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STEWARDSHIP
- COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. What is the basis for the tithe? (You mean there is a scriptural
tax on my money?)
In the Old Testament, believers were required to give a tenth
of their income to the support of the ministry and the needs of the poor.
Although the New Testament does not specifically mention the tithe, it
does teach that we should give as we are "able and even beyond (our)
ability". (II Cor. 8:3). Jesus himself teaches that our relationship
to wealth should be far more radical and generous than that of the Old
Testament when he reminds his followers that God was "pleased"
to give us the kingdom (something God's followers in the Old Testament
longed for) which, Jesus says, should liberate us to "sell your possessions
and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear
out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes
near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart
will be also" (Luke 12:33-34). Therefore, the tithe (10%) is seen
as a kind of minimum guideline for giving for those of us who 'have been
given the kingdom'. Of course, there are seasons to economic life that
sometimes strain our ability to give. In many cases, good planning over
time will be necessary to move our giving into Biblical proportions without
reneging on legal and personal financial obligations.
2. Do I give 10% of my gross or net income? (You mean on my base
salary AND my bonus?)
Scripture teaches that we are to give back to God our "firstfruits"
(Exodus 23:16, 19). Proverbs 3:9 encourages us to 'honor the Lord with
(our) wealth, with the firstfruits of (our) crops'. This is consistent
with our understanding that we are first and foremost citizens of God's
kingdom, seeking to invest our resources (time, talents, money) in ways
that are consistent with God's values and priorities. This is what Jesus
meant when he asked us to think first of investing our wealth "where
no thief comes near and no moth destroys". Therefore, it is Biblical
to calculate your tithe and offering on your annual gross income.
3. Should I give all of my tithe/offering to City Church? (You mean my
giving is restricted?)
The answer to this is a qualified 'no'! Your gift is an act of personal
worship to God in response to his grace in your life. However, if you
consider City Church your 'home church', then you might consider allocating
a significant portion of your tithe and offering to the community where
you invest most of your time and talent, and where others are investing
in you. Also, the Church is that community established by God through
which ALL aspects of his kingdom values are to be lived out. At City Church
this means our budget goes to:
- church planting,
- the financially and socially marginalized,
- teaching and worship,
- the deepening of community through Community Groups,
- counseling,
- cultural renewal, and many other areas.
Having said that, your tithe and offering should be a byproduct of prayer and consideration as God works on your conscience.
How Can I Financially Contribute
Sermons
20 Day Study
on-line giving table