how we steward money at freeway church
How We Use the Tithe
At Freeway Church, we believe the tithe is primarily intended to support the core needs of the church organization, allowing the mission of the gospel to move forward with clarity, integrity, and accountability.
The Tithe Supports:
Building – maintaining and stewarding the spaces God has entrusted to us
Salaries – supporting our pastors and staff so they can serve faithfully and sustainably
Missions – partnering locally and globally to advance the gospel
Benevolence – caring for those in need within and beyond our church family
Looking Ahead: 2025 → 2026
You’ll notice in the charts below that our 2025 and 2026 budgets are different. Beginning in 2026, we are intentionally aligning our financial practices more closely with Scripture.
Our goal is to use the tithe exclusively for the core categories listed above, while also cultivating a church culture where the community provides for one another, just as we see throughout Acts and the New Testament.
A Biblical Culture of Shared Provision
Rather than funding every ministry expense solely through the church budget, we are inviting our community to help provide certain ministry needs—especially perishable or short-term items—through generosity and shared responsibility.
This approach reflects the early church, where believers actively cared for one another, met tangible needs together, and saw generosity as a shared calling—not a transaction.
Why This Matters
By doing this we create a biblically grounded culture of generosity and care. We empower the church family to actively participate in ministry. We allow tithes to be reallocated toward advancing the gospel and sustaining the organization. We strengthen our witness as a community that truly provides for one another
Our desire is not simply to balance a budget, but to form a people shaped by generosity, trust, and shared mission.
At Freeway Church, we believe the tithe is primarily intended to support the core needs of the church organization, allowing the mission of the gospel to move forward with clarity, integrity, and accountability.
The Tithe Supports:
Building – maintaining and stewarding the spaces God has entrusted to us
Salaries – supporting our pastors and staff so they can serve faithfully and sustainably
Missions – partnering locally and globally to advance the gospel
Benevolence – caring for those in need within and beyond our church family
Looking Ahead: 2025 → 2026
You’ll notice in the charts below that our 2025 and 2026 budgets are different. Beginning in 2026, we are intentionally aligning our financial practices more closely with Scripture.
Our goal is to use the tithe exclusively for the core categories listed above, while also cultivating a church culture where the community provides for one another, just as we see throughout Acts and the New Testament.
A Biblical Culture of Shared Provision
Rather than funding every ministry expense solely through the church budget, we are inviting our community to help provide certain ministry needs—especially perishable or short-term items—through generosity and shared responsibility.
This approach reflects the early church, where believers actively cared for one another, met tangible needs together, and saw generosity as a shared calling—not a transaction.
Why This Matters
By doing this we create a biblically grounded culture of generosity and care. We empower the church family to actively participate in ministry. We allow tithes to be reallocated toward advancing the gospel and sustaining the organization. We strengthen our witness as a community that truly provides for one another
Our desire is not simply to balance a budget, but to form a people shaped by generosity, trust, and shared mission.
church history of money being allocated
How Church Money Was allocated Throughout History
Early Church (1st–3rd centuries)
Funds came from voluntary giving (Acts 2 & 4 model).
Primary focus: care for widows, orphans, and those in need.
Support for apostles and traveling missionaries.
Church leaders lived simply and shared resources.
Post-Constantine Church (4th–6th centuries)
Offerings became more structured after Christianity was legalized.
Money was divided roughly into four equal parts:
¼ for bishops/clergy (livelihood).
¼ for maintaining buildings and liturgy.
¼ for the poor and needy.
¼ for widows, orphans, and strangers.
Medieval Church (7th–15th centuries)
The tithe (10% of income) became standard.
Money supported parish priests, monasteries, and cathedral projects.
Monasteries used funds for education, healthcare, and charity.
Wealth and misuse increased in some church sectors (e.g., indulgences).
Reformation & Protestant Churches (16th century)
Reformers redirected funds toward simplicity and accountability.
Support for pastors' fair wages, education, and care for the poor.
Churches emphasized stewardship and local community care.
Abuse of church wealth was condemned.
Modern Churches (17th century–today)
Pastoral and staff salaries.
Building and maintenance costs.
Missions and evangelism efforts.
Charity and community outreach.
Administrative and operational expenses.
Balance between ministry care and practical needs remains key.
Early Church (1st–3rd centuries)
Funds came from voluntary giving (Acts 2 & 4 model).
Primary focus: care for widows, orphans, and those in need.
Support for apostles and traveling missionaries.
Church leaders lived simply and shared resources.
Post-Constantine Church (4th–6th centuries)
Offerings became more structured after Christianity was legalized.
Money was divided roughly into four equal parts:
¼ for bishops/clergy (livelihood).
¼ for maintaining buildings and liturgy.
¼ for the poor and needy.
¼ for widows, orphans, and strangers.
Medieval Church (7th–15th centuries)
The tithe (10% of income) became standard.
Money supported parish priests, monasteries, and cathedral projects.
Monasteries used funds for education, healthcare, and charity.
Wealth and misuse increased in some church sectors (e.g., indulgences).
Reformation & Protestant Churches (16th century)
Reformers redirected funds toward simplicity and accountability.
Support for pastors' fair wages, education, and care for the poor.
Churches emphasized stewardship and local community care.
Abuse of church wealth was condemned.
Modern Churches (17th century–today)
Pastoral and staff salaries.
Building and maintenance costs.
Missions and evangelism efforts.
Charity and community outreach.
Administrative and operational expenses.
Balance between ministry care and practical needs remains key.
what we believe about tithes | offerings
Tithing
Definition: The word “tithe” means a tenth. Tithing is the practice of giving 10% of your income or increase to God.
Key Scriptures:
Leviticus 27:30 – 'A tithe of everything from the land… belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.'
Malachi 3:10 – 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house…'
Proverbs 3:9–10 – 'Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops…'
Purpose:
To acknowledge God as Provider
To support temple work and spiritual leadership (Numbers 18:21)
To care for the poor, widows, and orphans (Deuteronomy 14:28–29)
Jesus’ View:
Matthew 23:23 – 'You give a tenth... but you neglect justice... You should practice the latter without neglecting the former.'
Offerings
Definition: Offerings are voluntary gifts given above and beyond the tithe, as expressions of worship, gratitude, and generosity.
Key Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 – 'Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart… for God loves a cheerful
giver.'
Exodus 35:5 – 'Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it…'
Luke 21:1–4 – The poor widow’s offering: 'She gave out of her poverty—all she had to live on.'
Purpose:
To bless others (benevolence, missions, etc.)
To expand God’s kingdom through ministry and outreach
To grow in generosity and reflect God’s nature
Principles to Remember
God owns it all – Psalm 24:1
We give in faith, not fear – 2 Corinthians 9:8
Giving is worship – Romans 12:1
Generosity reflects God’s character – John 3:16
Tithing vs, Offerings (side by side)
Definition: The word “tithe” means a tenth. Tithing is the practice of giving 10% of your income or increase to God.
Key Scriptures:
Leviticus 27:30 – 'A tithe of everything from the land… belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord.'
Malachi 3:10 – 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house…'
Proverbs 3:9–10 – 'Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops…'
Purpose:
To acknowledge God as Provider
To support temple work and spiritual leadership (Numbers 18:21)
To care for the poor, widows, and orphans (Deuteronomy 14:28–29)
Jesus’ View:
Matthew 23:23 – 'You give a tenth... but you neglect justice... You should practice the latter without neglecting the former.'
Offerings
Definition: Offerings are voluntary gifts given above and beyond the tithe, as expressions of worship, gratitude, and generosity.
Key Scriptures:
2 Corinthians 9:6–7 – 'Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart… for God loves a cheerful
giver.'
Exodus 35:5 – 'Take from among you an offering to the Lord. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it…'
Luke 21:1–4 – The poor widow’s offering: 'She gave out of her poverty—all she had to live on.'
Purpose:
To bless others (benevolence, missions, etc.)
To expand God’s kingdom through ministry and outreach
To grow in generosity and reflect God’s nature
Principles to Remember
God owns it all – Psalm 24:1
We give in faith, not fear – 2 Corinthians 9:8
Giving is worship – Romans 12:1
Generosity reflects God’s character – John 3:16
Tithing vs, Offerings (side by side)
our baseline: tithing is obedience and generosity is giving above and beyond the tithe
additional statements about giving...
Here are a few opening statements that have become an integral part of how we talk about and view money as a church
God owns all things and has authority over all things including money. It’s important for us to understand this as we go into the details.
It's also important to understand that scripture is both descriptive and prescriptive. This article is Freeway Church’s prescribed understanding of how scripture describes how one gives. Over our years in ministry we see this trend: money is the last thing people give and the first thing they take away.
We want our church to view and use their money obediently, sacrificially, and generously.
We ask our elders/pastors and leaders to give 10% as we want to model and create a culture of generosity.
We are assuming that if you are part of a local church that you are giving first to your church (temple/storehouse) and pushing the vision/mission of your spiritual family, your local body, forward.
WHAT’S THE HISTORY OF GIVING IN THE BIBLE?
In the Old Testament, we see God’s people are to give a tenth of their first fruits under the Mosaic Covenant. We see from the beginning that God was calling his people to give obediently, sacrificially, and generously and this was required of all Israelites, priests, and Levites.
We have to acknowledge that when it comes to giving, the currency has changed, but the principle and people’s response to God hasn’t. Examples of this are Cain and Abel giving fruit/meat, sacrifices of animals/grain, bread in places of worship, basically anything that was brought in by the works of their hands or any resource was an opportunity to give a portion back to the Lord as an act of devotion. In today’s culture currency is money.
God made it clear that a tenth was required under this covenant and no one questioned the amount, where to give, or if they gave at all. It was an expression of their obedience and worship of a holy God.
We see this was followed by the Israelites and priests until Jesus ushered in the New Covenant. Jesus makes it clear that He came to fulfill the law, not to abolish the law. This is important to understand in regards to giving. Jesus’ coming has given us a new way to live out our faith and worship of God. This doesn’t mean that we stop doing everything the law requires, it means that there is grace to live it out in faith in Jesus rather than through works.
In the New Covenant, there is a new priesthood (1). Jesus’ death and resurrection open the curtain for all believers to be a royal priesthood, not only giving them access to God but the grace to live and worship as part of the priesthood. Like God provided for the priest he will also provide for us.
This changes the way we live, the way we give, and the way we worship. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are grafted into the family of God as priests part of a New Covenant. This New Covenant began and is sustained through the obedience, sacrifice and generosity of Jesus who willingly shed his own blood to pay the price for our sins. One-fourth of Jesus’ teachings is on money, which would be like a pastor preaching on money once a month. He did this because he knew it would be something we would hold tightly.
HOW DO WE LIVE AS PRIESTS IN THIS NEW COVENANT?
In Romans, we see that we are not to be conformed to this world but to present every part of who we are as an act of worship to God (2). So as a priesthood we are to joyously present our lives, families, money, and dreams to God. Nothing is off the table. There is no doubt that we are to give money as an act of worship. What can be confusing is considering where to give our money and how much to give.
WHERE DO WE GIVE FIRST?
As the Church was birthed we see followers of Jesus being generous with one another and taking responsibility for those who had a need. They sold lands and brought the proceeds to the leaders to be distributed. What’s important to see is that as the church is established, with elders and deacons, money is brought to the local church and is dispersed to meet local needs and on occasion different regions. There was a trust with the local leaders to distribute money because they were shepherding the flock and knew the needs of the people. This is what we see described in the Bible as a way to do things rather than us making a doctrinal mandate (description vs. prescription).
If you look at the thread of giving in Scripture it was always associated with the temple and priests in the Old Testament and to the local church in the New Testament with elders/pastors. We use the language that a tenth goes first to the local church (temple/storehouse/church) and any extra we encourage to be given to para church ministries, non-profits, or causes that are close to one’s heart. One example of this would be giving 10% of your paycheck to the church and additionally supporting children through a non-profit or ministry.
WHERE WAS MONEY DISPERSED?
The New Testament lays out some places where the local church distributed the money.
Poor (Acts 2:43–47; 4:32–37; 11:27–30; Gal. 2:10; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:1–9:15)
Those in need (in the local church and in our communities) (1 Tim. 6:17–19; 2 Cor. 8–9)
Those who preached the Gospel (in the local church) (Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Cor. 9:6–14; 1 Tim. 5:17–18)
Mission (through local church and other ministries or causes) (1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:7-15; Phil. 4:15-17)
HOW DOES GIVING SHAPE US?
Giving helps us grow and mature in our faith. Here are a few benefits of giving.
Maturity in faith - helps us stay away from (stinginess, bitterness, hoarding).
Contentment/satisfaction - it’s our opportunity to live out Romans 12.
Our church needs it - our family, Freeway Church, is acting on your behalf to advance God’s Kingdom.
We are on a mission - we want people to see people saved and our city impacted by the Gospel and that takes resources.
Makes us more like Christ - Jesus gave everything to redeem us, out of response we want to be like him.
There is a blessing when we are generous - God has designed that our generosity is connected to our abounding in every good work.
Provides NOW God stories in your life - we want our faith to have action. God says to test him in this way and watch him open the windows of heaven
God owns all things and has authority over all things including money. It’s important for us to understand this as we go into the details.
It's also important to understand that scripture is both descriptive and prescriptive. This article is Freeway Church’s prescribed understanding of how scripture describes how one gives. Over our years in ministry we see this trend: money is the last thing people give and the first thing they take away.
We want our church to view and use their money obediently, sacrificially, and generously.
We ask our elders/pastors and leaders to give 10% as we want to model and create a culture of generosity.
We are assuming that if you are part of a local church that you are giving first to your church (temple/storehouse) and pushing the vision/mission of your spiritual family, your local body, forward.
WHAT’S THE HISTORY OF GIVING IN THE BIBLE?
In the Old Testament, we see God’s people are to give a tenth of their first fruits under the Mosaic Covenant. We see from the beginning that God was calling his people to give obediently, sacrificially, and generously and this was required of all Israelites, priests, and Levites.
We have to acknowledge that when it comes to giving, the currency has changed, but the principle and people’s response to God hasn’t. Examples of this are Cain and Abel giving fruit/meat, sacrifices of animals/grain, bread in places of worship, basically anything that was brought in by the works of their hands or any resource was an opportunity to give a portion back to the Lord as an act of devotion. In today’s culture currency is money.
God made it clear that a tenth was required under this covenant and no one questioned the amount, where to give, or if they gave at all. It was an expression of their obedience and worship of a holy God.
We see this was followed by the Israelites and priests until Jesus ushered in the New Covenant. Jesus makes it clear that He came to fulfill the law, not to abolish the law. This is important to understand in regards to giving. Jesus’ coming has given us a new way to live out our faith and worship of God. This doesn’t mean that we stop doing everything the law requires, it means that there is grace to live it out in faith in Jesus rather than through works.
In the New Covenant, there is a new priesthood (1). Jesus’ death and resurrection open the curtain for all believers to be a royal priesthood, not only giving them access to God but the grace to live and worship as part of the priesthood. Like God provided for the priest he will also provide for us.
This changes the way we live, the way we give, and the way we worship. If you are a follower of Jesus, you are grafted into the family of God as priests part of a New Covenant. This New Covenant began and is sustained through the obedience, sacrifice and generosity of Jesus who willingly shed his own blood to pay the price for our sins. One-fourth of Jesus’ teachings is on money, which would be like a pastor preaching on money once a month. He did this because he knew it would be something we would hold tightly.
HOW DO WE LIVE AS PRIESTS IN THIS NEW COVENANT?
In Romans, we see that we are not to be conformed to this world but to present every part of who we are as an act of worship to God (2). So as a priesthood we are to joyously present our lives, families, money, and dreams to God. Nothing is off the table. There is no doubt that we are to give money as an act of worship. What can be confusing is considering where to give our money and how much to give.
WHERE DO WE GIVE FIRST?
As the Church was birthed we see followers of Jesus being generous with one another and taking responsibility for those who had a need. They sold lands and brought the proceeds to the leaders to be distributed. What’s important to see is that as the church is established, with elders and deacons, money is brought to the local church and is dispersed to meet local needs and on occasion different regions. There was a trust with the local leaders to distribute money because they were shepherding the flock and knew the needs of the people. This is what we see described in the Bible as a way to do things rather than us making a doctrinal mandate (description vs. prescription).
If you look at the thread of giving in Scripture it was always associated with the temple and priests in the Old Testament and to the local church in the New Testament with elders/pastors. We use the language that a tenth goes first to the local church (temple/storehouse/church) and any extra we encourage to be given to para church ministries, non-profits, or causes that are close to one’s heart. One example of this would be giving 10% of your paycheck to the church and additionally supporting children through a non-profit or ministry.
WHERE WAS MONEY DISPERSED?
The New Testament lays out some places where the local church distributed the money.
Poor (Acts 2:43–47; 4:32–37; 11:27–30; Gal. 2:10; 1 Cor. 16:1–4; 2 Cor. 8:1–9:15)
Those in need (in the local church and in our communities) (1 Tim. 6:17–19; 2 Cor. 8–9)
Those who preached the Gospel (in the local church) (Matt. 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Cor. 9:6–14; 1 Tim. 5:17–18)
Mission (through local church and other ministries or causes) (1 Cor. 16:1-4; 2 Cor. 8:7-15; Phil. 4:15-17)
HOW DOES GIVING SHAPE US?
Giving helps us grow and mature in our faith. Here are a few benefits of giving.
Maturity in faith - helps us stay away from (stinginess, bitterness, hoarding).
Contentment/satisfaction - it’s our opportunity to live out Romans 12.
Our church needs it - our family, Freeway Church, is acting on your behalf to advance God’s Kingdom.
We are on a mission - we want people to see people saved and our city impacted by the Gospel and that takes resources.
Makes us more like Christ - Jesus gave everything to redeem us, out of response we want to be like him.
There is a blessing when we are generous - God has designed that our generosity is connected to our abounding in every good work.
Provides NOW God stories in your life - we want our faith to have action. God says to test him in this way and watch him open the windows of heaven