How can we apply the principle of tithing from Genesis 14:20 today? The Setting in Genesis 14 “Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (Genesis 14:20) • After rescuing Lot, Abram meets Melchizedek, king-priest of Salem. • Melchizedek blesses Abram; Abram responds by surrendering a literal tenth of the spoils. • This precedes the Mosaic Law, showing tithing as a faith response, not merely a legal requirement. What Abram’s Tithe Reveals • Gratitude: the tithe honored “God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” • Priority: Abram gave first, before enjoying any gain. • Recognition of God’s ownership: the tenth acknowledged that every victory and resource came from the LORD. • Pattern: Hebrews 7:1-4 recalls the event as an enduring model for believers. Why the Principle Still Matters • Malachi 3:10—“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…Test Me in this.” Obedience invites God’s provision. • Proverbs 3:9—“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your harvest.” Firstfruits giving remains God’s expectation. • Jesus affirmed tithing’s validity while demanding heartfelt justice and mercy (Matthew 23:23). • 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 links generous, willing giving with God’s promise of sufficiency and abundance. Practical Ways to Apply Tithing Today 1. Calculate the first 10 percent of all income (salary, bonuses, harvests) and set it apart immediately. 2. Direct the tithe to the local church—the modern “storehouse”—supporting teaching, worship, missions, and benevolence. 3. Give consistently (weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly) to keep God first in every pay period. 4. Treat tithing as the floor, not the ceiling; freewill offerings and alms flow above the tenth as the Spirit leads. 5. Involve the whole household—spouses and children—so the family witnesses God’s faithfulness together. 6. Record testimonies of God’s provision; celebrating them strengthens faith and counters fear. Common Objections and Straight Answers • “Tithing was only for Israel under the Law.” – Abram’s tithe predates the Law, showing a timeless faith principle. • “We are under grace, not obligation.” – Grace raises, not lowers, the standard of devotion (2 Corinthians 8:7). • “I can’t afford to tithe.” – Malachi 3:10 invites us to test God; withholding forfeits promised blessings. • “I prefer spontaneous giving.” – Regular tithing disciplines the heart, making spontaneous generosity easier, not harder. Encouraging Biblical Snapshots • Jacob vows a tenth after encountering God’s ladder at Bethel (Genesis 28:20-22). • Hezekiah’s reforms restore tithes; heaps of provision overflow (2 Chronicles 31:5-10). • The early church shared possessions, meeting every need (Acts 4:32-35); systematic tithing supports the same outcome today. Key Takeaway Set apart the first tenth of all increase as an act of worship, gratitude, and trust. The God who empowered Abram to defeat kings still honors those who honor Him. |
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