Digitalization has revolutionized the world. Simple things like the sport of soccer have been completely reimagined into digital experiences. Playing soccer on a video game console alone in a dark room is more abstract and undeniably less real than playing soccer on a grassy field with friends, yet, without hesitation, millions of hours are squandered playing fake versions of the real thing. An American, on average, spends 370 hours a year playing video games. This proves two things. First, humans are entirely capable of working and playing in abstract realities. Second, the digitalization of simple things like soccer has revealed humankind’s predisposition to laziness. There have been arguments that digitalization has damaged the church and the way the church worships. Specifically, this argument has been made concerning tithing, the idea being that not putting physical money into a physical offering plate removes the ability to worship in giving. However, this is not the case. It has already been established, and as is readily apparent in society, humans can make meaningful choices in and with digital realms. Second, the digitalization of tithing has revealed that man is naturally against giving to the church. Digitalization is merely an opportunity to hide sin. So, in an age of digital giving, Christians must give joyfully and painfully, just as has always been true. Giving in a digital age continues to be a matter of having a heart oriented towards love and obedience to God and not captivation with the mode of giving.
What are the primary reasons the digitalization of tithing has become an issue? One reason is that when tithing is done electronically, a church member can act like he is giving and eager to give when giving nothing at all. Again, this is simply a heart condition that exists outside of the method of tithing. Nonetheless, digital giving allows such a person not to give while seeming to give. Of course, this is a sin because Christians are called and commanded to give to their church. Another reason digitalization has become an issue is because it has revealed that some are primarily concerned with their perception in their church and not with obedience. If the only reason someone would give is that other people would see him giving, he is more concerned about himself than serving and obeying his God. Indeed, Christians are called not even to let their left hands know what their right hands are doing. Matthew 6:3-4 reads, “But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (ESV) If tithing in front of people changes the amount a Christian gives, this reveals an issue with his heart. Instead, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” reads 2 Corinthians 9:7. The problem, therefore, is not digital giving; the problem is Christians who fail to give joyfully and cheerfully and instead give selfishly.
Perhaps someone would argue that the issue with digital giving is that someone with automatic withdrawals would overlook their giving and fail to worship God in their giving appropriately. If someone overlooks his offering, there is only one explanation: he is not giving enough. If the amount a Christian is giving is so inconsequential that automatic withdrawal causes him to forget about giving altogether, then it is an insufficient amount. This is no call to give at the cost of personal well-being or putting food on the table, but Christians must be giving substantially; noticeably. The Macedonians in 2 Corinthians 8 are seen in joy and in extreme poverty to be overflowing with generosity. Giving is not about the dollar amount but about having this disposition. The Macedonians are intent on helping where they can, even if beyond their means. If Christians living in extreme poverty give beyond their means, Christians in 21st-century America ought to give abundantly. Giving done rightly is painful, yes, it is done joyfully, but it is at the great expense of the individual. Digital giving does not change this reality.
Both issues, desiring the attention of others and not giving enough to notice the impact, are very worldly. Indeed, these issues being very worldly is precisely the problem. When a Christian gives, he does so before the Lord and not before man, so when he is distracted by the things of man, he has failed to tithe rightly. Paul helps us understand how Christians are to live in Romans 12:1-2, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." This way of living is about a complete commitment to God. Donald Whitney counsels, “If you are a Christian, the main reason you should give to the church is that you love Jesus Christ and are grateful for what He has done for you.”2 Understanding this, Christians do not give under or through any historical traditions of the church, as those traditions and customs are not in and of themselves what glorifies God. What glorifies God is presenting oneself as a living sacrifice. The mode of how money, or value of any kind, is transferred from the individual to the church is only a practical consequence.
Then how is one to worship in giving within the modern age and the digital revolution? As they have always offered, Christians are to offer out of an obedient and eager heart to please God. One of the few times Paul gives specifics about how offerings are to be practically collected, he writes in 1 Corinthians 16:2, “On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” Paul does make it clear that the Corinthians are on the first day of every week to put something aside. However, Paul’s point here is not to install a hardline rule for when offerings should be set aside but rather to ensure Christians give in proportion to God’s blessing. Paul also writes in Philippians 4:18, “I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God.” Yes, practical things had to occur for Paul to receive the gift, but what is essential is that the gift is a fragrant offering and a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. Christians can fail to worship God in their giving just as easily today as 100 years ago. Christians can begrudgingly give or lazily forget to be conscious and intentional in giving to the Lord. They must fight not to do this. It would be effortless to rightly worship God in giving if it were not for our sinful flesh. Why is it effortless? Because Christians have received something worth infinitely more than every dollar they will make in their lives. That being eternal life in the presence of God. Christians notice, and they respond with thanksgiving and praise. “As thunder follows lightning, joyful giving follows grace. When the lightning of God's grace strikes us, the thunder of our giving should follow. When we're not givers, it means we are not being permeated by His grace and the joy that's inseparable from it.” writes Randy Alcorn in his book The Treasure Principle. But sinful flesh does get in the way, either because churchgoers are not regenerate at all or because they fail to consciously do the work of recognizing that the lightning of God’s grace has struck their lives. If they are indeed Christians, they need to give themselves to the work of recognizing this truth daily, hourly, and by the minute. If they do this, giving will be second nature and will be done with abundance and with a heart of joy. Christians need to be asking of themselves the question that Donald Whitney asks, “Does your use of money—that which you exchange so much of your life for—make clear that you are following Christ and pursuing Godliness?” Through the process of sanctification let the answer to that question be yes.
The digital revolution has undoubtedly changed giving to the church in ways that no one could have foreseen in millennia past. Nonetheless, the changes taking place do not alter our heart condition. A faithful Christian will give not because of the accolades he receives or because of the warm personal experience he gets but because he is more concerned about the things of God than he is concerned about the things of man.
Alcorn, Randy. The Treasure Principle. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah, 2017.
Anderton, Kevin. “Research Report Shows How Much Time We Spend Gaming [Infographic].” Forbes Media. Last modified May 21, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinanderton/2019/03/21/research-report-shows-how-much-time-we-spend-gaming-infographic/?sh=7078f8b03e07.
Baker, William. 1 Corinthians. In vol. 15 of Cornerstone Biblical Commentary. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2009.
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church: Participating Fully in the Body of Christ. Chicago: Moody Press, 1996.
Whitney, Donald S. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1991.
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