Friendly Rivalry- with a purpose

I have heard people say…tithing…even giving to the church is not biblical…..or at best is an Old Testament ritual. There are people online who, I guess make themselves feel better by saying, that tithing is illegal. And then back it up with scripture.
I guarantee you that this scripture isn’t used in their defense.

2 Corinthians 8: 1-5 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints. And they did not do as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then to us in keeping with God's will.

There is a rivalry between Macedonia and Corinth that Paul touches on…..its like saying that the folks at University of Oklahoma are doing and experiencing this, UT people….what do you say?
Macedonians were living in a time of sever (rock bottom) oppression, probably financial, but also “religious” that Paul talks about when he says….be sure to count it as joy when you face trials……
Yet in their oppression or ‘testing’ (greek DOKIME- testing that proves someone’s or something’s genuiness) , they gave freely….more than they could give. There doesn’t seem to sense that they foolishly gave, but that they determined what they could give….and dug a little deeper.
The commentary I read said they gave to the Lord first, then to Paul. So great was their desire to serve Christ that they would not allow their economic situation to keep them from being involved in the Lord's work.
It’s easy, in our times….to say with $4.00 gasoline, brothers…..its just so hard to be a part. With the downturn in the stock market or the housing slump or threat of recession….bla bla bla… The Macedonians were in “rock-bottom” poverty…and they gave freely….in abundance. What an example!