In Genesis 14, Abram had returned from a successful hostage rescue mission in which he had saved his nephew Lot, Lot’s family, and the other people taken from Sodom. The king of Sodom was so grateful for the rescue that he offered Abram all the spoils of the battle. Abram not only refused the offer but also gave a tithe of all that he possessed to Melchizedek.
Immediately after Abram’s tithing experience, the Lord said, “ ‘Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward’ ” (Genesis 15:1, NKJV). In effect, the Lord was telling Abram, “Don’t worry. I will be your protector and provider.” Then, much later, Moses told Israel as they were about to enter Canaan, “ ‘You shall truly tithe all the increase of your grain that the field produces year by year . . . that you may learn to fear the Lord your God always’ ” (Deuteronomy 14:22, 23, NKJV).
Ellen G. White wrote: “Men were required to offer to God gifts for religious purposes before the definite system was given to Moses, even as far back as the days of Adam.”—Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 393.
What does all this mean for us today?
Thought questions: Why is it important to understand that tithing, like the Sabbath, was not something that originated in the ancient Israelite legal or even religious system? What message should we, who live after the Cross, take from this truth?
The Tithing Contract (Qtr 1 - Week 3: 21 January) Part1
The Tithing Contract (Qtr 1 - Week 3: 21 January) Part2
Audio recordings are available 5-10 minutes after the show has aired.