![Your Best Gift For God
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and
sisters, in view of God's mercy, to
offer your bodies [total self] as a
living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to
God—this is your true and proper
worship. 2 . . . be transformed by the
renewing of your mind [heart].
Romans12:1-2 (NIV)](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/offeringsmybest-140922071018-phpapp01/85/Tithe-Expression-of-My-Faithfulness-20-320.jpg)
Tithe: Expression of My Faithfulness
- 1. Erika F Puni, PhD Stewardship Ministries Director General Conference
- 2. ““Stewardship is ALL of mmee iinn rreessppoonnssee ttoo AALLLL ooff GGoodd”” NNAARRRROOWW VVIIEEWW BBRROOAADD VVIIEEWW TTiitthhee && OOffffeerriinnggss LLoorrddsshhiipp ooff CChhrriisstt CChhuurrcchh MMeemmbbeerr GGoodd aass OOwwnneerr BBeehhaavviioorr VVaalluueess HHeeaarrtt PPoocckkeett aanndd WWaalllleett PPrrooggrraamm LLiiffeessttyyllee
- 3. Jesus Is Lord Of All Worship Leadership Relationships Possessions Finances Language
- 4. Financial Stewardship Acknowledgment of God’s Creatorship Expression of Partnership with the Divine Commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Recognition of God’s Blessings of Grace Believers response of Love and Gratitude Demonstration of our Faith in Christ Living the Covenant Relationship with God
- 5. God, Offerings Giving 1.Giving is central to God’s nature 2.God gave first in everything 3.God gave the best in Jesus Christ 4.God’s giving saves us from the death 5.God expects and will accept the best from His people 6.Freewill offerings are an expression of the giving of one’s self first to God
- 6. The Nature of Offerings 1.Offerings are tangible expressions of a heart commitment to God 2.What is given is something of value and meaning – it has a cost to the giver 3.There is a benefit or blessing associated with the giving of offerings 4.Offerings is a means of thanksgiving and praise to God 5.Worship and joy are common denominators in the giving of offerings
- 7. Jesus and Offerings 1.Jesus received and accepted gifts of worship and thanksgiving 2.For Jesus, giving to God must be consistent with our love for others 3.In giving, the motive and condition of the heart matters 4.Giving is both personal and communal 5.Worship includes giving in support of Christian ministry and the poor
- 8. Acceptable Giving 1. Giving of our total self to God 2. Giving that recognizes that God is first 3. Expression of faith and total trust in God 4. Response of love to God’s saving grace 5. Voluntary act from a grateful heart 6. Reflection of commitment to the mission and ministry of God through the church 7. Outflow of a right relationship with God and my neighbor 8. Giving is spontaneous, systematic and sacrificial
- 9. Expressions of Financial Stewardship TITHE OFFERINGS Belongs to God Belongs to God It is holy It is holy God specifies it Believer sets it Act of worship Act of worship Spiritual response Spiritual response Express loyalty Express gratitude
- 10. Giving Paradigm OLD NEW Financial Matter Spiritual Act Focus on Self Work oriented Grace oriented Emphasize obligation Focus on God Emphasize lordship Maintenance driven Mission driven Members are Donors Members are Stewards
- 11. DONORS or STEWARDS DONORS STEWARDS It’s About Me It’s About God It’s My Money It’s My Project It’s God’s Work I’m In Control It’s God’s Gifts God’s In Control Giving Is In-frequent Giving Is A Lifestyle The Amount Matters The Heart Matters
- 12. Seventh-day Adventist Practice Tithe Freewill Offerings Charity and Project Giving 10% or 1/10th + More than Tithe = Equal to Tithe - Less than Tithe + More than Tithe = Equal to Tithe - Less than Tithe
- 13. Freewill Giving 1.Is giving that recognizes God’s blessings that comes freely through His grace in Jesus Christ (Deut 16:17) 2.Is giving that goes out of a heart full of gratitude and joy because of the love of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 8:12) Freewill giving is NOT about giving nothing; but the choice to give beyond the minimal (tithe).
- 14. God’s Love Covenant (Stewardship Outline of Malachi) Chapter 1. The Covenant is Broken - Because of unacceptable offerings Chapter 2. The Covenant is Compromised - Because of unfaithful leaders Chapter 3. The Covenant is Restored - With God’s presence and blessings Chapter 4. The Covenant is Executed - With a new generation of leaders
- 15. The Offerings Principle 18 “If any of you presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, either to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, 19 you must present a male without defect from the cattle, sheep or goats in order that it may be accepted on your behalf. 20 Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.” Leviticus 22:18-20 (NIV)
- 17. Unacceptable Offerings “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.” Malachi 1:10 (NIV)
- 18. Unacceptable Offerings 13 “When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. 14 “Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord.” Malachi 1:13,14 (NIV)
- 19. Systematic Giving 1.Is planned giving NOT impulse giving 2.It starts with the return of tithe 3.Follows with giving of offerings 4.Make allowance for project giving 5.Understands global and local needs 6.Is regular giving 7.Always focus on God and mission
- 20. Your Best Gift For God 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies [total self] as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 . . . be transformed by the renewing of your mind [heart]. Romans12:1-2 (NIV)
- 21. Tithes and GC General Conference Offerings flow up and down the DIVISION Church structure UNION CONFERENCE LOCAL CHURCH ??? SDA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE ??? ??? ???
- 22. Stewardship Strategy Offering Systems Information and Communication Strategy Stewardship Education Pastor Local Church
- 23. Our Stewardship Message God made all things and He has sustained them by His power. As Creator God He owns everything including us – the totality of our human life and experience. This God – Jesus Christ - is Savior and King of the universe. As His subjects, we live for Him; and our purpose in life is to honor Him by surrendering our hearts and everything that we are and have to His control. As stewards of His kingdom, we’re also partners with Him in His mission in the world to make disciples of all peoples.
- 24. Department Contact Larry Evans - Associate Director Email: [email protected] Mario Nino - Associate Director Email: [email protected] Erika Puni - Director Email: [email protected] Website: www.adventiststewardship.com