The Joy of Generosity

“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

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At The Ambassadors Church we encourage a culture of giving. Every gift makes an incredible difference to our incredible church, the people of Muskegon and the missions that we support. Give a single gift online or in person, and you can even set up recurring donations.               We are so grateful for your commitment and generosity.

Questions that Churches often Receive

Why does The Ambassadors Church ask for money?

God has placed this church to be a local expression of the church world-wide and we get to be a conduit of God’s work in us and through us. Giving is an act of worship and an act of investment in the things of God here and around the world. We are an independent church. Our main source of income is the money given by those who worship with us. We receive no money from any denomination, national organization, endowment, etc.

Is it The Ambassadors Church or God who needs money?

Jesus did not die for our money. He died for our hearts. God does not need our money, but we are called to give to His work. Giving money is a spiritual discipline that expresses our love and thankfulness to Him, and commitment to His mission.

I am new to this; what is expected of me?

Giving to church is not as simple as a membership fee, where everybody pays the same. Nor is it like taxes where you pay a required percent of your income; although some view the giving of tithes as such; we do not. All of our giving is done from a spiritual approach rather than a financial one. We believe that every believer is to take steps toward full obedience and maturity in the spiritual discipline of giving, just as in all other areas of the Christian life.

The Bible offers us important guidance to this end.

• Give money First, Regularly, Proportionally, Generously, and Cheerfully.

1 Corinthians 16:2: “On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7: “Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

• We make our income from our skills, but our skills come from God.

Deuteronomy 8:17-18: “You may say to yourself, my power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me. But remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you the ability to produce wealth.”  

• We are accountable for what we are given.

Luke 16:10-11: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

• The poor gave generously and wanted to share.

2 Corinthians 8:2: “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.”

• The rich are commanded to be generous and willing to share.

1 Timothy 6:18: “Command [the rich] to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and be generous and willing to share.”

(By the way, according to Global Rich List if you make $25,000 a year you’re in the top 10% of richest people in the world.)

• Provide the material needs of those who provide your spiritual needs.

1 Corinthians 9:11: “If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?”

What is the money used for?

Ninety percent of the church’s income goes to support our church’s ministry, including pastors’ and staff’s salaries and benefits, ministry expenses, and building costs. As a church, we too practice generosity, giving to Christian missions outside our church and around the world. A summary of our annual budget is available from the church office.

What safeguards do you have for the money you receive?

The church is accountable to both God and to our people for the money it receives. We have internal controls to assure careful accounting, prudent stewardship, and financial integrity. We conduct an annual financial audit of both contributions and expenditures. Your personal information is secure; who gives, and how much, is kept confidential. “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.” (2 Corinthians 8:20-21)

Quotes concerning the principle of Tithing and giving:

“ I have observed 100,000 families over my years of investment counseling. I always saw greater prosperity and happiness among those families who tithed than among those who didn’t.” Sir John Templeton, Chairman of Templeton Funds

“The only investment I ever made which has paid consistently increasing dividends is the money I have given to the Lord.” James l. Kraft, Kraft – Phoenix Cheese Corp. Chairman

How Can I Give?

At each Sunday service we receive an offering as part of our worship; most individuals find it more convenient to give electronically either through PayPal or Cash App but you may give by cash or with check as well. All gifts are recorded, and a year-end receipt is generated for your records.

Donations can always mailed to the church office.

If you have more questions or would like to discuss this topic further please contact the church office and one of church leaders would be glad to talk with you.

“Remember this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7