DEUT687 Rabbi Akiva said: … tithes are a fence to riches. Pirkei Avot, Perek III, mishnah 17. … You would think that tithes, far from protecting riches, tend to dissipate them. For if you have a million dollars and give away a tenth, you have $100,000 less than your original amount. Nevertheless, the Talmud takes the words of Scripture, asser t'asser (You shall surely tithe…) [this verse] and with a play on words interprets it as asser bish'vil she-tith'asher: "Give the tithe so that you may grow richer" [T.B. Shabbath 119a, Ta'anith 9a). The Ruler of the universe rewards you for the tithe you give by blessing you with even more wealth, so that in turn you can give more.