24/05/2026
*SUNDAY SCHOOL*
*JOIN THE CONQUERORS EVANGELICAL CHURCH*
*THEME OF THE MONTH FOR MAY: IN GOD'S PRESENCE: ENEMIES SCATTER*
*DATE: SUNDAY 24TH, MAY 2026*
*SPEAKER: REV. CHARLES O ISRAEL*
*TOPIC : DOES GIVING SEPARATE THE POOR AND THE RICH?*
*TEXT: PROVERBS 19:1*
_Proverbs 19:1 - Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse._
_1 Samuel 25:17 - Now think it over and see what you can do, because disaster is hanging over our master and his whole household. He is such a wicked man that no one can talk to him."_
_Psalm 26:11 - But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me._
_Psalm 37:26 - He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed._
_Proverbs 12:26 - A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray._
_Matthew 12:31 - And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven._
_James 2:5 - Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?_
_James 2:6 - But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?_
God designed giving to unite the church. Hence giving is not supposed to separate the rich from the poor.
1. Atonement money. This refers to covenant money which everyone gives equally.
2. Purification offering. Here, you give as you can but with one purpose.
_Leviticus 12:8 - And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean._
3. Widow's might. This is giving even when it is your last.
_Mark 12:41 - Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts._
_Mark 12:42 - But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny._
_Mark 12:43 - Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others._
_Mark 12:44 - They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything--all she had to live on."_
4. Equality giving.
_2 Corinthians 8:12 - For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have._
_2 Corinthians 8:13 - Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality._
_2 Corinthians 8:14 - At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,_
_2 Corinthians 8:15 - as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little."_
5. Giving that erases division.
_Acts 2:44 - All the believers were together and had everything in common._
_Luke 12:48 - But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked._
*Note the following:*
1. Refusing to give when you can give is a sin.
_Proverbs 3:27 - Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act._
2. Demanding/borrowing from others what you want to give for worship is carelessness.
_Proverbs 14:31 - He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God._
*God's command about giving:*
1. Everyone gives as a demanded but not everyone gives the same.
2. Do not borrow money that you can not return. It blocks your way.
_2 Corinthians 9:7 - Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver._
3. Giving according to your ability.
_2 Corinthians 8:14 - At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality,_
_Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus._