LIFE SCRIPTS

After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 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 praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything.
Genesis 14:17‭-‬20 NIV

In this scripture, Abram had come from defeating Kedorlaomer and his allies as he rescued Lot his nephew. Normally in those days, after winning a battle the victors would carry the spoils of war as collateral damage. So as Abram went in his way, he encountered this mysterious character, the man Melkizedek, the King of Salem and Priest of God Most High. He was a personification of Christ Himself the One who is our High Priest. Scripture still mentions another king who also came to meet Abram, the king of Sodom. Its interesting but not coincidental that two very different kings would be mentioned at the same time within somewhat the same context. Yet Abram gave to both of these kings. To the king of Sodom, he returned to him what belonged to him. However in verse 20, Abram gave a tenth of all his possessions to Melkizedek. Melkizedek didn’t just come to meet Abram empty handed. He came with wine and bread, symbols of communion. He also praised the Lord Most High for delivering Abram from his enemies. It is at this instant that Abram gave him his tithe. A few things are worth to note: first Melkizedek reached out to Abram. He brought out bread and wine to him. God is a God who reaches out to us even before we do. Secondly, He brought wine and bread, symbols of Christ’s sacrifice at the cross, symbols of atonement of sin. We are acceptable before God not by virtue of our doings but on account of what Christ has done on the cross. His blood cleanses us and makes us acceptable before Him. Thirdly, He sang praises to the Lord Most High. He gave God glory for delivering Abram from his enemies. Why? Abram had taken on a great and mighty force with just a group of household- trained men and emerged victorious. God was the One who gave him the victory for in man’s eyes, it looked impossible. Lastly, Abram gave a tenth of all he had. It’s unique that Abram didn’t mention any words of worship to God. Instead he gave a tenth. Tithe is worship towards God. Our desire to tithe should come from our gratitude towards God for reaching out to us, washing our sins and delivering us from trials, temptations and troubles. Its a gesture of deep gratitude and worship towards God. Its a gesture driven by a desire to be thankful to God. In fact, tithe alone is a complete act of worship towards God. If we truly love God and choose to worship Him, our hearts will be compelled to give our tithes to Him. We’ll bring the whole tithe into the house of God.