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Online giving - Frequently asked questions
PERSONAL INTEREST QUESTIONS
Q. Why do LifePointe leaders talk about money?
Everything we do at LifePointe is free of pressure! We make it clear to leaders (people) there is no obligation to participate in the offering. We believe this church is to serve the community. As people begin to grow we will challenge them in the amazing journey of generosity. Generosity has a profound spiritual and life-giving impact on marriages, parenting, finances, emotions, freedom, and worship.
In fact, a primary responsibility of a spiritual leader is to lead people in their generosity habits. One of those job description insights was given to a young pastor (church leader) named Timothy.
- 1 Tim 6:18-19 NIV Command them (those under your leadership) to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
So how is a leader to know when their congregation is healthfully growing as a generous community of individuals? I don’t think it is possible to know absolutely, but we can certainly equip people with the tools, inspiration, and vision to act on what God has already put in their hearts. I believe most every Christian wants to be generous. Unfortunately for many, in the middle of their desires for generosity, life happens and derails them. Together, we get to take steps as a community, with friends and leaders who we feel safe with and have grown to trust.
BIBLE TEACHING QUESTIONS
Q. Isn’t it impersonal and robotic to give through online digital automation? Doesn’t the bible say to “bring” the tithe? Like anything else, when it comes to matters of the heart it isn’t what you do, but how you do it. Certainly people can give in a heartless, disconnected way online. But it can be a heartless motion in person, too. Part of leadership is to teach and practice joyful, worshipful giving whether it is packaged in cash, checks, or online giving.
To bring the tithe doesn’t disqualify online digital giving any more than writing a check does. Checks aren’t the actual funds, they just represent the funds. The church’s financial department then has to “go get” the person’s tithe by the process of bank transfers.
What did it look like when society moved from offering livestock, produce, and dry goods to the church, to then offering a piece of paper in that new found monetary system? That same progression is what we face today. Nothing is better or worse about online giving from a biblical perspective!
Q. If we want to help people get out of debt, why does LifePointe Church accept credit card donations? Used within the parameters, debit and credit cards can be an efficient tool for payments and purchases. Many people utilize them in place of checks or cash throughout the month, and then pay off the balance in full. For these people, we offer the option of using a debit or credit card to give. We strongly discourage those who have ongoing credit card debt from exercising this option.
Q. How should I tithe if my income varies from pay period to pay period? Depending on which is more feasible for your situation, you can handle this in a couple of different ways. Some people choose to give exactly one-tenth of their earnings for each individual pay period. Others estimate their total earnings for the year and give a portion of the total tithe each week or month throughout the year.
Q. Can I designate my gift to a particular department or ministry? Every dollar given to the LifePointe Church general fund is used to support the global mission of LP; therefore, gifts cannot be designated or restricted for use by a specific department or ministry.
Q. Should I tithe off my gross earnings or the net amount of my paycheck? Scripture doesn’t use the literal terms net or gross. Scripture does teach that you should “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (all your increase) ; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Pro 3:9-10 NIV). Many people (myself included) have adopted the gross as a principle of generosity. An attitude of what’s the least I can do somehow doesn’t seem to describe a generous spirit. Whatever you decide, it’s more important to note the spirit in which you give is of greatest value to God. He says in II Corinthians 9 that “each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give; not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Q. Where should I give my tithe (full 10% giving)? Can I give it to my adult kids, under-resourced relatives, my favorite charity or TV ministries? Can I divide my tithe up and give it to various places? While it is always a good thing to be generous, we believe that obeying the details of Scripture positions us for maximum grace. I believe the Bible is clear in directing us to give the tithe (full 10%) to our local church family. It is appropriate to give to the poor and to other charities or ministries when it comes from above and beyond the first 10%.
So why do we believe that the tithe (full 10% giving) should be given to a person’s local church?
- By God’s leading, the tithe was always brought to the Temple, the Old and New Testament type of the local church.
- Nowhere in Scripture is it endorsed to give the tithe to the under-resourced or “guest speakers”. Nowhere in Scripture do you see any guest speaker receive tithes; it always went to the Temple. Nowhere in Scripture do you see even Jesus receive tithes from people. He did receive offerings above the tithe. Jesus watched people at the Temple give their tithe, like the lady with the mite.
- Much like a wealthy relative that brings gifts to you, Like a wealthy benefactor, Example of a rich uncle who comes in with pomp and circumstance and the kids view Mom and Dad as stick in the mud. Rich uncle brings gifts. He deserves the kids loyalty. Mom and Dad want to know, "Listen boy, who changed your diapers, and let you spit up all over them?" "Who redirected funds, energy and sacrifice for you?" "Your life is what it is today because of careful oversight and parenting?" We love your uncle and he has a tremendous place in our lives but he will never be your parents. So it is with guest speakers. They will be wonderful rich aunts and uncles that bring great gifts from God but they will never be your home, home church, leadership or Pastor. You get "fed" in your local church not where you get bible study materials, even as important as they are.
- As a church, LifePointe tithes (at least 10% of all offerings) to local and global ministries. We demonstrate a spirit of faith in our giving, generously and consistently. Every member at LifePointe should take great joy in knowing we (you) are sowing big throughout the earth. Your LifePointe giving goes around the world.
Q. I heard a Guest Speaker once say you should give where you are spiritually fed. Is that true? We need to define fed. The local church is much more than a “Sunday Pulpit”. It fills a role like no other relationship you have, affecting the entire family. Your church home is a joyful provider in daily life: weddings, funerals, ministry to children and youth, relationships of like precious faith, spiritual oversight, personal love, personal mentoring and training, personal correction that produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness, financial care, to name only a few. The church family is the consistent harbor for you to serve God's kingdom. Combine that with weekly teaching and Holy Spirit ministry from the platform and you have a much greater life impact. Guest speakers and Television Ministries, as insightful and inspirational as they are, cannot ascend to the same level of whole life provision by simply providing weekly teachings.
Q. If a person is behind on their bills and struggling to survive financially should they still tithe (full 10% giving) or wait until their financial status stabilizes? We have to remember that giving and generosity are by-products of faith. If a person is giving to merit something from God, they might as well keep the money. But if a person is giving in faith and trusting that God is their Source, scripture is clear that He will perform miracles. The Bible teaches about first fruits, that we are to bring the tithe (10%) to God BEFORE meeting any other financial obligation. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops (all your increase); then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine” (Pro 3:9-10 NIV). Then, as we give Him the first, we can trust that He will take care of the outstanding bills left over. We are called to live by faith- it’s not always easy, but it reaps supernatural rewards.
If we give God the first then there has to be trust that God will take care of the outstanding bills left over. Some people are looking for an excuse to not pay their bills. This isn’t biblical either. To not pay bills is stealing. This issue really comes back to the motivations in a person’s heart. If they can be motivated by humble trust in God’s ability to bless they should give their tithe in obedience trusting God for His blessing. If they are trying to simply put on a front and have an excuse to not pay their bills these issues would need to be addressed first.
Q. How do I worship in the weekly offering if my contribution is automatically processed online? Though it is not necessary to give a physical confirmation for the benefit of LifePointe, you can still participate in the offering during service. Bring a print out of a contribution email, or even a simple note sheet. This is for the benefit of connecting a worshipful heart to something physically surrendered. Or be comfortable worshiping in reflection on the gifts you know you have already committed online.
Q. What can I expect God to do in my life as a result of becoming generous? We believe the Scriptures should speak for themselves on this. Be blessed as you read!
Prov 11:24 MES The world of the generous gets larger and larger; the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller.
Prov 22:9 NIV A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.
Prov 31:18-20 AMP (The honorable person) She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust]. 19 (The honorable person) She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 (The honorable person) She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
Ps 37:26 NIV They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.
Ps 112:5-9 NIV Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. 6 Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered forever. 7 He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. 8 His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes. 9 He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor, his righteousness endures forever; his horn will be lifted high in honor.
2 Cor 9:10-11 NIV Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
1 Tim 6:18-19 NIV Command them (those under your leadership) to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
ONLINE GIVING QUESTIONS
Q. What is online giving? Online giving is the ability to give a donation or schedule a series of donations using your debit or credit card or your bank account on mylifepointe.com/give.
Q. Why online giving? Why move away from cash and checks? We know cash and checks will be the choice of giving for many years to come. But a growing number of people desire what the automation and consistency of online giving provides. And in today’s culture many unchurched people relate better to digital giving solutions. To NOT provide that solution would hinder our ability to lead seekers and new believers in spiritual growth where giving is concerned. A groundbreaking Federal Reserve Study released in December of 2007 revealed a sharp and consistent decline in the use of paper checks and cash for all transactions since the year 2000 and this trend is expected to continue. Currently, 90% under age 35 carry a debit card but the vast majority of this same demographic does not consistently carry a check book. We are committed to using every tool are at our disposal to reach, nurture, and inspire spiritual growth!
Q. What is a contribution schedule? This is similar to a subscription. You can choose how often you would like an automatic donation to be made- every week, two weeks, monthly, you choose.
Q. Why do I have to set up an account and password? Setting up an account and password allows you to enter a highly secure environment for your transaction. Once your account and password are established, all of your personal information including credit card information is safe and protected.
Q. Is it secure? All debit or credit card information you enter for online giving is secured by SecureGive. No one has access to your data unless authorized by you.
Q. Are there any hidden charges or fees to give online? Nope. You select the dollar amount for your gift. That is the dollar amount that will be recognized as your donation. No costs or fees.
Q. Nothing happens when I click ‘Give Online’. What’s wrong? If you are using a pop-up blocker like Google Toolbar, Norton Internet Security, or Pop-Up Stopper, the window can’t open. Most browsers also have an internal blocker you can disable. In order to use interactive features on mylifepointe.com (like online giving and event registration) you will need to allow pop-ups.
Q. Can I use my debit card or credit card? As long as it's a MasterCard or Visa.
Q. Can I just try this by giving one time? Sure. Select “One Time” in the frequency drop-down box.
Q. Can someone choose to make an anonymous donation online? Absolutely. SecureGive provides our donors with the opportunity to donate anonymously or to give a tax-deductible contribution.
Q. How can I keep a record of the amount I have contributed? You can view your online giving record at any time. We also send year-end statements directly to your home address.
Q. Can I give online to the Capital Campaign? Yep. Select the name of the appropriate fund (Building) and then choose Capital Campaign as the sub fund.
Q. Can I post a reoccurring donation to the general fund as well as the building campaign? Yes. However, you need to create two contribution schedules- one for your general giving and one for the building campaign.
Q. When is the automatic contribution charged to my account? You choose: one time, weekly, bi-weekly, twice per month (on the 1st and the 15th), monthly, quarterly, yearly. You can set up as many schedules as you like, so it’s possible to give a monthly gift as well as a weekly one. Contributions scheduled Friday through Sunday may show on your bank account early the following week.
Q. What if I want to change my online giving or stop it? From the online giving window, scroll down to the contribution schedule. Select the green edit button to make a change or select the blue button to delete.
Q. Who do I talk to if I have more questions? Contact carol.vennart@mylifepointe.com or 913-764-5433. Carol will be glad to answer any questions you have.
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