I read that some companies today prefer to hire non smokers as smokers cost them more in medical cost and time off work due to sickness.

I have also found Tithing to be a sound principle. It has worked well for me.

Some ways I’ve seen it help individuals, whether via divine guidence or not is less important… it still worked:

1. It prompts one to focus on a budget. By budgeting extra money is found
2. It urges one to place someone else first before the selfish desires. The result of this is usually less “Selfish” or “Me” spending, the most wasteful of expenses
3. People feel good about doing it, which results in less “Guilt driven” spending, and less “Me” spending
4. It tends to broaden ones perspective. One thinks more often about those less fortunate. Appreciating what you have has an effect on consumption levels
5. People feel good about having done something good. Feeling that they have contributed to “God’s work on the earth”, whatever work that may be, feels good to people. Sometimes that feel good feeling is enough to be worth 10% all by itself.

Another thing I noticed is that the amount spent in cigarettes and alcholholic bevereages typically consumes about 10% of ones income. Usually the use of these items falls off about the same time one starts practising tithing so the cost is almost covered by the reduction in “sin” consumption.

The result, that the first 5 effects, which the person had declaired to themselves as worth 10% of their income seem to come at a bargain price.