Early in their development, the people of God received instructions from God, delivered by Moses, to practice first fruits giving (see the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament). The name first fruits means that we are to give to God from the first and the very best of what we receive. Ancient people were asked to bring the first and best offspring of their cattle and flocks and of their crops of vegetables and fruits as an act of worship. First fruits giving recognizes that God is the giver of all good gifts. We can take no credit for how we have been blessed; even our ability to earn money is a gift from God, and God never stops giving. 

More than any other issue, Jesus addressed the importance of being generous givers. In a culture where the desire for wealth is idolatrous, being generous with our first fruits is critical to our own spiritual wellness and discipleship. To we who have been richly blessed, Jesus' words to whom much is given much is expected need to be heard. Likewise, his statement for where your treasure is there also will be your heart is key to our formation. In other words, giving generously forges faith in us and causes us to fall more deeply in love with Jesus.

As individuals, first fruits giving means that the first check we write each month or each week is to go to God’s mission through the church. It also means that the size of the offering will honor God. 

As a congregation, we practice first fruits giving as a body. At Epiphany, the first checks written each month, even before payroll and mortgage, are designated first fruits for the work of the greater church and for God’s mission through the Haitian Timoun Foundation. The amount of those checks is based upon a percentage (currently at 12%) of the previous month’s offering.

Because Epiphany has practiced first fruits giving, we have seen generosity multiplied among all of us. The amount of funds deployed for mission beyond our doors has risen to unprecedented levels. 

There are a number of ways that you can give to Epiphany. All gifts support the work of the church in our community and the world. A portion of every gift is given to ministry beyond our doors, as Epiphany's first fruits gift.

Come and worship with us! Offer your gift during worship with the community.

Make an online donation. You may make a one-time credit card or electronic funds transfer gift to Epiphany through a secure online connection.

Enroll in the Simply Giving program. You'll be assured that your first fruits gifts are offered, even if you are out of town for vacation and holidays or forget your checkbook when you come to worship. Or you can add Epiphany to your regular online bill paying account to ensure your regular offerings.

Send a check. Please note if your check is designated for a particular appeal. All undesignated gifts are credited to the general fund.

All gifts are tax-deductible; financial statements are mailed to regular donors quarterly and a yearend statement is sent to all contributors who provide a current mailing address.

See Epiphany's annual report for information about how your gifts are deployed for God's mission.

The Great News of Biblical Stewardship for Being Formed in Christ
10 Principles  

As baptized members of the Body of Christ, we confess Jesus as our Lord and Savior. We proclaim the Gospel as the Word of God. In our faith we recognize the gifts which God has first given us through grace and accept our role as stewards. 

The following principles provide a foundation for a life as faithful and generous stewards.

A grateful steward is our Christian response to what God has first given us -- the gift of Jesus Christ and the community of believers. We recognize that God comes first. As the Apostle Paul wrote of the Macedonians:

"but first they gave themselves to the Lord" - II Corinthians 8:5

A responsible steward is our way of acknowledging and showing faith in the Gospel. This involves how we treat ourselves, our family and others. Paul writes,

"... you will glorify God by your obedience in acknowledging the Gospel of Christ"  - II Corinthians 9:13

A self-sacrificing steward is based on the self-sacrifice of Christ. For our sake, Jesus gave up everything to make us rich through the cross and the resurrection. We too are called to sacrifice so others may share in God's Word and blessings.

"... gave according to their means, and even beyond their means."  
- II Corinthians 8:3

A willing steward means each person is moved by the Holy Spirit and is prepared to give of himself/herself. We are to freely give our time, talents, and resources. Paul writes of the Macedonians,

"For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave ..."  
- II Corinthians 8:3

A sharing steward recognizes the unique gifts each person has received and that the purpose of these gifts is for the good of the community of God. We are to use and share our gifts for the benefit of all.

"And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that by always having enough of everything, you may share abundantly in every good work."  
- II Corinthians 9:8

A proportionate steward is our way of giving in relation to our abundance. We are to give according to our "means," not according to an income or budget. Paul told the Corinthians,

"If the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he has not."  
- II Corinthians 8:12

A committed steward means making a statement about your intent and following through. As members in the Body of Christ, we are asked to make a commitment of our time, talents, and resources as a faithful response to God and as a statement of support for God's work. Paul encourages us to 

"... arrange in advance for the gift you have promised."
- II Corinthians 9:5

A regular steward means practicing our stewardship on a daily basis. By doing so this becomes a lifestyle. Paul instructs us to

"On the first day of the week, let each one lay aside their offering, as God has prospered them."
- I Corinthians 16:2

A genuine steward means putting your faith into action. This is the tangible demonstration of what is sincerely on our hearts and where our treasure is, not simply a verbal expression. The Macedonians set an example that Paul called to the attention of the Corinthians.

"... to prove by the earnestness of others that your love is also genuine."
- II Corinthians 8:8

A challenged steward recognizes the dynamic nature of our faith. As our faith grows so will our blessings and our responsibilities. Paul writes,

"... the one who sows sparingly will reap sparingly, and the one who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."
- II Corinthians 9:6

Our role as God's stewards is one of many dimensions -- grateful, responsible, self-sacrificing, willing, sharing, proportionate, committed, regular, genuine, and challenged. By generouosly giving of ourselves, we discover joy in Christ.

"... you must give as you have made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
- II Corinthians 9:7