Tithing

Hebrews 7:1-4 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him, 2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, his name means “king of righteousness”; then also, “king of Salem” means “king of peace.” 3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, like the Son of God he remains a priest forever. 4 Just think how great he was: Even the patriarch Abraham gave him a tenth of the plunder!
 
TITHING is one of the most divisive subjects in the church. At best estimates, only two per cent of church members tithe. Most sermons and teachings on the subject are met with hostility, “Don’t tell me what to do with my money.” That kind of objection is a direct rejection of God and his commandments.
   But you say, “No commandment says to tithe.” Then look to Malachi 3:9 “You are under a curse – the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. 10 Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”  About 12 scriptures in the Old Testament refer to bringing the tithe of herds, produce and other devoted items to the storehouses of the Lord. This was to care for the Levites and to provide for the Tabernacle and Temple upkeep. It is clear from Malachi that God’s curse is on those who reject the tithe. And God’s abundant blessing is on those faithful to tithe.
   Hebrews affirms the tithe. His continued reference to Melchizedek teaches us that the great patriarch Abraham obeyed God’s tithing law even before God formed Israel and wrote the law. Abraham presented the tithe to the priest. Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20), who is an illustration of the eternal High Priest, Jesus.
   Hebrews is also telling the Jews that they no longer tithe to the Levitical priests. As Abraham tithed to a non-Levite, the new covenant directs the tithe to Jesus, who is of the tribe of Judah. Hebrews 7:12 For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of the law…16 one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life…22b Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.
   When Jesus is your Lord and Savior, he is also your High Priest. The Holy Spirit has awakened your heart to believe in Jesus and to believe Jesus. If Abraham gave a tithe to an earthly priest, should we not tithe to our High Priest? The Jews were to bring their tithe to Lord through the Levites. Now we are to bring our tithes to the Lord through our faith in Jesus Christ. To reject the tithe is to reject God’s order for your life. It is also to reject God’s promises of blessing. Your tithing tells God, “I trust your promises.”