QT 8/26/2025 Gen 14:13-20, A sensitive subject: giving

Genesis 14:13–20 (ESV) —

13 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16 Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.

17 After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) 19 And he blessed him and said,

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,

Possessor of heaven and earth;

20 and blessed be God Most High,

who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”

And Abram gave him a tenth of everything.

 

NOTE: I know that verse 20 is often used as an argument for New Testament (NT)tithing because it predates the Mosaic law. I have even used it myself in the past. The problem is that this is a one-time only gift and certainly doesn't fit with any of the NT teaching on giving. There is one other pre-law verse. It comes out of a (extremely) poor prayer by Jacob as he was fleeing his home. He prays (Gen 28:20-22) that if God protects him (and performs a number of other steps), then God will be his God and he will give a tenth of all that he has. It sounds more like a prosperity gospel prayer than that of a true believer, and it is much different than Jacob's prayer 20 years later when he wrestled with a man (probably a pre-incarnate Jesus) and said that he would not let go without God in his life.

 

The only argument for a tithe in this case from Jacob's poor prayer is that he must have seen his Father Abraham giving a tithe in order to suggest it himself.

 

The actual tithe was an asset-based giving (number of animals or bushels of seed at the time), and it occurred twice a year. Assuming for a second, no refill, that would amount to 19 percent. Additionally, there was a third tithe every three years, bring that year's giving 27 percent, or averaging 23 percent over 3 years. No one ever talks about biblical Mosaic tithing.

 

Fortunately, the New Covenant is different. I love the NT verses on the subject.

 

2 Corinthians 9:6–7 (ESV) — 6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Galatians 6:7–9 (ESV) — 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

 

I have a saying, "the tithe is a rich man's excuse not to give." Most of my life, ten percent was my starting point. Every year I gave more of my increase than proportionately I received. And then somehow, I also ended up in a job that paid me very well. By the time I retired, it was easy start again at 10 percent, because my giving was taking up the entirety of one of my paychecks. I've continued to apply the same philosophy in retirement, giving each year more than I was the previous year proportionately. And that is why I developed my saying, because I realized at a certain point in my life, giving 10 percent was like stealing from all the Lord's blessings to me.

 

PONDER:

1. Do I give to the Lord or do I hold back from the Lord?
2. Is God asking me to do more?

 

PRAYER: Father, this is a contention topic in the church, money. But it shouldn't be and it is a sign of spiritual growth when people give joyfully. Help us to change your attitudes and seek to enjoy giving.