourage others to act, in building a humble house for the worship of God. Have an interest in the work in all parts of the field. {PH146 45.2}
Blessedness of Giving
There are a hundred ways that can be devised to help the poor in so delicate a manner as to make them feel that they are doing us a favor by receiving our gifts and sympathy. We are to remember that it is more blessed to give than to receive. The attentions of our brethren are most liberal to those whom they wish to honor, and whose respect they desire, but who do not need their help at all. Custom and fashion say, Give to those who will give to you; but this is not the Bible rule of giving. The word of God declares against this way of gratifying self in thus bestowing our gifts, and says, "He that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want." {AH 474.3}
Consider the Following
— In the Old Testament times, nobody could worship God “empty-handed” (Deuteronomy 16:16); that is, without an offering.
— Giving our offerings is part of our corporate worship programs, like music, preaching, or studying the Bible.
— We may use cash or digital tools to give our offerings. No matter how we do it, we are worshipping the One who has given us everything.
Wednesday - January 25, 2023
How God Sees the Offerings - God Takes Note of Our Offerings
Mk. 12:41-44; Acts 10:1-4; Matt. 6:21; Lk. 10:27
“Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all;” (Luke 21:3)
Principles of Giving to be Carried Out Systematically
Should all who claim to be sons and daughters of God, conscientiously meet their obligation to God and their fellow-men in tithes and offerings, an abundance would flow into the treasury to sustain the work of God in its different branches throughout our world. As they should impart, the Lord would open ways whereby they would be able continually to bestow, because they were continually receiving. There would then be no occasion to make appeals for means to sustain the cause. If the principle of giving to the Lord his own were carried out regularly and systematically, it would be acknowledged of God. "Them that honor me will I honor." {RH, May 16, 1893 par. 7}
Consider the Following
— Jesus was watching how “many who were rich put in much” into the offering box. Then, a poor widow gave only 2 little coins (about 1/64 of a daily wage). Why did Jesus say that she had given more than any other (Mark 12:41-44)?
— God values the motives of the offeror. The widow longed for collaborating in God’s work and gave Him everything she had.
— God also considers our acts in favor of those in need, like in the story of Cornelius (Acts 10:1-4). God saw Cornelius’ offerings as a reflection of how he loved God and his neighbors.
Special Offerings
Thursday - January 26, 2023
Special Projects: "Big Jar Giving
Mk. 14:3-9; John 12;2-8; Matt. 6:21; 26:15; Acts 4:36, 37
“having land, sold it, and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.” (Acts 4:37)
Special Offering for a Special Work
God has a claim on us and all that we have. His claim is paramount to every other. And in acknowledgment of this claim, He bids us render to Him a fixed proportion of all that He gives us. The tithe is this specified portion. By the Lord's direction it was consecrated to Him in the earliest times. . . . {CS 71.1}
When God delivered Israel from Egypt to be a special treasure unto Himself, He taught them to devote a tithe of their possessions to the service of the tabernacle. This was a special offering, for a special work. All that remained of their property was God's, and was to be used to His glory. But the tithe was set apart for the support of those who ministered in the sanctuary. It was to be given from the first fruits of all the increase, and, with gifts and offerings, it provided ample means for supporting the ministry of the gospel for that time. {CS 71.2}
Consider the Following
The case of Mary Magdalene:
— Mary’s offering was special in two ways (Mark 14:3-5): she didn’t give money, and the cost was huge (equivalent to the salary of 10 months).
— God accepts other things apart from money as an offering. We can offer stuff that’s needed for a specific purpose, our own effort and time…
The case of Joseph Barnabas:
— Barnabas gave a special offering. He sold a piece of land and gave the full amount. He became an example of generosity for others (Acts 4:34-37).
— There are many church premises around the world that were donated by people who had such a passion for God’s work that they gave their possessions away.
Friday - January 27, 2023
Further Study and Meditation
God has a claim on us and all that we have. His claim is paramount to every other. And in acknowledgment of this claim, He bids us render to Him a fixed proportion of all that He gives us. The tithe is this specified portion. By the Lord's direction it was consecrated to Him in the earliest times. . . . {CS 71.1}
When God delivered Israel from Egypt to be a special treasure unto Himself, He taught them to devote a tithe of their possessions to the service of the tabernacle. This was a special offering, for a special work. All that remained of their property was God's, and was to be used to His glory. But the tithe was set apart for the support of those who ministered in the sanctuary. It was to be given from the first fruits of all the increase, and, with gifts and offerings, it provided ample means for supporting the ministry of the gospel for that time. {CS 71.2}
Questions to Ponder
Why there's an inequality among the people of God? What's the purpose of having rich and poor among us?
How equality is being practice in our midst as His people?
What's an offering and its purposes?
Is there any special bestowal of blessings if we obey Him with regards to Tithes and Offering?
When do we suppose to give the tithes and offerings? Specify each point!
What experience do you consider a result of your unfaithfulness and/or faithfulness in returning your tithes and offerings?
Based on the statement above, {CS 71.1-2}, does it relate and affect to you personal experiences in the past and your intentions in the future?
From the Pen of Inspiration
“God does not receive the offerings of any because He needs them and cannot have glory and riches without them, but because it is for the interest of His servants to render to God the things which are His. The freewill offerings of the humble, contrite heart He will receive, and will reward the giver with the richest blessings. He receives them as the sacrifice of grateful obedience. He requires and accepts our gold and silver as an evidence that all we have and are belongs to Him […] Without pure love the most expensive offering is too poor for God to accept.” E.G.W. (Testimonies for the Church, book 2, cp. 78, p. 652)
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