The Meaning of the Tithe: Melchizedek

I was reading this great passage in the Book of Hebrews about the tithe:

"1For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace; 3Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

 "4Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils. 5And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises. 7And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better. 8And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth. 9And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham. 10For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him." (Hebrews 7:1-10)

 When we tithe, we are tithing for future generations, and to bless future generations.

 Our tithe is a testimony that JESUS LIVES!

 And where is Jesus now? Jesus is our Great High Priest, a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek! He is seated at the Right Hand of the Father (Psalm 110:1)

The Melchizedek priesthood has only blessings, no cursing.

“18And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth: 20And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.” (Genesis 14: 18-20)

Our Great High Priest lives after the power of an endless life (Hebrews 7:16). While under the Old Covenant, the nation of Israel would be accepted or rejected depending on sometimes a very undependable high priest, we have a Great High Priest who offered one sacrifice for sins FOREVER (Hebrews 10:12)!

And what is He doing up there? He ministers on our behalf! Is he standing or sitting?

He is seated! Because He Finished the work. Under the Old Covenant, priests had to stand daily ministering, making sacrifices. Jesus completed the work once for all forever. He is not just the propitiation for our sins, but for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:1-2)

When you tithe, you testify to your living Great High Priest, who ministers on your behalf, after the power of an endless life! Your Wisdom your Righteousness, Your Sanctification, and Your Redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30)