Read Deuteronomy 28:12. What does this teach us about getting into too much debt? What principle do we see at work here? It’s just common sense to avoid debt as much as you can. Scripture discourages us from cosigning other people’s debts as well (Prov. 17:18, Prov. 22:26). Debt leverages the future and obligates us to submit to its … Continue reading –>
“There is desirable treasure, and oil in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man squanders it” (Prov. 21:20, NKJV). This text contrasts the stewardship of economic responsibility with luxurious and wasteful management. Foolish people make no plans to live within their means. They greedily spend wealth at their disposal, even borrowed wealth, feeling that financial … Continue reading –>
“Give everyone what you owe him.” Have you ever been tempted to spend more than you have? What should we do when we are tempted to borrow money for things we’re sure we need but maybe we could get by without them? Is it wrong in every case to borrow money? The house you live in, … Continue reading –>
Our continuing debt is to “Love one another” says our memory text for this week: Hymn 76, “O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go”, Hymn 77, “O Love of God Most Full” and Hymn 79, “O Love of God, How Strong and True!”. The “old hymnal” (pre 1985) has the perfect hymn for Monday’s study: Number 498, Yield … Continue reading –>
“And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Gen. 25:34, NKJV). Esau was a rugged outdoorsman who followed his passions. When he smelled his brother’s stew, he wanted the lentils immediately, even though it was unlikely that he was dying from … Continue reading –>
The prophets and Elisha were getting wood by the River Jordan when “the iron axhead fell into the water. ‘Oh no, my lord!’ [one of the prophets] cried out. ‘It was borrowed” (2 Kings 6:5, NIV). The verb “to borrow” means using with permission something that belongs to another. This permission carries risk and responsibility. Borrowed … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: Ps. 37:21, Matt. 4:3-10, Matt. 6:33, Deut. 28:12, Prov. 13:11, Prov. 21:5, 2 Cor. 4:18. Memory Text: “Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: At times chariot wheels had to have the band of iron reset because of stretching caused by the metal’s striking against the road. This resetting took a lot of hard banging and hammering on the iron band itself. This resetting of the band of iron represents stewardship as practical sanctification. It is having the … Continue reading –>
A while back I wrote an article called Bible Cures for Narcissism. This morning a friend on Facebook was sharing the signs of narcissism, which I was already familiar with. However, as our Sabbath school lesson today is on the three angels message, something occurred to me just now. One of the signs of being narcissistic … Continue reading –>
Christ wants us to live a holy life. His life illustrates “holiness” and what ultimate stewardship should look like (Heb. 9:14). We should manage our lives in a way that is pleasing to God, including how we manage all that we have been entrusted with. Stewardship is an expression of that holiness. Compare 1 Peter 1:15-16 with Hebrews 12:14. What do … Continue reading –>
Only twice has God warned the world of coming catastrophe: once to Noah (Gen. 6:13-18, Matt. 24:37) and the other through the three angels’ messages (Rev. 14:6-12). These messages pull back a curtain to reveal a unique perspective on future world events. Our understanding of these messages has matured over time, but the message and mission are still justification … Continue reading –>
How deep and wide. I could be wrong, but looking at the illustration at the start of this week’s lesson I see, or imagine to be seeing, two characters who have just been washed by Jesus in His hands. Doesn’t a good steward in Christ’s church want more than anything to be free from sin? washed clean … Continue reading –>
