Lesson 20 – Joanna and Benevolence

Joanna means “favored by Jehovah.”10

“And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered to Him of their substance.” Luke 8:3.

“The record declares, ‘He went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with Him, and certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, and Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto Him of their substance.’ Not only Christ, but His disciples also, labored in the cities and villages; and those who had been in the truth longer than the new converts, ministered unto Him of their substance.” –Daughters of God, p. 70.

SUNDAY

A financier among the women of Galilee

Who was Joanna’s husband, and by which Herod was he employed? What did Joanna do with her wealth?

Luke 8:3 And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered to him of their substance.

Mark 6:14 And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

“The most wealthy should also show an interest and bestow their gifts and offerings proportionate to the means with which God has entrusted them. Let there be recorded in the heavenly books such a Christmas as has never yet been seen because of the donations which shall be given for the sustaining of the work of God and the upbuilding of His kingdom.” –The Adventist Home, p. 483.

“The consecration to God of a tithe of all increase, whether of the orchard and harvest field, the flocks and herds, or the labor of brain or hand, the devotion of a second tithe for the relief of the poor and other benevolent uses, tended to keep fresh before the people the truth of God’s ownership of all, and of their opportunity to be channels of His blessings. It was a training adapted to kill out all narrowing selfishness, and to cultivate breadth and nobility of character.” – Education, p. 44.

MONDAY

With whom did she travel? What was proclaimed in the cities and towns?

Luke 8:1-3, first part; 9:2 And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him, 2And certain women, which had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils, 3And Joanna…. 9:2And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

“It is the divine plan that we shall work as the disciples worked. Physical healing is bound up with the gospel commission. In the work of the gospel, teaching and healing are never to be separated.” –The Ministry of Healing, p. 140.

TUESDAY

Following Joanna’s example, what should the believers do? Who are benefited by the saints’ offerings?

Acts 20:35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

2 Corinthians 9:11-13 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. 12For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; 13Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men.

“The majority of professed Christians part with their means with great reluctance. Many of them do not give one twentieth of their income to God, and many give far less than that; while there is a large class who rob God of the little tithe, and others who will give only the tithe. If all the tithes of our people flowed into the treasury of the Lord as they should, such blessings would be received that gifts and offerings for sacred purposes would be multiplied tenfold, and thus the channel between God and man would be kept open. The followers of Christ should not wait for thrilling missionary appeals to arouse them to action. If spiritually awake, they would hear in the income of every week, whether much or little, the voice of God and of conscience with authority demanding the tithes and offerings due the Lord.” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 474.

WEDNESDAY

To what ministry composed of only women did Joanna belong? What holy day did they observe?

Luke 23:55; 24:10; 23:54, 56 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid….

24:10It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles…. 23:54And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on…. 56And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

“The women who had been Christ’s humble followers while He lived would not leave Him until they saw Him laid in the tomb and a stone of great weight placed before the door, lest His enemies should seek to obtain His body. But they need not have feared; for I saw that the angelic host watched with untold interest in the resting place of Jesus, earnestly waiting for the command to act their part in liberating the King of glory from His prison house.” –Daughters of God, p. 71.

THURSDAY

Taking care of the Saviour’s body

Using her own money, what did Joanna purchase and prepare for Christ’s body? What does the body of Christ represent spiritually?

Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

Colossians 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

“By its necessities a ruined world is drawing forth from us talents of means and of influence, to present to men and women the truth, of which they are in perishing need.” –Counsels on Stewardship, p. 13.

FRIDAY

According to Jesus, what are included in our responsibilities to support the final work? As with Joanna, what other gifts are essential to contribute?

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

1 Corinthians 16:1, 2 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you. 2Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

Proverbs 3:9; 28:27 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase…. 28:27He that giveth to the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.

“Not only does the Lord claim the tithe as His own, but He tells us how it should be reserved for Him. He says, ‘Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.’ This does not teach that we are to spend our means on ourselves and bring to the Lord the remnant, even though it should be otherwise an honest tithe. Let God’s portion be first set apart. The directions given by the Holy Spirit through the apostle Paul in regard to gifts present a principle that applies also to tithing. ‘Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him.’ Parents and children are here included.” –The Adventist Home, p. 389.

SABBATH

What special experience did Joanna make on the resurrection day? What forgotten message did the women proclaim?

Luke 24:4-9 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8And they remembered his words, And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest.

“Mary then hastened with all speed to the disciples, and informed them that Jesus was not in the sepulcher where they had laid Him. While she was upon this errand, the other women, who waited for her at the sepulcher, made a more thorough examination of the interior, to satisfy themselves that their Lord was indeed gone. Suddenly they beheld a beautiful young man, clothed in shining garments, sitting by the sepulcher. It was the angel who had rolled away the stone, and who now assumed a character that would not terrify the women who had been the friends of Christ, and assisted Him in His public ministry. But notwithstanding the veiling of the brightness of the angel, the women were greatly amazed and terrified at the glory of the Lord which encircled him. They turned to flee from the sepulcher, but the heavenly messenger addressed them with soothing and comforting words.” –Daughters of God, p. 71.

“The women had not all come to the tomb from the same direction…. They turned to flee, but the angel’s words stayed their steps. ‘Fear not ye,’ he said; ‘for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead.’ Again they look into the tomb, and again they hear the wonderful news. Another angel in human form is there, and he says, ‘Why seek ye the living among the dead?’” –Daughters of God, p. 69.