Another Pastor's Insight

Pastor Keenan,

Jesus taught that our money is an indicator of our hearts and Paul taught that if we are loved by God and love Him in return we would give cheerfully, sacrificially, and regularly.

In our digital age when people are increasingly paying bills and conducting commerce online, we have chosen to make online giving available to those who are interested. Some may protest that in the Bible God's people never used credit to tithe, which is true. They also did not use checks or get a tax write off like we do. Nonetheless, the principle is that God's people should give and the methods vary from culture to culture.

A pastor in a cashless bartering society may receive animals or their milk as part of a tithe. In a suburban American church the plate may pass and be filled with checks. Those who have stocks, bonds and the like also tithe them to their church. Still other Christians may give property or other goods as part of their tithe.

The point is simply that God be honored with the first of all our wealth and in a digital economy that would include a digital tithe.

You are free to give via the weekly offering in the service, by mailing your contribution in to the office, or now by the internet and we welcome you to give whatever God has called you to, however God has called you to. The technology that permits online transactions via debit cards also permits giving via credit cards and makes no distinction between the two.

We strongly urge no one to put their tithe on their credit card unless they are able to pay it off each month because we do not want God's people going into debt. But, if you intend to pay off your balance each month we believe that is an issue of conscience and leave that between you, God, and your frequent flier miles.

Proverbs 3:9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the first fruits of all your crops...