Genesis 14:20 states that when Melchizedek, the high priest of the most high God, blessed Abram, Abram gave him tithes of all. The book of Hebrews tells us that Abram paid Melchizedek, a tenth of all that he had recovered back upon his victory against the four kings (Chedarlaomer, Amraphel, Arioch and Tidal).
What is interesting to note is not the percent of the tithe itself, but the portion of the tithe. Abram did not hold back anything. He gave tithes of all (that he had).
Points to ponder:
Many times, we feel obligated to give a tenth of what we have, and often, succumbing to giving to God a tenth of only what remains, but from this account, we can see and learn, that it is not the percentage but the portion of what we have that we ought to give to God as our tithe. This means that we don’t hold back anything for ourselves, but we give to God a tithe of all (we have and are). God does not require us to give him just a part of our life, but our entire self. In other words, he wants all of us and not a percentage of our life committed to him. He wants our life as a tithe of all we are.
Can we say, All to Jesus, I surrender; All to him, I freely give. I surrender all, I surrender all; all my life – a tithe of all.
Genesis 14:20 (KJV)
20 And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.
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