Question about tithing

[Staxed]

I'm torn at the moment and trying to figure out what to do.

I've been out of the job since October and just recently (2 weeks ago) finally got a part-time job to at least start helping a little bit. We also just got a small separation payment that I've been waiting on for 5 months and that is what is leading me to this question.

I am in the planning stages of starting a non-profit, christian foundation...and in order to continue I need to bring in some money in order to actually get it incorporated. I'm stuck at a stage where I can't seriously consider pushing further without it being a legal entity.

So I was considering using my tithe to put towards this foundation. It is fully intended to be used to bring Glory to God, so that isn't the issue I'm trying to figure out. I guess I have two questions about it.

1. Is tithe required to go to the church, or can I split that 10% how I'd like as long as it goes to God? I've read many contradicting opinions of this online. Some saying that tithe is only required under Mosaic Law and now we are only required to "give" what we feel led to give, not specifically 10%. There is no where in the New Testament that I know of the specifically states we have to give 10% to the church, I can only find where it says to give to God.

2. Since I am the one running this Foundation and starting it, I have a lot of vested interest in it. I'm not interested in profits or anything like that for myself, I won't even be taking a salary for the first few years most likely...but I have a lot of emotion and effort pouring out into this...so I don't want to be making a selfish decision by using my tithe for this. I don't feel like I'm being selfish, but what would it seem like to you? Is me using my own tithe to start something of my own planning selfish, or can it be a Godly purpose?

3. I have prayed about it, and still am praying about it...but I don't feel as if I'm getting an answer right now...at least not one that I'm noticing. I just keep going back and forth with my feelings about it right now.

 

[Percivale]

The new testament never says to give 10%. Tithing doesn't even fit the way the New Testament church worked. In the OT, the temple was a definite central organization, so tithing to it was pretty straightforward. In the NT, the church is the believers, and each local situation was different. Before there were church buildings and salaried pastors, tithing would have often made no sense. Instead, people responded to needs, based on what they had. And all we have is God's, we are stewards. As stewards, we need to decide whether it's most beneficial to God's kingdom to give 10% to our local church, or to give in other amounts and ways. I Cor. 9:7 says not to give reluctantly or under compulsion. If we had to give 10% or be disobeying God, wouldn't that be compulsion?

 

[BFine]

Giving wasn't just money either.

Remember--
Your word is your bond, if you have committed to starting
the non-profit Christian foundation then by all means do so.

You can use what money is available for the foundation or put
some of it towards supporting your local church.
It's up to you.
You can "work" in your foundation and your local church and it
can be an offering as well.

My husband does that when we have very little money, he
paints and does minor repairs on his "own dime" and doesn't give the
church a bill nor did he accept any money when they wanted to
reimburse him for his work and the supplies he furnished.
(My husband is a professional painter and millwright.)

 

[znr]

Put the money aside for God and wait. Hey, even better, get an interest bearing account and set aside the money for God. Then when he answers you, do what he says.

 

[Staxed]

Put the money aside for God and wait. Hey, even better, get an interest bearing account and set aside the money for God. Then when he answers you, do what he says.

It is sitting in a different account right now waiting for just that

 

[CounselorForChrist]

10% is not something it says you must give. You give it out of love if you want to, but as stated its not expected. If I remember right if anything God would like if you gave your time more since most of us (especially in the USA) put value on our time.

Being disabled I never really had money to begin wtih so I was always helping people every day of the week. Cleaning up houses, doing estate sales, giving christmas gifts to kids in need....etc. Its so rewarding and I know that God is also pleased with it!