No, you cannot. Tithing is an act of giving one-tenth of our produce, profit, or wage to the House of God (Church).

According to Malachi 3:10a - Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.NIV. The purpose is for the sustenance of the “ministers” (pastors, church workers, and members) and the maintenance of the temple (variable costs).

The New Testament did not condemn tithing but rather encouraged us to give more (2 Corinthians 9:7).

The New Testament deals with and emphasizes the benefits of giving. New Testament asks us to be cheerful givers rather than the concept of tithing. It emphasis one to give, there are no stipulations as like 10%.

We are to give as we are able. This could be more than ten percent whereas sometimes it could be less than that. This all relies on the ability of the believer and the needs of the body of Christ.

There is no doubt that helping poor people is an act of God's men. Tithing belongs to the Church and at the same time, we should not forget the poor. We need to support the poor and help them in every circumstance to pull them up by offering our help.

So giving an offering to the needy around you is good but at the same time tithe should be done.

This will help in the effective running of the church (tithe). Meanwhile, the Church does humanitarian services too.

You will be blessed by doing it, only if you do it with the right heart.

However, helping the poor should not stop you from giving your tithe to the church because this will aid the churches to operate effectively as churches have many humanitarian services too.

One has to pray and ask the wisdom of God in this about how to give as per James 1:5. Tithing is not a bribe to God; you are honoring God and giving back from what He has given you. It comes out of thankfulness.

Remember, the tithes we are giving need to be given with more motivation and it should be an act of worshiping God. It is all about giving God from what He has given to us.

"Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Paul gives a clear understanding of giving in his letter in1 Corinthians 16:1-12, each believer needs to set aside something to support the church. However, giving has to be done willingly and based on the giver's decision in regard to the amount.

Mark 12:41-44. Even though the poor widow gave a fraction of a penny, this looked great before the eyes of the Lord because she gave out of her poverty. That shows the heart of her women.

Jesus wants cheerful givers and not those who give on compulsion. Give your best to God in everything He will take care of everything.

According to Matthew 25.33-46:

· We are commanded to give to the people who is around us who are needy?

· If they are hungry feed them with good food.

· If they don’t possess clothes, give them clothes to wear.

· If they need to have ministered, give them love.

Scripture says, if you do this least to any one of them, we do it to God. One can’t boycott the needy around us and give our tithes to churches. Both have to be seen as two eyes. The responsibility of a believer in Christ never finishes when the tithe is given, one has to be concerned over others. Jesus was compassionate over the poor, needy, widows, and destitute. If God has blessed you, we need to be a blessing to others.

If you follow the teachings of the New Testament, then you will be open and submissive to give away everything if asked it. What you have received so far belongs to God, and we are giving back from what he has blessed us. Your life, your family, your stuff all belong to God because He bought you lock, stock, and barrel.