2011 Budget
Biblical Stewardship
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Tithing Honors the Lord
"The earth is the Lord's, and all it contains, the World, and those who dwell in it."
Psalm 24:1
As Christians, we are in a constant process of spiritual growth. As we grow to yield to the lordship of Jesus Christ in our daily lives and obey His commands. Like the spiritual disciplines of prayer, worship and Bible reading, tithing is a simple act of obedience to be used in that growth process. And it is in obeying God that we as Christians find abundant life. The word "tithe" means one tenth (1/10). It refers to giving 10% (1/10) of one's income to the Lord. 1 Samuel 2:30 says, "Those who honor me will I honor, but those who despise me will be disdained."
How do we honor God? Proverbs 3:9-10 says, "Honor the Lord with your income, with the firstfruits of all your crops, then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine." This was written in a time based on agricultural economy when believers took the first and best of all their produce and gave it to the Lord—one tenth. While our system of exchange is different today, we can apply the same principle in giving to the Lord the first of our income —10%— before any earthly financial obligations. But can you afford that? If you love and fear God, you cannot afford not to give. If you will write that first check each week/month to the Lord, upon the authority of His Word, He will make sure you have all you need. Maybe not all you want, but all you need.
For more information, please contact
Brett Cavett, Stewardship Director 903-525-1132.
The Difference Between Tithes and Offerings
While tithes are the basics of Christian Stewardship, offerings are gifts made above and beyond the scriptural tithe. Throughout the year, you may learn of financial needs beyond regular operations to which you feel led by God to contribute.
Designated Giving
Gifts made to such specific areas are call "designated" gifts, and when making contributions to those areas, you must specify or designate where you want that money to go. Some of those areas include but are not limited to:
World Mission Offering
Each year, the month of December is devoted to collecting money to support missionaries through the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention. A portion of that offering goes to the Lottie Moon Mission Offering for foreign mission work, a portion of the Annie Armstrong Mission Offering for home (United States) mission work, and a portion goes to the Mary Hill Davis Mission Offering for state mission work. An additional amount is collected to fund GABC mission projects.
Mission Trips
Green Acres sends several teams to the mission field on home and foreign soil every year. While you may not be able to go on a mission trip, you may have resources and a desire to participate in these projects by sponsoring someone else who may be willing to go but is limited financially.
Discover Life
Discover Life is Green Acres' international television and multimedia outreach ministry, which operates independently of GABC. Visit the Discover Life website >>
Jim Brown Scholarship Fund
Money given to this fund helps send students to summer camp, participate in retreats, FTP weekends, etc. who would not be able to attend without financial support.
Joyce Freeman Scholarship Fund
Through this fund, you can invest in the college education of a young person in our church who is financially limited. The Freeman Scholarship application is available online.
Library Memorials
You may make a donation to our Library in honor of someone living or in memory of a deceased loved one. Monies are used to purchase new books and other materials. A label is placed on each item as a lasting reminder of the person in whose name the gift was given.
Good Samaritan Outreach Center
Donations to this ministry help feed and clothe the indigent of Smith County.
Ministries
While these are a few of the "designated" areas to which you can give, gifts are also accepted to fund events, sponsor participants and purchase equipment for the various church ministries.
How Your Tithe is Spent
At Green Acres, we teach "storehouse tithing" based on Malachi 3:10, "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse." That means the tithe should go to your church to support its annual budget. The 2011 GABC budget is $12,897,299, which translates to $1,074,775 each month or $248,025 weekly. When giving your tithe in this way, you are investing in over 200 different types of ministry. For every dollar you give, 20 cents goes to support missions and benevolence. In other words, every time you give $1, you are helping support missions, including educating young ministers in our seminaries and feeding hungry people in Smith County. Of that same $1, 45 cents goes to support ministries here at GABC and for the staff that leads those ministries. Roughly 35 cents of your dollar goes for what we call Operations: capital expenses, utilities, insurance, interest, etc.
You will never hear "God's ministry will suffer if you don't give" at Green Acres. God owns all the wealth in the universe; He can accomplish His purposes without our help. But He wants to do it through us so we can receive a blessing. When God's people bring God's tithe on God's day, God's work never suffers.
More About Tithing
If you are still unsure about the concept of tithing or stewardship, these messages (in PDF format) from Pastor David Dykes may answer your questions.
Are You Plugged in to Support God's Work?
Blessed to Be a Blessing
Blessings are to be Shared—Not Stored
Back to the B.A.S.I.C.S., part 3
Connected Through Your Commitments
Don't Let Greed Spoil Your Miracle!
Give 'til You Giggle
God's Four Universal Laws
How to Live Well and Prosper
Pennies for Heaven
Spare Change or Life Change?
Surrender Your Treasure to God
Undertaker or Risk-Taker?
Use It or Lose It!
