Giving
Generosity grows from the grace of God
Everything we have is given to us by God. Giving is one way we respond with gratitude, trust, and a desire to see others meet Jesus.
We are stewards, not owners
The Bible begins our thinking about money with God’s ownership. Our time, abilities, homes, and finances are gifts entrusted to us, not possessions we ultimately own.
Christian generosity is therefore more than donating to a good cause. It is an act of worship that loosens our grip on what we have and trains our hearts to trust the One who gave it.
We give because God has first been generous to us in Jesus. Our hope is not in what money can secure, but in the lasting treasure of God’s kingdom.
“The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the LORD;”
Why Christians give
Seven reasons Christians give
Christian generosity begins with who God is, what he has given us in Christ, and the lasting value of his kingdom.
Everything belongs to God
The universe and everything in it belong to God. Giving begins with recognising that what we have is entrusted to us (1 Chronicles 29:11, 14).
Grace begins at the cross
Jesus was rich, yet for our sake he became poor so that we might become rich through his poverty. Our generosity responds to his grace (2 Corinthians 8:9).
God loves cheerful giving
God is not looking for pressured or reluctant gifts. He delights in giving that is willing and glad (2 Corinthians 9:7).
Giving confronts greed
Jesus says we cannot serve both God and money. Regular generosity helps keep money in its proper place (Matthew 6:24).
Put God’s kingdom first
We seek God’s kingdom before our own comfort. Our giving helps workers proclaim the good news of Jesus and serve others (Matthew 6:33).
Giving grows trust
Generosity expresses confidence that God knows our needs and will provide what is necessary for his people (Philippians 4:19).
Store treasure in heaven
Money cannot last, but what is given for God’s kingdom has eternal significance. Jesus tells us to store treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20).
“Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of compulsion, since God loves a cheerful giver.”
Where the money goes
Giving supports gospel work
Every gift helps sustain the ministry we share today and prepare for what God may do next.
Church life across Auckland
Supporting the ministry and practical needs of our North, Central, and Unichurch campuses throughout the week.
Kids and youth
Helping the next generation hear about Jesus, grow in faith, and belong in the church family.
Training gospel workers
Equipping apprentices, ministry leaders, and future workers to serve the church and share the gospel.
Planting churches
Working toward our 2030 vision to plant grounded and growing churches across Auckland and New Zealand.
Quiet, planned, and free
Jesus teaches his followers not to give in order to be noticed. At Ev, giving is private. We do not publish donor lists, rank gifts, or use generosity as a measure of spiritual standing.
Healthy generosity is deliberate and usually consistent. When we make a budget, we decide our giving first rather than offering God whatever is left. A regular gift turns a good intention into a faithful habit and gives stability to the ministries we share.
The amount is a matter for prayer, wisdom, and personal circumstances. We encourage members to support their local church and, as they are able, other gospel work and care for people in need. It can be helpful to talk honestly about giving with trusted Christians.
If you are visiting Ev, please do not feel any obligation to give.
“But when you give to the poor, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.”
How we handle money
Four financial commitments at Ev
These commitments shape how we invite giving and how the church manages what is entrusted to it.
The gospel is freely shared
We do not want visitors to feel pressure to pay to hear about Jesus. We have freely received the good news, and we want to share it freely.
Questions are welcome
We are committed to financial transparency. Anyone in the church may ask honest questions about our finances, property, or governance.
Partnership is a privilege
Giving supports gospel ministry, care for people in need, and the practical administration that helps our church family serve together.
Integrity and accountability
Church finances must be handled carefully, transparently, and for the purposes the church has described.
Financial accountability at Ev
The Executive Committee is responsible for stewarding the property, finance, and governance of Ev Church. It oversees the financial and legal obligations of the trust and is chaired by the Senior Pastor.
If you have questions or comments about church finances, property, or governance, please speak with a committee member or email [email protected].
Property, finance, and governance
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee welcomes questions, comments, and concerns from the church.
Rowan Hilsden
Senior Pastor and Chair
Rowan leads the committee in keeping its work focused on Christ’s kingdom and the spread of the gospel across Auckland.
Dewald Gilfillan
Treasurer and Executive Member
Dewald is a chartered accountant and external financial auditor. He is a Senior Manager at EY and has worked across South Africa, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
Steve Mullins
Senior Pastor Appointee
Steve has a background in law and general management. He previously served as a Church Warden at Naremburn Cammeray Anglican Church in Sydney.
Anna Marelich
Executive Member and Executive-Appointed Trustee
Anna works in business consulting and has experience in performance improvement, process efficiency, business, and finance.
Rachel Burden
Executive Member
Rachel has more than ten years of experience in operations and event management, with governance experience across charities and businesses.
Tataihono Nikora
Executive Member and Senior Pastor-Appointed Trustee
Tataihono is a software architect with Cru’s Jesus Film Project. He previously led development of MPDX, which helps ministry workers build gospel partnerships in prayer and finance.
Maurice Dheere
Executive Appointee
Maurice spent more than twenty years as a CFO for shipping companies in Athens and has served as an Honorary Treasurer and school Governor.
“For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.”
Grace makes us generous
Christian giving begins at the cross. The one who was rich became poor for us, so that through his poverty we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9). We do not give to earn God’s favour. We give because God has already been generous to us in Christ.
God values a willing and generous heart, even when the gift is modest. Giving may involve real sacrifice, but it also produces thanksgiving to God and supports the spread of the gospel (2 Corinthians 8:12; 9:12).
Ready to give?
If Ev is your church home, we encourage you to make regular giving part of your discipleship. Choose an amount and rhythm that suits your circumstances.