New Testament Tithing

In all of the New Testament there are only five times that tithing is mentioned. Three times in the Gospels they are mentioned in passages concerning the Pharisees as they are indicted for their adherence to the Law in this area while failing miserably in the more important areas. In Hebrews we find them mentioned in connection with the tithes that Abraham paid to Melchizadek, and by so doing Levi, carried in Abraham's loins, paid tithes to Melchizadek thus illustrating the superiority of the New Covenant over the Old Covenant. So we find no passage that instructs us to pay tithes as members of the Body of Christ today. If Israel and the Church are the same then tithes today may be in order, but if the Church, operating not under the Old Testament Law but under the grace of God, is separate from Israel then giving as one has purposed in His heart is the mandate for today. We give because we love the Lord and people not because we have to.