WHY GIVE (Biblical perspective)

 

In reaction to God’s grace.

 

God has shown His great love for sinful and unworthy people like us, in the life death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus. Having received such generosity we should be motivated to give generously in response (2 Cor. 8:9)

 

In recognition of God’s gifts.

 

Giving is not limited to financial giving. God has given us all we need to give generously but not all of us can give financially. God wants us to be generous not just with our money but our time, energy, skill, and homes.

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In response to needs and priorities.

 

If we receive income we are to ensure first that we are not a burden to anyone (1 Thess. 4:11-12), then supporting family members we owe to support to (1 Tim 5:8), then those who teach the Word of God (1 Tim. 5:17), then those in need in our church and other churches (1Tim. 5:8; 2 Co. 8-9) and the poor in our communities (Jas. 1:27)

 

Abundantly.

 

Paul stressed the abundant nature of God’s giving towards us so that we may give abundantly in response. The Old Testament commanded a tithe (10% of income). The New Testament is far more radical – we are to be generous givers of all we have. Some will give far more than 10% of their income, other less (2 Co. 9:8)

 

Thoughtfully.

 

In the New Testament we are not given a set amount, each person should give what they have decided in their heart to give. We need to think carefully about our income, responsibilities and the needs and give as much as we can (2 Co. 9:7)

 

Joyfully.

 

God loves a cheerful giver. It’s easy to give for the wrong reasons – to relieve guilt or out of fear, but God looks at the heart rather than the amount (2 Co. 9:7)

 

• The money we receive will be used to further our strategic aims to:

• Make Christ known far and wide

• Building up Christians and sending them out to serve

 

We seek to follow the best standards of accountability and transparency when it comes to our finances this will include giving monthly or quarterly financial reports to the church

 

There are three ways of giving to the church

 

Monthly debit order

 

This is the preferred way to those who have a regular income; it makes our planning easy to know what is coming in monthly

 

Bank deposit

 

For once-off donations or for those with an irregular income.

 

Weekly collection

 

This is the preferred way of giving for those who don’t have a regular income e.g. students or unemployed

 

Church Account

 

Account holder           Christ Life Vineyard Church

Bank                          FNB

Account type               Business Account

Account number          62583445963

Branch Code               250655