WHY WE GIVE
Generosity starts with God
Christian giving is not about paying for church or earning God’s favour. It is a response to the generosity we have already received from him.
God is generous, and generosity is one of the ways we learn to reflect his character. Giving helps us hold what we have with open hands, recognise that everything ultimately comes from God and say thank you for what he has entrusted to us.
It also allows all of us to participate in the life and ministry of the church. Our Sunday gatherings, children and youth work, pastoral care, community ministries and wider mission are all made possible because people choose to give.
Paul teaches that giving should not be reluctant or forced, because “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). Generosity is a discipleship habit — something we can grow in over time as we learn to trust God more deeply.
What about tithing?
The biblical pattern of giving 10% can be a really helpful starting point — but generosity is much bigger than a percentage.
The pattern of tithing appears before the Old Testament law itself — Abraham gave a tenth to Melchizedek in Genesis 14:18–21. Christians have therefore often used ten per cent as a practical foundation for regular giving.
We do not see tithing as a legalistic rule that earns favour with God. It is a useful starting point for a generous, God-centred way of living.
For some people, ten per cent can feel like a very long way away. Start where you are, pray about it and take a genuine step towards generosity.
For others, ten per cent may not be the end of the journey. Jesus challenged his followers to a righteousness that went beyond the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). The goal is not simply to hit a number, but to become people whose relationship with money is increasingly shaped by gratitude, trust and generosity.
Ways to give
Regular giving by standing order is the simplest and most cost-effective option, but there are several ways to give.
1. Standing order
The best option for regular giving.
Standing orders have no transaction charges, so Vineyard25 receives the full amount you give. You can set one up directly through your own online banking.
Contact our finance team for the church bank details.
2. One-off gift
Give whenever you would like to.
You can make a one-off gift directly by bank transfer. Our finance team can send you the account details and answer any practical questions.
Don't forget to Gift Aid!
Make your giving go further at no extra cost.
If you are an eligible UK taxpayer, Gift Aid allows Vineyard25 to reclaim basic-rate tax on your donations. That means a £100 gift can become £125 for the church without costing you anything extra.
Contact the finance team to complete a Gift Aid declaration.
Why generosity matters
Giving changes more than a bank balance. It shapes us as followers of Jesus and enables us to participate in something bigger than ourselves.
Gratitude
Giving is one way of saying thank you to God.
We give because God has first been generous to us. It turns gratitude into something practical.
Participation
Your giving supports the whole life of the church.
None of us can personally be involved in everything Vineyard25 does, but generosity allows us to share in ministry across the church.
Trust
Giving loosens money’s grip on us.
Malachi 3:10 describes bringing the whole tithe into God’s storehouse and trusting him to provide. Generosity helps us remember that our security is ultimately in God, not simply in what we can accumulate.
Eternity
Generosity reaches beyond the things we can keep.
Jesus tells us to store up treasure in heaven rather than simply accumulating treasure on earth (Matthew 6:19–21). Giving towards God’s Kingdom allows what we have now to have an impact beyond ourselves.
Questions about giving
There is no awkwardness in asking. Money can be personal, and we would rather talk openly and helpfully about it than pretend everyone starts from the same place.
Should my giving go to the local church?
We believe the local church has a unique role in God’s mission. The book of Acts repeatedly shows Christian faith taking visible, organised form in local churches.
If Vineyard25 is your church home, we encourage you to make it the primary place for your regular Christian giving. That certainly does not mean it is the only place you can be generous. Many people also support other charities, ministries and people in need beyond their regular giving to church.
Is tithing legalistic?
It can become legalistic if it is treated as a rule by which we measure somebody’s faithfulness or earn favour with God. That is not how we understand it.
Tithing predates the Old Testament law itself — Genesis 14:18–21 describes Abraham giving a tenth to Melchizedek. We see the tithe as an ancient biblical pattern and a helpful foundation for a generous lifestyle, rather than a spiritual scorecard.
Ten per cent feels like a lot. What should I do?
Start where you are. Generosity is a journey, not something to fake because you feel under pressure.
Pray about what a genuine next step looks like for you and begin there. Over time you may find that your capacity and desire to give both grow.
I already give ten per cent. Is that the end of it?
Not necessarily. A tithe can be a helpful foundation, but Christian generosity is not intended to stop automatically at ten per cent.
Jesus challenged his followers to a righteousness that surpassed that of the Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). There will also be seasons when God prompts us to give generously towards people in need, particular projects, mission or other causes.
Should my giving be anonymous?
Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:1–4 that we should not give in order to impress other people. The concern is our motivation and whether we are using generosity to gain attention.
That does not mean every gift must be anonymous. Jesus himself drew attention to the widow’s offering in Luke 21:1–4. Where giving is identifiable, it also allows the church to administer Gift Aid where appropriate. Information about individual giving is handled carefully and is not something we publicise.
What if money is tight at the moment?
Giving should never be driven by shame or pressure. If your circumstances are difficult, please do not feel that you need to pretend otherwise.
Generosity matters, but so do wisdom, responsibility and caring for those who depend on you. If it would help to talk things through, one of the Pastors would be very happy to have a confidential conversation.
Does giving actually make a difference to us?
Yes. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). Generosity is not only about what our money achieves; the act of giving also shapes us into freer, more trusting and more generous people.