Just practically speaking, when you give 10% off the top from every paycheck, especially when those paychecks are small, regardless of what you need the money for right now, you start paying a lot more attention to how are spending money and those reflexive purchases that imperceptibly dribble your money away start looking like ball-and-chain type things and you quit buying cokes and coffee and maybe even cigarrettes. Then you start looking at something you really want and your mind asks, but do you need that? Then it occurs to you that you can pay something off this month and you find that your whole approach has changed. Being actively Christian changes your values and helps to eliminate expensive habits, too.
Yes, you would think that Tithing would reduce what you have, but no, it increases. I think the Lord uses faithful and heartfelt tithing to increase your wisdom. With increased wisdom you see things that others don't. Your attitude shifts off of self and onto what you can do for your family, friends and others.
It disciplines the mind and keeps one from being too tempted by debt and advertisements. It makes one budget and plan through savings. Although budgeting, planning and savings are not things exclusive to folks of faith; tithing accelerates all of these things in ones life. You become more thankful and grateful and perceive how to be more graceful toward others.
One thing in this 20th Anniversary Vacation was that I prayed my wife would have a great time and that I would be able to see her needs. This seems to have been answered in abundance. For when I focused on giving to her, the Lord seemed to give back to me. God, amazingly, is a God who cannot be outgiven.
Being Wealthy and Giving, is so much more than money. It is about shifted attitudes and servanthood. For there, we find true wealth.
CO