by Stephanus Van Schalkwyk

Created on: September 03, 2008

The question of tithing is widely discussed in the body of Christ, ranging from those who tithe as a matter of law; to those who do not believe tithing to be a part of the New Testament.

Both the above positions are incorrect. Tithing is very much a part of the New Testament, but not to be done as one under the law of Moses.

The first instance of tithing recorded in the Word is in Genesis 14:18-20, where Abraham tithed to Melchisedec. Abraham, having just returned from an awesome military victory wrought in the power of God, is met by this Melchisedec; described as the King of Salem and the priest of the Most High God. He blessed Abraham and Abraham promptly responded by giving him a tithe of all the spoils. This act of tithing predates the law by about 430 odd years. For Abraham to have responded in this manner, without any previous experience with regards to tithing, without the law of Moses and no command to tithe; this must have been a very significant event. So let us examine this portion of Scripture.

Melchisedec was no ordinary priest; Hebrews 7 describes him as follows:

Hebrews 7:2-3 KJV (3) Without 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. (4) Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

Here is the first instance of priesthood in the Bible. A priest is a mediator between man and God and here for the first time a priest appears, before the law of Moses and therefore not part of the Levitical priesthood , and one "like unto the Son of God" When reading the rest of Hebrews 7, we see that Jesus Christ is a priest according to the order of Melchisedec.

Hebrews 7:15-17 KJV (15) And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, (16) Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (17) For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.(Psalm 110:4)

Jesus Christ is our High Priest and His priesthood began before the law of Moses, He Himself according to the flesh being a descendant of Judah and not Levi. So why did Melchisedec serve Abraham bread and wine? He preached the Gospel to Abraham and revealed to him the future; being the birth, death and resurrection of the Christ. Consider the following scriptures:

John 8:56-58 KJV Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my

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