Many churches today provide an option for those who would like to give by card rather than cash. This became particularly prevalent following the COVID-19 pandemic when many places stopped accepting cash. Many people now do not carry much cash with them.

Some churches will have a card giving section on their giving envelopes and others will have a kiosk or giving station either in their welcome areas or in the main sanctuary to help facilitate giving.

Today giving by card can be easier and simpler for many people but it can come with a couple of drawbacks.

• Charges - most card companies and service providers take a fee, either per transaction or via subscription to allow churches to provide card giving facilities. Even if these companies give a discount to charities, money is still deducted from your final gift or from other expenses that the charity incurs.

• Debt - when giving by credit card, you are incurring a debt by giving. The Bible talks about how debt can keep you in bondage, so giving in this manner may not be the best way to go, even if you pay off your card every month, you are giving out of what you don't necessarily have, rather than out of what God has provided you with already.

If you do most of your giving by credit card, it can be tempting to give more than you can financially sustain. Particularly if there is a special offering where the money would be going to a good cause. The problem is that this money isn't really ours and it can be easy to over give and struggle to pay back.

Clearly some find it easier to manage debt than others and, in this day, and age being in some form of debt is normalised. The issue is that it can be a temptation for those who perhaps can't afford or

Giving By Credit Card Can Overextend Your Finances
If you regularly give via credit card, you can be tempted to give more than you can afford. Perhaps a specific need is presented, or a special offering is taken. The temptation would be to give more than we can easily pay back. Some will find giving in this way manageable whilst others will find it a real temptation which leads them into unmanageable debt.

We would warn against the irresponsible use of credit cards in any situation, and giving is no exception. It is unwise to go into debt for any reason but especially when giving towards the work of the church.