Tithing - so does it still apply in the New Testament times?

Economic doom all around! People are running from falling stocks faster than a gazelle searching for meat!

So - as Christians, we ask - on what have we built our house? Is God not our provider? Do the economic principles of the Bible not teach us to avoid debt and prepare for the future? Should I be tithing or even giving in a time like this? I've had to examine my heart and I've also been having a lot of conversations with people lately regarding this topic. I think the fact that economic uncertainty is "the topic" lends itself to reviewing our principles.

I hear a lot of talk about tithing being an Old Testament(OT) law or fact. But I am reminded that in the New Testament (NT) we see Jesus saying, "I have come not to abolish the law, but rather to fulfill it" ( Matt 5:16-18 ) . The fulfillment of the law seems to be a heart issue. Murder is not just killing another person but hating your brother. Adultery is no longer just have sexual relations with someone other than your spouse, it is lusting in your heart.

With this new fulfillment of the law, I'm convinced that tithing or giving to Kingdom work did not get diminished. Like all the other fulfillments of the law it too should be a raising the bar, not lowering it. Besides, if you add up tithes, offerings, first fruits and more - weren't they already giving way more than 10% in the OT?

I'm also reminded that this is about stewardship. We can't expect that just because we give 10% we will automatically or magically be rewarded. We can't expect that if we continue to live in debt, beyond our means and with no constraint that our 10% will make up for it. It is the whole package!

Bottom line - God is our provider. He set up an economic plan that could be sustained. Is He not the same, yesterday, today and tomorrow? I challenge you - check your heart and with all sincerity ask God what he would have you do with your money? Would he tell you to hoard it all for yourself? Has he not promised that if you are faithful to bring the tithe (& offerings, etc) that he will be faithful to you? Has he asked you to get your financial house in order? If he asked us to test Him in the time of Malachi - would he not ask us the same today?

Does the tithe still apply? I'd love to hear your responses!