WHAT DOES
GENEROSITY MEAN?
2621 Clemson Road (Killian Elementary School) 803.422.6499 www.radiatechurch.net radiatepastor@gmail.com
Radiate Church believes that GOD OWNS EVERYTHING We believe that God is the creator and author of everything, just as Genesis states. Since we believe that, we MUST believe that everything we have is really HIS, not ours! (The earth is the Lords and everything in it. Psalm 24:1) Although we work hard and long for our possessions we understand that what we have or receive isn’t given by man but only comes through man. It comes from God! (1 Corinthians 29:14) Our wealth belongs to us in the same way that a
STEWARDSHIP What does that mean? “stewardship” is a word the church uses a lot to reference finances. But what does it mean? The first recorded uses of the English word “steward” are from the 11th century, referring to an official steward with control over the
domestic affairs of a house. Stewardship was the exercise of that function used by Christians in relation to God, the term suggests that we are servants or officals who have been given charge over GOD’S HOUSE.
room belongs to a child. The room actually belongs to the parent, but the child is given
God’s house is the world and all that is in it. We,
temporary, accountable charge over it. This is
you and I, are His caretakers. We are here to help
especially true for Christians who have accepted
take care of what He has created and owns. In
the cross of Jesus as our Salvation.
another way, any sin is bad stewardship. Anything
(1 Corinthians 6:20) Our lives and all our stuff is
that does not take care of God’s stuff is a poor
completely at the disposal of the God who bought
stewardship. The Gospel and the blood of Jesus
us!
restores us to good stewards/caretakers.
So, if everything is God’s and I am His steward, Then
what does He want me to do with His stuff? The Bible actually gives several answers to this question, including saving (Proverbs 6:6-8), investing (Matthew 25:1430), providing for your family (Proverbs 13:22), staying out of debt (Proverbs 22:7; Romans 13:8) and even more. The Bible talks, most of all about GIVING! To give is equivalent to “lending to the Lord” (Proverbs 19:17), investing your money into Heaven itself (Luke 12:33). Generosity is the only right response to God’s gift of His Son, Jesus, to us all (2 Corinthians 8:7-9). Giving is also a way of imitating the selfless love of God (Luke 6:35). At the end of our lives every one of us will give an account to the Lord of how we handled his stuff in the time we had on Earth.
So if I am not generous Then I’m not a good steward? As difficult as it may be --- CORRECT! In fact, generosity is arguably the highest form of biblical stewardship. Stewardship is a lifestyle based on the biblical belief that God is the rightful owner of everything and that we are His stewards (i.e. caretakers) of His stuff, responsible to do with it what He wants done.
The word “tithe” comes from the Old English root meaning “one tenth”. In the Old Testament the tithe was an offering of one’s agricultural (main income then) income to the Lord as an expression of thanks and dedication to God. There was also provision for freewill offerings and personal giving above and beyond the tithe, so that the tithe never stood alone. Tithes were given by people such as: Abraham (Genesis 14:17-20) and Jacob (Genesis 28:22); a system of tithes was instituted in the law of God given through Moses (Deuteronomy 12,14,26); and the prophets rebuked the children of Israel for failing to give the tenth to God. (Malachi 3:8). The idea of tithe is still present in the New Testament (Matthew 23:23), but it is never explicitly applied to believers. Instead, almost all Christians are called to more extravagant freewill giving in response to the gospel of the Lord Jesus, based on faith in God as Provider (2 Corin. 9:6-10)
DIDN’T JESUS AFFIRM THAT CHRISTIANS SHOULD TITHE? Not exactly. In fact, Jesus expected much more than just 10% from His followers. His command to love others s we love ourselves and as He loved us (John 13:44) is a far higher standard than the tithe. Instead of settling for 10% we should note the command to give generously and radically, just as Jesus gave to us: loving God, loving others, and loving life! John the Baptist raised the standard of giving to 50% (Luke 3:11), and Jesus exhorts us to give 100% (Luke 21:1-4). So, the scarce mention of tithe in the New Testament is evidence not that God expects less of us today, but actually far more.
Here at Radiate Church we believe that everyone – not only our “partners” (members)- but anyone who calls Radiate their church, should give a minimum of 10% of their gross income, and beyond the 10% they should also give to the poor, missionaries and to our church building projects. We believe this challenge is thoroughly biblical. Of course, it is completely up to the “partner” or attendee to accept or reject this challenge. We are confident that if we are to fulfill the vision and mission to be a church that INTRODUCES PEOPLE TO THE LIFE GOD INTENDED, then this challenge must be accepted by our “partners” and attendees. To the extent that the challenge is accepted by Radiate Church family, the leaders will prayerfully invest all financial resources toward the fulfillment of our Godgiven vision and mission. We ask that you give your seed (offering), the part that is above and beyond your tithe, to one of these 3 areas:
Project 1:11 is our building fund. This Helps prepare us for our permanent facility – when it is time. Overseas missions: we support Jonathan & Alesia Cook in Panama, South America.
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THE 90 DAY
CHALLENGE Let’s be truthful here, most of us work too hard for too little. So for many of us, the idea of tithing, bringing the first 10% of our income to the Church, seems overwhelming. The catch is this: it really doesn’t matter how much or how little you make, God’s promises to pour out blessings on us when we tithe, still stands! Tithing is about training, disciplining our hearts to trust God at His word. In Malachi 3:10, the Bible says we can take the promises of God, as just that… PROMISES! When we bring our first and best back to God, He promises to bless the rest. WE CANNOT OUTGIVE GOD
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We support Coastal Chapel in Boca Raton, FL with Pastor Ron Jones. We are a life-giving church
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If you haven’t started tithing yet, we want to extend the 90 Day Tithing Challenge to you. Basically a money back guarantee. We commit to you, that if you tithe for 3 months and God does not hold true to His promises of Provision, Protection, and Prominence, we will refund 100% of your tithe.
2621 Clemson Road (Killian Elementary School) www.radiatechurch.net 803.422.6499