For over 23 years, our church has consistently used the Faith Promise Plan for missions giving. This has enabled us to give far and above any amount had we given the customary 10% of our general fund to missions like many churches do. If we currently “tithed” on our general fund to missions, our giving would amount to about one-fourth of what we receive through Faith Promise. In other words, we are able to give four times as much money to missions using the Faith Promise Plan as opposed to giving 10% of our general fund offerings.
What Does It Mean?
Faith Promise requires a commitment. I commit myself to an amount of money for missions and by faith, based on God’s promises, expect Him to enable me to do it. As I commit myself to this step of faith, it helps me to reprogram my whole life priority system so that I begin looking for God’s provision. It gives me new eyes to see my stewardship in a totally different way. Instead of sitting back waiting, I begin to actively look for ways in which God will provide for me to fulfill my Faith Promise. A Faith Promise for missions becomes my expression of obedience to Christ’s command to “make disciples of all nations” (see Matthew 28:19-20). He uses my faithfulness based on His promises to build His church worldwide.
How Does It Work?
Because a Christian lives with one overall purpose in mind – to glorify God – I, as a Christian, should want to give more and more to advance His kingdom throughout the world. By committing myself in a Faith Promise for missions, I gain a totally different perspective on what I have and on my priority in life. I begin to see everything I have as belonging to God, and I look for ways He will enable me to give more and more for His cause. When I commit myself in the area of faith, I am not relying on my limited resources; I now rely on God’s unlimited resources.
Is Faith Promise Scriptural?
The principle of Faith Promise Giving is found in II Corinthians 8 and 9. Chapter 8, verse 3, uses the expression “to their power” (as much as they were able) and “beyond their power” (beyond their ability). “To their power” (their ability) relates to their tithes and offerings, or their known sources of income. “Beyond their power” relates in a special way to the principle of Faith Promise Giving, or beyond any known sources of income, looking to the Lord in faith for the way He will enable them to give.
We take into account what we foresee that we can give to missions over the coming year. Then we lift our hearts in faith and pray: “Lord, over and above my ability, how much more shall I trust You to enable me to give?” It is not necessarily what God gives me, but what He enables me to give!
How Do You Make A Faith Promise?
- Pray for what the Lord would have you do and realize that whatever He commands He also enables.
- Commit yourself to make a Faith Promise, knowing that your faith will grow as you stay committed to that promise.
- Look for the different ways God will use to enable you to give your Faith Promise, and then be faithful to give it.
If you are not currently involved in Faith Promise Missions Giving, please consider what He would have you do so that we, as a church body, can send more missionaries into “the regions beyond” with the message of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Faith Promise is my faith reaching to God that His salvation might reach the world!