GIVING
Acts is a history of the church in the first days of her existence. If you want to know what Jesus wants his church to look like, read the book of Acts.
Acts chapter 4 verse 32 through 35 describes the church like this:
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need. Acts 4:32–35 (NIV)
What do you see?
You see that it was the practice of the members of the church to share their money to resource the ministry of the church.
This was the pattern inherited from the Israelites of Old Testament where they honored God by giving a portion of their income to the ministry of the worship of God. God required the Israelites to give 10% of their income, a tithe. Giving the tithe was training in generosity. Generosity that was an expression of gratitude for God’s grace.
The church of Jesus is to be a community of generosity. By grace, we are made right with God through faith in Jesus. By grace, we are children of God. By grace, we are included in God’s family business. God has blessed us with many things, such as a place to live, food to eat, and financial resources. As members of His family, we are privileged to bring our resources together to accomplish God’s work through Mount Carmel.
Will you say thank you for God’s grace by giving to resource the ministry of grace at Mount Carmel Ministry?
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 (NIV)
Ways to Give
Online or Electronic Donations
Give a real gift in a virtual way with secure, simple and flexible options, which allow for the scheduling of recurring or one–time gifts charged to a checking account, debit or credit card.
Bank Bill Pay or Mailed Donations
Please use the following information in your bank’s bill payment system to make sure the check gets to us. Or make checks payable to Mount Carmel Christian Church and mail to the address below.
Mount Carmel Christian Church
4110 Bach Buxton Rd
Batavia, OH 45103
Stock Donations
When giving appreciated stock, your broker can help you determine the donation value of the stock when you transmit the donation. While we can’t show the value of the stock on your giving statement, we do send an acknowledgment letter to you confirming your stock donation.
Donating stock has an enhanced tax advantage as you do not have to pay income taxes on the appreciated value of the stock. If the stock has lost value, you can also receive an enhanced tax benefit. Sell it, claim the loss on your income tax return, and receive donation credit for the cash proceeds that you give to Mount Carmel. In either case, please contact your tax advisor as these enhanced tax benefits may not be applicable in some situations.
Before initiating any stock donation, please notify Jeff Perrine, our Executive Minister, that this transaction will be taking place. When a stock transfers to our account, we don’t receive donor information with the transfer. So we need to know, in advance, of your donation.
IRA Donations
If you are 70 ½ or older and have an IRA, you can instruct your IRA administrator to issue a check directly to Mount Carmel from your IRA as a qualified charitable contribution. In most cases, you don’t have to claim a qualified charitable contribution as income. Please check with your tax advisor and IRA administrator to make sure that you can receive this enhanced tax benefit.