Now.. since the other side of topic has been discussed,
I'll contribute a little bit what Theology school would say bout this matter:
Matthew 22:21: ...And He said to them, Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesars, and to God the things that are Gods.
and what belongs to God?
Ezekiel 3:
8. Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say, In what way have we robbed You?
In tithes and offerings.
9. You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.
10. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,
Says the LORD of hosts,
If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.
11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,
Says the LORD of hosts;
12. And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,
Says the LORD of hosts.
Now,
In plain English..
What belongs to God? ..Tithes and Offering.
How can we rob God? ..Tithes and Offering.
Many people doesn't understand, that Tithing is more than just providing food to your pastor OR supporting the church/fellowship you are in (expenses) OR expanding God's kingdom in this earth.
It is a GOD's promise that He will bless you, so that you storehouse will be overflowed with blessings!!
It says, until you have not more store to contain it.
Again, look where this is the ONLY passage in the bible where you can find to actually TRY GOD.. nowhere except this one.
You can actually ASK God if you feel you haven't been blessed OR feel short in your financial (I'm covering this aspect only at the moment, surely there's many others), .. IF you have faithfully give your tithe to God.
Also, it works as a protection for you.
Verse :11 says ... He will protect your blessing from any troubles, ..even if there is ... He will quickly help you if you ask Him.
Ex: Job received multiple portion from God after the tribulation
IMO, 10% isn't much required from God, because 100% things we own are HIS anyway in the place. WE ARE JUST HIS STEWARD .. REMEMBER?
Steward only holds the items for the Master temporarily until He returns.
The time when we feel we own something because we deserve it and forgot that it is actually came from God because of grace .. we have sinned.
Lets say you make $80.000/year. 10% of it is only $8k.
I'm pretty sure you car and it's maintenance cost more than that.
Tithe is more than HOW MUCH %, it's the obedience of God's commandment. He wants to bless you and protect you.
hope that helps a tiny bit in looking from different perspective.
thanks