We believe and confess that, according to the teaching of the Holy Scripture and the practice of the early Christians, the members of the Church are morally obligated to contribute from their earthly goods, voluntarily and according to their ability, to support the cause of the Gospel.
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Exodus 25:2 “Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him you shall receive the contribution for me.”
Exodus 35:5 “Take from among you a contribution to the Lord. Whoever is of a generous heart, let him bring the Lord's contribution…”
1 Chronicles 29:5 “…Who then will offer willingly, consecrating himself today to the Lord?”
Romans 12:8 “…the one who contributes, in generosity…”
Supporting those in the service of the Gospel so they do not lack
Philippians 4:16, 18 “Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again. ... I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied…”
Titus 3:13 “Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing.”
3 John 6 “…You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God.”
1 Corinthians 9:14 “In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.”
Matthew 10:10 “…for the laborer deserves his food.”
1 Timothy 5:18 “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’”
Helping the poor, orphans, and widows
Acts 11:29 “So the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brothers living in Judea.”
Romani 15:26 “For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem.”
1 Corinthians 16:1 “Now concerning the collection for the saints…”
John 12:7–8 “Jesus said... ‘For the poor you always have with you...’”
Matthew 25:40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
Deuteronomy 14:29 “…and the fatherless and the widow, who are within your towns, shall come and eat and be filled, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands that you do.”
James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction…”
Construction of places of worship
Exodus 35:21 “And they came, everyone whose heart stirred him, and everyone whose spirit moved him, and brought the Lord's contribution to be used for the tent of meeting…”
1 Chronicles 29:1, 9 “…for the palace is not for man but for the Lord God. ... Then the people rejoiced because these had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord.”
Ezra 2:68–69 “…offered freewill offerings for the house of God... According to their ability they gave to the treasury of the work…”