Giving is an act of worship. Paul told the Corinthians, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). We often point to the instructions to “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse” (Malachi 3:10).

Putting an offering in the plate is, for many of us, an important part of a worship service, just like the songs and the sermon.

At first, online giving may seem to take away from this important act of corporate worship. It may seem a bit hollow, making it too easy to forget the significance of giving.

But consider Jesus' instructions about acts of worship and devotion in the Sermon on the Mount: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them” (Matthew 6:1). The most important thing about praying or fasting or giving, Jesus said, is not the outward act, but the reasons for the act. In fact, Jesus so strongly cautions against performing these acts simply for outward show, that He says we should do them in secret. Pray in your closet. Fast at home. We should give, He said, without the left hand knowing what the right hand is doing.