Genesis 14

A rebellion broke out in the land… and the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah fell into tar pits while fleeing. And the kings that had been fighting against them took “all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food supply, and left.” Oh… and they also took Lot… and his possessions… and left. A fugitive, a refugee and a survivor came to Abram and told him what happened. “And when Abram heard about Lot, he gathered all his trained men – 318 – and set out to rescue him. Now Abram had only 318 men, but he divided them up by night, and defeated these kings.

 

The Word tells us “he and his servants.” Men that were simply trained in Abram’s house. The 4 kings beat the original 5, but Abram and his servants beat the 4!  That is SO God. God used Abram’s household… because Abram was diligent in his household. Men were trained. God had already promised great blessing to Abraham, and that his name would be great. God was going to take care of him. But Abram did not simply sit on that promise. He tended to the business of the day. He was diligent in all the ways of his household. Doing what needed doing. Staying honorable before God.



How many times have we simply taken a promise from God… believed Him… accepted it… and just sat and waited to receive it? We need to continually tend to our lives. For it is in the details of the “tending”… the minute moments of our lives… that God prepares us for our promise.
So Abram brought back ALL the goods, AND Lot and his possessions… and the women… and the people.

The King of Salem… also known as Melchizedek, met Abram and brought bread and wine to him. Melchizedek was the high priest of El Elyon (God Most High), and is believed to be Christ. He blessed Abram… and Abram gave a tenth of all he had. The tithe, and the blessing, were reciprocal of each other.



And the king of Sodom went out to meet Abram… and asked Abram for the people, and told Abram he could have all of the goods for himself. And Abram took NOTHING… but said those famous words “I have sworn to El Elyon (God Most High) that I will not take a thread… or a sandal thong… or ANYTHING that is yours, lest you should say “I  have made Abram rich”.”
He wanted nothing or himself… but he allowed those who went with him to take their share of the goods.

What dedication. How sold out and committed to God he was. Yes… he was rich already… But HERE his wisdom speaks. Abram was rich because He knew God alone was his source. And he wanted nothing to do with anything that looked like compromise… or that all of his blessing may be coming from somewhere else.

Would we be willing to do that? When people look at us… and see we are blessed… whether financially or in body… or health… do we point them to God? When they say “What a great job you must have… do we remember and say “No. What a great God I have?” Because every good gift and every perfect gift comes down from the father.

We need to DECLARE… to let people know… that NO man has made us rich… no job… no decision we have made on our own… only God.