Why Did Abram Tithe?

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes

The question of why Abram offered a tithe to Melchizedek has sparked a lively and enduring debate within the church. This debate, often regarded as one of the Bible’s most misunderstood principles, is not merely a matter of historical curiosity. It’s a living, breathing discussion that draws sharp divides among believers. Some believers view the tithe as an outdated practice from the Old Testament. In contrast, others argue for its continued relevance in today’s church.

Some Christians argue that we could use the tithe money more effectively for other charitable purposes or personal needs. However, this debate is not just about financial management. It leads us to a deeper understanding of our faith, stimulating our intellect and raising profound questions about why Abraham was so committed to tithing.

How can we reconcile these differing perspectives on such an essential aspect of faith? Your perspective, as a believer, is crucial in this exploration of the tithe and the spiritual principles behind it in biblical times and in today’s church.

To correctly answer the question of tithing, we must first answer these questions:

• Who is Melchizedek?
• Why did Abram give a tithe to Melchizedek?
• Is God teaching us a principle through the practice of tithing?

Let’s examine the story of Abram and Melchizedek as recorded in the Bible. You can read the story here.

Biblical Story of the Tithe

Chedorlaomer and his armies raided Sodom and Gomorrah, took their food and clothing, and then departed. At the time, Abram’s nephew Lot was living in Sodom, and Chedorlaomer also took Lot and his family captive. When Abram learned that Chedorlaomer had taken his nephew and his nephew’s family captive, he assembled all his 318 trained soldiers. They chased the enemy to the town of Dan. That night, he and his men made a surprise attack against the enemy and defeated them. Abram brought back everything the enemy had stolen, including the women and servants, his nephew Lot, and all of Lot’s possessions.

Two Kings Meet

When Abram was on his way home from the battle, he had a fateful encounter in the Valley of Shaveh. Two kings met him there: Bera, King of Sodom, and Melchizedek, King of Righteousness. This encounter, as we will see, is pivotal in understanding why Abram chose to give a tithe to Melchizedek.

Bera, King of Sodom

Bera represents this world system, which appeals to the flesh (Ephesians 2:1-3). The name Bera means “gift” or “sons of evil.” Sodom means “burning.” The meaning of the names Bera (gift) and Sodom (burning) suggests that the world bargains for our allegiance. We must be careful to make wise choices. If we bow to Bera, everything we hold dear will be consumed. That’s what happened to Lot.

Melchizedek, King of Righteousness

Melchizedek was the king of Salem and a priest for the Most High God. He met Abram when Abram was coming back after defeating the kings. Melchizedek is one of the Bible’s mysterious figures. Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life. He is like the Son of God; he remains a priest forever. Melchizedek means “king of righteousness.” He is the King of Salem, which means “peace.” Hebrews 7 and Psalms 110 both connect Melchizedek with Jesus Christ, the “King of peace” and the “King of righteousness” (Psalm 110:10).

Bread and Wine

Melchizedek blessed Abram, and he sealed that blessing with a meal. By rejecting Bera’s offer and receiving Melchizedek’s blessing, Abram made a declaration of faith. In other words, he was saying, “Take the world, but give me Jesus.”

In Old Testament times in the Middle East, sharing a meal was a way of sealing a covenant agreement; bread and wine were staples in these meals. Bread is the substance of life. Wine symbolizes joy and blessings. Bread and wine are also symbolic of the body and blood of Jesus. When we read the story of Abram and Melchizedek, we often overlook the bread and wine that are essential to understanding why Abram gave a tithe to Melchizedek.

Bera offered Abraham all the spoils in return for the people, while Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine. Abram had to choose between two kings who represented two opposite ways of life. Sodom was a wicked city, and its king, Bera, represented a worldly system that appealed to the flesh. In contrast, Melchizedek, the King of Salem, represented a life of peace and righteousness. Abram refused Bera’s offer, but he received bread and wine from Melchizedek and gave him tithes of the spoils.

Why did Abram give a tithe to Melchizedek?

In Malachi 3, the Bible teaches that when we tithe, God opens the windows of heaven and pours out a blessing so abundant that it overflows and we cannot contain it. Malachi 3:9 states that if we do not tithe, we are cursed. So, did Abram give God’s Priest a tithe to get a blessing? No, he didn’t. Abram was already rich in goods. Therefore, Abram did not tithe to get a monetary blessing. Did Abram give a tithe to Melchizedek because he was afraid of being cursed? No. Abram gave a tithe to Melchizedek, the Priest of the Most High, because he realized that his blessings came from God, and not Bera.

Abram understood that it was God who had enabled him to overtake his enemies and recover the goods they had stolen. He understood that it was God who had blessed him with his worldly riches and not the corrupt system of government represented by Bera. Abram tithed to honor God, and by honoring God, he rejected all the things that the world had to offer him.

God Desires Our Hearts, Not Our Money

Often, we read scripture without considering its deeper meaning. We take a verse from here and a verse from there and combine the verses to make the word of God appear to say what it is not saying. For example, Psalm 50:14 states, “Pay your vows to the Lord.” Malachi 3:8 reads, “Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed Me! But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’ In tithes and offerings.” We combine the verses and assert that tithing is an obligation. Yet, Psalm 50:14 says, “pay your vows,” not your “tithes.” Yet, many churches teach that we should “pay” the tithe. However, God wants us to “give” the tithe. That’s because the tithe is an offering, not an obligation.

“Let each one give [thoughtfully and with purpose] just as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver [and delights in the one whose heart is in his gift].”
— 2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP

Is God teaching us a principle through the practice of tithing?

God does not need or want our money. He is God! Everything belongs to Him.

“I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains and the insects in the fields are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

“I will not take a bull from your house, nor goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is Mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows (complete your promises made) to the Most High.”
— Psalm 50:8-14 NIV

Should We Tithe?

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to tithe is yours. However, you should know that tithing is not a command; it’s a choice. Let me explain it this way: If I were to say to you, “Wash your clothes and bathe so that you may smell fresh,” I am not giving you a command but a principle. The choice to wash and bathe is yours. However, if you wash your clothes and bathe, you will smell fresh. It’s a principle, not a command.

When God says, “Bring the tithe into My house, that there may be food in My house,” He is revealing a fundamental principle and not commanding us to tithe. He is saying, “If you love me, you will honor me with your substance.” When you honor God with your substance, He will bless you, as He blessed Abram. In conclusion, Abram did not “pay” Melchizedek to bless him; he “gave” the Priest of the Most High God a tithe because he recognized that his blessings came from God, not Bera.