Giving to BPC > Bay Presbyterian Church

Giving to BPC

BPC members and regular attenders are expected to tithe for the reasons given below. This may be done through the Sunday morning offering, or through electronic contribution. Our guests are not expected to contribute in the weekly offering, but are welcome to give as they feel led by the Lord.

At Bay Presbyterian Church, we recognize the Biblical command to give 10% of our income, known as tithing.

Tithing is obedient to God’s law. “You have turned aside from my statutes and have not kept them…You are robbing me. But you say, ‘How have we robbed you?’ In your tithes and contributions… Bring the full tithes into the storehouse.” (Malachi 3:7-10) When we love and follow the Lord, we are obedient to His commandments (John 14:15-21). Tithing is an act of our obedience, and thus a sign of our love for God.

Tithing also acknowledges God’s ownership of all that He has created. “The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) We own nothing—God is the owner of all the world. We are only trustees of God’s creation, each given responsibility for managing a portion of His assets according to His directions. When we tithe according to God’s instructions, we are responsible trustees.

Tithing honors God by making Him our top financial priority. “Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce.” (Proverbs 3:9) The Biblical term “firstfruits” refers to the first and best of our income. Giving God the first 10% of our income (not what is left over), makes Him our first priority.

Tithing builds faith that God will provide. “Bring the full tithes [10%] into the storehouse…and I will…pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” (Malachi 3:10) God promises that if we are faithful to fully tithe as he has commanded, He will provide blessing enough to meet all our needs. We often put our faith in money, in the form of income or investments, but those things can be wiped out in a moment. Our true security is found in God, who is faithful to meet all our needs. When we tithe, we say to God and to the world that our trust is in Him and not in material things.

Occasionally, there are opportunities for other special gifts. In addition, members often make Bay Presbyterian part of their estates through planned giving. Unless otherwise directed, money that comes from planned giving is not ordinarily used for the operating budget, but instead is used as seed money for starting new ministries.

If you have questions about special or planned giving, or wish to make such a gift, please contact Ray Kinat, Executive Director, 440-871-3822 x 136 or .