As Christ-followers we believe that we are simply stewards of God's resources because He is the owner of all that we have. Throughout scripture we are reminded of the importance of giving back a portion of what God has so generously provided. His Word tells us that giving is an act of worship that should be done with a spirit of thanksgiving.

• 2 Corinthians 9:7 describes how our heart should be for giving: ”Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
  
  
• Leviticus 27:30 says, "A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD."
  
  
• In Malachi 3:8-10 God speaks to His people, "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-because you are robbing me. 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 you will not have room enough
  for it."

Here are some details about managing your finances according to God’s Word:

• Give 10% (a tithe) of your income to the local church that you are a part of.  If you have actively been attending Bethlehem and feel like this is your home, God’s plan is for you to support the ministry that takes place here at Bethlehem Church.
  
  
• Give an offering (above that 10%) to ministries as you feel God leads. This can happen in a variety of ways:

• A donation to Imagine (Bethlehem’s building fund)
• A donation to Bethlehem’s general fund
• A donation to various projects that Bethlehem supports (ex. Woodhill school supplies, Crisis Pregnancy Center walks/baby bottles, High 5 sports scholarships, etc.)
• A donation to other charitable organizations.

• Manage the rest of your money as a good steward.  Honor God with the overall financial management of all of your resources.