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.

The most important aspect of giving, therefore, was never the method, but the motive. Most churches use an offering plate. Some have an offering box in the back of the church. Today’s technology also makes it possible to give at home, in secret.

In fact, online giving makes it much easier for a church to do things “decently and in order” by lifting much of the cash management burden from church administrators. It allows for a more fitting use of the ministry’s resources.

When a ministry starts to use Good Shepherds Bank, they shouldn't stop using their offering plates. There are still good reasons to receive an offering as part of the worship service. For example, church members who give online may also place a gift notice in the offering plate as a part of corporate worship. But giving online is really no different than giving as worship. The offering was never about the plate.