I remember an ATM-like gadget that caught my attention at a conference earlier this year. During my brief discussion with the giving kiosk’s exhibitor, I congratulated her for zeroing in on an opportunity I have often pondered myself. I shared how I have suggested to church leaders that they begin utilizing some method of electronic giving in their church; and how, oftentimes, I encounter resistence to this suggestion.

I suspect the reason church leaders are hesitant to adopt electronic giving methods is somehow wrapped up in their theology of giving - or lack thereof. For some reason or another, church leaders associate so much of the giving experience with an offering plate and a checkbook. Frankly, I have yet to find Scriptures that imply that, “Thou shalt not give online,” or that “The offering plate is the way, the truth…” (I will refrain).  I suspect that even some of the most hesitant church leaders secretly enjoy the convenience of having their utility bills automatically debited from their checking accounts each month.

Whether or not church leaders like these sorts of electronic transactions is not the issue. Online giving and other methods of electronic transactions have become the norm; many people complain that the church is the only place where someone expects a paper check. The day is fast approaching when the checkbook will be obsolete, cash-on-hand will be completely unecessary, and the offering plate will thus find itself empty.

Church leaders need to understand that the electronic transaction is just that - a transaction. It is the process by which one individual or institution exchanges funds with another. Christian stewardship is not about transactions. Christian stewardship is an understanding that everything belongs to God and that we have been entrusted with these things for His glory. Generous giving is an outward expression of our faith and an inward discipline of trust and commitment to God. The outward expression and inward discipline of generous giving does not rely upon pen strokes in a checkbook any more or less than it does clicks on a keyboard.

Jason Lewis has served Christian ministries in a variety of leadership roles, trained hundreds of non-profit leaders, and shared relationships with a continuously growing number of generous individuals. You can read more about Jason’s ministry at www.theGenerousLife.net