E-tithing? How do you feel?

I think writing out my tithe check is something personal. Besides that, there are times when I add offerings for different ministries.

I don't have direct deposit and I won't pay any bills electronically.

The only time I get to see the paycheck is when I put it in the bank...it goes fast enough as it is!


Sue

 

Don't tithe...problem solved.
Seriously, there can't be any scripture saying what you should or shouldn't do electronically. I do think that giving should be as private as possible, not letting your one hand know what the other is doing type of thing. My father used to sit down at the first of the month and write out a check for each Sunday that month and put them in his Bible. Each Sunday when the offering was taken he would open his Bible and take out one check and put it in the offering plate. I saw this growing up and knew that my father believed in giving and that it was a high priority because I saw him and it had an impact on me. I wasn't privy to the exact amount but that didn't matter. Seeing other people give is a testimony that shouldn't be overlooked.

 

I have told this story before, but is worth repeating. It happened in England, in East London, where I grew up. We were generally the poor of the poor.

The lad had been going to church on a regular basis and placed his pence on the offering plate. One Sunday, he had no money. He took the offering plate from the server, placed it on the floor and placed one foot in the plate. "I have no money, Guv. I give myself to the Lord."

I think this tells it all. The physical offering plate gives us the opportunity to give our all to the Lord.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I have my tithe set up via electronic bill pay. I love it. fewer checks to write, and more cost effective.

 

If you read Malachi chapter 3;10 it says " bring ye" not send thee! I take several disadvantaged children to church with me and I always give them some money to put in the offering and this is one way I teach them how to obey the Lord. If they did not see me putting any thing in,would not my teaching be in vain? This is just my opinion.

 

I have managed my person finances using Quicken since the DOS days! Some of you won't have a clue what that means! Let's just say about 13 years. A few years ago I started "populating" my checking account register with recurring expenses 30 days in advance. It gives me a 30-day disposable income outlook which has become indispensable in my personal finance management. It made perfect sense to do this with my church giving as well. The first entry after my recurring paycheck is my recurring offering! Both of them "pop in" to my electronic register automatically 30 days in advance. That is modern technology "first fruits" giving! I still write out my check and put it in the offering plate, but all I do in my check register is enter the check number. The amount has been deducted from my "bottom line" for thirty days. I can still respond to special offerings/causes in the normal way also!

 

Bob, you reminded me! A parishoner of one of the churches that received millions from the man who recently won the big lottery, approached the pastor and asked, "Are you going to accept that lottery money?" The pastor said, "Why not, the devil's had it long enough!"

 

DOS *sigh* I miss it. *sniff*

Anyway, I don't see a problem with giving through more modern means. I'm pretty stuck on online bill pay and Excel (Quicken and the like just seem like a waste of money for me) to keep my finances in order. I've never much cared for passing the plate during services myself, anyway.

 

No way, man!!! Microsoft Money instead of Quicken for me!!! Woo Hoo!!!

 

I am sympathetic to the idea of teaching your kids by your visibly giving during the offering, but this would not necessarily have to be a tithe. It could be an offering in addition. My kids see us put checks in the plate but they have no idea for how much.

Many churches only have a box at the back anyway, on the concept that it should be entirely private.
And the ones I am acquainted with seem to do relatively as well financially as some that pass the plate every meeting. In my church, most never give in the church service at all, anyway. They give during Sunday School.

Karen

 

I didn't know which one to use because Quicken came with my computer and Money came with Microsoft Works Suite so I used Money for personal finances and Quicken for the Church account to see which one I liked better. So, I am still stuck because I like them both. Maybe we should have a computer finance program version debate.

 

Re: Electronic giving: From a church accounting point-of-view, it allows the managers of the church budget to know that they can count on a regular amount of money coming in on a regular basis. That helps them to be better stewards of the money that is given.

 

I also have some ministries that I support on a monthly basis set up on my online banking. It makes it so much easier. Set up the payee once, designate the monthly amount and length of automatic payments and you're done.

 

Not that this should be a reason for not doing electronic giving, but none-the-less it was mentioned at my church.

"What will poorer people think when they see the rich folks never putting anything in the offering plate?"

Again, I don't agree with that view. Giving is a personal and private thing and no one should care, but perception is reality sometimes.

I'd be interested in people's views on this.

Thanks!
WW2'er