Abram Refuses Wealth Over God — Genesis 14 Daily Word

Abram refuses worldly wealth from the king of Sodom, trusting God alone. He gives a tenth to Melchizedek, acknowledging that all he possesses belongs to God, prioritizing spiritual blessing over material gain.

Genesis 14:21-24 Daily Word — Abram refuses the king of Sodom’s offer and trusts in God alone. He gives a tenth of everything he has gained to Melchizedek, acknowledging that all he possesses belongs to God. This reflects a faith that prioritizes spiritual blessing over material gain.

Abram Refuses the King of Sodom’s Offer

1. [Scripture]

[21] And the king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” [22] But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, [23] that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ [24] I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.” (Gen 14:21-24, ESV)

2. [Daily Word]

# Abram gives Melchizedek a tenth of everything he has gained.

In the latter part of verse 20, it is written that Abram gave him a tenth of everything. This is Abram’s acknowledgment that Melchizedek’s words were true, and in that sense, it is a recognition of Melchizedek as a priest who serves God, as well as an acknowledgment that everything Abram owned belonged to God. For this reason, Abram gives a tenth of the spoils he had gained to Melchizedek, a man of God. Additionally, in verse 17, the king of Sodom also went out to meet Abram in the Valley of Shaveh.

However, looking at the flow of the passage, it appears that Bera, the king of Sodom, came out not so much to welcome Abram as to reclaim what was his. In verse 21, the king of Sodom says: “Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself.” Bera demanded the people from Abram, yet he came out offering nothing himself. He seems to have thought it was more than sufficient reward simply to hand over the spoils—minus the people—to Abram. In reality, however, the king of Sodom had no rightful claim over those spoils whatsoever.

Recognizing the greedy intentions of Bera, king of Sodom, Abram responds in verse 22: “I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.'” In other words, Abram declares that he will take nothing—not even the smallest item—so that no one could ever say, “Bera’s wealth is what made Abram rich.” Yet Abram does recognize the share that belongs to those who went with him, and he ensures their portion is secured. Verse 24 reads: “I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share.” Notably, we can see that Mamre and his brothers—Amorites who served as Abram’s allies in this battle—also participated in the campaign.

# King Melchizedek was a man centered on God.

What stands out as especially significant here is the contrast between the two kings. Melchizedek, king of Salem, was a spiritual man whose attention was wholly fixed on God—he prepared bread and wine for God’s servant and brought glory to God. Bera, king of Sodom, on the other hand, was a carnal man consumed entirely with material things; he had no desire to share what was his, and instead cleverly disguised his self-interest as generosity toward Abram, ultimately seeking to make a name for himself. We must always remember that God looks at the heart of a person.

Thus, it was Melchizedek, king of Salem, who received a tenth, while Bera, king of Sodom, was left with nothing. And it was Mamre and his brothers—the Amorite allies from Canaan who had fought alongside Abram—who received a portion of what had belonged to Bera.

What today’s passage teaches us is that a person of God must live as one who reflects the heart of the Lord. Those who reflect the Lord’s heart are first and foremost people who know how to love God and to love their neighbors as themselves. May we be people who believe that all things are under God’s sovereignty, and who fix our eyes on God rather than becoming absorbed in the things of this world.

Abram’s faith, tithing, the sovereignty of God, rejecting the temptation of wealth, spiritual blessing

Originally published in Korean at bible2u.com