Many Christians recognize and follow the Bible’s instructions regarding paying—or returning—tithe. Usually referenced from Malachi 3:10, it is a simple formula, with believers giving 10 percent of their income—or “increase”—to support the work of the church in spreading the gospel. Entrusted with these tithes, churches usually have strict guidelines about how to use these funds, primarily applying them to support direct ministry and evangelism.

Read Deuteronomy 14:22-29. In these instructions, what is the primary purpose of tithing?

Image © John Baker from GoodSalt.com

The temptation is to think we have fulfilled our giving when we give that 10 percent. But the instructions given to the Israelites suggest that the 10 percent figure was a starting point. Studies suggest that an ancient Israelite living and giving according to the guidelines in the Levitical laws would regularly give between one quarter and one third of the year’s income to the work of God, to support the priests and sanctuary, and to help the poor.

Some scholars describe this giving—particularly to support the foreigners, orphans, and widows—as a second tithe. It is obvious that the people were to enjoy the results of their work and to celebrate their harvests. God promised to bless them, particularly in their new land, but they were not to take that blessing for granted or to forget those who were not so blessed.

In regular years, this portion of the harvest was to be brought to the sanctuary and shared from there. But every third year, there was to be a special focus on sharing their blessings in their own community. In these harvest celebrations, there was a special focus on those who might easily have been overlooked or forgotten: “You shall give it to the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that they may eat in your towns and be satisfied” (Deut. 26:12, NIV).

According to God’s instructions, at least some portion of the Israelites’ giving was to be focused on providing financial and practical assistance to those who most needed it. Again, this was based on the people’s memory and appreciation of how God had been merciful and just to them.

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/0GL992xNoCM/

Read Exodus 23:9. What is God’s message to Israel here?

As newly freed slaves, the Israelites knew what it was to be oppressed, exploited, and marginalized. And while they celebrated their freedom, God was concerned that they not forget where they had come from, what it was like to be excluded, and what He had done to rescue them. He instituted the Passover as a memorial event and an opportunity to retell the story: “With a mighty hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery” (Exod. 13:14, NIV).

Read Exodus 22:21-23. How important was the memory of their own slavery in the instructions about how the people should treat the least fortunate in their new society?

Rules to Govern a New Society

Barely had the echoes died away after the giving of the Ten Commandments when Moses is called to spend more time with God, who gives him detailed instructions as to how these grand commands should be lived out in Israelite society. Even before the instructions for building the tabernacle, God gives three chapters of laws about such things as the appropriate treatment of slaves, laws that would have stood out in stark contrast to the treatment many of the Israelites had experienced. There were laws dealing with violent crimes, laws related to property, laws for everyday living, and principles for establishing courts to implement these laws and to administer justice (see Exodus chapters 21 to 23).

Prominent among these laws was concern for fellow citizens in this new society, as well as concern for the outsiders and those most vulnerable. These people were not to be exploited; they were even given rights to access food in ways that would respect their dignity, such as gleaning leftover crops from the harvested fields. Such treatment for “outsiders” and foreigners was not common in the ancient world. Even today some seem to forget the important moral principles found here regarding the treatment of others.

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/TygF0Oih1nQ/

You can view an in-depth discussion of “Blueprint for a Better World” in the Hope Sabbath School class led by Pastor Derek Morris. You may download an MP4 video file, and audio file or a PDF lesson outline from the HopeSS site.

With thanks to Hope Channel – Television that will change your life.

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/4-qUFt-0VJQ/

Sabbath afternoon’s reading had the theme of ‘bless, blessed, blessing’, giving us our first hymn today, 
Hymn 293, “Heavenly Father, Bless Us Now”, just as God blessed so many throughout our past history. We may continue further singing 
Hymn 667, “Lord, Bless Thy Word to Every Heart”.

‘The God Who Hears’ (Sunday) is summed up in
Hymn 667, “O Thou Who Hearest”.

Hymn 272, “Give Me The Bible” will help us toward the understanding of ‘The Ten Commandments’ on Monday. 
Hymn 273, “Lord, I Have Made Thy Word My Choice” shows how dear the Word of The Lord is to us. We are then shown the peace that is given by keeping the commandments in 
Hymn 394, “Far From All Care”.

Returning our tithe to The Lord, shows our commitment in
Hymn 534, “Come, All Christians, Be Committed” and in 
Hymn 639, “A Diligent and Grateful Heart”.

I feel certain that in ‘The Year of Jubilee’, the Israelites would have sung 
Hymn 34, “Wake the Song”.

O sing a new song to the Lord
For marvels He has done;
His right hand and His holy arm
The victory have won.

With harp, and voice of psalms
Unto Jehovah sing;
Let trumpets and the echoing horn
Acclaim the Lord our King!
(verse 1 and 2 of Hymn 19, “O Sing a New Song to the Lord”)

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!(1)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/sl94qLRGKms/

1. “You shall not take vengeance.” The opening words of this week’s lesson include a command to love our neighbors, even the ones who don’t agree with us. What would life be like if everybody who followed Jesus was eager to share God’s love with others? Was that the purpose God had in mind when He raised up a holy nation several thousand years ago? What has gone wrong? Can all that is wrong be corrected?
2. The God who hears.  Four hundred years living in slavery. Four hundred years with an unfulfilled promise of freedom. And then…a bush burns in the wilderness. What is God saying to His people through the burning bush?  Looking back, who had benefited from four centuries of slavery and harsh treatment? Why didn’t God pay attention to His people suffering as they did generation after generation? Or did He? Did He offer the Israelite nation peace and wealth and comfort in the years to come? As we wait with baited breath for the final fulfillment of God’s promise of redemption, how can we know that God hears us even as He heard His children in their days of suffering? 
3. The Ten Commandments. How often do you study the ten commandments in depth? Or do you simply glance at commandments like the one that says “thou shalt not murder” and assure yourself that  yes, you surely keep that one because you’ve never murdered anyone? What else should be involved in the fulfillment of that commandment? What about the commands that warn us not to steal, not to bow down to carved images, not to take God’s name in vain and the others? How can our thoughts of  revenge or anger show we are not keeping God’s commandments to the extent that He longs for us to follow? What can we as Christians do to seal our commitment to God’s law and keep every commandment as God intends?
4. Slaves, widows, fatherless, foreigners. What do the Ten Commandments have to do with the multitudes of people who are excluded from the benefits we can enjoy from carefully following all of them? “Detailed instructions” followed the giving of the Ten Commandments. Why do you think these commands and rituals were initiated and preserved for God’s people? Talk about some of these commands with the aim of connecting them to daily life. How does God want us to deal with unfortunate people around us? Why is our treatment of the less fortunate so important in our Christian life? What can you do to support the sharing of food, clothing, comfort and safety with those around us who are in great need?  
5. Second tithing.  Do all persons who belong to the church you attend return an honest tithe to God’s storehouse, the church? Do you need to know this before you plan your own tithing and church support? What about giving a “second tithe”? Is there a special blessing in store for those who double their tithing to provide more support to the church?  The principle of giving to help others in need has been established through the centuries. Can even the member who has very little income still return tithe to God’s church?  A second tithe? How does God show His  approval of generous giving by His people?
6. The year of jubilee.  Even a fast read of the Old Testament tells of the value land ownership has had to God’s people. What do you think of the plan in the nation of a “year of jubilee” every seventh year? What happened to debts and mortgages in that year? What difference would such a policy make in our financial living today? How carefully were the requirements for a year of jubilee carried out by the Israelite people?  Since we don’t follow the principle of the year of jubilee in this time, should we remove from our spending plan all consideration for those who  are in financial distress? What can we do to help people suffering from financial hardship? What is our reward for generosity and caring? 

Amen!(0)

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/SabbathSchoolNet/~3/plTQaQgHx8c/