Text Box: Rather than stroke the ego of the man, the priest pointed to all the success as a gift from God. Melchizedek next called for God to be blessed, because it was He who delivered Abram’s enemies to him. Following Melchizedek’s statements of blessing was Abram’s response. It was not a response of words, but of action. Abram responded by giving to Melchizedek a tenth of everything. Notice three key words here: giving, tenth, and everything. There was no request from Melchizedek for any kind of gift or payment. Abram could have easily just said “Thanks” or “Amen” and went on his way. This priest of “God Most High” was there to give out blessing, not to be blessed. Yet, we should never expect to just receive blessing without in turn being a blessing. There is no specific reason given why Abram gave a tenth. He could have easily just been a tipper, giving say two percent, rather than a tither and giving ten percent. Yet, because Abram was such a Godly man we needed to look as his actions as the model for us. The fact that there was no specific reason given, further demonstrates that it is not the amount that matters, but how we demonstrate our loving trust in God to continue to provide for us, just as Abram did. The last word of note here is everything. Abram did not give a tenth of some things or of a certain level of quality, like only the best. He gave as his tithe a tenth of everything. He did not attempt to determine what was not necessary to give a tithe of but instead, considered it all from God. This account of Abram and Melchizedek is the first account in the Bible of tithing. When we fully appreciate Abram and the significant relationship he had with God we must give our full attention to his relationship with God. How he lived out his life in obedience and love to God are a model for us, each of us. Tithing was not something he pondered or was hesitant to do. He was decisive, if not eager, to give a tithe as a way of blessing God.

Text Box: Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, and he blessed Abram, saying, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand." Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. Genesis 14:18-20 Do you have a family member that seems to need your assistance on a regular basis? I don’t mean for ordinary things, like helping them move. Somehow, this person finds a way to regularly get themselves in desperate types of situations. They are not a bad person; they just seem to have the unfortunate knack of being in the wrong place at the wrong time consistently. Abram, the man through whom God would bless all mankind, the man through whom the nation of Israel would come, the man through whom the Messiah would come, had a family member like this. Abram had a nephew named Lot who came with him when Abram left his homeland to follow God. Several times Lot found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and Abram, being the devoted family man, went to his rescue each time. In the 14th chapter of Genesis is the story of a war between two alliances of kings. One is an alliance of five kings. These five kings had been subject to the king of Elam named Kedorlaomer for 12 years. During the 13th year, which occurs in this chapter, these kings decide to rebel.

Text Box: To confront this rebellion Kedorlaomer creates an alliance with three other kings. Though they were outnumbered four kings to five, the alliance led by Kedorlaomer was able to route the alliance of five and take all the goods and food of Sodom and Gomorrah, as well as captives. Unfortunately, one of the citizens of Sodom was Lot, Abram’s nephew. So, in the aftermath of this battle Lot, his family, and all of his possessions were taken captive as spoils of war. Realize that Lot was not the intended prize, he just happened to be a citizen of one of the losing king’s realm. When Abram heard that his relative, Lot, had been taken captive, he sprang into action. Abram gathered up 380 men who were part of his household that had already been trained for battle. Abram and his men routed the combined armies of these four kings, recovered all the goods taken and the people that were taken captive, and rescued his nephew Lot and all of Lot’s possessions. As Abram was returning from his victory he is met by Melchizedek, the king of Salem. Interestingly, Melchizedek was not one the kings in either of these two alliances. Also, interesting to note is the fact that Salem is the same city that was later to be renamed Jerusalem. As the victor, one would think that Abram was entitled to a great feast. This feast should include the best and choicest of the land. Instead, Melchizedek brought bread and wine to Abram. The Bible goes on to describe Melchizedek as the priest of “God Most High”. As a true priest of God, Melchizedek pointed out to Abram that God had blessed him. Abram’s success was clearly the hand of God on his life. Only a true priest would be this bold as to give God the credit rather than accentuate Abram’s ability and accomplishment.

Biblical History of Tithing, Part 1

Abram

by Pastor Dave Bassett

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Text Box: Building God’s
Kingdom Together

July 7, 2007

July, Issue #2

Building God’s Kingdom Newsletter

Special points of interest:

· Biblical History of Tithing, Part 1 — Abram
by Pastor Dave

· Devotion to Family, to Friends, and to Christ...
by Judy Bassett

· And It Cost You Nothing...
by Pastor Dave

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