“After Abram returned from defeating Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him…Melchizedek, king of Salem, brought out bread and wine; he was a priest to God Most High. He blessed him… – Genesis 14:18-19
This is a story about Abram’s epic battle, yet we are told very little about the battle. The real emphasis of the story is not on the battle but on the blessing which followed. God had promised to bless Abram (Genesis 12:2-3), and now two kings offer Abram a blessing.
The King of Salem offered a blessing that acknowledged “God Most High” as the one who “handed over your enemies to you” (Genesis 14:19-20). The King of Sodom offered a blessing of possessions (Genesis 14:21).
Abram’s response to the two blessings is telling. To the King of Salem, Abram gives a tenth (a tithe) as an expression of agreement that it was God Most High who gave the victory. Abram responded to this blessing with sacrificial worship. To the King of Sodom, Abram gives a rebuke. He would not give glory to Sodom for the victory or his flourishing. All glory would go to God Most High.
What are you giving in response to the blessing in your life? Are you sacrificially offering your tenth (tithe) as an acknowledgement that everything comes to you from God Most High? Are you refusing to allow any other human or earthly source steal glory away from the One from whom comes “every good and perfect gift” (James 1:17)?
Think These Things 