Tithing to the Poor
Hello Church!
In Fall 2019, I was speaking to one of my favorite Vineyard people, Pam Bertram. Pam was telling me about some of the "Vineyard old days." She told me about their practice of tithing to the poor and needy from the church offerings. Ten percent of the offerings were immediately allocated for reaching and helping those in need. This truly impacted me when I heard it. Since then, with help from our Finance Team and staff, we have begun to allocate a tenth of our offerings to those in need. Here are just a few ways we’ve been able to help people in the past few months:
In December 2019, we purchased Christmas gifts for a single mother with six kids under nine years old, as well as food in a time of need. We also helped a church member in need with car repairs.
So far in 2020, we have had the opportunity to help a homeless family with one child and one on the way with housing and food, helped the dad find a job and assisted them in making a down payment for an apartment. We conducted a HOTS outreach at Park View Arms at which we passed out hot dogs and prayed for the sick. We helped a lady recovering from drug issues with housing, food, and finding housing. We helped with housing for another mother and her two kids who recently left an abusive relationship.
I share all of this with you because first I want us to rejoice together in Jesus and how He is being glorified. Secondly I want you to be aware of how our tithes and offerings are being used to impact those in need of Oxford! Isaiah 58:6-12 (NLT) says,
"No, this is the kind of fasting I want...Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal...Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring."
I know this is a weird season, but please pray and consider how to maintain your giving to Oxford Vineyard so that we can continue our mission of making disciples and transforming Oxford!
You are welcome to send checks in the mail or use the tithe.ly app online. Following the link on our website makes using tithe.ly easy. All of your giving is greatly valued and appreciated! Just like Isaiah states, those who give and care for the needy will shine like the noon day in the midst of darkness.
Lastly, I know many requests for giving have motives of self gain. However, if you are not aware, Kim and I currently receive no salary from Oxford Vineyard as pastors. We do, however, have a couple of staff members on salary and we are looking forward to bringing Parker Frey on in a full-time capacity starting in mid-April.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the first fruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
Proverbs 3:9-10 ESV