What I learned about Stewardship from my son

Terry, our friendly balcony usher, had just offered us the collection plate. I subtly nodded him off, as usual, when my unexpected lesson began. “WHY DON’T YOU EVER PAY THE CHURCH ANYTHING?” exclaimed my son T.. He was not being discreet. When I tried to explain the mysteries of electronic fund transfers and bank drafts at this inopportune moment, my words had no impact. “NO, WHY DON’T YOU PAY THE CHURCH?” he continued to question. As the balcony folk turned to see the source of commotion, I began to understand that my son was teaching me, the stewardship consultant, an important lesson about Christian giving.

The convenience of electronic fund transfers, bank drafts and mailing pledges appeal to many modern churchgoers. We rush out the door on Sunday mornings, forgetting the checkbook and allowing no time to run by the ATM on the way to church. Weekend travel takes us away from church attendance as well. With electronic marvels providing an easy way to honor God with our tithes and offerings, we have one less thing to worry about.

While this is a good thing for most, what’s missing is our participation in an important part of the worship service and the teaching moments that the act of placing our offering in the plate provides for our children and youth.

On the way home from church the day T. so freely spoke up about our family’s giving habits, I attempted to explain my actions once again. I quickly understood the window of opportunity had passed, and it was I who had learned a valuable lesson. Since that Sunday, I no longer nod Terry away during the offering. Instead, I drop in a token of my electronic contribution in the plate. T. now sees that we honor God with our gifts … and, in turn, I feel more connected to worship.

How do you connect electronic givng, mail-in pledges or monthly giving to worship?