DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For October 22, 2023 : Topic – LAWS OF VOWS AND DEDICATIONS
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 83
LAWS OF VOWS AND DEDICATIONS
Memory Verse: “Notwithstanding no Devoted thing, that a nan Shall devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of Man and beast, and of the Field of his possession, shall Be sold or redeemed: every Devoted thing is most holy Unto the LORD (Leviticus 27:28).
TEXT: Leviticus 27:1-34
Vows and tithes are religious practices which God expects from those who are His. God’s people have always given their tithes and made vows before the law was given (Genesis 14:20; 28:20-22). However, with the law, God gave clear Instructions concerning how vows and tithes were to be given and respected. In our text, the Lord gives clear rules on how to Make vows and dedicate things to Him, as well as how to redeem them.
Question 1: Are youths expected to give to the Lord?
The Lord also explains the type of vows that were Acceptable, who and where they were to be offered. Every true Child of God is expected to give a tithe of his income or Monetary gift to the Lord.
1. THE PRINCIPLE AND DEFINITIONS OF TITHES AND VOWS
Leviticus 27:1-9, 14-27, Numbers 62-11: 1 Samuel 1:11: M:alachı 3:10, 11;2Corinthians 9:6,7
Tithes is one-tenth of our gross income which is devoted to God as commanded by Him. Vows are religious promises (different from tithe) made to the Lord, mostly in prayers, to Thank God for His past goodness and granting a request.
Question 2: In your own words, distinguish between Tithe and vows?
Vows are voluntary while tithe is mandatory. Tithe is one- Tenth of your income while vows do not have any Specification. The Lord gave clear instructions on what was expected from the children of Israel, but many were always Willing to go the extra mile to give more to the Lord. The Lord, Therefore, needed to give clear instructions on how those offerings above the tithes were to be handled. The Lord also made payment of tithes and vows such that everyone could Afford to pay. If a man was too poor to pay his vow, the Lord Gave a chart with which the priest could calculate how much the person could afford to pay. When someone vowed, the Person could be redeemed from the vow if the one that vowed could pay for the person. An example was when Samuel was vowed to the Lord by his mother. She could have redeemed him by paying five shekels but she permanently lent him to the Lord.
Question 3: What can we learn about vows and tithes?
We learn the following from the instructions given by God: (i) He is a God of order and He wants every one of us to live Orderly. (ii) God expects all youths to give voluntarily what is required of them and He is pleased when they do so. (iii) God Expects everyone to give in such a way that there was opportunity for everyone to give something. (iv) God expects Us to give according to our ability and not below it. (v) Whatever we give to God becomes His and we are not to worry ourselves unduly about how He uses them.
2. THE PRECAUTIONS CONCERNING OUR TITHES AND VOWS
Leviticus 27.9- 13,28,29; Ecclesiastes 5:2, Psalm 154: Judges 11:35,JeteHtah 35i: 1-6,Josha 6:17: Malachi 3:8-11
“Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall Devote unto the LORD of all that he hath, both of man and Beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or Redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy unto the LORD” (Leviticus 27:28). In spite of the voluntary nature of vows, we are commanded not to be hasty in making it and to abide by every vow we make to the Lord. “Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God: for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2). Making a vow and not fulfilling it 1s lying. The Bible declares that “There shall in no wise enter into it any thing that Defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s Book of life” (Revelation 21:27). Vows once made cannot be Altered. Therefore, youths need to exercise caution when making vows in the presence of God. God gave allowance for the redeeming of some vows. These included instances where the management of the vows was cumbersome if not converted into cash or where the vows were cumbersome if not converted into the vows was Not needed in the church. There were several curses on those Who go against the instructions of the Lord. Today, youths may be suffering because they have made vows to the Lord Which have not been redeemed. There are repercussions here On earth and in eternity for making unguarded promises of. Giving vows to God. Youths must, therefore, avoid any careless Vow. Moreover, if youths do not pay their tithes, they stand the Danger of experiencing losses.
Question 4: What precautions should youths take in Making vows and promises?
We should be cautious and never promise what we do not Have the intention to fulfil. Whenever we give promises to People in our schools and communities, we should make Allowances for any impossibility we feel may come up. If we have made promises before we got converted but those promises are against that will of God, we should ignore it. An example is if you have promised to marry someone before getting converted. Such promise becomes void after Conversion.
3. THE PURPOSE AND DIVINE OWNERSHIP OF TITHES AND VOWS
Leviticus 27:30-32; Exodus 13:1,2; Psalm 24:1: Haggai 2:8; Malachi 3:8-12
Though we are free to offer what we desire to the Lord as vows, it is important to note that after you have made a vow to Him, you are no more the owner and cannot control how it is used (Numbers 30:2; Deuteronomy 23:21,22). Vows and tithes are for the support and sustenance of the work of the Lord and God determines through the leaders how they are to be used. Youths should, therefore, not ask unnecessary questions on how tithes and vows are used. Giving should be done willingly and joyfully with a clear conscience.
Question 5: Mention some things our tithes and vows are used for in the church today.
Our tithes and vows are used for many things in the church today. They are used to send missionaries to the mission field, build our churches, buy instruments and electronic gadgets, pay full-time pastors and workers, print several outlines, sponsor our programmes, subsidize our various literature, and used for several other projects of the church. God owns all things and we must obey His instructions on what to do with what we have. Tithes are not ours and we should not spend it. “Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in ne 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” (Malachi 3:8-10).
Question 6: Mention some blessings we receive when we Give to the Lord.
The Scripture commands, “Honour the LORD With thy Substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase: So Shall thy barns he filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine” Proverbs 3:9). The Lord will Abundantly bless us when we give for the spread of the gospel.