How many times did I hear this Old Testament verse (Malachai 3:10) used as an inducement to get me to tithe and give offerings to the church. "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!" 

It's a LAW, but not one of the letter, but one of the HEART!

I used to tithe (that's 10% of one's increase) and give offerings (that's something over and above 10%) because I had taught to do so. God would be mad at me if I didn't, and one doesn't want God mad at them. He is all-powerful and that could be bad news for us finite beings. The church was adamant on this issue more than any other.

I left the second church that I ever belonged to as an adult (I've only been a member of four all my life- including the one I founded) because the pastor decided that we needed to give 20% and he spent a year preaching on the hell fire and damnation of Revelation. One whole year (52 weeks less his vacation) on the exegeting evry line of Revelation- literally!

Tithe and offerings are for our own good, health, and well being! Giving is healthy!

Tithes and offerings are a sign of trust and love, not a sign of obedience or fulfilling the law. Most church leaders are afraid to take T&O out of the law for fear that people will no longer do it. And yes, that does happen, but to manipulate people to do something for a wrong reason doesn't produce the good results we want. Giving T&O's means I care, I love, I am committed to the local community, and I do so voluntarily, not out of fear of retribution from God.

Can you get that, go there, JUST DO IT?   :-)