An addendum on Tithing

As an addendum to our discussion last week on tithing, I wanted to expound a bit more on what I was saying. We see a model or pattern of giving a tithe from Abraham on down through Jacob, and then it became required under the Old Testament law. When we get to the New Testament, the tithe is not given to us as a requirement, but as we discussed last time, we are told to sow abundantly with a cheerful heart. When we do so, the Lord will allow us to reap abundantly. I don’t know about you, but this sounds like more than the tithe to me, both on the giving and receiving end.

We are not under the law any more, but we are under Grace. Therefore, love and gratitude should govern our actions, including giving, rather than compulsion. What makes us want to give more, being commanded to give a certain amount, or feeling free to give whatever is on our hearts? I’m reminded of when Moses took an offering for the supplies needed to build the tabernacle, and the Lord told him to take an offering of everyone who would give it with a willing heart (Exo 25:1-9). Because the people felt at liberty to give what was on their hearts, they gave so much, Moses later had to tell them to stop giving (Exo 36:2-7). So then, the law of love is better than the law of compulsion.

Many preachers and evangelists over the years have attempted strong-arming people into giving, and ultimately, it does not work. They have to resort to guilt trips and other forms of manipulation to try to get more money out of people. In contrast, when the Lord is moving in people’s lives and leadership simply communicates the need, people want to give.

However, for those who do want to give cheerfully, 10% is a good principle to follow. The tithe was given off the first fruits, meaning off the top, and comes from an agrarian society in which they would simply bring a tenth of the increase from their crops or herds. In today’s economy, that would be tithing off the gross rather than the net if you are an employee. If you are self-employed, you would tithe off the increase from each job. The purpose of the tithe was to provide for the priests and Levites so they could focus on the ministry. If individuals and families gave just 10% of their incomes, it would eliminate a lot of financial problems in the Church. To illustrate, let’s look at the median household income in the U.S. Median simply means middle, and this means that half of the income earners in the U.S. will make more than this figure, and half will earn less. As of May 2026, the median household income is estimated to be $88,480. For simplicity, we’ll just round this down to $88 thousand. Ten percent of $88 thousand is $8,800, so this means a person or family who gives regularly to their local church with a median household income of $88 thousand will tithe $8,800 annually. If we take a small church with, say, 25 individuals or families, this comes out to $220 thousand annually. This would allow the church to pay its pastor $88 thousand, and leave $132 thousand left for the church to pay its bills and fund whatever ministries it sees fit. They could even pay their pastor $100 thousand, and still have more than half left over. If the church has 50 individuals or families, this brings the total from just tithes to $440 thousand, and it goes on from there. As we can see, everyone in the church tithing regularly sets up a church well financially, assuming that church doesn’t have debt and leadership otherwise manages the finances well.

The main take-away is, give to your local church before you give to any other ministries or charities. It is how you take care of your pastor and his family. If you want to give more, by all means give more, but, again, 10% is really a reasonable amount to give. Besides, it’s all the Lord’s anyway. Before you apply any of the other biblical principles for handling money, be a giver, and the Lord promises to reward those who do.

In conclusion, consider the following Scriptures:

“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the first fruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.” (Pro 3:9-10)

“‘You are cursed with a curse, for you have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it. ‘And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, so that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,’ says the Lord of hosts; ‘And all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a delightful land,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” (Malachi 3:9-12)

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

And finally, “But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Co 9:6-7)

Genesis 14 - The King of Righteousness

Last time in Genesis, we saw how God blessed Abram, and told him He would multiply his descendants as the dust of the earth. Abram gave Lot the first choice of the land, for which Lot chose the plain of Jordan and pitched his tent toward Sodom. Lot chose earthly riches, and Abram chose the riches of the kingdom of God.

When we pick up in Genesis 14, the two kings in the area of Babylon, the king of the area of Persia, and a king of a confederate of nations are going to war with five kings in the plain of Jordan, which included the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah. These were not kings of large nations or empires, but kings over city-states. The kings of the plain served the king of Persia 12 years, and in the 13th year they rebelled. In the Bible, the number 13 is associated with rebellion.

So, in the 14th year, the king of Persia and the other three kings came down to battle with them in the area of the Dead Sea, an area in southeastern Israel. They began their invasion in the area that is today the country of Jordan, starting in what used to be Moab, then moving south to Edom and Mount. Seir, and then westward towards the plains of Jordan to battle these five kings. On their way, they wiped out four tribes of peoples, as well as the Amalekites and Amorites that live there. Archeologists have since uncovered the ruins of these civilizations, and they were completely wiped out and plundered.

Well, the five kings, watching this take place, saw this as their opportunity to join the fray and be rid of the alliance of Persia and the other three kings. However, the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah were beaten there and fled. At this time there were an abundance of tar pits in the area, and some of them fell into them. This is the same type of tar that was used in building the tower of Babel, as well as what Noah used to cover the ark. Apparently, when Rockefeller read this passage, he figured where there was tar there should be oil, and the rest is history. The remainder fled into the mountains to hide from these five kings.

Then the kings of Persia and those with him took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and they also took Lot and all his goods. If we remember from the previous chapter, Lot had pitched his tent toward Sodom, but by this time he was living in Sodom. This was a trouble Lot could have well avoided if he hadn’t chosen to live amongst wicked people.

Then someone that escaped the battle came and told Abram the Hebrew what had happened. This is the first time we see the word Hebrew mentioned in the Bible, and was either a reference to Abram’s ancestor Eber, or the fact he had crossed the Euphrates River to come into Canaan (the root of Hebrew means passed over or passenger). Abram was still living by the Terebinth trees of Mamre the Amorite, who had two brothers, Eshcol and Aner. These three were allies with Abram, probably a wise move in those times.

When Abram heard this, he took 318 of his own trained servants, along with the three brothers he was allied with and their men, and pursued after them. He left Hebron and pursued them over 120 miles to Dan in the northern part of Israel, and surprise attacked them at night. He then chased them another 45 miles or so into Syria near Damascus. This is no small feat that Abram took on: First, Abram would have to have had substantial wealth to keep on 318 servants trained for battle. Second, traveling close to 170 miles was quite the march. Third, he was probably severely outnumbered, thus the reason for the surprise attack. Abram and his men were able to defeat those four kings and recover Lot, all the spoil taken, and the women and the people. So, Abram, the man that had a lapse of faith a couple of chapters ago, now showed tremendous faith and courage in going to recover his nephew, Lot. Practically speaking, this would have taken great skill and planning as well. Being a person of faith does not mean we turn off our brains or neglect the gifts God has given us, but it is our faith that takes those gifts and skills to their highest potential.

Now we get to this interesting person Melchizedek.  When Abram returned from the slaughter of the kings, Melchizedek king of Salem met him, and brought forth bread and wine. He blessed Abram and credited the Lord for Abram’s victory over the four kings. Abram then gave him tithes of all the spoil. We see here the first mention of the tithe. The tithe just means one tenth, so Abram gave him one tenth of all. A pattern we see throughout the Bible is that paying tithes to the Lord was a common practice. Abram did it, later we will see that Jacob did it, and it is later commanded under the law of Moses. Paying tithes specifically is not commanded in the New Testament, but I believe it is a good starting point for giving. Personally, when I find myself not wanting to give 10% of my income, it has meant I am holding onto my money too tightly. In the New Testament we are told to be liberal givers. The apostle Paul wrote, “But this I say, he which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:6-7) So we are to give abundantly with a cheerful heart, and the Lord promises to bless us when we do.

There has been a lot of debate who Melchizedek is, but what we learn from Genesis 14 is that he is the king of Salem, which is the king of peace (see Isaiah 9:6). Salem is also the early name for Jerusalem. It states that Melchizedek was also priest of God most high (El Elyon). In the Old Testament, kings and priests were not allowed to share their offices. He brought out bread and wine, which should remind us of something, the communion table. It is a sign of the new Covenant in Jesus Christ.

The author of Hebrews writes, “For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest Continually.” (Hebrews 7:1-3) So we see he was called the king of Righteousness, and in another place in the Bible a similar title is given to Jesus Christ. Jeremiah writes, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord Our Righteousness.” (Jeremiah 23:6)

According to the Scriptures, Melchizedek was without father or mother, he had no beginning of days nor end of life (i.e. he was not created), but was likened to the Son of God. The only one I know who was not created and that has and will exist for all eternity is God himself. John says of Jesus, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3) Since Jesus was in the beginning with God (the Father), is himself God, and has created all things, it would seem that this Melchizedek could be none other than a pre-incarnate appearance of Jesus Christ. John records a conversation that Jesus had with the Jews. “’Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.’ Then the Jews said to Him, ‘You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?’ Jesus said to them, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’” (John 8:56-58) It is quite possible this ‘day’ Abraham saw and was glad was this appearance of Melchizedek in Genesis 14. What I have covered may not answer all the questions held by those of the opposing view, but it does seem the greater part of the evidence lends itself to Melchizedek being an Old Testament appearance of Jesus Christ (a Christophany).

Lastly, the king of Sodom also came out to meet Abram, but he paid Melchizedek no tithe. He offered Abram all the spoil from the battle, but Abram had taken a vow not to keep anything except for the food of his trained men and the portion of the men who were confederate with him. Abram did not want anyone but the Lord receiving the glory for the battle that was won, and the material blessing that he had. He did not want the wicked king of Sodom taking any credit for the success the Lord had given him.

In application, are we willing to trust God and courageously fight for our families when necessary? Are we willing to use the gifts and abilities He has given us to aid us in this? We are in a battle like none other for the souls of our children and loved ones, maybe some of them like Lot, but we should not give up on them just like Abram didn’t. Abram had to take on substantial risk to rescue his nephew, and we may have to do the same in one way or another. The good news is God is with us in this battle, and He will ensure our ultimate victory.

In summary, we have seen the Lord’s deliverance and provision in chapter 14 as He defeated the armies of the four kings and saved Lot and all that He had by Abram’s hand. We also see the introduction of Melchizedek whose significance is not seen until much later in the Scriptures. In chapter 15 we will see the Lord confirm His covenant with Abram by an oath, and promise him a son of his own body.

 

Genesis 13 - Man's Riches or the Lord's Kingdom

In our last study, we saw how the Lord promised Abram and his descendants the land of Canaan. The Lord had told him to go there, and that He would bless him, and that in him all the nations of the earth would be blessed. Then Abram took his family into Egypt because of a famine in the land of Canaan. We saw how Abram had his wife lie by saying that she was his sister out of fear the men of Egypt would kill him for her sake. When Pharoah found out what had happened, he rebuked Abram for what he had done, and he sent him away with much livestock, menservants, and maidservants.

In chapter 13, Abram with his family and all that he had, left Egypt to go back to the land of Canaan, stopping in the South (Negev) for a time. He was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold, much of which he had acquired in Egypt. He later moved further north to Bethel, where he had made an altar at the first, and called on the name of the Lord there. While in the land of Canaan, he was in the habit of worshiping the Lord, but there was no mention of it while in Egypt. For certain, he was in disobedience in the matter relating to his wife, but his absence of building altars to the Lord may be an indicator the entire trip was outside of God’s will for him. The Lord is able to take care of us wherever we are, so we should be careful in making decisions based on fear or upon problems we do not see a solution to. On the other hand, wanting to feed your family is a noble and righteous thing to do, so you can understand why Abram would have gone into Egypt. I think it really comes down to seeking the Lord’s will for our circumstances. Whatever the case, Abram was going back to that place of fellowship and worship with the Lord. Animal sacrifice was often made for sins, so it could be Abram was also repenting from what took place in Egypt.

Lot also went with Abram, and he was very rich as well. Their substance was so great that the land was not able to support both of them. As a result, a strife arose between their herdsman, and we are told that the Canaanite and the Perizzite lived in the land. It could be that Abram, knowing that nonbelievers were watching this dispute, decided it would be better to part ways rather than fighting over whose land it was.

Here we see Abram take the high ground: he could have chosen the best of the land and given Lot the rest, but he gave Lot first pick. Lot, on the other hand, saw how the plain of Jordan was well watered, even as the Garden of Eden, and he chose to dwell there. It is here where we begin to gain some insight into Lot’s character. He was more concerned with seeking wealth and prosperity, and chose the cities of the plain, pitching his tent toward or as far as Sodom (he was on the outskirts of town). The Scriptures tell us here that the men of Sodom were very wicked before the Lord, so Lot chose to dwell near wickedness in order to be more well off. This will prove to be a disastrous move for Lot and his family in the long-run. He was also placing himself ahead of Abram, someone who had taken care of and been sort of a father-figure to him.

As Chuck Smith duly points out, this was probably a difficult experience for Abram. They had traveled together for several decades, and he loved Lot like a son. Now Lot and his family were leaving, and it was probably hard to watch them go. I’m sure it was made worse by the fact that Abram knew Lot was not making a good choice for himself and his family (you get that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach).

I also wonder if Abram was beginning to feel like the promises the Lord gave him would never come to pass? Lot and his family were moving on to “bigger and better things,” and he was still stuck waiting. Even though he knew Lot was making a bad decision, those emotions can still be there regardless.

It was here that the Lord spoke again to Abram, probably as a means of comfort and reassurance. As we previously discussed, from the mountain peak where Abram had built his altar between Bethel and Ai, he would be able to see the entire land of Israel. He told Abram to look every direction, and as far as his eyes could see, He was going to give the land to him and his descendants, and this included the land that Lot took. This promise was to be forever. This was not a promise that would be conditioned upon their obedience, but upon the promise and faithfulness of God. The Lord promised to number Abram’s descendants as the dust of the earth, in other words, they will not be able to be numbered. The Lord told him to walk through the length and breadth of the land, for He would give it to him. Abram then moved near the Terebinth trees of Mamre, which were in Hebron. Hebron was about 20 miles or so south of Jerusalem, south of the valley of Eshcol. There he built another altar unto the Lord.

In summary, are we like Lot who was primarily concerned with earthly riches, or are we like Abram who was primarily concerned with his walk with the Lord and placing others first? We need to remember it is the Lord who gives us power to get wealth (Deut 8:18), but at the same time, we are not to set our hearts on it.  Proverbs says, “Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom.  Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven.” (23:4-5) Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Tim 6:6-10), “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” As we will see, Lot sold himself short: Oh, he had his riches and enjoyed them for a time, but when the Lord would bring judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, they would all be gone.  If we set our heart on the Lord however, He is able to give us all the earthly riches we need, and more importantly and more lasting, the riches of the Kingdom of God.

In his book “The Pursuit of God,” A.W. Tozer describes Abraham after he was told to offer up his son, Isaac, as having everything, but possessing nothing. Another way of putting it is that Abram owned lots of earthly goods, but they didn’t own him. Abram was a rich man after coming out of Egypt, but he did not set his heart on them. This is what allowed him to trust God and let Lot take his pick of where he wanted to go. In the following chapter, we will see Abram go to the rescue when Lot gets caught up in a battle between rivaling nations, as well as an introduction to an interesting character who, although does not receive a lot of ink, is a key figure throughout the rest of the Scriptures. So, your homework for next week is to read Genesis 14.