Giving is an act of worship, not a fee. If you are visiting, please do not feel any obligation.
What is given here supports the ministry of this congregation: the preaching of the Word, the care of members in need, and the work of our ministries in Ilagan.
Why Christians give
Everything we have is already God’s, and He does not need our money. That is the first thing to say, because it removes the two bad reasons for giving straight away: nobody here is buying God’s favour, and nobody is topping up a shortfall in heaven. Giving is a response, not a transaction. We were given everything we have, beginning with Christ Himself, and giving is one of the ordinary ways a person says so with something other than words. Paul puts it the other way round too: when he wanted to show the Corinthians what God’s grace looks like once it has actually landed in a church, he pointed them at the generosity of congregations poorer than they were. Giving is not the price of grace. It is one of the signs that grace has arrived.
The Bible talks about giving plainly. Paul told the Corinthians to set money aside regularly, in proportion to what they had, and to decide the amount ahead of time (1 Corinthians 16:2). He also said each person should give what they have decided in their heart, “not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). So nobody here should give because they feel pushed or want to be seen. David’s prayer says it best: everything comes from God, and we only give back what he first gave us (1 Chronicles 29:14).
How much?
We do not set a figure, and we will never tell you what yours should be. The old tenth is a useful place to start thinking rather than a bill to settle, and the New Testament is more interested in proportion and gladness than in a percentage: the widow who gave two small coins gave more than the wealthy did, and Jesus said so.
Some plain advice instead. Decide it once, at the start of the month, rather than every Sunday with your wallet open. Give first rather than from what is left. Do not borrow to give, and do not give what your family needs — providing for your own household is not a rival to generosity, it is part of the same obedience. And if this is a season where you cannot give anything, give nothing, and do not carry it. See Mark 12:41-44, 2 Corinthians 8:12 and 1 Timothy 5:8.
In person
An offering is received during the Lord’s Day Celebration. It is passed along the rows, and letting it pass is entirely normal — visitors are not expected to give, and nobody watches what anyone puts in.
Bank transfer
Add your bank name, account name and account number here.
GCash
Add your GCash number here, and the QR code below.
Giving something other than money
A congregation runs on more than its offering. Time, a skill, a vehicle, a spare room, rice for a family in a hard month, an afternoon spent teaching children or carrying chairs — all of it is the same generosity and all of it is needed. If money is tight but time is not, speak to a ministry head or to one of the pastors. Nobody at this church is ranked by what they put in the plate.
Where it goes
Giving supports the preaching and teaching of the Word, the upkeep of the place we meet in, the ministries of this church, and help for members in need.
The treasurer reports to the board of trustees, and members may ask to see the accounts at any time. A church that asks for money and will not show its books has not earned the request.
If you are in need yourself, please speak to one of the pastors. That is what the fund is for, and asking is not a favour you are begging — it is the arrangement working as intended.