Intercer Adventist News

Closer To Heaven
You are here: Home / Archives for News and Feeds

Giving in Light of the Cross

By

As this week’s Sabbath School lesson reminds us, we have the privilege of advancing the Kingdom of God by giving our time and our offerings. I thought it would be a good opportunity to share the In Light of the Cross Study Guide on Giving in Light of the Cross. 

Drawing of a Heart

Image © Pacific Press

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

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/giving-in-light-of-the-cross/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=giving-in-light-of-the-cross

11: Stewardship and Mission-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan

By

Prepared for Sabbath School class on September 12.

Photograph by William Earnhardt

Key Text: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9, NKJV).

Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 8:9.

Study: What does this passage tell us about the example of Jesus?

Apply: How should the sacrifices Christ made for us influence us and the sacrifices we make for others?

Share: Your friend says that when the church talks about giving, it’s usually about money. What are some other ways we can give besides money? What do you tell your friend? See The Most Precious Gift of all.

Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 8:1, 5, and 2 Corinthians 9:7, 9, 13, 15

Study: What are these passages telling us about giving and helping to spread the Gospel?

Apply: How generous are you? In light of the Cross, how much do you give in contrast to what you could give?

Share: What are some extraordinary examples of giving that you have seen?

Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 9:7.

Study: What does this passage say about the act of offering?

Apply: Regardless of what our bank accounts look like, how dedicated are we to honoring God with our resources? What excuses do we make to keep our wallets closed when we know we could do more?

Share: Your friend says that God loves a cheerful giver and asks if we should still give grudgingly as though God actually needs our money, which he doesn’t! What do you tell your friend? See Expressing our Love for Christ.

Read in Class: 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.

Study: What possible reason could have been behind the Macedonians’ willingness to give their offerings with such generosity?

Apply: 2 Corinthians 8:5 says they gave themselves to the Lord. What does it mean to give ourselves to the Lord, and how may that affect our attitude towards what remains in our pockets after we have returned our tithes and offerings? How might that affect our attitude towards our time, even after we have already “put in our time” at work and church?

Share: Read Romans 15:26-27. Share how foreign and even domestic mission projects have generated unity in your church.

Mission: Is there a need or project in your church that your Sabbath School Class members would like to adopt and dedicate to helping with as a class?

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/11-stewardship-and-mission-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=11-stewardship-and-mission-sabbath-school-lesson-teaching-plan

NPUC Vote Opens Ordination Pathway for Women Pastors

By

Delegates to the North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC) constituency meeting voted August 23 to allow local conferences to recommend candidates for ordination without regard to gender, potentially opening the way for women pastors in the territory to receive the same ordination credential as men. The motion received 62.6 percent of the delegates’ support. It does […] Source: https://atoday.org/npuc-vote-opens-ordination-pathway-for-women-pastors/

The Call of Elisha

By

Then Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle on him. 1 Kings 19:19.
We would do well to consider the case of Elisha when chosen for his work. The prophet Elijah was about to close his earthly labors. Another was to be called to carry forward the work for that time. In his course of travel, Elijah was directed northward. How changed the scene before him now from that which the country had presented a little while before. Then the farming districts were unworked; the ground was parched, for neither dew nor rain had fallen for three years. Now everything seems to be springing up as if to redeem the time of famine and dearth. The plenteous rains had done more for the earth than for the hearts of humanity; the fields were better prepared for labor than were the hearts of apostate Israel.
Wherever Elijah looked, the land he saw was owned by one man—a man who had not bowed the knee to Baal, whose heart had remained undivided in the service of God. Even during the captivity there were souls who had not gone into apostasy, and this family was included in the seven thousand who had not bowed the knee to Baal. The owner of the land was Shaphat. Busy activity was seen among the workers. While the flocks were enjoying the green pastures, the busy hands of his servants were sowing the seed for a harvest.
The attention of Elijah was attracted to Elisha, the son of Shaphat, who with the servants was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen…. Far from city and court dissipation, Elisha had received his education. He had been trained in habits of simplicity, of obedience to his parents and to God….
Elisha waited contentedly, doing his work with fidelity. Day by day, through practical obedience and the divine grace in which he trusted, he obtained rectitude and strength of purpose. While doing all that he possibly could in cooperating with his father in the home firm, he was doing God’s service. He was learning how to cooperate with God.—Youth’s Instructor, April 14, 1898.
When the prophet saw Elisha with his servants plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, he came to the field of labor, and while passing by, he unfastened his mantle and threw it upon the shoulders of Elisha. He then passed on as if that were the end of the matter. But he knew that Elisha understood the significance of the action; and he left him, without speaking a word, to decide whether he would accept or reject the call.—Youth’s Instructor, April 21, 1898.
From the Heart p. 260
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Prayer Requests
—-Asking for prayers for a friend and her spouse who are traveling for several weeks. David
—-Please pray for my niece, Nancy, in pain. Many health issues. Pam
—-Please continue to pray for Sherry who has now been moved to rehab. Pray also for Carl and his family as his sister has passed. Also please pray for Diane who has been put on hospice. Rose
—-Please keep James in your prayers. His neurologist called today to let us know that he recently suffered another stroke without realizing it. Mary
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Friends,
When my grandfather, Edwin Harmon, was ten, he ran away from home and lived in the fields and forests eating wild edibles and catching fish with a hook and line he always kept in his pocket. He grew strong and wiry from that hard life. Often he caught a ride on a freight train to distant places. At other times, he just walked along the tracks to get wherever he was going. One time as he was following the tracks, he came to a long trestle. He hesitated for a moment. It was very long and he knew that if a train were to come while he was somewhere in the middle of that trestle, he would be in serious danger. He could never get the rest of the way across before the train overtook him. The only other option would be to climb down the side of the mountain, cross the river that lay below, and then climb back up the other side. He decided to chance using the trestle.
When he was about halfway across, his greatest concern became a reality. He began to feel some familiar vibrations. A tinge of fear crept up his spine. He put his ear down on the track and could hear a train coming. Fear engulfed him. He knew that he did not have enough time to get across that trestle. Moreover, he could not jump, as it was too far down and even if he tried it, the many sharp rocks in the shallow river beneath him would have made this his last experience. He was in grave danger, and he knew it.
A plan began to form in his mind. As quickly as he could, he let himself down to a huge wooden log that was part of the trestle. He shinnied down to a “v” where two giant logs crossed one another. By now, the vibration caused by the train was so bad that he nearly lost his grip. He knew that he could climb no further. Wedging himself in that “v” and holding on with all his strength, he waited. Within moments the trestle was shaking violently. He felt like he was being shaken to pieces. He prayed for strength to hold on. The train was overhead now, and those huge supporting logs were swaying. He was sure that he was going to die.
After what seemed like an eternity, the shaking and vibration lessened as the train passed by. My grandfather was still alive, but very sore. He felt as weak as a baby. He knew that if he tried to move right then, he could fall because his strength was gone. He stayed wedged in that “v” for about an hour. Then, he climbed painfully back up to the trestle and walked shakily to the other side.
How often we feel like we are being shaken to pieces by troubles, trials, and temptations, just as violently as my grandfather was shaken by that train passing overhead. How many times we become overwhelmed with circumstances that are too difficult for us. The evil one leads us into these situations where we are just as trapped as my grandfather was. Many times, we don’t even realize our danger until we become so entangled in circumstances that we cannot extricate ourselves.
God’s Holy Word reminds us that “the devil is come down unto [us], having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Rev 12:12 In light of this, Peter urges, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” 1 Peter 5:8 We are helpless to free ourselves from his snares, but we have a Strong Deliverer, Who is waiting for us to ask for the help that He is so eager to give.
Other times our troubles are of our own making. The “pleasures” of sin allure us. We decide to take the easy way, to try it just this once—a “just once” that changes our life forever. Even in this, our Dear Saviour does not forsake us but chastens us to bring us back to the right path, to His Great Arms of Love. Paul explains, ” despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. ” Heb 12:5-11
May we take the “way of escape” that our Loving Saviour has provided and cling to our Great Redeemer just as tightly as my grandfather clung to that wooden trestle is my prayer. (1 Cor 10:13)
Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/the-call-of-elisha.html

Sunday: The Example of Jesus

By

Daily Lesson for Sunday 6th of September 2026

The context of 2 Corinthians 8:1-24 and 9 has to do with Paul’s encouraging members in Corinth to complete a fundraiser for the impoverished churches in Judea. Apparently, they had already committed to doing that (2 Corinthians 8:10-11; 2 Corinthians 9:5; see also 1 Corinthians 16:1-4), but relationship issues between them and Paul had complicated things. After dealing with these issues (2 Corinthians 1:1-24; 2 Corinthians 2:1-17; 2 Corinthians 3:1-18; 2 Corinthians 4:1-18; 2 Corinthians 5:1-21; 2 Corinthians 6:1-18; 2 Corinthians 7:1-16), Paul now turns to the conclusion of that task (2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15).

Jesus Overseing People

Image © Review & Herald Publishing at Goodsalt.com

Initially, Paul appeals to the example of the Macedonians (2 Corinthians 8:1-7), whose extreme poverty did not prevent them from overflowing “in a wealth of generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2, ESV). Yes, poverty and generosity can walk together. However, this admirable generosity of the Macedonians is but a replication of Jesus’ generosity in giving Himself for us (2 Corinthians 8:8-15).

Read 2 Corinthians 8:9. What does this passage tell us about the example of Jesus?

Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 8:9 is one of the most astonishing, powerful, and profound passages in the whole Bible. Paul tells the story of Jesus’ mission but with an incredible economy of words. There is so much theology here. This is the story of redemption but in only one verse.

Even more impressive is that this story is told through financial language. Yes, Jesus was rich. His richness refers to His pre-existence in heaven (John 17:5). He decided to become poor by giving up the heavenly glory and coming to this world of sorrows. He became literally poor (Luke 9:58). Although He was equal with God, He “emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men” (Philippians 2:7, NASB). “And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:8, ESV).

Jesus gave His own life so that we might live forever with Him. His offering had a purpose: our salvation. Stewardship and mission go together. 2 Corinthians 8:1-24; 2 Corinthians 9:1-15 tells the story of a particular money offering, but this story is based upon Jesus. During this week, we will see theological principles related to the practice of offering gifts that are based on Christ’s offering of Himself.

Dwell on the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. When you realize that all this was done for you so that you can have hope of something beyond this miserable existence here, what should your reaction be?

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/26c-11-the-example-of-jesus/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=26c-11-the-example-of-jesus

About Intercer

Intercer is a website with biblical materials in Romanian, English, Hungarian and other languages. We want to bring the light from God's Word to peoples homes. Intercer provides quality Christian resources...[Read More]

Lucian Web Service


Intercer is proudly sponsored by Lucian Web Service - Professional Web Services, Wordpress Websites, Marketing and Affiliate Info. Lucian worked as a subcontractor with Simpleupdates, being one of the programmers for the Adventist Church Connect software. He also presented ACC/ASC workshops... [read more]

Archives

Categories