Giving

 

Giving back to God, from what he has given us is part of what Christians do.

We believe that everything we have belongs to God and we are only looking after what He has given us.

The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.
– Psalm 24:1

We don’t often talk publicly about money as it can be off-putting for visitors but, because we are an independent church, our members and those who attend provide all our finances, often through sacrificial giving. Jesus talked a lot about money – over 15% of all he taught was about money! Jesus said, ‘It’s more blessed to give than receive’ (Acts 20:35). Prosperity is not about how much we accumulate but how much we give away. We cannot separate our faith and our finances.
 

Where does our giving go?

CBC’s commitments include:

• CBC Missionaries
• Our Pastors & Staff
• Our Outreach, Departments & Youth Activities
• Our Premises maintenance & utilities
• …and a little bit on Communications & Admin!

…all adding up to £400,000 in 2024 As some of our ‘givers’ move on, to help with other local churches or for family or employment reasons, we need new people to partner with us financially in the ongoing work of God’s church in Cheam.
 

The Grace of giving

Paul urged the Corinthians to ‘excel in the grace of giving’ (2 Cor 8:7). The Macedonians ‘gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability’ (2 Cor 8:1-3). They had such a rich experience of the grace of God that it overflowed into generosity.

The ‘grace of giving’…

Is inspired by the cross of Christ: our giving reflects Christ’s giving of himself.

Is an expression of the grace of God: our giving is our reaction to the grace of God in our lives.

Contributes to equality: our giving reduces how much we have – but increases the amount those in need have.

Resembles a harvest: if we sow generously, we reap generously.

Has symbolic significance: our giving shows that we look beyond racial, class, nationalistic preconceptions (in the case of the Corinthians it was symbolic that Gentiles gave to Jews)

Promotes thanksgiving to God: people praise God when Christians meet their needs.

 

How should Christians give?

Proportionately and intentionally

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
– 2 Corinthians 9:7

On the first day of each week (month), you should each put aside a portion of the money you have earned.
– 1 Corinthians 16:2

Our giving is to be thought through, not sporadic or incidental. Many Christians give a tenth (tithe) of their income.
 

Tithing

Tithing started with Abraham who gave a tenth to Melchizedek, the priest of God, after he blessed Abraham (Genesis 14:20 & Hebrews 7:2,4).

It was also a part of the Law of Moses, and God claimed his people were robbing him when they did not tithe (Malachi 3:6-12).

The only time tithing is mentioned in the New Testament is when Jesus said “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices – mint, dill and cumin, but you have neglected the more important the more important matters of the law – justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practised the latter, without neglecting the former” Matthew 23:23

Scholars suggest that tithing is not mentioned more in the New Testament because it was assumed as ‘a given’ by the early church. If people gave a tenth under the old covenant, surely under the new covenant – the covenant of grace and abundance – God’s people surely would not give any less!
 

Gladly, not under compulsion or reluctantly

We are to give out of an attitude of gratitude. Throughout 2 Corinthians 8 & 9 (2 chapters about giving) Paul doesn’t mention money explicitly. His emphasis is on experiencing God’s grace, and giving being an overflow of that:

Brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing 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. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4
 

The ‘mechanics’ of giving

Standing orders directly into CBC’s bank account. Monthly standing orders help with planning expenditure and, as the Finance Team give their time voluntarily, no costs are incurred.

If you wish to give by standing order, these can be set up using Online Banking. If you don’t use Online Banking please download our standing order & Gift Aid form here (or speak to Liz Bentley).

Online Banking one-off donations can be made using the following details:

Bank: Barclays
Account Name: Cheam Baptist Church
Account no: 53532542
Sort code: 20-57-76

There is no need for a reference as it will come through with your name showing. These do not incur a cost to the church.

Via the Offering boxes at the front and rear of the church. Yellow Gift Aid envelopes are available if required.

Gift Aid. If you are a tax-payer, and Gift Aid your donations, we can reclaim another 25p in the £ from HMRC. Please download and complete a Gift Aid form here (or speak to Liz Bentley) – it needs a signature please. For details of your giving for tax purposes, please go to MyGiving.Online using your personal login details. A reminder of how to do this can be viewed here. If you need a logon, please contact Liz Bentley at churchaccounts@cheambaptist.net

One-off online donation using the ‘Give Now’ button below. This is a secure way to donate, available for occasional donations. Stewardship reclaim tax where appropriate. This does incur a small charge (for us) from your debit/credit card company.

All donations are very welcome and can be made using the ‘Give Now’ button below.

Any queries? Please contact Liz Bentley at churchaccounts@cheambaptist.net