ICS Daily Devotions
Blessed by the Better
Paying tithe to God is not the same as paying taxes because God does not just take and refuse to give. In fact, God is such a great giver that nobody can out-give God. As Christians, we give tithe and offerings because we believe that God is the source of our provision and we choose to honor Him with our giving. It keeps our heart right with God and a constant dependence on Him as our source of provision. It is an important foundation.
Hebrews 7:1,2 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,2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all,
This whole incident happened in the time before the Patriarch and thus it is before the Mosaic covenant. Tithing was legally instituted in the law so that it will provide food for the Levites and the servants of God in the temple. Nevertheless, tithing was already a practice long before the Mosaic covenant time or the Patriarch.
Melchizedek blessed Abraham which means he took a position of superiority over Abraham. Then Abraham gave a tithe to Melchizedek showing that Abraham recognized Melchizedek’s superiority.
Jesus is a High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Hebrews 7:17 For He testifies:” You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.”
Therefore, the tithing to God is not subject to the Mosaic Law but it has been a practice before the time of the Patriarch. Tithing is a financial principle established before the Law as given.
Abram was someone who left the Land of Ur upon God’s calling and instruction by faith. It has become a lifestyle to Abraham that God is his sole provider! On the other hand, Lot represents someone who trusts the world, he believes in what he sees with his natural eyes and he does not have a relationship with God though he knows about God.
There is a danger for us as Christians who might have chosen to trust the world rather than God. The stronghold over trusting money is revealed when one struggle to tithe to God!
We need to have this perspective that God owns everything on earth because the earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof. Every company that we work for draws something from God’s creation in order for the company to be successful and keep us in the job. Therefore, God is the one who provides us with the job!
Let us practice tithing so that you will be honoring God and making God the source of your provision. This foundation will be unshakeable even in the midst of a financial crisis across the world.
Sermon Series: Blessed by the Better
