Abram Gives God His Allegiance
I think the most important thing that we learn from Abram in this passage, is that he gave God his allegiance when he was tempted to take the bribery of the world.
Two Kings, Two Choices
The text says: "The king of Sodom said to Abram, 'Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.' But Abram said to the king of Sodom, 'With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, I made Abram rich.' I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.'" (Genesis 14:21-24)
Abram gave freely to the King of Salem, Melchizedek. He was then approached by another king - the king of Sodom who is an evil man. And this king tried to make Abram a deal, offering him all the spoils of the war.
Abram had a choice to make here. He could give to the King of Salem and take from the King of Sodom. In essence he could live a double life - doing the religious thing on one hand, while also connecting with the godless world on the other hand.
Many of us live like this. We may do our religious bit. Come to church, serve at church, tithe faithfully. But then the enemy comes along, the king of Sodom, and he offers us something that is at odds with our faith in Jesus. How do we respond?
Choosing God Over Gain
Abram responded wisely. He gave God His allegiance. God and His ways were worth more to Abram than the spoils from the enemy.
Warren Wiersbe, commenting on this passage says this: "Why would it have been wrong for Abram to take the spoils? After all, didn't he risk his life and the lives of his retainers to defeat the invading kings and rescue the prisoners? Legally, Abram had every claim to the spoils, but morally, they were out of bounds. Many things in this world are legal as far as courts are concerned but morally wrong as far as God's people are concerned."
Did you notice how the king of Sodom said to Abram "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself"? The devil often says to us - never mind the people. I'll take them. You go and get more toys, more goods, more stuff, and leave the people with me. But God's way is to value people over material gain.
How is the King of Sodom tempting you, these days? What 'goods' is he promising you at the expense of your faith? Is he getting you to forget the needs of the people by tempting you with more things?
We are to be givers not takers. Giving people dignity, worth, love, compassion. Don't get distracted from your God-given calling to give Him glory and give people love.
Let your allegiance be with God, and His people, and not the King of Sodom and his spoils.
