Comments for Sabbath School Net

Comment on Tuesday: Planning by Inge Anderson

Inge Anderson — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:00:08 +0000

May I suggest that God’s math is different from human math? Thus, I’m not sure that “those trained in the field of business” would be much help in planning our offerings. They may, however, be a big help in budgeting what’s left after returning tithe and giving offerings.

While we were attending Andrews University in the 1960’s, there was a money-raising campaign for the beautiful Andrews University Church. One of the pastors visited us and suggested that we plan on giving a “second tithe” on top of our tithe as offering, as he and his wife had done for many years. We adopted that plan and were showered with blessings – especially when we upped the offerings to 15% as part of a church plant. (We were students and had to earn our own way! My husband was doing building contracting to earn money.)

We have stuck with the tithe plus 10% for offerings for the 60 or so years since then, and we may have looked poor at times (and may still look poor), but we have never lacked for necessities. I remember times when I didn’t dare check the math, because I couldn’t figure out why/how we had enough money to cover expenses. God’s math is not our math!

The genius of the plan of “systematic giving” is that it is percentage based. The person making $50,000/month, would give $10,000 in tithes and offerings/month. The person making $2,000 a month would give $400 in offerings/month. Perhaps it is easier for the high-salaried person to give $10,000/month than the poor wage earner to give $400. I wouldn’t know, because we’ve never been in that position. 😊

Another thing: When we give “more than we can afford,” we give the Lord opportunity to perform miracles that He would not otherwise do.

That said, there are some situations where people may truly not be in a position to do more than return tithe, and we should not try to make them feel obligated. But the tithe is the Lord’s, and not returning it is theft. No one is excempt, and everyone can claim the blessings God promised. When someone “cannot afford to give tithe,” is exactly the time that person cannot afford NOT to return tithe. In such extreme financial situations, we need God to open the windows of heaven more than ever!

Comment on Sunday: The Example of Jesus by Gina Warkentin knight

Gina Warkentin knight — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:49:04 +0000

In reply to Maurice Ashton.

As a church we bought a grand piano and made pledges. Within 3 months pastor said the piano is paid off. GIFTS of love.

Comment on Monday: Type and Antitype by Jacqui Perry

Jacqui Perry — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:56:34 +0000

In reply to Maurice Ashton.

Well said Maurice, well said.

Comment on Tuesday: Planning by Tim Heischberg

Tim Heischberg — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:51:23 +0000

As the story goes, the Grahams were visiting a church. When the collection plate came around, Billy Graham reached into his pocket to pull out a bill for the collection plate. He intended to grab a smaller bill (often cited as a $5 or $10 bill), but accidentally pulled out and dropped a much larger bill (a $20 or $50 bill) onto the plate instead. (This was back when $20 or $50 was worth significantly more than today.) Realizing his mistake, the interaction usually plays out in one of two ways depending on the retelling:The “Hand Slap” Version: Realizing he dropped the wrong bill, Billy reached back toward the collection plate to swap it out. Ruth promptly slapped his hand away. When he whispered, “Honey, I meant to give ten,” Ruth replied, “In God’s eyes, it was ten. God looks at the heart.” The “Heavenly Reward” Version: Billy turned to Ruth and whispered, “Well, at least I will get a reward in Heaven for giving fifty dollars.” Ruth quickly corrected him, saying, “No, you are going to get a reward for five dollars, because that is all you meant to give.”

This anecdotal story while humorous reveals truths about giving. Indeed God looks at the heart and sees the motive more than the amount.

In the days of the Jerusalem Temple, wealthy people would give many coins to make much sound as it fell down the collection funnel so as to impress the people around. Then comes a poor widow who gives her simple two mite offering, not wanting or expecting anyone to notice, however, Jesus noticed and commended her giving as greater than everyone else’s giving because she gave out of her poverty while the others gave out of their abundance or surplus. She gave from her heart not for show.

We need to check our motives for giving and how we give. Do we give begrudgingly, or cheerfully? How did God give Jesus? Did Jesus reluctantly come to redeem mankind? No! The plan of salvation was established before the need. It wasn’t reactionary. “Jesus gave it all, all to him I owe…” We give because God first gave. And when God gave he poured out the treasury of heaven because that’s how much he loves humanity. How deep is our love for Christ?

Thoughts to ponder.

Comment on Tuesday: Planning by Steve Cole

Steve Cole — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 12:36:09 +0000

To my way of thinking, Church Leaders should assist the membership in this act of giving.
It is clear; 10 percent of Income is Tithe. Now comes the question- how much do I give towards Offerings. I am a single person and I confess that the answer to that question is not “a walk in the park”. I could only imagine how challenging that question must be to families that consist of children still attending school.
Planned, intelligent giving must involve budgeting. And whilst I do not expect the Pastor to be involved in the nitty gritty of your finances; at least, especially for some of us, some form of financial guidance in the art of budgeting would definitely place us in an “understood position” whereby we could give more in offerings to the Cause of God.
One of my fellow commentators made the remark that to him, giving to the cause of God is more a matter of faith than planning. To my mind there is some truth to that statement; especially when the Spirit may move upon one’s heart to give in a special manner on certain times. However generally speaking, the act of giving to God should be a loving, sober, pre-meditated , intelligent act of generosity.
Church Leaders and those trained in the field of Buisness should assist the brethren in the art of financial management and budgeting. This would greatly assist some of us to give consistently more to the cause of God.
Dear Lord Jesus, help us so to do.

Comment on Tuesday: Planning by Melvin A Pascall

Melvin A Pascall — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 10:57:32 +0000

Worship is an act of giving glory to God because of what he has done for us. His sacrifice in seeking to save us from the penalty of sin is his ultimate gift to us.

1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Worship is thus, giving glory to God in everything we do. This is supported in Colossians 3:23 which says, “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.”

In our lesson for today, we studied about giving our gifts to God. In some churches, some people only give of their talents if they receive a financial for them. Examples of these are seen with some musicians who will only perform if they are paid what they consider a proper wage. Now, if I do this, am I leaving home to go to church on sabbath to worship or to work.