“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it!”
Psalm 24:1
How can I give to God's work at Gilmour Church?
Here are four ways.
- E-transfers are now available. Use this Email address: treasurer@gilmourchurch.ca and we recommend this for online giving.
- “automatic deposit”
- Enter a notation in the “message field” to indicate: Envelope number if you have one and particular fund(s) you wish to direct the offering. Those funds are as follows: General Fund, Building Fund, Refugee Fund, or Benevolent Fund. The hope of the congregation is that the General Fund and Building Fund will be a primary focus of giving until we have reached our financial goals in these areas.
- Undesignated will go to the General Fund.
- Bank fees will differ between banks.
- Give on Sunday mornings by placing your offering in the offering plate passed during the service.
- Give by mail and send a cheque to our mailing address: Gilmour Memorial Baptist Church, 2083 Chemong Rd. Selwyn On, K9J 6X2.
- Give by credit card through the CanadaHelps charity giving website. (Click here).
You may be wondering, is tithing (giving 10% of our income to the local church) applicable today?
Some say “no” citing that it was part of the Old Covenant (and part of the Old Testament law). Others say that it still applies to God's people today because tithing pre-dates the law. Where? Well, in Genesis 14 we read of how Abraham brought tithes to Melchizedek several hundred years before the law was given.
This is what we learn in 2 Corinthians 9:6–8 (ESV)
“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.”
All Believers must agree on the principle found in 2 Corinthians 9 – and that is that God calls us to live a life of generosity. And let's remember that Jesus honored the poor widow who gave out of her poverty (see Mark 12:41-44).
I (Pastor Ben) encourage giving 10% of all income to the Lord through the local church you attend, at the earliest opportunity. Jesus did not lower the bar of commitment and generosity in the New Testament. If anything, Jesus raised the bar and calls us to even greater sacrifice.
For example, in His Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7) Jesus said this;
Matthew 5:43–45 (ESV)
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Jesus just raised the bar. Under the Old Testament Law, God’s people were commanded to love their neighbor and hate their enemy. Notice that Jesus didn’t keep the status quo? He said, “But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” He didn’t call people to less of a standard, but more, much more.
Here’s another example from Matthew 5:38–42 (ESV)
38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42 Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
Again, the Old Testament law gave one standard-an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. But then Jesus knocked it out of the park calling His followers to an even higher level of commitment. And so the New Testament instruction doesn’t lower but actually raises the bar because Jesus wants our hearts, not just our actions. I believe giving 10% is a great starting point, and as we grow in our walk with God we will learn to be even more generous.
It's been said that “90% with you and God, is more than 100% on your own.” And I couldn't agree more.
When we set aside a generous portion of our income every week to give to the Lord and His work, we will be blessed! So don't leave God out of your financial planning. Return to the Lord a portion that is already His and do this to your local church-your place of worship where God's Word is proclaimed and where Jesus is high and lifted up. I believe when you do this, you will find God's grace abound to you!
Remember this, prayerfully decide in your heart what you will give and give it cheerfully. Sow generously and you will reap bountifully! That's a promise you can take to the bank.
God bless you!
–Pastor Ben
Click here for a great resource on the subject of giving from Pastor John Piper.
Capital Campaign Giving
The mandate of the Building Committee is as follows; to develop a plan and appropriate drawing that would expand and modernize the facility of Gilmour in order to meet the spiritual needs of the community for the foreseeable future. Please note “building fund” if you would like to give in faith to this future project. We praise God for the generous givers to this fund throughout the pandemic. God is moving in hearts to give in faith for the future. Glory to God!
Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait for it, because it will surely come and will not delay.
Thank you for giving to the Lord's work at Gilmour Memorial Baptist Church. May God bless and keep you.
–Pastor Ben