Genesis 14:17-24
"Melchizedek's Blessing"
Here we see an interesting result to Abram's actions in the previous passage. Melchizedek, the king of Salem, and the king of Sodom both come to reward Abram.
Melchizedek, it is noted, was also a priest of "God Most High" (aka, our God). He proceeded to bless Abram and praise God, after which Abram gave him a tenth of everything he had (the first tithe). Let it also be noted that Melchizedek was a priest outside of the lineage of Levi, the tribe of the Jewish priests, or Aaron, the first Jewish high priest.
The king of Sodom, however, offered to Abram a reward of any of the captured possessions he desired. Abram then declined on the basis of an oath he had previously made with God to only take from the kings that which was offered to the servants to eat. The basis of this was to prevent any talk from the kings that they had made Abram wealthy, making him beholden to them.
In both of these instances, we can see Abram offering praise to God. In the first encounter, we see him honoring God through worshiping and tithing. In the second, we see him honoring God through his dependence on God's provision despite the offer of wealth.
So, how are we honoring God this Christmas Eve?
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