Welcome to adulthood Harvest

The first online transaction by credit card is up for debate, but we do know that it was roughly sometime in 1994 with the internet that we know of today. That means we are about 22 years in the making for getting setup to give online for the church.

Launching today we are introducing not just one way to give online, but five ways between mobile web, txt-2-give, desktop, email, and even from Facebook recurring weekly, monthly, or annually.

Mogiv has been a partner for many of our Harvest Bible Fellowship churches throughout the world. So you can have confidence in the security and stability of this service we've prayerfully selected.

Why do we have a new giving platform?

With technology advancing at such a rapid pace, more and more people use electronic forms of payment to pay for basic needs, make purchases and more. Young adults and families, especially, are turning to online banking to manage their finances, and almost exclusively use debit and credit cards versus checks and cash for most transactions.

To keep up with the times, and make giving more convenient to our church family, we are excited to announce the availability of online giving for you! Now, you can safely and securely give on our website, via email or text message right from your mobile device!

How does it work?

Our online and mobile giving is facilitated by Mogiv, a secure giving platform used by churches around the country. They set up the technology that enables gifts in any amount, anywhere, from any device. That allows us to spend more time fulfilling the Great Commission!

How much can I give?

Mogiv allows you to give in any amount above $1.00. There’s no maximum limit! And, you can give from a debit card, credit card, or bank account. The choice is yours!

How do I get started?

To start giving online, simply visit the site below and create your first gift. Your gift can be one-time or repeating. You can create an account or give as a guest.

How do I get a receipt for my donation?

The Mogiv system will email you a receipt for each gift that you make. You can also access a personalized, printable giving report online at anytime. All your gifts are tax deductible.

How soon will the church receive my gift?

Depending on your method of payment, it will take from two to seven business days for your gifts to arrive in our bank account. Funds are settled directly into our designated bank account.

How much does it cost me to use the Mogiv system?

The Mogiv system is free to use for givers. There are no set-up fees, and no fees charged to make a gift.

How much does it cost the church when I use the Mogiv system?

Mogiv charges competitive credit card and merchant bank processing fees (and doesn’t charge any set-up or service fees to us). Keep in mind that we also have labor and other costs associated with processing cash and check gifts. To make giving more accessible to everyone, the church is willing to pay the fees. If you’re led, you can add 1% (bank account) or 3% (credit cards) to your donation to help cover these fees. To see Mogiv’s fee structure, visit mogiv.com.

Okay, enough chit-chat, I want to get started now!

Simply visit our giving page or email/txt an amount to the following addresses. You only need to give an email address for a receipt, a password to fully setup an account which also allows you to see your yearly giving any time you'd like.
Our Online Giving URL: www.harvestpittsburghnorth.org/giving
Our Unique Mobile & Email Gift Address: harvestpittsburghnorth@mogiv.com
Harvest Facebook Page (Give tab): http://www.facebook.com/10206990740040236

The Questions We Didn’t Get To Answer

Here they are, the questions we did not get to cover on Sunday. If you asked one of these, take no offense that it was not used in service. We had to limit the number, and if we do this in the future, we will be doing fewer than we did Sunday.

I am going to give the short answer, and if you want more, e-mail me!

Should Christians be organ donors? 

I think being an organ donor is a great thing. I see no Biblical reason not to, if that is what you choose to do.

Is cremation wrong?

I have heard both sides of this one. One side says, “It’s a Pagan practice, Christians always buried their dead.” True. And Christians never let Pagan practices creep in (like Christmas trees and lights, Easter eggs, and Halloween). Apology for the sarcasm there.

The other side is, “It’s cheaper, and isn’t it the same kind of thing that happens to your body if you die in a fire, for example?” True.

Cop out answer: you have no control over what happens to your body when you die. I know, such a lame answer, right? “But Pastor Jeff, what if someone requests cremation ahead of time, should we honor the request when they die?” It’s not a salvation issue. Do your homework, have your own conviction.

Are psychics real? Are they evil?

I believe most are just fakers, and if there are “real” ones, they get their spiritual “insight” from Satanic sources, as God would not empower something He forbids! See Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 2 Kings 21:6, Isaiah 8:19, for example.

Do you believe people have seen heaven and returned to earth?

I know of two who had for sure. One wasn’t allowed to talk about it (Paul) and one was told to write it all down (John). I have read the modern day accounts, and I confess to being a bit skeptical. Admittedly, some of the details I have read concerning the modern ones are pretty amazing.

What are similarities/differences between our church and the first century church?

We are striving for many of the same ingredients the first century church had! Obviously technology and culture have changed in the last couple thousand years, but the foundational principles we see in the book of Acts are still pillars in HBC - preaching the Word of God, worshiping God in spirit and in truth, praying passionately, and sharing the Gospel with boldness. Even all of the electronic gizmos we use are to work towards the goal of making disciples and carrying out the 4 pillars.

Should you still tithe 10% of your income if you are behind on your bills?

In cases like this, I recommend good Biblical financial counseling.

I believe tithing is a great principle, and am convicted myself it is the place to start with giving. That said, the Jewish Old Testament requirement is not seen shifted over to the church in the New Testament. Actually, an OT Jew would end up tithing about 23 1/3rd % of their income!

“Oh so since we are under grace, we are not required to give as much?” Name something the law required that grace doesn’t give more! Money is a heart issue, and giving must be done deliberately, out of your own supply, and cheerfully. Read 2 Corinthians 8 and 9 really carefully for a great teaching on NT giving.

Will God punish those who outwardly mock Him?

Yes. Unless they repent and are born again, the Bible says everyone who has failed to come to Christ for forgiveness of sins and eternal life will face the ultimate and eternal wrath of God, whether they mock Him outwardly or silently reject Him.

If this was edifying, let me know, and we will do it again sometime!

Pastor Jeff
p.s. - Not afraid of hard questions, but terribly afraid of sharks.

The PS in Philippians

We wrapped up Philippians with a message on contentment. Paul told us the secret to being content in all circumstances is by resting in the strength of Christ. But there was more in the text that did not get covered in the sermon. Let’s take a look at that here!

The reason Paul wrote Philippians in the first place was to say thank you to them. Yes, in your Bible is a Holy Spirit inspired “Thank You” card. Paul was in prison, actually at this point it was more of a house arrest in Rome, chained to a guard 24/7. The Philippian church sent Epaphroditus with some provisions for Paul (4:18). And in this last section in chapter 4, there are 6 principles Paul gives about authentic giving unto the Lord’s work.

 Yet it was kind of you to share my trouble.
And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.
Even in Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once and again.
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit.
I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 
(Philippians 4:14-19)

Grab your Bible and take a look. And at the same time, as always, take a look into your own heart when it comes to giving.

Authentic giving is:

1. Heart-motivated (v14)
   (see also verse 10) - Our giving is motivated by a heart regenerated by the life and love of God. Authentic givers don’t give out of obligation, or begrudgingly. Authentic givers give out of their resources, but from their hearts.

2. Partnership-minded (v15)
   I don’t just go to church. I belong here. I am part of the body. I am partnering with the advancement of the Gospel with this church. I give because I am personally invested in the work here!

3. Consistently-offered (v16)
   Aw, man. I gave to the church last year. Yeah, and God gave to you last year, too. But knowing you have needs this year, He is still providing. The church has ongoing needs. And God provides through you!

4. God-recorded (v17)
   Paul was more excited about the gift the Philippians would receive than the gift he himself received. God records what we give. And that “fruit that increases to <our> credit” refers to our treasure in heaven! He’s keeping track. And He’s going to pay it back in glory.

5. Worship-oriented (18)
   “Fragrant offering” and “sacrifice“. Sounds like Old Testament worship terms, doesn’t it? That’s Paul’s point here. Giving is an act of worship. Just like singing, preaching, praying, doing works of compassion… giving is just as much an act of worship!

6. God-rewarded (v19)
   God not only records but He rewards. In heaven, right? Yeah, Paul already covered that. Here, he is talking about earth - here and now! God will provide for every need you have on earth. Count on it. Give to Him, and know He has you covered. How can we be sure? Well, He gives according to His riches. Do you think God ever write a bad check? That’s impossible, when you literally own everything. So relax, He has you covered? Do you trust Him?

Let’s reflect the generosity of God.

p.s. - my Father owns everything

Give to the Church? That's Hilarious!

The great thing about a church plant is we are starting with nothing! But the hard thing about a church plant is that we are starting with nothing.

It’s great to start with nothing!

We are going to set the culture from day 1, and we will never hear, “We can’t do it that way, we have always done it this way!” We have a clean slate! But by far the greatest thing about starting with nothing: We are going to see the Lord build things from the ground up. Where are the people going to come from? Where are we going to meet? How will, where will, what if…? The Lord is working these things out right now! This time next year, we will be looking back to where we sit today, fondly reminiscing, “Remember when we were wondering how this was going to happen and God made amazing provision?”

Let’s not think too far ahead… let’s enjoy where the Lord has us right now. And where He has us is in a position of faith. Thank you, Lord, for putting us in a position where we have to trust you! Thank you for putting us in a place where, if you don’t show up, we won’t succeed, because we cannot do this in our own power. The glory rightly goes to God, to whom it is due. 

It's hard to start with nothing!

No building, no bank account, no... people! It is hard to start with nothing! And one of the “obstacles” that stand before us is money. Obviously, starting a church plant requires some start up funds. How does God provide this? He provides it through His people. From provision for the tabernacle in Exodus to provision of the church in the New Testament and beyond, God’s people give to support the work of God.

So how should we give?

In 2 Corinthians 8 and 9, Paul talks about collecting an offering from the churches to take to the church in Jerusalem, which was in pretty severe need. This occasion prompted some great teaching about giving. Here are 4 things you and I need to keep in mind when we give.

1. Give generously (2 Corinthians 8:2).
   
   Here’s a little math from verse 2: Joy + Sacrifice = Generosity.
   
   I never met anyone who referred to themselves as a Scrooge: “I hate giving to worthy causes”. We would all like to be thought of as being generous. But generosity is measured by 2 things: joy AND sacrifice (or as the text says, giving out of poverty). You have to have both to fall into the generous category. If you joyfully give $10 when you are a multi-billionaire, that is very nice and appreciated but it isn’t technically generous. Or if you only make $20 a year and reluctantly give 10 of them, while grumbling and complaining about it, that’s not generous either! It’s joyfully and sacrificially giving! We are calling on you to be generous: giving sacrificially out of a joyful heart. How can you foster that attitude? Keep in mind you aren’t giving to an organization or a person or even a charity - you are giving to God. And when you know you are giving directly to Him, you can’t help but want to give and give joyfully!
    
2. Give according to your means (2 Corinthians 8:3, 12).
   
   Always of our own free will, and certainly at times beyond our means, but giving is according to your means. I would love to give 100 trillion dollars to the church. Believe it or not, I don’t even have half of that in my bank account. So what can I give? Well, like the commercial asks, “What‘s in your wallet?” I am not told to give according to Bill Gates’ means, or give what is in Lebron James’ wallet, or looting my neighbor’s house. I am told to give according to my means. How has God given to me? “The need is great, but all I can give is _______.” You be faithful to God with what He has entrusted to you, and by His grace, I will do the same.
    
3. Give according to the law of the harvest (2 Corinthians 9:6, 10).
   
   It doesn’t get any more straightforward than this. Sow a little, reap a little; sow a lot, reap a lot. This is true for the farmer, and this also works for the faithful giver. Proverbs 11:24 teaches the same. You will never out-give God. Ever.
    
4. Give hilariously (2 Corinthians 9:7).
   
   I hope when you started reading, and saw the subject was money, you didn’t roll your eyes and prepare for a guilt trip to give. The last thing I want to do is give a guilt trip, because “God loves a cheerful giver”. You make up your mind, you give generously according to your means… but it has to be given with joy. The Greek word for cheerful could also be translated hilarious. When I think of the word hilarious, several people come to mind. My wife is one of those people. She just says things sometimes that make me laugh and laugh. For days. And then a week later, I will remember it suddenly and laugh all over again! It is that kind of unrestrained joy that we are to make a part of our giving. This brings us back full circle to the joy in 2 Corinthians 8:2. It’s all God’s anyways, and we are giving back to Him what is His and He will use it to do His work and give us more to give back to Him to do more work and… the whole thing really is hilarious!

p.s. - a big fan of hilarity