The Widow's Mite in Context: What Jesus, Malachi, and Acts 4 Actually Teach About Giving

If you are committed to giving 10% of all your income, as well as additional portions, to your local church because it means you are giving to Jesus, why did Jesus tell the rich young ruler to sell all that he had and give it to the poor and not to himself?

Could it be because Jesus said when you have fed the hungry, taken in the stranger, clothed the naked, and visited the sick and imprisoned, you have done it to Him (Matthew 25:40)?

...You may say, “Jesus was standing in the church overlooking the offering and noticed the sacrificial giving of a poor widow (Mark 12:41). Let's look at this in context.”

Jesus was standing in a temple of the religious leaders He rebuked for taking advantage of widows (v40), acknowledging that a widow gave all that she had when the rich had money left over (v44).

Jesus never actually commended the widow, but He did prophesy the destruction of this temple immediately following (Mark 13:2).

...I'm not saying to never give resources to your local church or pastor, I just find it odd that although Jesus never taught to commit to giving 10% of all your income to the coming non-profit corporations after His resurrection, nor did Paul teach to give 10% of all your income to your local church, yet there are people who teach that doing this is necessary to be protected from the devil.

You may think I am saying that these people teach that you need to give to them in order to be saved. Well, they appear to teach a similar message.

Why reference Malachi chapter 3 to declare that God will rebuke the devil from your physical health and the well-being of your family, and that God will bless you financially IF you give 10% of all of your income to their organization?

This seems to insinuate that we are not already blessed in Christ.

Besides, is God asking the common people or the “sons of Levi,” “Will a man rob God?” (Malachi 3:8)?

Does not returning all the tithe into the storehouse (Malachi 3:10) refer to the supply of food for the people?

Why did Malachi say that God will be a witness against the sorcerers, adulterers, perjurers, and those who exploit wage earners and widows and orphans (Malachi 3:5)?

Is this not a message about the misappropriation of resources, which left people in lack?

What was the purpose of the Christians giving their resources to the apostles in Acts 4?

Was it not so that the funds could be distributed to the congregation as each had need so that no one would be in lack (Acts 4:34-35)?

Is this what your local church does with the funds?

Again, I'm not against you giving to a local church or a pastor; my concern is giving 10% of all your income to a local church because you feel your blessing is wrapped up in this obligation.

“The atonement of Christ is enough to declare you blessed.”

I predominantly see the purpose of giving as for the well-being of those in need, and the means for financial provision as laboring with your own hands.

What are your thoughts?