Tithes Alive

8 And here men that die receive tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, payed tithes in Abraham.

10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when Melchisedec met him.

Hebrews 7:7-10

Here we see one of the most perplexing scenes in all Scripture. Perhaps in order to fully understand it, some background is needed. See, it all started out with Melchisedec, “a priest of the most high God.” So it was that Abraham met him long ago following his attempts to rescue his relative Lot from his capture. When the battle was over, it was then that the meeting took place. See, Abraham had nothing but his life, that of his men’s, and his relative. None else was with him besides as told in Genesis 14:18-23. It is important to see that for this Abraham brought only himself. So he was blessed and fed, him who had little else to give yet had already given so much. In the giving then we see Abraham’s blessing at the hands of the one who had sworn to rest not until he had made him rich. Such is seen in his refusal to take the blessing at the hands of the king of Sodom lest he himself should boast. In this, is not Melchizedek very like the Lord himself of Hebrews 7:1-3, possessing neither length of days nor yet an ending. For so does his office carry on continually. I can hear some of you now muttering about Jesus our great high priest. Yes, dear friends you would be correct. Herein lies the mystery though of what has been missed. When we speak of gifts, it would be a mistake to discuss all the many positions of appointing God has given and with them their own special anointing. See, when God prepares you for something, he also equips you with the ability to do it. More than the ability, he also gives you the means. It is then to this end that the lesser finds blessing in the greater. So too had another been given the gifting forever after this same order in Psalm 110:4. Unto such were both called. Let us see then their manner of gifting. What had Melchidedec done then so special besides sustaining a life. But when it comes to the lives of his children, our God does not play. Such is found in the words “men that die receive tithes” which are food, clothes, and the fulfillment of all things. Yet there will not God receive even them of whom it is witnessed he lives. I feel I have need of some further answers. So too has not the Lord promised to open the windows of Heaven and pour out a blessing we would not begin to have room to receive. Then at the last is not Levi himself a form of the tithe when he paid with no life in Abraham’s body. At the same time, his tithing obtained when Abraham ate and he lived. It should be seen thus that God controls the windows and the doors of the same, whether on Heaven or earth. Small wonder then that the blessing falls out when we bring ourselves. If you are really honest, it’s all you ever had to offer anyway was but a life. See, God isn’t interested in all of your stuff. Rather he wants only your heart. He seeks to walk with you wherever you go. So too, like Abraham found he is the God who follows along like Melchizedek only to show up in unexpected places. So too he feeds us and in the lack he brings about a blessing. So too he provides in unexpected ways. So too he opens the windows of heaven and pours out on us a blessing we didn’t even have room to receive. So too is he the God that walks with us in all our trials and pain. Perhaps like Mary we too are tempted to complain that if he had only been there, her brother would not have died. Yet really, when it comes right on down to it, can we trust him with ourself. For so is he as the Levitical priests, faithful in all his office. So highly does he regard your life, he gave his Son to save it. We see now as at the last, his power and authority unquestioned. Perhaps it is time we simply bring ourselves as empty vessels waiting for the Master’s filling perfectly fit to every good use. How much more should some of us rather trust him today.