Place your cash tithes and gifts inside a completed offering envelope and put it in the offering plate at service or drop it off at the church office.

Place your tithes and gifts by check inside a completed offering envelope, and put it in the offering plate, drop it off or mail it to the church office.

Building a Lasting Legacy of Faith
The Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund is a perpetual source of income for the Life & Mission of the Church.

Endowment Fund Information

The word “tithe” means tenth or 10%. Tithing, or giving 10% of your income, is not merely giving something to God. It is giving back what was His to begin with. All that we have, or hope to have, comes from Him. The Bible says that tithing is a reminder that God is the supplier of everything. It teaches us to always put God first in our lives.

Dear Family and Friends of Vanderbilt Presbyterian Church,

A New Beginning in 2023

The generous financial giving of our congregation in 2022 supported the careers of our dedicated church staff, maintained our beautiful sanctuary and physical facilities, and enabled the critical ministries and missions that are foundational to our Christian beliefs.  

The Stewardship theme for 2023, “All for Christ; Brave Giving”, challenges us as believers to boldly reinvest the generous gifts that God has placed in our care in efforts that spread the gospel of Jesus Christ:  “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”  – 1 Peter 4:10

Every Gift Matters

The graphic below illustrates Vanderbilt’s giving patterns from the 2022 campaign.  In examining that data, two facts become evident:  our church’s support of our various ministries would not be possible without broad-based support from hundreds of individual giving units.  Equally as vital is the significant financial support of a smaller group of givers.

No matter the level of your giving, you’re a critical component of the annual operating budget of the church.  This year, we ask that you prayerfully consider what God is calling you to contribute.  As He reminds us in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Acknowledging our Financial Challenges

In early November 2022, we communicated that the church’s income was projected to fall far short of expectations for the year.  As of this writing, it appears we will have to cover a significant operating shortfall from our cash reserves. 

This year’s stewardship campaign might be the most critical in Vanderbilt’s history.  Without a significant increase in pledged gifts this year, our church leadership will be compelled to make difficult decisions about the size of our paid staff, the improvements we’re able to make to our facilities and what ministries we can maintain.

How much should I give?

Leviticus 27:30 says, “A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, is the Lord’s, and is holy.” And Proverbs 3:9 says, “Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops.”  Gardening metaphors aside, what these verses are really saying is for us to give a portion (specifically a tenth) of whatever we earn back to God. And firstfruits is just a biblical way of saying that we should give first—before we do anything else with our money.

While tithing 10% of our incomes is biblical, that doesn’t mean it’s the most important aspect of being a Christian.  In fact, in Matthew 23:23, Jesus warns against focusing too much on the rules of tithing without paying attention to the more important things like justice, mercy and faithfulness. 

Next Steps

Enclosed, you will find an Estimate of Giving Card to indicate the level to which you expect to support Vanderbilt’s ministries in 2023. Please bring or mail your Estimate of Giving Card to the church any time on or before our Stewardship Dedication Sunday on February 12, when we gather to dedicate our commitments. If you prefer, you may also indicate your estimate of giving online at https://vpcnaples.org/worship/estimate-of-giving/

Yours in Christ,

The Vanderbilt Stewardship Ministry Team:

Greg Borden, Moderator & Elder Co-Liaison, Tom Hurley, Elder Co-Liaison, Ron Addaman

Ex-officio: Pastor Rob Marrow