Sabbath School Lesson for September 5-11, 2026
Introduction of Lesson 11, Stewardship and Mission
Memory Text: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9 NKJV
For humans, having wealth is associated with privileges we otherwise wouldn’t experience. But let’s remember that giving up part of our wealth in ways that fulfill God’s mission is the most precious of all privileges we’ve been given. This giving consists of storing up treasures in heaven: the safest place for them (Matthew 6:21).
Purposeful giving to advance God’s kingdom becomes a duty when we recognize it as part of following the example of Jesus. Our Savior gave up the vast riches of heaven and was born into poverty when He became flesh (Philippians 2:7, 8). This motivates us to follow His example and be as giving as possible. 2 Corinthians 8:9 is a deeply profound summary of the story of redemption and why our stewardship matters.
We can’t separate being faithful stewards and being faithful servants, fulfilling the gospel commission. Both stewardship and mission go hand in hand, as Paul outlined in 2 Corinthians, chapters 8 and 9. We should be as excited as Paul was about the opportunity to give to those in need. Our attitude about giving makes all the difference to our mission.
This week, we’ll explore:
- Sunday: The Example of Jesus
- Monday: Motivation
- Tuesday: Planning
- Wednesday: Attitude
- Thursday: Unity
Sunday: The Example of Jesus
No one has given up more than Jesus. He was not only a citizen of heaven, but the highest Being there. No one had more wealth and glory than was His. And if that wasn’t enough of a sacrifice, He allowed Himself to be born into poverty with questionable parentage, resulting in ridicule and rejection throughout His short life on earth.
Paul didn’t hesitate to use the example of Jesus when he wrote to the Corinthians concerning an important fundraiser. He was hoping to arouse their interest and increase their generosity for the benefit of the believers back in Jerusalem, who were in such dire need because of their faith in Jesus. He reminded them of the Macedonians in northern Greece, who despite their own poverty, had given generously to the cause of Christ.
Jesus’ sacrifice and our offerings should have one purpose: the salvation of others.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
2 Corinthians 8:1-7
- How would you describe the kind of giving of the Macedonians?
- Why did Paul use the Macedonians as an example of being generous to the Jerusalem believers?
- How did the love and emotions felt in previous chapters tie in with Paul’s new topic of giving?
Monday: Motivation
The topic of giving is paramount in chapters 8 and 9 of Paul’s epistle. Here are some points he brings out in this second letter:
- Our gifts show our gratitude for God’s blessings of grace.
- Being generous provides us an opportunity to follow the example and sacrifice of Jesus.
- God has enriched us to the point we can afford to be generous, and will continue to do so if we trust Him.
- We are able to show our love to God by giving all we can.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
2 Corinthians 8:1, 5 and 2 Corinthians 9:7, 9, 13, 15
- What idea is Paul trying to impress upon the Corinthians?
- How generous have you been in your offerings to church? How might you give more?
- What are some alternative ways we can and should be giving to God?
Tuesday: Planning
Reflecting on how God operates in giving to His creatures, we can’t help but notice the systematic planning involved in His actions. Even the giving of His Son to rescue mankind from the clutches of Satan was determined before sin occurred–“from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). In like manner, Paul told the Corinthians that each of them should give what they had decided in their own hearts to give (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Just as there is what we call impulse buying, there is also impulse giving. For the most part, it’s better to give after careful planning and reflection on the amount we are able to give.
In 2 Corinthians 8:12, we are to give “according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have”. The amount of our offerings will vary from person to person, depending on several factors. Tithes are based on proportionality, however, with everyone paying the same 10% of their income to support those who bring us the gospel. Malachi recognized that not paying tithes AND offerings is the same as robbing God (Malachi 3:6). We must plan carefully to do both.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
2 Corinthians 9:7 and Revelation 13:8
- In what ways have we seen the carefully laid plans of God when it comes to giving?
- How much planning should there be in our giving to God?
2 Corinthians 8:3, 11, 12
- What determines how much we give to God?
Wednesday: Attitude
Paul was deliberate in mentioning the generosity of the Macedonians. His experience with them allowed him to share with the Corinthians what our attitude should be in giving. Here are the reasons worth paying attention to in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5:
- Giving was the result of their abundant joy for what God had done for them (v. 2).
- Their giving was generous, because they knew it would help spread the gospel (v. 2).
- They gave willingly. No one forced them to do it (v. 3)
- They felt it was a privilege and an honor to give back to God (v. 4).
- Giving was an act of consecrating themselves to the cause of Christ. Therefore, they gave of themselves totally, with more than monetary funds (v. 5).
Verses for reflection and discussion:
2 Corinthians 8:1-5
- How do these verses make us all want to rethink and adjust our attitude and motives for giving?
- What kind of alternative motives for giving are not acceptable to God, and how can we avoid them?
- What can we do to encourage others to give themselves fully to God through the sharing of their financial benefits?
Thursday: Unity
Money can easily divide people. There are the “haves” and the “have nots” almost everywhere. Truly, where there’s greed when it comes to our use of money, there’s also resentment and even hatred in those who don’t have it.
God has shown us, however, that money can also be a great unifier. When people use their financial blessings to collectively bless others, it can be a means of drawing us together, reminding us that we are all God’s children.
This is what happened for the Macedonians and their needy Jewish Christian friends who were miles away from them in Jerusalem. Their funds, collected by Titus and other trusted friends of Paul, were used as an act of worship that not only gave God glory, but increased the fellowship and unified spirit of the two groups of believers, Jews and Gentiles.
Verses for reflection and discussion:
2 Corinthians 8:16-23
- Why is it important to have trusted people in charge of collecting our financial gifts?
- How should people be selected on all levels of church organization to handle the funds of the church in a way that glorifies God?
Romans 15:26, 27 and Ephesians 4:15, 16
- What does our sacrificial giving do for the church as a whole?
- What is holding us back from such giving?
Friday: Final Thoughts
Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians builds on the idea that generosity is an expression of God’s love and grace, and that our giving is a way we can show our gratitude for His generosity. After all, Christ was a model of giving. Our generosity and financial integrity matter to God. It helps cement our trusting relationship with Him.
Several thoughts expressed by the Christian writer, Ellen G. White, are helpful in understanding the topic of stewardship and the effect it has on the mission of the church. Here are some quotes from her writings:
- “The Lord does not need our offerings…[But, our offerings are] the only way in which it is possible for us to manifest our gratitude and love to God. He has provided no other.” Counsels on Stewardship”, p. 18, 19.
- “…nothing [is] too good for Him who ‘gave his only begotten Son…’ ” The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald“, May 15, 1900.
She saw that our “money, time, and influence” can all be used to advance the kingdom of God (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 71). And that is precisely what God wants to do with our offerings. He wants to grow His kingdom.
Our attitude and motivation, not the type or amount, count most of all. For as Paul reminds us, “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Next Week: Dealing With False Teachers
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