It's true that those who give, receive more. Absolutely. As for the tithe itself? I'm not religious, so instead of me being able to consult Scripture, I guess I have to figure out the point and the long-term benefits of donations for myself. I think the biggest mistake the writer of that article made when he got suckered into tithing so much when he obviously couldn't afford it was that he didn't sit down and look at the underlying reasons behind it.
I've only donated about $200 this year, so far, to various centers. One of them was a women's and children's center for Thanksgiving (it was a Christian-based service), breast cancer, my favorite radio station, and Toys for Tots. However, I do this despite not having made a lick of income yet between the two businesses I own. (Well, I've only been sitting here for a month.) So, despite me being able to justify not having to tithe 10% of my income, because i'm making *negative income*, how would I be able to justify donation to someone(let's say they're Christian) who'd rather be a rules-lawyer and point out that Scripture says it isn't necessary? Am I robbing God of my credit rating? You and I know that's silly. Also, is the passage in Scripture Old Testament or New Testament, because it could also be argued that Jesus negated the Old Testament with his coming. I could point it out with the dreams of the eating of forbidden animals, etc.
(While we're on the Christian topic, I'd like to add that I feel the term "What Would Jesus Do?" cuts so much better to the heart of the matter than looking up literal words and interpretations from Scripture. I think the only problem is, Jesus was too good at what he did, and most people wouldn't want to consort with corrupt tax collectors because, well... it's a lot of work.)
Actually, let's see here. What's the point of donating in the first place? (Or, WWJD?)
The point here, seems to be that I recognize that a greater need exists for this $200 for these organizations, than for myself. Or, from a Utilitarian sense, my resources should serve the greater good. As a side-effect, this giving has benefits, both literal and indirect: Tax-deductions, better reputation, referrals for business (basically, advertising), improving trust with the public, and so forth. It also re-affirms the belief, from a sales point of view, that you can only get rich (and stay rich) by helping other people get what they want, which, to me, is pretty relevant. (A philosophy is so important that one could take away all of a businessman's money and assets, hell, put him into debt, and he'll still be able to make it back through his virtue alone. Thus, Jesus's parable about stuffing a camel through the eye of a needle, and why it's stupid to cling to riches and perceive your money as having literal value. It doesn't. You could also make the transition to question if Scripture has literal value... but I won't go there.) It is that philosophy in action which makes tithing so significant. If it was approached as a duty, a requirement or a way to avoid guilt, then what the hell's the point? It would seem to me, that people who donate, do so because they're conscious of the essence behind donations, not simply because some words from Scripture said so. They can see the long-term benefits to society, to the world even, and to themselves (re-affirming their 'giving is good' philosophy in this material world). I think you may notice that the best preachers and pastors are the ones who can visualize the benefits of your good deeds to you, and then back it up with Scripture, instead of poring over texts and throwing quotes from Scripture at you and telling you that you should do it based on an old, dusty book.
Since it seems that from this website, the point about tithing being self-destructive stemmed from the fact that indeed, this literal adherence to "Scripture or face damnation" attitude without regard to the point of tithing, or the circumstances of tithing when one can obviously not afford it like the writer could, I think I can see where he's coming from.
That being said, I do think most of us could donate more than they do right now (usually... nothing =P). Except Nere, because everything he practically does is a donation, even if it does violate copyright laws. And we all <3 Nere.
And we all <3 Nere.