I. ALL BELIEVERS IN THE LORD JESUS SHOULD BE CHEERFUL, GENEROUS GIVERS: (2 Cor. 8:1 21; 2 Cor. 9:6 7; Lk. 6:38; Acts 20:35; 1 Cor.4:2)
II. ALL BELIEVERS IN THE LORD JESUS SHOULD GIVE AS GOD HAS PROSPERED THEM AND AS THEY PURPOSE IN THEIR HEART. (Pr. 3:9; Dt. 16:17; 1 Cor. 16:2; 2 Cor. 9:6 7; Eph. 4:27 28; 1 Chron. 21:24)
III. ALL OFFERINGS SHOULD BE PLACED IN THE OFFERING BOXES NEAR THE DOORWAY, OR MAILED IN. WE PASS NO PLATES. (Rom. 12:8; Mt. 6:1 4; Mk. 12:41 44)
IV. ALL IS DONE BY FAITH:
A. THE GIVING IS DONE BY FAITH: that it pleases God and that it has a sure reward, although not necessarily an earthly one. (Mt. 6:1 4,19 21,33; 10:42; Mark 10:21; 1 Tim. 6:6 11; 1 Sam. 30:24)
B. THE RECEIVING IS BY FAITH: that what God wants done He will use His people to give the money in order that it can be done. If His people do not obey the prompting of the Spirit to give, and the money does not come in, the pastors, the missionaries, the church and other ministries will not get supported; and our gospel witness will be curtailed in every way. IT IS UP TO BELIEVERS! (Neh.13:10 13; Phil.4:10 19; 1 Ths.5:12 13; 1 Tm.5:17 18; 2 Ch.31:2 10)
C. GOD HAS ORDAINED THAT HIS PREACHERS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED FINANCIALLY BY HIS PEOPLE; although at times they supported themselves. (Rom.15:27; Acts 20:34; 18:3; 1 Cor.4:12; 9:6 18; 2 Cor. 9:6 14; Gal.6:6 10; Ph.4: 14 19; 1 Th.5:12 13; 1 Tm.5:17 18; Heb.13:7,17; Lk.10:7)
V. THIS CHURCH OFFERS THE FOLLOWING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIVING:
A. CHURCH: Any offerings designated to the church or to the general fund will be used to buy electricity, gas, water, postage, books, tracts, building needs, office & S.S. supplies, nursery needs and other such expenses. ALL who attend should give SOMETHING to this general church fund.
B. PASTORS: They receive NO SALARY from the church general fund. They receive ONLY what is DESIGNATED to them. If you believe they should be full time then you should support them generously. Whether they are full time or not, THE BIBLE teaches that you are to give of your money to your pastors.
C. MISSIONARIES: They receive NO SALARY from the church general fund. They receive ONLY what is DESIGNATED to them. The missionaries sent out by this church receive very little from people not in this church. THIS CONGREGATION is their main means of support. YOU SHOULD GIVE TO KEEP THEM ON THE FIELD. Even our tentmaker missionaries (those who have other means of support) need extra offerings sometimes. ASK GOD TO LEAD YOU. A missionary is an evangelist with a special mission.
D. SPECIAL NEEDS: We have building funds, revivals, mission conferences, and newspaper evangelism, plus others. GIVE TO THESE FUNDS.