You see all we have, is given to us by God, nothing is really ours. Therefore if you don't pay your tithes what you are actually doing is stealing from God and robbing yourself in the process because you will not receive the blessings that you should. What they don't understand is that money is not that important. I get my peace and happiness from my walk with God. Tithes are an offering to God and should be used as an aid to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to all nations.
Tithes are first and foremost an affirmation of faith.
As I've said before God wants us to depend on Him. I faithfully pay my tithes regardless of what I make, how many bills I have piled up or how much food we have in the pantry. No this shows my faith in Him. It shows the world that I trust God to take care of and provide for me and mine. It is such a blessing and a joy to have so little, give God my tithes, then sit back and be amazed at how He always takes care of everything and all the inventive ways in which He does it.