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SemperReformanda said:
We don't use offering envelopes at my church, but I do use a check so I can get tax deductions (I don't see anything wrong with that.) If we took the giving in secret command to mean no checks in the offering plate, wouldn't that mean we couldn't use checks for anything else that was not a purchase? People are free to use money or checks.

Did you know that some churches actually use offering envelopes on which you not only write how much you are tithing but you also are supposed to "grade" yourself for the past week on Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, service, etc? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bash.gif" alt="" />

Marie,

I guess my original question was a little misleading. The main problem I was worried about was not so much a privacy issue but the point that when you know someone is counting how much you give, it may lead to a subtle shift in your heart about the motive behind your giving. Whether only one person is counting your giving or many, the mere fact that you know someone is counting might possibly affect how/why you are giving. This also goes with the tax deduction issue.

I don't think there is necessarily anything wrong with using your offerings as a tax deduction, but as Christians we should always be wary that when we do use them in that manner that the purpose for which we are giving to the church does not become subverted, i.e., to get a tax deduction. I personally have known friends whose purpose for giving is often motivated (whether to a large or small extent) by tax deductions. I think this is wrong (at least as it pertains to church giving).

As I stated in my original post, when I was in the U.S. I always paid by check so there were definitely records. I got them in the mail at the end of every year. I don't see much of a way around that unless you dump a big wad of cash in the offering plate every week.

I'm glad I don't have to grade myself on my "Christian duties" every week on an envelope. I think I would be searching for a new church very soon.

John