It's definitely food for thought. I'll admit that I've sometimes thought of giving to the local organization as "getting credit." It was for God. You're making me think though. I can't really argue with Jesus, so I'm not going to argue to keep traditions just because that's what we have.

Additionally, we need to live lives of surrender and obedience. I don't want to be someone who keeps score with God. I do sometimes, but I don't want to. I don't want to be someone who says, "Well, I gave that money to someone in need, so I don't have to give as much in my tithe." I think that's a very legalistic way of thinking and falls short of the heart of God. Sorry, that's not directly related. It's more of a tangent, but still sort of related.