One of the hardest decisions a person has to make after accepting Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is: “How much money should I give to my church?” This question seems easy at first, but for many families giving regularly and cheerfully is a struggle. Some of the reasons this question is tough for individuals to answer is:
- Unclear commitments in the Christian life
- Unmet expectations in the Christian life
- Spouses having different ideas about ministry
- Confusion about ministry and local church support
- Breaking old habits and starting new practices
- A lack of trust in others with God’s money
The discipline of giving or stewardship (the management of God’s resources so the Church can effectively minister in Jesus’ name), is tough and can be overwhelming. This guide has been written to help you find God’s path for your life in regard to giving; and to encourage you as you walk the path of good stewardship.
TITHING – GIVING THE FIRST 10% TO GOD
God’s word is very clear, Christians are to give a minimum of ten-percent (or TITHE) of their income to the local church for ministry and mission. The word TITHE means ten-percent. This can be calculated on either your gross or mean wage. The first ten-percent or TITHE is to support your local congregation. Donations beyond the first ten-percent (TITHE) can support other important ministries. Just remember what the Apostle Paul wrote, “whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” (2 Corinthians 8:9). The Tithe can be donated to Central Baptist through:
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Sunday Offering Plates: Cash and check donations can be placed in the offering plates as they are passed. Offering envelopes are available in the Church Office.
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Online “Google” Giving: click the donate button on the bottom, right side of the screen. Follow instructions and prompts. Donations support Central Baptist’s ministry and mission in Quincy.
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Mail: Individuals and families can mail their tithe and offerings to Central Baptist through the United States Postal Service. Contact the Church Office for pre-printed envelopes.
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Electronic Fund Transfer: Donors can sign up for our automated EFT system by completing the application and authorization forms. The Bank will automatically transfer a designated amount from a persons account to the church on a predetermined date.
Tithing is a time honored discipline. According to the Tithing Foundation, a not-for-profit agency whose mission is to “promote the concept and practice of tithing,” states: “In general, biblical tithing refers to the practice of giving one tenth of one’s income for the work of God. In the Hebrew Bible, tithing was understood as a response of gratitude and an obligation. In the light of the New Testament, some Christians believe tithing is still an obligation, whereas other Christians understand tithing to be a loving freely chosen response to God’s gracious provisions for life - God’s grace! Tithing is understood by many Christians to be a very helpful discipline of one’s faith life.” For more information on TITHING, visit the foundation’s website: www.tithingfoundation.org.
Deciding to TITHE for the first time can be a big step as you re-prioritize your spending habits, decide wants vs. needs and set your standard for living. Like other spiritual disciplines (such as fasting, praying, Bible study, etc.), TITHING can be very rewarding. Remember, it takes time, patience and practice to master the art of a spiritual discipline. Over time, it becomes easier as we grow closer to God and mature in our spiritual walk.
To help new Christians to TITHE, we have set up a program called, Step Closer to the TITHE. We encourage families to make a commitment to increase their giving over a three year period. It is best to move directly to the full TITH but if you cannot, consider giving:
2.5% the First year
5.0% the Second year
10.0% the Third year
Making and keeping small commitments can build trust in your relationship with God as He provides and cares for you and your family.
Bible Study: To get a better understanding of the TITHE, read the following Bible texts :
- Genesis 14:17-20: Why did Abram generously give a tithe (10%) of everything he had to Melchizedek, the king and priest of Jerusalem? How have you showed generosity for God’s blessings in your life like Abram?
- Leviticus 27:30-33: Why did God command the Israelites to give the first ten percent or tithe? What would pass under the shepherd’s rod in your life?
- 1 Chronicles 29:1-9: Why did King David give freely to the Lord? Why did he request his people to give? If you could give a valuable object(s) other than money, what would you give? What do you need to consecrate to the Lord?
- Malachi 3:6-18 Why does God accuse His people of “robbing him”? How do people rob God today?
GRACE GIVING– GIVING MORE THAN 10%
TITHING is just the beginning. According to the Apostle Paul, Christians should not only TITHE, but they should go beyond the first ten-percent to what he calls “the grace of giving” (2 Cor. 8:8.). Paul sees in Christ a freedom for Christians not only to fulfill God’s minimum expectation but to “excel” in their love for God and service to others. An example set by the Macedonian churches.
For spiritually mature Christians, maybe its time to step beyond keeping the law (TITHE) to generosity and grace. The decision to give 11%, 12%, 20% or 50% of your income to the work of the Lord is a decision only you can make through deep reflection and conversation with God. If you have historically given a TITHE on a regular basis, consider the next step in giving – Grace Giving!
Bible Study: Read Paul’s first and second letters to the Corinthians, specifically 2 Corinthians 8-10.
GIFTS, MEMORIALS AND OFFERINGS
Throughout the church year, worshippers are invited to give extra gifts and offerings to the Lord for special ministries, service projects and missions. These donations should ALWAYS be voluntary and should be OVER-AND-ABOVE your TITHE to the Lord. There is no limit to the number of gifts or offerings you can support beyond your TITHE.
GIFTS are traditionally donations to “thank God.” They are generally designated for a project as a way of saying, “thank you God for giving me an extra blessing.” A special type of gift is a MEMORIAL. Memorials are given to honor the memory of a loved one. Most of the gifts and memorials the church receives are used to maintain the property or to purchase special equipment.
OFFERINGS are donations to support ministries beyond the basic expenses of the church. These designated gifts underwrite special programs or causes. A few of the “offerings” we received are the:
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America For Christ Offering: received in April, this offering supports mission in this country and extends the witness of American Baptist congregations for Jesus Christ in the United States and Puerto Rico. One-third of this offering stays in Illinois to support our Regional ministries.
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Fellowship Offering: a benevolent offering received the first Sunday of each month after the Lord’s Supper for needy persons in our congregation and community.
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Love Gift Offering: special gifts received by American Baptist Women to support the broader work of our American Baptist family and American Baptist Women’s Ministries. Purple Love Gift boxes are available to collect change. Each year, the American Baptist Women hold their penny drive. Your purple box or rolls of pennies can be placed in the offering plates.
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One Great Hour of Sharing Offering: a compassion offering to ease the plight of the poorest of the poor and disaster relief. Received in June and after natural disasters, this offering supports development aid, disaster relief and refugee resettlement in more than 70 countries around the world.
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World Mission Offering: provides basic support for more than 130 missionaries serving around the world with national partners and sharing the Good News of hope in Jesus Christ. This is our largest offering which is received each October.
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Retired Ministers and Missionaries Offering: a special offerings in December to thank retired American Baptist ministers and missionaries, or their widowed spouses for there service.
Bible Study: Read the following scriptures to discover the attitude and spirit which motivated some early beleivers:
- Acts 2:42-47: What surprises you about the church having “everything in common?” What do you have that you could live without? Would you consider giving it away for free?
- 2 Corinthians 9:7: Does your attitude and gift make God smile when you give? Do you agree with Paul, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful gjver.” What have you decided in your heart to give to the Lord? Are you reluctant? Are you under compulsion? Are you a cheerful giver? Are you thankful for God’s “indescribable gift!”?
There are other scripture texts that deal with giving, too. Search the Gospels. Find out if this statement is true: Jesus talked more about how we handle our money and giving than he did about heaven or hell. What does God say about giving? Are you going to follow God’s Word?
TALENTS AND TIME
Good giving goes beyond just monetary gifts. Giving also included our gifts of time and the use of our God-given talents. Many people not only TITHE their income to God but also their time. Volunteers teach Sunday School, help with outreach projects, clean the church, lead music, serve in the office and host events in their homes. Giving of your time and talents is important!
If you are not sure where you can serve, consider taking our course called, NETWORK: FINDING YOUR GOD GIVEN S.H.A.P.E. This eight session course will help you identify your Spiritual gifts, Heart (passions), Abilities, Personal style and you’ll see how your Experiences can serve God and His kingdom. This class is offered periodically and costs $15.00 per student. If you would like to know how you can serve God, take NETWORK!
TESTIMONY
God has not only given you financial resources, talents, spiritual gifts and time, but as a Christian, God has also given you a testimony or your personal story of coming to know God in Jesus Christ. What are you going to do with God’s story in your life? Being a good steward includes a commitment to share your story with family, friends and co-workers who may not know God personally like you. In prayer, ask God to reveal to you this coming year ways you can:
- Learn to share your personal faith story
- Improve meeting people for the first time
- Share praise reports in worship
- Tell family members and friends about your relationship with Jesus
- Share your story at work and in the marketplace
God has given you a rich blessing – your personal faith story. How will you be a good steward of that story in the coming years?
DEBT & DEBT FREE LIVING
It would be irresponsible for the church to talk about good stewardship yet ignore the growing problem of consumer debt. Jesus talked frequently about debt repayment and consumer responsibility (see: Matthew 18:25, Luke 7:42, Luke 16:5). Even in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus taught us to say; “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:12).
But what exactly, did Jesus mean? Are we to write off all the money our family and friends owe us? Yes! We are to strive for “debt free” living because it is God’s plan for civilization to be truly free. The Apostle Paul put it simply when he wrote in Romans 13:8: “Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”
If you need help getting out of debt or living “debt free,” contact a member of the Board of Trustees or the Pastor. There are outstanding courses, resources and agencies who can help your family set up a budget, pay off credit card debt and prevent bankruptcy. Consider contacting:
Crown Financial Ministries - a Christian based organization whose mission is to “Equip people worldwide to learn, apply, and teach God’s financial principles so they may know Christ more intimately, be free to serve Him, and help fund the Great Commission.” You can reach them at (800) 722-1976 or on the web at: www.crown.org.
Good $ense Budget Course– a ministry of Willow Creek Community Church in Barrington, Illinois. “All Good $ense Budget Course content will be covered including biblical financial principles, budget basics, and teaching insights to help you assist others in developing God-honoring money management habits.” They can be reached at 1-847-765-0070 (not toll free) or on the web at www.willowcreek.com.
American Consumer Credit Counseling – a secular not for profit agencies which provides “a debt management plan that will assist you in becoming debt free.” They can be reached at 1-800-769-3571 or on the web at: www.consumercredit.com.
Good stewardship starts with the heart – a heart turned toward God and other. Stewardship is more than money! It is using everything God has given us to serve Him and others. It is our prayer that every member of our congregation will experience the joy of giving as they grow to be good stewards!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU WITH MANY GIFTS,
AND MAY GOD’S NAME ALWAYS BE PRAISED!
