How cool is it that we GET to give anything back to Our God? After all He has given us by way of talents, finances, opportunities, possessions, and more – God only asks us to give back a portion. Instead of asking us to give back the bulk and live off of a small percentage, God made giving to His church an achievable commitment. It is through your commitment to God and the Church that we enable more hearts to be reached, more lives to be changed, more strongholds to be broken, more families to be brought together, and more hope to be shared. Indeed we thank God for what He has given you and what you entrust us to be faithful stewards over.
Why do we give?
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…”
What is an offering?
Equation Church believes that we are mere stewards of what God has given us. Therefore, we see tithing as giving back what is God’s to God (and He lets us keep the other 90% to use appropriately). Any amount above 10% is considered an offering to God. This type of giving is over and above and should also be done with cheerfulness.
Why is giving so important?
There is no such thing as a stingy Christian. The primary ethic of our faith is generosity. The Father in Heaven GAVE His Son to die for us. The Son on Earth GAVE His life so that we could be fully forgiven and connected to our God. In fact, Jesus talked more about giving than the subjects of heaven, hell, or prayer. In Matthew 6:21closeMatthew 6:21 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (ESV) closeMatthew 6:21closeMatthew 6:21 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (ESV) 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (ESV) and 24 Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also… No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” In Luke 6:38closeLuke 6:38 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (ESV) closeLuke 6:38closeLuke 6:38 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (ESV) 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (ESV) Jesus says, “If you give, you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use in giving – large or small – it will be used to measure what is given back to you.”
How do I excel in giving?
The apostle Paul in the early Christian Church spoke to the new churches about giving. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2close1 Corinthians 16:1-2 The Collection for the Saints 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (ESV) close1 Corinthians 16:1-2close1 Corinthians 16:1-2 The Collection for the Saints 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (ESV) The Collection for the Saints 16:1 Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. (ESV) , Paul admonishes the Corinthian church, “Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” He prompted the believers to be generous. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7close2 Corinthians 9:6-7 The Cheerful Giver 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (ESV) close2 Corinthians 9:6-7close2 Corinthians 9:6-7 The Cheerful Giver 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (ESV) The Cheerful Giver 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (ESV) says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” And in 2 Corinthians 8:7close2 Corinthians 8:7 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. (ESV) close2 Corinthians 8:7close2 Corinthians 8:7 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. (ESV) 7 But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace also. (ESV) he encourages, “But just as you excel in everything — in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness, and in your love for us — see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”
