I want to ask a question on today’s devotional message Bring the Good news. Were it was encouraged by the writer to bring good news to people either making our paychecks weekly or monthly to be good news to people’s life, health and wellbeing. My Question is this: I pay my tithe and First fruit to God. If I convert my my tithe and given to help people out there will it be a good thing and will God still be pleased with my given? If I use my Tithe offerings to help people on the streets and given them food at schools, community, hospital. Will it still be okay to God or should I give my tithe and at the same time still find money for helping People differently What should I do ?
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Welcome @Osutamar20
I will give this one a shot. This is a question many people wrestle with, especially when they see a direct, immediate need in their community. The answer depends largely on whether you are looking at the Old Testament legal requirements or the New Testament principles of grace.
In the Old Testament, the tithe (the first 10%) was specifically designated for the “Storehouse.”
“Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need.” Malachi 3:10
These funds supported the Levites (the religious workers who had no land of their own) and ensured the physical Temple could function. You may or may not know this interesting fact. Every three years, the tithe was used specifically to support the foreigners, orphans, and widows in the local towns (Deuteronomy 14:28-29). However, this was still a structured, community-managed distribution rather than an individual choice.
Now, the New Testament, it does not strictly reinforce the “10% to the local church” rule. Instead, it emphasizes stewardship or the idea that 100% of your money belongs to God and you are managing it for Him.
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Corinthians 9:7
Paul instructs believers to set aside money to support the ministry and “the Lord’s people” (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Most theologians argue that your primary giving should support your local “spiritual home” (the church that feeds and shepherds you) so it can stay open and serve others.
Unfortunately, the church is just like your house. Electricity is not free. AC is not free. Heat is not free. Buying food, clothes, etc, for those in need is not free. Yes, the Pastor also needs to be compensated.
Now, is there abuse in the church? Of course. Are there pastors and church officials who will take your tithe and use it for their own gain? Yup. Just like bad doctors, police officers, drug company CEOs, whatever, there are bad pastors and administrators in the family of God. If that pastor is misusing the tithes, that is between him and God. Nothing you could ever do could compare to what God can and will do to a deceitful person using Him and His church for selfish gain.
This is why some people distinguish between their Tithe and their Offering:
The Tithe: Often viewed as the “baseline” given to the local church to support its staff, building, and internal ministries.
The Offering: Voluntary giving above the 10% that you direct toward specific causes like feeding the homeless, missions, or helping a neighbor in need. There is no “prohibition” in the New Testament against using your resources to do God’s work directly. In fact, Jesus frequently commanded personal, hands-on charity (Matthew 25:35-40).
If you feel led by the Holy Spirit to use your resources to feed the homeless directly, I would say that is a noble and godly act. However, if the motivation is a “protest” against your church or a desire to control the money, it might be worth examining the “cheerful giver” principle.
Peter