Day 4: Financial Stewardship

OUR PLEDGE

1. Each year the budget is prepared and approved by the entire Board of Trustees.  
2. We will publish an annual financial statement which is made available to the church.  A more detailed statement is available to members upon request. 
3. When donations are counted, it is our policy to always have a minimum of 2 unrelated people present with the money at all times.  
4. We will do our best to help with genuine financial needs within the church.  The procedure to receive such help is to notify one of the pastors of your need or another’s need.  Where there is repeated financial need, financial accountability and counseling will be required.

GIVING TO GOD

What the Old Testament teaches about giving tithes and offerings to God:

What is tithing?

• “Tithe” means one tenth

What is the difference between a tithe and an offering?

• A tithe is giving 10% of my income.
• An offering is anything I give above or below my tithe.

Six truths about tithing: 

1. All of our money belongs to God.  He asks for a minimum of 10% back

“One tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain from the fields or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord and must be set apart to him as holy.” (Leviticus 27:30)

2. God has connected refusing to tithe with stealing from him!

 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!

“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’

“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me. You are under a curse, for your whole nation has been cheating me.  Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!” (Malachi 3:8-10)

3. Tithing gives God a chance to prove he is God and wants to bless you!

“Your crops will be abundant, for I will guard them from insects and disease. Your grapes will not fall from the vine before they are ripe,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.” (Malachi 3:11)

4. New Testament giving is marked by sacrifice and generosity.

“Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop.” (2 Corinthians 9:6)

5. New Testament giving is marked by cheerfulness and willingness.

“You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.”  (2 Corinthians 9:7)

6. We have an obligation to give to those who provide for our spiritual development.

“Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it.” (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)

SRC’S AFFILIATES 

Great   Commission   Churches

South Ridge Church is affiliated with Great Commission Churches (GCC), a US based fellowship of churches and ministries united with churches throughout the world around shared values, a common history and especially the Great Commission of Jesus Christ.  GCC promotes conferences and mission opportunities and offers accountability and mediation services for member churches.  Great Commission Churches is a member of the National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. For more information about Great Commission Churches log on to  www.gccweb.org.

Regionally, South Ridge Church partners with other GCC member churches in the state including Chestnut Ridge Church in Morgantown, WV and River Ridge Church in Charleston and Teays Valley, WV.

READING:

No additional reading today.

What thoughts came to mind as you read through the six truths about tithing? 

What are the benefits of tithing regularly?

F260 READING: (A Scripture Reading Plan for Busy Believers)

Read: Isaiah 65 & 66

Reflect: What did you H.E.A.R. from God today? HEAR Bible Study Method

PRAYER: On your own, take the opportunity to pray for the a friend or colleague. The following outline may be helpful.

Four Prayers for Your Friend:

1. Thank God for the miracle of friendship.
2. Thank God for any way in which your friend has changed your life.
3. Commit your friend’s future to the Lord.
4. Ask God for help in figuring out what your part in that future may be.

 

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