Twelve Days of Sunday School: Day Eleven

1. On the first day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Love of God, neighbors, and self.
2. On the second day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Start of a second class.
3. On the third day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Prayer for three prospects.
4. On the fourth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Four ministry calls.
5. On the fifth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Five quiet times.
6. On the sixth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Six acts of kindness.
7. On the seventh day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Seven days of prayer.
8. On the eighth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Eight hours of sleep.
9. On the ninth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Nine fruit of the Spirit.
10. On the tenth day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…Ten service projects.

Take a moment to consider how you would complete the eleventh verse:

On the eleventh day of Christmas, my Sunday School class gave to Christ…

How did you complete the verse? Ask for your class’ response. Turn it into a request for class members’ commitment. Give your response to Christ and to each other. Make Christmas special by giving Jesus twelve birthday presents this year!

Here is how I would respond to today’s verse:

Eleven percent giving.

Money is an issue Jesus talked much about. Christians should not allow things of this world to control them. Too many teachers and class members allow their pursuit of money to get in the way of relationship with God and man. They spend so much time working, travelling to work, and thinking about work that there is little time for God, family, friends, or those who need Jesus.

Money itself is not the problem. Paul reminds us, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10, NIV). It is not money but the “love of money” that is an issue for too many.

This is a discipleship issue. The love of money is related to one of the many important teachings of Jesus about money. Consider what he said in Matthew 6:21 (NIV):

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also .

Too many are distracted by money, things, and the pursuit of money. Attention, time, and passion are diverted from God and His Kingdom. But why eleven percent? God deserves our best. We should never attempt to give God the minimum. That attitude is already a failure. We should give more than is required. We should tithe and give Him gifts beyond the tithe.  That is why eleven percent is mentioned. Remember, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7, NIV). It all belongs to Him anyway!

Get your focus on Him this year. Avoid allowing your “treasure” to be earthly. Give generously. Give cheerfully. Tithe. Give. Teach about it. Do more than sing the words to today’s verse! Commit to it. Live it. Do it! Grow. Make disciples. Be revolutionary!

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