Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church

All things come from God. Our church and its ministry have been bestowed on the Salem congregation by God. Yes, Salem is more than a church building and gathering of people, it is a ministry for the advancement of the Gospel.

Salem was built and has grown from the hard work and finances of its members, yet its source is still God. As members of this ministry, we are stewards of this spiritual resource God has made available.

Good stewardship encompasses all God has given each of us; our time, our talents, our treasures and the tithe.

The Tithe
Good stewardship begins with faith in the Lord's promises to care for us and in obedience to His commands. God instituted a tithe (giving of the first 10% of our earnings) to provide for the priests of Israel and His temple in Jerusalem.

"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me."
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse-the whole nation of you-
because you are robbing me." (Malachi 3:8,9)

We are no longer under the Law, but Grace since Christ died and fulfilled the obligations of the old way. There is no Law to require us to give to God. None the less, God still provides for his church and workers called for His purpose. We can continue to be a part of the blessing God provides.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."

Time
Check out the iWorship service.
Attend a Bible Education class.
Open your Bible.
Pray.
Plan an activity with your family and friends.

Talents
Check the church bulletin for an opportunity to use your skills.
Consider an activity.
Help out a church committee.
Volunteer at the school as a teacher aide.

Treasures
Sponsor a child in a foreign land.
Give to Christian Charities, such as Lutherans for Life.
Donate items to Lutherans for Life "Mission Wearhouse" Thrift Shop.
See more ideas below or on the fundraising page.

Let us be creative in our giving to God.
Consider the opportunities listed below to provide financial support to our church.

Gifts of Appreciated Assets
The IRS allows a special opportunity for giving to non-profit institutions such as Salem Lutheran. They allow someone with appreciated assets such as Stock, Bonds, or Mutual Funds to take a full deduction for the market value of the asset at the time of the donation without realizing any capital gain on the asset.

For example, if you own stock you paid $100 for that now has a market value of $200, you could donate that stock and get a tax deduction of $200 and not pay any capital gains tax on the $100 gain. If you sold the stock for $200 and then donated the proceeds, then you would pay tax on the gain and of course get the $200 tax deduction. The government allows for this arrangement to encourage giving. Just as important is that all our giving is done out of gratitude for Christ's love.