MEMORY SCRIPTURE
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:17
We see the gifts of giving and hospitality exceptionally demonstrated in Abraham. He entertained just 3 visitors with a cattle! He didn’t miss the reward. Lot learnt from him.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READING
Mon. 1: The Church’s Enthusiasm (1 Cor. 9:1-2)
Tue. 2: The Urge To Complete The Task (1 Cor. 9:3-5)
Wed. 3: Sow Little To Reap Little (1 Cor. 9: 6a)
Thur. 4: Sow Much To Reap Bountifully (1 Cor. 9:6b, 8-9)
Fri. 5: Determining The Amount Of One’s Gift (1 Cor. 9: 7)
Sat. 6: Being Blessed In Giving Is Of God (1 Cor. 9:11-14)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
The knowledge of God’s generosity should help us acknowledge and appreciate what He gives, even as we share with others.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: GENESIS 18:1-8; 1 KINGS 8:62FF; 2 CORINTHIANS 8: 1FF; EPHESIANS 4:28; HEBREWS 13:2
We thank God for the previous lesson: GIFT OF MERCY. We were ‘I able to establish, by God’s grace, that giving and mercy are both graces from the Lord. We are expected to utilise our God-given gifts for the benefit of humanity and the glory of God. May the blessings we have received remain permanent with us, in Jesus’ name. Amen
Today, being the annual sacrificial Sunday in our great Mission, the Sunday school lesson is pivoted on the fact that Giving and Hospitality are spiritual gifts. God has prepared some people to serve as reservoirs. They are called to receive and release to others. They are to take God’s resources to the right destinations. God is the Giver. He is the Source of all gifts. No bragging!
LESSON OUTLINE
- THE GIFT OF GIVING
- THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY
LESSON EXPOSITION
THE GIFTOFGIVING(I 1kgs. 8:63ff; 2 Cor. 8:1ff; Eph. 4:28)
And sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all as anyone has need.
Acts 2:45
A) Giving is the act of contributing one’s ‘hard-earned’ resources, willingly and cheerfully to God’s work and for the betterment/ comfort of others. It is a gift that believers possess.
B) Eph. 4:28: God commands us all to labour and earn so that we can have, to give to others. Giving is imperative!
C) 2 Cor. 8:7: Giving is a gift (‘grace’) from God in a special way. It is the Spiritual Power And Gifts For The Body Of Christ
Spirit-enabled grace to choose to live with less in order to give more, without seeking recognition or payback.
D) vv. 1-5: The experience of these Macedonians shows that gifted givers are not always wealthy. They freely and willingly give according to their ability …and beyond their ability (vv. 2,3). Does that describe you? Stop saying you don’t have the gift. Covet, pray for and practise it. It is for your own good.
E) 1 Kgs. 8:62ff: Solomon’s offerings here are significant and challenging demonstration of the gift of giving. All possessions belong to God and the assembly of the believers. They are not meant for our personal/ selfish interests.
THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY (Gen. Heb. 13:2)
Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.’
1 Pet. 4:9
A) Hospitality’ in Greek is philoxenos, meaning ‘love of strangers’. It is the act of making people feel welcomed, and providing for their feeding and lodging needs.
B) Your real love for others must produce remarkable action (1 Jn.3:11ff). Kindness and care for visitors will run deep enough to show your hospitality.
C) Gen. 18:1-8: Those whom God endows with this gift are used to restore hope to the hopeless, provide accommodation to the homeless, food for the hungry souls, give a warm welcome to strangers, and make others feel cared for (19:1-3).
D) Heb. 13:2: It is a command from the LORD, and very rewarding (cf. Gen. 18:1ff; 19:1-3). An opportunity to host a man of God, preceded the breakthrough of the Shunammite woman (2 Kgs. 4:8ff). Be sensitive!
E) Stop giving excuses concerning your condition, or inability; God knows, but He wants to bring you out of poverty through being hospitable with the little you have. The widow of Zarephath is a challenge to us (2 Kgs. 17:8-16).
LESSONS DERIVED
- We are blessed to be blessings to others. Don’t reserve God’s blessings to yourself; you are only a channel to reach others.
- Hospitality is the will and commandment of God. Be hospitable to everyone, everywhere.
QUESTIONS
- Giving is a gift. Does it mean giving is limited to certain classes of people, or all believers?
- Explain what you understand by hospitality, according to this lesson.
