RCCG JUNIOR ZEAL FOR AGE 13-15 MANUAL 13 APRIL 2025

LESSON THIRTY-THREE (33)
TOPIC: FINANCE IN CHURCH
BIBLE TEXT: Malachi 3:10-12, Luke 16:1-13, Proverbs 11:1
Malachi 3:10-12
[10]Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
[11]And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
[12]And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Luke 16:1-13
[1]And he said also unto his disciples, There was a certain rich man, which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods.
[2]And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.
[3]Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed.
[4]I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses.
[5]So he called every one of his lord’s debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord?
[6]And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty.
[7]Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore.
[8]And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
[9]And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.
[10]He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.
[11]If therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches?
[12]And if ye have not been faithful in that which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own?
[13]No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Proverbs 11:1
[1]A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
MEMORY VERSE: 2 Corinthians 9:7 “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver’
LESSON AIM: To teach the teenagers how to give and why we need to give to the church.
CENTRAL TRUTH: It is privilege to give to give to God, who gave us everything we have.
OPENING QUESTION: Can the church survive without money; can the gospel be successfully preached without money.
INTRODUCTION: Finance in church can be defined as how money is generated and managed in the church. The church is not a business outfit where you buy and sell, or where the pastor is a businessman who is inviting people to come and patronize him. Church is the house of God. Although, church finance is similar to business finances in some ways, with the objective being a higher level of funds than expenses. However, churches mostly receive gifts from individuals rather than making money via the sale of goods. However, some churches have money making ventures to support their ministry to people. Money is a means of exchange and it is a key element in the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Greater exploits are possible when there is money.
STUDY GUIDE
LESSONS FROM OUR TEXT:
A. SOURCES OF MONEY INTO THE CHURCH
1. Offerings and contributions: 2 Corinthians 9:7, 2 Chron 7:4.
2. Tithes: Tithing is a biblical injunction. Tithe is 10% of what we earn. Look at the benefits outlined in Mal. 3: 8-12.
3. Pledges: a solemn promise or undertaking. Num 30:2.
4. Creating Church-Owned Businesses. Teenagers to mention examples.
5. Fund raising events/Charges at church events.
6. Running bookshops, selling Christian materials.
B. WHY DOES THE CHURCH NEED MONEY?
1. To help the poor.
2. Pay church workers who are full time. Num 18:21
3. Send missionaries to unreached places.
4. Build churches.
5. Do community projects such as building schools, hospitals, boreholes etc.
6. Mention more…..
C. HOW CAN I BE A PART?
1. Paying my tithe regularly
2. Giving offering.
3. Volunteering at church fund raising events.
4. Giving professional services without charging.
5. Avoid destroying church property e.g breaking chairs, mishandling equipment.
APPLICATION/DISCUSS: Write down examples of:
1. How money is generated in the church?
2. How money is circulated in the church?
CONCLUSION: Church money is God’s money because no one worked for it. God has asked us to bring money into his house so such money belongs to no one and must be spent wisely and carefully. If you happen to be a part of people handling church money, do this with utmost care. Handle church money with integrity and transparency. 1 Cor 4:2. Rom 14:12.
INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION
* What is God saying in today’s lesson?
* How can I apply this to my life?
* My prayer today is: