Did you know that any "Christian" church that tithes is not in alignment with the scriptures?
We learn in the Old Testament that tithes were ten percent of one's produce from their land, or of their cattle, and that that ten percent of cattle or crops were to be given to the priest:
And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord's: it is holy unto the Lord. And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord. -Leviticus 27:30-32
Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for the Lord, even a tenth part of the tithe. -Numbers 18:26
In the Gospels, before the death of Christ, we see examples of tithes and offerings, and these examples clearly show us the difference:
But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. -Luke 11:42
In both Testaments, tithes were not of money. They were ten percent from crops or cattle. If you think you "tithe" in your church, then it better not be money. It better be ten percent of the produce from your garden, your farm, or your cattle. In the above example, the Pharisees were tithing mint and rue - they were tithing ten percent from their herb gardens.
Now, what about offerings?
In the Old Testament, offerings were often animals or sometimes crops brought to the temple or tabernacle, to offer up in fire, unto the Lord. However, offerings were also sometimes money or precious metals given for the building of the temple, and maintaining it:
But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron, are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord. -Joshua 6:19
Here is an example of someone making an offering into the treasury in the Gospels:
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury. And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites. And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all: For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had. And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said -Luke 21:1-5
As you can probably start to see, the Christian church still does offerings, in order to support missionaries, and to keep the lights on at church, etc. However, there is no need to tithe, anymore. We are no longer under priests, and the tithes went to the priests to live off of.
And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham -Hebrews 7:5
Now we are the priests:
And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. -Revelation 1:6
Jesus Christ is our High Priest, and He has no need of ten percent of our crops and cattle:
By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: But this man [Jesus], because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he [Jesus] did once, when he offered up himself. For the law maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath, which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for evermore. -Hebrews 7:22-28
If you insist on tithing, then tithe to yourself. Christians are kings and priests. As for offerings, how much should a Christian put into the church offering plate or offering box? The Bible tells us:
But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. -2 Corinthians 9:6-7
