In our April/May series, "Yes! We Will...", we're looking at seven commitments which will prepare us and our church family for the future.
All of this leads to the thought that Healthy Chrisitans make a Healthy Church.

The first week's commitment was to: STRIVE to be spiritually healthy (Christ-centered)
The second commitment was to: GROW in our faith and fellowship (maturity in our beliefs and behavior)
The third commitment was to: LIVE a lifestyle that Honors God and Helps People (respecting God and caring for the needs of people)
Last week's commitment was to: SERVE the church and community

Today we will look at the 5th commitment to: GIVE Biblically, Cheerfully, and Generously.
Money is an awkward conversation to have in church. Some say that all the church does is talk about money. But we soon forget or just don't think about the fact that as a Christian, this is our house. And it takes money to keep our house up and running. There is an electric bill, a mortgage, insurance, heating & cooling, supplies, repairs and upgrades, and so much more.

Our house, this Church, has no other means of income than the giving of its people! The local church is a channel through which the collective resources of its family members flow so that our resources might be multiplied for ministry.
Disciple-making is the goal of this church, and that goal is resourced by the faithful giving of all of us.
We all have our own budgets to worry about, but giving to God is an honor and privilege when we have the right attitude.

There are 3 types of givers:
1. Squirrels - Don't want to give anything. Hide it all away because they might need it.
2. Miser - Always looking for loopholes. Similar to a squirrel but they are always looking for a way out.
3. Fountains - They are not looking for a way out. They are looking for ways and reasons to give and keep giving.

Which kind of giver are you?

Pastor Rick Warren and his wife Kay are an example to us. At the age of 17 Rick began living on the 10/10/80 principle. Give God the first 10%, save the second 10% for your future, and then learn to live on the rest.

Every Christian is on a journey regarding their relationship with money and possessions. We are bombarded on a daily basis by messages that tell us that money will make us happy; that the money we have is ours alone to do with what we want. But the Scriptures tell us something different.
Psalm 24:1 [NLT]
Matthew 19:21-22 [NLT]

Material wealth doesn't make us happy. We can learn this from some very wealthy people of the past.

Over 2,300 verses speak about money, wealth, and possessions.
15% of Jesus' preaching was about money. 11 out of 39 parables. Why?
Matthew 6:19-21 [NLT]
Jesus spoke about money because He knew that money was a heart issue and it is one of the most likely reasons for someone not to follow Him.

The Scriptures tell us that we are called to be good managers, not owners, of the resources entrusted to us.
Genesis 2:15 [NLT]
1 Corinthians 4:2 [NLT]

So what is tithing, offering, and alms? How much and to whom do I give?
Tithe:
Webster defines "tithe" as a tenth of ones income given voluntarily for the support of the church or religious work. In Hebrew, tithe literally means "tenth".
The tithe was a requirement of the Mosaic Law in which all Israelites were to give a tenth of everything they earned and grew for the ongoing work of the Lord.
The New Testament nowhere commands that Christians submit to a legalistic tithe system. However, Paul states in 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 that believers should set aside a portion of their income as an offering.
We also see this in Genesis with Abraham (Genesis 14:20) and Jacob (Genesis 28:20-22).

Does God need our giving? NO (Psalm 50:10-12 [NLT])

Why should I give? Giving is a way to worship God and teaches us to put God first in our lives. It is a way to show that we trust God with our lives and our finances. (Proverbs 3:9 [NIV])

Do I have to give? God loves us when we give and when we don't give. I'ts not a way to earn God's love because we already have it. (Matthew 23:23)
Jesus wants us to be on guard against greed (Luke 12:15 [NCV].

When should I give? (Proverbs 3:9) Firstfruits is a Biblical way of saying that you should give first, before you do anything else with your money. Make it a priority, not an afterthought.

-Tithers make up only 10-25% of a normal congregation.
-Only 5% tithe and 80% of Americans give only 2% of their income.
-Christians are giving 2.5% of their income.
-According to Forbes, there is 2,755 billionaires worldwide giving 1.2% of their income to charity.
How am I using what God has given me?
Am I closed-handed or generous?

Offerings:
These tend to be in response to projects and causes. An offering is freely given by Christians to the work of the Lord, in the local church, ministry, and missions. It goes far beyond the check we write. We are to offer much more to God than our money; we are to offer ourselves!
Romans 6:13 [NLT]

Alms:
This is money given to those in need as an act of charity. It comes from a Greek word meaning "pity, mercy".
Acts 3:1-10
Acts 4:34-37
Acts 9:36
Luke 18:22

Are we good stewards of our Time, Talent, and Treasures?

Time- How do we choose to use our time? Henry David Thoreau once said, "It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, what are we busy doing?"

Talents- Are we using our talents to bless the people in our church and community?

Treasures- How will we invest the little or plenty we have to bless others and honor God?

The Grace of Giving
2 Corinthians 8 & 9
When we really believe that giving is more blessed than receiving. When our circumstances do not hinder us from giving. We give joyfully and liberally.
2 Corinthians 9:6-11

1. Grace giving is not LIMITED by a tithe / 10%.
2 Corinthians 8:3 [NLT]

2. Grace giving is SYSTEMATIC.
1 Corinthians 16:2 [NLT]

3. Grace giving is a matter of the HEART.
Matthew 6:21 [NLT]

Birthdays and Anniversaries:

Sunday, May 9 - Tonia Webster
Monday, May 10 - Journey MacDonald
Tuesday, May 11 - Jay & Monique Scott
Wednesday, May 12 - Vaughn & Diana Reid
Friday, May 14 - Jacki VanDeMoortel, Travis Mater