Erika F. Puni, PhD Stewardship Ministries Director General Conference

Total Life Stewardship

u Acknowledgment of God’s Creatorship u Expression of Partnership with the Divine u Commitment to the Lordship of Jesus u Recognition of God’s Blessings of Grace u Believers response of Love and Gratitude u Demonstration of our Faith in Christ u Living the Covenant Relationship with God Financial Stewardship

The Tithing Principle 30 “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. 32 Every tithe of the herd and flock— every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD. 33 No one may pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution.” Leviticus 27:30-33 (NIV) Tithe: A specific QUANTITY of the whole

Dr. Kegalale Gasennelwe, Gaborone, Botswana

Principles & Practice of Tithing APPLICATIONPRINCIPLE Belongs to God It is holyWe don’t take/use it We don’t keep it God specifies itWe obey and follow Act of worshipIt’s about God Spiritual responseIt’s about the Heart Expression of LoyaltyIt’s about Faithfulness

Expressions of Financial Stewardship OFFERINGSTITHE Belongs to God It is holy Belongs to God God specifies itSteward sets it Act of worship Spiritual response Express loyaltyExpress gratitude People In MinistryOther Ministry Expenses

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

1. Is planned giving NOT impulse giving 2. It starts with the return of tithe 3. Follows with giving of offerings 4. Make allowance for project giving 5. Understands global and local needs 6. Is regular giving 7. Always focus on God and mission Systematic Giving

God’s Best Gift The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14 (NIV) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son [BEST], that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV)

The Offering(s) Principle 18 “If any of you presents a gift for a burnt offering to the LORD, either to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, 19 you must present a male without defect from the cattle, sheep or goats in order that it may be accepted on your behalf. 20 Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf.” Leviticus 22:18-20 (NIV Offerings: It’s the QUALITY of the gift

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)

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 1:13,14 (NIV)

Freewill Offerings + More than Tithe = Equal to Tithe - Less than Tithe 1.We give in proportion to the blessings of God that comes to us freely through His grace in Jesus Christ (Deuteronomy 16:17) 2.Offerings is a personal choice we make, and it’s a response of the heart to give God our BEST in gratitude and worship for all that He has done for us in Christ (2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:7) God Expects Our Best

Offerings – Expression of Gratitude “The Lord does not need our offerings. We cannot enrich Him by our gifts. Says the psalmist: “All things come of Thee, and of Thine own have we given Thee.” Yet God permits us to show our appreciation of His mercies by self-sacrificing efforts to extend the same to others. This is the only way in which it is possible for us to manifest our gratitude and love to God. He has provided no other.” (R&H, Dec 6, 1887).

God Accepts Our Best “All the favors and blessings we enjoy are alone from Him; we are stewards of His grace and of His temporal gifts; the smallest talent and the humblest service may be offered to Jesus as a consecrated gift, and with the fragrance of His own merits He will present it to the Father. If the BEST we have is presented with a sincere heart, in love to God, from a longing desire to do service to Jesus, the gift is wholly acceptable.” Ellen W. White, Counsels on Stewardship, p.161