Tithes and Offerings

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 12, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 31.

Tithes and Offerings.

GOD'S PROMISES.

(Lesson 8, August 24, 1889.)

1. WHOM does God love?

"Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Cor. 9:7.

2. What is necessary on our part in order that God may accept the gift we make?

"For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not." 2 Cor. 8:12.

3. How will liberality affect the soul?

"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is he that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth shall be watered also himself." Prov. 11:24, 25.

4. Upon what principle should man always give?

"As God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." 1 Cor. 16:2, last clause.

5. How much of a man's possession does God sometimes require?

"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come, take up the cross and follow me." Mark 10:21.

6. Does the Saviour notice the smallest gift in the Lord's treasury?

"And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all." Luke 21:1-3.

7. Upon what principle did this widow give more than all the rich?

"For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God; but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had." Verse 4.

8. What encouragement is here given to those who do all they can?

9. What church contributed to the apostles while in Thessalonica?

"Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only. For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my necessity." Phil. 4:15, 16.

10. Why did the apostles encourage them to give?

"Not because I desired a gift; but I desire fruit that may abound to your account." Verse 17.

11. To what extent was their liberality?

"For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves." 2 Cor. 8:3.

12. How did God regard such sacrifices?

"But I have all, and abound; I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Phil. 4:18, 19.

13. In what manner can we lend to the Lord with the assurance that he will repay?

"He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again." Prov. 19:17.

14. What special promise does the Lord make to those who consider the poor?

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth; and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing; thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." Ps. 41:1-3.

15. To whom should we not give?

"He that oppresseth the poor to increase his riches, and he that giveth to the rich, shall surely come to want." Prov. 22:16.

16. What words of Christ did the apostle's life exemplify?

"Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so laboring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:34, 35.

17. What is the effect of the love of money?

"For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." 1 Tim. 6:10.

18. Is it a desirable thing to be rich?

"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions." "And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." Matt. 19:22, 24.

19. To what are riches compared?

"Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven." Prov. 23:5.

20. In view of these things, what is true wisdom for the child of God?

"And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content." 1 Tim. 6:8. "Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain." Prov. 30:8, 9.