Priests didn't farm. They relied on tithes and first fruits and fish and herbs that were brought to the Temple. The premise is that the more time the Priests had to fend for themselves the less time they had to spend in prayer on the behalf of the tither. Let's ask Christ what He thinks about it:
You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.
The latter He refers to is Love. The former He refers to is tithing.
He said:
You tithe your mint and rue,
as well you should....an ignore the weightier issue of love.
That was to the Jewish Pharisees.
The Gentiles are not under Jewish Law.
But there is something unique about tithing.
It comes with a remarkable promise. And it works. It is the only time that I know of where our Father says, "Test me on this."
Here are the rules. 1/10th of income OFF OF THE TOP< not from what might be left over after you pay bills or buy groceries. 1/10th off the top, set it aside in an envelope, and give it to a church quickly before you are tempted to use some for gas money. And, It is not charity to be given to an organization.
That part is God's.
IF you increase that amount by 25% or more, God promises to return it all back to you X 7.
You made $100.00. $10.00 goes to God. Add an additional $2.50 to the $10.00 and get it all back multiplied by 7. You get $87.50 back. Except He doesn't stop there. You also get land you didn't sow, houses you didn't build, property you didn't pay for, oil under the property, cups that fill to capacity and then run over..
If you believe in your heart that you are not required to tithe, it is not held against you if you do not.
If you believe in your heart that you should be tithing to God and do not, it is considered by God as theft.