An Act of Worship
ICS Daily Devotions
Hebrews 7:1-3 (NKJV) For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.
If we are aware of the truth that we are blessed by God, money shouldn’t be a sensitive topic. Discussions about giving often revolve around how to give, where to tithe, and how much to tithe. Some Christians even discuss whether tithing is an Old Testament practice that is irrelevant to New Testament believers. But if we are stewards of God’s money, and have experienced the goodness and faithfulness of God, we ought to ask ourselves what motivated us to ask all these questions.
The opening passage helps to shed light on whether tithing belongs to the Mosaic covenant and is thus obsolete today. When Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, it was some 400 years before the law of Moses. Therefore, tithing was already a practice long before the Mosaic covenant time. Thereafter, tithing was legally instituted in the law to provide for the Levites and the servants of God in the temple. However, tithing as a practice of worship, and as a specific command by God, didn’t come into its own until the law of Moses was given.
God intended to meet the needs of the Levites who were not given land like the rest of the tribes. Therefore they had to live on the tithe. However, the intent actually went beyond that and gave the people who tithed an opportunity to show their worship toward God and reliance on Him to live a consecrated life. Therefore, tithing had a dual purpose: practical and spiritual.
Hebrews 7:17 (NKJV) For He testifies:” You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.”
Melchizedek is not from the tribe of Levi, which shows that there are true priests who are not Levites. Melchizedek does not have any listing of birth or death nor does he have parents. He is not limited by life on earth. He reminds us of Jesus who is eternal without beginning or end, and the priesthood of Jesus is superior to the priesthood of men. Jesus is unlike any other priests and He does not belong to the line of Aaron as Priest. Jesus is eternal and His ministry will not end. He lives to intercede for us.
Jesus has offered His blood in the heavenly tabernacle and He is our High Priest, the King of Righteousness and Peace. Therefore, tithing is a financial principle that was established before the law was given, and tithing is an act of worship to God who has called us and blessed us.
Sermon Series: A Steady Walk of Faith with God
