As a church who seek to be loving God, Loving Others and Making Disciples, we recognise that this vision needs resourcing and we are thrilled you would consider partnering with us to see this happen.
While Christians have a responsibility also to give beyond their local church, because the local church is the ‘ground zero’ of what God is doing in the world – the most basic expression of the gospel-gathered community of believers – we should prioritise giving to the local church. It is also in our local church that we most directly benefit from the ministry of the gospel, and so ought to support this first.
Partnering With us
Giving is a great way to keep furthering and resourcing God’s mission. We can employ key people in the areas of membership and ministry, and in the future even in kids and youth. It enables strategic thinking and investment into mission and helps us all to do better ministry because we are able to free people up to dedicate time and energy to equipping us as the church.
How much should I give?
How much should New Testament believers give, then? Unlike the Old Testament, the New Testament does not outline a specific percentage of our income that we should give. Rather, it outlines some general principles that should guide our giving, and then leaves it up to us. Those principles are that our giving should be:
Sacrificial
2 Corinthians 8:2-3, In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability.
Cheerful
2 Corinthians 9:7, 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.
Regular
1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of each week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.
In accordance with our means
Acts 11:29, The disciples, as each one was able, decided to provide help for the brothers and sisters living in Judea.
How much should you give, then? We’re not going to tell you! It will be different for each person, according to their means.
But who am I (asked King David), and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.’
1 Chronicles 29:14
Who will know how much I give?
All giving information is private and confidential, and seen only by the Business Manager and our accounts team.
Where does my giving go?
Between 75-80% of offerings are spent on wages, to enable staff to equip all of God’s people for works of service (Ephesians 4). The remainder is allocated to ministry resources, renting our venue, and to support the wider Trinity Network in planting more churches.
Does Trinity receive any external funding?
No. We rely on the generosity of our members who long to see the good news of Jesus made known in our city, our state, our country and our world.
Does Trinity fundraise for external partners?
As per the requests of our highly valued ministry partners (AFES, CMS, BCSA, BCA and CBF), we encourage our church members to give directly to those organisations.
How Can I Give?
There are three methods of giving: direct debit, credit card, and direct credit.
All giving using these methods goes to Friends of Trinity Trust (FTT), which means that it is used to support Trinity’s mission, with none going to the diocese.
Direct debit
You complete a direct debit form to allow Trinity to debit an agreed amount from your bank account at an agreed frequency. Direct debit forms are available upon request.
Credit card
You authorise Trinity to debit an agreed sum from your credit card account on the 15th day of each month (please note that we are charged a fee if you use this facility).
Direct credit
You arrange through your bank to transfer funds from your account to ours.
The account to be used is:
Account Name: Friends of Trinity Trust – Grove
Bank: Commonwealth Bank of Australia
BSB: 065 000
Account Number: 1213 1260
Reference: Golden Grove Giving
More questions?
Please contact our Senior Pastor, the Leadership Team or the Trinity Network Business Manager on 8213 7300
Resources on Biblical Generosity
- Book, The Generosity Project, 2020, Matthias Media
- Book, Redeeming Money: How God Reveals And Reorients Our Hearts, 2018, Paul Tripp
- Sermon Series, Generous Gospel
There are many biblical reasons for financial partnership in the gospel:
God gave first
First and foremost, the reason we give is because God has given to us. Everything else flows from this. In Jesus, God has given us all we need – ‘every spiritual blessing’ (Ephesians 1:3) – for this life and eternity. And it cost him everything to do it. Paul motivates the Corinthians to give by reminding them of the cross: ‘For you know the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich’ (2 Corinthians 8:9). We give because God first gave to us.
Because everything you have comes from God
1 Chronicles 29:14, But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.
Because giving is a privilege
2 Corinthians 8:1, And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.
Because the workers deserve their wages
1 Timothy 5: 17, The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honour, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For Scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.”
Because of the grace of God
2 Corinthians 9:6, Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. 7 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. 8 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.
Because you long to be a “gospel patron”
1 Timothy 6:17, Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.