A THEOLOGY OF OFFERINGS AND GIVING IN THE

SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH

Erika F Puni, PhDStewardship Ministries DirectorGeneral Conference

““Stewardship is ALL of me in response to ALL of God”Stewardship is ALL of me in response to ALL of God”

HeartHeart

Tithes & OfferingsTithes & Offerings Lordship of ChristLordship of Christ

Church MemberChurch Member God as OwnerGod as Owner

ProgramProgram

Pocket and WalletPocket and Wallet

ValuesValuesBehaviorBehavior

LifestyleLifestyle

BROAD VIEWBROAD VIEWNARROW VIEWNARROW VIEW

Worship

Leadership

Relationships

Possessions

Finances

Language

Jesus Is Lord Of All

God, Offerings And Giving1.Giving is central to God’s nature2.God gave first in everything3.God gave the best in Jesus Christ4.God’s giving saves us from the death5.God expects and will accept the best

from His people6.Freewill offerings are an expression

of the giving of one’s self first to God

The Nature of Offerings 1.Offerings are tangible expressions of a

heart commitment to God 2.What is given is something of value

and meaning – it has a cost to the giver3.There is a benefit or blessing

associated with the giving of offerings4.Offerings is a means of thanksgiving

and praise to God5.Worship and joy are common

denominators in the giving of offerings

Jesus and Offerings1.Jesus received and accepted gifts of

worship and thanksgiving 2.For Jesus, giving to God must be

consistent with our love for others3.In giving, the motive and condition of

the heart matters4.Giving is both personal and communal5.Worship includes giving in support of

Christian ministry and the poor

Acceptable Giving1. Giving of our total self to God 2. Giving that recognizes that God is first3. Expression of faith and total trust in God4. Response of love to God’s saving grace5. Voluntary act from a grateful heart6. Reflection of commitment to the mission

and ministry of God through the church7. Outflow of a right relationship with God

and my neighbor8. Giving is spontaneous, systematic and

sacrificial

Expressions of Financial Stewardship

OFFERINGSTITHEBelongs to God

It is holy It is holy

Belongs to God

God specifies it Believer sets it

Act of worship Act of worship

Spiritual response Spiritual response

Express loyalty Express gratitude

Giving Paradigm

NEWOLD

Focus on Self

Emphasize obligation

Focus on God

Emphasize lordship

Work oriented Grace oriented

Financial Matter Spiritual Act

Maintenance driven Mission driven

Members are Donors Members are Stewards

DONORS or STEWARDS

STEWARDSDONORS

It’s My Money

I’m In Control

It’s God’s Gifts

God’s In Control

It’s My Project It’s God’s Work

It’s About Me It’s About God

Giving Is In-frequent Giving Is A Lifestyle

The Amount Matters The Heart Matters

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

Freewill Giving1.Is giving that recognizes God’s

blessings that comes freely through His grace in Jesus Christ (Deut 16:17)

2.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).

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 (NIV)

Systematic Giving

1.Is planned giving NOT impulse giving

2.It starts with the return of tithe3.Follows with giving of offerings4.Make allowance for project giving5.Understands global and local needs6.Is regular giving7.Always focus on God and mission

SDA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

LOCAL CHURCH

CONFERENCE

UNION

DIVISION

GC

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???

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General ConferenceTithes and Offerings

flow up and down the Church

structure

Stewardship Strategy

Offering Systems Information andCommunication

Strategy

StewardshipEducation

Local Church

Pastor

Our Stewardship MessageGod 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.

Department Contact

Larry Evans - Associate DirectorEmail: EvansL@gc.adventist.org

Mario Nino - Associate DirectorEmail: NinoM@gc.adventist.org

Erika Puni - DirectorEmail: PuniE@gc.adventist.org

Website: www.adventiststewardship.com