In this episode, Pastor Ted Wilson talks about stewardship, which constitutes the twenty-first fundamental belief of the Seventh-day Adventists. We often hear this verse: “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Yet, in today’s world, so much is focused on what one gets. Nevertheless, the saying is true. It directs our attention to something bigger than ourselves and encourages us to look to the Giver of all good things. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines stewardship as “the conducting, supervising, or managing of something, especially the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one’s care.” When we think about stewardship, we realize that all that we have—time, money, abilities, health, and life—come from God. And He asks us to be careful stewards of these gifts. Our twenty-first fundamental belief explains: "We are God’s stewards, entrusted by Him with time and opportunities, abilities and possessions, and the blessings of the earth and its resources. We are responsible to Him for their proper use. We acknowledge God’s ownership by faithful service to Him and our fellow human beings, and by returning tithe and giving offerings for the proclamation of His gospel and the support and growth of His church. Stewardship is a privilege given to us by God for nurture in love and the victory over selfishness and covetousness. Stewards rejoice in the blessings that come to others as a result of their faithfulness." When we give all that we have to God, He accepts it and puts us back in charge of it as stewards or caretakers. Accepting this stewardship responsibility breaks the tendency of selfishness and reminds us of the example He has given us. Now, these are four areas in which God has entrusted us to be good stewards: 1. Ourselves By developing our physical and mental powers to the best of our ability and opportunities, we bring honor to God and become a blessing to others. 2. Abilities God has given each of us special abilities. Whatever they are, they can be used to benefit other people and glorify God. 3. Time As faithful stewards, we glorify God by using our time wisely. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). We are also admonished to not behave “as fools but as wise, redeeming the time because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15, 16). 4. Material possessions Our material possessions and financial resources are gifts from God. To help us remember this, God instituted a system of tithes and offerings wherein we are to return 10% of all our increase and give faithful offerings to Him. As this system provided the financial means for supporting the priesthood of the Israelite temple, it finances today’s worldwide outreach of the gospel. We can never outgive the Lord. He has placed us in the role of stewards for our benefit. One reason He asks us to consecrate our lives to Him is to help us grow spiritually and develop our character. As we are kept aware of God’s ownership of everything and the love He bestows on us, our love and gratitude are nurtured. Faithful stewardship is a safeguard against covetousness and selfishness. It leads to the development of economy and efficiency. True stewards bless others as they are involved in serving others and are willing to share what God has graciously given to them. Through stewardship of time, talents, and resources, we become a blessing to the church, resulting in a strong church body ready to respond to the needs of God’s cause. With this, the church will have adequate funds to support the ministry and expand His kingdom. In closing, let us be reminded to “give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Luke 6:38). To learn more about our twenty-first fundamental belief, the principle of stewardship, visit www.adventist.org/stewardship. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mt0he4IRNE
Dio prima di tutto – Sostenere la missione a tutto tondo
Mini devotional n. 5/3 trimestre 2022 – Sostenere la missione a tutto tondo, della serie Dio prima di tutto. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrbsSeADBJM
Communication Advisory Explores Brand Architecture to Help Establish Branding Structure in the Southern Asia-Pacific Division.
The Southern Asia-Pacific Division holds its first Communication Advisory after two years in lockdown. Communication leaders from all 13 unions, including world church leaders from the General Confere…… Source: https://adventist.news/en/news/communication-advisory-explores-brand-architecture-to-help-establish-branding-structure-in-the-southern-asia-pacific-division
Inside Story: Part 5 – Crashing a Baptism
Part 5: Crashing a Baptism
By Andrew McChesney
The day of Junior’s baptism arrived. Five people, including Junior, were to be baptized at 4 p.m. at Alpha Seventh-day Adventist Community Church in Manaus, Brazil. “I won’t go,” Father said. “Drive me to the temple.”
On the way to church, Mother wondered out loud whether Father might still show up in his high priestly robes from the Candomblé temple. “I don’t care if Father comes in all his robes,” Junior said. “I’ll accept him.”
At the church, Pastor Ricardo announced that Junior would be baptized first and invited him to share his story as he stood near the baptismal pool. Junior told how he was bullied at school and his classmate Clifferson had invited him to a video gamers club that sang about Jesus and discussed the Bible. When Junior finished, he waded into the baptismal pool and turned around to look at the congregation. At that moment, Father, wearing his high priestly robes, entered the sanctuary. Mother burst into tears. “He’s here,” she said. “He said he wouldn’t come, but he’s here.”
Heads turned to look at the back of the hall. Mother prayed silently, and church members familiar with Father’s work also prayed. Others stared in amazement at Father’s flowing robes. Everyone treated him with respect.
A church deacon stood beside Father, greeting him. “Welcome, Eduardo!” sai
d the deacon, Roberto Fernandez. “We were waiting for you. Come!” He led Father to the baptismal pool, where Junior was waiting to be baptized.
A million thoughts filled Junior’s mind. “God planned everything,” he thought. “No one knew in advance that I would be baptized first, and Father arrived just as I entered the pool. God’s plans are perfect!”
Each of the five baptisms was supposed to take 10 minutes, but Junior’s lasted an hour. Several friends from the video gamers club stood up to praise God for Junior’s decision and to encourage him to be faithful. Pastor Ricardo asked the Pathfinders to sing, and everyone joined in.
As Junior came out of the water, the Pathfinders joyfully waved their yellow scarves. Junior, dripping wet, hugged Father. “Daddy, despite your religion, I love you very much,” he said. Looking at the audience, he added, “I thank you for being here. But most of all I thank my father for being here.”
Then Father addressed Junior. “Son, I accept your religion because many supernatural things have happened,” he said. “I have kept you away from my religion this whole time, and I didn’t want you to become involved in any religion. However, I accept your religion because I sense a supernatural energy right now. I only hope that my own path to Jesus isn’t painful.”
As the family got into the car afterward, Father said, “This is such a nice place, and the people are so nice.“ He was beaming with joy.
Your Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will help open eight churches in the South American Division, including four in Brazil, where Father (Eduardo Ferreira dos Santos) and his family live.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. Find more mission stories at adventistmission[dot]org
Amen!
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Friday: Further Thought ~ Extreme Heat
Further Thought:
Read Ellen G. White, “The Test of Faith,” Pages 145-155 in Patriarchs and Prophets; “Praise Ye the Lord,” Pages 315-319 in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
“God has always tried His people in the furnace of affliction. It is in the heat of the furnace that the dross is separated from the true gold of the Christian character. Jesus watches the test; He knows what is needed to purify the precious metal, that it may reflect the radiance of His love. It is by close, testing trials that God disciplines His servants. He sees that some have powers which may be used in the advancement of His work, and He puts these persons upon trial; in His providence He brings them into positions that test their character … . He shows them their own weakness, and teaches them to lean upon Him … . Thus His object is attained. They are educated, trained, and disciplined, prepared to fulfill the grand purpose for which their powers were given them.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, Pages 129, 130.
“If in the providence of God we are called upon to endure trials, let us accept the cross and drink the bitter cup, remembering that it is a Father’s hand that holds it to our lips. Let us trust Him in the darkness as well as in the day. Can we not believe that He will give us everything that is for our good? … Even in the night of affliction how can we refuse to lift heart and voice in grateful praise, when we remember the love to us expressed by the cross of Calvary?” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 316.
Discussion Questions:
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