Sunday
August 2
1. RETURNED TO GOD
a. What specific portion of all that God gives are we required to return to Him? Leviticus 27:30–32.
“Of the means entrusted to man, God claims a certain portion—the tenth.”—The Acts of the Apostles, p. 74.
b. How does God consider the retention of tithes? Malachi 3:8–10.
“Let none feel at liberty to retain their tithe, to use according to their own judgment. They are not to use it for themselves in an emergency, nor to apply it as they see fit, even in what they may regard as the Lord’s work.”—Gospel Workers, p. 225.
“Some have been dissatisfied and have said, ‘I will not longer pay my tithe; for I have no confidence in the way things are managed at the heart of the work.’ But will you rob God because you think the management of the work is not right? Make your complaint, plainly and openly, in the right spirit, to the proper ones. Send in your petitions for things to be adjusted and set in order; but do not withdraw from the work of God, and prove unfaithful, because others are not doing right.”—Ibid., p. 227.
Monday
August 3
2. THE TITHE IS SACRED
a. What do the Sabbath and the tithe have in common? Exodus 31:15; Leviticus 23:3; 27:30, 32.
“The very same language is used concerning the Sabbath as in the law of the tithe: ‘The seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God’ (Exodus 20:10). Man has no right nor power to substitute the first day for the seventh. He may pretend to do this; ‘nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure’ (2 Timothy 2:19). The customs and teachings of men will not lessen the claims of the divine law. God has sanctified the seventh day. That specified portion of time, set apart by God Himself for religious worship, continues as sacred today as when first hallowed by our Creator.
“In like manner a tithe of our income is ‘holy unto the Lord.’ The New Testament does not reenact the law of the tithe, as it does not that of the Sabbath; for the validity of both is assumed, and their deep spiritual import explained.”—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 66.
b. Was the tithing system only for the children of Israel, or did it exist before Sinai? Genesis 14:18–20. What is declared about the tithe in the New Testament? Matthew 23:23; Hebrews 7:8.
“The tithing system is binding upon God’s people in these last days as truly as it was upon ancient Israel.”—Gospel Workers (1892), p. 98.
c. Besides the tithe, for what else does God call? Exodus 36:3.
“The contributions required of the Hebrews for religious and charitable purposes amounted to fully one fourth of their income. So heavy a tax upon the resources of the people might be expected to reduce them to poverty; but, on the contrary, the faithful observance of these regulations was one of the conditions of their prosperity.”—Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 527.
“There are even more urgent necessities upon the Israel of God in these last days than were upon ancient Israel. There is a great and important work to be accomplished in a very short time.”—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 396.
Tuesday
August 4
3. ROBBING GOD
a. What does the eighth commandment forbid, and how is it related to the tithing system? Exodus 20:15; Malachi 3:8, 9.
“Many in our churches are robbing God in tithes and offerings. God will execute upon them just that which He has declared. To the obedient, He will give rich blessings; to the transgressor, a curse. Every man who bears the message of truth to our churches must do his duty by warning, educating, rebuking.”—Testimonies to Ministers, p. 307.
“The majority of professed Christians part with their means with great reluctance. Many of them do not give one twentieth of their income to God, and many give far less than that; while there is a large class who rob God of the little tithe, and others who will give only the tithe.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, p. 474.
“Make haste, brethren, you now have [the] opportunity to be honest with God; delay not. For your soul’s sake, no longer rob God in tithes and offerings.”—The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1897.
b. What invitation does the Lord extend to those who are remiss in this particular? Malachi 3:7; Isaiah 55:7; Hosea 6:1. Relate the experience which took place in 1889.
“As the sin of robbing God was presented, the people received clearer views of their duty and privilege in this matter. One brother said that for two years he had not paid his tithes, and he was in despair; but as he confessed his sin, he began to gather hope. ‘What shall I do?’ he asked. I said, ‘Give your note to the treasurer of the church; that will be businesslike.’ He thought that was a rather strange request; but he sat down, and began to write, ‘For value received, I promise to pay—.’ He looked up, as if to say, Is that the proper form in which to write out a note to the Lord? ‘Yes,’ he continued, ‘for value received. Have I not been receiving the blessings of God day after day? Have not the angels guarded me? Has not the Lord blessed me with all spiritual and temporal blessings? For value received, I promise to pay the sum of $571.50 to the church treasurer.’ After doing all he could do on his part, he was a happy man. In a few days he took up his note, and paid his tithe into the treasury. He had also made a Christmas donation of $125. Another brother gave a note for $1,000, expecting to meet it in a few weeks; and another gave a note for $300.”—Counsels on Stewardship, pp. 95, 96.
Wednesday
August 5
4. THE RESULT OF UNFAITHFULNESS
a. What will result if we are unfaithful in returning to the Lord His own? Haggai 1:5, 6, 9–11.
“Those who are selfishly withholding their means need not be surprised if God’s hand scatters. That which should have been devoted to the advancement of the work and cause of God, but which has been withheld, may be entrusted to a reckless son, and he may squander it. A fine horse, the pride of a vain heart, may be found dead in the stable. Occasionally a cow may die. Losses of fruit or other crops may come. God can scatter the means He has lent to His stewards, if they refuse to use it to His glory. Some, I saw, may have none of these losses to remind them of their remissness in duty, but their cases may be the more hopeless.”—Testimonies, vol. 2, pp. 661, 662.
“One word from God could withdraw the rain and cut off our supplies of food. With locust and pestilence He could destroy our crops. The Lord has borne long with the perversity of men; but He has their deeds written in the books of heaven and will repay for their unrighteousness.”—The Review and Herald, January 24, 1899.
“Do not promise a portion to the Lord, and then appropriate it to your own use, lest your prayers become an abomination unto Him.”—Counsels on Stewardship, p. 78.
b. If we are faithful to return to the Lord that which is His, what will be the result? Joel 2:22–27; Malachi 3:10, 11.
“Let those who are poor give what they can. However small the offering may be, the Lord will recognize the self-sacrifice and will bless the giver.”—Atlantic Union Gleaner, March 29, 1905.
“In His tender mercy and unspeakable love, [God] has not only provided for the wants of the soul, but has also not been forgetful to provide for the necessities of our bodies. He has made us His almoners, and has bestowed upon us His gifts, reserving tithes and offerings for the advancement of His work. He does not ask us to give these things because He could not get along without them; for He owns all things; but He reserves them for Himself in order to give us, as His stewards, an opportunity to follow His example. He has given us the greatest gift He could possibly make, a gift of infinite value, so that it could not be said He could give a greater gift.”—The Home Missionary, December 1, 1894.
Thursday
August 6
5. BEING A CHEERFUL GIVER
a. Since God is the owner of everything, why does He ask us to return to Him the tithes and offerings? Deuteronomy 8:2; Psalm 50:10–12; 2 Corinthians 9:7.
“When we rob God of the tithe, we also rob ourselves: for we lose the heavenly treasure. We deprive ourselves of the blessing of God, which is promised to those who deal honestly with Him. . . . God’s ministers should not fail to warn the people, showing from the Bible the result of withholding the tithe.”—Pacific Union Recorder, October 10, 1901.
b. As God requires a portion of what He has given us, what should we always keep in mind? Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 9:6.
“If you, my brethren, have become selfish and are withholding from the Lord that which you should cheerfully give to His service, then you need the blood of sprinkling thoroughly applied, consecrating you and all your possessions to God.”—Testimonies, vol. 4, pp. 122, 123.
“In many places the work has been retarded because of the scarcity of means. The rebuke of God will rest upon those who do not come up to His help against the mighty powers of darkness.”—The Review and Herald, December 27, 1906.
“Let us with joyful hearts bring to our Creator the first fruits of all His bounties—our choicest possessions.”—The Faith I Live By, p. 245.
“The very best manner in which to give expression to our love for our Redeemer is to make offerings to bring souls to the knowledge of the truth. The plan of redemption was entirely voluntary on the part of our Redeemer, and it is the purpose of Christ that all our benevolence should be freewill offerings.”—Testimonies, vol. 3, p. 413.
Friday
August 7
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS
a. In what sense does the Lord say we should put Him to the test?
b. What percentage of income did the ancient Hebrews return to God?
c. Concerning tithing, what is the duty of those who preach the truth?
d. What opposite results come from giving or from retaining the tithe?
e. We express our love for Jesus by giving toward the upbuilding of His cause. Explain.