Our beliefs regarding giving…
At First Church we understand that the money we have belongs to God, not us. It is given to us by God to manage. As Christians, we should be responsible with our money by worshipping God (Lev 27:30), meeting our own needs (Phil 4:19), helping others meet their needs (Acts 2:45), and enjoying some of it (1 Tim 6:17). As you can see, two of these four areas involve giving: when we worship God, and when we help others. Through the commitment of giving we are able to reach real people, share hope and real life, and stir more souls with the real love of Christ. All of this is made possible when we give back a portion of what God has given us.
In Malachi 3:10-11, God says, “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse that there may be food in my house.” The “storehouse” is the Old Testament picture of the New Testament church. The word “tithe” is derived from the Hebrew word ma’aser, which literally means “a tenth.” So, ten percent of everything belongs to the Lord, and as New Testament believers, we worship the Lord with the tithe, or the ten percent. At First Church giving our tithe is a blessing, and we are thankful for the resources with which our church is entrusted through God’s faithful provision to each of you.
As a United Methodist congregation, First Church undergoes an annual audit, and our church committee on finance insures the money we receive is put to reaching more people with the hope, love, and grace the life of Jesus Christ offers. We are active in missions work around the world through the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), supported by the tithe. We are active in mission work here in OKC through Skyline Urban Ministries and Neighborhood Services Organization, again supported by the tithe. Every year First Church funds over $200,000 dollars in missional outreach to places near and far.
When we make our commitment to become a member of First Church, we are asked to be loyal to the church with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness. Every person’s commitment is important to the work of our church; those commitments affect real people with real lives. The opportunity to give is a blessing and an incredible opportunity to share the real love of Christ in all corners of the world! Thank you for your gift.
How can I give at First Church?
- By check or cash dropped in the offering plate during service or dropped by the church office.
- By mailing your check to the church office at 131 NW 4th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.