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…