ChRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP IN ITS BR,OADFR ASPECTS SENIOR DIVISION, No. 258, FOURTH QUARTER, 19)9 THE BLESSING OF DAILY STUDY "He who by faith receives the word is receiving the very life and character of God. Every seed brings forth fruit after its kind.... Receive into the soul by faith the incorruptible seed of the word, and it will bring forth a character and a life after the similitude of the character and the life of God."—Christ's Object Lessons, page 38. "Appreciation of the Bible grows with its study."—Ibid., p. 132. "God will make the most precious revelations to His hungering, thirsting people. They will find that Christ is a personal Saviour. As they feed upon His word, they find that it is spirit and life. The word destroys the natural, earthly nature, and imparts a new life in Christ Jesus."—The Desire of Ages, page 391. "The neglect of the word means starvation to the soul."—Counsels on Sabbath School Work, page 44. My Daily Lesson Study Pledge As one who greatly desires to improve his knowledge of the Scriptures, I pledge myself to the careful and prayerful study of some portion of my Sab- bath school lesson each day of the week. Name LESSON TITLES FOR THE QUARTER '1. God, the Owner of All 9. Sharing in Stewardship 2. God's Reserved Portions to. The Spiritual Stewardship of the 3. The Stewardship of Life Home 4. Stewards of the Mysteries of God H. Covetousness, a Hindrance to True 5. The Stewardship of Time and Stewardship Talents 32. God's Supreme Gift to Man 6. The Stewardship of Our Abilities 13. The Rewards of Faithful 7. Stewardship Recognized in Worship Stewardship 8. God's Security Plan Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly, No, 258, October-December, 1959. 20 cents a single copy, 75 cents a year (four issues) ; no additional charge to countries requiring extra postage. Published in the U.S.A. by Pacific Press Publishing Association (a corporation of S.D.A.), 1350 Villa Street, Mountain View, California. Second-class mail privileges authorized at Mountain View, California. When a change of address is desired, please be sure to send both old and new addresses. Copyright, 1959, by Pacific Press Publishing Association Printed in U.S.A. COVER: CHARLES 2INGARO, ARTIST Sabbath School Lesson Quarterly Theme for Quarter STEWARDSHIP INCLUDES ALL OF LIFE Aim for Quarter To broaden our understanding and pract ice of Christian stewardship, including our time, our talents, our treasure—our total life ; to help us to recognize that these are a trust from God to be used in His service in grateful acknowledgment of Christ's redeeming love. UNIT I Lesson No. 6. The Stewardship of Our THEME: The Fundamental Principles Abilities of Stewardship Lesson No. 7. Stewardship Recognized in Worship AIM: To lead us into a fuller recognition that our lives and all we possess are Lesson No. 8. God's Security Plan God's through His creation and re-. Lesson No. 9. Sharing in Stewardship demption. Lesson No. 10. The Spiritual Stewardship Lesson No. 1. God, the Owner of All of the Home Lesson No. 2. God's Reserved Portions UNIT III Lesson No. 3. The Stewardship of Life THEME: The Motives and Rewards of UNIT II • SteWardship THEME: The Stewardship of the Gospel AIM: To challenge us as stewards who await AIM: To help us as stewards to gain an un- our Lord's return to dedicate our time, abilities, material possessions, and total derstanding of our privilege and re- sponsibility to proclaim the gospel to life to God. the world. Lesson No. 11. Covetousness, a Hindrance Lesson No. 4. Stewards of the Mysteries of to True Stewardship God Lesson No. 12. God's Supreme Gift to Man Lesson No. 5. The Stewardship of Time and Lesson No. 13. The Rewards of Faithful Talents Stewardship General Int roduction Broadly speaking,' stewardship means " 'Stewards.' . . . The Greeks used this "responsibility." In this sense it means word in connection with the management much more than the payment of tithe. Ev- of property, either of a household or of an erything conferred on man by a beneficent estate, and applied it to the slaves or freed- Creator becomes an opportunity to 'reveal men who were entrusted with the care and a sense of responsibility and gratitude on management of the house and land belong- the part of the recipient. ing to their master. The steward not only Since everything has been created accord- presided over the affairs of the household, ing to God's will, and therefore has mean- but also made provision for it. This was an ing and purpose, our time, our daily occu- office of considerable responsibility. . . . pations, material liosseisions, physical health "In stewardship, the matter of supreme —our total life—are talents to be used and importance is faithfulness. Man has abso- shared in His service. With- this• enlarged lute ownership of nothing at all in this view of the meaning of the term, steward- world, not even his physical and mental ship thus becomes the practice of Christian strength. . . He is a created being, and religion. as such he' belongs to his Creator. He is [al also a redeemed being, purchased by the tion to exercise great care in the use of ev- blood of Christ; . . . therefore in a dou- erything entrusted to him during the period ble sense man is not his own. . . . Recogni- of his sojourn on this earth."-The Seventh- tion of this relationship between man and day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, his Creator should produce a determina- pp. 680, 681. Lesson 1, for October 3, 1959 God, the Owner of All MEMORY VERSE: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16. STUDY HELPS: "Counsels on Stewardship," pages 111-113; "The Desire of Ages," pages 19-26; "The Ministry of Healing," pages 415-417; "Testimonies," vol. 9, pp. 253-256; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of September 17. LESSON AIM: To help us understand the responsibilities and privileges of sharing in God's gracious gifts. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: General survey. ❑ Tuesday: Questions 7-11. ❑ Sunday: Questions 1, 2; begin read- Wednesday: Questions 12-14. ❑ ing from Study Helps. ❑ Thursday: Read from Study Helps. ❑ Monday: Questions 3-6; read from Friday: Review entire lesson. ❑ Study Helps. ❑ Lesson Outline III. Man, Steward of God's Gifts 7. Entrusted with stewardship of this Introduction earth. Gen. 2:15; 1 Cor. 4:1, 7. 8. Given a foundation principle for I. God, the Creator-Owner stewardship. Matt. 22 :37-40. 9. Called "friends" of their Lord. 1. Owner of earth and sea by virtue John 15:15. of creation. Ps. 24:1; 95:4, 5. 10. Given the same mission as their 2. Owner of heaven and earth and Master. John 15:16, 20; 20:21. Sustainer of all things. Col. 1:16, 17. 11. Stewards of God's grace. 1 Peter 4:10. II. God, the Sharer With Man IV. Man, the Privileged Son and Heir 3. His life, image, and dominion. 12. Joint heirs with Christ. Rom. Gen. 1:26-28; 2:7. 8:14, 17, 18. 4. His glory and honor. Ps. 8:4, 5. 13. The secret of successful partner- 5. Sonship with Jesus. Matt. 6:9. ship. Gal. 2:20; Phil. 4:13. 6. Jesus our example in giving. John 14. The present responsibility and 3:16; Titus 2:14, first part. future hope. 1 John 3:2. [4] THE LESSON Introduction God, the Sharer With Man "The idea of stewardship should have a 3. With whom did God share His practical bearing upon all the people of God. . . . Practical benevolence will give life, image, and dominion? Gen. 1: spiritual life to thousands of nominal pro- 26-28; 2:7. fessors of the truth who now mourn over their darkness. It will transform them from selfish, covetous worshipers of mammon, to earnest, faithful co-workers with Christ in Nom.—"Every human being, created in the salvation of sinners."—Counsels on the image of God, is endowed with a power Stewardship, page 112, 113. akin to that of the Creator—individuality, power to think and to do."—Education, page 17. God, the Creator-Owner 4. What other attributes did Ge-' 1. On what fundamental fact is bestow upon mankind? Ps. 8:4, 5. Christian stewardship based? Ps. 24:1; 95:4, 5. Nom.—"Above all lower orders of being, God designed that man, the crowning work Nom.—"We should regard ourselves as of His creation, should express His thought stewards of the Lord's property, and God and reveal His glory. But man is not to as the supreme proprietor, to whom we are exalt himself as God."—The Ministry of to render His own when He shall require Healing, page 415. it. When He shall come to receive His own with usury, the covetous will see that in- 5. How closely did Jesus identify stead of multiplying the talents entrusted Himself with mankind? Matt. 6:9. to them, they have brought upon them- selves the doom pronounced upon the un- profitable servant."—Counsels on Steward- ship, page 326. Nom.—"Jesus teaches us to call His Fa- ther our Father. He is not ashamed to call 2. How did God establish His us brethren. Hebrews 2:11. So ready, so ownership of this world? How is it eager, is the Saviour's heart to welcome us maintained? Col. 1:16, 17. as members of the family of God, that in the very first words we are to use in ap- proaching God He places the assurance of our divine relationship, 'Our Father.' "— Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, NOTE.—"The Sovereign of the universe 1956 ed., p. 103. was not alone in His work of beneficence. He had an Associate,—a Co-worker who 6. How did Christ become the Su- could appreciate His purposes, and could share His joy in giving happiness to cre- preme Example for stewards? John ated beings. 'In the beginning was the 3:16; Titus 2:14, first part. Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.' Christ, the Word, the Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,—one in nature, in char- Man, Steward of God's Gifts acter, in purpose,—the only Being that could enter into all the counsels and pur- 7. When and how was the practice poses of God."—Patriarchs and Prophets, of stewardship introduced to man? page 34. Gen. 2:15; 1 Cor. 4:1, 7. [5] 10. What is their mission and what may they expect? John 15:16, 20; 20:21. NOTE.—"We are stewards, entrusted by our absent Lord with the care of His house- hold and His interests, which He came to this world to serve. He has returned to heaven, leaving us in charge, and He ex- pects us to watch and wait for His appear- ing. Let us be faithful to our trust, lest coming suddenly He find us sleeping."— Testimonies, vol. 8, p. 37. 000' IS THE OWNER OF ALL HE HAS CREATED — THIS LITTLE WORLD, AND 11. What sacred obligation rests joss E OTHER PLANETS AND SUNS. upon every Christian steward? 1 Pe- ter 4:10. NoTE.—"Every Christian is a steward of God, entrusted with His goods. Remember the words: 'Moreover it is required in stew- ards, that a man be found faithful.' 1 Co- rinthians 4:2. Let us be sure that we are NoTE.—"However large, however small, not robbing God in any jots or tittles, for your talents, remember that what you have much is involved in this question. is yours only in trust. . . . To Him belong "All things belong to God. Men may ig- your powers of body, mind, and soul, and nore His claims. While He bountifully be- for Him these powers are to be used. stows His blessings upon them, they may Your time, your influence, your capabili- use His gifts for their own selfish gratifica- ties, your skill—all must be accounted for tion; but they will be called to give an ac- to Him who gives all. He uses his gifts best who seeks by earnest endeavor to count for their stewardship."—Testimonies, carry out the Lord's great plan for the up- vol. 9, p. 246. lifting of humanity."—Testimonies, vol. 7, 8. Upon what principle is Chris- pp. 281, 282. tian stewardship founded? Matt. 22: 37-40. Man, the Privileged Son and Heir 12. What special honor and exalted NoTE.—"By the terms of our steward- position await self-sacrificing stew- ship we are placed under obligation, not ards? Rom. 8:14, 17, 18. only to God, but to man. To the infinite love of the Redeemer every human being is indebted for the gifts of life. Food and raiment and shelter, body and mind and soul—all are the purchase of His blood. 13. By what means and through And by the obligation of gratitude and whom is this relationship accom- service thus imposed, Christ has bound us plished? Gal. 2:20; Phil. 4:13. to our fellow men. He bids us, 'By love serve one another.'"—Education, page 139. Nora.—"Heavenly intelligences are wait- ing to co-operate with human instrumen- 9. With what honored term does talities, that they may reveal to the world Jesus refer to His stewards? John what human beings may become, and what, 15:15. through union with the Divine, may be ac- [6] complished for the saving of souls that are 14. What assuring promises are ready to perish. There is no limit to the made to those who have attained son- usefulness of one who, putting self aside, ship? 1 John 3:2. makes room for the working of the Holy Spirit upon his heart and lives a life wholly consecrated to God. All who consecrate body, soul, and spirit to His service will be NOTE.—"To everyone who offers him;elf constantly receiving a new endowment of to the Lord for service, withholding noth- physical, mental, and spiritual power.. . . ing, is given power for the attainment of Through the grace given us we may achieve measureless results. For these God will do victories that because of our own erroneous great things. He will work upon the minds and preconceived opinions, our defects of of men so that, even in this world, there character, our smallness of faith, have shall be seen in their lives a fulfillment of seemed impossible."—The Ministry of Heal- the promise of the future state."—The ing, page 159. Ministry of Healing, page 160. Lesson 2, for October 10, 1959 God's Reserved Portions MEMORY VERSE: "And hallow My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that ye may know that I am the Lord your God." Ezek. 20:20. STUDY HELPS: "Patriarchs and Prophets," pages 52-55; "Testimonies," vol. 6, pp. 349-363; "Counsels on Stewardship," pages 65-79, 92-94; "The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary," on Scripture references; Lesson Help in "Review and Herald" of September 24. LESSON AIM: To lead us into a fuller understanding of our responsibility to respect and rightly use the Sabbath and the tithe, which God, the Sovereign Owner, has reserved and sanctified for His specific use. DAILY STUDY ASSIGNMENT AND RECORD Check Here Check Here Sabbath afternoon: General survey. ❑ Tuesday: Questions 8, 9; read from Sunday: Questions 1, 2; read from Study Helps. ❑ Study Helps. ❑ Wednesday: Questions 10-13; read Monday: Questions 3-7; read from from Study Helps. ❑ Study Helps. ❑ Thursday: Read from Study Helps. la Friday: Review entire lesson. Lesson Outline II. The Sanctified Seventh Day 3. God's reserved time. Gen. 2:3; Introduction Ex. 20:8-11. 4. A sign of God's sanctifying power. I. God's Reserved Tree Ex. 31:13 ; Ezek. 20:20. 5. Made for man. Mark 2:27, 28. 1. Symbol of God's complete owner- 6. To be "remembered." Ex. 20:8 ; ship. Gen. 2:16, 17. Deut. 2. Became point of man's disobedience. 7. Observance of in new earth. Isa. Gen. 3:1-6, 17-19, 24. 66:23. I '7 I Ill. The Sacred Tenth 11. A dishonest steward. Joshua 7:5, 8. Similarity between tithe and Sab- 10-12. bath. Lev. 27:30, 32 ; Ex. 20:8, 10. 12. A severe lesson. Joshua 7:16, 18-21, 9. Result of misuse of. Ex. 20:15; 24-26. Mal. 3:8. V. The Faithful Steward's Inheritance IV. Misuse of God's Portion 10. The reserved portion at Jericho. 13. Reserved in heaven for him. 1 Pe- Joshua 6:17-19. ter 1:3-5. THE LESSON Introduction 2. How did Adam and Eve forfeit their privilege of stewardship of the "In Eden, God set up the memorial of Garden of Eden? Gen. 3:1-6, 13, 17- His work of creation, in placing His bless- 19, 24. ing upon the seventh day. The Sabbath was committed to Adam, the father and representative of the whole human family. Its observance was to be an act of grateful The Sanctified Seventh Day acknowledgment, on the part of all who should dwell upon the earth, that God was 3. For what reason was the seventh their Creator and their rightful Sovereign; day of the week set apart as God's that they were the work of His hands, and reserved portion of time? Gen. 2:3; the subjects of His authority."—Patriarchs and Prophets, page 48. Ex. 20:8-11. God's Reserved Tree NOTE.—"Because He had rested upon the 1. What object did God reserve to Sabbath, 'God blessed the seventh day, and teach His complete ownership of the sanctified it,'—set it apart to a holy use. earth? Gen. 2:16, 17. He gave it to Adam as a day of rest. It was a memorial of the work of creation, and thus a sign of God's power and His love. The Scripture says, 'He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered.' NOTE.—"In the garden He caused to grow 'The things that are made,' declare 'the in- every tree that was pleasant to the eye or visible things of Him since the creation of good for food; but among them He made the world,' even His everlasting power and one reserve. Of all else, Adam and Eve divinity.' "—The Desire of Ages, page 281. might freely eat; but of this one tree God said, 'Thou shalt not eat of it.' Here was 4. Of what is the Sabbath a sign? the test of their gratitude and loyalty to Ex. 31:13; Ezek. 20:20. God."—Counsels on Stewardship, page 65. "The tree of knowledge had been made a test of their obedience and their love to God. The Lord had seen fit to lay upon them but one prohibition as to the use of No'rE.—"The Sabbath is the sign of God's all that was in the garden; but if they creative power, whether manifested in crea- should disregard His will in this particular, tion or redemption; for redemption is crea- they would incur the guilt of transgression. tion—re-creation. It requires the same Satan was not to follow them with con- power to redeem that it does to create. tinual temptations; he could have access to 'Create in me a clean heart.' Psalm 51:10. them only at the forbidden tree."—Patri- 'We are . . . created in Christ Jesus unto archs and Prophets, page 53. good works.' Ephesians 2:10. God designs. [8] that each Sabbath shall call Him to mind as the One who created us, and whose grace and sanctifying power are working in us to fit us for His eternal kingdom."—Bible Readings for the Home, page 442. 5. For whom was the Sabbath made?