Imagine this: you spent the last three years pouring all of your hard work and time into a project. You stayed up late, you pushed your body to its limits, and you prioritized it over other aspects of your life. And then when the project is done, and you see the results, you do not benefit from them for a year; in fact, you give away what you created.
The Torah describes this scene as it pertains to growing crops. Only in the third year are you allowed to harvest the fruits of your field — and even then, you must give them to the Levite, the widow, the orphan, and the immigrant. To express gratitude for our crop yields, we are required to donate 10%. It’s God’s way of saying, “help out those in need” and “adopt an abundance mindset.”
We may or may not grow food, but we all can follow those instructions.