Sabbath: Offerings for Jesus
Image © Pacific Press
Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Deuteronomy 16:17; Psalm 116:12-18; 1 Chronicles 16:29; Mark 12:41-44; Mark 14:3-9.
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).
Besides tithing, there are offerings, which come from the 90 percent that remains in our possession after our tithe is returned to God. This is where generosity begins. Different types of offerings were given by God’s people, such as sin offerings, given in response to God’s grace, or thank offerings, given to recognize God’s protection, and blessings of health, prosperity, and sustaining power. There were also offerings for the poor, and offerings to build and maintain the house of worship.
When we consider the magnitude of God’s gifts to us, we then begin to see our giving as more than just paving the parking lot or buying choir robes. We bring our gifts in response to what God has done for us, especially in the sacrifice of Jesus. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19, NKJV). The church, then, whether it be local, conference, or worldwide, uses our gifts to advance the cause of God. This week we will review what the Bible has to say about offerings as part of our management of God’s business on the earth.
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, January 28.
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It is a pity the lesson has focussed primarily on financial offering. In response to what 1 John 4:19 reflects, might what Paul refers to in Romans 12:1-2 be the broader picture of offering (ie body & mind)? Is 'living to give' just a part of life and living - something I do some of the time with some of my resources (time, abilities, energies, possessions)? Or is a life of self-renouncing offering all-encompassing?
The Holy Spirit uses everyone differently, according to the talents that each one has. God created us all different, so the most important thing is to be "connected to the vine", which is Jesus. Everything else will follow, including financial and other resources. And everyone has a special mission to conclude; in this mission not only the giver can bless others but he/she is also blessed.
I am at the stage of life where to put it bluntly, I have earned all the money I am ever going to earn. And, if I live as long as my mother did, I am going to run out. Does that excuse me from giving offerings? Well no; part of my retirement planning had to include offerings. But, while I need to be careful with my finances, I have found that my time is a valuable commodity that is shareable.
I know that there are many retirees in my position and I see them donating their time. Retired ministers, looking after churches with insufficient tithe income to support a minister, retired teachers acting as on-call substitute teachers, retired accountants, managing charity shops and so on.
My point is that financial offerings are only part of the offering picture. Just something to think about this week.
Personally, I have no problem with this lesson's focus on the financial aspect of our relationship with God. The plan of salvation is multifaceted, and it would be impossible -- and probably undesirable -- to try to cover all of it every time we open our mouth, provided we never lose sight of the cross of Christ.
I do question one statement in today's lesson.
I don't doubt that the tithe is the Lord's, and should be returned out of simple honesty. At the same time, shouldn't gratitude and generosity play a part in making us "cheerful givers" even in this?
On the other hand, in Malachi 3, God complains that His people have been robbing Him in tithes and offerings. This suggests to me that there is a Christian duty involved in going beyond the minimum 10% where possible. If offerings were purely a matter of generosity, then perhaps we could pat ourselves on the back for giving them even in meagre amounts. I am much more interested in the idea of giving back to God in systematic, bountiful measure and then saying:
“This week we will review what the Bible has to say about offerings as part of our management of God’s business on the earth” is the focus for these lessons. I think our involvement is more than ‘managing God’s business' and look forward to finding out more about it.
A question came to mind as I reflected on the motivation for ‘offerings for Jesus’ - giving that which is beyond the giving of tithes. I consider ‘offerings for Jesus’ as acts of kindness based on God’s love for us. Phil comments that ‘we have been given to give’. The capacity and motivation to give comes from having received God’s love into our heart and mind, being empowered to share His love by/through giving.
1 Chr.16:29 - ”Give to the LORD the glory due His name; bring an offering, and come before Him. Oh, worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness!” To worship God in the beauty of holiness – what does this mean?
I see all ‘offerings for Jesus’ clothed in the beauty of holiness as they come from a heart that loves God; “give God the Glory due His name!” – the act of giving is the renewed heart’s and mind’s expression of God’s love - expressions of the Glory of His holiness. Therefore, all acts of sharing and caring in the name of Jesus could be considered the expression of the loving righteousness of God.
God’s holiness is present in all acts of kindness, in all the ‘good works’ we engage in – Eph.2:10. When He expresses His love for mankind, reaching out to us to save us, giving us His Son to teach us ‘righteous living’ by His Spirit, He shares with us the ‘beauty of His holiness’ - a state of balance, harmony, and wisdom resulting in the peace of our heart and mind.
Brigitte, I agree with your last comment „God‘s holiness is present in all acts of kindness, in all good works we engage in“- of course being done from the heart and compassion for the needy.
How easy it is to throw some Dollar bills in the church collection bag or making a quick bank transfer, while spending our effort and time solely to just live a selfish lifestyle. On the other hand compared to fulfilling a tedious task and spending uncountable hours in supporting those in need is worthwhile to be considered in the offering scheme.
I do not mean the one task to exclude the other, but God estimates all in all, our availability to His calling. After all, if we we are loyal heavenly citizens, God will do the knocking on our hearts and the leading.
God took care of the Israelites so that they had enough to satisfy their needs and plenty left over for a tithe to support the priests and Temple needs. Looking at the heart He saw greed as the reason for their failure to present tithes and offerings to the Lord. That was why He admonished them concerning the tithes and offerings.
There are many poor people today who through no fault of their own cannot afford basic needs, such as food, housing, necessary utilities and clothing. It isn't that they aren't working, although their are some who cannot work because of physical or mental disabilities. I see many who can only do manual labor in the category of the poor.
The lessons this week work well at putting such a heavy burden on these less fortunate. I've experienced Christians who are in this category be faithful in their tithes and offerings who must depend on help from the government to supplement their needs and still have their utilities turned off because their isn't enough left to cover it.
There are many Christians who tithe from their want like the poor woman who put in two pennies for an offering. Yet they never see an increase that will meet their needs.
I ask, is it fair to make these people feel as if they are robbing God if they need to use their money for their basic needs? I have seen them go without a lot of what they need.
I have chosen to walk with God and follow His personal guidance rather than all the laws imposed in the old testament. I am so ready to give when He quickens me to do so. I have experienced more than a tithe go out for His purpose. He also showed me how to keep my utilities down so I can afford to pay my utility bills. Without the Lord's guidance, I would have used more than I actually need. He is very wise and His lessons can save us from many burdens.
As I follow my Father in heaven, I find I never need to worry about paying my bills. He continues to meet all my needs, and then some. There are months when I have no clue on how He's going to cover my bills, yet He always shows me how.
I wish the church wouldn't put such a burden on the poor, but would take part in helping them meet their basic needs. The government in the USA puts the church to shame.
Even worse, there are impoverished places that can't get basic needs.
It was not God’s purpose that tithing should be a tax on the economically disadvantaged. Instead, it was to benefit them.
Air we breath, water we drink, food given by nice people, rest we recieve when night finds us, sunshine we recieve, strength and energy to keep us moving... are they not 'blessings' for what we 'render back to God' (time, skills, tools, even my presence etc)? Money or not, still earn us these same blessings.
The Bible speaks positively about offerings in a variety of contexts. In the Old Testament, offerings were tied to worshipping God and expressing gratitude for His blessings. In the New Testament, offerings can also be seen as generous gifts for furthering the work of God. For example, the Apostle Paul encouraged believers to give “as [they] purpose in [their] heart”, rather than out of obligation (2 Corinthians 9:7). The Bible also teaches us that offerings should be done with a willing heart (1 Corinthians 16:2) and that our offerings should be proportional to our means (Deuteronomy 16:17). Ultimately, offerings are an expression of our love and devotion to God. They demonstrate our faithfulness to God as we manage His business on the earth – both as an act of worship and as a practical way to further His kingdom.