<\/p>\n
In a world that constantly urges us to aim for the top, the desire to be first is deeply ingrained in us. No one enjoys being second. Athletes train tirelessly, not for a silver medal, but to win gold. In relationships, we would never tolerate our partner prioritizing someone else over us. Nor would we like to be shortlisted for a job only to lose out to another candidate. These examples show how deep-rooted the desire to be first is in our lives.<\/p>\n
However, the Bible teaches that only God should be first in our lives. He must take precedence over everything, including ourselves. One way we demonstrate this is through the giving of the first fruits\u2014the tithe.<\/p>\n
Understanding the literal and spiritual significance of tithing is crucial. The word \u2018tithe\u2019 comes from the Hebrew word \u2018ascar,\u2019<\/em> meaning \u2018ten\u2019 or \u2018the tenth part.\u2019 But when we look deeper, it also conveys the idea of growth, accumulation, and enrichment.<\/p>\n When we return the first 10% of our income to God, He promises:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cBring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,\u201d says the Lord<\/span> of hosts, \u201cIf I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will\u00a0not\u00a0be room\u00a0enough\u00a0to receive it. \u201cAnd I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,\u201d says the Lord<\/span>\u00a0of hosts;\u00a0(Malachi 3:10-11)<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n In other words, by returning the first tenth of our income, we invite God\u2019s blessings\u2014financial prosperity, growth, and abundance\u2014a demonstration of our fear, reverence, and respect for Him and that we trust in His provision for our lives.<\/p>\n When we are faithful in tithing, God is bound by His word to protect us, rebuking the forces that bring sickness, accidents, and social degradation. As faithful tithers, we enjoy the fullness of God\u2019s blessings in everything we do.<\/p>\n When we are faithful to God, He consistently shows His faithfulness toward us, providing for us without fail. By honoring God with the first fruits of our income, we receive His protection and blessings, and 90% of our income with God\u2019s blessing is worth far more than 100% without it.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Consecration of the Seconds takes place every first Sunday of the month at 10 AM at The Universal Church.<\/a><\/span> Those who decide to place God first in every aspect and area of their lives are anointed with the Holy Oil and consecrated to the Lord.<\/p>\n Every first Sunday of the Month at 10 AM, at The Universal Church. For locations nationwide, please <\/span>click\u00a0here.<\/strong><\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>For more information, please\u00a0<\/span>call\u00a01-888-332-4141<\/a> <\/span><\/strong>or\u00a0text 1-888-312-4141. <\/span><\/strong>You may also contact us via our\u00a0<\/span>contact form (click here)<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n All are welcome regardless of religion or background. Come as you are.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In a world that constantly urges us to aim for the top, the desire to be first is deeply ingrained in us. No one enjoys being second. Athletes train tirelessly, not for a silver medal, but to win gold. In relationships, we would never tolerate our partner prioritizing someone else over us. Nor would […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":248,"featured_media":344452,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[323],"tags":[],"site":[],"class_list":["post-344451","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-school-of-faith"],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344451","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/248"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=344451"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344451\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":344797,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/344451\/revisions\/344797"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/344452"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=344451"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=344451"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=344451"},{"taxonomy":"site","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/universalchurchusa.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/site?post=344451"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}The Consecration of the Seconds<\/strong><\/h4>\n