Why do we give tithes and offerings to the local church?

We believe that everything belongs to God (Psalm 24:1). As Christ followers, we believe that we are stewards of God’s resources because He is the owner of all that we have. Throughout Scripture we are reminded of the importance of giving back a portion of what God has so generously provided.

The word ‘tithe’ literally means tenth or 10%. A tithe is the first 10% of your income. An offering is anything you give above and beyond the 10%. The Bible says the purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives (Deuteronomy 14:23). We see in Genesis in the example of Abraham that the concept of tithing even predates the law. The New Testament model goes even beyond this and calls the believer to sacrificial giving. For the Christian, tithing is a beautiful act of worship, not out of obligation or duty, but out of an abiding joy and satisfaction in the fact that God is the supplier of everything we have.

In Malachi 3:10 God says: “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this.” says the LORD Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” This is the only place in Scripture where God tells us to put Him to the test. In other words, God is saying, “Go ahead. I dare you. See if you can out-give me.”

The following are answers to questions regarding online giving.

Is online giving secure?
Absolutely. Our online giving service is offered by a secure third-party organization called Vanco Services www.vancoservies.com. This transaction is solely by Vanco’s online security center. EBC will not have access to your banking information. We will, however, be able to generate reports of your giving history for tax purposes.

Can I use Credit or Debit Cards?
Because of fees incurred by the use of credit and debit cards, we won’t be offering these as giving options. You may give online using electronic funds transfer (EFT) which is an automatic withdrawal from the checking or savings account that you designate. With EFT, there is minimal cost to the church, so it is a more effective way to give.

When will my contribution be debited from my account?
You make the schedule! A debit from your account will occur each month on the date you specify.

Once I schedule automatic withdrawal, can I make changes?
Yes. By simply logging into your account, you can modify your amount, withdrawal schedule, and frequency. You can make these changes and updates, including cancelation, at any time online.

How will I keep a record of my contribution?
You will receive an email receipt from Vanco for your contribution. In addition, EBC provides contributors with annual giving statements once a year. These statements include online gifts.

If I use online giving, will it feel strange to not put anything in the offering basket?
Giving is a matter of the heart. While online giving is in part a matter of convenience for some, especially those in our community whose military service may require long and frequent duty out-of-town, we recognize that for some, the physical act of placing something in the offering each week is a very meaningful act of worship. With our online giving service, if you choose, there is a feature that allows you to print a specific receipt that you can place in the offering during worship services as a physical act of giving.

Does Emmanuel send contribution notices?
Yes. Contribution statements are mailed annually at the beginning of the year for the year prior. Questions about your contribution statement can be directed to questions@ebccrestview.com.

Does Emmanuel have a report showing where the money goes?
Yes. During quarterly business meetings, reports are given to the church body showing financial and ministry information.

Does Emmanuel give to missions?
Yes. We consider every penny spent at EBC to be mission spending! Our staff, ministry teams, and finance team work diligently to ensure that we use our resources for the greatest possible kingdom impact. In addition, Emmanuel’s budget also supports contributions to international and local missions, church planting, and benevolence.

Does Emmanuel use a budget?
Yes. Just as we encourage our church members to use a reasonable budget for their household, Emmanuel sets a budget every fall for the following year based on the goals and objectives of each ministry area within the church. Copies of the budget are available at the church.

What are Emmanuel’s financial accountability standards?
Emmanuel’s finances are held accountable by a firm set of internal controls, a church finance team, and an outside, independent CPA firm.

At Emmanuel we desire to empower God’s people to leverage our resources for His kingdom. We affirm and believe in responsible finances, including a debt-free lifestyle. Practical steps to responsible finances include building a budget, living within our means, making wise choices, giving generously, and understanding that everything ultimately belongs to God.

In order to support these efforts we offer the following resources:

Financial Worksheets

Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University Classes
(email questions@ebccrestview.com for info)

Basic Financial Counseling (email questions@ebccrestview.com for info)