©2006/2007 Building God's Kingdom Together, Inc.

Text Box: Make no mistake the Word of God is the authoritative source for studying and understanding God’s purpose for offerings. In the weeks ahead we will take a detailed look at the system of offerings established in the opening of the book of Leviticus. This will allow us to grasp the roots, as it were, of the practice of offerings. Then we will review the Temple offering that was the practice of Jesus’ day and finally see what Jesus Himself teaches. My hope is that this will help you to grasp God’s perspective on offerings, leading you to a deeper relationship with Him in this area. Building God’s Kingdom does take resources, and one of the greatest resources for God is each of us. Coupled with our love for Him and our willingness to serve Him, this area of service to Him can become one of the most dynamic in your practice of a Kingdom lifestyle. Text Box: 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. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others.  They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on." Mark 12:41-44 Did you know that God is watchful? He is continually watching over His creation. He sees everything that is happening. He also sees beyond the physical. He sees intentions and attitudes. He can see what is being done, but also understands why we do the things we do. We see plainly in Mark 12:41-44 that God is watching us as we give our offerings to Him. It is not simply a matter that He knows we give, but He watches how much we give and the attitude with which we give. Jesus here sees many people giving but is able to see beyond how much they are giving. He also sees what level of love is present in the presenters of their offerings. Text Box: Tithing is a practice commanded by God. It is not optional or flexible. Simply put, it is what God requires of us. It is not about money. It is about expressing our love and dependence on Him. The use of the tithes was very general. They were to be given to the Lord without stipulation or designation. They were to be given unconditionally to be used to support the Levites and priests who were given fully to serving God vocationally. Offerings, on the other hand, have a completely different flavor and purpose. We find in offerings, generally speaking, that the one bringing the offering has more control over when the offering is brought and what is to be done with the offering. As a part of God’s Kingdom the one bringing the offering to the Lord will find that they are led by the Holy Spirit. This leading will direct them as to which offerings to bring, as to their purpose or ministry supply, and the size of the offering. In today’s church world we seem to be bombarded by requests for offerings and many of these requests are valid and worthy of consideration. But none of us has the resources to meet each need. God knows this and uses His Holy Spirit to lead us to the needs which He wants us to individually respond to with our offerings.

         Stewardship Of Your Offerings

                                by Pastor Dave Bassett

John 10:10 says: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

Jesus is our joy!  Do you walk around with joy on your face, or with a downcast face so that your joy in Christ is no where to be seen?

Joy is something you can not necessarily conger up within yourself.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having Christ in our life should bring us joy.  One of the fruits of the spirit is joy.  If the Holy Spirit lives in you and you have turned control of your life over to Him, others should be able to see the joy of Christ in your life (and on your face). 

When we try to create a joyful spirit ourselves, it doesn’t usually come through to our face.  Only when we realize we can’t do it ourselves and ask for help will Jesus help us. 

 

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Text Box: Building God’s    Kingdom Together

September 28,  2007

September, 2007 — Issue #2

Building God’s Kingdom Newsletter

Special points of interest:

Page One —

· Stewardship Of Your Offerings

         by Pastor Dave Bassett

· The Joy of the Lord is our Strength
   by Judy Bassett

 

Page Two —

· Let Us Start Rebuilding
by Pastor Dave Bassett

 

Rev. Dave Bassett is the pastor of Rosewood Lane Church of the Nazarene.  See the church’s website at http://www.nazarene.ch/RosewoodLane/ for info on the Rosewood Lane Church in Layton, Utah.  We would love to have you visit our church!

The Joy of the Lord is our Strength

by Judy M. Bassett