Lord of Your ThingsShe snuck into the party. It didn't matter to her that she hadn't been invited. All that mattered was that she get close to the honoured guest. She had a gift for him, a treasure way beyond her budget, but that didn't matter, either. All that mattered was that she give her gift to the honoured guest. So she tiptoed past all the guests and at last, came to him. She wouldn't bother him, just pour out her gift upon him. But she had neglected to think that the scent of the perfume she unbottled would give her away. The guests turned to her with scowling faces. The host humiliated her with a public insult about her past reputation. But the honoured guest said, "Leave her alone. She has done a beautiful thing to me. Wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her." (Mark 14:6-9) And so, today, we still have the unusual story of Mary and her expensive gift to Jesus - a story told in all four of the gospels.
GIVING GROWS OUT OF LOVINGWhat was the motive for Mary's gift? Luke 7:47 When you stop and think about it, all of us who have been forgiven, should be as grateful as Mary was. Yet, how do most humans operate? Luke 17:11-19 It is because we are often neglectful and unthankful, that God has to continually remind us to express our love to him in tangible ways. So He provided a way for us to learn to be generous and thankful.
TITHEWhat is God's plan to help His people learn generosity? Leviticus 27:30 What is tithe? Genesis 28:22; Leviticus 27:32 Tithe is one-tenth of the increase or profit of what a person earns. God says it "belongs" to Him. We don't own it at all. It is what we return to Him as our Senior Partner. What is tithe used for? Numbers 18:20-24; Deuteronomy 26:12 How did Paul say the church should support its workers? 1 Corinthians 9:13-14 According to Paul, those who dedicate their lives to ministering for God should be supported by tithe like the priests in Old Testament times were supported. What does the lord promise those who return tithe to Him? Over and over again, God promises to take care of His people. Because of God's faithfulness, what attitude did Jesus say His people should have? Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus gives two important principles: a. Put His kingdom first Giving gifts to God will help you remember to keep His kingdom first in your life; and when you do that, He can bless you by providing your necessities and you can live a worry-free life! What does God say about those who do not bring their tithes to Him? Malachi 3:8-9; Haggai 1:5-6,9 What should you remember about your possessions? Your Lord is the owner of everything! In the beginning He made the earth and put Adam and Eve in charge of it. It is still His plan to let His followers be His managers. All He asks is that His managers recognise and honour Him as the owner by returning the tithe to Him. What else does the lord say about giving? Exodus 25:2 Apparently, God calls anything beyond tithe, an offering. Tithing is returning to God what is already His. Giving offerings is an extra token of love. Without love, tithing and giving offerings is a ritual. What did Jesus say about people who pay tithes without having love? Matthew 23:23 Love makes all the difference! Without love, tithing and giving offerings is a burden. With love, tithing and giving offerings is a burden. With love, it is a joy! Mary had the correct attitude. Because Jesus had forgiven her and done so much to change her life, it was easy for her to give Him an expensive gift. Jesus has done the same for you. He has forgiven you and given you a
new life in Him. When you think about His love for you, you can't
help but respond with love-gifts to Him. Putting your treasures in heaven, means giving them to God to use in His work of saving people for heaven.
ASK YOURSELF...Taking God as my partner, will I gladly give Him His tithe when I get my next paycheck? Do I love Him enough to express my live in gifts to Him? |
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Stay Alive Bible Studies Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Lesson 8 Lesson 9 Lesson 10 Lesson 11 Lesson 12 Lesson 13 Lesson 14 Lesson 15 |
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