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.’ (Genesis 14:21-23)
Chapter 14 is arguably the first chapter that records conquest and conflict.
It’s also a significant chapter for those who look at the lesser overpowering the greater. On paper there’s no way Abram’s rag-tag crew should have defeated the Kedorlaomer Kings Coalition (KKC). After all this was an armed force that had just inflicted a heavy beating to a set of kings who thought it would be good to rebel against the KKC. Yet Abram, once again out of concern for his family, did what was necessary with the strength of the Lord, to defeat the greater force.
The gratitude of the others who had been rescued is understandable. The offer of the king of Sodom seems harmless enough as it is. It’s worth noting, however, the negative reputation Sodom had.
Abram is concerned to maintain his integrity and his promise to God, highlights much in the way of what Abram thought was important. Here Abram wasn’t in it for the money. He certainly didn’t want the credit for his welfare to go to someone else.
There are subtle and not so subtle pressures to accept assistance from others whose motives may not be pure. The danger in accepting such assistance is that it might leave us open to be compromised. That assistance might be turned to be used against us and make us appear reliant on the wrong source.
That’s why it is so important to maintain constant reliance on God for all things, and be wise in dealing with others who do not share similar spiritual sentiments.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 