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Brief overview: God tells us to be good stewards of the time, money, and talents He has given us. We are to use them to help spread the gospel. See Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:24-28, Malachi 3:8-10, 1 Corinthians 9:13-14

Why is it important to understand the truth about giving in Light of the Cross? 

Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

Why is it important to understand stewardship in light of the cross:

Soviet Pastor Richard Wurmbrand, the author of Tortured for Christ, suffered terribly for the Lord. Yet he said that even while in prison, he saw fellow believers practice generous giving. “When we were given one slice of bread a week and dirty soap every day, we decided we would faithfully ‘tithe’ even that. Every tenth week we took the slice of bread and gave it to the weaker brethren as our ‘tithe’ to the Master.”

Pastor Wurmbrand and his friends practiced “tithing” even in prison, not because God needed their bread and soap, but because they needed a way to express their love for God. That is what stewardship is all about: using our time, money, and talents to say, “Thank you, God, for loving me and giving us your Son.” Just like a little boy who takes his allowance money to buy a Father’s Day gift, in reality, the boy is only returning what the father has already given. It is the same with our Heavenly Father and us. Let’s take a look at how we can thank God for “His unspeakable gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15).

In my home, I had a plaque with a picture of the Cross and the words, “I asked Jesus, How much do you love me? ‘” ‘” ‘” ‘ This much, he said, and then he spread out his arms and died.” Jesus does not need our money; that really is not what the tithe and offering system is all about. He has given us the tithing and offering system, so when He asks us, “How much do you love me?” we will have a way to answer.

Further Study on Giving

What belongs to God?

For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it. Psalms 50:10-12 NLT

What besides the earth is His?

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. Psalms 24:1 NLT

Aside from creation, why are we God’s?

Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19- 20 NLT

What is required of a steward?

Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2 NLT

What will a faithful steward always remember?

One-tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy. Leviticus 27:30 NLT

What was this tenth to be used for?

As for the tribe of Levi, your relatives, I will compensate them for their service in the Tabernacle. Instead of an allotment of land, I will give them the tithes from the entire land of Israel. Numbers 18:21 NLT

What is it used for today?

Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.1 Corinthians 9:13-14 NLT

Which tenth is God’s?

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. Proverbs 3:9 NLT

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: Proverbs 3:9 KJV

Note: We are to give God the best of what we have and return our offerings first, rather than just waiting to see what is left over after all our other expenses.

What do we do if we withhold tithes and offerings?

Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me! “But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you? “You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me. Malachi 3:8- 9 NLT

What does God want us to prove for us?

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! Malachi 3:10 NLT

Does he promise to care for us?

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? “And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Matthew 6:26-32 NLT

What should be placed first in our lives?

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33 NLT

How much above the tithe is the offering to be?

Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:6- 7 NLT

What besides our possessions should we be good stewards of?

Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:16 NLT

Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:16 KJV

Note: God has given us time and talents to be used for Him as well. God bestows upon all members of His church in every age spiritual gifts which each member is to employ in loving ministry for the common good of the church and of humanity. Given by the agency of the Holy Spirit, who apportions to each member as He wills, the gifts provide all abilities and ministries needed by the church to fulfill its divinely ordained functions. According to the Scriptures, these gifts include ministries such as faith, healing, prophecy, proclamation, teaching, administration, reconciliation, compassion, and self-sacrificing service and charity to help and encourage people. Some members are called of God and endowed by the Spirit for functions recognized by the church in pastoral, evangelistic, apostolic, and teaching ministries, particularly needed to equip the members for service, to build up the church to spiritual maturity, and to foster unity of the faith and knowledge of God. When members employ these spiritual gifts as faithful stewards of God’s varied grace, the church is protected from the destructive influence of false doctrine, grows with a growth that is from God, and is built up in faith and love. (Rom. 12:4-8; 1 Cor. 12:9-11, 27, 28; Eph. 4:8, 11-16; Acts 6:1-7; 1 Tim. 3:1-13; 1 Peter

Do you want to hear Jesus say this to you?

“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together! Matthew 25:21 NLT

What has been your own experience with having your motives or intentions, however well-meaning and sincere, questioned or challenged? What should that tell you about how careful you should be when questioning someone else’s motives?

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

My dad and I studied today’s lesson over the phone, and when we got to this question, we could recall situations where our actions and motives were misrepresented. I recalled a time when, in an attempt to make me look bad, another church leader told lies about me from behind the pulpit. Ironically, there were enough true things to make me look bad, but this leader chose lies. Early the next week, I asked a friend how I could defend myself against these lies. She told me, “Don’t! Defending yourself only gives merit to the lies.” So I let it be, and her advice proved golden. Turns out, one quarter of the congregation knew it was a lie as soon as they heard it. Half the congregation wasn’t paying attention and never heard his lie. The last quarter of the congregation who believed him quickly found the truth on their own. 

As I discussed this with my dad, I told him that having my motives and actions misjudged actually helped me examine my motives and make sure I was doing right because it was right, not just to get a good reputation. If we stop doing good because we don’t get the credit we deserve, what does that say about us? When we keep doing right even while people are misconstruing our motives, it says something about our character. And I don’t think I need to remind you that it is our character, not our reputation, that we take to heaven. In talking with my dad, I was reminded of this passage that has been a great source of encouragement for many who have had their actions and motives maligned. 

The truly converted soul is illuminated from on high, and Christ is in that soul “a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” His words, his motives, his actions, may be misinterpreted and falsified; but he does not mind it because he has greater interests at stake. He does not consider present convenience; he is not ambitious for display; he does not crave the praise of men. His hope is in heaven, and he keeps straight on, with his eye fixed on Jesus. He does right because it is right, and because only those who do right will have an entrance into the kingdom of God. He is kind and humble, and thoughtful of others’ happiness. He never says, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” but he loves his neighbor as himself. His manner is not harsh and dictatorial, like that of the godless; but he reflects light from heaven upon men. He is a true, bold soldier of the cross of Christ, holding forth the word of life. As he gains in influence, prejudice against him dies away, his piety is acknowledged, and his Bible principles are respected.-Ellen White, Testimonies, Vol. 5, Page 569

Friend, if you are being misjudged and misrepresented while doing what is right, do not be discouraged! Keep on keeping on! Jesus sees you, and your work will be rewarded by the One you are serving out of love.

But you, be strong and do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded! 2 Chronicles 15:7 NKJV

Now in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint against the Hebrews by the Hellenists, because their widows were neglected in the daily distribution. Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “We shouldn’t leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, brethren, seek out from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. Still, we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:1-4 NKJV

Hence the office of deacons came into the church. Like the elders, the deacons were to be men full of the Holy Spirit. They are not less than elders, but their duties are not the same. Yes, Steven preached in Acts 7, and Philip baptized in Acts 8. Every office in the church bears equal responsibility for sharing the gospel. But deacons and deaconesses are also given responsibilities of caring for the physical upkeep and maintenance of the church, and even caring for the physical needs of the members. This frees the elders from “waiting on tables” so they can be spreading the gospel.

That evening that the water pipe burst, the deacon told the elder that a real leader should never ask anyone to do a job he would not be willing to do himself. He then handed him a bucket, insinuating that he should get to work, show a little humility, and lead by example. There was only one problem. The elder had appointments with several candidates for the baptisms the next couple of nights. They were waiting for him right then, and they worked the next day before the baptism the following night.

It wasn’t that the elder thought he was important. It wasn’t even necessarily that he thought clearing people for baptism was more important than fixing a water break. Obviously the water break had to be fixed to have the baptisms! Both the deacon’s job and the elder’s job were equally important but not the same. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul discusses the various gifts and ministries in the church. He talks about how the foot and hand are both needed. However, while the foot is equal to the hand, the foot is still not the hand. While being equal, they are not the same. Each has its own distinct purpose.

Deacons are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and able to preach. And elders have gladly taken up the offering and locked up the church after a meeting, taken out the trash, so long as they can still accomplish their gospel responsibilities. 1 Corinthians 12 tells us one ministry is not superior to another, while Acts 6 tells us our offices are not the same.

Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear [thee, then] take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell [it] unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15-17

This counsel rarely ever gets followed. How much better our world and church would be if people would follow this counsel from Jesus.

Here is what I have seen happen too often. Someone actually tries to follow this counsel, but at step 2, when he tries to get a brother to go along, the brother perceives it as gossip and does not want to meddle in the situation, even though this is exactly what Jesus says to do. Or, instead of being neutral, that person gets an earload from one side and goes into the meeting very biased.

Even more sadly, I have talked with church leaders who passed judgment on another member without ever hearing that person’s side of the story or going to them personally first. They clearly admitted they did not follow the counsel of Matthew 18 because they already had all the evidence without needing to follow Matthew 18.

What? You don’t need to follow Bible counsel because you already have the full scoop? Since when was following the Bible optional? Apparently, it happens all the time. To me, this is the saddest of the three situations, because the people who aren’t following Matthew 18 know they are not following it and don’t care. However, they still think they are fit to be church leaders while intentionally ignoring Bible counsel.

Before many churches can heal and move forward in proclaiming the gospel, they need to make sure they are following the gospel themselves. We need to make sure we follow Matthew 18 when a problem arises and go to our brother or sister one-on-one without anyone else knowing.

Most problems can be resolved at step one. If not, then step two means we should bring along another party who can hear both sides of the story at the same time and not get an earful from one side before even hearing the other. Talking to another person and stacking the deck in one’s favor is very easy for humans to do, but with God’s grace, we can avoid this temptation – especially if we are honestly wanting truth to win.

The third step is to take it to the church. At this point, the church should not be afraid to handle the matter. It is not gossip at this point; it is Bible counsel. In 1 Corinthians 6, Paul tells the church that it will be judging angels and needs to judge its own issues.

When we reject Bible counsel, everyone loses. When we follow Bible counsel, there is redemption for all.