12. For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the
cattle on a thousand hills.
Psalm 50:10
13. “The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,”
says the Lord of hosts.
Haggai 2:8
14. 2. Why does God claim
ownership of
the earth?
Genesis 1:1
15.
16. 3. How is man involved
with God’s earth?
Genesis 1:28
17.
18.
19.
20. 4. How should we care for
the resources
God has given us?
John 6:12
21.
22. He also said to His disciples:
“There was a certain rich
man who had a steward,
and an accusation was
brought to him that this
man was wasting his
goods. So he called
him and said to him,
‘What is this I hear
about you? Give an
account of your
stewardship, for you
can no longer be steward.’”
(Luke 16:1,2)
25. 6. What part of our increase
belongs to God?
Proverbs 3:9
26. All the best of the oil,
all the best of the new
wine and the grain, their
firstfruits which they
offer to the LORD, I have
given them to you.
Numbers 18:12
FIRSTFRUITS
In the last few years people have made millions of dollars by investing their money in the stock market. Overnight those who have wisely chosen their stock have reaped a fortune.
On the other hand, recently one of the world’s richest men lost twelve billion dollars in just one day.
What would happen if the Stock Market lost half its value in one day? The things of this world are very much like a bubble that grows rapidly, and in a moment it is gone.
People are seeking something stable or permanent. But where can we find security for the present and the future?
God never intended that you and I would have to worry about the present or the future. Jesus invites us to trust Him for our daily needs.
Read slide
Read slide
The Stock Market doesn’t offer risk-free investments. But God promises us a way to make investments with guaranteed returns. The formula is found in the Bible
Let’s find out all about it as we learn about “Giving God the Firstfruits”
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Read slide
Read slide
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Today inventors and writers hold patents and copyrights on their work, showing ownership of the things they created. God owns the world because He is the creator.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
After God created the earth, sun, moon, and stars, trees, plants and animals, He formed a being different from any He had made before;
Adam. Adam was made in God’s image and likeness, and he was given dominion, or control of all that was in the earth. God even allowed him to name the animals. Adam had possession of the earth, but God was still the owner.
Although we do not have control of all the earth, like Adam did, we are the President and CEO of our little portion the world. We are in possession of money, real estate, automobiles, etc., but God is still the owner of all. God simply asks us to care responsibly for what belongs to Him.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Jesus taught that we should be faithful stewards of all His goods. He indicates that if we waste what He gives us, we will be removed from the position of steward. In other words, He will withhold these blessings from us.
Read slide
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Jesus teaches fiscal responsibility in our dealings with men and with God. Whatever we owe, He expects us to pay.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Read slide
Firstfruits in the Bible represent not only the first of the harvest to ripen, but also the best.
In the firstfruits we see two principles for giving to God. (1) We take out our tithe and offering first, before we pay bills or buy things we want. [fly in #2] (2) We should give our best to God, not whatever is left over. (See Deuteronomy 26:2 & Numbers 18:12).
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
The Hebrew word for tithe is “ma’aser,” meaning “a tenth.”
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Jesus was making a point that it is not enough to obey the letter of the law. We must also keep the spirit of the law by being merciful and fair. But in so speaking, He said that the tithing principle should be followed, it should “not be left undone.”
Read question #a then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide. (Advance slide and repeat with question #b)
When organized religion was originated by God in the wilderness sanctuary, the tribe of Levi was given the responsibility of ministering to the people.
The Levites did not receive an inheritance when the land of Canaan was divided among the 12 tribes. Instead, they were to live from the offerings brought to God by the people.
In New Testament times, and even to this day, God intends that ministers of the gospel should live from the gifts brought to God by His people.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
God expects us to care for His house, the church, with as much interest and care as we do our own home. If we neglect the house of God in favor of our own, the blessing of God will not rest upon it.
Read question #a then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide. (Advance slide and repeat with question #b)
God does not expect us to liquidate our entire holdings or possessions. The New Testament believers still owned homes and had means to live from. But they did not live in extravagance or excess. They sold what they did not need for every day living, and provided a fund for other believers who had needs greater than their own.
Read question #a then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide. (Advance slide and repeat with question #b)
God is very specific about the tithe: one tenth of all our increase belongs to Him. But offerings in addition to tithes are determined by personal conviction, based on the monetary blessings God gives.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
A thief sneaks in while the owner is away and steals from him. (Note to presenter – you may need to click twice to advance this slide)
But a robber takes what does not belong to him by force, right from the hand of the owner.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Not all blessings bring increase in material possessions. Some are of a spiritual nature. However, God promises to provide for our physical needs when we are faithful to Him. John wrote,
Read slide
David’s testimony to God’s faithfulness was, (Read slide)
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
God’s ownership consists of more than material things: it includes us personally. We must be faithful stewards of all God’s possessions, including our bodies.
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
Jesus paid a ransom for us when He died on the cross. He bought our freedom from Satan. Paul says that we are slaves to Satan because of sin, or slaves of Jesus through obedience. (See Romans 6:15-18)
Read question then use the Bible to fill in the answer in the study guide.
The Greek translated here as “reasonable service” is “logikos latreia.” The literal meaning is “logical worship.” Offering ourselves in service to God is not merely what He requires; it is our natural, or logical response to His loving goodness to us.
God owns the earth – we are His stewards.
Definition of a steward – (read on slide)
We are stewards of the money God gives us.
He claims 1/10 of our income as His
We are stewards of the time God gives us.
God has provided the Sabbath for us – He claims 1/7 of our time to be devoted to Him.
We are stewards of God’s gift of life. We are responsible for our life, personally ….
And for the lives of our children and those with whom we have influence.
Will you make a covenant with God to be a faithful steward of all that belongs to Him, including your income, and your personal being?
[you may wish to share a story or two telling how God blessed those who were faithful stewards of His time (Sabbath) and/or resources (money). The books “Over and Over Again,” Vol. 1&2 are a good source.]
