In Genesis 14, we read the third recorded test of Abram's faith. Because of the capture of his nephew, Lot, Abram quickly assembled a small army and completely overturned the disaster with a great victory. Abram could have claimed rulership of the entire area for himself. Instead, it almost appears as if he had made a prior commitment to God that if God gave him success he would take nothing for himself.
Upon Abram's return, he meets the king/priest of Salem (later known as Jerusalem). Melchizedek did three things in this encounter:
1. Blessed Abram-giving God the credit
2. Acknowledged God's ownership of heaven and earth-giving God the glory
3. Received a tenth of everything-giving God worship
True worship of God and giving is inseparable.
This the first mention of tithing in the Bible. Here are some modern questions about tithing:
A. "Should I give a tenth of the gross or the net?"
The verse says "everything."
B. "Should I give a tenth before or after I pay my bills?"
Abram gave in verse 20 and paid his bills in verse 24. Proverbs 3:9 underscores this priority. It is a matter of trust in God. If I honor Him first, then I trust He will bless the rest.
C. "But isn't tithing Old Testament law and we are no longer under the law?"
Note that Abram did not live under the law of Moses. He at least lived 450 years before Moses received the law at Mount Sinai. The law did not inititate tithing.
Abram did not give in worship because he felt he owed God 10% of his gain. Rather, he gave in acknowledgement that God owns it all. The first lesson of stewardship is that God is the rightful Owner of everything.
No comments:
Post a Comment