Abraham had won the battle. He had taken the 318 men of his house and gone up against the rebel kings lead by Chedorlaomer and had pursued him around the region until he had defeated him at a place called Dan and had his nephew, Lot, safely back. With these kings defeated, the region was stabilized and justice was served thanks to Abraham’s efforts. Melchizedek, a priest of God and the king of Salem, went out and spoke with Abraham after the victory. He brought bread and wine, and while they were together, Melchizedek, a man appointed by God to be the priest of God, blesses Abraham.
Abraham, being respectful and righteous, offers tribute to Melchizedek, especially after such a profitable and successful battle, giving him a tenth of everything (Genesis 14:17-24). This would have been a typical offering for the region and day, but it is the first time we have seen this specific amount — a tenth — being used. Following in the example of their father Abraham, this is the basis for the Jewish tithe.
Codified into the Law in Leviticus 27:30-33, Numbers 18:21-32, and Deuteronomy 12:5-6, 11, and 18, the tithe meant that a tenth of crops and every tenth animal would be given to the temple. This was explicitly meant to sustain the priests and the temple, to sustain them in food and enough money (tithers could purchase back their crops at cost plus 20%, and there was a temple tax from Exodus 30:11-16) so that they can live life, keep the temple, and serve God and the people (Numbers 18:21-32).
Never was the purpose of the money and wealth flowing into the temple meant to enrich the priests. They were supposed to remain humble and in service of their fellow man and of God.
In the New Testament, the tithe is never instituted into the new law. Churches still need to operate, and the people doing the work of God are worthy of some wage (1 Corinthians 9:14), so there still needs to be a flow of money: “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come” (I Corinthians 16:1-2). “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
These two verses tell us that we all need to give. The amount is something we all determine in our hearts. We should, like the widow with the two minas from Mark 12:41-44, have a heart that wishes to give all we can to the work of the church because of our faith and hope in God. To her, it was a sacrifice, and Jesus makes her our example.
It is important to note 2 Corinthians 9:7 mentions that the giving is not under compulsion. Churches that force people to pledge an amount, or bill churchgoers for their support are in direct violation of this command from God. Too often, we see preachers, especially in many African regions, asking for more money or gifts from their church members, enriching themselves and elevating them above their church members. That is not the purpose of the treasury and does not lead to a spirit of humility and service to God as we should strive.
Let us all give generously and let us give cheerfully! We service God in this way, “Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: … if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness” (Romans 12:6-8). Service to God is our joy, not our obligation or chore; and it is never to our detriment.
Lance Byers