Lesson 5 Review: Dealing With Debt

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7, NKJV).

The Bible discourages debts, but there are many often-bad consequences to borrowing money, though the Bible does not say borrowing money is bad. Romans 12:7,8 says, “Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor. Owe no one anything except to love one another.”

What are the three primary reasons why people get into financial difficulty?

The first is ignorance, the second reason for financial difficulties is greed, or selfishness — many people just don’t want to live according to their income, some feel they are too poor to tithe, and so on. The third reason people find themselves in financial difficulty is personal misfortune.

What do the people in debt need to do?

Those in debt will need to make some changes to their lives, their spending, and their financial priorities.

What two choices do we have as Christians to follow?

We can either serve God or mammon. We can let God take the lead or our riches.

What attitude should God’s people live with?

Our attitude should be an attitude of thanksgiving, an attitude of worship to God for what He has done for us. Praise, thanksgiving, paying of vows are inclusive. In every right way, we should support the church through tithes and offerings and by personal effort and influence.

What are the steps to eliminate debt?

The premise is a commitment to God to be faithful in returning His holy tithe to access His wisdom and blessing.

Step 1 is to declare a moratorium on additional debt, we should not get into further debt.

Step 2 is to make a covenant with God that from this point on, as He blesses, you will pay off your debts as quickly as possible.

Step 3 is the hands-on practical part. Make a list of all your debts, from the largest to the smallest, in descending order. Starting paying the dents from the bottom of the list, eliminating the smallest debt. Use the money you were paying at the bottom to add to the next debt as you work your way up the list.

What does the Bible say about cosigning?

“The Bible says we should never do that.” Please understand that the Bible encourages us to be helpful to those in need but we should not become surety for the debts of others. (Proverbs 6:1-5, Proverbs 17:18 and Proverbs 22:26).

What does the Bible say about Get-Rich-Quick Schemes?

Proverbs 28:20 says those who hasten to get rich will not go unpunished. When it sounds too good to be true, it surely is. Do not get pulled into one of these schemes, run.

What term limit does the Bible give to debts?

The longest anyone could be in debt was seven years.

What can we take from the seven-year term limit?

They do show that God cares about these kinds of financial issues, especially when, at the time, they are concerned about fellow Israelites. They also show that God acknowledges the reality of debts. He also emphasized that it was to be avoided as much as possible.

What principle should we take for ourselves with regard to borrowing?

‘To whatever degree humanly possible, we should seek to avoid debt, and by following biblical financial principles in our everyday lives, we can go a long way in avoiding unnecessary debts and the terrible strain it can put on us and our families.’

In Conclusion,

The Bible discourages debts; we are to owe no one anything but to love one another. By following God’s ideal, we can completely avoid these debts in an unideal world. God also is concerned about our financial status, hence the reason why He has given principles that should guide our economic life, above all, we should put God first and debts will be far from us in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 4 Review: Offerings for Jesus

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “What shall I render to the LORD for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. I will pay my vows to the LORD now in the presence of all His people” (Psalm 116:12-14, NKJV).

We give offerings from the 90 percent that remains besides the tithe. We bring our gifts/offerings in response to what God has done for us, especially in the sacrifice of Jesus for the advancement of the cause of God.

What is our motivation for giving?

‘Our giving is in response to His amazing gift of Jesus to us.’

What are some of the benefits of giving?

‘Giving strengthens our love for Jesus and others.’ ‘Making an offering can be a deeply spiritual experience, an expression of the fact that our lives are wholly surrendered to God as our Lord.’

What is the nature of giving?

‘Our offerings are an evidence of our willingness to sacrifice self for God.’

‘Giving comes from the heart that trusts in a personal God who constantly provides for our needs as He sees best.’

‘Our offerings rest on the conviction that we have found assurance of salvation in Christ.’

What does it mean to give as one “purposes in his heart”?

It simply implies giving at the will of the giver, and at the comfort of the giver, not “grudgingly” (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7, NKJV).

What criterion does God give as basis for the amount of our offerings?

‘The amount of our offerings is based on what we have been blessed with.’

What is the best in trying to repay God for all His benefits?

We cannot repay God for all His benefits, the best we can do is be generous with the cause of God and in helping our fellow human beings. It is our Christian duty to bring offerings to the LORD.

What are the four things that are at least present in worship services?

Study/preaching, prayer, music, and tithes and offerings.

What should the bringing of our offerings mean to us?

It should be a privilege, an opportunity, and a responsibility to bring our offerings. This is part of the worship experience, and it positively impacts our relationship with God.

In what way was the value of the widow’s gift in Mark 12:41-44 measured?

It was measured “not by the worth of the coin but by the love to God and the interest in His work that had prompted the deed.” — Ellen G. White, Counsels on Stewardship, p. 175.

What other thing is significant about giving?

Giving is the only gift Jesus ever commended.

What lessons can we learn from giving?

It is not only our prayers that are heard in heaven but the motives of our gifts is also noted (See Acts 10:1-4). In the two great principles of God’s law, loving God (Luke 10:27) is revealed in prayer, whereas loving our neighbors is revealed in almsgiving.

What is the nature of “Big Jar” giving?

“Big Jar” offerings, given by fewer people take real love and commitment to give from our investments. “Big Jar offerings” tell better where our hearts are with God, “ ‘For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ ” (Matt. 6:21, NKJV).

In Conclusion,

It is our duty as Christians to give to the LORD voluntarily and under the constraints of love, for God loves a cheerful giver. We give in appreciation to what He has done for us. I pray that God gives and sustains in us the heart to give in the right way in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 3 Review: The Tithing Contract

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it’” (Malachi 3:10, NKJV).

The tithing system existed even as far back as the days of Adam, men were required to offer God gifts for religious purposes before the definite system was given to Moses. Abram gave a tithe of all that he possessed, and Moses instructed the children of Israel to tithe all the increase of their grain that the field produces year by year. What does all this mean for us today?

What is the definition of the tithe?

Dictionaries define tithe as “a tenth part of something” or “10 percent”. The tithe is simply returning 10 percent of our income, or increase, to God.

What are some notable things about tithing?

1.       Neither Melchizedek nor Christ whom Paul refers to was of the tribe of Levi, so tithing precedes and follows the selection of the Levites

2.       ‘Tithing is not a Jewish custom and did not originate with the Hebrews at Sinai’

What other instance is there of tithing before Sinai?

Jacob promised to give God a tenth of all that God will give Him. This was in response to God’s promise to be with Jacob and bring him back home.

What can we learn from Malachi 3:10 about where our tithe should go?

God’s instruction was to bring all the tithes into the storehouse, but we know the storehouse initially was God’s sanctuary in the later words that read “ ‘that there may be food in My house’ ”.

How does the Seventh-day Adventist Church harmonize with the Biblical narrative of the tithe?

The Seventh-day Adventist has designated local conferences, missions, and unions of churches as storehouses on behalf of the world church and from which the ministry is paid.

What does God propose to do with the tithe according to Leviticus 27:30 and Numbers 18:21, 24?

God’s proposal is for the tithe to be used for the support of the gospel ministry.

Why is tithing so important?

‘Tithing is important because it helps us establish a relationship of trust with God.’ ‘A second big reason for financial faithfulness is to access the promised tangible blessings of God.’

Should tithing be on the Gross or the Net Income?

It is up to us to decide if the tithing should be on Gross or the Net Income. Each of us has to answer to God, and God alone, for our choices. “Everyone is to be his own assessor and is left to give as he purposes in his heart.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 469.

What are several of the constituent elements of the tithe?

1.       The amount—which is tenth, or 10 percent, of our income or increase.

2.       Taken to the storehouse—the place from which the gospel ministers are paid.

3.       Honoring God with the first part of our income

4.       Used for the right purpose—the support of the ministry.

What does it mean to be faithful with our tithe?

We as Church members are to uphold the first three constituent elements in the previous question’s answer, the storehouse managers are to make sure that the tithe funds are used properly. The tithe is a full 10 percent of our increase, unlike the offerings that are discretionary on our part.

How should we see tithing?

No appeal is made to gratitude or generosity, it is a matter of simple honesty. God blesses and sustains us and asks for only a tenth, and then uses His tithe to provide for those in the ministry, as He did for the tribe of Levi during the time of ancient Israel.

In Conclusion,

The tithing contract is very important; it is our responsibility to return our faithful tithe to God. We are to return our tithe irrespective to the storehouse, it is the responsibility of the storehouse managers to know what to do with the tithe, and God will strengthen us and bless us with the blessings that come from faithful tithing in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 2 Review: God’s Covenants With Us

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “‘Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the LORD your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the LORD your God’” (Deuteronomy 28:1, 2, NKJV).

God is in a covenant with us, and some of these covenants require that we keep our part of the bargain. Some of the covenants we have with God are unilateral, for example “ ‘He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust’ ” (Matt. 5:45, NKJV). This week’s lesson concerns some of the significant bilateral covenants between God and His children.

What is the nature of the Salvation Covenant?

Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ alone, but we must fight the good fight. We do not merit God’s salvation by our deeds, but we choose to claim this Salvation by our actions. Our faith is justified by our actions, we are to show our faith by works, by showing that we love God, and by keeping God’s commandments.

What were the Israelites to do despite the fact that they were God’s chosen people?

Though God had chosen the Israelites to be a blessing, they by their actions are to choose to accept these blessings. They were “to hearken diligently”.

What does it mean to put God first?

Putting God first is an act of faith, an act of trust, a manifestation of trusting in the Lord with all your heart and not leaning on your own understanding.

What should spur us more to put God first?

The cross is more reason why we should put God first. God is not only our Creator (John 1:1-4) and Sustainer (Hebrews 1:3), but also our Redeemer (Revelation 5:9), honoring God with our substance is the least we can do.

How were the Israelites to return to God in Malachi 3:7-11?

“ ‘Bring all the tithes [the whole tithe] into the storehouse’ ” (Mal. 3:10, NKJV).

What are the promises that come with bringing the tithes?

“ ‘I will … open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room  enough to receive it’ ” (Mal. 3:10, NKJV). ‘If there is no room enough to receive it, we have a surplus with which we can help others and help to advance the cause of God.’

What example is there for us in the Bible of obedience to the command of tithe and offerings?

There was a genuine revival in Judah during good King Hezekiah’s reign when the people “brought in abundance the firstfruits of grain and wine, oil and honey, and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of everything” (Second Chronicles 31:5, NKJV).

What part must we play in the Great Controversy amidst the fact that salvation is unmerited on our part?

‘Using the sacred gift of free will, free choice, we must choose to follow the prompting of the Holy Spirit and obey what God calls us to do.

What are we to do in order to receive God’s promises in Matthew 6:25-33?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matt. 6:33, NKJV).

What are we to do to have God's peace in the light of Isaiah 26:3?

Our minds must be stayed on God and our trust should be in God.

What happens when we confess our sins?

He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

What is the condition for God to forgive our sins and heal our land?

Humility, prayer, seeking God’s face, and turning from our wicked ways.

In Conclusion,

God’s covenant with us is a covenant of love, and of course, we cannot show that we love God if we do not keep our part of the bargain. We are to put God first in our lives, I pray that God provides us with the grace to do this in Jesus’ name. 

Lesson 1 Review: Part of God’s Family

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1, NKJV).

God trusts us to manage His affairs on earth, He has given us resources for our needs, the needs of others, and for the advancement of His work. He has also entrusted us in our hands to manage resources, such as collecting money, writing checks, doing electronic transfers, making the budgets, or bringing our tithes and offerings to the church on Sabbath mornings. This week’s lesson is about the privileges and responsibilities of being a part of the family of God.

What does Eph. 3:14, 15 tell us about our status with God?

Paul in Ephesians refers to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ as the one from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named. This means that we are part of the family of God.

What do Exodus 3:10; Exodus 5:1; and Galatians 3:26, 29 say about how God relates to us?

These Bible portions, all imply the fact that we are all related to God and we are loved by God with family love. This is good news amid a world that, in and of itself, can be very hostile! and in contrast to a view of creation in which we are deemed as the mere products of cold, uncaring natural laws; ‘God loves us the way family members are supposed to love each other.

What is the truth about all that we possess and all that exists?

The truth is that God Is the Owner of Everything, He created all we see from the beginning, according to 1 Chronicles 29:14, NKJV, even though we bring gifts to God, we are only bringing God’s properties for He is the Owner of Everything. Without God and His grace, we would have nothing, we would be nothing, infarct we wouldn’t even exist. No matter how diligently we have worked for our possessions, the truth is that God owns everything.

What are the resources Available for God’s Family?

‘God’s greatest gift to His children is Jesus Christ, who brings us the peace of forgiveness, grace for daily living and spiritual growth, and the hope of eternal life.’ Salvation is the foundation gift from God, along with salvation, God has made available the gift of the Holy Spirit; to those who were concerned about their food and clothing, Jesus offered comfort by saying, “ ‘Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.’ ” (Matt. 6:33, NKJV). This Spirit also comes with many amazing spiritual gifts.

What should be the attitude to these resources available for God’s Family?

‘We are indebted in every way to the Giver in how we use those gifts.’

What are the responsibilities of God’s Family Members?

Our responsibility as simply written is to “ ‘love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’ ”.

How would you love God with “ ‘ “all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” ’ ” (Matt. 23:37, NKJV)?

1 John 5:3 reads thus; “This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments”. We know and experience the love of God by keeping His commandments.

What is our proper response to our loving relationship with our Father in Heaven?

Those who hear and do God’s word are likened to the wise builder who built his house upon the solid rock (Matthew 7:21-27). Those who hear but don’t obey are like the builder who built his house on the sand—with disastrous results. If we claim that we love God, our proper response is to keep His commandments.

What does it mean to lay up treasure in heaven?

‘It means making God and His cause first and foremost in your life, instead of making money first and foremost. Among other things, it means using what we have for the work of God, for the advancement of His kingdom, for working in behalf of others, and for being a blessing to others.’

What should our money serve?

It should serve as food for the hungry, drink for the thirsty, and clothing for the naked.  Money should be used for providing life's necessities, blessing others, and advancing the cause of Christ.

In Conclusion,

We are part of God’s Family, God loves us as family, and our response to this love should be to love God too. We love God by keeping His commandments, I pray that God gives us the grace to keep His commandments so we can abide in His love in Jesus’ Name.

1st Quarter of 2023 Sabbath School Study Guide Introduction

 The theme for the Sabbath School Study Guide for the first Quarter of 2023 is “Managing for the Master—Until He Comes”. God is the One with resources, and when we work for Him, He allows us to handle them for Him.

Here is an outline for the weekly topics for this quarter:

WEEK	LESSON’S TOPIC	PERIOD
1	Part of God’s Family	December 31-January 6
2	God’s Covenants With Us	January 7-13
3	The Tithing Contract	January 14-20
4	Offerings for Jesus	January 21-27
5	Dealing With Debt	January 28-February 3
6	Laying Up Treasure in Heaven	February 4-10
7	Unto the Least of These	February 11-17
8	Planning for Success	February 18-24
9	Beware of Covetousness	February 25-March 3
10	Giving Back	March 4-10
11	Managing in Tough Times	March 11-17
12	Rewards of Faithfulness	March 18-24