I believe that your tithe goes to your local church. The other things you were talking about are free will offerings and are seperate from your tithe.
Look at it like this, the tithe is 10% of your earnings. It is used to keep the local churches teaching and helping the community. Anything more that you want to do is great, but not required as the tithe is.
Tithing was a commandment under the Mosaic Covenant. Prior to that God never commanded any tithe. Abraham tithed on his own without a request of command from God. He only did it one time as well. Gentiles were never under the Mosaic covenant so tithing does not apply regardless.
In the New Testament we do not see any commandment to tithe. However Paul did say that
2Corinthians 9:6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
Let me para-phrase this to simplify what Paul is saying. That if a man chooses to give, then let him give as his own heart leads him, not grudgingly and not because he thinks he is required to because he is not required, but let him give cheerfully because God loves a man to give out of the delight of his heart.
Now while it is not a "requirement" to "tithe" it is a fundamental principle to give freely of one's own heart. Also God is not going to curse anyone for not "tithing".
Regarding "WHERE" you should give. The principle in scriptures show us that it is to the local churches first. Anything beyond that is up to you. By the way, the word tithe means "10%.". However we are not under that percentage. If you lead to give then give whatever you feel led to give with gladness and don't tell anyone about it. Keep your treasures in heaven.
Tithing was a commandment under the Mosaic Covenant. Prior to that God never commanded any tithe. Abraham tithed on his own without a request of command from God. He only did it one time as well. Gentiles were never under the Mosaic covenant so tithing does not apply regardless.
Implication of you said:
1. God's word is no longer everlasting since He said His law is everlasting.
Again you are implying that God's word can be contradictory.
"All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal."Psalm 119:160
"Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens."Psalm 119:89
"The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple." Psalm 19:7 (Note: this prove that covenant is not equal to law, because the covenant have fault but the law is perfect.)
You said
In the New Testament we do not see any commandment to tithe.
Again you fail to see the eternalness of the law. In fact it is taught in the NT we must tithe.
"It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for the least stroke of a pen to drop out of the Law."Luke 16:17
"Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." 1 John 3:4
The law teach we must tithe, and in 1 John it is said that sin is breaking the law. Therefore not tithing is sin. Simple as this.
On
2Corinthians 9:6
You have misinterpreted the verses. It simply said that when you are giving offering, you must give it with a willing heart. So even when you are tithing, you give it with an unwilling heart, you have not fulfilled the law. It did not teach that tithing is not required.
In fact tithing is the results of faith and to get eternal life, tithing is important:
"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and 'love your neighbor as yourself." "
Matthew 19:16-19
And we all know that not tithing is stealing!
Back to Tandy:
The purpose of tithing is to teach us that our belongings do not belong to us but to God. We only act as an guardian. Why tithe then? God set a minimum guideline to avoid confusion and manipulation.
Tithes must go to church. Others can go to charity, but must done in a way that God's name is honored and His will be done.
*sigh*....well...donations to the church are the only thing that keeps the christian world growing...and why not use the God approved 10% method! It was good enough for Israel, it's good enough for spiritual Israel! I don't think tithe is a requirement, but if you're not giving God the best of everything you have then it calls your faith into question, doesn't it? Can't go wrong doing what God recommended. I do not think it should be required though, it's between you and God....but I'd challenge everyone to try it and see if God doesn't open the windows of heaven for you. When you give freely, it comes back to you pressed down and shaken together...more than you gave....and it's not always money. There are many ways God blesses us. Health, protection...and just those two things can save you a lot of money.
"In tithes and offerings. 9 You are under a curse�the whole nation of you�because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Micah 3
In the OT, the offering given is around 20%: tithes plus other offerings. So giving 10% is not a big deal!
If robbing God is not a sin, then tithes is not a requirement.
I tithe. I believe as DontHitThatMark says in the latter of his remarks... I've tested from giving, and have seen God give back to me, not necessarily in monetary form, but in the covering over my life and blessings and favor, even over my family.
I believe and faithfuly tithe because for the first 43 years of my life, I never did. And when I started, I have seen the powerful effect of God's favor in my life because I have. In times of trial, job loss, finiancial strain, I have seen God in the midst providing always. As I have been faithful to that, God has been faithful to me.
While I can't substantiate as the others have, I believe in the scriptures of old Testament Deuteronomy and Leviticus.
As far as donating to charities, and others in financial need, for me that is extra giving that I choose to give, outside of my tithing. ~ GraceMae
You come from a false presumption that the Mosaic Covenant is still in force while the scriptures clearly demonstrate that "the Mosaic Covenant" aka "The Law" was completely replaced. There is another thread where this has been discussed at length. But for your edification here is a study for you on a new thread I will do again so as not to hijack Tandy's Thread on tithing even though these are related subjects and one issue is dependent upon the other.
Please demonstrate where Jesus specifically commanded the Apostles to "tithe". Where is "tithing" part of the Gospel? Chapter and verse please. :-)
