Time/Talents/Tithes – Stewardship
Time/Talents: Being part of a Church does not just mean coming to church on Sunday, although that’s a very good start! This Circuit and its individual churches thrive because its members get involved and support the life and worship of the churches.
Everything we have is a gift from God. (1 Tim. 6:17; Matt. 6:25, 33; Lev. 26:4; Eph. 2:8; James 4:6; Prov. 2:6; James 1:5 and Isaiah. 42:5). The gifts we have received are not ours alone. God gave them to us for the purpose of serving Him and serving other people.
Each of us has something to give and unique talents and abilities. It does not matter whether we have been given great talents, abilities and wealth, or very little. There are many different ways we can use our time and talents in the church. In His Parable of the Talents, Jesus taught that we must use our gifts wisely. What matters to God is whether we make good use of what we have been given, whether large or small:
Tithing is the practical and consistent way that we put God first in our lives and develop heathy spiritual habits. If I say, “Jesus, you are my Lord and God; you are first, in my life,” and then put Him last in my budget, that’s a contradiction that cannot be justified in light of scripture. Tithing is the tangible way that we put God first in our lives. Tithing is giving back to God the first 10% of all that we earn.
We tithe because:
– The first & the best belong to God (Gen. 14:19-20 & 28:22)
– Wisdom says that we should (Proverbs 3:9-10)
– New Testament believers gave a percentage of their income consistently & generously (1 Cor. 16:2)
– It releases the blessing of God (Malachi 3:10-11; 2 Cor. 9:8)
What does my Tithe go towards? Basically, the running of the church and circuit which includes: ministers, lay workers, training, safeguarding, outreach activities, children’s & youth work, care and maintenance of the property, charitable giving, mission, equipment and resources….
Some areas you may like to consider offering help include.
- Meet and Greet
- Help with coffee after church
- Help with outreach/evangelism events
- Be a pastoral visitor
- Arrange the flowers
- Join the Social Committee
- Clean the church
- Help with young people
- Help with any DIY
- Read lessons
- Play an instrument in worship
- Keep the garden/grass tidy
- Lead prayers
- Help with church administration (finances)
- Become a Church Steward
- Become a Circuit Steward
- Become a Worship Leader
- Become a Local Preacher
