Genesis 14 A right attitude displayed through tithing insures God’s blessings upon the righteous

Genesis 14:1-24

And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim, 2 that they made war with Bera king of Sodom, and with Birsha king of Gomorrah, Shinab king of Admah, and Shemeber king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar). 3 All these came as allies to the valley of Siddim (that is, the Salt Sea). 4 Twelve years they had served Chedorlaomer, but the thirteenth year they rebelled. 

5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, as far as El-paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 Then they turned back and came to En-mishpat (that is, Kadesh), and conquered all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, who lived in Hazazon-tamar. 8 And the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah and the king of Admah and the king of Zeboiim and the king of Bela (that is, Zoar) came out; and they arrayed for battle against them in the valley of Siddim, 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam and Tidal king of Goiim and Amraphel king of Shinar and Arioch king of Ellasar—four kings against five. 10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits; and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and they fell into them. But those who survived fled to the hill country. 11 Then they took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah and all their food supply, and departed. 12 They also took Lot, Abram’s nephew, and his possessions and departed, for he was living in Sodom.

13 Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew. Now he was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner, and these were allies with Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. 15 He divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them, and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. 16 He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot with his possessions, and also the women, and the people.

17 Then 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; now he was a priest of God Most High. 19 He blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram of God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
20 And blessed be God Most High,
Who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”
He gave him a tenth of all. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give the people to me and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have sworn to the Lord God Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours, for fear you would say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will take nothing except what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me, Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their share.”

Background

The otherwise air of serenity following the separation of Abram and Lot is shattered by the aggression of the Eastern confederacy. The kings of the Dead Sea plain, tired of being vassal states to the Eastern alliance rise up resulting in a punishment raid by their masters. Abram’s intervention divert and defeat the Eastern kings restoring all that are lost. Abram, on his return, is met by Melchizedek (king of Salem) and the king of Sodom. The former blesses Abram and in the same breath receives a tithe from him. The king of Sodom by his surly reception of Abram displays an attitude of disdain and ungratefulness despite Abram risking his life for him. The Sodomite king’s attitude contrasts with Abram’s honour and gratitude towards God for his victory. Abram’s attitude is expressed by the giving of tithe to Melchizedek, the priest-king of God. Today’s devotion reveals an important truth: man’s attitude towards God’s supremacy and grace will determine his fate. A right attitude towards God through tithing insures His blessings upon the righteous.

Observation

And it came about in the days of Amraphel king of Shinar, Arioch king of Ellasar, Chedorlaomer king of Elam, and Tidal king of Goiim.

The confederacy of the East consists of four kings led by Cherdorlaomer (see the map below). The Eastern confederacy attacks and defeats the five-nation confederacy of the West at the valley of Siddim resulting in a vassal arrangement. Vassal states are required to pay tribute to the master confederacy. On the thirteenth year, the five vassal states attempt to break free from the control of the Eastern alliance.

In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings that were with him, came and defeated the Rephaim in Ashteroth-karnaim and the Zuzim in Ham and the Emim in Shaveh-kiriathaim.

This results in the second military campaign when Chedorlaomer and his allies attack the four-nation confederacy in a bid to subdue them. This second defeat of the Dead Sea community sees the pillaging of their towns and the deportation of their inhabitants. Chedorlaomer and his allies raid Sodom and Gomorrah emptying and all their goods and food supply. The kings of Sodom and Gomorrah are subsequently sacked and the wealthy Lot (Abram’s nephew) who lives in Sodom is captured.

Then a fugitive came and told Abram the Hebrew.

One fugitive escapes in the direction of Abram bringing news of the raid. The word “Hebrew” as Abram is being called means “one from beyond”; one who is an outsider vis-à-vis the Canaanite society (see Joshua 24:2). Although Abram does not own land at the time, he is nevertheless a leader of the allies and respected by kings of the region. Notably, the term is ascribed only to Abraham and his descendants intending to show they are descendants of Shem through Eber.

The text describes Abram as living amongst the indigenous community being allied with the Philistines, Hittites and the Amorites. Upon hearing the news of Lot’s capture, he wastes no time in mustering his servants and allies to pursue the Eastern confederacy. The text is brief with little mention of how he manages victory over the much feared Easterners except that he attacks them by night. Abram and his allies swiftly take back all the stolen property and people captured by the Eastern kings. The prowess of Abram and his leadership is nonetheless impressive dwarfing the Western kings who are twice defeated by Chedorlaomer. The willingness of Abram’s allies to join him in rescuing his nephew speaks volumes of his repute and rapport among the community.

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; now he was a priest of God Most High.

Abram’s victory forms the backdrop of this three-way encounter between Abram, Melchizedek king of Salem and king of Sodom. Abram, at his return is welcomed by Melchizedek who brings out bread and wine in honour of Abram and his chivalrous intervention of an otherwise tragic situation. Concerning Melchizedek, nothing is said of him except that he is priest of God Most High, and king of Jerusalem. Salem (Jerusalem) is situated in the south as he appears on the scene with king of Sodom. Psalms 110 associates the king in Zion with Melchizedek and Psalms 76:2 puts Zion and Salem in the same category as God’s dwelling place. What is noteworthy is the origin of the title “priest of God Most High” that is attributed to Melchizedek (the first priest mentioned in the bible). God Most High, “elyon” comprises “el” which relates to “divinity”, is commonly used in Canaanite culture to address divine beings. It is interesting that Abram having personally met God will acknowledge Melchizedek’s priesthood to Yahweh albeit a different name: Elyon. 

Here, Abram acknowledges Melchizedek’s priesthood who mediates God’s potency and protection without alluding to the name Yahweh that Abram is familiar with. He receives a blessing from Melchizedek and in return honours him with a tenth (tithe) of all that he has gathered from the spoils of his enemies. Tithing is an ancient practice in the bible given to priests as a tithe to God. Abram’s reception of Melchizedek’s blessing and the giving of tithes attest to Melchizedek’s greatness as a priest-king of Yahweh. In a fuller sense, one may infer Melchizedek as greater whom Abram looks to for divine mediation and accountability in the context of God’s kingdom.

I will not take a thread or a sandal thong or anything that is yours…

The disdainful response of the Sodomite king towards Abram, his benefactor stands in stark contrast with Abram’s attitude towards God; for he is grateful for God’s provision towards victory. Whereas the Sodomite king is ungrateful and disdaining towards Abram. Nevertheless, his proposition is fair in that the victor is entitled to the booty for risking his life and resources. What is unbecoming of the king of Sodom is his audacity and ungratefulness towards his benefactor. If Abram in his wise discernment are to accept the king’s offer will possibly subject himself to discredit: that Abram has gotten rich because of him. Abram, in not wanting to profit from a noble motivation to help another rejected the offer. At the same time, the Sodomite king has deprived himself an opportunity to be greatly blessed by Yahweh. Notwithstanding Abram’s own abstinence from the spoils, he insists on his allies getting their rightful share.

Truth

Tithing justifies the tither making Him worthy to enjoy God’s infinite riches forever.

The Western confederacy has not been able to free themselves from the clasp of the Eastern confederacy for 13 years until Abram shows up. Abram’s kingly stature and superior military prowess are made plain to all when he successfully subdues the Eastern confederacy restoring all that are lost. He holds in his hands the wealth of the six nations in the western region of Canaan. The secret to Abram’s success and God’s unstoppable favour towards him is shown by his attitude towards God in the area of tithing. By giving God the firstfruits of the spoils, he honours Yahweh as the victor.

The practice of tithing is God’s way for worshippers to express their honour and gratefulness towards Him. Tithing is ordained by God and embedded in the psyche of humanity since primeval times. The lesser tithes in a bid to honour the greater especially one who is a benefactor (see Hebrews 7:7). However, it is not so much the tithe than the attitude of the tither that matters. Abel tithes the best of his produce to God and Cain tithes as well notwithstanding his wickedness and shabbiness towards God. Cain is rejected by God and Abel is accepted and blessed primarily because of his honour and gratitude towards God. Honour, because God is the supreme Creator of all. Gratitude, because He spares not the life of His Son in exchange for ours. Tithing with honour and gratitude is the sign of righteousness upon which God confers His blessing on the tither. Tithing is a work that justifies the faith of the believer resulting in greater blessedness. In other words, a faithful tither will continue to increase in divine wisdom, love and power to become successful in all his endeavours (see figure below).

Having said, there are those who do not tithe citing reasons of distrust towards the church. Upon closer examination, these either have yet to acknowledge God’s lordship over their lives, or they have not responded appropriately to God’s graciousness towards them. Yet many churchgoers, motivated by fleshly diversions and the prospect of greater riches tithe in order to attract more material riches from God. They justify their greed through the words spoken by the prophet Malachi,

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” Malachi 3:8

Although Malachi’s words carry a promise, but such will miss out on the gift of righteousness incurring eternal losses both for themselves and for their children. Such are like the king of Sodom, penny wise but pound foolish in passing up on their eternal inheritance although they may be preserved from eternal condemnation. It is by the tithe of honour and gratitude that believers justify their faith before God and receive their due inheritance. In the presence of Melchizedek, Abram’s faith for greater blessings is again justified when he gives to Melchizedek a tenth of all the spoils. As Abram’s righteousness gains for him the world as an inheritance, the king of Sodom sees his own city being wiped out by an avalanche of salt and sulphur (see Genesis 19).

The righteous in the occasion of helping others must not profit from it.

Abram risks his life and his abled men’s in a bid to save Lot and to uphold justice in the land. Although his victorious intervention entitles him to the spoils of the enemy, he remains nonchalant in regards to the booty preferring to uphold his noble course by refusing the king’s offer to keep the spoils. Abram’s reply to the Sodomite king alludes to his all dependency and sufficiency in God. In plying above board, he does not want to profit from the occasion of helping another. Jesus teaches His disciples never to follow in the footsteps of hypocrites who take occasion to make a name for themselves when they give to the poor,

So when you give to the poor, do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, so that they may be honored by men. Truly I say to you, they have their reward in full. Matthew 6:2

By keeping our good works under wraps, our Father who sees what is done in secret will reward us (see Matthew 6:3). In the case of Abram, if he were to keep the spoils, he will have lost the original blessing that God has intended for him.

Many ministers (including me) are often tempted to show how I have been a benefactor to the needy. I want the world to know how with great signs and wonders I have been instrumental to healing so many people. In doing so, I may have profited from my noble exploits. But for what price?… The true blessing of heaven, the full glory of Christ. Many charity organisations and NGO’s are guilty of making use of the poor to attract funds and raise their own profile. Because their intentions are not pure, such organisations will in no uncertain terms be judged for their unscrupulous and shameless shenanigans.

As members and leaders of churches and charity organisations, our call is to help people without drawing attention to ourselves. The one who exalts us is God. The approvals of men count for nothing. Our true effectiveness is not measured by the size of our ministry but by the number of lives we have blessed without strings attached.

Application

Do you often struggle in the act of tithing? Some struggle because of financial difficulties, and are living from hand to mouth. Some struggle with greed and unbelief. In whatever the case, He treats each person differently according to the posture of his heart. One thing is certain: the world has not seen a tither mired in poverty and shame. Let all things come to fruition according to one’s faith!

Do you consider it unjust for one’s good deeds to be ignored and go unrewarded? God is deliberately testing the motivations of your heart by depriving you of due human appreciation and earthly recompense. The apostle Paul tells believers not to look for human approval, but when the Lord comes, he will disclose the motive of each man’s heart. Then every man will receive his just praise and reward from God (see 1 Corinthians 4:5).

Dear Lord, I honour you and praise you for your humility and love towards sinners like me. You give your life in exchange for mine. In return, I will give of my tithe and my life as a living sacrifice to accomplish your will. Fill me with your Spirit and empower me to serve from a pure heart – the heart of Christ. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.