In Genesis, Abram’s nephew Lot and all he possesses are taken away. When Abram rescues Lot with all his possessions, the king of Sodom has this to say to Abram.

The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

Genesis 14:21 (NIV)

Instead of accepting the King’s offer, Abram has something else to say.

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.'”

Genesis 14:22-23 (NIV)

Why did Abram reject the King’s offer when he freely accepted gifts from the Pharaoh of Egypt, who made Abram rich?

He treated Abram well for her sake, and Abram acquired sheep and cattle, male and female donkeys, male and female servants, and camels.

Genesis 12:16 (NIV)

So Abram went up from Egypt to the Negev, with his wife and everything he had, and Lot went with him. Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.

Genesis 13:1-2 (NIV)

There are several differences between these two circumstances. First, in Genesis 12, Pharaoh has taken Abram’s wife, Sarai, as his own. Therefore, the gifts Abram received from Pharaoh amounted to what one would have received as a dowry or other gifts given to the family of a woman taken as one’s wife. Hence, they were obligatory gifts given to Abram by Pharaoh since Sarai was Abram’s sister. When Abram told Pharaoh Sarai was his sister, he wasn’t lying.

Besides, she really is my sister, the daughter of my father though not of my mother; and she became my wife.

Genesis 20:12 (NIV)

Although it was customary for someone who had freed captured people to keep the plunder and return the people, Abram turned down the king of Sodom’s offer. This verse below reveals why.

Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.

Genesis 13:13 (NIV)

Abram didn’t want there to be any “taint” on the fortune he received from the Lord. As he says in Genesis 14:23, Abram didn’t want the king of Sodom to say that it was he who made Abram rich when it was God.

As Christians, we must be careful with whom we associate. While there’s nothing wrong with accepting help from non-believers, we must be discerning when we receive assistance and how we accept it. Although we know that nothing happens without God’s permission and that the riches of the wicked are stored up for the righteous, those who are wicked don’t know this. Thus, for their sake and ours, we must always let people know from whom our help comes.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8 (NIV)

Do you know God? God knows you, and he loves you. He sees you as significant because you are. No one is insignificant to Him. He’s with you today, and he wants you to know him. Jesus died for your sins and mine so we could be free of guilt, freed from death, and live eternally with him. Eternal salvation is just a prayer away.

Pray this prayer with me to accept the gift of salvation:

Lord Jesus, forgive me for all my sins. I repent from my ways. Wash me in your blood and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I believe that you died on the cross, were buried, and on the third day, God the Father raised you from the dead. Right now, Lord Jesus, I open the door to my heart and receive you into my heart as my Lord and personal Savior. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, then congratulations! You are on the first step of a brand new life. Allow me to be the first to welcome you to my family, the family of God. There are abundant resources available online for new Christians. You can visit here for more information on what to do next. You can also leave me a comment, and I’ll do my best to help you on the next step of this incredible journey.

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