Matthew 6:21 speaks volumes when it says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Generosity isn’t a money thing nearly so much as it is a heart thing. God’s goal is the transformation of our hearts, and the first step in that process is our simple and joyful obedience. At its core, biblical giving is an act of willing—even enthusiastic—obedience.
You might want to take a mental journey and read some of the Scripture passages that talk about money and generosity, starting with Matthew 6:19–34. Be honest with God, and let His Word speak into your heart and mind. Seeing our generosity as a heart condition—not a dollar amount—is an important first step in getting money right. Let’s ask God for hearts that are overwhelmed by gratefulness to Him for all He has done for us.
Besides giving online, there are a variety of ways to give to God's work at Wheaton Bible Church.
Cash, check, or texting to give are popular options. Other options are as follows:
Stock Gifts
Our church welcomes gifts of stocks and mutual funds. If securities have been held for more than one year and are donated directly to the church, you are able to deduct the fair market value of the securities and avoid capital gains tax. If, however, the securities are sold first and then the proceeds are given to the church, the donor must pay capital gains tax. A little planning can help you take full advantage of the tax benefits allowed by the government.
Our securities donations are handled through the following office:
Benjamin F. Edwards & Co.
400 S. County Farm Rd. Ste. 100
Wheaton, IL 60187
Our contact there is:
Brian VanderLugt
Financial Advisor
Phone 630.871.2673
For DTC Eligible Securities: Send via DTC to Pershing LLC DTC #0443
For Account of Wheaton Bible Church A/C# EBA739540: Please e-mail the Finance Department when you initiate a stock gift letting us know the number of shares and type of stock being transferred.
Contact
Augustine Gilmore with questions or help with gifts that cannot be handled through Benjamin F. Edwards.
Matching Gifts
Many companies allow employees to make donations to charitable organizations through payroll deductions, and often match the gift dollar for dollar. Ask your company's Human Resources, Matching Gift, or Payroll department if the company has a matching gift program. The church is listed as an approved tax-exempt organization by the IRS under section 501(c)(3).
Individual Retirement Account
If you are 70½ or older you can avoid extra income by making a gift to the church from your IRA. This is great for both itemizers and non-itemizers.
Personal Property (Gifts-in-Kind)
We accept gifts-in-kind (GIK), such as vehicles, equipment, and supplies, that we can use in our ministry. Contact Augustine Gilmore to discuss possible GIK donations. If we accept the gift, the church will provide a letter stating the nature of the gift but it is the donor's responsibility to assess and document the value of the gift for tax purposes. GIK are not included on quarterly statements from the church.
Wills and Bequests
A charitable gift can be given through your will or other estate plans. The gift can be used to honor the Lord from the financial increase He has given you during your lifetime (Proverbs 3:9-10). If you choose to include the church in your will or estate plan, please let your attorney know our church name and address.
"In Memory Of..." and "In Honor Of..." Tribute Gifts
We are thankful for gifts that are designated in memory or in honor of a loved one, family member, friend, ministry leader, pastor, mentor, or others.
Managing the Kingdom investments of thousands of people is a responsibility we don’t take lightly. We strive to meet the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency as we steward the financial resources entrusted to us, and the reason we hold a laser-like focus on the mission God has called us to as a church. We are accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
Making a direct connection between our mission as a church and how we use our money is standard practice at Wheaton Bible Church. Why? Because without that clarity, we may fund a lot of good things but could miss out on some of the best things.
Following a mission-focused plan means that our commitment to reaching the world has a dramatic impact on where the dollars given to our church are directed. What that means to us in financial terms is that even though we enjoy a sizable campus as a launching pad for all God has called us to do, we do not spend the majority of our funds on our facility at the expense of our Great Commission mandate.
Bringing the Good News of God’s grace to those near and far is at the heart of what we do as a church—a reality that is reflected in how we spend the resources God, through the generosity of His people, entrusts to us.
Wheaton Bible Church Expenses — Last 3 Years
Love God (25%)
Includes facility and operations expenses and personnel costs primarily related to worship services.
Grow Together (31%)
Personnel and facility expenses primarily focused on growing and equipping children, students, and adults within our church family to live Gospel-centered, mission-focused lives.
Reach the World (30%)
Direct support to our missionaries and local and global ministry partners as we intentionally and strategically provide needed resources for those who are taking the Gospel to our world.
Supporting Activities (14%)
Includes administrative, staff management, and personnel costs and a portion of other items related to these activities.
