Biblical PrinciplesConcerning Contributions to the Church (sample) To Whom Do We Give?

When the Christian gives, he may give to individuals or to the church, but in the final analysis in doing so he is giving to God (see Proverbs 19:17; Matthew 6:2-4; 22:17-21; Acts 5:4; Romans 14:4-8; 2 Corinthians 8:5; Colossians 3:22-25). Who Should Give? Only those who have been united with Christ and His church by personal faith in Jesus Christ should give to the people of God and the work of God. In the Bible, every command or exhortation to give is addressed to believers. Taking funds from unbelievers is prohibited (3 John 7; see also 2 Corinthians 6:14-18). Why Should God's People Give? 1. Giving is an obligation In the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 14:22-29; Haggai 1:1-11; Malachi 3:7-12) and in the New (Romans 12:13; Galatians 2:10; Hebrews 13:16; 1 John 3:17), the people of God are commanded to give for certain needs. Failing to give for such causes when one is able is therefore an act of disobedience. Not all giving is required, however (see Leviticus 7:16; 2 Corinthians 8:1-15). 2. Giving is a privilege The churches of Macedonia were models of generosity in giving, even though they were poor. They gladly gave out of gratitude toward God and love for their brethren (2 Corinthians 8 and 9; see especially 8:4, 9). Paul reminds us of Jesus' teaching that "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35). 3. Giving is one dimension of our stewardship Very often Jesus spoke of the stewardship of His people in terms of money (see Luke 16:1-13). Our faithfulness as stewards in this "little thing" of money has a bearing on what other (and greater) responsibilities we will be given (see Luke 16:9-12). 4. Giving is an act of worship The Old Testament saints could only approach God in worship with a sacrifice, and this sacrifice was a contribution, whether whole or in part.

In the New Testament, contributions were also described as sacrifices offered up in worship (see Hebrews 9:1-10; 10:1-25; 13:10-16). No offering is taken during the teaching hour. This is so that unbelievers will not feel obligated to give, or think that their giving would contribute to their salvation. Unbelievers do not need to give to God, but to receive the gift of salvation which He offers to them in Jesus Christ. The offering is taken during the worship time, after the Lord's Supper, to encourage the saints to give as an act of worship. 5. Giving is an investment Jesus encouraged believers to give in order to "lay up treasure in heaven" (Matthew 6:19-21). Investing earthly money in the advancement of the kingdom of God is one way in which we can lay up spiritual treasure in heaven (see Luke 16:1-13). 6. Giving is an act of self-sacrifice All Christian service should be a sacrifice (Romans 12:1-2). In giving, we should not seek man's praise, but God's (Matthew 6:2-4). We should not give with the hope of getting ahead in this life, but with the faith that God will reward us in heaven (Luke 14:12-14). We should not give under pressure, but willingly and cheerfully, with gratitude for God's grace to us, according to our ability (2 Corinthians 8 and 9). 7. Giving is an expression of brotherly love Giving is an expression of brotherly love and of Christian unity. The principle is set down in texts such as Matthew 25:31-46; Luke 3:11; Romans 12:13; James 2:15-17 and 1 John 3:15-18. The practice of this principle is seen in Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-35; 11:27-30; 2 Corinthians 8:15; Philippians 4:14-19. For What Did God's People Give? In the Old Testament, the Israelites gave for the construction of the temple and for the on-going maintenance of its worship and ministry (Exodus 25:1-9; 35:4-9; 2 Kings 12:4-16; 1 Chronicles 29:1-17; Matthew 17:24-27). They also gave to the poor and needy (Leviticus 19:9-10; Deuteronomy 24:19-22; Mark 10:21; Acts 2:44-45; 4:34-35; 11:27-30; Romans 12:13; 2 Corinthians 8 and 9; Galatians 2:10). Old and New Testament saints also gave in remuneration for ministry which they received (see Numbers 18; Luke 10:1-9; Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:1-14). They supported those who ministered to others (Luke 8:1-3; Acts 18:5; 2 Corinthians 11:8; Philippians 4:14-19; 2 John 7-11; 3 John 5-8). There was also ministry to those who were suffering and in need (even imprisoned) for the sake of the gospel (Matthew 25:35-40; Philippians 2:25-30; Hebrews 13:3).

How Much Should God's People Give? In one sense, God's people are to give everything to God (Matthew 19:21; Luke 12:15; 12:33; 14:33). One's loyalty and devotion cannot be shared between God and material possessions (Matthew 6:24). In another sense, we recognize that we really own nothing, that all things belongs to God and we are stewards of them. We may have possessions, but we are not to be possessive (1 Corinthians 7:30). From Acts (2:44-45; 4:32-35; 12:12) we conclude that the early Christians did not claim anything as their own, but neither did they sell everything they possessed. They would, from time to time, sell what they did not need to meet the needs of others, as needs arose. Paul makes it clear that people should give only what they have to give (2 Corinthians 8:12), and this according to one's ability and according to what he or she has purposed to give (2 Corinthians 8:3, 10-14). What Can God's People Give? We tend to think primarily of money when we speak of gifts or contributions. Certainly money is one form of contribution to God's people and His work. But in addition to money, other possessions may be given. For example, the materials necessary for the construction of the Tabernacle were donated (see Exodus 25:1-8). Food and clothing may be shared with those in need (Luke 3:11). Another form of contribution is that of labor (see Exodus 35:30--36:5; Philippians 2:2530; Hebrews 13:16 ["doing good"]). How Were Monies Obtained? One can hardly use the term "solicitation" when referring to the scriptural teaching and practice of obtaining contributions. Giving is often spontaneous, though some obligations are set down as commands (see Galatians 6:6). Jesus never solicited funds for His personal support or ministry. In fact, when He urged people to give up their money, He instructed them to give to the poor, not to give to Him or to His ministry. There were a faithful few who sustained our Lord and His followers (Luke 8:1-3). The same seems to be true of Paul, who often labored with his own hands in order to minister physically and financially to others (see Acts 20:33-35; 1 Corinthians 9:3-14; 1 Thessalonians 2:8-9; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-9). The Christian should never willingly become an unnecessary burden to the church (Galatians 6:4-5; 2 Thessalonians 3:7-15), and the family should be the first to minister to their own in times of need (1 Timothy 5:3-8). In the New Testament church, the needs of others were made known, and people were encouraged to meet these needs (see Acts 11:27-30; Romans 12:13). The normal pattern is that we should work to meet our own needs, as well as the needs of others (Acts 20:33-35; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Ephesians 4:28). It would seem from our Lord's strong reaction to the abuse of the temple in His day that profit-making efforts ought not to be carried out in the church (Matthew 21:12-17).

Funds to carry on the work of God were not solicited from unbelievers (3 John 7-8). We should therefore avoid any fund-raising from those whose spiritual condition is unclear or from those we know to be unsaved. How Were Contributions Handled and Disbursed? Not all ministry with money or goods was carried on through the church. In the Old Testament, corners of the field were not harvested, and other gleanings were left for the poor (Leviticus 19:9-10). In the New Testament we also see that some giving was done privately, such as through the family (see 1 Timothy 5:4). Paul was meticulous concerning the way in which monies were collected and distributed so that no allegation of impropriety would arise. There was great effort made to assure donors that the monies given were used for the purposes for which it was contributed. Paul sought to maintain a good testimony, not only before the church but also before all men (see 2 Corinthians 8:20-21). Peter's example in dealing with the deception of Ananias and Sapphira indicates that church leadership must require, as much as possible, that the donors be absolutely honest and forthright in their contributions (see Acts 5:16). General Guidelines For Fund-Raising 1. Fund-Raising, Scriptural Teaching, and IRS Regulations Paul was conscientious in his handling of contributions so he would demonstrate a high regard "for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men." Paul also instructed the saints to "pay their taxes" (Romans 13:6). It is the intent of the Elders of SBC to interpret and apply the laws of the land in a conservative manner and to avoid participating in any questionable contributions. This has led us to the following policies regarding gifts to Sample Bible Chapel: Gifts to SBC must be gifts. In order for a contribution to be considered tax-deductible, it must be given, without strings, to the church, to be used as the Elders determine. Therefore, gifts cannot be designated by the donor to be "passed through" to other individuals. Gifts may only be designated to funds which have been established by the Elders of SBC. These designations should be made by use of an envelope, not on the check itself, to avoid even the appearance of "pass through" should the IRS audit the donor. SBC cannot make purchases on behalf of individuals in order to avoid paying sales tax.

SBC is a non-profit corporation, and as such, we will not engage in activities or the sale of items which generate a profit. If books or materials are sold, they can only be sold at a price that covers the actual cost of the item. Donated items are an exception. SBC will not engage in business activities, and neither do we wish that others use our building, our meetings, or our directory for conducting business. SBC does not normally give receipts nor do we generally acknowledge in-kind gifts. Neither do we establish the value of items which are donated to the church. The determination of the value of such gifts is the responsibility of the donor, and the donor will also be responsible to justify this value if questioned by the IRS. If necessary and requested, SBC can verify by letter the donation of a gift for tax purposes. 2. Other Policies Concerning Contributions or Fund-Raising Activities In general, no fund-raising should be carried out at SBC which does not conform to the biblical principles outlined above. Fund-raising activities should only be conducted with the approval of the Elders of SBC through the appropriate leadership channel, i.e., Missions, Youth ministries, etc. Generally, fund-raising for organizations outside of SBC and not supported by SBC should be raised outside of SBC. The meeting of the church is not to be considered a forum or occasion for fund-raising activities. If approved by the Elders, any fund-raising activity would normally come at the end of the meeting, at the time announcements are given. Fund-raising should not be done in a way that makes people feel obligated to give under compulsion, rather than willingly and joyfully. Fund-raising for God's work should not be done among unbelievers. Fund-raising for entertainment (e.g. a trip to an amusement park) should be done privately or in a context separate from the church meeting. Funds for the personal benefit and/or entertainment of individuals should be raised by legitimate labor or by the sale of something which has a real value. Fund-raising should not seek to divert the contribution of monies which would normally be given to support the ministry at SBC.

Gifts to mission boards should be according to their instructions, but the donor should satisfy himself that the board is financially reputable and following IRS non-profit regulations. The exception to this is those who serve as missionaries who are approved and/or supported by SBC. Often it is best to support or contribute to these individuals through a contribution made to the mission board under which they serve. We realize that there are ministries and individuals outside of our church body which are worthy of the involvement and support of those within our congregation. We do believe that giving to the local church is a priority. Our church building, meetings, and publications (such as the directory or newsletter) should not be used to raise funds for ministries, organizations and individuals outside our church without specific approval by the elders. Teaching Gods people Gods principles by Crown Financial Ministries The reason for the blessings Nothing interferes more with Christians'' ability to serve God than their need to earn, in order to pay and buy. An observer from 100 years ago would be awestruck by the improvement in our living standard and by the amount of leisure time our technology now provides us. In addition, we now live an average of 18 years longer than we did 100 years ago and have at least onethird more disposable income per family. When all of these factors are weighed, together with the fact that in America alone there are perhaps 20 million Christians, it seems clear that Christians ought to be spreading the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world much better than they are presently doing. The simple truth is that most American Christians are too busy to be involved in fulfilling Jesus' Great Commission, as recorded in Mark 16:15. We have grown complacent and comfortable in God's blessings and have forgotten Jesus' mandate. Since God asks for obedience rather than demanding it, many Christians have simply ignored the very reason for God's blessings: to glorify Him and to honor His commandments. God calls each of us to fill the gap in order to spread His Gospel to all parts of the world. Like Esther, every believer must decide either to be used of God or to be bypassed and allow another to be chosen instead. Most American Christians would never refuse to do God's will; it's just that the timing is not right. They allow the urgent things of this society to overshadow the important things of God. We have enough money in North America to fund all the Christian work in the world if the people of God would just give. But although the desire to give may be there, most Christians in America are so caught up in making money and buying bigger and better things, and paying for the things that they already have, that they have lost their focus on the unsaved world. They feel that they

cannot give because they are so encumbered by debt that they cannot see how they can give. In essence, the Gospel has literally become shackled because money needed for worldwide ministry is tied up in personal debt and large monthly payments. Seek first His kingdom The very best investment a person can make is an investment in the kingdom of God. The Lord admonishes us to seek first His kingdom instead of worrying about material possessions. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you (Matthew 6:33). American Christians today have a greater abundance available to them on a day-to-day basis than any previous generation. On the other hand, there has never been a generation of Christians so caught up in worry about possessions as this present day generation. However, it's not the material things that cause the difficulties; it is materialism, which is a matter of heart attitude. Basically, materialism means that a person is more dedicated to accumulating material things than in serving God. Without a doubt, the evidence of the lives of most Christians in America shows that this generation's dedication is to materialism. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:21). I believe that the admonition to seek first the kingdom of God is given by the Lord as a contrast to worrying about material possessions. I am convinced that the ministry of Crown Financial Ministries has been brought into existence by God to teach God's people God's principles of finance so that they can be free of debt and the worry that accompanies debt, in order to help fund the spread of the Gospel worldwide. Once Christians become financially free of personal debt, he believes that they will have a greater abundance for which to fund the Gospel's outreach to the remotest part of the earth (Acts 1:8). Ownership or stewardship? Although giving so that God's servants can take His message throughout the world is an outward material expression of a deeper spiritual commitment and is an indication of a willing and obedient heart, making such a commitment is almost impossible unless Christians take the first step in becoming financially free and transferring ownership of all material possessions to God. This means money, time, family, material possessions, educationeven earning potential for the future. God's Word says that we must be willing to transfer ownership of every material thing in our possession to Him if we truly want to be financially free. When we recognize that God owns everything and all blessings come from Him, our role as managers, or stewards, becomes evident. When we view ourselves as owners and not managers, we'll look at every other aspect of our lives the same way. Each of us will see himself or herself as the person in charge, but that can change quickly in the face of circumstances beyond our control. But if God is the owner and we are simply His stewards, we need only to be concerned with how best to manage His possessions. In so doing, money is no longer our possession, it is God's possession, which we hold in trust. But because we will have to give an account of how well we managed

His material goods and possessions, we must to the best of our ability use the money as we feel He would use it and in a manner that is pleasing to Him. As stewards of God's possessions that have been entrusted to them, Christians must ask whether God would be pleased with their stewardship or with the way that they have spent His money. Would God be pleased with His steward indulging in material excess, while His servants who are striving to take His Gospel to the far corners of the earth, are in need and in want? Would God be pleased with His steward using His money to satisfy personal selfish desires at the expense of the unsaved? Would He be pleased that His stewards all too often choose to fulfill their own directive rather than to fulfill His Great Commission? Conclusion There is no greater investment than an investment into the kingdom of God. But today so many Christians are so far in debt that they cannot even begin to honor God's mandate, although they might truly want to. But debt is a mountain that can be overcomeone step at a time. Step number one is to give all possessions to God. Step two is to manage His possessions in a way that is pleasing to Him, in accordance with His principles of finance. Then once debt has been brought under control, the Gospel must be liberally funded throughout the world.

Where to Give by Warren Wiersbe How many financial appeals do you receive each week? Two? Six? How many do you receive a month? A dozen? Or have you stopped counting? A lot of sincere people are frustrated, confused, and sometimes angry about the increasing pressure of these many appeals So, what is a concerned Christian to do? One thing we should not do is classify all appeals as promotional rubbish and reject them all. Why penalize the valid organizations because of the highpressure methods of the religious salesmen? Wherever you find something genuine, you will often find the counterfeit as well; but nobody throws away his good money because he knows fake money is in circulation. Let's give the benefit of the doubt to those faithful ministries that want to keep in touch with us. How else could they share their message and help us become a part of their burdens and opportunities? As never before, we Christians need to know what is going on in the world of

Christian ministry. The fact that so many options are before us makes it that much more important that we keep in touch with these ministries. But how do we know which ministries to support? Receiving information is one thing, but writing checks is something else! The Local Church To begin with, our first obligation is to our local church. No matter how many other people may bless us from the Word, our own pastor is our shepherd, and he ought to have our spiritual and financial support. No radio or television preacher can do for us and our home what our pastor can do, if he is faithful to the Lord. If every church member is faithful in giving to his or her own local church, our churches will have more than enough for their own ministries and enough to share with other ministries around the world. Discernment Second, we can't give to every ministry or support every work--nor does the Lord expect us to. He can direct us to those ministries that He wants us to "adopt" and support. Over the years, we may be drawn to certain works and workers that we feel the Lord has selected for us. While we appreciate all the fine Christian organizations, we may be able to give faithfully to only a select few, and it becomes a joy to have a closer contact that enables us to see their ministries grow. Many believers support missionaries and schools primarily through their local church's mission budget or denominational program, but not every good work is on the church budget! We should put our church first and then, as the Lord directs, share with those people and ministries He has laid on our hearts. The Lord's Direction This leads to a third suggestion. We should sincerely seek the Lord's direction in our giving. Where we give what God provides is very important, because giving is a two-way street. Paul made this clear in Philippians 4:10-20. Sharing in the Lord's work involves "giving and receiving" (v. 15) as well as "fruit" that is credited by the Lord to our account (v. 17). For this reason we should know the ministries we are supporting and have confidence in them. Nobody can afford to waste the Lord's money by giving to organizations whose purposes and practices are not biblical. Try not to be influenced by slick promotion and highly emotional appeals. Find

out the doctrinal position of the ministry and the kind of people who serve on its board and staff. Ask for a copy of their most recent audit or financial report if you have questions about their financial responsibility. If they refuse to send it, you can pretty well conclude that the work cannot be trusted. If the organization is a "family affair," you have another reason to beware. There is no substitute for dependable information. If you were going to put money into a bank or get involved in some kind of investment, you would certainly get all the information available before making a decision. Giving to Christian ministries is a "spiritual investment," and you have every right to know something about the people who receive your money and what they are going to do with it. A Broader Vision Here is a fourth suggestion: We should keep our "spiritual investment" balanced. Christ has commanded us to take the Gospel into the whole world (Mark 16:15), so we should not limit ourselves to one work in one part of the world. Nor should we focus only on evangelism, as important as that is. The Great Commission commands us to get churches planted--"baptizing them" (Matt. 28:19). We are also to provide for Christian education--"teaching them" (v. 20). Other Scriptures remind us that it is Christlike to help feed the hungry, clothe the naked and heal the sick. As Christians, we want to encourage social work that is related to the Gospel; there are plenty of secular agencies to do the other. This is not to suggest that digging wells, encouraging agricultural improvement or building clinics of themselves are not Christian ministries, if they are done in the name of Christ. It is just that these good works, apart from the Gospel, leave the person better off physically but give him no spiritual help. It isn't a matter of either/or but of both/and. After You Give Here is one final suggestion: We should back up our giving with prayer and keep in contact with the various ministries to learn what our giving has accomplished. No successful businessman makes an investment and then forgets about it. He reads the financial pages daily to see how strong his investment is, and he keeps in touch with his broker. If the Lord directs you to give to a special need, find out if and when the need was met. Expect reports from those to whom you send your money.

As an investor you have every right to know the problems as well as the successes, because you want to "water" the seeds of your giving with prayer. It Takes Faith If you follow these simple suggestions, the Lord will direct you in your giving. When the various appeals arrive, you can spread them out, read them carefully, pray, weigh them and have an exciting time discerning the will of the Lord. You will probably find yourself especially burdened for certain kinds of ministries, and these will become very dear to you over the years. You will discover that you will grow as you become partners with others in reaching the world for Christ. After all, we who give must live by faith, just as those must to whom we give. It is a partnership of faith. If God doesn't provide, we can't give; so the ministries are praying for us even as we pray for them. What a thrilling thing to be a part of this kind of fellowship! The potential for blessing is tremendous! --Warren W. Wiersbe