An Offertory Devotional video for Sabbath, December 10, 2022, in your @adventistchurch: vimeo.com/755061208. Putting God first can be difficult. What can we learn from this video that will help us put God first in our lives today?
Also available in #Spanish and #Portuguese.
Put #GodFirst
#StewardshipMinistries
------------------------------------------------------------
For more information on the Stewardship Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, you can head over to stewardship.adventist.org/ ______________________________________________
During a crisis, we can still worship God with our limited resources because it is a grace of God. In the time of the apostle Paul, the members of the churches of Macedonia were facing a severe trial, which was of a financial nature. Resources were few, but their giving was described as rich generosity by Paul. Alongside with others, they could partake in the joy of sharing and participating in God’s mission, not restricted by their rock-bottom poverty. It was God’s gift to them.
An old story tells of the joy of being generous during a time of scarcity. A pastor of a local church appealed to his church members to bring a special offering for the Christmas Eve service. The donation received would go to a destitute family of the church. One poor family was moved by the appeal, and they decided to make some sacrifices to participate in this offering. They ate simpler food and even skipped Christmas gifts for themselves. On Christmas Eve they counted their savings, brought it to church, and dropped it into the offering bag. They joyfully returned home, excited that they could be part of this initiative. Later that night the doorbell rang, and the church pastor handed them an envelope. It contained just a little more than what the family had brought to church earlier.
Whatever our financial situation, we can still experience the joy of giving. This is possible because God has not set a minimum acceptable amount; all can give “as much as they were able” (2 Cor. 8:3). In His divine provision, God invites His children to give in proportion to income received; participation is not restricted to a certain level of resources. This week as we worship with our tithe and regular offerings, called Promise, all can taste the joy of giving.