Hebrews 7:1,2 – “For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated ‘king of righteousness,’ and then also king of Salem, meaning ‘king of peace.’”
Abraham, from whom we get our spiritual heritage through the righteousness that is by faith (Romans chapter 4) and who is the father of us all (Romans 4:16), was a tither. We should not only get our faith from Abraham but also our tithing from him as well.
This is one of the greatest passages of scripture about tithing in the entire word of God and it happens to be in the New Testament. There are several absolutely incredible truths in this reading that deserve notice and special attention.
First, tithing declares how great you think God is. Look at verse 4… Abraham gave tithes, described as a “tenth part of all” (verse 2), to Melchizedek. Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek showed just how great he thought Melchizedek was. When you pay your tithe you are declaring just how great you think God is.
Second, tithing is a spiritual, heavenly principle. Look at verse 8…
Tithing transcends this earth. According to the scriptures, you are placing your tithe in the hands of Jesus Christ, for here men receive tithes but there, meaning heaven, He (Jesus Christ) receives them.
Third, you are setting up your descendants for blessing when you tithe. Look at verses 9 and 10…
Levi was a great-grandson of Abraham. And these verses declare when Abraham tithed, Levi was also tithing, even though he was not yet born. Talk about giving your offspring a head start! This passage teaches us that the blessing of tithing spans four generations.
There is so much more I could teach about tithing in this chapter, but please know my friend, you cannot—absolutely cannot—go wrong giving 10% of everything you receive to God. When it reaches His hands you are blessed beyond anything you could ever imagine. If you are not a tither, talk to someone who is. Better yet, take God’s word for it and begin with this week’s paycheck to tithe and see if God doesn’t bless your finances. God’s blessing on 90% will be much better than not having His blessing on 100%. The greatest financial principle I could teach you in this economy is the principle of tithing. It is scriptural. It is New Testament. Abraham, Jesus, and the great men of God, not only in the Bible, but also throughout Christian history, espouse it. May God bless you incredibly as you show Him through your tithe how great you think He is.