First United Methodist Church
Gainesville, Texas
History | Worship | Stewardship | Church Staff
Stewardship
At FUMC Gainesville we believe that stewardship is, very simply, the
faithful management of all the gifts we receive from God. As
Christians, we believe that everything we have: our material
possessions, our relationships, our talents and abilities, as well
as the natural world and all that is in it, are gifts from God. We
are called to care for and manage all these gifts as one who cares
for the possessions of another. We seek God’s will in the use of our
time, talents, and resources.
We take this management position seriously and encourage everyone to
strive each year toward a tithe, giving 10 percent of our income to
the church to support our discipleship and outreach ministries.
Giving of our resources is our faithful response to a loving and
faithful God. It is a spiritual matter, an act of worship, rather
than a financial matter, and it is also a matter for personal
discernment between the individual and God.
Our church’s financial stewardship emphasis is an intentional effort
to encourage a biblical pattern of Christian giving in order to
promote spiritual growth. In Matthew 6:21, Jesus says, “For where
your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Although the
church certainly has need of our time, talents and financial gifts,
the focus of biblical stewardship is not on the church’s need to
receive, but on the giver’s need to give. When we truly come to
believe in God’s unconditional love for us in Jesus Christ, we will
naturally be moved to give all we can in every area of our lives.
Periodically, short-term courses teaching biblical principles for
finances, such as the “Good Sense” budget course, are offered.
Contact the church office for more information.
