How does Melchizedek's encounter with Abram encourage us to honor God in success? Setting the Scene • Abram has just won an unlikely victory, rescuing Lot and plundering four powerful eastern kings (Genesis 14:1-17). • On his way home, two very different figures meet him: the king of Sodom and “Melchizedek king of Salem.” • Scripture pauses on Melchizedek, letting us see what honoring God in success looks like. Bread, Wine, and Blessing: Recognizing the Source “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine—since he was priest of God Most High— and he blessed Abram and said: ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.’” What jumps out? • Bread and wine signal fellowship, refreshment, even a hint of covenant fellowship that later blossoms in the Lord’s Supper. • Melchizedek’s blessing fixes Abram’s focus: victory came because God “has delivered your enemies into your hand.” • The title “God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth” leaves no room for chance or personal brilliance. Abram’s success is God’s gift. Cross-lights from other passages • Deuteronomy 8:17-18—“You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand have gained this wealth for me.’ But remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you the power to gain wealth.” • James 1:17—“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights.” Tithes and Triumph: Responding with Generosity “Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:20b). • A tithe is not payment for blessing; it’s a spontaneous confession that everything belongs to God. • Proverbs 3:9—“Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your harvest.” • Abram’s first act after victory is not building a monument to himself but giving from the best of the spoils. Why it matters for us • When promotions, profits, or wins come, carve out the first portion for God—whether through church giving, helping the needy, or supporting gospel work. • Generosity loosens the grip of success on our hearts and tightens our grip on God. Resisting the World’s Applause Immediately after honoring God, Abram refuses the king of Sodom’s offer of riches (Genesis 14:21-23). • Success often invites compromise—“Take the goods for yourself.” • Abram’s refusal protects God’s glory: “so you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’” • 1 Corinthians 10:31—“Whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.” • Psalm 115:1—“Not to us, LORD, not to us, but to Your name give glory.” Looking Ahead to Christ • Hebrews 7:1-3 points to Melchizedek as a picture of Jesus—King of righteousness, King of peace, and eternal priest. • Every earthly success should lift our eyes to the greater Priest-King who mediates an eternal covenant sealed with His own body and blood. • Bread and wine in Genesis 14 echo the elements Jesus later uses to say, “This is My body…this is My blood” (Luke 22:19-20). Putting It into Practice Today • Celebrate wins with worship—pause and speak a specific blessing over God’s goodness, just as Melchizedek did for Abram. • Give tangibly and promptly; let the first slice of any gain declare, “God owns it all.” • Guard your heart from the flattering offers that success attracts; keep God’s glory your chief ambition. • View every victory as a reminder of the ultimate triumph Christ secured, and let that fuel deeper gratitude and humble service. Honoring God in success isn’t an add-on; it’s the very reason we were given success in the first place. Melchizedek’s brief appearance shows the way: acknowledge, worship, give, resist self-glory, and keep eyes fixed on the greater Priest-King. |
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