Stewardship: Three Truths To Guide Our Financial Lives

The Bible has a great deal to say about our financial lives. In fact, more than 2,000 Scripture passages address the theme of money and Jesus spoke about our use of financial resources frequently. One of their central messages is that there is a connection between our relationship to money and possessions and our relationship to God. There are three truths that lay the
foundation for how we approach this area of discipleship called stewardship:

1. God created everything.
2. God owns everything.
3. As disciples of Jesus, we are not owners of our stuff, but trustees.

God entrusted us with financial and physical resources to meet our needs and to help carry out his redemptive work in the world. Once we are able to offer God control of our finances, we can offer God our entire lives, and experience the spiritual freedom and joy that God intends for us. The New Testament describes it in Matthew 25:14-30 and II Corinthians 8:9.

Generous Giving

Stewardship – to serve as one who manages another's property, finances, or other affairs – is not just means for the church to raise money. It is a way of life that recognizes that everything we have is God’s, and we are simply managing those resources while here on earth.

The Bible is filled with examples of grateful response to God's generous gifts. The Bible also teaches about responsibility to share with others and warns against selfishness and misuse of God's economic resources.

Methodist approach to stewardship
John Wesley urged those in connection with him to "Earn all you can and save all you can, so that you can give all you can." He modeled modest living and sacrificial giving. Wesley made sure those early classes of "Methodists" took weekly offerings for outreach.

Today, we United Methodists join others to help all of God's children, whenever and wherever we can. Through our congregation, we are the heart, spirit and hands of God's outreaching love.

Practicing good stewardship
How can you learn and practice good Christian stewardship?

• Pray about your giving to God's ministries.
• Model the humility and generosity God calls you to exhibit.
• Take a Financial Peace University course.
• Set up a schedule to eventually reach full tithing, or tithe one week of every month.
• Give your time, talents and or financial aid to Missions.

Frequently Asked Questions

“How much should I give?”

“Should the tithe be based on my gross income or my net income after taxes?”

“Will I be expected to tithe?”

“If I do not tithe, will I still be welcome?”

Absolutely. No one is ever asked how much they give. Tithing is always a personal, spiritual discipline. We are committed to being an inviting, open congregation that welcomes everyone who comes to experience God’s love in Christ regardless of where
they are on their spiritual journey.

“Is my salvation determined by the level of my giving?”

No. We are saved by God’s grace, as a free gift accepted by faith. But living into that salvation includes learning how to use the gifts that God gives us so that our whole life is shaped and formed around our salvation and so that God can use our gifts as a part of his work of salvation in the world.

“If my giving is between God and me, why does the church ask for a pledge of my next year’s planned giving in November of each year?”

The Finance committee takes very seriously its responsibility to plan the church’s expenditures for the coming year in line with reasonable expectations of the income we will receive. The total amount of all pledges helps the committee prudently estimate that income and thus establish a realistic expense budget for all of our ministries.

“When I give to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, where does my money go?”

We fulfill the mission of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church through these basic channels.

• The General Ministry Fund underwrites the ministries, operation and support of our local congregation, including staff salaries; ministries serving children, youth, and adults; worship; missions; evangelism; building repairs; and insurance. The General Ministry Fund also includes our share in the global ministries of The United Methodist Church.
• If so designated, your gifts will be applied toward reducing the outstanding mortgage on the Family Life Center.

“Who sees my giving information?”

Information on pledges and giving are a sacred trust held in confidence in the Financial Secretary’s office. The Treasurer sees this information when counting the weekly tithes and offerings before submitting the records to the Financial Secretary. Questions regarding your giving may be referred to the Financial Secretary.

“Where can I find help with my finances and finding ways to give?”

For many of us, spiritual growth through stewardship can be hindered by the pull of our materialistic culture, a lack of knowledge about wise financial practices, and the need for effective tools to implement. Wesley Memorial offers Financial Peace University to provide practical help for people who want to order their financial lives around their commitment to Christ.

“How does giving connect to my relationship with God”

We are saved by God’s grace, as a free gift accepted by faith. Living into that salvation includes learning how to use the gifts that God gives us so that our whole life is shaped and formed around our relationship with God, so that God can use our gifts as a part of his work of salvation in the world.

“Does the church only want my money?”

No, we encourage every disciple of Jesus to find the place to serve that matches their spiritual gifts, talents and passion. If you’d like to talk with someone about finding your place to serve, contact Bob Goodwill, our small group coordinator, or the pastor.

“Why does the Church need my money if we are part of a conference?”

Any cost the Conference covers for insurances, apportionments, pension, and any type of flexible spending accounts must be paid to the conference by Wesley Memorial. Participation in the United Methodist Conference does not release the Church from any financial obligation.

“How do I give to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church?”

We provide multiple ways for you to give. On Sundays, you may place a check or cash in envelopes found in the pew folders in each pew. As part of our worship services, we receive these gifts by passing an offering plate along the pews. You may also drop off in person or mail your gift to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 6100 Memorial Highway, Tampa, Fl 33615.

For a more convenient method of recurring contributions, you may want to consider electronic funds transfer from your checking account. This method saves time, postage, and check charges and you don’t have to worry about forgetting to bring your contribution on Sunday or it getting lost in the mail. To setup recurring contributions electronically, contact Carol Mayes, Financial Secretary, at the church. At any time you desire, you may change or cancel your authorization.

Quarterly and year-end contribution statements will be sent to you by mail as a record of your giving.

“What forms of non-cash contributions may I give to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church?”

Non-cash contributions may include:

• Publicly traded securities
• Closely held stock
• IRA contributions
• Personal property
• Real estate
• Gifts-in-kind
• Paid insurance policies
• Charitable trusts
• Deferred gifts

• Donor paid $2,000 for stock now worth $10,000.
• If Donor sells the stock, he/she pays capital gains taxes on the $8,000 gain.
• If Donor gives stock to church neither donor nor the church pays taxes and donor receives $10,000 tax deduction.
• To transfer publicly traded securities, contact Jeff Joyner at 727-287-3217, for up-to-date brokerage transfer instructions.

Closely-Held Stock
Gifts of closely-held stock are virtually the same as publicly traded securities, but may carry additional benefits to the donor. Along with the income tax deduction, gifting closely-held stock is a good way of reducing company retained earnings and transferring ownership of the company to children or grandchildren.

IRA Contributions
Between August 17, 2006 and December 31, 2007, individuals over the age of 70½ may contribute up to $100,000 of IRA funds to Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church. These contributions must be transferred directly from the custodian of the IRA account to the church. Although these gifts do not qualify as deductible contributions to the donor, they are attractive because the donor will avoid the taxable income which would accrue if the donor received the distribution first and then made the contribution to the church.

Gifts-in-Kind

Gifts-in-kind are products or materials that you can give to aid particular projects being undertaken by the Church.
Example:

• Construction materials: concrete, lumber, bricks, roofing, paint, etc.
• Building materials: windows, doors, plumbing, lighting, flooring, etc.
• Furnishings: Tables, chairs, audio-visual equipment, appliances, etc.

Deferred Gifts
Deferred gifts are gifts that are received some time in the future by the church. During that time, the donor retains an interest in the assets. Examples include bequests, estate notes, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, “Pay on Death” accounts, IRA beneficiary, life insurance.

Personal Property
Tax deductible gifts of personal property may include antiques, art, jewelry, vehicles or boats, coin or stamp collections, as well as other valuable assets. These gifts of personal property have varying tax deductibility requirements so be sure to consult with your tax advisor about such requirements. While the Church is grateful for every donor’s intent to give, some personal property donations must be approved by the Board of Trustees. Contact Lenny Washington, Director of Operations, at 813-886-2536 x. 105, for more information.

Paid Insurance Policies
Families often have paid life insurance policies that were originally taken out to cover mortgage expenses or pay for college for a child. If these reasons are no longer at issue, a paid insurance policy can be a wonderful way to make a gift to the church. The tax deduction is equal to the replacement value or the donor’s cost in the policy, whichever is less. The church will have the option of retaining the policy or taking the current cash surrender value.

Charitable Lead Trusts
A lead trust can be established to provide income to the church for a specified term of years. After the term of years, the assets in the trust revert back to the donor or to the individual(s) designated by the donor. Cash, securities, and some types of real estate can be used to fund the trust. There is no income tax deduction for this type of gift but there may be an estate tax savings.

Appreciated Real Estate
A gift of real estate generally will generate a tax deduction for the full appraised fair market value. Like securities, the capital gain is not taxable to the donor or the church. All donations of real estate require the approval of the Board of Trustees. To discuss the donation of real estate, please contact Lenny Washington at 813-886-2536 x. 105 who will put you in contact with a representative from the Board of Trustees.

Steps To Stewardship

Exploring

• Thank God for the many ways that he provides for your needs.
• Consider how a monetary gift made during the worship service is an offering or a response to God's love and provision in your life.
• Occasionally give a monetary offering when the plate is passed during the worship service.

Getting Started

• Budget a specific amount of money each week or month to give to God's work. When you hear about critical needs in the world, in the local community, or in the church, listen for God's prompting to make a financial gift to help meet that need.
• Examples include natural disasters or a special benefit for a family displaced from their home because of a fire.
• Participate in the Financial Peace University group or another small group that is studying finances from a spiritual perspective.

Going Deeper

• Make a commitment to move toward tithing 10% percentage of your income to God’s work. Set a percentage with which to begin, such as 5%, and begin making regular gifts in that amount. Identify when you will plan to take your next step in moving toward a tithe.
• Consider how the remainder of your income is spent. Adjust your savings, debt, and spending decisions in light of an understanding that all that we have already belongs to God.

Centering on Christ

• Give the first 10% of all income to God’s work. Be responsive to God’s voice to give beyond the tithe when prompted to do so.
• Consider how all of your material assets, not just a portion of your income, could be used by God to further his kingdom. Perhaps some of your assets no longer give you the pleasure they once did. Consider donating or loaning them for some mission purpose.
• Make a provision in your estate plan for a portion of your assets to be given to God’s work after your death as a testimony to your investment in the treasures of heaven and the ongoing provision of God’s work in the world.
• Ask God to show you how your life could be defined by generosity. Begin to live into that vision.
• “Live simply so that others may simply live.” — Mahatma Gandhi

A Final Word On Stewardship

As you give to support Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, please remember these important points on supporting the Church with your tithes and offerings.

Our first line of giving is our tithes and offerings. These funds go toward the Church’s operational budget. This budget keeps the Church operating and enables us to fulfill God’s mission for our church.

Our “second mile giving” is money given in addition to tithes. Second mile giving should not replace one’s tithe. These funds are given sacrificially as an offering above and beyond to meet the financial needs of areas that are not directly tied to the operating  costs of the church.

Special offerings are important, but they should only be supported by “second mile giving”. Examples of second mile giving include children and youth camp, special mission projects, disaster relief, etc. Another example is money left at the altar for the emergency assistance fund (to help people in need) on the first Sunday of the month when we have communion. Furthermore, on the months  that have five Sundays, we invite contributions for our United Methodist Children’s Home. Any special offering received by the Church will be sent to that project. Such contributions should not be considered a tithe.

Tithing Information