GIVING

We do not set an amount or percentage. This is to be determined by you as you walk out your relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Giving is an integral part of our worship and the question you need to consider regarding your finances is, ‘Do you worship money?’ or ‘Do you worship with your money?’

In the Old Testament under the Old Covenant Israel was instructed through the Law of Moses to tithe in several areas, one being to the Levitical Priesthood releasing the tribe of Levi to minister to God on behalf of man. Together with other areas of offerings, scholars have worked out that Israel gave between 25-28% of their gross income away and learned how to live off approximately 75% of their income.

As an Eldership team we do not ignore tithing, as it is clearly in Scripture, however we teach this principle in its context, which was under the Old Covenant. We however, as believers are now under a New Covenant and are called to lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel. It is not 10%, 25% but 100% of all we are, 100% of the time. Acts 2:42-47 speaks of the believer’s devotion to the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, communion, prayer and people as they sold their possessions and goods giving to anyone as they had need. The believers devoted themselves to meeting together, eating together and praising God together. In the New Testament we see Jesus affirming the tithe while he is speaking with some of the Jewish leaders (Matthew 23:23) but he takes it even further under a New Covenant as he calls us to lay down our lives for the sake of the Gospel. It is not 10%, 25% but 100% of all we are, 100% of the time. Acts 2:42-47 speaks of the believer’s devotion to the apostle’s teaching, fellowship, communion, prayer and people as they sold their possessions and goods giving to anyone as they had need. The believers devoted themselves to meeting together, eating together and praising God together.

If a nation through the wisdom of God could learn how to live off 75% of their provision from God allowing them to sow 25% into the lives of others we believe that it is possible for us in a New Covenant to not just do the same, but by the Grace of God to sow even more into the Kingdom of God.

As you walk out your relationship with God, learn how to steward your resources ensuring that your budget is not built around solely meeting your needs. Perhaps start off with giving 10% as a floor and not a ceiling as you craft your budget around people and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Learn how to live within your means for others rather than beyond your means for yourself.

Remember, God’s emphasis is not on the amount but on the attitude:

2 Corinthians 9:6-8: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Mark 12:41-44: Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Proverbs 3:9 instructs us to “honour the Lord with our wealth, with the first fruits of all our crops” (NIV). The Message translation says it like this: “Honour God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.”

In our context and culture, the majority of society will work and earn a monetary salary each month. We can give money, however, God’s emphasis is not on the amount we give, but on the spirit in which we give.

Read the following accounts in Scripture:
Acts 4:34 – People sold property and homes and gave the money they received for this.

Again, watch the spirit in which you give, as we read of Ananias and Sapphira one chapter later who also sold a piece of property and lied in the process of their giving. They ended up dead.

Acts 11:28-30. People responded to a prophetic Word regarding a famine, and disciples according to their abilities decided to help their brothers in Judea and put together a gift which they sent to the elders of the Jerusalem church.

1 Corinthians 16:1-2. The Corinthian and Galatian churches were instructed to set aside a sum of money once a week in keeping with their income, that could be saved and sent to Jerusalem.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5. The Macedonian churches although extremely poor were able to give beyond their ability, first giving themselves to the Lord.

As a believer, according to Scripture, you are part of a body, and therefore will be part of a local church body where you are submitted to the leadership of the local church. Our money is given to God, not the pastor or the ‘church organisation’, and the Eldership team is responsible for the stewardship of the corporate and collective resources. Therefore understand the difference between giving to the church, and giving as the church. We are called to give as a church, and practically, the leadership team is responsible for the receiving and stewarding of these finances and resources. As a local church, we have a bank account into which all finances received are placed. The eldership team oversees the stewardship of these finances.

Giving is not an event, but it is part of who we are and is to be represented throughout our lives. We see Paul instructing the Corinthians and Galatians to learn how to set aside weekly finances. In our society most people earn monthly salaries and therefore give monthly. Whether it is daily, weekly, monthly or yearly, the point is not on how often we give but rather on our attitude and character.

There is a difference between can’t give and won’t give. Both however need to be resolved. A Christian, by DNA, is a giver, and not a taker. With Christ in us, it is who we are. The issues that are preventing someone from giving whether it be poor financial management or past hurts and suspicions need to be addressed. In this situation it is important to meet with your leaders, receive counsel and study the Scriptures together.

Finances are allocated towards human and non-human resources that support the vision of the local church. Practically, money goes towards salaries of staff, running costs for facilities used by the church family, and towards other opportunities for the gospel beyond our family that God leads us in. Salaries are set with the guidance of people in this congregation who have a similar responsibility in the market place, as well as with church leaders from other churches that we have relationship with.

“We want to avoid any criticism of the way we administer this liberal gift. For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.” 2 Corinthians 8:20-21 (NIV)

The finances are overseen by a team consisting of partners of Anthem. This team is chosen for their financial wisdom, their courageous faith, and their being full of the Holy Spirit. The team does change from time to time as we endeavor to include non-staff members and therefore the terms available to serve do vary. Ultimately, it is the Eldership team who carry the responsibility of good financial stewardship.

The Elders, who are responsible for overseeing the work of the church and for stewarding all her resources, together with the finance team, determine what the budget consists of. This budget is transparent and available on request for partners of Anthem.

Anthem is registered with SARS as a tax-exempt unit. Our staff pay PAYE and UIF as per SARS requirements. Anthem is a registered Public Benefit Organisation and meets all the requirements thereof. Anthem is audited annually by independent auditors, which although not being a legislated requirement, we do believe is good governance and stewardship.