ATM in your church lobby?

[Sandra]

Originally Posted by BoredOutOfMyMind

This weeks Time Magazine has an article about ATM's in churches.

It is not so far fetched of an idea. You have to have receipts for most donations beginning in 2007, and some church giving increased 18%.

Would you use an ATM at church?

Click here for the full story.

great idea!!!

[MissBrattified]

""How would you feel if someone in your church was giving and giving on credit and you later find they have to declare bankruptcy," said one from Eric. "I guess it wouldn't matter because you're not your brother's keeper — huh?" To deal with that problem, many churches now accept only debit cards."

This would also concern me...I don't think anyone should be paying tithes or offering with a credit card! That seems wrong, and even dishonest to me...to pay God with money you may or may not have. Just my perspective!

[tamor]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

""How would you feel if someone in your church was giving and giving on credit and you later find they have to declare bankruptcy," said one from Eric. "I guess it wouldn't matter because you're not your brother's keeper — huh?" To deal with that problem, many churches now accept only debit cards."

This would also concern me...I don't think anyone should be paying tithes or offering with a credit card! That seems wrong, and even dishonest to me...to pay God with money you may or may not have. Just my perspective!

Amen!! And a very good perspective.....

[Ron]

I could see the possibility of it helping people give, or making it convenient, but what I have a problem is this:

Joh 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.

Now I know Jesus is talking about purchasing Doves not ATMS, but I wonder how much we should mix worship, prayer, and banking.

Just a concern I personally have.

JMHO

[Felicity]

We were at a church in N.S. when we were home and they have ATM service available. It's really helpful because there are many people not carrying cash much anymore.

There have been many times that I wanted to give money for a specific cause or just for the general offering but had no cash. If I'd had access to a debit machine the offering would have increased.

[chseeads]

The people who increase their giving just because it's "easier" are not biblically giving anyways. If they were, they wouldn't mind the "sacrifice" it would require to get some cash beforehand, and they wouldn't give more only because it was easier to give it, they'd be giving from the heart as much as they wanted to give regardless. *shrug*

[SDG]

Originally Posted by Ron

I could see the possibility of it helping people give, or making it convenient, but what I have a problem is this:

Joh 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house a house of merchandise.

Now I know Jesus is talking about purchasing Doves not ATMS, but I wonder how much we should mix worship, prayer, and banking.

Just a concern I personally have.

JMHO

I don't know how much personal banking one can do from an ATM ... Ron.

The prooftext you gave was for the shameless hawking of merchandise ... specifically those who wanted to buy an offering to present ... rather than bring one of their own ....

The ATM simply is an electronic means of accessing one's own cash ...

[SDG]

Originally Posted by chseeads

The people who increase their giving just because it's "easier" are not biblically giving anyways. If they were, they wouldn't mind the "sacrifice" it would require to get some cash beforehand, and they wouldn't give more only because it was easier to give it, they'd be giving from the heart as much as they wanted to give regardless. *shrug*

The sacrifice? Give it a break. Most of us don't see our checks or get paid cash ... unless you are off the books or still cash a check.

With direct deposit I don't even see my check in the form of cash ... all my banking is done electronically ... my bills paid online.

I thought God prefers our obedience over sacrifice, anyway.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

I don't know how much personal banking one can do from an ATM ... Ron.

The prooftext you gave was for the shameless hawking of merchandise ... specifically those who wanted to buy an offering to present ... rather than bring one of their own ....

The ATM simply is an electronic means of accessing one's own cash ...

Depends on what one wants to do Dan, but again it wasn't just the ATM I had a concern with, it was the principle of "banking" & Church mixed together.

I didn't say I had a "conviction" just a "concern" and that it was personal.

[SDG]

Some would like us to carry the ox to temple on our shoulders ... then it woud be "biblical'?