The story begins with war. Lot is carried away with the people of Sodom, and Abram hears that his nephew has been taken captive. The two had separated earlier, yet Abram goes after him. He gathers his trained men, pursues the raiders and brings back Lot, the other captives and their possessions. Letting go of the first choice in Genesis 13 did not mean letting go of responsibility for his neighbour.
On his return Abram meets two kings. The king of Sodom comes out to meet him. But first Genesis tells us of Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He brings out bread and wine and pronounces a blessing over Abram.
Listen to the words of that blessing: “Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth,” and then, “Blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand” (Genesis 14:19–20). Abram really did act and fight. Yet Melchizedek directs our attention to God as the One to whom the victory is owed.
Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth. That gesture stands in the middle of the story, between battle and the meeting with the king of Sodom. The next reading shows how differently Abram responds to these two kings. He receives the blessing that points to God, but he will not allow the king of Sodom to say later that he made Abram rich.
Much later Psalm 110 speaks of a priest after the order of Melchizedek. The letter to the Hebrews connects that line with the Messiah (Hebrews 7). That later connection matters, but we need not hurry past the first scene: a rescued nephew, bread and wine for the returning fighter, and a blessing that honours God.
The question I take away is not only what we receive. It also matters from whose hand we receive it, and to whom we give the credit afterward.