1. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT (God’s Gift of Possessions) You shall not steal. What does this mean? We should fear and love God that we do not take our neighbor's money or property or get it by dishonest dealing, but help him to improve and protect his property and means of income. Lesson 17

2. Aim: What does God teach us about his gift of possessions?

3. 1. Where do our possessions come from? James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Ecclesiastes 5:19 Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil— this is a gift of God. Our possessions are God’s gifts to us.

4. 1. Where do our possessions come from? Key Point 1 Our possessions are God’s gifts to us.

5. 2. How does God give these gifts to us? Deuteronomy 8:17,18 17 You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the L ORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. earnings from employment

6. 2. How does God give these gifts to us? Genesis 24:52,53 52 When Abraham’s servant heard what they said, he bowed down to the ground before the L ORD. 53 Then the servant brought out gold and silver jewelry and articles of clothing and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave costly gifts to her brother and to her mother. gifts

7. 2. How does God give these gifts to us? 1 Kings 21:2,3 2 Ahab said to Naboth, “Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth.” 3 But Naboth replied, “The L ORD forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my ancestors.” inheritance

8. 2. How does God give these gifts to us? Key Point 2 God gives us possessions through work, gifts, and inheritance.

9. 3. What does God want us to remember about all the possessions we have? Psalm 24:1 The earth is the L ORD ’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; 1 Corinthians 4:2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. responsible caretakers

10. 3. What does God want us to remember about all the possessions we have? Key Point 3 God wants us to remember that he still owns these things and that we are responsible to him for how we use them as caretakers.

11. 4. How does God want us to use the possessions he gives us? 1 Timothy 5:8 Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. family

12. 4. How does God want us to use the possessions he gives us? 1 John 3:17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Matthew 5:42 Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. needy

13. 4. How does God want us to use the possessions he gives us? Romans 13:6,7 6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. taxes

14. 1 Corinthians 16:21 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 2 Corinthians 9:7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 4. How does God want us to use the possessions he gives us?

15. Mark 12:41-44 41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. 43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” church work

16. 4. How does God want us to use the possessions he gives us? 1 Timothy 6:17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. enjoyment

17. 4. How does God want us to use the possessions he gives us? Key Point 4 God wants us to use our possessions to help others and for our own enjoyment.