Giving Generously
Nicky Gumbel, the Rector of Holy Trinity Brompton and the developer of the Alpha Course, says that when we begin to experience God’s grace, gratitude is the natural and appropriate response. Giving is simply a manifestation of our gratitude and obedience. Nicky then adds that in 2 Corinthians 9:6-15 Paul gives us ten reasons to give generously:
- Giving is the best investment you can ever make. Like the harvest, giving is like planting a seed. The farmer will reap far more than was sown (v.6): ‘ A stingy planter gets stingy crop; a lavish planter gets a lavish crop.’(v.6, MSG). What you give to the Lord he multiplies.
- Giving should be fun. Giving should never be forced or grudging, but rather voluntary and cheerful ‘for God loves a cheerful giver’ (v.7). The Greek word for cheerful is “hilario”, the root for “hilarious”.
- Giving takes away the burden of financial worry. Paul writes, ‘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’ (v.8). Giving does not mean handing over financial responsibility to God – but it does mean handing over the worry and burden of it.
- Giving ‘enriches’ you. ‘Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way so that you can be generous (v.11, AMP).” Materially, you will have enough to give away generously (v.11). Your character will be enriched (v.10). God will be praised(v.11).
- Giving transforms your character. Paul speaks of the harvest of your righteousness (v.10b). Giving frees the character from the constricting grip of materialism that cramps and destroys lives.
- Giving meets people’s needs. Generous giving blesses other people and supplies the needs of God’s people – ‘helping meet the bare needs of poor Christians’ (v. 12, MSG)
- Giving inspires others. ‘Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. Because of the service of which you approved yourselves, people will praise God’(vv11b-13a)
- Giving is evidence of real faith. Generous giving is an act of obedience, which should accompany ‘your confession of the gospel of Christ’(v.13). Giving is an act of trust – in doing it you are saying it is God, not yourself or anyone else, who ultimately provides for your needs.
- Giving makes you a stakeholder in the church. Paul speaks of ‘your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else (v.13b). In the same way as when you share an apartment you share in the bills, as you share in the needs of the community you reap the benefits of that community. For example, every time someone comes to know Christ through our church you share in the blessing.
- Giving is a response to God’s gift to you. God so loved you that he gave his one and only Son so that you might have eternal life (John 3:16). Our giving is a response to God’s amazing grace. His indescribable gift (2 Cor. 9:15) is the gift of his Son. Our giving is an expression of our thanksgiving and praise.
From Pew Sitter to Leadership
I have seen St. Andrew’s from just about every angle. My wife, Linda, and I joined as members 25 years ago when we were cramming everyone into the Historic Church. Since then I have served as a vestry member, Treasurer, and the Senior Warden. I joined the staff as Chief Operating Officer in January of this year. The entire time I have been impressed with the generosity, evangelical zeal, and growth both in numbers and positive impact in our community and the wider world. It is no surprise because 2 Corinthians 9 says all of these things are interrelated.
Having been in these various roles in at St. Andrew’s I can attest to the fact that your giving is both effective and treated as a sacred trust. The growth and vitality of our church and its ministries in our community and around the world are direct evidence that the funds you give make a difference and every gift counts. As Steve said in his talk on Vision Sunday, St. Andrew’s has no endowment, no investment portfolio, or outside sources of income. The ministries of the church exist and will grow now and into the future because of God’s blessing through the faithful giving of the people who go to St. Andrew’s.
Thank You for Your Generosity
In closing, I would like to thank you all for your extraordinary generosity that has resulted in our church meeting the spiritual and material needs of so many in our community and the wider world. I am excited to see where God will continue to lead us as we all give back to Him what He has so lavishly given to us, especially the greatest gift of all His Son.
Mike Hughes
Chief Operating Officer
MHughes@StAndrews.Church
Giving Options at St. Andrew’s
Give Online
Visit our Online Giving Portal. You will be a taken a different, secure payment website. You can make a one-time gift or set up a recurring payment.
Offering Plates and Boxes
At Mt. Pleasant a traditional offering plate is passed. At City Church and Park Circle there is an offering box located on the bar and welcome table respectively.
Write a Check
Checks can be placed in the plate or boxes or mailed to the church office. The mailing address for all of St. Andrew’s is the same. If your bank has automated bill paying you can set up St. Andrew’s Church to receive electronically generated checks, allowing you an easier way to be systematic in your giving. In order to receive the appropriate documentation you need for tax purposes your name and address must be clearly identifiable on your check.
St. Andrew’s Church
Attn: Finance Office
440 Whilden St
Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
Mobile Giving
Download the ShelbyNext giving app from the iTunes Store or Google Play. You’ll be asked to connect to St. Andrew’s when you first open the app. The easiest way to do so is to search by zip code (29464).
Give by Text – 843.310.4757
In order to give the first time, you will need to go through a set up process which will require using a smartphone and a credit or debit card.
- Create a new text message to 843.310.4757
- Your text message must contain the amount you wish to give plus the name of the location of the congregation to which you belong.
- Mt Pleasant
- Mt Pleasant
- City Church
- Park Circle
- The first time you give via text message, you will receive a reply with a link to a secure URL in order to enter your credit/debit card information.
- At this point your donation will process and you will receive a confirmation text showing that your donation and registration were successful.
Once you have registered you can give at any time by texting the amount you wish to give and the location you attend. Please note: If you do not indicate a location, the amount is credited to the Mt Pleasant campus.
Giving Kiosk
The Mt. Pleasant campus has a giving kiosk located adjacent to the reception desk. You can use a credit or debit card to make a gift at any time on the secure giving portal by following a few simple prompts and swiping your card.