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Lesson 20

What The Bible Teaches About
The Divine Plan For Supporting The Church

Everything Belongs To God

1. To whom does the universe belong?

Psalm 24:1

Psalm 24:1 (KJV)
1 The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

2. What enormous riches does God possess?

Haggai 2:8

Haggai 2:8 (KJV)
8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.

3. Thanks to whom do we obtain our things?

Deuteronomy 8:17, 18

Deuteronomy 8:17, 18 (KJV)
17 And thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me this wealth.
18 But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth, that he may establish his covenant which he sware unto thy fathers, as it is this day.

God's Part

4. What proportion of our income belongs to God?

Leviticus 27:30, 32

Leviticus 27:30, 32 (KJV)
30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.
32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

5. We must give a tithe of how much?

Genesis 28:20-22

Genesis 28:20-22 (KJV)
20 And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22 And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

6. What is tithe used for?

1 Corinthians 9:13, 14

1 Corinthians 9:13, 14 (KJV)
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

7. What wonderful blessing does God promise?

Malachi 3:10

Malachi 3:10 (KJV)
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

WHAT MUST I DO?

1. Be a faithful administrator of God's goods.

1 Peter 4:10

1 Peter 4:10 (KJV)
10 As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

2. Be God's partner.

Proverbs 11:24, 25

Proverbs 11:24, 25 (KJV)
24 There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.
25 The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself.

3. Give cheerfully.

2 Corinthians 9:6,7

2 Corinthians 9:6,7 (KJV)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

MY RESOLUTION

I want to be God's partner. I promise to give cheerfully what belongs to God.

Addtional Study 20

God Owns Everything. He is the owner of heaven and earth (Deuteronomy 10:14). Animals belong to him (Psalm 50:10-12). All wealth is his (Haggai 2:8). Our bodies and lives belong to Him (1 Corinthians 6:20).

We Are God's Stewards. The Lord wants us to act as his stewards (Matthew 25:14; Psalm 8:4-8). He gives us the strength to accumulate wealth (Deuteronomy 8:18; Proverbs 10:22). But He urges us to not love money (1 Timothy 6:10). We must be faithful stewards (1 Corinthians 4:1, 2). We must give according to the blessings God has granted us (Deuteronomy 16:17). Wherever our treasure us, that is where our heart will be (Luke 12:33, 34).

Collaborators with God

The Maker is also the great Provider. He gives us life, sustenance and knowledge of the truth. As a demonstration of his love, he makes us his collaborators. What God asks of us is not because He needs it, but for us to remember our dependence on Him and in order to establish a beneficial partnership for us.

Tithe

Tithe is the tenth part of our earnings and it belongs to God (Leviticus 27:30; 1 Chronicles 29:12,14). Abraham would give his tithe to God (Genesis 14:20; Hebrews 7:1-7). Jacob also gave it (Genesis 28:22). It was a habitual practice of the Hebrew people (2 Chronicles 31:5, 6; Nehemiah 10:37, 38). Our Lord Jesus Christ approved of this practice (Matthew 23:23).

"The special tithe system was based on a principle that is as long lasting as God's law. This tithe system was a blessing for the Jews, otherwise God would not have given it. Likewise, it will be a blessing for those who practice it until the end of time".—Ellen G. White, Jewels of the Testimonies, vol. 1, p. 385.

The Use of Tithe

Tithe was always used for sustaining worship and the ministers (Numbers 18:21). The Bible teaching is very clear that the ministers must be supported financially in order to dedicate themselves exclusively to exercising their ministry (1 Corinthians 9:13, 14; Luke 10:7). The Adventist Church uses the tithe that members give generously to preach the gospel and support the ministers. This way, every cent is used directly in God's work. A chain of salvation is being formed: you learned the truth because others were faithful en giving their tithes; now you help so that others can have the same blessed privilege.

Other Offerings

Tithe is what we return to God because it belongs to Him. Our generosity is measured by the offerings that we give voluntarily. Offerings are destined for extending the gospel in our territory and in foreign missions, for the expenses of our own church, and for special projects. The Holy Bible recommends that we be generous in giving our offerings (1 Chronicles 16:29; Psalm 96:8, Mark 12:41-44).

God's Marvelous Promises

In the system of tithes and offerings, in reality God promises us a partnership. He, who is the owner of all wealth, invites us to participate of the huge blessings that he is able to pour out. That is why He asks that we give abundantly and cheerfully (2 Corinthians 9:6, 7). He promises to take care of us at every moment (Hebrews 13:5, 6). He assures us that we can try Him in his promise to grant us overabundant blessings (Malachi 3:10, 11; Proverbs 11:24, 25).