Give

At City Hope, the generous grace-filled giving of our members enables us to continue in all the work we do. The majority of our income comes from this giving, but we do not teach ‘tithing’ or any principle that suggests that people should give a certain amount or proportion of income. 

The following Bible verses give an outline of the New Testament grace-filled generous giving expected of a believer.

Why give?

Worship: 2 Cor 8:7
But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving. 

Mission 2 Cor 8:8-9
I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others. For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 

How do we decide what to give?

According to your means 1 Tim 6:17-19
Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others.  By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

Give as a priority 1 Cor 16:2
On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 

Give joyfully and sacrificially 2 Cor 8:2-3
In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.