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giving e-tithing E-giving – If you would like to invest in God's work through The Watershed, you can give on-line or through more traditional methods like cash, check. For those interested, The Watershed is now set up to accept gifts of stocks and bonds. For more information please contact the church treasurer,Tracey Anderson, at tracey@thewatershedchurch.com *** Please be aware that there is a 3% fee (charged by PayPal)associated with online gifts. *** Click here give via PayPal online.
why should I tithe… At The Watershed, we believe that our commitment to giving financially says as much about our spiritual maturity as our commitment to worship, Bible study, prayer, fasting, serving, integrity, and character. Though the Bible teaches that we should give 10% of our income back to God (as you will see below), we realize that many people would find it extremely difficult to move immediately to giving ten percent of their income every year. What we ask is that people set ten percent as their goal and that they covenant to work in that direction as they are able. We believe that once people know the teachings of Jesus and the scriptures, they will want to make progress towards generous and sacrificial giving. We do not understand financial giving to the church as dues for membership, but rather as investing in God's work down here to make a difference in the lives of others. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) We also believe that investing in God's work in the world is rewarding and even fun. "You must each make up your own mind as to how much your should give. Don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully." (2 Corinthians 9:7) As followers of Jesus, we understand that everything belongs to God. Thus, we look upon ourselves and "our" possessions with an understanding that we are actually stewards of God's possessions rather than owners. (A steward is a manager of someone else's property. The Bible teaches that God owns it all and that we are merely stewards of His resources.) The Lord says, "Who has a claim against Me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to Me." (Job 41:11) What that means for us: a) Since it is not really ours to begin with, we are to hold everything loosely. Typically, people don't give because: a) They don't plan to give. But God says, "Trust me with at least 10% and see what happens." ("tithe" = 10%) "You people are robbing me, your God. And, here you are, asking, 'How are we robbing you?' You are robbing me of the offerings and of the ten percent that belongs to me. . . . I am the Lord All-Powerful, and I challenge you to put me to the test. Bring the entire ten-percent into the storehouse, so there will be food in my house. Then I will open the windows of heaven and flood you with blessing after blessing." (Malachi 3:8-10) That doesn't mean God will repay you money for your gift. It just means that you will be blessed in your giving. And of course, Jesus assumes the tithe but also reminds us that giving is not the end of the Christian life. There are many other matters to pay attention to as well. Jesus said, "How terrible it will be for you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest part of your income, but you ignore the important things of the law-justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but you should not leave undone the more important things." (Matthew 23:23) That's a lot of information. We know! But that's what we see in the scriptures, and we think that's one part of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. matt neely - pastor |
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