Sunday 3 January 2021

Stewardship

After an eventful year, and as we begin a new one, it would be a very good opportunity to recount the blessings given to each one of us, and to show gratitude to God for His great kindness, mercy, love and grace. If we have a heart full of gratitude to our dear Saviour for all that He has done, is doing, and what He will continue to do for us, this could be a good time also to show Him, and doing so is good for our own personal health -

Nothing tends more to promote health of body and of soul than does a spirit of gratitude and praise. It is a positive duty to resist melancholy, discontented thoughts and feelings—as much a duty as it is to pray. If we are heaven-bound, how can we go as a band of mourners, groaning and complaining all along the way to our Father's house? MH 251


Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him. 1 Corinthians 16:2


Here are a few of the reasons/seasons that are given in the Scriptures and in the Spirit of Prophecy, when we are encouraged to give back to our generous God:


Tithe 

2nd Tithe

Offerings -

Gospel work/ers

Holidays

Birthdays

New Year

Privileges enjoyed

Special Occasions

Thanksgiving

Gratitude to God for - His blessings, His bounties, His care, His mercy, His sparing your life, His healing, His love, to glorify His Name, His loving kindness, for gifts of His providence, His health, for His favours received, etc,. 


In ancient Israel they were to willingly give up to 33% of their income back to God. 


They shall not appear before the Lord empty: every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord thy God which He hath given thee.” No less than one third of their income was devoted to sacred and religious purposes. 3T 395


At stated periods, in order to preserve the integrity of the law, the people were interviewed as to whether they had faithfully performed their vows or not. A conscientious few made returns to God of about one third of all their income for the benefit of religious interests and for the poor. These exactions were not from a particular class of the people, but from all, the requirement being proportioned according to the amount possessed. Besides all these systematic and regular donations there were special objects calling for freewill offerings, such as the tabernacle built in the wilderness and the temple erected at Jerusalem. These drafts were made by God upon the people for their own good, as well as to sustain His service. 4T 467


Giving was not just something required by God, but was supposed to be a great blessings for all, as we read in the Testimonies:


1T Chapter 41—Systematic Benevolence


 3T Chapter 34 - Systematic Benevolence


Here are also some of the beautiful Bible texts about giving; Proverbs 11:24-26; Luke 6:38; Acts 20:35; 2Cor 9:6-7.


Let us all give back to the LORD, including the support of those who minister to the “household of faith”, and who labour for the cause of God, to give “meat in due season”. Let us pray to learn what the Lord would have us to do.