Our Gifts End Up with the Lord (Hebrews 7:8-10)
“In the one case, the tenth is collected by men who die; but in the other case, by him who is declared to be living. One might even say that Levi, who collects the tenth, paid the tenth through Abraham, because when Melchizedek met Abraham, Levi was still in the body of his ancestor” ( Hebrews 7:8-10 )
One of the great things about being a believer is that we can serve God well in whatever station of life we are in. Throughout the Scriptures we see this example. Paul told the church in Colosse, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” ( Colossians 3:23-24 ). He told the Ephesians, “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.” ( Ephesians 6:7-8 ). We do not have to be a missionary in Africa to bless the Lord and be used mightily. We can advance the kingdom from our cubical at work or our kitchen at home by putting this principal into action; whatever we do, we do it as unto the Lord.
This fundamental concept is explained in this passage in Hebrews. Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of his possessions when he saw the greatness of this High Priest. The author of Hebrews is drawing the connection that the gifts the Levitical priesthood received also ended up with Melchizedek because Levi, the father of this line, was still in the body of Abraham when this offering was made. This shows us that our gifts and offerings, when given in faith, really go to God.
As New Testament believers we can rest assured that when we give, our offerings become a sweet smelling aroma to the Lord ( Philippians 4:18 ). Paul told the Philippian church that the gifts that were given were then credited back to their account. We also see this between Melchizedek and Abraham. As the offering was made, Abraham was blessed by Melchizedek.
This passage illustrates an amazing concept because it shows us that everything we do boils down to a matter of the heart. God said to Samuel when on mission to anoint the next king of Israel, “The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” ( I Samuel 16:7 ). When we give we give as unto the Lord. When we serve, we serve as unto the Lord. When we work at our jobs, we can do it as unto the Lord. We know that whatever we do in word and deed we can do it as if it is the Lord himself we are serving. Understanding this can change your perspective and you can live a radical life for Jesus right where you are.