Frequently Asked Questions

 
 

Why is giving so important?

We recognize that Jesus talked more about giving than the subjects of heaven, hell, or prayer. In Matthew 6:21 and 24 Jesus says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” In Luke 6:38 He says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

 

Why do we give?

Why do we give? Giving is a privilege. The storehouse spoken of in Malachi is what we consider the local church. By partnering our monies together, God’s work is done more effectively. Even Paul recognized this in the newly formed churches of the New Testament. He tells the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 8:13-15, “Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: “He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.”

 

How do I excel in giving?

The apostle Paul spoke to the new churches about giving. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul admonishes the Corinthian church, “Now about the collection for God’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.” He prompted the believers to be generous. 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 says, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” And in 2 Corinthians 8:7 he encourages, “But just as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.”

 

What is a tithe?

The word “tithe” means tenth. In the Old Testament, those who followed the LORD practiced what we commonly refer to as “tithing.” There has been much written and debated about giving a tithe as the first portion of our income to God. The tithe was instituted before the law of Moses. The Israelites actually paid multiple tithes a year under their theocracy – their giving actually amounted to about 23 percent of their total income. Jesus would later instruct the Pharisees of His day to realign their hearts and recognize the worship that God wants is love, mercy and justice without neglecting the required 10 percent under the law.
Unfortunately, this whole discussion usually misses the spirit and purpose of the genius of generosity. Many people tithe religiously, but don’t give faithfully. That’s why we say “Stop Tithing Religiously and Start Giving Faithfully.” When you tithe out of religious duty or obligation, you could easily give way to asking futile questions like, “Do I give on the gross or the net? Do I pay tithes on my tax refund?” And the real question behind those questions is, “How little can I give and still fulfill what’s required of me?”
God doesn’t respond to boxes checked out of religious rituals. He responds to faith. We suggest that you start giving ten percent as a step of faith and as a beginning in your generosity journey and then increase your giving as He increases your income.

 

What is an offering?

GNC believes that we are mere stewards of what God has given us. Therefore, we see tithing as giving back what is God’s to God (and He lets us keep the other 90% to use appropriately). Any amount above 10% is considered an offering to God. This type of giving is over and above and should also be done with cheerfulness.