THE PRIEST, THE BLESSING, AND THE TITHE
Thursday – December 7, 2017
God is so very good. Trust you will enjoy the featured picture today, even in this fallen state, the creation is wonderful. Let’s jump back into our Bible Study starting with a review of our primary Bible text from the Book of Hebrews.
Hebrews 7:1-3 (KJV)
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;
3 Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.
I suppose you knew all along that sooner or later I would get to the topic of tithes. There are those who say that tithes were for the Old Testament saints, not for today. Doesn’t that just stink of rebellion? They contend that the teaching of tithing does not occur in the New Testament which by the way is patently untrue and the passage we are dealing with is an obvious proof that the tithe applies to all peoples for all time, I suspect even into the ages to come. Just consider the following verses.
Malachi 3:6 (KJV)
6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
The tithe (obligatory) and offerings (from a willing heart) are God’s finance system in the earth. God is not a respecter of persons, there is not one set of rules for one group and another set of rules for another group of people. There is an idea that the rules (laws) of the Old Testament don’t apply to the New Testament (you and me) for we are under Grace. There is no difference in what is required of us versus them. The law was in place to show the need for the Cross. There are three main categories of law; the moral law, civil law, and sacrificial law. The sacrificial law is set aside by the sacrifice of Christ. Civil law is malleable by man according to custom, circumstance, and times but must be just in the eyes of God. Moral law like thou shalt not murder is eternally unchanging. The Old Covenant using innocent animal blood provided a stop gap measure on the way to the Cross. Without the Blessing, the Holy Spirit, men (and women) were not able to keep the law but now with Grace we are able to keep all the law just like Jesus, one without sin.
Okay, back to the tithe which is ten percent of our increase. The tithe belongs to God and to not tithe is theft from God. I think I can say with some confidence that stealing from God is a bad idea. The first time we see the tithe is when Abraham returns from the slaughter of the kings and tithes to Melchisedec. Let’s go back and take a look at what was said at the time Abraham tithed.
Genesis 14:18-23 (KJV)
18 And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
19 And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
21 And the king of Sodom said unto Abram, Give me the persons, and take the goods to thyself.
22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth,
23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
Notice in verse twenty-three that Abram does not want any man to take credit for him becoming rich and becoming increasingly rich. It does not appear that anyone had to educate Abram to the concept of tithing, it seems to have been his habit. Notice that the priest blesses Abram and Abram gave him the tithes of all. Notice in the next passage that the tithe “is the LORD’S”.
Leviticus 27:30-32 (KJV)
30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD’S: it is holy unto the LORD.
31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof.
32 And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.
A blessing from the priest of the house is to accompany the tithe.
Malachi 3:10 (KJV)
10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
A blessing spoken by the priest of the house (Pastor or other five-fold minister) over those who tithe is missing from our Churches today. What do you suppose might happen to peoples’ finances if we were to return to the way of the Lord? Could it be that the failure to tithe or to tithe by faith in love interferes with our righteousness and peace. Short answer, YES!
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (GW)
24 The LORD will bless you and watch over you.
25 The LORD will smile on you and be kind to you.
26 The LORD will look on you with favor and give you peace.’
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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