Abram's Reward
Abram’s Reward Genesis 14:17-15:1 (NIV) 17 After Abram returned from defeating Kedorlaomer and the kings allied with him, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19 and he blessed Abram, saying, “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. 20 And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.” Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” 22 But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.” 15:1 After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
OBSERVATIONS
ABRAM‘S TRUE TREASURE 3 ENCOUNTERS AND 3 THINGS TAKEAWAYS 1. Encounter with Melchizedek (V18-20) Ø Melchizedek is the King of Salem (Jerusalem) and priest of God Most High. Ø Melchizedek blesses Abram with bread and wine, but also with a spiritual blessing. Ø Abram’s response is to receive the blessings AND give a tithe of all he has. § Notice this isn’t a tithe of everything he just captured – he refuses to receive any of that. He gives a tithe of ALL that he HAS. Ø Tithing is a biblical principle – PRELAW, LAW, N.TESTAMENT
Abram’s Reward 5 Things You Need to Know About Tithing 1. Tithing is for TODAY Ø Pre-Law § Genesis 14 – Abraham tithes to Melchizedek § Genesis 28 – Jacob pledges to tithe to God Ø Law § Leviticus 27:30 - A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the Lord; it is holy to the Lord. Ø Post-Law § Jesus affirmed it. • Matthew 23:23 - “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices— mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. § Grace never reduces the requirement of the Law • Can you imagine under grace, being less generous than under the law? § NT preachers were supported from the offering (just like the Levites of the OT). • 1 Corinthians 9:14 - In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel. 2a. Tithing is a Matter of Faith & Trust. Ø Can God really provide for all of our needs? § Philippians 4:19 - And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. § God promises to bless the 90% when we give him the first 10%. In fact the 90 will far outlast the 100. • Israelites in the wilderness
Abram’s Reward 2b. Therefore, withholding the tithe is an expression of doubt, unbelief, and ultimately disobedience. Ø It is a worldly and potentially greedy mindset. Ø Definitely is one of doubt and fear. Ø The reason $ can be so offensive and tricky to talk about is because it is where many people have their hearts. § It’s our security § It’s what we put our trust in. § It provides for our comforts and pleasures 3. Tithing is an Act of Worship. Ø It is recognizing that all we have is God’s and from Him. Ø It’s done out of love, obedience, and relationship Ø We obey because we have relationship with God, love God and want to be pleasing to God. • If we give in order to get more for ourselves it won’t happen. • Wrong/impure motives • Prosperity garbage. 4. Tithing is a Stewardship Thing. Ø Everything we have has been given to us from God. § Our jobs, our abilities, our giftings, our callings, our families, etc. Ø Therefore we are accountable to God for how we use the resources He entrusted to us! § On that note, beyond finances, we are stewards of the opportunities God gives us, the giftings, the callings, the relationships, the time/life that God gives us. Ø So when you give an account to God for how you spent the resources HE GAVE YOU – How will you be able to answer? § Did you honor Him with the tithe? § Did you invest into His Kingdom through missions? § Were you a blessing to others by helping meet their needs? § Or did you spend it on yourself? ♦ I WANT TO BE PLEASING TO GOD
Abram’s Reward 5. The Nuts & Bolts Ø How much? § Tithe = a tenth § Generosity in the NT encourages us to go beyond (2 Cor 9) Ø Where do we give? § It’s to be brought to the storehouse. I believe that is the place where you are locally fed and have relationship – the local church. Ø Which 10%? § The first fruits belong to God – set apart as holy (Leviticus 27:30) Ø Missions and specific offerings are above and beyond the tithe Ø Takeaway: Abram Gives Sacrificially § So should we! § I want to challenge you to give sacrificially out of love and in obedience to Lord. 2. Encounter with King of Sodom Ø King of Sodom comes out to ask for all his captive people to be returned. Ø He offers Abram all of the spoils of war Ø Custom of the day would’ve given Abram the people and the goods. Ø Abram refuses the King of Sodom’s offer and gives everything back to the King of Sodom (except for what the men have eaten and for the share that his companions took). Ø Abram is a blessing to this wicked, pagan king. Ø Takeaway: Abram Refuses the Riches of Sodom (Ill-Gotten Gain) Ø Here’s what I want you to see in this point: § How easy it would’ve been to take what the world considered was his – he had earned it fair and square by the world’s standards. § Instead, Abram makes this pledge that showed: • 1: His motives were pure (he didn’t fight for wealth) • 2: He believed the Lord would provide for him (he didn’t need the spoils of war)
Abram’s Reward • •
3: He doesn’t follow the customs of this world (he follows a higher authority) 4: He wouldn’t take advantage of someone else’s disaster (he chose to be a blessing instead)
In Review up to this point: Ø Abram gives sacrificially (to the Lord) by tithing. Ø Abram refuses the spoils of war and ill-gotten gain (taking advantage of another’s downfall). Which leads me to ask… Where and What is Abram’s Treasure and Reward? 3. Encounter with the Lord Ø Do not fear, I am your shield. Ø I am your very great reward. Ø The Lord was Abram’s REWARDER Ø The Lord was Abram’s REWARD! Ø Takeaway: The Lord is Abram’s Rewarder, but more importantly, his REWARD. Ø How content are we to have the Lord alone as our REWARD? § Do we feel the need to have other riches? § Isn’t He enough? § I was reminded this past week of this truth: • The Lord’s presence is my reward/inheritance (Levites) • My relationship with Him – His Voice, His Spirit, His Word • The Lord’s favor upon my life • The Lord’s grace and mercy • The Lord’s provision (looks way different than what I would do) May you find the Lord as your reward. May He be enough (He is) – May we be content and satisfied in Him. May we be generous. May we be a light to the world.
