Devotion:
Read Genesis 14:17-20.
Genesis 14 is full of details which make for interesting research. Briefly stated, there were five kings fighting against four kings, (presumed to be kings of cities). The four kings defeated the five kings. The four kings took Abram’s nephew Lot and his family as their prisoners and all of Lot’s possessions. Word came to Abram about this and Abram took his 318 trained men to rescue Lot. Abram divided his men to attack the enemies in the night. He rescued Lot and his family. He also recovered not only Lot’s possessions but also the goods which had been stolen in the earlier battles.
Upon Abram’s return, he was greeted by two kings. The first king (part of the five) is the King of Sodom who wants to make a deal with Abram. The King of Sodom asks Abram for his people and that he (Abram) can keep the goods of war for himself. The second king is the King of Salem, (wasn’t in the battle) Melchizedek, who is also known as the great high priest. Melchizedek gave Abram bread and wine and the blessing in verses 19-20.
After the blessing from Melchizedek, Abram gave him a tenth of everything. But to the King of Sodom, Abram declared that he would not accept anything and leaves the other ninety percent with him. Abram didn’t want to be indebted to the King of Sodom for anything. Does our pride cause us to be indebted in ways which will eventually destroy us?
At first glance this is a simple lesson. Ten percent of what we have belongs to God. If we ponder this more deeply, we begin to realize that all we have has come from God and belongs to God. We must ask ourselves, “What are we doing with the one hundred percent of what we have?”
Abram gave not to receive a blessing but because he had been blessed. He gave out of a grateful heart to the Lord, God most High.
Personal Worship Option:
“Do I genuinely give out of a grateful heart? And am I being a good steward of the other 90% which God has given? Thank you, God, for all of your blessings. Amen”.
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