God gave our parents Adam and Eve laws to govern conduct, expecting them and their offspring to learn how to give. The children of Jacob have cursed themselves by withholding their tithes and offerings from Almighty God, incurring a 34 trillion-dollar debt, more than the value of China, Japan, Germany, India, and the United Kingdom's economies combined. The tithing principle pre-dates the Old Covenant as we learn that our father Abraham gave Melchizedek ten percent of all his goods. Jacob likewise gave ten percent of his goods to Almighty God, demonstrating his worship and willingness to give. Numbers 18 commands that tithes be given to the Levitical priesthood. Our Lord and Savior emphasized that He came to magnify and not destroy the law (Matthew 5:17-20), including the tithing system which enables the Israel of God to proclaim the gospel, providing it without cost to the recipients. When it comes to our pocketbook, tithing requires faith and trust in God, who provides our ability to acquire wealth. Each member must make his own decision, remembering that tithing is based on increase, rendered more complicated by government intervention, a perpetual curse of the foolish decision to demand a king like the other nations (I Samuel 8). Because of this foolish decision, some people have said incorrectly, "I can't afford to tithe. " The exact opposite is more accurate, whether we factor the first, second, or third tithe, all designed to serve the needs of God's people. Tithes and offerings are subject to the law of sowing and reaping (II Corinthians 9:6).