Electronic Collection Plate and Perception

[Anonymous]

My spouse attends religious services at a DC area church. Being the financial manager in the house, I would like my spouse to donate appreciated securities (stock) for the additional tax benefit (it also seems like less work for the church to process once a week vs weekly cash management). My spouse has a concern of perception that they are not putting cash in the collection late (or collection envelope to track). From brief on-line searching, I found this from 6 years ago (among other similar articles):

"You just kind of get over it … because you know you’ve donated,” said Hall, a communications manager for the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, D.C. At the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington, about half of the 1,600 congregants who give regular donations do so electronically, up from 20 percent four years ago."

My spouse does not attend that specific institution but it's an example (which I'm sure is more common now). Any thoughts on making my spouse more comfortable with donating stock to the church and not putting anything in the collection plate?

[Anonymous]

My church encourages people to give via electronic funds transfer so they put cards in the pews saying "I gave online" and we can just put that in the plate to participate in the ritual. Perhaps suggest that to the church? If that's not an option, maybe give a small amount in the plate while the rest if made up of the stock?

[Anonymous]

First of all, your spouse is way overthinking other people's perceptions of him. Most people who tithe or pledge give monthly, so 3 of 4 Sundays every month they're just sitting there like chumps when the plate comes along. (Honestly, if I do any judging, it's of the people who toss in some cash every week because I know it means they don't pledge. But obviously I try not to judge.)

Second, if he really can't get over it, I agree with the PP that he should see if his church has an "I give online" type card. (My church does too.) Short of that, does the church send out pledge envelopes? Why couldn't he just put an empty envelope in the plate each week? (Or he could improvise his own "I gave online" note to put in the envelope.)

There really is a good solution to this problem.

[Anonymous]

Also, maybe have your spouse read what Jesus said in Matthew 6:2-4: "So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. But when you give to the poor, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving will be in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you."

[Anonymous]

You mean you're torn between giving just to show off, and giving to get more of a tax break?

Tough choice.

You have all my sympathy.

[Anonymous]

Op, I put dollars in the collection plate each week- anywhere from $2 to $20, depending on what I gave in my purse. My real contribution is made electronically. But I want my kids to see us making a donation each week so that is a token, extra amount.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, a lot of good answers here.

Matthew 6:2-4, per PP. We also have kids and we give them each a small amount to donate.

Not crazy about the "I gave" cards -- just seems like creating work for something that I don't see the value in, i.e. the public showing of a contribution.

I have a relative who just *loves* to put a hundred dollar bill in the plate, and then roll his eyes around to make sure his largesse has been noted. It's funny in a mortifying way, and not the way you want to be!

[Anonymous]

My Catholic parish uses Faith Direct for electronic donations. FD will send you a supply of small cards to put in the basket, if you want to use them. I throw a small bunch in my purse once a month so that I have them handy for Mass. No work at all. Occasionally I'll write a check for the collection if it's a special collection not included in the monthly FD categories.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm a Minister and was a Church Administrator for years. You are overthinking this. No one cares. Many people give electronically. We encouraged that because it's less work for the bookkeeper every week and because the church still receives the offering even when a member can't make it to the service. However, I can promise you that the vast majority of people around you in church are not paying any attention to what you put in the offering plate each week.