"And blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.' And he gave him a tithe of all."

God delivers our enemies unto us. He gives us victory in the battle. He's the good God who fights for his people.

Let us give credit where it's due. Let's not rely on our skill and strength, but thank God for everything, giving him the praise.

If we are thankful, then do wisely. Praise him with your life. Abraham did this by offering the tithe. We honor God by believing everything we have comes from him, and then giving it back. 1 Chronicles 29:14, "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you." We cannot serve without praise. We only walk with God through thankfulness.

First, "Blessed be God." Melchizedek praised God. He gave God the glory. The strength of man is an illusion. Salvation is by grace. God's mercies are undeserved. His power delivers captives who are rightfully condemned [Isa 49:24]. We don't help God. Faith adds nothing: it is God's gift, God's power, and God's glory. He puts praise into our mouth. He makes us thankful.

Reduce man to nothing, and calculate wisely. When we've gotten man out of the equation and made God 100%, then we are right. When Christ is all, then God is blessed.

Secondly, he delivers "enemies into your hands." He delivers us from sin, and gives us dominion. Satan once ruled us, but now he flees! Lies deceived us, but now the poison does not hurt [Mark 16:18]. Sin oppressed us, but now there's life and peace. The Spirit and Christ's blood do conquer, and we get the benefits. We are no longer trembling, but assured.

Thank God for the inheritance, and walk in peace. Our Mediator opened the way to God's sufficient strength. We have fellowship upon his merit. Now, we serve him sincerely, which we could not do previously. Enter more fully through prayers for grace. The barriers are broken down, and faith is triumphant!

Thirdly, Abraham "gave him a tenth." He willingly gave without coercion to one of God's friends. Oh, how God LIBERATES the heart by deliverance. Now, we want to do his will, and love because we're loved. Now, we delight in his service.

Find me a missionary, and ask him why. He'll say, "He loved me, and gave himself for me." She'll say, "I once was blind, but now I see." Grace produces the sacrificial life, laid down willingly. Grace produces tangible love.

Oh, burn our hearts, Great Jehovah, so we can give. Show us we are loved.

Support your pastor, because God loves you. Give to missions, because you are found. Help the poor, and use your money with joy. Use your thankfulness. Whatever God gives, let us use it for him!