Giving
There is no limit to the ministry the church can accomplish when individuals are consciously, sacrificially and faithfully managing and releasing the resources entrusted to them by God. God promises that in and through the church he has provided all that is necessary to accomplish his purposes.
Assuming the church has fiscally responsible leadership, it is our expectation that if everybody in the church simply practiced sacrificial, and faithful giving in increasing measure, the church would never require a special giving, building or capital campaign.
And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. –Php 4:19
We believe that.
Types of Giving
Consider these simple yet powerful and life-changing ways to give to the church:
Regular giving
Give faithfully and sacrificially. Pray and determine a generous % of your income and hold steady without wavering for an entire year. Increase your % each year.
Missional offering
Consider an additional and consistent (monthly?) offering to a missions work that capture your heart.
Special gifts
Finally, look for one-time opportunities (annually?) to bless or meet needs…maybe because something grabbed your attention or because you were blessed with additional time or treasure.
Online Giving
Online giving is a safe and easy way to support God’s work at Vista and our missions work locally and globally through a one-time contribution or establishing a recurring contribution.
3 Simple Steps
- Click on GIVE NOW to create a user ID and password (you can use your email address if you’d like).
- Provide contact and bank or credit card information.
- Indicate the amount, frequency (one-time or recurring) and designation for your gift.
Please click here for online giving policies and procedures.
Further thoughts
Numerous conversations and unique questions have surfaced as a result of the 3G series, Greed, Gratitude and Generosity. Of particular interest is the concept of of becoming a river of blessing with our resources rather than amassing a lake of untapped resources.
We talked about the multifaceted nature of the heart. That our hearts tilt toward self-preservation and self-protection, leading to, if not exposing a tenacious strain of greed within us. Yet, we understand that God longs to change and soften and transform our hearts…to make us grateful and generous.
We also talked about the multifaceted nature of generosity. That giving isn’t, nor should it be narrowly limited to finances…our treasure. But that we can be equally generous with our time and our talent, and that our giving, whatever the form, is not an issue of equality or comparison to others, but a heart issue of faith and sacrifice. Two cents might possibly be an exceedingly superior offering to fifty-thousand dollars, when it is given with faith, sacrifice and sincerity, rather than self-righteousness and show.
All of that to answer a relatively simple question posed to me many times since the 3G series. How much and how do I give of my finances?
First and foremost, we must remember our marching orders. Jesus said (as we have tried to succinctly capture it), Be worshipful, relational, missional! That is, worship God, love others, make disciples. Or: love God, show compassion, share the gospel. Or: seek Him first, lay down your life for your brother, love your enemy.
In one very practical sense, we worship God by loosening our grip on the resources…all of the resources…God has entrusted to us – our time, talent and treasure. We worship when we put our trust and faith in God. Yet it is a lifelong challenge to release and maximize our time, talent and treasure for the purposes to which God directs us.
Once you’ve been compelled to live generously and give generously, start thinking relationally and missionally. Imagine how your resources…in all 3T categories…can be used within the relational/missional context of you’re world.
Who in your sphere of influence could benefit from your time, your talent and your treasure? Which neighbor? Which associate? Which soccer Mom or football Dad? Which friend? Which teacher or coach? Which fast-food drive-thru attendant? Which pharmacy Doc? Which hardware store clerk? Which mechanic? Which customer service rep? Remember, you are the church. And the people the church too often forget…those who most need the church (need the love of God, the forgiveness of a Savior) are not at/in the church. Give yourself, your life and your resources first to the world around you!
Next, simultaneously give to your local church. The church is (hopefully!) about the same missional purposes in the world that were just described for the individual. In fact, the church is about equipping and encouraging you for the task and work at hand in your life, while we also pool our resources for some unique opportunities together: like spaces to gather for church to preach, pray and worship, and for community partnerships & projects; and for global missions and church-planting, etc.
