SJF - Daily Worship, Word and Spirit - Nov. 7, 2023
The first use of the word, “tithe” or “tenth” was when Abraham gave tithes to Melchizedek after The LORD had given him the victory to deliver Lot.
“Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High. And he blessed him and said: “Blessed be Abram of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; And blessed be God Most High, Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” And he gave him a tithe of all.” (Genesis 14:18–20, NKJV)
The second use is when Jacob (Israel) encountered God at Bethel and Jacob made a vow to give a tenth of all his increase back to God.
“Then Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I did not know it.” And he was afraid and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!” Then Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put at his head, set it up as a pillar, and poured oil on top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city had been Luz previously. Then Jacob made a vow, saying, “If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I am going, and give me bread to eat and clothing to put on, so that I come back to my father’s house in peace, then the Lord shall be my God. And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.” (Genesis 28:16–22, NKJV)
Surprise! The Law adopted the use of the tithe. But the tithe pre-existed The Law. The tithe started in the covenant God made with Abraham and it was a response to the blessing of God on his life. Jacob continued the desire to tithe from his heart by saying, “I will give you a tenth of all that you give me.” The tithe is a response to the blessing of God. It is not a way to encourage God to bless you.
The LORD explained the reason for the blessing and the reason for the tithe in the following verse included in The Law. “And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:18, NKJV) God blesses us and wealth is included because He wants us to confirm and to establish His covenant in us and in the earth. When we tithe, we are remembering that it is The LORD who has given us everything. More tomorrow.