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A THEOLOGY OF OFFERINGS AND GIVING IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

A THEOLOGY OF OFFERINGS AND GIVING IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH. Erika F Puni, PhD Stewardship Ministries Director General Conference. “ Stewardship is ALL of me in response to ALL of God ”. NARROW VIEW. BROAD VIEW. Tithes & Offerings. Lordship of Christ. Church Member.

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A THEOLOGY OF OFFERINGS AND GIVING IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

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  1. A THEOLOGY OF OFFERINGS AND GIVING IN THE SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH Erika F Puni, PhD Stewardship Ministries Director General Conference

  2. “Stewardship is ALL of me in response to ALL of God” NARROW VIEW BROAD VIEW Tithes & Offerings Lordship of Christ Church Member God as Owner Behavior Values Pocket and Wallet Heart Program Lifestyle

  3. Jesus Is Lord Of All

  4. God, Offerings And Giving • Giving is central to God’s nature • God gave first in everything • God gave the best in Jesus Christ • God’s giving saves us from the death • God expects and will accept the best from His people • Freewill offerings are an expression of the giving of one’s self first to God

  5. The Nature of Offerings • Offerings are tangible expressions of a heart commitment to God • What is given is something of value and meaning – it has a cost to the giver • There is a benefit or blessing associated with the giving of offerings • Offerings is a means of thanksgiving and praise to God • Worship and joy are common denominators in the giving of offerings

  6. Jesus and Offerings • Jesus received and accepted gifts of worship and thanksgiving • For Jesus, giving to God must be consistent with our love for others • In giving, the motive and condition of the heart matters • Giving is both personal and communal • Worship includes giving in support of Christian ministry and the poor

  7. Acceptable Giving • Giving of our total self to God • Giving that recognizes that God is first • Expression of faith and total trust in God • Response of love to God’s saving grace • Voluntary act from a grateful heart • Reflection of commitment to the mission and ministry of God through the church • Outflow of a right relationship with God and my neighbor • Giving is spontaneous, systematic and sacrificial

  8. Expressions of Financial Stewardship TITHE OFFERINGS Belongs to God Belongs to God It is holy It is holy God specifies it Believer sets it Act of worship Act of worship Spiritual response Spiritual response Express loyalty Express gratitude

  9. Giving Paradigm OLD NEW Financial Matter Spiritual Act Focus on Self Focus on God Work oriented Grace oriented Emphasize obligation Emphasize lordship Maintenance driven Mission driven Members are Donors Members are Stewards

  10. DONORS or STEWARDS DONORS STEWARDS It’s About Me It’s About God It’s My Money It’s God’s Gifts It’s My Project It’s God’s Work I’m In Control God’s In Control Giving Is In-frequent Giving Is A Lifestyle The Amount Matters The Heart Matters

  11. Seventh-day Adventist Practice Tithe 10% or 1/10th Freewill Offerings + More than Tithe = Equal to Tithe - Less than Tithe Charity and Project Giving + More than Tithe = Equal to Tithe - Less than Tithe

  12. Freewill Giving • Is giving that recognizes God’s blessings that comes freely through His grace in Jesus Christ (Deut 16:17) • Is giving that goes out of a heart full of gratitude and joy because of the love of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 8:12) Freewill giving is NOT about giving nothing; but the choice to give beyond the minimal (tithe).

  13. Unacceptable Offerings “Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you,” says the Lord Almighty, “and I will accept no offering from your hands.”Malachi 1:10 (NIV)

  14. Unacceptable Offerings 13“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices, should I accept them from your hands?” says the Lord. 14“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord.”Malachi 1:13 (NIV)

  15. Systematic Giving • Is planned giving NOT impulse giving • It starts with the return of tithe • Follows with giving of offerings • Make allowance for project giving • Understands global and local needs • Is regular giving • Always focus on God and mission

  16. General Conference Tithes and Offerings flow up and down the Church structure GC ??? DIVISION ??? UNION CONFERENCE ??? ??? LOCAL CHURCH SDA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

  17. Stewardship Strategy Stewardship Education Offering Systems Information and Communication Strategy Local Church Pastor

  18. Our Stewardship Message God made all things and He has sustained them by His power. As Creator God He owns everything including us – the totality of our human life and experience. This God – Jesus Christ - is Savior and King of the universe. As His subjects, we live for Him; and our purpose in life is to honor Him by surrendering our hearts and everything that we are and have to His control. As stewards of His kingdom, we’re also partners with Him in His mission in the world to make disciples of all peoples.

  19. Department Contact Larry Evans - Associate Director Email: EvansL@gc.adventist.org Mario Nino - Associate Director Email: NinoM@gc.adventist.org Erika Puni - Director Email: PuniE@gc.adventist.org Website: www.adventiststewardship.com

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