Giving
Putting God First: A Pastoral Guide to Generosity & Tithing
Generosity and tithing can raise all kinds of questions. Whether you're new to faith, exploring biblical giving for the first time, or looking to grow in your understanding, this practical guide is designed to help. Discover key biblical principles, answers to common questions, and practical next steps as you learn what it means to put God first in every area of life.
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Standing Order
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We Value Generosity
We value generosity by being contributors (time, talent, treasure) instead of consumers. God is extravagantly generous, and our generosity is a reflection of our Father. By sowing into LGCC, we are sowing into our future. Generosity isn't a 'have to' thing. It's a 'get to' thing where we are able to make a difference in the world and serve our community.
What You’re Giving To:
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Everyone
What started in 1922 as a small group of people meeting following Revival meetings in Letchworth is now hundreds of people gathering weekly. When you faithfully give through tithes and offerings, you’re part of reaching even more people with the love and message of Jesus Christ.
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Everyday
Our vision is to lead and connect people into a growing relationship with Jesus. Your faithful giving throughout the year is what equips us to do just that through ongoing operations of the church - including our ministries, buildings and online resources.
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Everywhere
As a church we love to serve our community and that love spreads beyond the UK as we support Elim Missions and other great mission based organisations. Whether through regular tithes and offerings or through special gifts every pound you gives makes a difference.
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Someone who is exploring the spiritual principle of giving, is looking to understand what “giving” at church looks like, gives occasionally, or takes the step to give for the first time.
2 Corinthians 8:7-15
7 But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you – see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
8 I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others.9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
10 And here is my judgment about what is best for you in this matter. Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. 11 Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means. 12 For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.
13 Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality.14 At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality,15 as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”
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Someone who gives something on a regular basis.
2 Corinthians 9:6-8
6 Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
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Someone who consistently and faithfully gives 10% of their income.
Luke 11:42
42 “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone.
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Someone who gives above 10%, often sacrificially, with long-term generosity in mind.
1 Timothy 6:6-19
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. 9 Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of moneyis a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.13 In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14 to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
Real Questions About Generosity & Tithing
Money can often feel like a deeply personal and sensitive subject. For some, conversations around giving in church have brought encouragement and growth. For others, they may have created discomfort, confusion, or even hurt.
As a church, our desire is not to pressure people or simply talk about finances. Our heart is to help people grow as disciples of Jesus in every area of life — including how we handle money and possessions. Throughout Scripture, generosity is never primarily about money; it is about trust, worship, discipleship, and becoming more like Jesus. God is not after our money — He is after our hearts.
Here are some real questions about Generosity and Tithing…
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Tithing simply means “a tenth.” In the Bible, it describes giving the first portion of our income back to God as an act of worship, trust, and putting Him first in our lives.
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While Christians may hold different views on tithing, we believe generosity remains a central part of following Jesus. Tithing can be a helpful biblical starting point for living a generous and God first life.
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That’s completely okay. Generosity is a journey of discipleship, not pressure or performance. Start by praying, learning, and taking one simple step of trust at a time. You could even start at 1% and increase it by 1% each month and see what God does.
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God understands our circumstances and cares deeply about every area of our lives. Giving should never come from fear or pressure, but from a heart that is learning to trust Him, even in difficult seasons.
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The Bible doesn’t specifically answer this question. Rather than focusing on minimums, we encourage people to prayerfully consider what it means to honour God first with sincerity, faith, and generosity.
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The Bible points to the local church as the primary place for our regular giving, while also encouraging generosity toward those in need, mission, and acts of compassion.
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Because Jesus talked about it often. Money is closely connected to our hearts, priorities, and trust in God, which is why generosity is an important part of discipleship.
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We are committed to handling finances with integrity, accountability, and transparency. Giving supports the ministry, mission, care, and outreach of the church both locally and beyond.
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We are sorry for ways this topic may have been mishandled in the past. Our heart is always to approach this subject with grace, honesty, and a desire to help people grow in trust and freedom.
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In Malachi 3:10, God uniquely invites His people to trust Him through faithful giving and says, “Test me in this.” Rather than a promise of instant wealth, this is an invitation to trust God’s faithfulness, provision, and care as we put Him first in our lives. Generosity is not about trying to earn God’s blessing, but about learning to depend on Him more deeply.
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Absolutely. Generosity includes our time, encouragement, hospitality, gifts, and serving others. Financial giving is one expression of a generous life shaped by Jesus.
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Giving helps loosen the grip of materialism and teaches us to trust God more deeply. It shapes our hearts and reminds us that everything we have ultimately comes from Him.
“Generosity is ultimately not about losing something — it is about gaining freedom, trust, and deeper partnership with God. As we learn to place Him first, we discover again and again that He is faithful.”