God has created us to receive God's abundant blessings, experience the joy of God's love, and to act faithfully in response to God's blessings.  In sum, we ought to share and give generously.  As you prayerfully consider your financial contribution to support First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, your first question might be, “How much should I give?”  Below are some questions and responses to provide some guidance.

How much should I give?
That’s between you and God. As the Apostle Paul wrote, "God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).  While we never tell anyone how much to give, we lift up the Biblical goal of tithing, giving the first 10 percent of our income to God as a practical discipline for spiritual growth (Malachi 3:6-10).  Some people begin with a smaller percentage and grow into the 10 percent tithe. Others feel God calling them to give beyond the 10 percent tithe as their faith and discipleship continue to grow. Everyone is challenged to “take the next step” in their giving.

Will I be expected to tithe?
No, especially not when you are a guest or when you are beginning your faith journey.  We believe that the biblical practice of offering 10 percent of our income to God is a valuable spiritual discipline.  It can make a big difference in our lives and is a biblical expectation for committed disciples of Christ.

Is my salvation determined by the level of my giving?
No. We are saved by God’s grace, as a free gift accepted by faith.  Nonetheless, living into that salvation includes learning how to use the gifts that God gives us so that our whole life is formed around our salvation, and so that God can use our gifts as a part of his work of salvation in the world.

If I do not tithe, will I still be welcome?
Absolutely! No one is ever asked how much they give.  We are committed to being a warm hearted and open minded congregation that welcomes everyone who comes to experience God’s love in Christ regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey.