I'm an LCMS Pastor. I appreciate this thoughtful article, and would agree with it 100% until a few months ago, when a fellow LCMS Pastor shared another insight with me. He said that automatic withdrawal giving, when done with the right Gospel-centered attitude, demonstrates a desire to place a high priority on faithful, regular, first-fruits giving. It also ensures that the weekly offering is given when a person misses church due to sickness, bad weather, or out-of-town commitments. And I would add that the physical act of giving can still be practiced even when one gives electronically. They are not mutually exclusive.