Lesson-21

"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries

Lesson 21

GOD’S TREASURERS

Introduction: Human beings were created loving and trustworthy, but sin has made us self-centered, greedy, and dishonest. Therefore, out of love, God has created ways to help us develop love and trust again so that we can be comfortable in heaven, and in harmony with its unselfish spirit. In this lesson we will study this part of God’s plan of redemption.

1. Who is the owner of the earth and everything in it? Ps. 50:10-14; 24:1; Hag. 2:8; Acts 17:24,25; Deut. 10:14.

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2. Then, since we own nothing, and it is just loaned, what is our responsibility? Luke 12:16-21; Ps. 39:6; Heb. 9:27; Rom. 14:12; Eccle. 12:14; 1 Pet. 4:5.

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Note: All of these references emphasize the fact that, although all that we have is not our own, we are still accountable for how we use it.

3. Although God gives us everything, are we to keep it all to ourselves? What portion does God claim as His? Lev. 27:30.

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Note: Tithe is from a Hebrew word which means tenth. While all we have comes from the Lord, He permits us to use 9/10 and only asks us to return 1/10 to test our faithfulness. “All the tithe....IS the Lord’s.” When we pay our tithe, we are but returning to God what is already His. Gen. 14:18-20 and Gen. 28:18-22 for examples of early tithe payers. Note that Jacob acknowledges that all comes from God and that he would give the 1/10 back to God.

4. But some say, “I have earned this money. It was by my earnest effort (physical or mental) that I have gained my wealth. Why should I have to give any back to God? He didn’t earn it, but I did!” How is this answered in Deut. 8:11-18? See also Isa. 41:10; Phil. 4:13; John 3:27; James 1:17; 2 Cor. 3:5.

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5. Money can be a great blessing, but what happens when we covet it and love it instead of the Giver? 1 Tim. 6:6-10; Matt. 19:23,24; Deut. 16:19; Heb. 13:5.

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6. Although we have records of earlier tithe paying, how was tithe to be used by the Israelites? Heb. 7:5; Num. 18:24,26; Neh. 10:37,38.

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Note: From these references we see the tithe was to be used for the support of the Levites and their work. The Levites were in charge of the spiritual welfare of the children of Israel. Instead of the firstborn son being the priest of each family, the Levites were the priest for the nation. Yet to a certain extent, in each family the father was still the spiritual leader, the priest of the family, or, in his absence for one reason or another, the oldest son would take over. But because the Levites did this work for the nation, they received no inheritance and were supported with the tithe by the nation. They were to make their homes among all the tribes of the nation, and not just around Jerusalem because the temple was there, and that was where they mainly served. The people were blessed also by caring for the Levites’ physical needs, while the Levites provided for the spiritual needs of all.

7. Did Jesus recognize the principle of tithing? Luke 11:42; Matt. 23:23.

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Note: Tithe does little good for the giver when given for show or to earn favor with God. Jesus said the Pharisees did right in giving their tithe, but they did it from a wrong motive, and were neglecting essential virtues, such as love, mercy, and faith. They needed a change of heart.

8. Besides the tithe, what else did the children of Israel give to further the work of God? Ex. 35:4,5; 36:3-5.

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Note: This offering was not the tithe, for they could not have told them to stop bringing anymore offering, for the tithe was a definite portion, and it was already claimed by the Lord. The tithe was for the support of the Levites, but the offerings were for other phases of God’s work. So now the tithe is for the support of the ministry and related services. The offerings are to care for the poor, and the erection of churches and other necessary buildings, and maintenance and supplies and salaries for the builders and workers not directly connected with the ministerial work. See 2 Kings 12:7-15; 22:1-9.

Jews were not to give just from a sense of duty, or to have something to boast about. Neither were they to do it to earn a reward. They were to give willingly and cheerfully. They were not to give beyond their means, but they were to be willing to make some sacrifices for the Lord’s work. God has freely given to mankind, and we are to return freely or liberally. This is what God expected from the Israelites, and also what He expects from us. And there is a greater blessing in giving than in receiving. See 2 Cor. 8:12; 9:7; Matt.10:8; Luke 6:38; 21:1-4; Acts 20:35; Ps. 50:5.

9. How is a man regarded who is not a faithful tithe payer, and what promises are given to the faithful? Mal. 3:8-10. See also Luke 6:38; Prov. 11:24,25.

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10. How else can we give to God? Matt. 25:35-40; Isa. 58:7. See also Mark 9:41; James 2:15,16; Heb. 13:2; 2 Tim. 1:16.

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11. How are we assured of treasure in heaven? Matt. 6:19-21; 19:21; Luke 12:33,34.

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	"LET THERE BE LIGHT" Ministries home \| Bible Studies Lesson 21 GOD’S TREASURERS Introduction: Human beings were created loving and trustworthy, but sin has made us self-centered, greedy, and dishonest. Therefore, out of love, God has created ways to help us develop love and trust again so that we can be comfortable in heaven, and in harmony with its unselfish spirit. In this lesson we will study this part of God’s plan of redemption. 1. Who is the owner of the earth and everything in it? Ps. 50:10-14; 24:1; Hag. 2:8; Acts 17:24,25; Deut. 10:14. ______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Then, since we own nothing, and it is just loaned, what is our responsibility? Luke 12:16-21; Ps. 39:6; Heb. 9:27; Rom. 14:12; Eccle. 12:14; 1 Pet. 4:5. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: All of these references emphasize the fact that, although all that we have is not our own, we are still accountable for how we use it. 3. Although God gives us everything, are we to keep it all to ourselves? What portion does God claim as His? Lev. 27:30. ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: Tithe is from a Hebrew word which means tenth. While all we have comes from the Lord, He permits us to use 9/10 and only asks us to return 1/10 to test our faithfulness. “All the tithe....IS the Lord’s.” When we pay our tithe, we are but returning to God what is already His. Gen. 14:18-20 and Gen. 28:18-22 for examples of early tithe payers. Note that Jacob acknowledges that all comes from God and that he would give the 1/10 back to God. 4. But some say, “I have earned this money. It was by my earnest effort (physical or mental) that I have gained my wealth. Why should I have to give any back to God? He didn’t earn it, but I did!” How is this answered in Deut. 8:11-18? See also Isa. 41:10; Phil. 4:13; John 3:27; James 1:17; 2 Cor. 3:5. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 5. Money can be a great blessing, but what happens when we covet it and love it instead of the Giver? 1 Tim. 6:6-10; Matt. 19:23,24; Deut. 16:19; Heb. 13:5. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 6. Although we have records of earlier tithe paying, how was tithe to be used by the Israelites? Heb. 7:5; Num. 18:24,26; Neh. 10:37,38. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: From these references we see the tithe was to be used for the support of the Levites and their work. The Levites were in charge of the spiritual welfare of the children of Israel. Instead of the firstborn son being the priest of each family, the Levites were the priest for the nation. Yet to a certain extent, in each family the father was still the spiritual leader, the priest of the family, or, in his absence for one reason or another, the oldest son would take over. But because the Levites did this work for the nation, they received no inheritance and were supported with the tithe by the nation. They were to make their homes among all the tribes of the nation, and not just around Jerusalem because the temple was there, and that was where they mainly served. The people were blessed also by caring for the Levites’ physical needs, while the Levites provided for the spiritual needs of all. 7. Did Jesus recognize the principle of tithing? Luke 11:42; Matt. 23:23. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: Tithe does little good for the giver when given for show or to earn favor with God. Jesus said the Pharisees did right in giving their tithe, but they did it from a wrong motive, and were neglecting essential virtues, such as love, mercy, and faith. They needed a change of heart. 8. Besides the tithe, what else did the children of Israel give to further the work of God? Ex. 35:4,5; 36:3-5. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Note: This offering was not the tithe, for they could not have told them to stop bringing anymore offering, for the tithe was a definite portion, and it was already claimed by the Lord. The tithe was for the support of the Levites, but the offerings were for other phases of God’s work. So now the tithe is for the support of the ministry and related services. The offerings are to care for the poor, and the erection of churches and other necessary buildings, and maintenance and supplies and salaries for the builders and workers not directly connected with the ministerial work. See 2 Kings 12:7-15; 22:1-9. Jews were not to give just from a sense of duty, or to have something to boast about. Neither were they to do it to earn a reward. They were to give willingly and cheerfully. They were not to give beyond their means, but they were to be willing to make some sacrifices for the Lord’s work. God has freely given to mankind, and we are to return freely or liberally. This is what God expected from the Israelites, and also what He expects from us. And there is a greater blessing in giving than in receiving. See 2 Cor. 8:12; 9:7; Matt.10:8; Luke 6:38; 21:1-4; Acts 20:35; Ps. 50:5. 9. How is a man regarded who is not a faithful tithe payer, and what promises are given to the faithful? Mal. 3:8-10. See also Luke 6:38; Prov. 11:24,25. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 10. How else can we give to God? Matt. 25:35-40; Isa. 58:7. See also Mark 9:41; James 2:15,16; Heb. 13:2; 2 Tim. 1:16. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ 11. How are we assured of treasure in heaven? Matt. 6:19-21; 19:21; Luke 12:33,34. ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________