A Reward is Offered

O. T. #32  "A Reward is Offered"
April 24, 2013
Genesis 14
And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And
he gave him tithes of all. Genesis 14:20

That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing
that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich. Genesis 14:22

LET IT GLOW

A reward is offered for the return of a family pet or something lost. Should the finder return it for
the reward? Abraham found himself in such a predicament. Read on to find out what Abraham
did.

Four kings took their armies and fought against the king of Sodom and the king of Gomorrah, winning, taking everything, even Lot and his possessions. Abraham learned what had happened.

He took 318 trained servants, three allies and their men, pursued and defeated the victorious
kings, and returned Lot and all the captured people and possessions of Sodom. But Abram knew
that regardless of his ability, only God could give him the victory. (Blackaby)

From this, we learn that in life's battles, character is tested. Conflict reveals character. Life
always brings some measure of conflict, even real battles. But God is always with those He
chooses to:

1. bring them through the battles,
2. bring them to new understanding of Himself, and
3. shape their character in new and fresh ways.

Conflicts are God's means of developing character, especially faith in Him.

[Resource: Created to be God's Friend, by Henry T. Blackaby]

Did Abram take credit for the victory or give God the glory for His victory?

When he returned home victorious, Abram received visits from two kings.
The first king of Sodom offered a reward to Abram, in verse 21, the goods rescued. Abraham
refused to accept anything, not even a thread of a shoelatchet, (thong of a sandal, as NIV says),
so the king could not say that he made Abram rich. Also, this prevented the king of Sodom from
holding it over Abram as owing a favor in return. (Abram did take food for his men and allowed
the allies to decide if they wanted any rewards.)

Abram did good, didn't he? He gave God the credit for the victory.

When a prayer is answered, do we give God the credit, glory for it?

LET IT GROW

The second king to visit Abram after the victory was Melchizedek king of Salem. Not only was
he a king, but he was also a high priest. He brought bread and wine, then gave a blessing from
the Most High God (El Elyon), who delivered Abram's enemies into his hand..

Some scholars think this was a theophany (appearance of God Himself), while others think not
since he was from Salem.

Here is the first instance of tithing in the Bible. Today's believers follow Abraham's example as
they bring tithes to the Lord. Abraham refused the riches of the world but shared his wealth with
the Lord, and God richly blessed him. (Wiersbe)

This tithe is first mentioned in Scripture of giving ten percent. Tithe, mansrah, means a tenth, according to Strong's Concordance.
Because of our love for our Lord Jesus, we want to give something back to Him, since He has provided all that we have.

How faithful are we to tithe? If not, then blessings are being missed and our heart is in the wrong place.


LET IT GO

Give God the glory for all He does.

Open the purse and give a tithe.

Share with others what God is doing in my life.