Like many modern technological advances, the internet is a tool, a tool that can be used to further evil agendas as well as good. The industries of travel, education, and even restaurants have all utilized the internet’s ability to streamline their services, benefiting both the customer and the company, alike. These changes are not reserved for business enterprises, though; they’ve made drastic changes in how we do our personal business, think about our money, and even how we lead our lives, across the board. As we progress further into the twenty-first century, it seems that nearly everything we do has at least an understood “I” or “E” in front of it.
While the internet and the world of electronics has forever changed our world, many people take a step back in time when Sunday rolls around, each week. And it’s not just churches, but parachurch organizations, as well, that generally have yet to enter the technological sphere that largely shapes our culture. Why is that? Misgivings within the Christian subculture include the ideas of resisting conformity to the word and a particular desire to shun the materialistic and instant-gratification premises of modern life. At least on a ministry-wide level, that is. Many of the same people who baulk at the idea of using modern technology to increase giving to Christian ministries may have an iPhone or other smart device with apps that give them opportunities to spend their money on all kinds of non-necessities with ease.
Despite the contradictions inherent in most nay-sayers’ arguments, the concerns about materialism bear consideration. After all, the Christian life is not an easy one. In Scripture we’re told that we’ll have trials and tribulations and that, in essence, life will be hard. Desiring a life of ease is both futile and unprofitable. Likewise, aiding people in their quest for such a life may address their felt needs, but it fails to minister to the true needs of their hearts.
The materialistic mindset of our culture may drive many of the e- and i-applications of the educational and business worlds, but it does not drive Egiving.com. Instead, the purpose behind implementing both electronic fund transfers (EFTs) for recurring giving and web-based giving tools allow you tap into the power available through technology, as a means toward achieving greater fruitfulness for your ministry and greater faithfulness in your giver base. Both fruitfulness and faithfulness are clearly biblical aims, so using technology to aid in the fulfillment of those aims brings glory to our great God.
Unlike secular organizations that use technology merely to increase sales or make life easier for customers, your ministry should utilize the tools God has given us in this exciting generation to empower your ministry and your donors to do what brings Him glory.
Egiving.com, a division of E Giving Systems, Inc., is a ministry serving other ministries by offering electronic giving solutions, online giving strategies, and inexpensive quality tools since 2000. Founded by George Eusterman, Egiving.com is here to help strengthen your church or Christian nonprofit organization.
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