Abraham's Example
Some insist the example of Abraham in Genesis 14:20 was done onetime only, and is not an example for us to follow. The fact is: Those who oppose tithing are more interested in what Abraham did not do, than in what he did. A look at Abraham's life points out many things which he did or did not do. We find no mention of Abraham keeping the Sabbath, yet the Bible states: "For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him" (Gen. 18:19). "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws" (Gen. 26:5). The Sabbath was given at Creation (Gen. 2:1–3). Abraham kept God's Sabbath. He also kept God's law of tithing.
Why did Abraham give God a tenth—a tithe? Tithing, an ancient institution, was practiced in Babylonia even before Abraham was born. Tithing records are found in Egypt, in Greek literature before the Trojan War, and in early Roman records. This pervasiveness among ancient nations attests to a custom derived from a common source. It was not left up to men to decide what portion one should give for religious purposes (The Tithe in Scripture, by Henry Lansdell, 22, 18). Of course not! The reasonable conclusion is that God taught man from the Creation what portion belonged to Him!
The account of Abraham's tithing is as follows:
And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale. And Melchisedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all (Gen. 14:17–20).
Notice, the tithe included the spoils of war. It was not limited to produce and livestock. Abraham returned the war booty to the king of Sodom, but not before giving God the tithe. This was not an isolated onetime act of tithing on Abraham's part. This Bible record is an example of why God could say of Abraham, "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws" (Gen. 26:5). It was an example of the continual, faithful obedience to the tithing law given at Creation. Genesis 14:20 is the first place in the Bible where tithing is mentioned. Why? Because it reflects the law of "the tenth" and makes clear Abraham knew what was acceptable to God. Abraham tithed to God before he was circumcised (Gen. 17:24), illustrating one of the first steps of obedience in responding to the will of God. Jesus told the Jews in His day, ". . . If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham" (John 8:39).
Next: Did Jacob Tithe?
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