(why) do you tithe?

[Ryft]

When Christians tithe, who do they make the check out to? Have you ever asked where the money goes?

Obviously I cannot speak for "Christians" (as nebulous as that term is here) but I will answer for myself and my local church.

1. I do not write cheques—for anything, not even church—and cannot even remember the last time I did. It has all been cash, automatic or online banking, debit card, PayPal and so on for at least the past ten years. Do individuals still write cheques today? At any rate, with respect to "tithe" I place cash in the collection plate, as it were. I suppose if I were to write a cheque it would be made out to Grace Baptist Church.

2. I do not need to ask where the money goes, although I am free to at any time I wish and the church will print me a detailed financial statement promptly. The reason I do not need to ask where the money goes is because we are provided financial information at every quarterly members meeting, plus a detailed annual report that breaks down where every last penny went (or where it was not able to go when we are running in the red). It also breaks down where every penny came from, as well as all assets held by the church, including investments and property values.

3. Also, members have the liberty to specify where they want their money to go.

I assume those quarterly statements explain how much the pastor's mortgage and car notes are, then (in the cases where that is what's happening)?

Yes and no. It explains his salary and mortgage, but his car and family van were used and bought with cash.

However, [the Salvation Army is] not a house of worship or a church.

Strange. I am sure the one on Sutherland Avenue which holds services every Sunday morning at 10:30 would be surprised to find that out.