I left my church so where do I tithe?

I usually only release one podcast per day; however, a few questions about tithing have been submitted that I feel led to address. In particular, I will address the question “I left my church so where do I tithe?”, which was submitted by two listeners.

Here is a paraphrase of the first question …

I recently left my church home of 20 years. As a result, I have been saving my tithes until I join a church and then planned to give the money to the church I join. However, lately it has been pressed upon me to give the tithe money put aside to those in need or where I see a need, for example family member or friend in need, etc. Is this going against scripture? The Bible does say bring the tithes into the storehouse. However I don’t have a church.

Here is a paraphrase of the second question …

Do I have to give tithes to a church you no long attend? I no longer attend church but I still give tithes, but I do not know what to do with it either. I do not want God to curse me for not giving tithes.

From these two questions, I will be touching on (1) are you cursed if you don’t tithe, (2) where does the tithe go, and (3) can I give tithes to people in need.

Malachi 3:8-9 YLT

[8] Doth man deceive God? but ye are deceiving Me, And ye have said: `In what have we deceived Thee?’ The tithe and the heave-offering!
[9] With a curse ye are cursed! And Me ye are deceiving — this nation — all of it.

Deuteronomy 28:15 KJV

[15] But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

Galatians 3:13 KJV

[13] Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Numbers 18:21 NIV

[21] “I give to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as their inheritance in return for the work they do while serving at the tent of meeting.

Galatians 6:6 NLT

[6] Those who are taught the word of God should provide for their teachers, sharing all good things with them.

Deuteronomy 14:28-29 NLT

[28] “At the end of every third year, bring the entire tithe of that year’s harvest and store it in the nearest town.
[29] Give it to the Levites, who will receive no allotment of land among you, as well as to the foreigners living among you, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, so they can eat and be satisfied. Then the Lord your God will bless you in all your work.