The story of Abram and Melchizedek contains the first mention of tithing. A tithe is simply one-tenth of an amount. Genesis 14: 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. [1]
A tithe can be defined as the tenth part of all fruits and profits due to God and thus to the Church for the maintenance of its ministry.[2] God would later codify the tithing requirements in Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy as the nation of Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land.
Why Tithe to Melchizedek?
The writer of Hebrews provides insight as he views Melchizedek as a Christ-like figure. Hebrews 7: 4 Consider then how great this Melchizedek was. Even Abraham, the great patriarch of Israel, recognized this by giving him a tenth of what he had taken in battle. 5 Now the law of Moses required that the priests, who are descendants of Levi, must collect a tithe from the rest of the people of Israel, who are also descendants of Abraham. 6 But Melchizedek, who was not a descendant of Levi, collected a tenth from Abraham. And Melchizedek placed a blessing upon Abraham, the one who had already received the promises of God. 7 And without question, the person who has the power to give a blessing is greater than the one who is blessed. [3]
Abram saw Melchizedek as a spiritual superior and offered ten percent of his war plunder. But what is the spiritual purpose of tithing? When we are willing to give ten percent back to God, we acknowledge that God owns everything, and we are grateful stewards of His blessings. Melchizedek gives God credit for Abram’s victory. Genesis 14: 20 And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.[4] I believe Abram also knew that the victory was due to God, not his small army. Thus, Abram gave a tithe to Melchizedek.
What About Our Tithes?
Our tithing should come from our gratitude for what God has done for us. “If the Old Testament Jew under Law could tithe, how much more ought New Testament Christians under grace!”[5] We don’t tithe to receive more blessings but to honor God for what He has done and build His kingdom here on earth.
The motivation to tithe should come from our hearts and not out of ritual. Interestingly, Jesus often condemned the Jewish leaders for their meticulous attention to tithes, yet they often neglected moral issues. It is possible to follow the rule of tithing and feel that one has fulfilled obligations to God. Our Lord desires that we live out our faith in justice, mercy, and service. Tithing is only a small part of our faith journey.
To learn more about the first mention of tithing, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/war-and-worship
[1.3.4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.
[2] Cross, F. L., & Livingstone, E. A., eds. (2005). In The Oxford dictionary of the Christian Church (3rd ed. rev., p. 1637). Oxford University Press.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1991). Be Obedient (p. 40). Victor Books.