Biblical Answer

My Tithe Should Go Only to My Church?

The idea that a Christian's tithe should go only to their local church is a misconception rooted in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, tithes were brought to a central place, the storehouse, and then distributed to the Levites, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow (Deuteronomy 26:10-11). However, in the New Testament, Jesus teaches that our giving should be motivated by a heart of love and generosity, not just a duty to tithe (Matthew 6:3-4). This means that our tithe can be designated for the support of other Christian ministries that need our help.

In fact, the early Christian community practiced a principle of sharing their resources with other churches and ministries, as seen in the Didache, one of the earliest books of the Christian community (Didache 4:6-7). This principle is still valid today, and many Christians designate a portion of their tithe for the support of other Christian ministries. The key is to give with a heart of love and generosity, not just to fulfill a duty to tithe. As the Bible says, "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

It's also worth noting that many Christian ministries and organizations rely on the support of individual Christians for their funding. For example, a single seminary in America may have its doors open solely on the basis of gifts from individuals, not just churches. Therefore, designating a portion of our tithe for the support of other Christian ministries can be a meaningful way to contribute to the spread of the Gospel and the advancement of the Kingdom of God. Ultimately, the decision of where to give our tithe is a personal one, and should be guided by a heart of love and generosity, rather than a rigid adherence to tradition or duty. Divine Providence and the purpose of tithe, the purpose of tithing is to acknowledge Gods sovereignty over all creation and to give back to Him a portion of what He has blessed us with. As the Bible says, "Honor the Lord from your wealth and from the first of all your produce" (Proverbs 3:9). The tithe is a way for us to honor God and acknowledge His sovereignty over our lives and resources.