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Proverbs 3:9-10 tells us to “Honor the LORD with your possessions, and with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with new wine.” (ESV)
Giving is one of the central themes in the Bible. Jesus talked more about this subject than heaven, hell or prayer; the only thing Jesus spoke of more than money was the Kingdom of God. To understand what it means to be a Christ-follower, we must also understand what it means to be a giver.
First Things First
God doesn’t need our money; He already owns it all. But when we willingly set aside the first part of our income for the local church, our hearts will be turned toward Him. (Matthew 6:21)
Know Giving, Know Life
Giving is the antidote for materialism. The Bible says that by giving generously we are able to “take hold of that which is truly life.” You aren’t really living unless you are freely giving. (I Timothy 6:19)
The Treasure Test
Giving is the only area in the Bible where God invites us to test Him. Give your tithe (the first 10% of your income) to God and see if He does not open the floodgates of heaven to pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” (Malachi 3:10)
An Eternal Investment
You can make an investment that pays dividends for a lifetime and beyond. Only two things will last forever: People and The Church. By investing in the life-changing message of the church to promote the message and work of the Gospel, your giving can be leveraged for eternity. (I Timothy 6:7)
Online Giving FAQ
Q: How do I give online?
Click the “Give Now” button above and follow the prompts to create a profile and set up your contribution.
Q: Why should I give online?
It’s a personal preference, but here are a few of the benefits we hear frequently.
– It’s a step of faith…deciding in advance to give faithfully.
– It helps simplify life…no trying to remember whether or not you’ve given this month.
– It allows you to give consistently…even when you’re not at church.
Q: Is online giving secure?
Our system uses industry-standard SSL-encryption to protect data transmissions of financial and certain other information. Financial information is stored in encrypted form on computers that are not publicly accessible via the Internet.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
We currently accept electronic check, debit or credit cards.
Q: Does Ebenezer pay transaction fees for this?
For each bank account transfer (E-check), the transaction fee is $0.75. For Credit Cards (Visa, Mastercard and Discover), the transaction fee is $0.50 + 2.15%. For Debit Cards, the transaction fee is $0.50 + 1.95%.
Q: Why does EBFC allow credit cards for online giving?
We are committed to using every tool at our disposal to reach, nurture, and inspire spiritual growth. Used within the parameters, debit and credit cards can be efficient tools for payments and purchases. Many people utilize them in place of checks or cash throughout the month, and then pay off the balance in full. For these people, we offer the option of using a credit card to give.
Q: Will I still receive a contribution statement?
Yes, we will mail your year-end giving statement directly to your home address. This statement will include all giving done online and at EBFC.
Q: Can I see what I’ve given in the past?
Yes. All of your online giving is recorded in your account and is accessible from the “My Payments” link when you’re logged in to the Online Giving system. If you give by cash or check at EBFC (i.e. during a service, at the church office, etc.) it is recorded manually and will be available on your year-end contribution statement.
Q: I clicked the “Give Now” button and nothing happens.
When you click “Give Now”, a new browser window is opened. If you are using a pop-up blocker, the window may not open. Most tools will allow you to permit pop-ups on a specific web site.
Q: Can I schedule recurring donations?
Yes – you have many options for recurring contributions. This includes one time, weekly, twice per month, monthly, yearly, etc. Select “Schedule Giving” on the Online Giving form.
Q: Can I edit my existing recurring donation?
Sure. When you log in to “My Account” using the link above, you can click “My Payments”, then “Recurring Payments” to edit your Online Giving payment.
Q: Can I test this by giving one time?
Yes. Unless you specify a recurring donation, your contribution will only occur once.
Q: Who do I talk to if I have more questions?
Contact our Finance Department at 937.898.8811.
Giving Directly from IRA Accounts
We have received a few questions concerning giving directly from IRA accounts, so we wanted to provide a review of potential options for giving to Ebenezer. Click Here for a short summary of two options. If you have any specific questions please contact either Joe Meier (treasurer null@null aplaceforyou NULL.org), Treasurer or Byron Roth (rothbyron null@null yahoo NULL.com), Chairman of Finance Committee. Thank you!