PREPARE TO INVEST IN HOLY TRINITY DOWNTOWN THROUGH TITHING
Chicago 2025 is more than a set of ideas, more than just a vision for the city. It’s a chance to change how we think about generosity.
We believe God wants to renew our imagination around giving so he can renew our blessing to the world.
At this critical juncture in our mission as a church, we encourage you to pray, asking the Lord how we should increase our generosity. Join us in a journey to tithing.
As a church we want to commit to moving from need and vision-based giving to devotion-based giving.
Rather than a cause at the center of our giving, we want Christ at the center of our giving.
HTC DOWNTOWN IS IN A TRANSITION TOWARD JOYFUL TITHING
All of our funding over the next three years will be invested in our three Chicago 2025 priorities.
WE ARE CALLED TO BUILD OUR LIVES AROUND CHRIST AND AROUND HIS PEOPLE, WITH WHOM WE LIVE IN COMMUNITY
This differs from American ideology, which celebrates individuality and self-sufficiency.
WHAT IF WE GAVE GOD THE FIRSTFRUITS OF OUR WEALTH, JOYFULLY AND FAITHFULLY, BECAUSE OF ALL GOD HAS GIVEN US?
So often we treat generosity as just one more category in which we invest our money. Giving can easily become an afterthought rather than an act of gratitude. Yet if Christ is truly our center shouldn’t we invest first and foremost in him and his church?
Scripture tells a story of generosity as the fruit of a faithful life:
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty and your vats will be bursting with wine.”
- Proverbs 3: 9-10
“And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
- Acts 2:42-47
WE WANT TO BECOME MATURE, ROOTED DISCIPLES OF JESUS.
Would you take a full week before March 20th, 2022 to prayerfully consider how much the Lord might lead you to give to HTC DT in the next twelve months?
Please carefully read one of the following passages on generosity each day:
Proverbs 3:9-10
Acts 2:42-47
Leviticus 27:30
Malachi 3:10
2 Cor 8:1-15, 9:1-15
Exodus 35:20-29, 36:1-7.
THE CHALLENGE:
COUNTERCULTURAL, CONSISTENT, PORPORTIONAL, JOYFUL GIVING
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF:
Am I already faithfully tithing each month? If not, what would it take to tithe?
Is God calling me to greater generosity?
Pray: “Lord, do you want me to give 10% of my income before taxes to Holy Trinity Downtown?”
To “tithe” in the Bible meant giving back ten percent of one's total earnings and assets for the betterment of community and the glory of God. If your tithe is currently less than ten percent, prayerfully ask yourself why. Seek the Lord. If your tithe is currently ten percent or more, ask the Spirit if there is room for you to continue to step out in faith?
What would the Lord have me commit financially to HTC DT in the next twelve months?
