“And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the Lord, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, 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 14:22-23
The Apostle Paul writes All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. There are “things” in this world, good things, many of them, that should not be partaken of, again not because they are bad, but because of what it could mean. The potential hindrance to the cause of Christ is reason enough to abstain.
Abraham returned from rescuing Lot, and in his return, he brought back the spoil that was taken from the king of Sodom (as well as the other kings). The kings were willing to give him their goods, for his efforts. No doubt because he brought back their stuff and defeated the king that they themselves could not (also, always a prudent idea to make allegiance with someone who is clearly stronger than you). Abraham declined the offer, his reason being that the glory was God’s, and he would not have anyone say otherwise. For it could be said “I have made Abraham rich.” No doubt most of the rulers of that land would have taken the payment, had the shoe been on the other foot. Who would object to such a reasonable offer? Even Abraham could have justified it I suppose. The money could be re-proposed to serve God, to sacrifice to God. If some is good, more is better, right? Abraham knew in his heart though that it was not his, because the victory was not his. He had blessed God, and his priest Melchizedek. He had given him “tithes of all.” Riches and influence would be Abrahams; however, it would come to him God’s way. God would show his glory in blessing Abraham, and it was not for Abraham to risk that cause and allow opportunity for the heathen to say, “I have made Abraham rich.” The Apostle Paul took on the same conviction. He declined free lodging, denotations, and many other things that would have been right and customary. He wished for the focus to stay on God, and to edify Christ alone. He didn’t want the people to think his motive was anything other than to glorify Christ. This is a hard lesson to teach in theory, and even harder to perform in practice. To deny yourself that which is bad is elemental in the Christian life. Abstain from drunkenness, adultery, fornication, and the like; even the heathen say the same. However, who would deny themselves that which is lawful, good, and right? What is wrong with advancement in business, in life in general? Why speak against hobbies, sport, entertainment, luxury, and many other things that make this world comfortable and enjoyable? Personal wealth, influence, and glory is always a blessing, in man’s eyes. Yet, we submit to a higher authority; the Spirit dictates the terms to which we must yield. This is because the Spirit is seeking to glorify the Son, who will glorify the Father. This is the life of the Christian, to do the same. In doing so we project a wealth that the world cannot lay hold to, and by God’s wooing (we pray) they are attracted to.
God was the one that made Abraham win the day, he brought victory and blessing. To take of the spoil would bring shame upon the glory of God and reproach his name. We may have opportunity in this world, but that does not always mean it is good. Pray and reading are the exercises which guide us in discerning what is edifying and what is not. We must live our lives through the lens that it is for God’s glory and not ours. Understanding that one day we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ. One simple question I heard a preacher say recently draws this into perspective: “Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?”
