Generosity #3 Series

It’s the story of God’s generosity as shared throughout the Bible. We have been calling this story 247365. A story of different types of generosity told through the widow’s mite (who gave out of her poverty), Zaccheaus (who gave all he and so called him “all in”) and today, we will talk about Melchizedek - Mel for short. We all might have blown right past his name in Genesis and Psalm 110 as just another priest and king, if had not been for the writer of Hebrews. Because it is there we will spend the most of our time this morning.

But first who is Mel and what is his claim to fame. We meet Mel in Genesis 14:18-20. Abram had just been victorious in a small skirmish. In the process of the victory celebration in what was called the King’s valley, a Canaanite priest and King by the name of Melchizedek came to meet with Abram. He brought out bread and wine, blessed Abram and praised God for Abram. We never hear from or meet Mel again which is strange. The Old Testament is usually very diligent about telling us a person’s ancestry as a way of illuminating their place in God’s larger story. We only know that in Hebrew, “Melchizedek of Salem” means King of righteousness and Salem means peace. By his name, we know Mel was considered a peaceful and righteous priest and king. His presence at the beginning of Abram’s journey becomes a signpost of a future priest and King we will come to know as Jesus - the perfect Priestly King. Abram the eventual father of the nation of Israel provides homage by giving a 10th of all he has.

This moment becomes the first mention of tithing in scripture. It also begs the question, where did Abram come up this concept?

The answer is that it was an ancient practice that many cultures used as a way to demonstrate peaceful intent and loyalty between groups. When Abram offered this 10% tithe, it was not an act of loyalty or submission to another king but to God himself. It was a statement of gratitude to God and a sign of his intention to continue to submit to the ways of God and his commitment to God. I love a short few verses later in chapter 14 where God blesses Abram by telling him about the future of his descendents. We later read of Abram’s grandson Jacob in Genesis 28:22 utilizing the same reverence in the words “and all that you give me I will give you a tenth” followed this same ritual after a dream in Luz. He does so in acknowledgement of God’s authority and generosity. Later, God would declare this same practice to the Israelites His recognition of this ritual as effective way to demonstrate one’s heart. Just take a look at Leviticus 27:30-32 or Deuteronomy 14:22-29.

30 “‘A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. 31 Whoever would redeem any of their tithe must add a fifth of the value to it. 32 Every tithe of the herd and flock—every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd’s rod—will be holy to the LORD. (Lev)

Or

22 Be sure to set aside a tenth of all that your fields produce each year. 23 Eat the tithe of your grain, new wine and olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the presence of the LORD your God at the place he will choose as a dwelling for his Name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. 24 But if that place is too distant and you have been blessed by the LORD your God and cannot carry your tithe (because the place where the LORD will choose to put his Name is so far away), 25 then exchange your tithe for silver, and take the silver with you and go to the place the LORD your God will choose. 26 Use the silver to buy whatever you like: cattle, sheep, wine or other fermented drink, or anything you wish. Then you and your household shall eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and rejoice. 27 And do not neglect the Levites living in your towns, for they have no allotment or inheritance of their own.28 At the end of every three years, bring all the tithes of that year’s produce and store it in your towns, 29 so that the Levites (who have no allotment or inheritance of their own) and the foreigners, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns may come and eat and be satisfied, and so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. (Deut)