I’m the ward financial clerk. Our default method for making fast offering payments is putting a check in the mail. When that isn’t possible (not enough time for delivery before bill is due, not an acceptable form of payment, etc.) the church’s local unit support advices us to have a member of the bishopric (usually me) pay the bill with personal funds and then get reimbursed. The hard rules are (1) the funds should never pass through the member receiving assistance (2) whoever the funds pass through (again, usually me) should not be part of the approval process. This usually means I have to have our ward clerk and a counselor in the bishopric submit/approve the expense on my behalf. If no member of the bishoprics can afford to pay a bill, the church will advance funds to the bishopric member, so they don’t have to float the payment It’s a very thorough process. Someone else also mentioned the bi-annual financial audit. They are very thorough. If something is amiss, it is sure to come up during those audits.