We are not
commanded to tithe, as were the Jews under the law of Moses. I tithe because Abraham did without a commandment 430 years before any law required it, and he experienced great blessings because of it. So have I been blessed far beyond what anyone thought I might experience, not being smart enough early enough to enter into some high paying career in my youth like some cousins did.
I learned more about it from Hebrews 7, that Jesus receives tithes while in Heaven as rightfully as men on earth did that died.
I also learned that ministers who tend the altar for my sake deserve to make their living off the gospel.
1 Corinthians 9:13-14 (KJV)
[SUP]13 [/SUP] Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
[SUP]14 [/SUP] Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
Those men of the temple existed by the tithe, the offerings being special blessings beyond their minimum needs. Even so, then, wouldn't our Christian ministers deserve no less, according to Paul? They need to set a ministry budget around a reasonable collection that will fund it, get it approved in a business meeting, and expect it to come in. Folks that object to a tithe are always the ones that also offer little, come to Sunday School early to get in on the free full breakfast bar designed for the needy assumed to be coming, drop a dollar in the donation jar on the table, go to the bathroom or visit in the lobby during the offering time in church service, then leave in their F-250 Platinum. Multiply that to most attending, who are always the complainers about how things are done or not done.
I'm very happy I always knew what my paychecks would be in advance, employers and clients committed to pay me a living wage. I can't imagine living off the hope of tips, or ordering a fine meal in a restaurant, then offering $2 when it ought to be $20 plus a customary tip for the waitress. They have lots of seats in movie theaters, but that's no excuse for anyone to occupy one without paying just because you think they charge too much. The idea is you shouldn't get to sit there benefiting.
I choose to be among the blessed. Everything we own lasts way beyond expected life. We still watch a Sony Grand Wega TV with wonderful speakers, the first fairly "smart" TV, we knew about that we bought 14 years ago. My tires reach double advertised miles, replaced only because they look too old and scuffed. My health is excellent. I'm mostly retired on far less earnings, but lifestyle the same. A lot of it really can't be accounted for. Every person I know that tithes is blessed beyond their ability to earn.
So, I know when people slam tithing I know they are passing up a lot of help and blessing from God, yet through some giving, experience some blessing. It's all relevant to whatever measure you send out determining how it comes back. His heavenly economic system is based on tithes + offerings.