I always offer in cash but my pastor prefers electronic bank transfer as it's less work for him which I can understand. He also preaches that tithing is not scriptural and that an offering is optional. An offering basket is never passed around during service. There is a box at the back of the church and anyone can contribute as they see fit or they can do it electronically.

I've honestly never considered the tax obligations of giving to my church as I view it as a free gift (just like salvation is a free gift) but now that you raise it I am not surprised that so many worldly and fleshy Christians do.

I live by a simple biblical rule. Give Caesar what it is so long as it doesn't contradict God's law. We must always obey God and we must be prepared to be persecuted, suffer and die for him if that is what it comes to.

2 Tim 3:12

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

If you aren't being persecuted you most likely are not living a Godly life.

Matt 6: 24 & Luke 16:13

No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Romans 4:2

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

Most men seek the glory of other men. God doesn't need to see what we do, he sees into our heart and he knows and sees everything.

I've been away and need to go back to the start of this series and catchup.