We don’t know much about the rich young ruler other than that he was young, a ruler, and rich. And he had an interest in spiritual things, too. He was so energetic that he came running to Jesus (Mark 10:17). He was excited to learn about eternal life. This story is so important that it is recorded in all three synoptic Gospels: Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, and Luke 18:18-23.

Read Matthew 19:16-22. What did Jesus mean when He said to him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me” (Matthew 19:21)?

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

Jesus doesn’t ask most of us to sell all we have and give the money to the poor. But money must have been this young man’s god, and though Jesus’ answer may seem quite severe, He knew that this was this man’s only hope of salvation.

The Bible says that he went away very sorrowful because he was very rich, which proves just how much he worshiped his money. He was offered eternal life and a place in Jesus’ inner circle (“Come follow Me” — the same words Jesus used in calling the 12 disciples). Yet we never hear from this young man again. He traded eternity for his earthly possessions.

What a terrible trade-off, was it not? What a sad example of not following “delayed gratification” (see last week). Choosing as this man did is such a deception because, no matter what material wealth can give us now, sooner or later we all die and face the prospect of eternity. And meanwhile, so many of the wealthy have discovered that their wealth didn’t give them the peace and happiness that they had hoped for; indeed, in many cases, the opposite seems to have happened. So many biographies have been written about just how miserable many rich people have been. In fact, in all recorded history one of the best depictions ever of how unsatisfying wealth can be, in and of itself, is found in the book of Ecclesiastes. Whatever other lessons one can take from it, one point comes through clearly: money cannot buy peace and happiness.

<–Monday Wednesday–>

Amen!(1)

The post Tuesday: The Rich Young Ruler appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/tuesday-rich-young-ruler/

In their writings, the Bible’s authors included many of God’s provisions for the poor, the strangers, the widows, and the fatherless. We have records of this all the way back to Mount Sinai. “Six years you shall sow your land and gather in its produce, but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave, the beasts of the field may eat. In like manner you shall do with your vineyard and your olive grove” (Exodus 23:10-11, , NKJV).

Read Leviticus 23:22 and Deuteronomy 15:11. However different the context may be from our lives today, what principles should we take away from these verses?

Image © Lifeway Collection at Goodsalt.com

It generally is understood that “brother” here refers to fellow Israelites or fellow believers. We also think of them as the worthy poor or “the least of these My brethren.” The Psalms give direction on how we should treat those in need. “Defend the poor and fatherless; do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy; free them from the hand of the wicked” (Psalm 82:3-4, , NKJV). This passage indicates our involvement in ways beyond just providing food.

Then there are promises to those who help the needy. “He who gives to the poor will not lack” (Proverbs 28:27, NKJV). “The king who judges the poor with truth, his throne will be established forever” (Proverbs 29:14, NKJV). And King David noted, “Blessed is he who considers the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble” (Psalm 41:1, NKJV). This, then, always had been a priority in ancient Israel even if, at times, it had been lost sight of.

In contrast, even in more modern times, particularly in England, under the impact of what has been known as “Social Darwinism,” many thought that not only was there no moral imperative to help the poor but that it was, in fact, wrong to do so. Instead, following the forces of nature, in which the strong survive at the expense of the weak, “Social Darwinists” believed that it would be detrimental to society to help the poor, the sickly, the indigent because, if they multiplied, they would only weaken the social fabric of the nation as a whole. However cruel, this thinking was the logical outgrowth of belief in evolution and the false narrative it proclaims.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Monday: God’s Provision for the Poor appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/monday-gods-provision-for-poor/

“MANAGING FOR THE MASTER Till He Comes” will show us that 
God Is Working His Purpose Out – Hymn 225 in all our we do and say. May we be encouraged by this hymn for this quarter and that 
In Our Work And In Our Play – Hymn 591 we will work until Jesus comes. Hence, a choice of theme hymns for this quarter.

Sabbath afternoon’s introduction reminds us that we are strangers in this world: 
Hymn 445 – I’m But A Stranger Here but as the lesson studies go on during the week, we are able to be helpful to others as Jesus requested: 
Hymn 578 – So Send I You. We will see so many times in Jesus’ life that he was homeless, poor and rejected as in 
Hymn 152 – Tell Me The Story of Jesus, particularly in verse 2.

The Rich Young Ruler did not sing 
Hymn 292 – Jesus, I Come or 
Hymn 623 – I Will Follow Thee and he left without being able to sing 
Hymn 463 – Peace, Perfect Peace.

On the other hand, we have Zacchaeus who would heartily sing 
Hymn 623 – I Will Follow Thee, 
Hymn 573 – I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go,  because 
Just As I Am – Hymn 313, all because Jesus said 
So Send I You – Hymn 578.

Thursday we find Job wishes to be proactive in 
Seeking The Lost – Hymn 373 and 
Hymn 367 – Rescue The Perishing so that he would then be ready for the great judgment day (Friday): 
Hymn 416 – The Judgment Has Set.

Today, and every day, we look forward to Jesus coming again. Oh, what a day that will be 
When We All Get To Heaven – Hymn 633 because 
That Glorious Day Is Coming – Hymn 209.

To learn unknown hymns, you will find the accompaniment music for each one at: https://sdahymnals.com/Hymnal/

Another great resource is for when there is a hymn you wish to sing but can’t find it in your hymnal. Go to https://www.sdahymnal.org/Search and in the search bar type a special word in that is in the hymn. I am sure you will be amazed at the help you will be given.

 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

Amen!(0)

The post 7: Unto the Least of These – Singing with Inspiration appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-unto-the-least-of-these-singing-with-inspiration/

Key Thought: Widows and fatherless are those who have lost spouses and parents. Single-parent families are many today. Helping the poor is not an option, but a command.
February 18, 2023

1. Have a volunteer read Leviticus 23:22, and Deuteronomy 15:11.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. Who are those that we are supposed to help that are called our “brothers” or brethren?
3. Personal Application: How do you, as an individual, help the poor by opening your hand to them? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study : One of your relatives states, “In America, we pay taxes that are used and misused to help the poor in food, housing, Medicaid, and clothing. We should help those truly in need, but many are living off the government and having babies as a crutch to get help. They don’t work, neither do they want to. How are we supposed to deal with these cases?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Matthew 19:16-22.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What did Jesus mean when He told the rich young ruler to sell all that he has and give it to the poor?
3. Personal Application: What does it mean to lose your life for the gospel? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “I don’t believe Jesus expects us to give away everything we have and give it to the poor. It would be a drop in the bucket for all the poor people in the world. And it would just add one more poor family to the mix. I think that Jesus said that because the rich young ruler was covetous.” How would you respond to your friend

3. Have a volunteer read Luke 19:8-10.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this passage is.
2. What were the differences between the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus?
3. Personal Application: How do you view your role as a steward of the money and goods that God has given you? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Does repentance from sin also involves restoration of goods, property, or money that was obtained illegally or fraudulently?.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Job 29: 2-16.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What here shows what made Job’s character so stellar?
3. Personal Application: How many of these actions are still appropriate today? How do you match up to Job in your care for those in need? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!(0)

The post 7: Unto the Least of These – Teaching Plan appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/7-unto-the-least-of-these-teaching-plan/

Early in Jesus’ public ministry, He traveled to Nazareth, in the region of Galilee. This was His hometown, and the local people already had heard of His work and miracles. As His custom was, Jesus attended Sabbath services in the synagogue. Though Jesus was not the officiating rabbi, the attendant handed Him the Isaiah scroll and asked Him to give the Scripture reading. Jesus read Isaiah 61:1-2.

Read Luke 4:16-19 and compare it with Isaiah 61:1-2,  (see also Luke 7:19-23). Why do you think Jesus chose this specific Scripture? Why would these verses in Isaiah be deemed as Messianic? What did they reveal about the work of the Messiah?

Image © The Classic Bible Art Collection – Formerly Standard Publishing at Goodsalt.com

Because the religious leaders apparently had overlooked the prophecies that spoke of a suffering Messiah and had misapplied those that pointed to the glory of His Second Coming (which should serve as a reminder to us of how important understanding prophecy really is), most of the people believed the false idea that the Messiah’s mission was to free Israel from its conquerors and oppressors, the Romans. To think that the Messiah’s mission statement came from Isaiah 61:1-2,  must have been a real shock.

The poor usually were looked down upon by unscrupulous officials such as tax collectors, those in business, and even their own neighbors. It commonly was thought that poverty was the curse of God and that their unfortunate condition must have been their own fault. With this mindset, few people had any concern for the poor and their unhappy plight.

Yet Jesus’ love for the poor was one of the greatest evidences of His Messiahship, as seen by how Jesus answered John the Baptist’s question about Him as the Messiah (see Matthew 11:1-6). “Like the Saviour’s disciples, John the Baptist did not understand the nature of Christ’s kingdom. He expected Jesus to take the throne of David; and as time passed, and the Saviour made no claim to kingly authority, John became perplexed and troubled.” — Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, p. 215.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

Amen!(0)

The post Sunday: The Life and Ministry of Jesus appeared first on Sabbath School Net.

Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/sunday-life-and-ministry-of-jesus/