Don’t tithe with credit cards
Dear Dave,
What is your opinion of churches encouraging members to do e-giving with credit cards and debit cards?
Melissa
Dear Melissa,
I’m against debt, so I’m not particularly fond of churches asking people to use a debt vehicle to pay their tithes. I realize that few businesses and organizations distinguish between debit cards and credit cards when accepting payment. However, this practice bothers me a lot when it comes to churches.
The Bible mentions debt several times in Scripture, and every time it does, it’s always in a negative light. It’s not a salvation issue or anything like that, but the Bible basically says debt is a foolish thing. Now, I think e-giving in itself is fine. But if I were the pastor or on the leadership board and we had an e-giving process, I would strongly encourage people to use debit cards and not credit cards.
There’s nothing wrong with a draft or an ACH kind of thing. A lot of people do that and like the ability to give online. But I don’t want a giving situation to your church turn into debt to you. And it does just that when it’s a credit card!
Dave
Teachable moments
Dear Dave,
I’ve started my four-year-old on an allowance structure and a chore chart. I also have a mini-envelope system with spending and saving set up, but I’m having trouble helping him distinguish between the two. How can I solve this?
Monica
Dear Monica,
At that age, any type of saving is going to be more of a glorified, long-term spending plan. The point is to teach them to delay gratification when you’re first starting out. And when you’re only four, two weeks is long-term.
The contents of the spending envelope should be kind of spontaneous. Let him take it on trips to the store, and if he wants a pack of gum or whatever, he can get it. The saving envelope, though, stays at home. Then, as he grows and his mind and reasoning develop a little more, you can really start teaching him about long-term goals and how to get there—including giving.
Don’t try to force a four-year-old to think five or ten years into the future. We’re just trying to teach lessons here, and it doesn’t have to be done perfectly. Just be intentional, and try to find teachable moments as you go along!
Dave
*Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.
