Sacrificial giving is an important part of our spiritual journey. It is more than just “tithing”, it is a way to trust God for more than we see in front of us. Practically, there are millions of people worshiping Jesus right now that wouldn't be if it weren't for a faith-stretching, significant gift.
In II Corinthians, chapter 8, Paul gives a great example of sacrificial giving. In writing to the Corinthians, he uses the giving practices of the Macedonian people as an example in showing how giving should take place. It says that they gave “according to their ability and beyond their ability…they gave of their own accord”. He shares that they gave not just from what they saw in front of them (their current income or savings), but they gave beyond their ability (money they can’t currently see). It shows them – and of course, us – that giving, sacrificially and beyond our ability should be part of how we all give.
There are millions of people worshiping Jesus right now that wouldn't be if it weren't for a faith-stretching, significant gift.
Very few individuals have ever experienced true sacrificial giving. The faith promise approach allows people the opportunity to experience sacrificial giving – which is an integral part of biblical giving. Not everyone at your event will want to try this – in fact a great majority won’t – but even if a few try it, their life will be changed forever as they trust God to work. The stories of those who have tried it are some of the most inspiring as God can move miraculously when He wants. We should not deny people the opportunity for God to work – and by not offering a faith promise option, you are denying guests a blessing from God.
We do not have them indicate whether their commitment is faith promise on the envelope (or anywhere else) – that is between them and God – we simply ask them to indicate that amount just like any other commitment. The only place we talk about the Faith Promise is from on stage as we challenge guests to take a large enough step of faith that it requires them to trust God. We really don’t want or need to track that faith promise giving as it is private. But when the faith promise option is offered, giving can be two to three times more than when it is not offered.