text: Elaine,
  
  Tithing in the Old Testament was a tax on the people specifically to support the Levites, who owned no land and therefore had no income except from trading. The "storehouse" was literally a place where crops were stored and the modern equivalent would be bank accounts.
  
  Paul makes it clear in Hebrews that the Temple system was nullified by the high priestly ministry of Christ, so that included doing away with tithing. He also said it was proper that one who worked for the cause of the Gospel should earn their living from it. But the only record in the New Testament of funds being transferred from one local area to another was when offerings were given to help the oppressed church during times of persecution. 
  
  Yes, we should support the global work of the church, but not at the cost of crippling the work of God locally. I think we should be free to give offerings to specific needs where God moves on our hearts to support them.