The Right Support      2 Corinthians 8,9

In your lifetime, how many Sunday School lessons or sermons do you think you have heard on tithing and stewardship? More importantly, how solid is your commitment to Christian financial stewardship?

Christian ministry costs money. We desire to see everyone have a bible in their own language, we desire to send missionaries to every people group, we desire to have a minister at our church who can devote his full efforts to ministering the Word and caring for people. We demand the best quality material and ministry for our children. We want to send our youth to the best camps. And yet, many expect the church to miraculously grow the financial resources needed to pay for these things.

When our children want to play ball, join a dance school, play in the band, or something else, we have no objections to paying for instruments, uniforms, and the best of equipment. Why, then, do we scoff at the biblical concept of tithing and giving an offering to the church? Many say they "can't afford to tithe" but they can afford new homes, cars, pleasure craft, vacations, designer clothing, the latest electronics, and anything else their worldly heart desires. None of the above things are sinful in themselves; it is when we choose them over funding Kingdom work that they become idols to us.

The Old Testament concept of the tithe began with Abraham and Melchizedek, and predates the Law of Moses. Abraham willingly gave a tenth from the spoils of battle to God, in acknowledgement that God had given him victory over his enemies (Genesis 14:20). Later, the tithe was included in the Law of Moses as a means of funding the sanctuary (Leviticus 27:30) and was later expanded to become a regular act of worship by the Israelites. It was required by God as His due from His people, and was used to care for the sanctuary as well as to provide for the fatherless, widows, and others in need.

In the Old Testament the offering was synonymous with "sacrifice" and was what a worshipper brought before God to express praise, devotion, or when forgiveness was needed. After Christ's sacrifice on the cross, there was no longer any need to bring an animal sacrifice. In the New Testament offerings were brought to meet needs and provide for the work of the church in spreading the Gospel. Paul never commanded the church to tithe, but he did teach sacrificial giving and stressed the benefits of giving to the work of the church.

Today we stress the New Testament principle of giving in proportion to God's blessings to us. In view of that, we should never argue over a measly 10%! A tithe (one tenth) of our income is only a beginning. a regular percentage giving of our income shows dedication to the cause of Christ and our local church's portion of Kingdom ministry. Our giving an offering to special projects and ministries shows further commitment to the spread of the Gospel and gratitude of God's manifold blessings to us. Stewardship is a little-practiced discipline in Christianity today. All that we have has been given by God, to be used for His glory. We can best glorify Him with our finances when we invest them wisely in Kingdom efforts.

Generous Christian stewardship demonstrates the sincerity of our devotion to Christ, it enables the Church to meet a greater number of needs to promote the love of Christ, and it results in great reward to us from our benevolent Heavenly Father, who Himself is the greatest Giver! It has been wisely said, "You cannot out-give God". This is true. God has so much more that He can give, besides mere financial reward, that His generosity truly is limitless. There is nothing that restricts in any way God's ability to give to those who please Him.

Go, Tell It On the Mountain     Luke 1

Two great quotes that relate to our lesson for this coming Sunday:

"[Scrooge] became as good a friend, as good a master, and as good a man, as the old city knew...Some people laughed to see the alteration in him, but he let them laugh..." from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

"How many there are...who imagine that because Jesus paid it all, they need pay nothing, forgetting that the prime object of their salvation was that they should follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ in bringing back a lost world to God."  Missionary Lottie Moon, Tungchow, China, 1887

We are all saved to serve and made for a mission. The old hymn 'Go, Tell it On the Mountain' echoes this sentiment perfectly. And so does Zechariah's song of praise and prophecy in Luke 1. He affirmed that Messiah would come to bring redemption and peace to all people, and that those who would be delivered should serve Him without fear. As you prepare for Sunday School this week, focus on those three words: redemption, peace, serve. If you have enjoyed redemption through Jesus Christ, how are you enjoying that peace? How can you spread Christ's message of redemption and peace by serving Him?

The real story of Ebenezer Scrooge is one of transformation. When his heart was changed, he was changed. The real story of Christmas is one of transformation. God became a man-child so we could become children of God. Jesus came to die so we could be transformed into the likeness of God. Only the redeemed can truly understand the meaning of Christmas, because  the Christ-child came to "save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21b).

Those who have experienced God's redemption through Jesus Christ enjoy peace with God. At the end of Zechariah's prophetic song of praise in Luke 1 he declares that Messiah will "guide our feet into the way of peace" (Luke 1:79). Deliverance from sin through Jesus brings us peace with God, but also ushers us into a life of peace as we learn to depend on Him by faith. Luke uses the Greek word 'eirene' for peace 14 times, more than any other New Testament book. It implies the presence of safety, security, and justice. That is certainly a benefit worth proclaiming!

The theme of serving, and proclamation, is the center of Zechariah's song in Luke 1:72-77. "He has given us the privilege, since we have been rescued from our enemies' clutches, to serve Him without fear in holiness and righteousness in His presence all our days" (Luke 1:73b-75). We are saved to serve and made for a mission. it is a mission of proclaiming His offer of redemption.

The earlier quote from missionary Lottie Moon shows that she understood well the meaning of this passage in Luke's gospel. Read her pointed words again and determine to share Christ with someone this Christmas!!