2012 Church of God Resolution on FINANCIAL INTERDEPENDENCE

WHEREAS, God himself revealed a unity of equality and interdependence by such Biblical revelations as “Let us make” (Genesis 1:26); “I and my Father are one”  (John 10:30); and “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy  Spirit” (Matthew 28:19); and,

WHEREAS, the Church of God is bound together in a covenant of brotherhood— equality, embracing over seven million members and a far greater number of  constituents in 178 countries around the world; and

WHEREAS, the apostle Paul described the church as being “one body in Christ, and every one members one of another” (Romans 12:5); and,

WHEREAS, Jesus assured his followers—“whom he is not ashamed to call brethren”  (Hebrews 2:11)—that the heavenly Father will provide for His children as certainly as He feeds the birds of the air which do not sow, reap, or gather into barns; and, as surely as He clothes the lilies of the field in greater finery than  Solomon in all of his glory (Matthew 6:25-34); and,

WHEREAS, the church is facing an unprecedented financial environment that has presented extreme financial challenges to many local congregations and district,  state, national, and international church entities and ministries; and,

WHEREAS, the early church vividly demonstrated the great power, abundant grace, and
sufficient resources that prevailed when the multitude of believers “were of one heart and one soul” (Acts 4:32-37); and,

WHEREAS, in a parable, Jesus commended an unjust steward because of his wisdom in financial affairs (Luke 16:8) and thereby indicated that faithful believers can learn  valuable lessons from those who are wise in earthly monetary matters; and,

WHEREAS, many various earthly organizations such as political parties, global  corporations, international media conglomerates, and entertainment and sports  stars, have demonstrated the financial “power of the multitudes” even when contributions are as small as pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, local churches; state, national, and  international offices; and other Church of God ministries around the world be  strongly encouraged to use every available medium to inform others of ministry  needs and opportunities, to be intentional in designing applicable programs of  stewardship giving, and to be consistent in taking advantage of such opportunities  as Internet Websites, Facebook, Twitter, kiosks, QR Codes, smartphone apps,  online giving, and other computer technologies available today; and,

THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, we do hereby reaffirm our strong  faith that our God “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or  think” (Ephesians 3:20), and that He “shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)