I just finished reading a disturbing article in Time magazine with the following statistic: 

Large urban churches have been accepting credit cards for several years, tapping into the Generation P (for Plastic) aversion to carrying cash. Pastors like to tell jokes about parishioners collecting Frequent Flier points on the way to heaven. A recent Dallas Morning News poll found that 55% of 200 local churches accept credit and/or debit cards.

I feel quite certain that God doesn't need money that bad. I understand that there is a growing aversion to carrying money, but there is also a growing aversion to paying off debt. I don't personally believe that, from a Biblical perspective, alcohol use in moderation is a sin.  I also don't believe that the managed use of credit cards is a sin. I do believe that it would be a sin for me to offer churchgoers an open bar next to the foyer Starbucks (although I'm sure it would be a very effective way to grow a church) - not because it is in itself sinful, but because even if I contributed to a single person's alcoholism, it would be evil. I have a feeling that at least some of the 55% of 200 local churches have at least someone with terrible credit card debt. If the church is in receipt of that money, are they also responsible for the usury that is the 20%+ APR?

The article itself had to do with ATM's in the lobby, with which I don't necessarily have a problem. At least not the same problem that I have with donations on credit. I do question why a church would feel it necessary to make it easier for someone to give. If giving to a their church is a responsibility of a believer in Christ, then what would be the need make it easier to do. Part of the growth the we experience spiritually in our giving is the fact that it is a discipline. It is something that we do even though it might not be that easy.

I would assume as well that many of these churches who are trying to make it easier to give are also preaching a message of prosperity that says, "if you are faithful in your giving, God with be faithful in providing your abundance." Wrong.

God IS faithful. Giving is my responsibility.

Just because I give to a church, my condition is not necessarily going to improve. I give to a church because the God who has changed my position (death to life) has told my heart to do so. If I give my offering to him at 22.5% interest, I have a pretty good feeling that my abundant prosperity is going to be at least 22.5% lower (compounded) than if I had paid cash.

The ATM in the Church Lobby - TIME