At Entheos we teach New Testament "grace giving" under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament, God's people were required to "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house" (MALACHI 3:8-10). In the New Testament, giving continues to supply the church's ministers, members, and missions, but it is no longer a matter of divesting oneself of one’s money, but rather of investing one’s money in far safer opportunities, those that yield far better returns on investment (Phil. 4:17).
Every Christian is commanded by God to love others and to give in proportion to (i.e. as a percentage of) his or her actual income (2 Cor. 8:12-15 &l Tim. 6:17-19). All such giving is to be done cheerfully, from a willing heart, and without compulsion (2 Cor. 9:6-8). And the money goes to Ministers, Members & Missions.
Our Ministers, (i.e. our Teaching Elders) will be deserving of double honor, which includes financial support. Our goal is to honor them for their work sake by setting them free enough to keep doing, joyfully, what they are doing to build up our body.
Our Members will occassionaly have charity needs. Remember that God does not need our money. He already owns everything. But our fellow members do have needs. In our Network, we prefer to “hire them” the poor to follow a reasonable plan to get them back on their feet. That way, they have the funds needed to keep their housing and the car that is probably needed in order for them to follow “the plan.” They have a 40 hour a week job looking for a job or launching their business. This works.
Finally, our missionaries will have need of regular funding. We are told to “send them on their way in a manner worthy of God.” We get to purchase an equity interest in their evangelistic success so that their success is also our success.
If this all makes good, biblical sense to you, find a local church that you can believe in enough to actually support it with your tithes and offerings. Identify the church you would turn to for assistance in times of crisis, and that you would trust to invest wisely on your behalf in well-vetted ministry opportunities in missions. Then, pay your part to make that church financially strong for everyone, and it will also be strong for you.
At The Network of Neighborhood Churches, we do not collect tithes & offerings by passing a plate. We believe that giving should be a private affair. So, instead of passing a basket or a plate, we respect each members’ liberty under the Lordship of Christ to give cheerfully without coercion.
Please give discretely and without fanfare.
Checks may be written to NONC. All gifts are tax-deductible as defined by law, and receipts will provided by mail annually.
You may place your tithes and offerings in the Offering Box provided at the back of our gathering place each week.
You may mail them in to our church office at: NONC, 1510 SE 44th Ave. Unit 101, Portland, OR 97215.
You may also give online by clicking HERE.
Thank you for walking in the obedience of faith in this important aspect of God’s Word.