Indeed. He cautioned His followers to not be like them - the pagans (Matthew 6:7).
I am also reminded of the woman in the Gospel of Mark.
Mark
Chapter 12
- 42
- A poor widow also came and put in two small coins worth a few cents.
- 43
- Calling his disciples to himself, he said to them, "Amen, I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the other contributors to the treasury.
- 44
- For they have all contributed from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has contributed all she had, her whole livelihood."
Does your Protestant Church practice tithing? The Catholic Church does not and, in recent times, I have personally seen the extent to which many pastors struggle to pay the Church bills. We are asked to examine our conscience and decide how much we can contribute to the Church. No one ever questions our decisions. Ultimately, I believe, that question will be posed by our Lord.
Yes, our church supports tithing. My wife and I decided 15 years ago that there was no real reason we could use to support not tithing from gross, so we’ve done so since then. Amazing, when you make the decision, it’s not even a question when the paycheck comes.