Read Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Deuteronomy 28:12. What is God’s ideal for His children regarding debt? How can they attain this ideal? And though this context is very different from ours, what principles can we take away from this context and apply to our own now? Studies show that there are three primary reasons that people get into … Continue reading –>
Sabbath Afternoon Read for This Week’s Study: Deuteronomy 28:1-2, Deuteronomy 28:12; Matthew 6:24; 1 John 2:15; Proverbs 22:7; Proverbs 6:1-5; Deuteronomy 15:1-5. Memory Text: “The rich rules over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender” (Proverbs 22:7, NKJV). One definition of debt is “living today on what you expect to earn in the future.” Today debt seems to be a … Continue reading –>
Aspiring Artist’s Gift By Sachiko Obara My 14-year-old son, Eichiro, had a special plan for his summer vacation in Japan. He loved to draw, and he decided to save money to purchase a professional tablet and software that he could use to create his art. Eichiro did careful preliminary online research to find out which … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: The heavenly record book of remembrance also notes the financial faithfulness of God’s family members. “The recording angel makes a faithful record of every offering dedicated to God and put into the treasury, and also of the final result of the means thus bestowed. The eye of God takes cognizance of every farthing … Continue reading –>
Research has shown that only about 9 percent of people’s assets are liquid and could be contributed as an offering on a moment’s notice. Cash, checking, savings, money market funds, etc., are generally considered liquid assets, at least for those possessing things like this. Most of our assets, about 91 percent, are “invested” in real … Continue reading –>
Read Mark 12:41-44. Whether we are rich or not rich, what message can we take from this story? What’s the principle that this teaches us, and how can we apply it to our own worship experience? Jesus and His disciples were in the temple courtyard where the treasury chests were located, and He watched those who … Continue reading –>
The Bible does not give us an order of service for worship. But it appears that at least four things are present in worship services. In the New Testament this list includes study/preaching, prayer, music, and tithes and offerings. Three times each year the men (and families) of Israel were all to appear before the … Continue reading –>
Read Deuteronomy 16:17. What criterion does God give as the basis for the amount of our offerings? Our offerings are an acknowledgment and expression of our gratitude to God for His abundant gifts of life, redemption, sustenance, and constant blessings of many kinds. So, as we noted in the passage above, the amount of our offerings … Continue reading –>
We love God because He first loved us. Our giving is in response to His amazing gift to us, Jesus. In fact, we are told, “The Lord does not need our offerings. We cannot enrich Him by our gifts. Says the psalmist: ‘All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.’ … Continue reading –>
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 … Continue reading –>
