Giving

On one end of the spectrum, many Christians and churches treat money as an untouchable topic, something we can’t talk about or wrestle through together. On the other end of the spectrum, some churches and TV ministries have made long lists of rules about giving, speaking about it endlessly, treating money a means of manipulating God and telling people to give in order to get back blessing from God. What role does giving have in the Christian life?

“I give because I need to give,” one of our pastors says, “because I need to give up control of money. If I don’t give up control of money, then money will tend to control me.” Money’s control—idolatry—can look like a lot of things: overspending and a cycle of debt, workaholism, obsessing over money, fantasizing that a certain amount of money will end life’s problems, hoarding, greed, giving to try to gain God’s favor, or even under-earning in low-end, low-potential jobs in an attempt to keep our financial world small enough to feel safe in the face of a harshly competitive world. Into a society in which religious people frequently try to do both, Jesus tells us, “You cannot serve both God and money” (Matthew 6:24).

Jesus breaks the power of money over our lives, liberating us from money’s control so we can live lives of liberality. The early Christians demonstrated radical generosity in their life together. “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had” (Acts 4:32).

• An offering is taken during the latter part of the worship service each week. This offering supports the church’s clergy, staff and ministries, as well aslocal and globalministries we support.
• A Mercy Box hangs on the back wall of the sanctuary—in the ancient tradition of the “poor box”—to collect funds for those in significant financial need.
• Opportunities are given for other honest and accountable ministries, individuals and organizations from outside the church to speak about their work and ways you can support them.
• A Capital Campaign fund collects funds from those willing to help renovate the church’s building and grounds.
• Giving can be done online. Click here to find out more.

We dream of a Memorial community being a counter-culture of sacrificial giving, motivated by deep joy and our shared longing to see the gospel renew our city.

We give to the causes we believe in. If you are not yet a Christian, then please understand that any public request for giving is not directed at you. We are honored to have you as our guest and expect nothing in return. Jesus did not come to manipulate giving, but to free it. “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7).