I think if men understood the history of "tithing" in Western culture, it would send chills down their spine. For centuries, the tithe was enforced by secular governments at the behest of religious authorities, and refusal to tithe could lead to the seizure of property, scourging, and fines. It was a tool of extortion used by a very oppressive theocratic system.
After the various revolutions that led to the separation of church and state, civil governments began dropping statutes enforcing the tithe. And churches began requiring it privately for membership.
For more information feel free to take a look at the following link:
Secular History of Tithing
http://tithing-russkelly.com/id15.html
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