We have 3 guidelines when we think about giving: tithe, sacrifice, and responsibility. The tithe guideline points us to believers who were required to give a tenth of their income to the church in the Old Testament. The New Testament doesn't specify a tithe, but we have greater responsibility for generosity this side of the cross. The tithe for us is a minimum. The Macedonian Christians demonstrate sacrifice. The Bible says "they gave as much as they were able and even beyond their ability" (2 Cor. 8.3). The responsibility guideline means balance; in Acts 11.29 Christians give "according to their ability". Planning is necessary for Christians in order to give responsibly.

More important than that we give, is why we give. Giving must be a joyful response to God's grace! Paul put it this way: "I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love for you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, he became poor, so that through his poverty you might become rich.” (2 Cor. 8.8-9). What a test! Paul says the difference between giving to gain favor with God and true Christianity is that a Christian wants to give as generously as he or she received. You always give effortlessly to those things that give your life meaning.

Investing in liberti church is strategic and wise. Strategic because the Philadelphia metro area is an influential, culture-shaping urban center in which roughly only 3% of the population is connected to a Christian church, and because when you impact the city, you impact the world. Wise because God has done, and is doing, a great work through liberti, as many lives are being changed.  As the place where you have the greatest personal accountability and commitment, and as the place that is feeding and equipping you, we ask you to invest in liberti, making it your priority in giving.*

*adapted with permission from City Church of San Francisco