Lesson 2: The Tithe Was Revealed Before the Law of Moses to Abraham.
Definition
The tithe is 10% of our total income given to God faithfully.
Scripture Reading
Genesis 14:18-20, “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.”
Main Points
- THE TITHE PRECEDES THE LAW AND IS ROOTED IN PRIESTHOOD: Before the Law of Moses, the tithe already existed as a spiritual response to God through priesthood, demonstrated in Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek (Genesis 14:20). This shows the tithe was never merely a Mosaic regulation.
- ABRAHAM’S TITHE REPRESENTED FUTURE GENERATIONS: Hebrews explains that when Abraham tithed to Melchizedek, Levi—who would later receive the Law—was still in Abraham and therefore also participated in that tithe (Hebrews 7:8–10). This places the tithe above and prior to the Mosaic system.
- JESUS CONTINUES THE MELCHIZEDEK PRIESTHOOD IN THE NEW COVENANT: Because Jesus is the eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek, the tithe ultimately continues to Him under the New Covenant—not as a Mosaic obligation, but as an ongoing command connected to Christ’s living priesthood (Hebrews 7:20-23).
Summary
Since the tithe began before the Law, was connected to the Melchizedek priesthood, it continues through Jesus, our High Priest.
Application
- Be a blessing to your local church like Abraham was a blessing to the priestly king Melchizedek by giving a tenth of “everything.”
- Ask God to bless you and give you success like He did for Abraham (Galatians 3:9).
Confession
The tithe was “implied” with Cain and Abel; “revealed” to Abraham, “established” in the Law of Moses, and is still “relevant” for today. It comes with a “blessing and curse,” it must be “qualitative,” a “priority,” and a “faithful” practice in our lives. The tithe “advances” the Kingdom of God, tests our “maturity,” breaks the attitude of greed through “obedience,” is “mandated” for all, and brings us into “partnership” with God and His church.