“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (ESV)
At Christ UMC, we offer several options for giving
ENVELOPES:
For your convenience, during Sunday worship, a prepaid postage envelope is included in each bulletin. You may put your cash or check in it and place it in the offering basket. If you prefer, the envelope can be mailed in a later time when you are prepared to give.
AUTOMATIC GIVING:
Automatic giving or ACH is done through your personal bank account. You will have to complete an enrollment form that is available in the office. Depending on the date and the amount you have specified, our church treasurer will pull the giving amount from your bank account.
Benefits of Automatic Giving or ACH:
- Faithfully Honoring God – When you sign up to give through automatic giving, you are deciding in advance to faithfully give. God always blesses that kind of faith! The Bible teaches that we are to honor God with the “First Fruits” of our labor (Proverbs 3:9).
- Simplicity – When you have to travel or go on a vacation, you won’t have to worry about having to send in your gift. You will have peace of mind knowing that your church will still receive your offering.
- Security – ACH is one of the safest way to give. It is more secure than giving with a check or cash … an electronic gift can’t be lost or stolen.
- Focus – Instead of having to worry about writing a check and filling out an envelope during the service, you can be fully focused on the worship service, knowing that you have already given your offering.
- Steady financial support for your church – Giving through ACH provides a steady cash flow for your church. Keep in mind that your church is a ‘member supported’ church. It is God’s Church, but you are a member of it. As Christians, we have been called to financially support God’s Church … it is through your generous giving that the church is able to serve God’s purpose and mission in the world.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TITHER AND AN EXTRAVAGANT GIVER:
- A TITHER is someone who gives ten percent of his/her income to the church they attend, and on a regular basis.
- An EXTRAVAGANT GIVER is someone who gives over and above the tithe.
Christians understand that everything we have comes from God. And because of that, everything we have belongs to the Him. When we give as an EXTRAVAGANT GIVER, we are saying to God and professing to the world that we trust God with everything we own … that we depend on His grace and provision for our life. This is the level of trust that God demands from His children … and it is one that Christians seek as their mission in this lifetime.