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Scripture Reading For Today

GENESIS 11:1-26, 1 CHRONICLES 1:24-27, GENESIS 11:27-14:24

Scripture Focus

Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.

(Genesis 14:20 NLT)

Observation

Every day in Genesis seems to open a multitude of “ponderables”—why did God confuse the languages at Babel? (I tend to believe it was because of the pride reflected in the people’s attempt to make a name for themselves apart from relationship with God.) Why did Abram lie to the king of Egypt about Sarai? (I tend to believe it was fear—and one more piece of evidence that (1) the Bible pulls no punches about people’s imperfections and (2) God still uses imperfect people! Then again, who else does He have to use?)

 

The most fascinating part of today’s reading for me, though, has to be the appearance of Melchizedek—“the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High.” Hebrews describes this mysterious priest as “…without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life…” (Hebrews 7:3 NIV), and theologians generally see Melchizedek as a theophany—an earthly appearance of the pre-incarnate Christ.

 

And apart from any covenant requiring it…apart from any preacher demanding it…Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered (Genesis 14:20 NLT). I know there’s plenty of discussion these days (at least, where there’s any discussion about it at all) questioning the validity of the tithe as a standard in giving for New Testament believers, but I’d suggest Abram’s actions set a strong precedent for any person of faith—long before any covenant requirement existed.

Of course, the tithe is only evidence of a greater offering—the offering of my whole self to the purposes of God. The tithe is a tangible way to worship my God, acknowledge His Lordship in my life, and remind myself that He—above and beyond any other resource—is my supply.