Gateway Church exists to help people take their next step toward Christ by Presenting Hope and Developing People. Presenting Hope is evangelism. Developing People is discipleship. It's never either/or. It's always both.
When we talk about generosity, tithing, and stewardship, we're inviting people to respond in faith to what God has done for them. We believe God wants more for us than from us, but He does desire our trust and obedience. Generosity is one of the ways we grow as disciples, learning to trust Him in every area of life.
What Is Tithing?
The word tithe comes from an Old Testament word meaning "one-tenth." Tithing is the practice of returning the first 10% of our income to God as an act of worship, obedience, and trust.
"Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine."
When we return the first portion to God, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from Him and that He holds first place in our lives.
"You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things."
Tithing is not the finish line but the starting point.
It reflects trust.
Tithing is not primarily about money. It is about trust. Every time we place God first in our finances, we declare that He is our provider, He can be trusted, He comes first, and our resources belong to Him.
It leads to flourishing.
"A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
God designed generosity to bless both the giver and the receiver. Through generosity, our hearts become more like His.
The Three P's of Giving
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01
Priority Giving
Generosity begins by putting God first. Rather than giving from what is left over, we honor God with the first part of what He has entrusted to us.
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02
Percentage Giving
God's focus is not the amount but the heart behind the gift, like the widow whose small offering represented extraordinary faith.
"This poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others."
Mark 12:43 (NIV) Measured by percentage, everyone can grow in equal surrender and trust.
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03
Progressive Giving
As God increases our resources, our generosity should increase as well. When our goal is accumulating wealth, giving feels like losing. When our goal is honoring God, generosity becomes a way to join His Kingdom work.
What Jesus Taught About Money
Jesus spoke often about money because He understood its connection to our hearts.
Money makes a wonderful tool but a terrible master.
How Generosity Changes Us
Generosity does more than impact our finances. It transforms our character. Through generosity, God:
- Shifts our focus from ourselves to others
- Removes selfishness and cultivates selflessness
- Helps us recognize His blessings
- Deepens our trust in Him
- Builds spiritual discipline
- Removes entitlement
- Develops generosity in every area of life
Generosity shapes us into people who look more like Jesus.
God calls us to be faithful managers.
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."
Good stewardship starts with trust and practical planning. Our possessions are entrusted, not ultimate, and blessing is meant to flow through us, not stop with us.
We do not give to get.
We reject the idea that generosity is a formula for financial gain. The prosperity gospel is not the Gospel. Generosity is an act of worship that places our hearts under God's leadership and opens our lives to His purpose.
Why I Tithe
As one of your pastors, here's what tithing reminds me:
- I am not my source. God is my provider.
- I can trust God with everything.
- It creates margin for God to work in my life.
- It connects my finances to Kingdom purposes.
- It transforms my work into worship.
- It turns my money into seed for eternal impact.
- It declares to every area of my life that God is first.
Tithing is more than an act of generosity. It is an act of worship expressed through obedience.
Pastor Jeffery · Gateway Church
Your Next Step
Everyone has a next step. For some, that next step may be:
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Evaluate Your Stewardship
Take an honest look at how you are managing the resources God has entrusted to you.
Join Financial Peace -
Begin Tithing
Choose to trust God and begin honoring Him through consistent generosity.
Give Online -
Create a Plan
Develop practical habits that help you steward your finances wisely.
Find a Group -
Follow Jesus
Your greatest next step may not be financial at all. It may be surrendering your life to Christ and beginning a relationship with Him.
Follow Jesus
Generosity is not how we try to earn God's love. It is how people who have already experienced God's love learn to love like Him.
God wants more FOR you than FROM you.
Lord, Teach Us to Trust You
Thank You for the people of Gateway Church and the generosity that has marked our church for more than a century.
Help us understand and embrace the truth that You want more for us than from us.
Teach us to trust You in every area of our lives, especially in the areas that feel difficult to surrender.
Give us wisdom to steward what You've entrusted to us, courage to walk in obedience, and faith to take our next step toward Christ.
Help us continue to present hope, develop people, and make an eternal impact through lives fully surrendered to You.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
