Our giving is in grateful response to the generosity of the one who gave his son to die for us. The Bible teaches us to see that giving is an act of worship.
It is a heart response to all that God has given for us. Jesus makes a powerful point when he condemns the gifts given by the rich and commends the actions of a poor widow when she gives out of her poverty two small copper coins. (Luke 21:1-4)
We learn that God is more interested in the shape of our heart than the size of our gift.
As Christians we understand that our wealth is not our own. It ultimately belongs to the Lord, and he has entrusted it to us, to use as his stewards.
Like those in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, we will one day be called to account for how we have used all of that which the Lord has entrusted to us.
God expects us to use our wealth to provide for our material needs, and for the needs of our immediate and extended families:
“Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
We are also responsible for supporting the Lord’s work.
There are a number of ways we do this:
1. THE MINISTRY OF THE LOCAL CHURCH
We need to support our ministers who teach us God’s word and to cover the costs of ministries associated with Narrabeen Baptist Church:
“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching." "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages.’" (1 Tim 5:17-18)
2. PARTNERSHIP IN MISSION
We cannot all take the gospel to the ends of the earth, but are called to be in partnership with those who do, by supporting them financially.
Narrabeen commits 12.5% of our budgeted giving to be directed to Mission each year.
3. COMPASSIONATE GIVING TO THOSE IN NEED
Christians are called upon to reflect the compassion of Jesus by responding generously to human need and suffering (Matt 25:31-46, James 1:27, 2:15-16).
“Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16)
As we have the resources, we are called on to do good to all people, and especially to our Christian brothers and sisters.
“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Gal 6:10)
HOW MUCH TO GIVE?
In ancient Israel, one tenth of the increase of the land, trees, herds and flocks was given to the Lord as his tithe. For Christians under the new covenant there is no hard and fast rule, but the Bible does give us examples and guidelines to help us see God’s perspective.
“On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a
sum of money in keeping with their income, saving it up,
so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” (2 Corinthians 16:2)
Paul commends the churches of Macedonia because out of their deep poverty they gave with great generosity for the support of fellow Christians. (2 Corinthians 8:1-5)
Here are some ideas you might find helpful:
This means we should seek to give: Decidedly – Sacrificially – Joyously
DECIDEDLY
We are inviting all of us to prayerfully consider how much to give to the work of this church and beyond it. Take some time and ‘decide in your heart’ what to give. This will involve prayer. It will also be wise stewardship to think about your household budget and consider how much you’ll give in total to all Christian ministries.
SACRIFICIALLY
When Paul called the Corinthians to support his work financially, he encouraged them to mimic the generosity of their God, who has ‘distributed freely’ (2 Corinthians 9:9). Freely we have received from the God who has sacrificially provided for us. We are called to giving sacrificially. When we do it helps us prioritise God’s eternal kingdom over everything else.
JOYOUSLY
We are instructed to give without reluctance or under compulsion – knowing that God loves it when he sees us giving cheerfully. We give joyously because we are able to achieve something with our money. We have reasons to rejoice. Our money enables ministry to take place. This means people hear the gospel, see God’s heart, and witness His power in their lives. Praise God!
HOW WE CAN GIVE
1. INTERNET BANKING – DIRECT DEPOSIT
Direct Deposit allows you to make regular giving through a convenient and secure electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Use the internet banking facility provided by your bank account, and set up a “scheduled” or “periodic” transfer to Narrabeen Baptist Church.
To help our accounting process please use the descriptor “Offering”
Account: Narrabeen Baptist Church
BSB: 704 922
Account No: 100012961
2. SUNDAY BY SUNDAY
Each Sunday you can place cash or a cheque made payable to Narrabeen Baptist Church in the giving box (a secure safe) located next to the Bible cupboard in the back of the auditorium. We have offertory envelopes if you would like to have some structure and discipline around this kind of giving. These are available boxed up in yearly sets.
3. ONE-OFF GIFTS
If you would like to make a one-off gift, there are options to pay via Credit Card, PayPal or Apple Pay. Please click the QR code below:
4. BEQUESTS
You could consider making Narrabeen Baptist Church a beneficiary in your will. This is a matter best discussed with a solicitor and the Church’s Deacon for Finance.
Please consider your regular giving
Regular and committed giving is very helpful for a number of reasons:
1. Regular donations do help the finance team with managing cash-flow for NBC. As helpful as one-off donations are they are harder to predict and so make planning our cash-flow more difficult.
2. Planning to give each month, or week, means that your own cash-flow is managed better.
3. Committing to a monthly giving plan means a regular reminder on your bank statement of your financial partnership with the Gospel work of NBC. That is a good prompt to pray for the spread of the Gospel by the ministry of NBC.
We thank you for your partnership in the Gospel and for considering how you might give financially to NBC.
If you have any questions or concerns please contact the church office.
E. office@narrabeenbaptist.org.au
P. 9913 8678