An Offertory Devotional video for Sabbath, June 11, 2022, in your @adventistchurch: vimeo.com/687924192. Putting God first can be difficult. What we can learn from this video that will help us put God first in our lives today? Also available in #Spanish and #Portuguese. Put #GodFirst #StewardshipMinistries
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For more information on the Stewardship Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, you can head over to stewardship.adventist.org/ ______________________________________________
We worship God with our resources because this protects us from misplaced hope. As humans, we tend to trust in something or someone bigger than ourselves. We do not control all aspects of our existence. In the absence of hope, our lives are overwhelmed by anguish and despair. One natural inclination is to put our confidence in the resources that we have accumulated. They are visible and measurable, leading us to think they are sure. However, according to Paul, it is safer to place our hope in the Source of wealth than in wealth itself.
Mark, from South China, was deeply moved by a call for offering, and he gave 30 percent of his total savings as his offering. Unexpectedly, he experienced a severe financial crisis soon afterward. His new business collapsed, and he fell into debt. Life uncertainties! During this time he heard an appeal for a new church building at the cost of 10 million Chinese Yuen. Mark realized that it was a rare opportunity to advance God’s mission in his province of more than 60 million people. Impressed by the Spirit, he made a commitment of 400,000 Chinese Yuen, with no idea where the money would come from. Then something amazing happened: the shareholder of his former architecture company invited him to resume work with him. He accepted the offer and was soon promoted to executive officer and board director. Mark ended up contributing 1 million Chinese Yuen to the church building project. Looking back at his life’s experiences, he wrote: “The grace of the Lord is like endless running water.”
Mark demonstrated trust by giving His fleeting resources to worship the God who richly provides for everything. This week, as we worship with our tithe and regular offerings, called Promise, let us make a statement about where our hope resides.