Read for This Week’s Study: 2 Cor. 8:1-7; Matt. 13:3-7; Matt. 13:22; Gen. 3:1-6; Isa. 56:11; Matt. 26:14-16; 2 Pet. 1:5-9. Memory Text: “Now he who received seed among the thorns is he who hears the word, and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becomes unfruitful” (Matthew 13:22, NKJV). The love of money and material … Continue reading –>
In Luke 15:11-32 we read the story of the prodigal son who wastes his father’s money in wild living. However when he returns, the father kills the fattened calf and they all celebrate. This has me wondering if the father was just as prodigal (wasteful) as the son? I mean, wouldn’t it have made more … Continue reading –>
Further Thought: “The enemy is buying souls today very cheap. ‘Ye have sold yourselves for nought,’ is the language of Scripture. One is selling his soul for the world’s applause, another for money; one to gratify base passions, another for worldly amusement. Such bargains are made daily. Satan is bidding for the purchase of Christ’s blood … Continue reading –>
At the beginning of a new quarter, it’s time to plan for our 13th Sabbath offering which will go to the Inter American Division. In this post you will find some patterns for making 13th-Sabbath offering boxes for your family or for your whole church. “The Adventist Church is built on mission. Our commission comes from … Continue reading –>
There are many people who love God. Their identity is blended with His in a way that material possessions can’t dislodge. Read Deuteronomy 7:6, 1 Peter 2:9, John 15:5, and Galatians 2:20. What does it mean to be God’s possession, and where do we find our true identity? God says, “I am the vine, you are the branches. . … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: When we use material blessings to honor God and help others, we are blessed. When we become materialistic, we lose that blessing. January 6, 2018 1. Have a volunteer read Luke 14:26-33. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. How do … Continue reading –>
“For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3, NKJV). God said, “Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; … Continue reading –>
Nobody beyond reach. What is the primary warning of our memory text, Romans 12:2? Does materialism have something to do with our wanting to be wealthy? If it’s not wrong to be wealthy, is there anything wrong with working hard to gain wealth? At what point does our striving for financial gain become materialism? Do … Continue reading –>
Welcome to 2018 and the study of “The Life of a Christian Steward” in our first quarters Lesson studies. To go against the grain of the beliefs and practices of this world, we may make our theme song Hymn 316, “Live Out Thy Life Within Me”. With this in place, Jesus’ love will shine to … Continue reading –>
The advertising world is powerful. Companies spend billions putting images of their products before us. They almost always use beautiful and appealing people to promote what they are selling. We look at that ad and see ourselves, not just with the product but as actually being like the people in the ad. Materialism would not … Continue reading –>
Read Luke 12:15-21. What’s the message to us here? How might the principle here apply even to someone who is not necessarily rich? Whether we are rich or poor, our desire to own things can take our mind off what really matters and focus it, instead, on what’s only temporal and fleeting and certainly not worth … Continue reading –>
Money has become the god of this world, and materialism is its religion. Materialism is a sophisticated and insidious system that offers temporary security but no ultimate safety. Materialism, as we define it here, is when the desire for wealth and possessions becomes more important and more valuable than spiritual realities. Possessions may have value, … Continue reading –>
