GIVE
We worship and serve a generous God, and we are called to be generous with God’s gifts to further God’s work and mission in the world. Therefore, what we do with our money is part of Christian discipleship.
Scripture provides much freedom in how we are to give.
In Jesus’ New Covenant, the tithe is not a law. For most of us, the tithe represents sacrificial giving. Start at whatever level you have the faith to act—and then trust God. If you are interested in learning more about the tithe, please visit our “Why Tithe” information below.
HOW TO GIVE
Several safe and secure methods of giving provide convenient ways to offer tithes and financial contributions to University Baptist Church.
Sunday Morning Service
Simply place cash or checks in the offering boxes located at the back of the Sanctuary. Be sure to include your name and address on the check or envelope, so that donation credit may be provided for tax purposes.
Postal Mail
Checks may also be sent to the church through the mail at the following address:
Attn: Financial Coordinator
University Baptist Church
1223 West Main Street
Charlottesville, VA 22903-2837
Text to Give
Text “GIVE2UBC” to 73256 to give using your mobile device. This number will never send unsolicited texts to you. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply.
Online Giving
Online giving simplifies contributing by allowing for a specific dollar amount to be sent to University Baptist Church on a specific date, thus decreasing the number of checks you have to write. This can be done in either of two ways:
1. Set Up Your Bank’s Bill Pay Feature
You may schedule contributions directly through your bank’s website using their Bill-Pay feature. You set up the recipient to be UBC using the church’s address given above. If an account number is requested, just use your envelope number. Once setup, you may schedule a payment whenever you choose. The advantage of this option is that there is usually no charge for this service; therefore, the church receives the full amount of your donation.
Online giving is not only easy, but also safe and secure. Furthermore, these options help individuals and families remain faithful in their giving even when they are out of town or unable to attend a Sunday service.
WHY TITHE?
The tithe is traditionally considered to be 10% of your income. If you are wondering “why tithe?” there are many verses throughout the Bible which encourage us to tithe. Tithing also honors the Scriptural principles of generously giving. When you give today, your generosity enables the work of University Baptist Church (UBC). Your tithe supports the church’s budget and mission activities here and abroad. To put it very plainly, your tithe will support your ministry team, staff, provide for the buildings and grounds, and support our community missions in Virginia and abroad.
Are you interested in where the Christian tradition of tithing originates? There are many Biblical passages discussing generosity, tithing, supporting the church etc. Read on to learn more!
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”
—Malachi 3:10
“Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.”
—Proverbs 3:9-10
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.”
—Matthew 23:23
If you are interested in continuing to learn more about the Biblical basis for tithing, many other verses and parables mention tithing, including II Corinthians 9:6-15, Numbers 18, Deuteronomy 14: 22-23, Colossians 3:1-2 and Matthew 6:19-21.
As with anything, sometimes it’s easier to talk or think about tithing than to do it. So, consider it one way to worship God, a way to remember that each of us, and all our resources, belong to God.
Consider these guidelines to make tithing a habit:
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Establish a pattern of giving (such as in line with your pay periods).
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Give to your local church and missions which are important to you and your family.
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Start somewhere you are comfortable. We welcome all contributions.
PLANNED GIVING
We thank you for your interest in supporting the work of University Baptist Church (UBC). Planned Giving is, simply put, a commitment made to provide a major gift over time or through your estate as part of your overall financial and estate planning. A growing number of individuals are choosing to include planned gifts in their estates, and we hope you will choose to work with us.
Currently, there are two major types of planned giving that UBC is able to accept or help you to facilitate:
Plans from Your Estate
A bequest from your estate can be established in a will, living trust, retirement plan, or through life insurance.
Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)
From an individual retirement account (IRA)
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To make a QCD you must be at least 73.
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A QCD can count towards your required minimum distribution.
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A maximum of $100,000 per individual can be donated as a QCD annually.
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QCD’s must be transferred directly from the retirement account to UBC.
A QCD might reduce the taxes you owe while helping your church. Here’s how it works:
If you have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) and are 73 or older, you are required to take a distribution from that IRA each year based on the value at the end of the previous year and your age. This is called a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and generally the distribution is fully taxed as ordinary income. The form of the distribution may be in cash or securities.
A QCD is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA custodian to a qualified charity. This direct transfer can be in cash or securities, and it counts toward satisfying your RMD for the year. A QCD reduces your taxable income by the amount of such distribution since it is not included in your income.
Charitable giving is not about taxes. However, the tax benefit from a QCD encourages charitable giving and could enable you to give more money to what you love. With the recent increase in the Standard Deduction, many tax payers will find that charitable donations no longer have any tax benefit. A QCD can restore some significant tax benefits for charitable donations.
If you have questions about a QCD, please let us know.
Thank you for considering making UBC part of your financial and estate planning. We look forward to continuing our work in the community and growing our relationships with our members, neighbors, and those we have yet to meet.