Giving

Excel in the grace of giving

We all know the adage that it is better to give than to receive. Yet it is human nature to revel in receiving rather than giving. It is impossible to fully appreciate what real giving involves until we have first understood just how much God has given us in Christ Jesus. He loved us so much that he gave himself for us.

Christians are called to be generous people because our God has been generous to us. The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that just as they had excelled in everything else they were to excel in the grace of giving (2 Cor 8:7). Paul tells Timothy to command the rich to be generous and willing to share what God has given us (2 Tim 6:18).

We are called to financially support our local church and the spread of the gospel here and abroad.We are also to be generous towards the poor and needy especially those within our own family and then the family of believers and as we have opportunity, others.

This page outlines a number of important principles to remember about giving to help us also excel in this grace.

 

Important Principles

  1. Give yourself to God

Giving is a privilege that we have been given. It is not to be viewed as a burden, but a grateful response God’s generosity shown to us in Christ. It is not to be done unwillingly for God loves a cheerful giver. We give because in gratitude we have first given ourselves to God.

  1. Give according to your means

God doesn’t expect us to give what we don’t have, but to be faithful with what we do have according to our means (2 Cor 8:12). Giving starts now, not one day when we hope to have more. God supplies us with enough to share so that we might be generous towards others.

  1. Decide in your heart to give

The apostle Paul told the Corinthians that “each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor 9:7). We are to decide in our hearts what we can give and give willingly.

There are not figures in the NT as to how much we ought to give. In the OT God’s people were commanded to set aside a tithe (a tenth). The NT encourages believers to be generous and it points us to the example of Christ. “For you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich (2 Cor 8:9). The gospel itself teaches us to be generous. We are to give in the way that Jesus gives – willingly and sacrificially. It ought to cost us something. For some of us this might mean giving a tenth but for others of us on substantial incomes, it may mean that we can give a lot more.

  1. Set aside a sum

Paul encouraged the Corinthians to set aside an amount each week towards the collection for the poor in Jerusalem (1 Cor 16:2). Since most of us live our lives on a weekly pattern this idea of setting aside a sum each week continues to be a good plan for most of us. If we get paid every fortnight, then a fortnightly arrangement might be more appropriate. Whatever the case, we will need to decide what we can give and then set aside that sum rather than just waiting to see what we might have left over. We need to make plans to make generosity a regular habit in our lives.

 

An Example of Intentional Giving

The following is just one example of how a member of the church plans to give this year. The important thing is not that this example be copied but that we might be stimulated to think more about intentional giving.

  • 50% - General Offering
    • To support the ministry activities of the church. This can be given weekly at church or through a regular electronic transfer.
  • 15% - Missionaries
    • Giving to missionaries, including:
      • through the church’s annual fundraising for missionaries in May; and
      • directly supporting various missionaries both in Australia and overseas
  • 35% - Charitable Donations
    • Giving to those in need, including:
      • through contributing to the Baptist World Aid Christmas Day appeal; and
      • directly supporting aid agencies or Christian foundations providing for those in need in Australia and overseas.

 

Ways to Give Regularly

Offering at church:  An offering is collected each week at church. Cash or cheques can be placed in the offering box.

Direct Debit or Transfers: Money can be transferred directly into the church’s account through a direct debit or an electronic transfer. The church’s details are as follows:

Name of bank:     Baptist Investment and Finance Limited, Glebe Branch

Account name:    Chatswood Baptist Church General Account

BSB:                    704-922

Account Number: 100003763

When transferring, if provided with a comment box, please add a description of the transfer to help us direct the funds appropriately such as: “General Offering”

Online Credit Card: You can sign up to make regular donations to Chatswood Baptist through Direct Debit or Credit Card payments via the Baptist Financial Services 'GiveWay' site: https://www.giveway.org.au/bfsgiveway/chatswood-baptist-church-general-offering

 

Bequests

Over the years we have had a number of members leave the church a bequest in their estate. After having adequately provided for their family and friends they have left a gift for the church to continue to support and grow the work here at Chatswood.

If you are interested in leaving a bequest in your will please talk to our Treasurer (refer to Contact Details section) who will give you the information you need. We would encourage you to also inform your family of your intentions and to talk with your own solicitor to discuss with him or her how to provide for this in your will.

 

Church Finances

Each year the church prepares a ministry budget. As the ministry of the church grows so too does the budget. We thank God for he has faithfully supplied our needs through the generosity of his people.  The main source of funds comes from regular giving from the church congregation. This is supplemented also by rental income and special fundraising appeals during the year. The budget funds the ministry activities of Chatswood Baptist, as well as to support the work of the gospel for missionaries in Australia and overseas. The following information outlines how the budget is typically allocated for the financial year:

  • 64% - Pastoral
    • Support for 3 pastoral staff and a student pastor
  • 17% - Facilities & Administration
    • Insurance, utilities and administration costs, including the staffing cost of an office administrator
  • 6% - Outreach
    • Local outreach efforts, including costs associated with running our Playtime ministry
  • 8% - Missions
    • Support of gospel workers in Asia, Australia and South America
  • 5% - Other
    • Support of gospel workers in training
    • Support of Scripture teaching in schools

 

Contact Details

Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact our church Treasurer