Does Tithing have to be given to Churches alone?

Question

Is it okay to give to a Christian Outreach program instead?


Any biblical references?

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UPDATE:

In response to High Flyer,

Most of my donations go to Overseas ministry. I use charitynavigator.org to find groups with extremely low administrative costs and low fundraising expenses.

Answer 1

You should give as you've been prospered as the New Testament teaches. This may be more or less than 10%. It would also include a portion of your time, talents, etc. Now to your question. There are many Christian programs worth giving to and it is a completely acceptable form of giving, as far as I understand the Bible. There are two main reasons to give a specific amount to your home congregation on a regular basis. One, you have complete knowledge of the use of the money, and some say-so in how it is used. While most Christian programs use money appropriately, there are some that do not. If you give outside of your home congregation, investigate the organization a little. Two, you congregation may depend on your contribution. Find out the budget needs for your church and prayerfully decide to give as you and God see fit.

Answer 2

Under the O.T. law, the tithes were given to the Levites, to do the temple work. They were not given land as were the other tribes. This is what they lived off of and the money used to "run the church" so to speak.

Jesus, in the N.T. did not specify tithing. But He did explain some other things and how He defined them for the N.T...... "Don't commit adultery" is now "Don't even LOOK at another woman with lust.". "Don't murder." became "Don't talk to your brother with hate in your heart." I think that the financing of the local church should be viewed the same. Tithing should still finance the church, and offerings should still take care of the widows, homeless, missionaries, etc.

I would say it's good to give to a Christian outreach program ALSO, not INSTEAD of tithing.

Answer 3

Paul said that first of all, a person who is teaching you the word should be paid for their services. It is only fair. So you should support your local pastor.

But of course offerings were taken for various things, like feeding the people in Jerusalem, so charity is always acceptable.

BTW, "tithing" as such is really an Old Testament concept. No where in the New Testament is the word "tithe" mentioned. Paul only said that God loves a cheerful giver.


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Don't we have the right to food and drink? Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas? Or is it only I and Barnabas who must work for a living?

Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn't the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: "Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain." Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn't he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more?
~1 Corinthians 9:4-12 (NIV)


The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain," and "The worker deserves his wages."
~1 Timothy 5:17-18 (NIV)

See also 2 Corinthians 9.

Answer 4

There is no clear Biblical instruction concerning the distribution of either your tithe or offerings. Each believer is free to do this as the Lord leads. If you listen carefully the Holy Spirit will prompt you and guide you in your giving just as He does in other areas of your life.

You'll know you've got it right when you experience the joy in your giving that God intended, and when you begin asking Him to increase your resources so that you can increase your giving. It sounds like your approach, the lion's share of your giving going to your local fellowship and the rest as the Lord leads, is working for you.

Answer 5

Tithing should not be given to anyone or any church. Perhaps a donation box at the back of the meeting place for those who want too or can afford too can donate.
I agree with marooned on earth.

Answer 6

Tithing is when you give 10% of your what you earn at work back to the Lord.

Answer 7

Tithing is unbiblical. Anyone that tells you otherwise, is a false teacher. The Bible says to give freely if you want to, and if you don't want to give, don't.

Answer 8

Depends on who you ask. Mainstream Christianity is going to tell you that tithing is to your home church only. Anything else you give to anyone other than your home church is a "seed offering." Go figure.

Answer 9

I don't have a biblical reference but my understanding is it does not have to be given to a "Church". You do however have to make sure that it is a responsible and ligitimate cause.

Answer 10

Is it ok to feed the homeless instead?