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The easiest way is to text-to-give using Push Pay. Text “Give” to 98977 to receive one message and follow the hyperlink to our giving page. Click the “Give Now” button, select the campus or special offering button, then follow the prompts. First time users will be prompted to visit a secure URL where you will complete your registration. Text STOP to opt out. Message and data rates may apply. Please read our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions. If you have questions about PushPay please click here for more information. To contact our staff with questions please email Vineyard.Giving@vineyardcolumbus.org.

One of the basic values that is confronted when we become followers of Christ concerns our view of generosity. When we come to the Bible, we see that God himself is a giver and he encourages us to give money, time, and our whole lives over and over again. At Vineyard, our members and leaders commit to a habit of regular and substantial giving.

Four Biblical IllustrationsRegarding Giving:

Stewardship - A steward is someone who manages or administers the property or affairs of someone else as an agent. The message of the Old and New Testaments is that human beings act as stewards of God for all creation. For the Christian, achievement is not measured by how much one makes or how much one has. The measure of a Christian is how well possessions have been used in Jesus’ name and for what purpose.

First Fruits - The idea of first fruits challenges most of our current thoughts about giving. Giving is typically based on what we no longer need or what is unused after we have paid all the bills. The concept of first fruits is entirely different. Back in theOld Testament a person was to give the first fruits of their crop. Those first tomatoes of early summer always seem to be the best. We have waited for them and nurtured them during the slow warming of the spring. The Bible continually calls us to give the first of everything to God (Proverbs 3:9). God expects people to give from the very best they have. It means the money we give the church comes out of the paycheck first before obligations or savings are even considered.

Tithing - In an affluent society, we need some guidance for our thinking about giving. In the Old Testament the tithe was the king’s portion. After a king conquered and subjugated the people, the people would render to him a tithe (a tenth of the produce of their land). Because Israel was conquered by God’s love and care, Israel became obligated to render to the Lord a tithe. Tithes were used for several purposes: the maintenance and support for the priesthood (Numbers18:21-24); tithes were paid to the poor (Deuteronomy 14:28-29); and a sacred tithe was given that would be associated with a fellowship meal (Deuteronomy14:22-27). In fact, when you calculate the Old Testament tithe requirements, the three tithes add up to about 23+% of a person’s annual income. This was on top of taxes imposed by the government and for the temple. But the basic rule was that “a tithe of everything...belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord”(Leviticus 27:30-33).

Giving thresholds are always about the HEART – In Luke 18:18-29, we read about the rich young ruler who was confronted by Jesus, when he asked the “good teacher’ about how to inherit eternal life. While the young man had essentially kept the 10 Commandments, Jesus says “you still lack one thing, sell everything you have and give to the poor…then come follow me”. Jesus knew that this young man’s possessions, money, status were holding him back from truly followingJesus. For this young man, giving 100% was the only way to untangle his false identity from his true one. In Jesus’ economy, giving is always about heart, and while 10% is a good starting point, following Christ may mean giving much much more.

In his wonderful book on finances titled A Biblical Theology of Material Possessions, Gene Getz writes, “Every true believer is part of the universal church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians4:11-16). However, when we study the New Testament, we cannot bypass the concept of the local church. In fact, approximately 95% of all the references to the ekklesia (Greek for “church”) are references to local, visible, and organized expressions of the universal church. Luke’s historical record in the book of Acts is an account of founding local churches.”

“We cannot bypass the concept of the local church when it comes to determining how Christians should use their material possessions. The principle becomes especially relevant as we attempt to practice the principle of accountability.

The New Testament message regarding the local church is that it is the local church and not another organization that is chiefly designed by God to be the agent of the kingdom of God in this world. Only the local church crosses generational lines, ministering not only to students, but to grandparents, babies, singles and marrieds. Only the local church carries on all of the functions of kingdom living including the worship of God, the teaching of God’s Word, ministry to the poor, prayer for the sick, the burial of deceased loved ones, world missions, etc. Only the local church functions according to biblical patterns of church government. The local church alone is entrusted with the two biblical ordinances: Baptism and the Lord’s Table.

In sum, the local church is the chief focal point of God’s plan for the ages (Ephesians 3) and ought to be your focal point for giving. Vineyard Columbus, in no way, discourages people from giving to para-church organizations, to friends on the mission field or to individual’s carrying on evangelistic work. In fact, many leaders in Vineyard Columbus give substantially to para-church organizations and to leaders outside the local church. But we believe that such giving ought to be above and beyond our substantial financial commitment to the local church, since the local church is God’s chief agent for bringing the kingdom of God into this world.

Vineyard Columbus believes that every follower of Jesus has something to give.

See the Impacts of Your Giving!

Frequently Asked Questions

Vineyard Columbus believes that every follower of Jesus has something to give.

See the Impacts of Your Giving!

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the easiest way to give?

What if I want to give Cash or by Check?

How can I manage my giving?

What are some other ways to give?

How much should I give?

I’m already giving to other organizations, what should I do now?