Faith Promise
It is estimated that half of the world has yet to hear an adequate gospel message and Jesus Christ has commanded us to reach them with the message of life. We have only two alternatives:
We must go as missionaries – Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
Or
We must send others – Paul wrote, “And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:15 )
When we give to send others, we give in one of three ways:
1) Emotional giving where one gives only when moved to do so.
2) Symbolic giving where one gives, without faith or effort, small token offerings, and
3) Committed giving where one takes seriously their personal responsibility to help evangelize the world.
Committed giving is not your tithe because the tithes are the portion that belong to God from what He has provided for each of us and the tithe should be given to the local church. Since this is a promise between you and God, the church office will not contact you if you should miss a month. When speaking of offerings, Paul As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming when no one can work. ( John 9:4 ) referred to the generosity of the Macedonian believers: “ I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work.” This verse shows us that committed giving to missions is expressed in one of two ways:
1) “according to their ability”— This phrase refers to what they can afford to give; budgeted giving.
2) “beyond their ability”— This means to give more than they could possibly give on their own. This is called Faith Promise Giving.
Budgeted giving means to give regularly, to include missions as a priority item, the same as the tithe, the house payment, car payment, food, etc. Missions becomes a way of life. It means to give, not just a token, but what you are truly able to afford.
Faith Promise Giving Lifts Us to a New Level of Giving
It is a new experience in giving because it is not based solely on our ability to pay, but rests confidently in God’s ability to provide as our faith grows.
So, what is a faith promise?
It is a sacred act. It is a spiritual agreement between you and God that, with his help, you will give a certain amount to the church during the next 12 months to be used in missions for the evangelization of the lost. It is a sign of total reliance upon God for divine provision.
Frequent questions about Faith Promises
Who can make a faith promise?
Every family unit (couple, family, single person) can make a faith promise.
Aren’t faith promises just for those who have sufficient income?
Faith promise giving is the great equalizer. It doesn’t matter if the donor is a child with a small weekly allowance, a teen-ager with a week-end job, a single mom struggling to make ends meet, a growing family trying to stretch a budget or a retired couple living on a limited pension, because your faith promise is not based on your bank balance, but on your faith balance.
How can I know if my faith promise is enough?
It the promise is something that you can easily afford, it requires little or no faith. If the promise isn’t a challenge, it may not stretch your faith. Our faith should be continually growing. Is yours?
Why should I fill out a faith promise card?
The missionaries can’t leave for the field until they have raised their full budget. Church leaders must know how much income to expect for missions before making monthly commitments to the missionaries. Your faith promises help church leadership determine how much to budget for missionaries seeking monthly support.
Will others know how much my faith promise is?
No. Amounts, but not names, will be announced. Confidentiality will be maintained. Only those who administer missions funds will see the cards.
If I made a faith promise last year, must I make a new one this year?
Yes, because each faith promise is made for one year and since you saw God’s provision last year, now with stronger faith, you will want to increase your faith promise for next year.
What should I do if I made a faith promise last year but I haven’t been able to fulfill it?
That is now history. Let’s close that chapter and start fresh today with a new faith promise.
How do I give my faith promise?
Most will give each week in the offering on Sunday, while others will give each time they receive their salary. Some will have to wait until God provides. But whenever you give you faith promise offering, be sure to mark it “missions”.
How much is a faith promise?
Ask God! He will tell you how much your faith promise should be. You will soon receive a faith promise challenge. Your active obedience will lead you to make your personal commitment in that moment. The decision will be between you and God. Paul said, “So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV). Your active faith will unlock the resources needed to complete your commitment during the next twelve months. Don’t forget the promise that God gave to us through the Apostle Paul, “ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8 NKJV)
