Giving
To give to Village Church Operations: BSB 062-102 AC 00901407
To give to Village Church Christian Education Center tax deductible building fund: BSB 704-998 AC 100009093
Our mission as Village Church, Annandale is to love Jesus, love each other, serve and bless.
All members of our church contribute to seeing this vision realised by serving in hundreds of different ways – through praying and acts of service and love.
Contributing Financially – Why?
There’s lots in the Bible about financial support for Christian ministry. Here are a few of the motives for giving:
Gratitude
When Paul is urging Christians in Corinth to give ‘generously’ to an appeal for the poor in Judea, he reminds them of how much they themselves have
received from God. He writes:
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.” (2 Cor 8:9)
Everything we have we owe to grace, and grace teaches generosity.
Partnership
In writing a thank-you letter to the Philippians, Paul thanks them for “sharing” in his ministry and the way in which they supported him fi nancially, He calls this ‘Partnership in the gospel’ (Phil 4:15, 1:5). It is a stunning thought to think that the church were legitimate partners with the apostle to the Gentiles!
As our church and the Christians in the Media network ministry grow (as we prayerfully hope they will), we can expect each year’s operating cost budget will be a new challenge to our financial generosity and faithfulness.
Faith
When we give sacrificially we are putting into practice our confidence that God will provide for our needs and for our eternal joy and happiness, far more reliably and lavishly than money ever could. Paul writes to Timothy:
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Tim 6:17)
Jesus says: “I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. … Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26).
Spiritual Benefit
Paul writes to the Corinthian church and motivates the church to support their ministers saying that it is a right and proper requirement to materially provide for ministers who serve the church spiritually:
“If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?” (1 Cor 9:11)
Over the Tithe
Before Christ God’s people often gave a 10% of their flocks and harvests to God. Since Jesus this law has been done away with. However many Christians choose to give over and above the Old Testament 10% because they are even more grateful than the Israelites were for God’s gift of Christ. This is grace-motivated’ not law motivated!
Love
The ultimate reason for giving is not law but love. We give because we have experienced God’s love, because we love him, and because we love each other. Love for others will include a concern for their material and gospel needs. Therefore our love will have impact in the practicalities of our fi nances. So Paul reminds the Corinthian Christians, what we do with our money is an expression of the sincerity of our
love for Jesus and for others.
“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. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of other.” (2 Cor 8:7-8).
Contributing Financially – How?
How can we put those principles above into practice in our own giving. The New Testament offers principles for how to give.
Cheerfully
(eg. 2 Cor 9:7) Give till it feels good. Not grudgingly, out of obligation but gladly.
Consistently
(eg. 1 Cor 16:2) As a part of a life that is structured around generosity. Not just sporadically and on a whim.
Sacrificially
Beyond our budgetary ability, not our of our financial leftovers.
“We want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overfl owing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. … And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves fi rst to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.” (2 Cor 8:1-5)
Wisely
Being concerned that money is handled and accounted for with integrity, in a way that gives glory to God, not naively..(2 Cor 8:18-20)
How: Practicalities?
We prefer our members to give via regular direct transfer.
To give to Village Church Operations: BSB 062-102 AC 00901407
To give to Village Church Christian Education Center tax deductible building fund: BSB 704-998 AC 100009093
This has several advantages. It is considered, consistent and it allows the Parish Council to budget properly. This method allows you to plan the amount you give and should you miss church one week automatically make up your payment.
Finally, you may choose to give via cash directly into perspex box at the church door.
