December 3, 2016 Local Church Budget Jacob went through a series of events that prompted his sudden departure from his father’s house. The Lord appeared to Jacob at night with a message of comfort, assurance, and glory. Jacob saw a stairwell with angels walking up and down and the Lord at the top. He called the place Bethel—house of God. Jacob acknowledged God as a giver of material blessings and promised to tithe as the Lord prospered him (Gen. 28). The tithe acknowledges God as the owner of all, including the ninety percent that is left after tithe has been removed. Believers consecrate the total amount through the act of tithing. With such a perspective in mind, believers should spend, save, and give with reverence. For instance, spent for clothing, food, and entertainment should be done in a way that reflects its real owner. The believer should ask, I honoring the Lord with these clothes? Are they modest, “Am affordable, and of good quality? Is this food honoring the Holy Spirit as the One who lives within me? Am I being renewed with this choice of entertainment? Can I be a witness for Christ in this place?” way we earn our money, the way we spend our money, and the attitude we have concerning our “The money determines whether we are dishonoring Him who gives us the power to obtain wealth or whether we, as faithful stewards, are investing in the Lord’s living causes and bearing fruitful testimony for Him” (Virginia Elly, 62). Stewardship: Witnessing for Christ, Let us be good stewards by acknowledging God’s ownership through our tithes and offerings
December 3, 2016 Local Church Budget Jacob went through a series of events that prompted his sudden departure from his father’s house. The Lord appeared to Jacob at night with a message of comfort, assurance, and glory. Jacob saw a stairwell with angels walking up and down and the Lord at the top. He called the place Bethel—house of God. Jacob acknowledged God as a giver of material blessings and promised to tithe as the Lord prospered him (Gen. 28). The tithe acknowledges God as the owner of all, including the ninety percent that is left after tithe has been removed. Believers consecrate the total amount through the act of tithing. With such a perspective in mind, believers should spend, save, and give with reverence. For instance, spent for clothing, food, and entertainment should be done in a way that reflects its real owner. The believer should ask, “Am I honoring the Lord with these clothes? Are they modest, affordable, and of good quality? Is this food honoring the Holy Spirit as the One who lives within me? Am I being renewed with this choice of entertainment? Can I be a witness for Christ in this place?” “The way we earn our money, the way we spend our money, and the attitude we have concerning our money determines whether we are dishonoring Him who gives us the power to obtain wealth or whether we, as faithful stewards, are investing in the Lord’s living causes and bearing fruitful testimony for Him” (Virginia Elly, Stewardship: Witnessing for Christ, 62). Let us be good stewards by acknowledging God’s ownership through our tithes and offerings
2016-Offering-Readings.docx