1. AN ADVENTIST THEOLOGY OF OFFERINGS
Erika F Puni, PhD
Stewardship Ministries Director
General Conference

2. “Stewardship is ALL of me in response to ALL of God”
NARROW VIEW
BROAD VIEW
Tithes & Offerings
Lordship of Christ
Church Member
God as God
Behavior
Values
Pocket and Wallet
Heart
Program
Lifestyle

3. Jesus Is Lord Of All

4. God, Offerings And Giving
Giving is central to God’s nature
God gave first in everything
God gave the best in Jesus Christ
God’s giving saves us from the death
God expects and will accept the best from His people
Freewill offerings are an expression of the giving of one’s self first to God

5. The Nature of Offerings
Offerings are tangible expressions of a heart commitment to God
What is given is something of value and meaning – it has a cost to the giver
There is a benefit or blessing associated with the giving of offerings
Offerings is a means of thanksgiving and praise to God
Worship and joy are common denominators in the giving of offerings

6. Jesus and Offerings
Jesus received and accepted gifts of worship and thanksgiving
For Jesus, giving to God must be consistent with our love for others
In giving, the motive and condition of the heart matters
Giving is both personal and communal
Worship includes giving in support of Christian ministry and the poor

7. Acceptable Giving Giving of our total self to God
Giving that recognizes that God is first
Expression of faith and total trust in God
Response of love to God’s saving grace
Voluntary act from a grateful heart
Reflection of commitment to the mission and ministry of God through the church
Outflow of a right relationship with God and my neighbor
Giving is spontaneous, systematic and sacrificial

8. Expressions of Financial Stewardship
TITHE
OFFERINGS
Belongs to God
Belongs to God
It is holy
It is holy
God specifies it
Believer sets it
Act of worship
Act of worship
Spiritual response
Spiritual response
Express loyalty
Express gratitude

9. Giving Paradigm OLD NEW Financial Matter Spiritual Act Focus on Self
Focus on God
Work oriented
Grace oriented
Emphasize obligation
Emphasize lordship
Maintenance driven
Mission driven
Members are Donors
Members are Stewards

10. DONORS or STEWARDS DONORS STEWARDS It’s About Me It’s About God
It’s My Money
It’s God’s Gifts
It’s My Project
It’s God’s Work
I’m In Control
God’s In Control
Giving Is In-frequent
Giving Is A Lifestyle
The Amount Matters
The Heart Matters

11. Seventh-day Adventist Practice
Tithe
10% or 1/10th
Freewill
Offerings
+ More than Tithe
= Equal to Tithe
- Less than Tithe
Charity and
Project Giving
+ More than Tithe
= Equal to Tithe
- Less than Tithe

12. Freewill Giving
Is giving that recognizes God’s blessings that comes freely through His grace in Jesus Christ (Deut 16:17)
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).

13. Systematic Giving Is planned giving NOT impulse giving
It starts with the return of tithe
Follows with giving of offerings
Make allowance for project giving
Understands global and local needs
Is regular giving
Always focus on God and mission

14. UNION CONFERENCE LOCAL CHURCH
General Conference
Tithes and Offerings flow up and down the Church structure GC
???
DIVISION
???
UNION
CONFERENCE
???
???
LOCAL CHURCH
SDA ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

15. Stewardship Strategy Pastor Local Church Stewardship Education
Offering Systems
Information and
Communication
Strategy
Local Church
Pastor

16. Our Stewardship Message
God 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.

17. Department Contact Penny Brink - Assistant Director
Mario Nino Associate Director
Erika Puni - Director
Website: