Eternal Impact

Why we give?

At Rio, we believe our attitude towards giving and generosity matters. Why you give is eternally more valuable than what you give.

We give as an act of worship, an offering of thanks to God, and as a demonstration of our devotion to Him over all other gods, particularly the one we tend to worship most—money. Our offerings do not meet a need in God, they meet a need in us.

Understanding that our irreconcilable debt of sin was paid at the cross and a free and eternal gift of grace through faith in Jesus helps us develop a proper posture toward becoming people who are both generous and joyful.

“Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

2 Corinthians 9:6-7

Online

Give online using your credit or debit card, or by ACH transfer.

For larger gifts please note that ACH fees are generally lower than credit or debit cards.

You can also text the word GIVE to 954-522-2518.

Check or Wire Transfer

Mail your check to:

620 Southeast 9th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316.

To receive the details necessary for a wire transfer, please use the button below.

Noncash Gifts

Rio Vista Church will directly accept stocks, ETFs, mutual funds (any asset generally held in a brokerage account).

Rio Vista Church will indirectly accept (through a National Christian Foundation account) Land, Real Estate, Art, Digital Currency such as Bitcoin, Business Interest, IRAs, 401Ks, and Life Insurance Policies. They do not accept vehicles.

To make a noncash gift, contact us using the button below.

Need to download your annual giving statement?

Our online portal lets you update your personal information as well as review and download your annual giving statement.

Please click the button below in order to access it.

Rio Vista Church is a recognized 501(c)(3) charitable organization under IRS rules.
Your gifts are tax deductible.

Questions?

If you have any questions about making a gift, fiscal accountability, or would like to speak with someone in our Finance Office, please click on the button below.

Estate Planning

For gifts involving estate planning, we recommend the services of JoAnne Daudt. She is an attorney specializing in this area, a church member, and on our Finance Committee. Please give us your contact information and we will forward that to her.

Tax Strategies

Our Controller, David Legate, has compiled some useful tax strategies that can be helpful as your plan your giving. Click the button below to view the document. Please consult a tax professional before making any tax-related decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Level 1: Tithes

What is a tithe?

It’s 10% of your gross income, before taxes and all other withholdings. It’s derived from a command of God. See Leviticus 27:30

Isn't tithing a part of the Old Testament law made obsolete for New Testament believers?

Tithing predates the OT law. Abraham and Jacob paid tithes long before Moses (the lawgiver) was even born (See Genesis 14 & 28, respectively). Moreover, Jesus affirmed tithing in his criticisms of the Pharisees in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42, where he commended them for their rather scrupulous tithing but criticized them for ignoring things like justice, mercy, faithfulness and the love of God.

To whom do I pay a tithe?

The tithe goes directly to your home church, which is the New Testament equivalent of the Old Testament “storehouse.” The storehouse was the support base for 1) the Levites (today understood as church pastors, staff & vocational ministry leaders) and 2) the “widows & orphans” (the poor and needy). In a farming culture, it was a storehouse, where food and other supplies which had been tithed were kept for use in supporting the Levites and the needy. Today, in a monetary culture, the storehouse is a fund which fulfills these same purposes. See Malachi 3:10.

What does a tithe represent?

The tithe is a faithful response to God’s provision for you, an act of worship acknowledging that it all belongs to him. It’s different than personally directed charitable giving, in which you support a particular cause or mission close to your heart. See Psalm 24:1 and Colossians 1:16

How is my tithe used?

Tithes are applied to the church’s general operating fund. They cover not only basic operating expenses like utilities, maintenance, etc. They also cover administrative and ministry staff, ministry budgets, missions of mercy and evangelism such as local and international church planting, 4kids foster care, Hope South Florida homeless ministry and much more. The tithe provides the financial foundation for an active, healthy, transformational local church. It is a material reflection of our heart toward our world.

Should I tithe on my net or gross?

The tithe is taken from “first fruits.” This means it comes from your gross income, before taxes and any other withholdings. Further, it should be seen as a floor and not a ceiling. The tithe serves as a sort of baseline for generous living. In other words, paying my tithe isn’t covering my “taxes” for citizenship in the Kingdom of God. It’s a regular reminder that all I have is the Lord’s. So the question is not “how little can I give to cover the bill?” Rather, it’s “how much can I give in grateful response to the Lord’s blessing?” See Exodus 23:19a

Is it okay to designate my tithe for a specific use?

Tithes are intended for use in the general operating fund, the “storehouse.” Gifts for specific use fall above and beyond the tithe and come under the category of “missional giving,” discussed below.

Do I pay my tithe instead of my light bill? Health insurance? Life insurance?

God calls us to honor him first with our wealth, and we must consider that very carefully when answering this question. God also calls us to be true to our word, to pay our debts, to keep our commitments and, in as much as we are able, to provide for our families. God is not honored by a failure to meet your financial obligations and put food in your children’s mouths. However, that is not the choice that many of us face. Some can “afford” to tithe and don’t. Others cannot “afford” to tithe because of spending decisions and lifestyle choices that we have made in which we haven’t given God his place in our financial planning (again, he is to be first) and worship (10% is an acknowledgment of the fact that he owns it all). There is a “downsizing” of life that needs to occur in that scenario that makes space for Level 1 (tithing) and Level 2 (Sacrificial Giving Beyond the Tithe) giving. That said, if you are faced with choices such as meeting your financial obligations or putting food on the table, it’s time to make a plan to move toward financial freedom and generosity. You can: a) Start giving at some level to establish a pattern of generosity. b) Take a fearless personal financial inventory. Consider seeking counsel in this area from our benevolence team. c) Develop and implement a strategy to live more generously. Financial coaches are available to help you through these decisions.

Do I tithe if I have to borrow to do it? (put on credit card, pull from savings, etc.)

Accruing debt weakens your financial position over time and ultimately hampers your ability to live generously. Again, if you find yourself in this position, make a plan to work out of debt and toward financial freedom and the generosity it will produce.

Level 2: Sacrificial Giving
Beyond the Tithe

What about giving beyond my tithe?

Besides tithing the Bible talks about other forms of giving. There are offerings made to specific purposes, dedications made in honor of the Lord and alms given to the poor. Again, the tithe should be seen as a floor and not a ceiling. Some people set out to give 12%, 20% or more of their income! Interestingly, two very wealthy individuals recently challenged the 400 wealthiest Americans to give away HALF of their income! They did this on the basis that at some point, a point that each person must examine their hearts to determine, enough is enough. In principle, God’s desire is that we be vigilant to identify needs and meet them when we’re able. In dying to self, the question becomes “how little can I consume so that I might produce all the more for the salvation of people and relief from suffering and injustice?”

How do I determine what is “sacrificial?” Where do I draw the line?

This is between you and the Lord. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” Later in that same passage, Paul quotes from Psalm 112, which says God “has distributed freely. He has given to the poor.” The Model we have set before us is Jesus: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to gave his life as a ransom for many.” It seems that as people fell in love with Jesus, they became more and more enthusiastic and sacrificial in sharing that love.

What questions should I consider when determining whether to give to a particular ministry?

Any ministry worth supporting should have a Christ-honoring, clear and compelling mission, measurable results, financial transparency and visible, accessible accountability. Once you’ve established those baseline factors, consider the way God has prepared you for that particular ministry so that you can support it with more than just money but with time and talent as well.

What if it feels like my offering is so insignificant it’s not worth giving?

No offering is too insignificant. It’s not about the impact on the bottom line. It’s about the place from which it flows—a grateful, generous, sacrificial, missional heart. God prospers and multiplies gifts like that. They inspire people.