You can tickle me pink, orange, red, or blue, but not grey
Tithes is correct and you're not horrible for asking it. ^^ But giving to the church is not the only way to give tithe, it's not limited to that. You are donating to Japan through the charity items out of a joyful and giving heart. You are using his money to help others, and you are doing it willingly and are happy about it. That's an example of tithe for you. ^^
We are supposed to give because our money is actually the Lord's and we are supposed to give back to him in everything including finances. It's a bit of a show of appreciation, like; "Thank you Lord for giving me the money to be able to support myself ((and my family)), now let me give back to you by helping others who are either less fortunate than I, help your church so they can keep on preaching your word to those in need, help missionaries to spread your word through this earth." I think you would have to have faith to donate because otherwise you probably don't really care or think "my little bit of money surely can't change or help anyone or anything." But it is more out of love, a joyful heart, a giving/generous heart, just that show of appreciation and wanting to help the Lord by using his money to help others.
But what do you mean, couldn't he just make it happen? Make what happen? sweatdrop He can make anything happen, yes, but he wants us to help him in his work (even though, no, he doesn't need it). ^^
-Hope that helps a little bit. ^^ -
Because grey will not do.