Giving FAQs
Why should I give?
We should give to God’s work because our God is a generous God who has given us everything—including life and the salvation we have in the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus. We know we’re becoming like God when we grow generous, like Him.
How much should I give?
That’s up to you and your conscience, led by the Holy Spirit. The Old Testament Israelites were told to tithe 10% of their income. (The word “tithe” means “tenth.”) For various reasons, that 10% rule probably doesn’t literally apply to people today. Then again, we live in the richest country in the history of the world. For us, 10% is probably a good starting point.
Should I give to Arise if I have lots of debt and loans to pay off?
Also up to you. It’s important to get out of debt, but it’s important to give to God’s work. In our opinion, you can do both at the same time.
Can I give to other organizations besides Arise?
Absolutely! God’s doing great work in all kinds of ways. However, the local church is the body of Christ on earth. Christians should prioritize giving the bulk of their offerings to their church. Your church is more than an organization—it’s your family that needs your support.
Where does my money go?
A big percentage of your offering goes to Arise’s three biggest expenses: staff salaries, facilities, and ministries. At least 10% of our budget goes to support Christian mission work at home and abroad. Finally, some of your offering goes towards our “Next Steps” savings, which enables us to hire future staff, consider a long-term home, plant more churches, and expand our ministry.
Is my giving tax-deductible?
Yep. You’ll get a year-end statement that you can use when you file your taxes.
Can I schedule my giving?
Also yep. You can schedule automatic giving on your bank’s bill-paying page on their website, or through Arise’s online giving platform. Scheduled giving is a great way to stay faithful to your church, in lean times and times of plenty. (But you can always adjust your giving levels, as necessary.)
Do I have to give to be a member of Arise?
There’s absolutely no giving requirement for membership. But it does make sense for the committed members of Arise to support their church family. We don’t see why they wouldn’t. So when someone applies for membership at Arise, we talk about giving with them.
How do I know Arise is using my money responsibly?
Great question! We have a Treasury Team that divides its responsibilities with lots of checks and balances, to make sure everyone knows what everybody else is doing and nobody has too much power. Our church board asks for regular reports from the Treasury Team. We also have an “open book” policy, so that anybody in the church can ask to see the books at any time. If you have any questions, contact our church Treasurer at treasury@arisestl.com
