WHY WE GIVE

 

GIVING IS AN ACT OF WORSHIP – When we give, we acknowledge God as the Creator and Sustainer of all.  He set the example for giving when He gave His best - His only Son Jesus - as the payment and sacrifice for our sins.  We give generously to honor God and model to the world the love, grace, and forgiveness that we have freely received.

 

GIVING DEMONSTRATES TRUST IN GOD – Giving is an act of faith and trust.  Do we believe that God can take care of us and supply all of our needs like He tells us in the Bible?  God owns it all.  Therefore, what we have is a gift and blessing from God.  By giving, we demonstrate that we are only stewards (managers) of God's resources and that we trust Him completely to provide for our needs.

 

GIVING EMPOWERS SUPPORT FOR OTHERS – In the book of Acts, the early Jewish believers sold their goods to provide for the needs of those within their Christian community (Acts 2, 4, 5).  When we give, we as a Christian community, and more specifically as a community of Christian first responders, can generously contribute to the needs of our brothers and sisters as those needs arise.

 

GIVING MAKES COP CHURCH POSSIBLE – It takes money to fulfill the vision for all that God has called us to do.  We can accomplish more together and make a significant impact on the lives of law enforcement and first responder families when we give. 

 

 

HOW MUCH SHOULD WE GIVE?

 

The Scriptures are exceedingly clear.  We should give generously, and we should do so cheerfully.  The example set throughout the Scripture - from the time of Abel, the example of Abraham, the Law of Moses, and the teachings of Jesus - is that we should begin with a tithe (a tenth, or ten percent) of the first portion of our income.  We then give offerings in addition to the first tenth, which is holy and set apart as God's portion of our income.

 

The tithe should go to the "storehouse" - the primary place of worship and spiritual support for the individual.  Offerings are then given at the discretion of the giver as the Lord leads.  If Cop Church is your home church, then the tithe should be given here.  If you worship or serve at Cop Church, but are a member of another church, then we welcome your offerings.  The tithe of your income should be given at your home church.

 

"Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7

 

"In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'" Acts 20:35

 

"Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!"' Malachi 3:10

 

"Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase." Proverbs 3:9