Abram Gives a Tithe
Abram was a giver of grace, and he was also a giver of his tithe. We read that “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 praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.' Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.” (Genesis 14:18-20)
The First Tithe in the Bible
This is the first time we see tithing in the Bible, and please note: It's before the Law of Moses has been given. Many Christians (me included) have said "there's no tithing in the New Testament, it was a Law of Moses thing, we're not obligated to tithe anymore." But this made me pause. Before the law, God's people tithed.
"Tithe", by the way, means "tenth". And remember Mark Twain said that diplomacy seems to be a "give one, take ten" sort of thing. God's people are givers, not takers, remember? Are we "give one, keep nine" when it comes to our giving to God and His work? Or are we more giving than this?
Grace-Driven Generosity
Jesus spoke about tithing twice, and both times it was to underline a wrong way to try to please God. He condemned the Pharisees in Matthew 23 for tithing, but neglecting people. And in Luke 18 He told a story about a Pharisee who was proud of his tithing, expecting that God was looking favourably on him for his tithing.
So, I think we need to avoid thinking about tithing as our religious duty. Abram here isn't tithing because it is his duty. He's not tithing because the church laws say so. He's tithing because he wants to be a giver and not a taker! He's tithing because God had blessed him and he wants to share what he has been blessed with!
Paul does mention giving in the New Testament. He says in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."
That's the Abram way! Generosity instead of sparing. Cheerfulness instead of compulsion. Trusting God to bless you abundantly.
Abram had no obligation to tithe, but he cheerfully and generously gave out of the abundance he had. How about us? Are we takers, or are we cheerful and generous givers?
In fact I like John Piper’s words in a sermon called I Seek Not What is Yours But You: “The issue of stewardship is not: Shall I tithe? but rather, How much of God’s trust fund dare I use to surround myself with comforts?”
Perhaps it’s time for an Abram-like commitment to tithing – giving to the work of God in our local churches, supporting the ministers who serve there, and releasing ourselves from being takers instead of givers.
