Join It Is Written Sabbath School host Eric Flickinger and this quarter’s author, G. Edward Reid, as they provide additional insights into this Quarter’s Sabbath School lessons, “Managing for the Master, Till He Comes”
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAwA1MGJ-fc]

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Sabbath Test in Malawi

By Sheron Ndhlovu

A college in Malawi created consternation among Seventh-day Adventist students by scheduling final exams on the seventh-day Sabbath.

Image © Pacific Press

Lucy was distressed. She and other Adventist students at the state-owned Karonga Teachers Training College had received scholarships to become teachers. But now their future seemed uncertain.

The Adventist students gathered to discuss their dilemma. The year was 2006. Malawi was facing a food shortage that had prompted the cash-strapped government to ask state colleges to reduce the 04ber of days that students were on campus. As a result, Lucy’s college had moved up final exams previously scheduled for Monday and Tuesday to Saturday.

The Adventists decided to ask the college to reconsider the day of the exams, and several went to the director’s office. Their appeal was rejected. Worsening matters, other students began to mock them over their beliefs.

Lucy watched in dismay as classmate after classmate bowed to the pressure and agreed to take the exams on Sabbath. But she and three others stood firm. They would honor the Lord of the Sabbath. They prayed and went to the director’s office to appeal for a second time.

At the office, Lucy felt shamed and insulted. She was reminded that she was privileged to have a state scholarship and told to study for the sake of her children, whom she was raising after her husband’s recent death. The humiliation did not change Lucy’s mind. She believed God would help.

The second appeal was rejected. Lucy and her three classmates kept on praying, and they asked the district pastor to pray. The pastor spoke with the president of the Adventist Church in Malawi, who, in turn, asked state authorities to intercede. Adventists faced Sabbath exams across Malawi.

Abruptly, the college rescinded its decision and returned the exams to their old schedule. The sudden change sowed confusion on campus, but all the students and faculty knew one thing: The prayers of four faithful Adventists had been answered in a powerful way. “God intervened,” said Lucy Nyirenda, who passed the exams and became a teacher. “He has promised that He will never forsake His own.”

Lucy loves to claim God’s promise in Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you” (NKJV).

Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. Find more mission stories at adventistmission[dot]org

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Further Thought:

 Read Ellen G. White’s most comprehensive tithe document in volume 9 of Testimonies for the Church, Pages 245-252. Study Section III of Counsels on Stewardship, Pages 65-107.

Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com

“If all the tithes of our people flowed into the treasury of the Lord as they should, such blessings would be received that gifts and offerings for sacred purposes would be multiplied tenfold, and thus the channel between God and man would be kept open.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 474. This is an amazing statement. If we were all faithful tithers, God would bless us with funds to increase our offerings 1,000 percent.

“In the third chapter of Malachi is found the contract God has made with man. Here the Lord specifies the part He will act in bestowing His great gifts on those who will make a faithful return to Him in tithes and offerings.” — Ellen G. White, Review and Herald, December 17, 1901.

“All should remember that God’s claims upon us underlie every other claim. He gives to us bountifully, and the contract which He has made with man is that a tenth of his possessions shall be returned to God. The Lord graciously entrusts to His stewards His treasures, but of the tenth He says: This is Mine. Just in proportion as God has given His property to man, so man is to return to God a faithful tithe of all his substance. This distinct arrangement was made by Jesus Christ Himself.” — Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 384.

Discussion Questions:

<–Thursday

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“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.

Hymn 538 – The Wise May Bring Their Learning is seen throughout this weeks’ lesson study. Our Memory Text adds 
Hymn 195 – There Shall Be Showers Of Blessings and 
Hymn 643 – Father, Who On Us Do Shower. These hymns encompass our entire study this week.

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.”

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Key Thought: Just in proportion as God has given His property to man, so man is to return a faithful tithe of all his substance. This arrangement was made by Jesus Christ Himself.
January 21, 2023

1. Have a volunteer read Malachi 3:10, Deuteronomy 12:5-14.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. Where should our tithe go?
3. Personal Application: Do we have our own discretion as to where our tithe is given? What principles are involved? Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “I’m not giving my tithe to the conference. I believe they are misusing the tithe. So I give my tithe to a supporting ministry to further the gospel by radio and television.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Leviticus 27:30, Numbers 18:21-24, Acts 20:35.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is the message of Acts, and how does this relate to the question of tithe?
3. Personal Application: Share an experience where you found that it is more blessed to give than receive. Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What is the purpose of the tithe anyway? Is it not used to make churches richer, give ministers millions of dollars to live like the rich, or is it used for personal use?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read I Kings 17:9-16.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What was the widow’s situation before Elijah came? What did Elijah ask her to do before taking care of her son and herself? How does this relate to the question at hand?
3. Personal Application: What is the difference between tithing on your gross and net income? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “I have never given tithe. Are there really blessings that come from doing so? What are these blessings, and how does returning tithe give you a stronger faith?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Matthew 25:19—21.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. When are we called upon to give an account of God’s funds? What is said to those who have been found financially faithful?
3. Personal Application: What spiritual and material losses or blessings may unfaithfulness in tithes and offerings bring to the church and individual church members? 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).

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