Hear from Stephen McKay, MTS Director of Operations and Pastoral Development, as he shares some thoughts on partnering with MTS and how tax-deductible giving benefits both MTS and the giver!
Steve McKay
MTS is eternally grateful for our supporters, who continue to pray for us and give generously so that the ministry of MTS can continue. The New Testament uses two main terms when talking about those who give financially to support gospel ministry.
The first is partnership.
In Philippians 1:3-6, Paul thanks the Philippians for their partnership in the gospel. As we read through the rest of Philippians, we see that he is primarily talking about their financial support of him as he travelled from place to place, preaching the gospel. It’s a strong word to use for someone who is not actively involved in the particular ministry, but rather just providing money so that others can get on with the ministry. It’s the same word that Paul uses for Titus, who does ministry by his side in 2 Corinthians 8:23.
Some provide the money; others provide the labour. And together, both parties enable the gospel to be preached, people to be saved, and young Christians to mature in the faith. The partnership enables the ministry to flourish.
The second term the New Testament uses when talking about those who give financially to support gospel ministry is privilege.
In 2 Corinthians 8, Paul uses the example of the Macedonian Christians and their views on giving to encourage the Corinthians to give money. The money here is a collection for the Christians in Jerusalem who were in the midst of a famine, but the principle holds for giving to any sort of ministry, esp. gospel work.
Despite how poor they were, they urgently pleaded with Paul for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people. And Paul holds them up as an example, meaning that their perspective was correct. It is a privilege to be able to give money to God’s people and to gospel ministry.
Giving to gospel ministry is not a chore or a burden. It may be a sacrifice. It certainly was for the Macedonians. But it is a privilege to be able to give to gospel ministry.
In light of these terms, we at MTS think of our supporters as partners in our ministry who have the privilege of being able to give to gospel ministry.
And this time of year enables our supporters to be able to give to MTS in a particularly tax-effective way.
Empower Gospel Workers while maximising your impact
We believe in equipping gospel workers to spread the message of Christ. Your financial partnership plays a crucial role in training future leaders for ministry. By donating to our tax-deductible fund, you not only support a great cause but also benefit from tax savings that make your generosity go further!
But how does tax-deductible giving work?
When you give to MTS’s tax-deductible fund, your donation is fully tax-deductible. This means you can claim it on your tax return and get a portion of it back from the government as a refund, allowing you to make a bigger difference with less cost to you.
Let’s see how this works for different income levels:
Claire’s Story
- Annual Income: $60,000
- Donation: $1,000 in June
- Tax Return Refund: $300 (claimed in July)
- Total Cost to Claire: $700
Impact: Claire supports the training of future gospel workers while benefiting from a significant tax refund. Her $1,000 donation only costs her $700 out of pocket!
Isaac’s Story
- Annual Income: $140,000
- Donation: $1,000 in December
- Tax Return Refund: $370 (claimed the following July)
- Total Cost to Isaac: $630
Impact: Isaac’s $1,000 gift to MTS comes with a tax refund of $370, meaning he only spends $630 to support the work of MTS.
Juliette’s Story
- Annual Income: $200,000
- Donation: $1,000 in June
- Tax Return Refund: $450 (claimed in July)
- Total Cost to Juliette: $550
Impact: For Juliette, giving to MTS is even more tax-effective. She receives a $450 tax refund, making her $1,000 donation cost only $550!
You can make a difference too
By giving to MTS’s tax-deductible fund, you are not only investing in the future of ministry but also taking advantage of the financial benefits of tax-deductible giving.
Ready to make your donation?
Visit https://mts.com.au/support/ or contact us on 1300 657 548 to learn more.
Your generosity fuels our mission, and together, we can train the next generation of gospel workers.
Note: Individual tax refunds may vary depending on personal circumstances. This article has been written to explain the potential benefits of tax-deductible giving. Please consult a tax advisor for advice specific to your situation.