Why we give
Generosity reflects God’s heart. He gave first. When we give, we get to be part of what He’s doing in Jacksonville and around the world.
We send 10% of all giving to missions, locally and around the world.
Giving is really for those who call 1C home. If you're new or just getting to know us, please don't feel any pressure to give.
Other ways to give
By mail
Make checks payable to First Christian Church and mail to:
First Christian Church2106 S. Main Street
Jacksonville, IL 62650
In person
Give by cash or check during any service, or anytime at the giving walls as you enter the worship center.
Questions about giving or your giving statement? Contact the church office.
The 3-Month Tithe Challenge
A tithe means giving the first 10% of your income back to God through the local church. It’s more than a money habit. It’s a way of trusting God and growing a generous heart.
The first step is often the hardest, so we created the 3-Month Tithe Challenge, based on God’s promise in Malachi 3:10. Tithe for three months, and if God doesn’t keep His promise to bless you, we’ll refund 100% of what you gave during the challenge.
“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse… Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.”Malachi 3:10
Gifts of Grain
If you farm, you can give a portion of your harvest. Grain gifts fund ministry and outreach without needing cash on hand, whether it’s a few bushels or a larger share of your crop.
How it works
Fill out the notification form
Complete the 1C Gift of Grain Notification Form, then deliver your grain to the elevator (or bin).
Transfer the bushels
Ask the elevator to transfer the number of bushels you're giving to 1C.
1C takes ownership
1C receives the elevator receipt and pays any ownership costs from there, such as storage.
1C sells the grain
1C authorizes the sale and collects the proceeds.
File your taxes
Include your production expenses on your tax return (in the year paid), but not the sale of the gifted bushels. You don't take a charitable contribution deduction for the gift.
Good to know
- You can leave the sale of the crop out of your income and still deduct the cost of growing it. There is no charitable contribution deduction.
- Available for cash basis farmers.
- Crop share landlords can't gift grain. Shares of crop are rental income and must be reported as income on their tax return.
- You must give up “dominion and control” of the grain.
- You can't sell the grain and have the proceeds sent to 1C. That counts as a cash sale and a cash donation, since you haven't given up control. Don't give 1C direction on when or how to sell.
- 1C takes on the risk after the transfer, including storage, transportation, marketing costs and price risk.
- The gift must be well documented to show 1C as the owner: grain delivered with a warehouse receipt made out to 1C, or a notarized letter of transfer for grain stored on the farm.
- Give from unsold crop inventory. Don't make any commitment to sell before the gift.
Always talk with your tax preparer about the tax implications before making a gift. This is not specific tax advice. These are guidelines to help with charitable gifts of agricultural commodities.
10% goes to missions
We send 10% of all giving to outreach and missions in Jacksonville and around the world.