WHY IS GIVING SO IMPORTANT?
We recognize that Jesus talked more about giving than the subjects of heaven, hell, or prayer. In Matthew 6:21,24 Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” Giving is God’s way of ensuring that there is never a string that leads from hearts to our wallets.
WHY DO WE GIVE?
Giving is a privilege. The storehouse spoken of in Malachi is what is considered the local church. By partnering our money together, God’s work is done more effectively. Even Paul recognized this in the newly formed churches of the New Testament. He tells the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15, “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.’”
WHAT IS A TITHE?
As Christ followers, we believe that we are to follow God’s command regarding tithing. “Tithe” means “tenth” or 10 percent. Leviticus 27:30 says, “A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.” In Malachi 3:8-10 God speaks to His people, “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
WHAT IS AN OFFERING?
Connection believes that we are mere stewards of what God has given us. Therefore, we see tithing as giving back to God what is God’s (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.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TITHE AND AN OFFERING?
A tithe is giving the first 10% of your gross income as defined by Malachi 3:10. 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.
DOES CONNECTION HAVE A BUDGET?
Yes. Connection’s budget is set every Summer for the following fiscal year of August 1st to July 31st based on the goals and objectives of each ministry area within the church.
DOES CONNECTION HAVE A REPORT SHOWING WHERE ALL THE MONEY GOES?
Yes. We are always willing to be transparent, so if you are ever interested in seeing a report, stop by our office and we can sit down with you and answer any questions.
DOES CONNECTION SEND CONTRIBUTION NOTICES TO ITS TITHERS AND GIVERS?
Yes. Contribution notices are available at the beginning of the year. If you have not received a notice, but have given a tithe or an offering, please contact our office at info@ccvidalia.com.
HOW DO I EXCEL IN GIVING?
The apostle Paul spoke to the new churches about giving. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, 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 9:6-7 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” And in 2 Corinthians 8:7 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.”