What'r YOur thoughts on tithing now a days ???
I think the word 'tithe' has no place in a life of faith. The tithing laws were established to support the ordained levite priesthood, who had no share in the inheritance provided to the other Israelite tribes. Further, they were 'laws' and we know through Christ that if we want to live, it's not going to happen because of our own righteous measure against the 'laws'.
Christ ripped the veil wide open and clearly showed the path that others before, had entered into through faith. This is a bit of a paradox. The Word says that the Lamb was slain before the foundation of the world for the remission of our sins. It also says that the patriarchs that knew God, knew Him by faith expressed through their works. Paradoxically, we've had the Father's love and Christ's gift of forgiveness before we ever fell from this grace. Again we see this early on when Cain's gift was not acceptable before God but Able's was. Able's gift was expressed and offered in faith, Cain's wasn't.
Now, in accordance with our understanding of the immeasurable grace that we've received - we're supposed to look into this 'Perfect Law of Love' and GIVE according to our faith. When I was really struggling with my conscious on this topic I started putting what I looked at as my tithe into a savings account that I would use to buy hotel rooms, meals, etc. for those I found in need. I still find this to be a good way for me to live - it helps me prioritize faithful action in giving and providing charity, whereas If I don't earmark something, I may have enough for a sandwich or a bottle of water, but I won't have the offering I would like to provide when I see someone in need.
Ultimately, I think we're supposed to embrace the love we've been given and come together as a community like we saw in the first days of Acts (Acts 4:34 that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales).
Everyone held everything in common. They gave up the notion of possession for the most part and lived in grace and love amongst each other. It was when this was recognized as some act of nobility, and ego came in that we see the Holy Spirit make a point in Ananias and Saphirra. They wanted the recognition of selling their estate, while being able to keep the earthly comforts and security that came from it. God clearly has no problem with believers living in some comfort as seen by the many prominent figures that are accepted into the faith without requirement to sell their possessions. The problem with Ananias and Saphirra came because they lied to the Body of Christ (believers) as well as the Holy Spirit and claimed to have sold all, while they held back much.
Some rambling, but I believe our giving needs to be motivated in love and faith. With that said:
Mathew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Mathew 19:21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Mathew 6:1-4
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.
2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Mathew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
It's no wonder the tax collector wrote so much about Jesus' perspective on money...
I believe the biggest impedance to people wanting to live like this (I know I would), is the thievery that's occurred through pulpits throughout America and the rest of the world. Where the church has become a business that let's a small percentage of they good people's 'tithe's' out to charitable work...