What comes to your mind when you hear the word tithe?

The title of today's talk is: THE TITHE IS A QUESTION OF FAITH AND OBEDIENCE.

Helen Keller was born blind and deaf. Assisted by a patient and persevering teacher, Hellen struggled desperately to learn to speak.
Helen Keller said: "A simple infant faith in the divine Friend, solves all problems that may arise in our life."
She learned to live by faith in the world of total silence and complete darkness. His example of faith moved and encouraged thousands.
No matter how much difficulty people face, no one will go far unless they live by faith.
"Without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He exists and blesses all who seek Him." Hebrews 11: 6
All things belong to God. And when we have faith, there is no difficulty in accepting the designations of our Heavenly Father.

In the week of Creation, God determined that the seventh day would be for man's rest and delight. Just as the Sabbath belongs to God, the tenth of the material goods that we acquire belongs to the Lord.
The Bible states that all things were made by God and are kept by God.
We read in the Bible: "The earth belongs to the Lord and all that is contained therein, the world and those who dwell in it. And he set it upon the seas, and laid it on the chains. "Psalm 24: 1, 2.
The Bible also assures us that all silver and all gold belong to God. We know what this means. It simply means that God is the owner of all wealth, of all that is in the world.
The goods we have, be they spiritual or material, belong to God. We are only stewards, to apply in the best possible way.
When we talk about tithe, we're not talking about any offer, but we're talking about exactly one-tenth of something.
The tithing system is beautiful in its simplicity. His righteousness is revealed by proportionate application to the rich and the poor.
In the same proportion as God has given us the use of His property, we must repay Him tithing.
The tithe was given by Abraham when he met Melchizedek. Likewise, Jacob gave his tithes to the Lord long before God had given the law through Moses.
There is an interesting fact to note in the delivery of Abraham's tithes to Melchizedek. The tithes are to be given to God, to his house. How, however, did Abraham give tithes to Melchizedek, if he was not God?
Melchizedek was a priest of the Most High God. He was king of Salem, which literally means, the king of security and peace. Now who is the king of safety and peace? It's Jesus.
So how does God consider tithing?
In the Bible we find in Leviticus 27:30 and 32 the following statement: "All the tithe of the earth, both of the grain of the field and of the fruit of the trees, are to the Lord ... Concerning the decimations of cattle and flocks, Of all that passeth under the shepherd's rod, the tithe shall be holy unto the Lord. "
God regards tithing as holy for Him. Since the term holy means literally "separate", in this case, for God. Thus, tithing is the part separated exclusively to God.
God is the owner of all things, and of all the wealth that is in heaven and on earth. So we ask: Why does God want tithing, if He owns everything?
The answer lies only in one question: obedience.
When God claims tithing for Himself, He does not appeal to our gratitude or generosity. God does not need our acts. While gratitude should be part of our expressions addressed to God, we must tithe because God has commanded us to do so. Tithing belongs to Him.
Then another question arises. What is the essential purpose of Tithing?
The Bible replies, "Bring all the tithes into the treasure house, that there may be food in my house, and prove it to me, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour out your blessings upon you Without measure. "Malachi 3:10.
Tithes have the essential purpose of sustaining the work of the Church which is the house of the living God. In other words, that the Church of God has sufficient funds for the maintenance of its ministry and for carrying forward the preaching of the gospel.
Tithing is sacred, so it should only be used for sacred purposes.
God promises all blessings to those who are faithful to Him. In verse 12 of chapter 3 of the book of Malachi we read: "All nations shall call you blessed, for ye shall be a pleasant land, saith the Lord of hosts."
This is a great promise. If we are faithful and obedient, God will fulfill what he has promised. We as individuals, and the Church as a people, will be recognized as the blessed properties of God among all people.
All will call us blessed, or all will recognize us as a happy people. What a beautiful promise.