Sunday Re Cap (13th Nov 2011)

The Life of Abraham-Faith Expressed Through Giving

Gen 14:17-24

Abraham honored Melchizedek by paying him tithes of all. This is the first instance of tithing in the Bible, and it occurs years before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Today, we are going to see why so we are to do the same. We believe there are at least three reasons Abram gave that day.

1. Because he recognized God already owned it all.
In verse 19, Melchizedek said that God was the possessor of heaven and earth, a phrase that Abram repeats in verse 22. God owns it all, and He owns it all in three ways.

He owns it by right of Creation. "In the beginning God created…”
He owns it by right of sustaining.
He owns it by right of purchase. He owns it all because Jesus shed His blood to redeem both man and the creation.

When we give, we don’t give God anything He doesn’t already possess. He expects us to express our recognition of His ownership through a faithful tithe back to Him.

2. Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God to him and his tithe was an expression of faith, an offering of love and gratitude.

Melchizedek was a type of Christ, and God explained this principle in Hebrews 7:1-10. It shows us how Christ is symbolized by Melchizedek and is greater than him.

Hebrews (7:4–10) indicates that these tithes were paid (in type) to Christ, suggesting that believers today are following Abraham’s example as they bring tithes to the Lord.

Abraham was not under the law. He tithed before the law was ever given to the Levites. Why did Abraham pay tithes before he was commanded to do so? Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God and Abram, out of a heart of love and gratitude expressed his faith in God by giving.

2 Cor 9⁷ So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work.

He doesn’t want to force our offerings; He wants us to express our heart toward Him through faith. When we give, we express love and gratitude and trust.

To be continued…

Sunday Re Cap (6th Nov 2011)

Abram-Faith Expressed Through Giving

Gen 14:17-24

Read Heb 6:12-15

Who is the writer of Hebrews asking us to imitate? In v13, it’s Abraham (waited patiently and received what was promised).

Abram was great because of his faith in God. He was not always faithful, but God saw him through and his faith was strengthened and settled.

We are going to see a third event in Abraham’s life that is an example of his faith and it concerns giving.

Following the victory, Abraham faced a greater temptation as he met the King of Sodom. It is usually true that Satan tempts us immediately after a great spiritual victory. The King of Sodom wanted to bargain with Abraham and get him to compromise by accepting the wealth of Sodom, but Abraham refused. The wealth of Egypt had proved a snare. The wealth of Sodom would be worse. Abraham ignored the king of Sodom, but he honored the king of Salem.

Hebrews 5–7 makes it clear that Melchizedek (“king of righteousness”) is a type of Christ, our heavenly High Priest. As King of Salem (“peace”) Christ gives us peace through His own righteousness, made possible by His death on the cross.

What an encouragement it is to see Melchizedek meeting Abraham just when the king of Sodom tempts him! As King and Priest, Christ is able to give us “grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:16).

The bread and wine (v. 18) typify Christ’s body and shed blood and like Melchizedek, the heavenly priesthood of Christ is made possible through the cross. Melchizedek met Abraham, fed him, and blessed him. What a wonderful Savior!

Abraham honored Melchizedek by paying him tithes of all. This is the first instance of tithing in the Bible, and it occurs years before the giving of the Mosaic Law. Abraham refused the riches of the world but shared his wealth with the Lord, and God richly blessed him.

Hebrews (7:4–10) indicates that these tithes were paid (in type) to Christ, signifying that believers today are following Abraham’s example as they bring tithes to the Lord.

Why did Abraham pay tithes before he was commanded to do so? Because he recognized that Melchizedek represented God, Abram, out of a heart of love and gratitude he expressed his faith in God by giving.