COUPLES FOR CHRIST

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP
This teaching is given to all new members one month after the Covenant Orientation. It is
recommended that this session be held in lieu of regular household meetings for that particular
week.

Content of the session

30 min. Arrival and registration

30 Worship
45 Talk on "Taking responsibility for God's Work Through our
Finances"
30 Open forum
15 Announcements and closing prayer

Important points

1. This is the time we formally teach our members about tithing and financial support for the
work of CFC.

2. The whole tone of the presentation, both the talk and when answering questions, is one of
encouragement for our members to better appreciate the vision and mission of CFC and the
place of money in that work.

3. In case it is not asked, we should say something about the practical aspects of giving in
their contributions--how, when, where, etc.

4. We end by encouraging all present to start the practice of making contributions to CFC. It
may be a tithe or less. But every amount, no matter how small, counts.

5. We should have a tithe table. Thus those present can immediately put the teaching into
practice.

Revised and approved March 6, 2004

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COUPLES FOR CHRIST
TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR GOD'S WORK THROUGH OUR FINANCES

A. Introduction.

1. Last month we learned about our Christian culture in CFC. Among the various
expressions of such culture in CFC is the whole area of Christian finance. We now want
to take a closer look at our Christian responsibility in this area.

Our Lord Jesus Christ wants all the dimensions of our lives, including our financial
responsibilities and finances to be directed and guided by the Holy Spirit.

2. There are three basic ways we use our finances in the Lord:

1. TITHING – It is giving of ten percent (10%) of an individual’s income after taxes

from whatever legal source, i.e. wages, rents, bonus, commissions, business,
retirement pay, etc.
2. RESOURCE SHARING – Sharing or giving our material resources to care for the
specific needs of our brothers and sisters.
3. ALMSGIVING – Giving money or goods to the needy and poor both in and out of
one’s community.

The above three ways will be expounded further later in the talk.

B. Why should we do the above?

1. We acknowledge that all belongs to God.

a) God created everything. And everything—the heavens, the earth, and all that
they contain—belongs to God. God is the owner of everything without
exception. This includes what we normally call our own: our house, our car,
our clothes, our investments, and our money.
b) Psalm 24:1 – “The Lord’s are the earth and its fullness; the world and those
who dwell in it”
c) Haggai 2:8 – “Mine is the silver and mine the gold, says the Lord of hosts.”

2. We are merely stewards of what belong to God.

a) Steward: One definition states that a STEWARD is a person who MANAGES the
affairs of a household or an estate FOR THE OWNER.

In the Christian sense, a steward is a manager of the affairs of God on earth.

We are stewards (or managers) and not masters over the things God has
entrusted to us. We are to manage what has been entrusted to us wisely,
unselfishly and in accordance with God’s plan.

3. We owe our prosperity to God.

a) Proverbs 10:22 – “It is the Lord’s blessings that brings wealth, and no efforts can
substitute for it”.
b) Without God’s blessings, we would not have the good things we have.
c) 1 Cor. 4:7 – “Name something you have that you have not received. If then, you
have received it, why are you boasting as if it were your own?

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 d) Our minds, our education, business opportunities, all are ours only by God’s
grace.
e) Sirach 11:14 – “Poverty and riches are from the Lord”.

4. We should use our finances (wealth and possessions) to glorify God and participate in
the spread of His Kingdom.

a) Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the Lord with your wealth”.

b) Though God allows us to enjoy our possessions, these are not exclusively for our
benefit. We need to see how we can use our possessions to serve God and to do
His work on earth.

C. THE PRACTICE OF CHRISTIAN STEWARDSHIP

1. ALMSGIVING

1. Definition – almsgiving means giving money or goods to the needy and poor
both in and out of one’s community. Alms are given over and above tithes (not
to be deducted from one’s tithe).

2. Scripture texts on almsgiving:

a) Psalm 41:2-4
b) Proverbs 19:17
c) Matthew 6:1-4

3. Usually the needs of the members are met through resource sharing; i.e.
interest-free loans. However, there are times when members in need clearly do
not have the capability to repay a loan. In such situations, the best way to serve
them could be outright alms.

2. RESOURCE SHARING

1. Definition – resource sharing means sharing our material resources to meet the
specific needs of our brothers and sisters (i.e. use of car, accommodating
brethren to stay in their house, lending money interest free) and for the poor.
Resource sharing is also given over and above the tithe.

2. However, direct loans between members are discouraged. Many times when a
borrower is unable to pay a loan, personal relationships are disturbed or even
damaged. To preserve peace, unity and good order in the body, such direct
financial lending is to be avoided. The COOPS FOR CHRIST is the answer to
this concern. All members are encouraged to join the cooperative and avail of
the financial services it gives to the members.

3. With CFC’s work for Total Human Liberation, resource sharing can also be done
through the following:

a) “PADUGO” (bleeding for the cause)

Each member of the CFC family worldwide is a resource to GAWAD KALINGA.
We give our time, talent, energy, material resources.

“No one is too poor that he has nothing to give”. The spirit of G.K. is about
sacrifice, which institutionalises the giving of resources and exemplifies the
culture of sharing.

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 b) GK Sponsorships.
1. TATAG - sponsorship for houses.
2. SIBOL - sponsorship for children in pre-school (3-6 years
old)
3. SAGIP - sponsorship for children in grade school (7-12
years old)
4. SIGA - sponsorship
or youth education and rehabilitation.
5. GK Site Development.
6. Medical Operations.
7. Gawad Kalusugan (GK Health program)
8. Livelihood/Micro Credit.
9. Administrative costs.

c) Jubilee Mission & Development Fund (JMDF)

It is intended to provide needed financial support for the expanding mission
work of CFC by getting every member (except KFC) to participate directly.
The JMDF is one way of getting all adult members involved in making a
difference in the work, without any burden on anyone at all.

Every adult member in the Philippines will be asked to give P100.00 a year,
every year. This will be over and above their tithing and almsgiving. With a
minimal amount, affordable by all members, the JMDF will be a potent
element in furthering our mission in this third millennium.

Where will the JMDF be used?

1. To hire more fulltime pastoral workers.
2. To send out more long-term missionaries.
3. To fund the staffing requirements of the Social Ministries
4. To fund the administrative overhead requirement of GK (note: we use a
higher percentage of sponsorship amounts to directly benefit the poor,
compared to other sponsorship organizations).
5. To provide funding for our micro credit operations (lending to the
poorest of the poor)
6. To provide funding for Gawad Kaginhawahan (mainstreaming NFP)
7. To better respond to the emergency needs of our poorest members (for
medicine, for hospitalization, for operations, etc.)
8. To pay for the conference fee and transport cost for Philippine-based
Couple Coordinators attending the ILCs.
9. To partially subsidize Ugnayan for provincial areas.
10. To fund a nation-building team for East Timor (the only other Christian
nation in Asia).
11. To start building up a fund to set up a more permanent Global Mission
Center in Manila, and to provide counterpart funds for provinces
setting up their Provincial Mission Centers.

3. TITHING
1. Definition

* The tithe consists of ten percent (10%) of an individual’s income after taxes from
whatever legal source, i.e. wages, rents, investments, business, etc.

* The tithe is given to the immediate body of Christ of which one is a part, and
where one draws support for one’s Christian life.
* It is given to support the work of the Lord.

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 In CFC, your tithes will be used for: Evangelization, members' formation, leaders
training, community activities, administrative expenses, printing of our
newsletter UGNAYAN and other expenses related to the worldwide work of CFC. .

2. Scriptural basis: Malachi 3:7b-10.

a) We rob God if we don't tithe. Simply because the money is His in the
first place and He's just asking us to turn over 10% of His own money.

b) We tithe so that there may be "food in God's house." Food is life-giving.

The tithes support our work for the Lord, which work gives life to many
people.

c) "Open the floodgates": God can never be outdone in generosity. We will

always receive more than we give (not necessarily in terms of money).

3. Tithing is not part of our covenant in CFC. But it is certainly an essential part of
our life as a growing Christian.

How we respond to tithing can be a measure of our spiritual growth. It reflects

on the following areas of our life:

a) Our stewardship.
* Do we accept that everything belongs to God and we are merely
stewards?

* In which case, do we obey God as to how to handle our finances?

b) Our gratitude.
* Do we acknowledge that whatever good things we have comes
from God?

* That without God's blessings, we would not enjoy the things we

do?

c) Our priorities.
* Is God and His Kingdom first in our lives, even before our own
needs?

d) Our faith.
* Do we believe that as we put God first, He will provide whatever
we need in life?

* Read Mt 6:19-34.

e) Our conversion.
* How have we grown in Christian generosity, in selflessness, in
simplicity of lifestyle, in detachment, etc.

f) Our zeal for God's Kingdom.

* What is the extent of our desire to see God's dominion expanded?

* Do we realize the financial needs for doing such mission?

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 4. Let us not lose the proper perspective.

a) It is important to give not because of the need for our money, but
because it is just the right thing to do.

* In fact, while we see that God's work needs money, God Himself
does not! He owns the universe.

* The practical need for money is just His way of giving us the
privilege of being His co-workers in Kingdom-building.

b) Focus not so much on the 10%, but on the 90% we keep for ourselves!

* Remember, it is God's money. He owns it all, but He allows us to

keep the bulk of it for our own uses.

5. What if I don't have enough?

a) Relate story of widow's mite. Lk 21:1-4.

* She gave out of her poverty.

b) In Malachi, God promises that He will open the floodgates. God will not
only provide, but He will be very generous.

* We often do not experience God's bounty because we ourselves

are not generous. Lk 6:38.

d) However, there might be some situations where we really feel we cannot

afford to give a full tithe (e.g., affect food for our family). In this case, it is
acceptable to give what we can.

6. How to give your financial support

a) May be in the form of cash or check.

• If cash: put in an envelope, mark on the outside (name,
amount, date, purpose) and seal.
• If check: make check payable to “COUPLES FOR CHRIST” and
indicate on the back the purpose intended.

7. Where to give your contributions.

a) Directly to the CFC Center or office. An official receipt will be given.

b) Through your household head. Please ask for your receipt, which will be
provided when your household head turns over your contribution to our
office.
c) At the tithes table normally provided during our community gatherings.

D. CONCLUSION

Giving our financial support to the work of CFC is an expression of gratitude to God. If
we love God, we need to love our neighbors as well. Giving back to God part of His gift
to us is a reflection of our concern for others. It also indicates the condition of our
hearts and the extent of our conversion in the Lord. Matthew 6:21 says, “Remember,
where your treasure is, there your heart is also”

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