Attendance & Finances January 31, 2010 For week of January 25 - January 31, 2010    General Budget Budget Receipts: Week 225,995 Required Budget: Week 265,370 Over/(Under): Week  (39,375)     Budget Receipts: YTD 1,030,786 Required Budget: YTD 1,326,850 Over/(Under): YTD  (296,064)   For the Joy of All Generations FTJOAG: January 31, 2010 28,681 FTJOAG: Received to Date 24,259,806     Attendance View Report Worship Service 4,468 SMBS 3,514 New Members to Date 213

Stewardship

2010 Budget
 
Visit the GABC Foundation website

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.

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." Proverbs 3:9-1 The tithe is the Lord's. Leviticus 27:30 Then celebrate to the Lord by giving a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings the Lord has given you." Deuteronomy 16:10 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 God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:7-8

What the Bible Says About Tithing

For more information, please contact Everett Brazeal, Stewardship Director 903-525-1132.

Designated Giving
Gifts made to specific areas are called "designated" gifts, and when making contributions to those areas, you must specify (designate) where you want that money to go. More about these areas is explained under Tithes & Offerings.
more >>
 
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 2010 GABC budget is $13,799,231, which translates to $1,149,935 each month or $265,370 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 Stewardship
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!