God will always make you rich enough to be generous at all times, so that many will thank God for your gifts which they receive from us.

- 2 Corinthians 9.11

Preparing the Way for the generations to come requires each of us to faithfully discern how God is calling us to give toward this campaign. Our capital campaign is more than a time to raise funds for a facility. It is a time for the entire congregation to join together for prayer and study as we seek to discover how we can be a part of what God is doing in our midst. The question we must each ask ourselves is, “How is God calling me to partner with God’s vision for Parkway Heights?” Each of us has a role to play. These are days when we are all called to sacrifice, even if the size of our gifts will be very different. Every gift will matter—large or small—if it is the gift God calls each of us to make.

To help you with your discernment process, this section offers scriptures, a study guide, suggestions on sacrifices we can make in our daily lives, and information on in-kind gifts.

Scriptures

Below you will find scriptures about money, wealth, possessions, generosity and faithfulness from across the Bible. Spend some time prayerfully reading through them looking for God’s leading in your own life.

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.—Psalm 24

Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first-fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.—Proverbs 3:9-10

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow—when you now have it with you.—Proverbs 3:27-28

The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.—Proverbs 21:5

Give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.’—Proverbs 30: 8-9

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.—Matthew 6:19, 21

Freely you have received, freely give.—Matthew 10:8 NIV

Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.—Matthew 19:21-22

It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. . . it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.—Matthew 19:23-24

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.—Matthew 22:37-38

For unto every one who hath obtained other talents, shall be given more, and he shall have in abundance.—Matthew 25:29

Inasmuch as ye have done it unto the least of these . . . ye have done it unto me.—Matthew 25:41

Do the things which ye have seen me do.—Matthew 26:25

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.—Mark 8:34-35

But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny . . . she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.—Mark 12:42-44

Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.—Luke 6:38

A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.—Luke 12:15

No servant can serve two masters . . . You cannot serve both God and Money.—Luke 16:13

He said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’—Luke 21:3-4

So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently, if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.—Romans 12:5-8

Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their (Macedonian churches) extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God’s will.—2 Corinthians 8:2-5

Just as you excel in everything . . . your love for us–see that you also excel in this grace of giving.—2 Corinthians 8:7

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.—2 Corinthians 8:9

Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it according to your means.—2 Corinthians 8:10-11

For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.—2 Corinthians 8:12

Your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality. ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.’—2 Corinthians 8:14-15

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.—2 Corinthians 9:7

You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.—2 Corinthians 9:11

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.—1 Peter 4:10

Study Guide

A three-year, over-and-above financial commitment to a capital stewardship program requires proper motive and motivation. The following study will help you to discern both your heart and God’s heart for giving generously.

• In terms of affecting people and ministries, what will this project accomplish for God, for others, for you? (Matthew 28:19, Luke 17:20-21, 1 Kings 5:5)
• What does your heart prompt you to do? Describe it. (Exodus 25:1-2, 35:4, 34:29, 1 Corinthians 13:3, 2 Corinthians 9:7)
• What is your Prayer Plan to discern God’s will? (Luke 11:9-10, John 17, Matthew 6:5-13)
• What does “sacrifice” mean to you? Define it. (2 Samuel 24:24, Romans 12:1-2, Luke 21:1-4)
• What can you do to give sacrificially? Start a list. (1 Chronicles 29:1-10, Acts 2:44-47, Acts 4:32-37)

Possible Sacrifices

1. Reduce eating out.
2. Order and drink water when eating out.
3. Reduce vacation budget or Christmas budget.
4. Reduce “gifting” budget.
5. Reduce/eliminate between meal snacks.
6. Reduce purchases of specialty coffee drinks (latte, etc.)
7. Reduce/eliminate cable television, premium channels, optional services, pay-per-view movies.
8. Reduce/eliminate video rentals.
9. Reduce/eliminate movies/theater/concerts/ball games, etc.
10. Reduce/eliminate purchasing high-priced snacks at movies/theater/concerts/ball games, etc.
11. Reduce frequency of “dates” or “getaways” with spouse.
12. Reduce babysitting expenses to correspond with any of the above.
13. Reduce new clothing purchases.
14. Postpone planned major purchases of appliances, furniture, computer, car, boat, etc.
15. Postpone remodeling or expanding home, buying larger home.
16. Reduce/eliminate laundry expenses (do it yourself).
17. Reduce dry cleaning by wearing more wash and wear.
18. Reduce/eliminate splurge shopping.
19. Eliminate impulse buying on internet, shopping channels.
20. Reduce commuting costs (car pools, public transportation, etc.)
21. Reduce car maintenance costs (change own oil, etc.)
22. Reduce/eliminate lawn service, maid service, swimming pool service, etc.
23. Reduce/eliminate newspaper subscription by reading online.
24. Reduce/eliminate magazine subscriptions.
25. Reduce/suspend personal contributions to retirement funds.
26. Continue working (if healthy) past earliest retirement age.
27. Sacrifice time by working extra job, making and selling crafts, performing services, etc.
28. Reduce/eliminate alcohol/tobacco.
29. Reduce/eliminate green fees, fishing and hunting fees, country club dues, service clubs, health clubs, etc.
30. Eliminate purchase of lottery tickets.
31. Reduce/cacel record clubs, book clubs, and movie clubs.

In-Kind Gifts

Transferring ownership of an asset, rather than selling the asset and giving the cash is a gift-in-kind. Some examples of gifts-in-kind include appreciated investment property held more than one year, such as stock, mutual fund shares, bonds, real estate, collectibles. Personal property such as automobiles, jewelry, and other items may also be given. There may be specific tax advantages to giving in this manner.

Why Gifts-in-Kind? The tax code is very generous toward this form of giving. Giving the asset to eh church, then letting the church sell eliminates potential capital gains taxes and can increase the after tax proceeds for the church.

If you are interested in contributing an in-kind gift, please contact Patricia Sherman in the church office (601.544.7873) and your accountant or financial advisor.