GIVING

We immediately think of money when we hear the word 'generosity', but it actually comes in many different shapes and sizes. We are called to be generous with all that God has given us, including our time, talents and treasure. It really comes down to being generous with - and from - our hearts!

If you feel lead to support Walk On Water Ministries, LLC (WOW) financially, know that your gift will make a real impact on real people. Our mission is simple: to build up and encourage believers while reaching lost souls for Jesus. All available resources will be used to accomplish that mission. As our ministry grows and our reach is extended, we'll find new ways to do so - and your generosity helps pave the way.

It's important that you know - before you give - that WOW is not a traditional non-profit organization. As such, this ministry - and it's Pastor(s) - are not afforded the tax benefits that traditional non-profit organizations enjoy. This impacts those who financially support this ministry as well, as they will not be afforded a tax deduction for their charitable giving to WOW. However, being a good steward of what God has provided and blessed us with should have absolutely nothing to do with receiving a tax deduction.

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words.

They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.”

They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?” “Caesar’s,” they replied. 

Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.” And they were amazed at him.

-Mark 12:13-17

I think it's interesting that the chief priests, the teachers of the law, the elders, the Pharisees and the Herodians were all attempting to use the relationship between the tax and giving to trap Jesus. When He told them - and us - how those two things should be handled, He didn't say anything about a tax deduction.

Now, let me be clear: we are in no way criticizing any church, ministry or other non-profit organization for their non-profit status. Nor are we criticizing a giver for receiving a tax deduction for their gift. We have simply chosen to construct this ministry outside of the box that the government has built for non-profit organizations.

It's clear that Jesus teaches us to do the right thing - both with the tax and with giving. As a ministry, WOW is going to give Cesar what is his, and we are definitely going to give God what is His.

So, again: should you feel called to support this ministry financially, you will not be able to deduct your gift on your tax return. However, our community - and the world - is full of lost people. Your giving will help change the populations of heaven and hell. I can't think of a better reason to support Walk On Water Ministries, LLC.

- Pastor John Goldshot