employee contributions and employer matching

[Guest Wedge1]

This question probably reveals how novice I am to 401K:

My employer will match 40% to each dollar I contribute to my 401K. Does this mean that I can contribute X amount of dollars from my checking account to the 401K and receive the 40% match from my employer (providing that X doesn't exceed the limit, of course)? Or does the employer matching strictly occur when the contributions I make are taken directly from my pay check at each pay period?

[Tom Poje]

you can not put money into a plan from your checking account, any contributions on your part must come from your paycheck.

[Guest Wedge1]

Okay, thanks a lot. That's what I thought. Had to be certain though.