Giving Steps
The Giving Steps is a tool designed to help you examine the attitude of your heart and personal growth in generosity. Each step represents growth in a lifestyle of generosity and sacrifice. The Bible encourages us to grow in every aspect of our spiritual lives, including in the grace of giving.
Giving Scenarios
The names and numbers below are hypothetical, but the situations may be similar to the ones you find yourself in right now. Each scenario illustrates how an individual or family might take the next step up the Giving Steps and how they would complete their Mountain Mover generosity worksheet.
FIRST-TIME GIVER
Becoming a First- time Giver is a bold first step. You decide to trust God with a piece of what He has given to you in response to God’s teaching or prompting of the Holy Spirit to test your faith.
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
- Matthew 6:25-26
Scenario
Sam is a new believer. His Community Group leader is encouraging him in several areas of growth in his relationship with God - including trusting God to begin giving. It’s a huge step of faith, but Sam plans on committing 5% of his $35,000 income ($1,750) for a total 2-year commitment of $3,500 toward Mountain Mover.
OCCASIONAL GIVER
Occasional Givers, you choose to give on a non-regular basis, whether you are compelled by God’s teaching, a moment of thanksgiving, or spontaneous generosity.
Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Scenario
Maria has been giving to the church for a while, just not very consistently. She believes in the mission of Northridge and isn’t opposed to giving; she just struggles to give consistently and hasn’t made it a priority. Looking over her recent spending and receipts, she has found several places she can cut back and be intentional about giving consistently. In addition to committing to give a percentage of her income as a regular, scheduled discipline, she plans to make a 2-year giving commitment of 3% of her $50,000 income. She also has identified her tax return as a way she can give $2,000 as a one-time gift. She plans to give $5,000 to Mountain Mover.
CONSISTENT GIVER
Consistent Givers, you give something and give it consistently to exercise the privilege and discipline of regular giving.
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.
- Proverbs 11:24-25
Scenario
William and Tanya have been faithful in giving to the church at a steady 5%. From their household income, they contribute $6000 a year to the regular ministry of Northridge. Mountain Mover has challenged them to consider moving up to a full tithing amount of 10% - continuing their regular 5% to the general fund and an additional 5% toward the giving initiative. It will require a bit of adjustment in their lifestyle to give $12,000 for these two years, but they feel strongly that God would have them do it. Also, they’ve been saving for a big trip but have decided to give the $2000 in that account instead. William & Tanya are now planning to give $14,000 to Mountain Mover over the next two years.
INTENTIONAL GIVER
Intentional Givers, you think about giving in relation to other things on which you spend money. Giving becomes a purposeful choice that reflects how you prioritize your spending.
As it is written: “They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor; their righteousness endures forever.”
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, others will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
- 2 Corinthians 9:9-15
Scenario
John has faithfully been tithing 10% of his $75,000 income for many years and sees God provide for his needs. He loves his church and its passion for BEYOND and saturating Rochester with the Gospel. John is committing an additional 4% of his annual income toward the Mountain Mover initiative and some stock he has seen grow over the years to give a one-time gift of $30,000. Over two years, he looks forward to being able to commit $36,000.
ABUNDANT GIVER
Abundant Givers, you recognize the magnitude of all God has entrusted to you and choose to honor God with 100% of your resources. Your generosity governs your budget decisions as you seek to make long-term goals to give abundantly.
But since you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you—see that you also excel in this grace of giving.
-2 Corinthians 8:7
Scenario
Eden is active at Northridge and sacrificially gives her time, talents, and resources. She has given 15% of her $90,000 income to the church in recent years. Still, after examining her finances and praying about her legacy, she is challenged to contribute significantly to Mountain Mover and add 3% to the campaign. She typically receives a $3,000 bonus each year-end. She feels prompted to contribute that additional income for the next two years. She has some investments that have accumulated in the past years that she has decided God wants her to add to her gift. Eden is excited to give $49,400 to Mountain Mover.
