Read Genesis 14 – Life with Lot – Oh Lot… He just had to pick life on the edge.
Lot is now living in Sodom when war breaks out (this is the first mention of war in the bible). He is captured, along with everything he owned, :12. But one of his men escaped and reported the situation to Uncle Abram.
Abram was a man of great faith. He was blessed with great wealth. And here we see he was also a prudent man, with 318 men born in his household and trained to fight. Abram recovered all that was taken, including Lot, all the women and other captives, :16.
After Abram returns, the King of Sodom and Melchizedek, the King of Salem, go out to meet him.
Melchizedek is one of the most fascinating characters in the bible. He is a bit of a mystery, not in any genealogies. He is both King and priest of God Most High (a special designation), and he brings bread and wine to Abram, and blesses him (perhaps a foreshadowing of Jesus). Then Abram gives him 1/10 of the recovered goods… our first example of tithing.
The king of Salem asks for the return of his people, and tells Abram he can keep all the recovered goods. Abram answers, “Ewww” (slight paraphrase on my part). He does not want a cent for himself, lest the king say he made Abram rich… Abram’s wealth is to God’s glory alone. But Abram does request that his allies get their fair share. In other words he did not make his standards the standards of his neighbors.
Beloved, where are you in this? Do you live one foot in faith and one in the world, like Lot? Are you ready to take a stand against evil, like Abram? Do you use money to make yourself look good, like the King of Sodom? Does your faith shine with the extraordinary love of God, like Melchizedek?❓🤷♂️🤺💰💖❓
Judy in the Sky 