Remedy For Selfish Living

"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights." James 1:17.

Have you ever wondered how to thank God for His incredible goodness to us- for His gifts of life, family, health and material blessings? Do you sometimes wonder if "Thank you" is enough? David asked, "What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits towards me?" Psalm 116:12. He longed to show his appreciation to God for all the blessings he had given him.

The salvation and blessings we receive from God have been freely given to us. "For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it." Ephesians 2:8,9 GNB. We can't pay for them, even if we tried.

However, the Bible principle of stewardship provides a tangible way of expressing our appreciation to God for all his blessings (Genesis 14:20, Genesis 28:22).

Jesus taught us that self-sacrificing love for others is the key to happiness and fulfillment. But the enemy has convinced people that possessions and money make one respected and happy. Today, the world operates almost universally on the principles of Satan's self-centered approach to life. Greed, theft, oppression, cheating, fraud and slavery are a few of the by-products of the enemy's management philosophy.

Human beings were originally created loving and trustworthy, but sin has made us self-centered, greedy and dishonest. Our loving heavenly Father has created ways to help us develop love and trust again so that we will be comfortable in Heaven and in harmony with its unselfish spirit.

The Biblical principle of stewardship is one of those methods. In this lesson, we will learn about how we can show our gratitude for God's temporal blessings and be molded into his image.

WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS...

1. Money is a necessary part of life and can be a great blessing, but what happens when we covet it and desire it instead of the Giver?

I Timothy 6:6-10

(Matthew 19:23,24)

2. Who gives us the skill and strength to acquire money?

Deuteronomy 8:18

(Acts 17:28, Ecclesiastes 5:19)

3. Since everything comes from God, and He has promised to provide for us, what attitude should we have about our daily needs?

Matthew 6:25,26

(read also Isaiah 33:16)

4. Because God has promised to provide for us and we are not to worry, should we then be lazy and expect him to make up for our lack of industry, planning, and frugality?

2 Thessalonians 3:7-10

(Genesis 3:19

I Thessalonians 4:11,12

I Timothy 5:8)

5. What is one way in which we can honour God for his goodness to us?

Proverbs 3:9

6. Is there a specific portion of the Christian's income that the Lord especially claims as his own?

Leviticus 27:30

Note: A "tithe" is one-tenth of our increase, or earnings. If we own a business, it is ten percent of our profits.

We don't "give" the tithe to the Lord; it belongs to Him already. It is also not correct to speak of "paying" tithes, but rather "returning" tithes to the Lord.

For example, if I give you ten apples and one of them is mine, are you giving me anything when I ask for mine back? You are free to say, "No! I'll keep them all!" However, would it be reasonable for me to want to give you anything else?

7. For what purpose was the tithe used for in Israel?

Numbers 18:21

Hebrews 7:5

Note: The Levites were the tribe especially set apart for ministry to the Lord.

8. Does this apply to the gospel ministry in our day?

I Corinthians 9:11-14

Matthew 10:9

Hebrews 7:6,9

Note: In the Adventist church, ordained ministers within a given country receive the same basic salary, regardless of the size of the church or its monetary intake. The money given by church members does not go to them directly, but is sent to central office for budgeting and distribution.

The pastors encourage and lead the members into self-sacrifice and giving—not for themselves, but to help each one develop a Christ-like character and to get ready for Heaven.

9. Upon what fundamental basis does God claim ten percent of our income?

Psalm 50:9-15

Psalm 24:1

(read also Deuteronomy 10:14, Psalm 95:5)

Note: He owns all the world's money, too—Haggai 2:8.

10. But isn't what we've worked for our private property?

Deuteronomy 8:17,18

11. Then what relationship does "our property" have to us as Christians?

Matthew 25:14

read also I Corinthians 4:7)

Note: Christ was here showing that man is not an original owner, but a steward of God's goods. Stewardship means "the responsible management of entrusted property." In verses 14-30 Jesus taught us that we are all accountable to God for the means entrusted to us. As God's stewards, we are managers, caretakers, or "trustees" of His property. We are entrusted with a fair portion of His assets, according to our abilities as He sees fit.

12. Are we then to take the attitude of lowly servants?

Amos 3:3

Note: God sees us not as merely servants administering his money, but as his partners! Remember, God prefers us to be his friends rather than merely servants—John 15:15.

13. If I pay my tithe, can I do as I please with the remainder?

Luke 16:

I Corinthians 4:2

(read also Matthew 21:34)

14. If God owns everything, why does he need our tithe?

2 Corinthians 12:14

Deuteronomy 6:24

Note: God does not need our money- He could rain down gold from Heaven. He wants our hearts—Proverbs 23:26. Jesus said that our money and our hearts are closely associated- Luke 12:34. As with all experiences on this planet, God uses stewardship as a means of fitting us up for Heavenly citizenship. Our carnal nature is naturally greedy, and wants to get, get, get—not give. We are affected by our giving habits- Matthew 19:21. He is helping us to learn to trust Him, and to become loving and self-sacrificing, as Jesus was. Jesus gave His life; what can we give in comparison with that? Partnership means mutual ownership, mutual trust, mutual objectives, mutual obligations. It is the experience where we become so fully identified with Christ that we are one with Him in motives, purpose, ideals and character. This is God's ideal for every Christian, the climax and crown of the plan of redemption.

15. Besides the tithe, what else did the children of Israel give to further the work of the Lord?

Exodus 35:4,5

Exodus 36:3-5

Psalm 96:8

I Chronicles 16:29

Note: The tithe is not a freewill offering. We cannot offer God something He already owns! If we want to give something to the Lord, we must go beyond the tithe as did the children of Israel. They gave a full 25 percent of their income to the Lord.

16. What does God say we are doing if we withhold our tithes and offerings, and what does He promise those who are faithful with their tithes?

Malachi 3:8-10

(Proverbs 3:9-11)

Note: If robbing a man is bad (see Exodus 20:15), how much more serious us it to rob God, when we consider how much He loves us and He has done for us! (Luke 6:38, Proverbs 11:24,25)

17. Should we give in order to get more, or out of fear that God will curse us? In what spirit should we give our offerings?

2 Corinthians 9:7

(2 Corinthians 8:9, Romans 12:8, Matthew 6:1-4)

18. What general rule is to be used in giving?

Deuteronomy 16:17

(see I Corinthians 16:2, Acts 20:35)

19. What warning did Jesus give about covetousness?

Luke 12:15

Luke 12:34

20. Where did Christ counsel us to lay up our treasure?

Luke 12:33

(see I Timothy 6:7, Matthew 6:19,20)

21. If I tithe and give offerings, how can I know that all my needs will be met?

Luke 12:22-32

Philippians 4:19

22. After I pay my bills, there is never any money left. How can I possibly tithe or give offerings?

Proverbs 3:9,10

Matthew 6:33

Note: God never said He wanted our leftovers; he said he wanted our first-fruits.

The Bible says we should not test God (Deuteronomy 6:16, Matthew 4:7); however, in the matter of tithes and offerings, God himself invites us to "prove him," if he will bless us more if we bring our tithes to him! Many faithful tithe-payers attest to the fact that they can accomplish more with nine-tenths after tithing than with 100% if they don't tithe!

Some statistics say that as much as 50% of church members do not return a faithful tithe to the Lord. Many are afraid that the Lord will not keep his promise to bless them!

23. What factors beside the amount of money are important when we give to God?

Luke 21:1-4

(Psalm 50:5

2 Corinthians 8:12)

24. Besides giving tithes and offerings to support God's work and workers, in what other kinds of giving should we become involved?

Matthew 25:34-40

CONCLUSION

"It is certain that we brought nothing into this world, and can take nothing out." I Timothy 6:7

God offers you a partnership with him—a union that will mold you closer into his image and make you more like Jesus. Do you choose to tithe and give your offerings to the Lord, and worship him by acknowledging that "All things come from thee, and of thine own hand we have given thee." (I Chronicles 29:14)?

My response to Christ is:______________________________