Scripture Meditation

And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) And he blessed him and said,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Possessor of heaven and earth;
and blessed be God Most High,
who has delivered your enemies into your hand!”
And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’
Genesis 14:18-23

Today’s Thought

After Abram rescued Lot, two kings approach him. First, Melchizedek, king of Salem, brings bread and wine to Abram. Sound familiar? In return, Abram gave a tenth of everything to Melchizedek. Second, the king of Sodom offers Abram all of the spoils of war except for the people, who he would be into servitude. Abram refuses because he essentially doesn’t want to owe the king anything.

There was another man who was offered riches and wealth in return for something. Jesus refused to bow to Satan in exchange for worldly wealth, as if he needed someone to give it all to him anyway.

By the way, Melchizedek’s name means “king of righteousness” and he’s the king of Salem, shalom, “peace." Who better to offer a tithe to than the king of righteousness and peace? Offer what you have today to God. Don’t fall into worldly schemes that offer wealth and success.

Prayer

Father, let me offer my resources back to you in thanks for the blessings you’ve given me. May I resist the offerings of the world.