FAQs:

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Here’s a short list of questions you might have about the 3-Month (90 Day) Tithe Challenge and tithing in general. If you have questions that are not answered here, please feel free to call Empowerment Church at 630-447-0220 or e-mail your questions to info@empowerment.church

 

• What is tithing? 

The word “tithe” is derived from the Hebrew word ma’aser, and it literally means a tenth. Ten percent of everything belongs to the Lord. In Malachi 3:10-11, God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house.” The ‘storehouse’ is the Old Testament picture of the New Testament church. So as New Testament believers, we worship the Lord with the tithe; or the ten percent.

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• What is the difference between a tithe and an offering?

The tithe is 10% of your income. God says that He has given us all that we own, and that the first 10% is dedicated to Him, and we are to be faithful in “bringing the tithe.” Offerings are any generous giving that you do above and beyond your tithe. And while your tithe is designated for the local church, an offering is for you to be generous wherever you see a need.

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Many followers of Christ confuse giving regularly with tithing. While giving regularly is highly commendable and is a big step in and of itself, tithing is taking a full 10% of your income and giving it to the local church.  By doing so, you are partnering with God to build His Kingdom.

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• How do I participate in the 3-month (90 Day) Tithe Challenge? 

The first step is for you to sign up online HERE. This lets us know your intent to participate so that we can keep your finances separate from the church’s main funds. It also gives us your agreement to the terms and conditions of the 3-month (90 Day) Tithe Challenge. Once you are signed up, please give using an offering envelope or by giving online so we can account for your 3-month (90 Day) Tithe Challenge correctly.

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• What if I miss a Sunday or watch online? 

You can give safely and securely online by visiting www.empowerment.church and clicking on the GIVE tab. From that point, you can follow the instructions to give. You may also write a check and mail it to: Empowerment Church, PO Box 335, Maywood, IL 60153.

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• How will you keep track of my tithe?

Empowerment Church will carefully and confidentially track each gift in order to provide each giver with an end of the year report of their contributions. Our finance team are the only people at Empowerment who will know your giving record. You can give with confidence knowing the ministers and other leaders are not privileged to the congregation’s giving records. This preserves the true heart of ministry and prevents money from manipulating leaders. Please feel free to call (630) 447-0220 or email giving@empowerment.church for more information on your tithe.

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• What are the benefits of tithing? 

Tithing carries multiple facets that will benefit your life. First, God commands it and any time we take God at His Word, we are using faith, and faith pleases God (Hebrews 11:6).

Also, in this country, when you give to a not-for-profit organization (like Empowerment Church), you receive a tax benefit. At the end of the year, Empowerment Church will provide you with records of the total amount you have given over the year. When you file your taxes, your charitable donations are tax deductible.

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And last, but not least, when you decide to become a consistent giver, you strengthen your journey with Christ.

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• Where does my money go? 

Empowerment Church is 100% supported through your tithes and offerings. As we approach each new year, a budget is carefully and prayerfully developed. We look through the eyes of faith into what we feel God wants us, as a church, to accomplish for Him. We see ALL giving at Empowerment as God’s money, and we feel a great sense of accountability to the allocation of those funds. For more information about your giving see our GIVE page or click here.

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• Should I give while I’m trying to get out of debt? 

Yes! This may sound irrational, because getting out of debt should be one of the highest priorities in your financial planning. But by obeying God first in your finances, we believe that God will supernaturally revolutionize your financial situation. And, since getting out of debt is all about discipline, just think of the benefits of developing a financial plan that honors God first with giving!

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• My spouse and I both work. Do we give 10% of what we both make? 

If your spouse is in agreement with you about taking the 3-Month (90 Day) Tithe Challenge, then you should give 10% of both of your incomes. However, if your spouse does not want to participate, just tithe on your income.

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• My spouse’s income is all that we have, but they don’t come to Empowerment Church. I want to tithe, but I don’t know what to do. 

We don’t want your spouse to be turned off from church and turned off from God because of this 3-month (90 Day) Tithe Challenge. We might suggest to talk with them and explain that you’d like to do this, and that if they don’t wish to tithe — it’s okay. Then you could tell them you’d like to tithe on your part of the income and see if they are agreeable with that. That would still count for the 3-month (90 Day) Tithe Challenge since they don’t attend Empowerment. If they’re not open to this arrangement, then maybe this isn’t the time for you to take the 3-month (90 Day) Tithe Challenge.