What We Believe About Generosity

Generosity is a lifestyle, a culture that believers in Christ Jesus should be living out.

Your faithfulness to God and commitment to Electric City Fellowship is greatly appreciated. Your generosity is helping to reach hundreds, if not thousands, of people locally and around the world with the gospel. By loving, we open ourselves for the Holy Spirit to grow us, making us more like Jesus. By serving, we help others in the Body of Christ  where they may not have the gifts and talents to do the part that we are able to accomplish. And by giving, we perpetuate the vision of loving God, loving others, and making disciples.

Personal generosity is about living a life of generosity and stewardship geared toward advancing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and affecting the culture of the Disciples of Christ around you for the overall benefit of the Body. It's about loving, serving, and giving, and receiving the peace, joy, and excitement that God gives us while doing so!

What We Believe About Giving

"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 (NLT)

" Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." - 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 (NLT)

At Electric City Fellowship we believe the Bible in its entirety. There are many places that the Word of God mentions money, and we must look at the entire Word of God to know what God desires of us for how we give back to Him. 

God is the owner of everything; 100% of what we have belongs to God, and we are His stewards (or His managers) of all that He has provided us. A "tithe" literally means 10%. Therefore the tithe is that standard and the starting point for how we should give back to God. Above that, we we see Paul's words in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. He simply says that we must give cheerfully to God, to help further His Kingdom, and we must know that God will provide for us generously. 

Giving gives us an opportunity to give back to God a portion of what He has so generously given to us. Through giving, we are able to worship Him, showing Him that we love Him, and we show God our trust in Him as our provider.

Here are some answers to some Frequently Asked Questions regarding giving:

 --What does Electric City Fellowship believe about money?

God is our provider. He promises in Matthew 6:33 to provide for our needs. The bible teaches that everything we have comes from God and belongs to Him. Psalm 24:1 says “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Therefore, we are mere stewards of what God has given to us. Tithing is giving back to God what is already His.Giving gives us an opportunity to give back to God a portion of what He has so generously given to us. Through giving, we show God our trust in Him as our provider.

Also, we must give cheerfully, as said in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8. We must give to help support the Kingdom of God, and its Church/people, and know that God is faithful to provide for our needs and generously support His people.

 --What is the difference between a tithe and an offering?

The word “tithe” means one tenth. Thus, to “tithe” would be to give one tenth or 10% of your earnings. Tithing (10%) is the starting point of giving. Offerings are gifts given above the tithe. God has blessed some people financially who are able to give substantially more than 10% and still live comfortably.

 --Why should I give money to the church?

We recognize that Jesus talked more about giving than He did any other subject. Matthew 6:21 says “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Together, we work as a church to reach the lost and make an impact in Anderson, SC. Malachi 3:10 says “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” The storehouse today is the local church you are attending. By partnering our monies together, God’s work is done more effectively.

 --What are my giving dollars used for?

Your gifts are used to fund God’s work through the ministry of Grace. We do this through our weekend services for adults and kids, our small groups, reaching out to neighbors area-wide, and through our support of local and world wide missionaries. We can accomplish more together than separate.

 --What if we believe we can’t afford to tithe right now?

The Lord requires us to be faithful regardless of how much He has entrusted to us. Luke 16:10 says “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” It is when we are having financial struggles that we can’t afford not to tithe. God wants us to trust Him in everything, including our finances. God asks us to tithe because through that, we become unselfish people and we show that we trust God to provide for our needs. As we grow in our relationship with Christ, it always requires faith. Trust God by giving to Him even when it seems impossible and allow Him to show you His provision for your life.

 --Does Electric City Fellowship have a budget?

Yes. Our budget each year is determined based on the goals and objectives of each ministry area within the church.

 --Is my giving confidential and secure?

Yes. We do not release the giving records of any individual or family.  You can rest assured that when you give during the offering on Sunday morning, your gifts are secured and used responsibly.