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Commitment GuideSo What is Your Individual Part in New Wave?
Beyond praying and serving, we're asking you to consider what role God would have you play in giving toward New Wave. From the beginning, Mariners Church has been marked by people who were willing to sacrifice their resources and time so that others could discover the love of God. We know that God hasn't given everyone the ability to give the same dollar amount, but He does call each of us to bring all we have – "not equal gifts, but equal sacrifice." God's Guide for Giving The Bible has a lot to say about giving and the promises attached to it. Giving is a responsibility and a privilege. With that in mind, here are four Biblical principles on giving from 1 Corinthians 16:1-2: First - Every Believer in Every Church Should Give Giving is a universal principle. The apostle Paul told the Corinthian believers, “Follow the same procedure I gave to the church in Galatia.” In other words, Paul is saying, “They did it in Galatia - you need to do it in Corinth.” They did it in Macedonia, and we need to do it here. Every church should do this. It was not just something the Corinthians were asked to do; it is asked of every believer. No believer is exempt from giving. Second, We Learn That Giving is to Be Done Consistently and Regularly “On every Lord’s Day,” Paul said in verse two, “put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned.” The idea is to consistently take a percentage of your income and set it aside for the work of God. This is what the Scripture tells us we ought to do. And then, as you do this, you are able to invest it in His kingdom. Third - Giving is a Personal Act Notice that Paul says, “each of you should put aside some amount of money.” Paul’s point is that every one of us should set aside money to give. Even children ought to be taught this. Giving to God’s work is a personal act for every single believer. Fourth - We Should Prepare Ourselves to Invest in the Work of God The apostle Paul told the believers “put aside some amount of money in relation to what you have earned and save it for this offering.” Paul is saying to prayerfully consider how much to give. Do it in advance. It should never be a last minute or flippant practice. Paul also says, “in relation to what you have earned.” In other words, not all of our gifts will be equal, but our sacrifice should be. Our giving should be in proportion to what we earn. Giving is an opportunity to be an obedient Christian. Take it seriously, but do it cheerfully. Always ask and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. Discover Mariners' God-Given Vision and Your God-Given Calling If we want to reach the people around us, we need to make an opportunity for them to be reached. We need to expand and build out to make room for more people. We need to create an experience that will change their lives. We can do this, but not without you! You will be astounded at what God does through our sacrifices as a community. But what you may not expect is what He does in you through sacrifice. The process of determining your New Wave commitment can help you grow spiritually like few others things can …if you really allow Jesus access to your heart, not just your bank account. Can You Imagine? Can you imagine what it will be like to see our newly enlarged children’s space, working elevator and roomy lobby, realizing that God has enabled you to give more than you ever dreamed possible over 3 years. Realizing also that your heart expanded as you became more open-handed and generous... and most of all, that you helped open the door for dozens and dozens of people to discover a relationship with Jesus that they couldn't have imagined? So Where Do I Start? The best place to begin is by talking with God about what's on your heart and mind, specifically in relation to this giving commitment. Be honest and open with Him about where you are, but make sure you spend some time listening to what He has to tell you! Go through the DEVOTIONAL section of this New Wave Faith Journey Guide and get God’s perspective.
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Jesus, what do you
want to do through me?
Personal Giving Plan…What is my step of faith?
In the end, joining God in the impossible is about more than simple math – it's about trusting Him in risky ways. As seen in the Bible, God often taps people on the shoulder and asks them to do something that contradicts conventional wisdom.
Where is Jesus calling you into deeper water? What's the step that forces you to trust God in a new way? Where is He asking you to trust Him without a safety net – so that you can experience His ability to “catch you” in a way that radically transforms your heart and faith?
You've just arrived at a great starting point! But the journey isn't over yet! Make sure that you attend every week in the New Wave series and attend the gatherings that are available to you – and keep letting God speak to you.
Mark your calendar for April 2. It's our Commitment Weekend where we'll be turning in our New Wave commitments together as a church. The real journey will begin from there as we faithfully bring Him our sacrifices over the next three years – and watch Him accomplish more than we could ever ask or imagine.
New Wave is not about equal gifts, but equal sacrifice.
Where is Jesus calling you into deeper water? What's the step that forces you to trust God in a new way? Where is He asking you to trust Him without a safety net – so that you can experience His ability to “catch you” in a way that radically transforms your heart and faith?
You've just arrived at a great starting point! But the journey isn't over yet! Make sure that you attend every week in the New Wave series and attend the gatherings that are available to you – and keep letting God speak to you.
Mark your calendar for April 2. It's our Commitment Weekend where we'll be turning in our New Wave commitments together as a church. The real journey will begin from there as we faithfully bring Him our sacrifices over the next three years – and watch Him accomplish more than we could ever ask or imagine.
New Wave is not about equal gifts, but equal sacrifice.
$2 Million Gift Profile Guide
In order for us to raise $2 million over the next three years, we need the following gifts pledged. As you can see every gift regardless of the size is important to our success.
Oftentimes some sort of sacrifice is required to get where you want to be. For us to expand our capacity to equip Mariners people and continue to make a difference in our city and around the world, it is going to take some real sacrifice. It’s going to take some shifting in priorities, in spending and in giving. If we want to reach the people around us, we need to make an opportunity for them to be reached. We need to expand and build out to make room for more people. We need to create an experience that will change their lives. We can do this, but not without you!
Remember the God Factor
Don’t put yourself in a box! As we move forward into the future of Mariners Church, what are your dreams? What if God chooses to bless your future too? We think He will. So, don’t forget the “God factor” that could adjust your commitment because of a new job, raise, promotion, etc. God has shown how He can take a commitment made in faith that was a real stretch for someone and bring in the resources to meet it.
