Abraham Wins and Tithes

8Then the king of Sodom, the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboyim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) marched out and drew up their battle lines in the Valley of Siddim 9against Kedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goyim, Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10Now the Valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and when the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some of the men fell into them and the rest fled to the hills. 11The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food; then they went away. 12They also carried off Abram’s nephew Lot and his possessions, since he was living in Sodom.

13A man who had escaped came and reported this to Abram the Hebrew. Now Abram was living near the great trees of Mamre the Amorite, a brother^b of Eshkol and Aner, all of whom were allied with Abram. 14When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

17After 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).

18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

Creator of heaven and earth.

20And praise be to God Most High,

who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14)

Thoughts: Lot got in trouble and Abraham, though clearly outnumbered, rescued him. Abraham was not concerned about how many he faced but his loyalty was evident to his family.  He attacked at night to an army that probably thought they were safe.  Abraham clearly saw his victory as a gift from God.  He gave Melchizedek the priest of Salem (Jerusalem)  a tithe (10%) of his loot.  We see  other patriarchs tithing as well.  Tithing is a token of acknowledgement and is always given in faith.  The father of our faith is able to let go of things- we should too. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you that you help and provide.  Give me grace to be a generous person.  

11/17/13- The Father of Our Faith Tithes

14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he called out the 318 trained men born in his household and went in pursuit as far as Dan.15 During the night Abram divided his men to attack them and he routed them, pursuing them as far as Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 He recovered all the goods and brought back his relative Lot and his possessions, together with the women and the other people.

17 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).

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And praise be to God Most High,
    who delivered your enemies into your hand.”

Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (Genesis 14:14-20)

Thoughts: 318 trained men fought against a well equipped army from the Fertile Crescent probably numbering in the tens of thousands.  But God was blessing Abram for caring for his nephew Lot.  Abram knew that this was a great risk.  So he was grateful to God.  He showed his gratitude by giving a tithe to God given to the priest/king Melchizedek.  The father of our faith gave the first example recorded of a tithe (10%).  He actually gave 10% to Melchizedek, some funds to his allies who helped him, and the rest of the booty to the King of Sodom.  Abram kept nothing for himself, though surely he was the hero of the whole adventure. He was able to let go of the booty as he did not have any before the fight. Abram, the father of our faith, held onto things lightly and with thanksgiving for what he had.  

Prayer:  Help me, Lord, to be a generous person who honors you with my giving and holding lightly to this world. 

1/13/13- The Blessing of Giving with Gratitude

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).

18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine.He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram,saying,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
    Creator of heaven and earth.
20 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)

Thoughts: Abram was delivered in battle.  Lot was delivered from captivity. There was much gratitude to God, and Abram wanted to show it concretely.  Abram had gone out to fight against many kings but he only had a few hundred men.  But the Lord helped him, and he won and got great plunder.  He tithed it (gave a tenth of it) to Melchizedek.  Melchizedek (literally "King of righteousness"- Heb. 7:2) was the king of Salem (Peace) and the priest of the Most High God.  Hebrews 5,6,7 point out that Melchizedek was a forerunner or "type" of Christ.  This is the first evidence of someone tithing in the Bible.  It was done in thanksgiving for deliverance.  When God blesses us- rescues us- and pours more blessing on us than we could have imagined- let us give to Him.  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your deliverance and your great love.