Giving

Giving FAQs

How much do I tithe?

The word tithe comes from the Hebrew word ma’aser (literally, “tenth”). For that reason, we follow Malachi 3:10 and its command to “bring the tithes into the storehouse,” or follow the general guideline of offering 10% of our income to Him.

I don’t have enough money to tithe.

Giving 10% of your income to your church is a big commitment! But if scripture tells us to honor Him with our first fruits and our blessings will be overflowing, we must learn to trust that He is faithful to provide. God wants us to trust Him. Seek His guidance in how much you should give, and He will honor your faithfulness and obedience.

Gross or Net?

The most common view is that gross earnings is the amount of God’s provision, and the tithe should be based on one-tenth of God’s provision, while taxes are generally considered payment for the privileges and services provided by the government. It is important to note, whatever you believe, that the spirit in which we give is of greatest value to God. He tells us in II Corinthians 9 that “each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give; not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

Who holds HPC accountable in financial stewardship?

Healing Place Church is accountable to four presbyters: Wayne Austin, Dave Ohlerking, Jim Rentz, and Gary Simons. These men ensure that HPC remains spiritually, financially and organizationally sound. In addition to our presbyters, we have a group of Pastoral Vision Advisors and a Financial Office. These people oversee the proper organizational and financial structure of the church. We also have a C.P.A., Paul Ramsey, to help ensure financial accountability and strict conformance to all regulations for IRS and other purposes.

Why do you accept credit cards?

Many people in the modern world use credit cards as a safer alternative to cash, or choose to utilize the convenience features and reward programs offered by many cards. These cards can be a powerful and useful financial tool, as long as the balance is being paid off at the end of each statement. The Bible says in Romans 13:8, “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” For that reason, we offer the ability to tithe from the credit card. We very strongly discourage anyone with a history of credit card debt from exercising this option.