Q4. Refusing Riches from Sodom's King

[Valkyrie Rider]

Although Abraham sees that his pagan neighbors are rewarded for their efforts, Abraham takes no reward from the spoils of battle. Abraham chooses to distance himself from the unholy, the king of Sodom, to avoid any appearance of impropriety, or suggestion that Abraham

[Alan8]

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

Abraham by refusing to take the spoils of war from the King of Sodom shows he wanted to distance himself from this unholy alliance. As has been stated earlier it is God who gives us the strength to get wealth. If perhaps God would have given Abraham that spoil perhaps he would have taken it but for an evil king to do so, he refused. I believe it was a testimony also not only to the pagan friends he had with him but to his army and to his nephew Lot. After all the reason for this pursuit was not to get rich but to rescue family. Abraham kept his eyes on the goal and that was all that mattered.

This tells us something about Abraham's character. If God was going to make him rich that is one thing but not for an evil king. Abraham would accept from God what He had for him. Abraham also wanted to distance himself from any unholy alliance that could possibly begin by accepting spoils from the king of Sodom.

It would be good for us to keep as far away from evil and evil alliances as we can, not only for our own sakes but for the sakes of those around us. We see how Lot's choices of making alliances with this unholy city just did not affect Lot but also affected his family as well. We would be wise to think before we got involved in an questionable activity involving unrighteousness or those associated with it.

[Spen]

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

1. Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? The scriptures don't really spell it out in so many words but earlier we did learn about the sinfulness of Sodom so Abraham probably already knew about their sinfulness and rather than be linked with ungodlyness Abraham chose to refuse the spoils of war.

2. What does this tell us about Abraham's character? It shows us that he was above the lure of ill-gotten gain from questionable sources and didn't have to have the things of the world to make him a wealthy man. Moses had a similiar temptation from Pharaoh in Hebrews 11:24 - 26. 24 "By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;

26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward."

What is the lesson here for us to learn? That we don't need the riches or the praise of the world to identify us or motivate us to do good things with our time, talents and abilities as long as we act in accordance with God's purposes for us.

[pastor neal]

Abraham refused to take the spoils of war from the king of Sodom for accepting any recompense would put the king of Sodom in postion to announce that he had helped Abraham to become rich.

By refusing the "gifts" from Sodom he not only stayed faithful to his morals, he also strengthened his dedication, devotion and loyalty to the one true God; leading by example that he could not be seduced into accepting "gifts" from evil sources.

We should learn a very valuable lesson from Abraham. We need to do what is right, according to the teachings of our Lord regardless of what may be dangling in front of our faces. Abraham shows how important it is to align ourselves with only God oriented individuals so that we will never compramise our beliefs, morals, ethics or our devotion to God.

[wifee]

4a)He wants to return the abducted people of Sodom, but to take no part of spoils from evil king king of Sodom.

b)He may have been concerned about what the king could boast Abraham had given him, and limit his dealings with him to a minimum.He wanted to only act justly and not be in a position that could be abused by evil people.

C)We are to act justly,worship God with our material wealth first & foremost, do only that is consistent with God’s teaching in scripture and not to ally ourselves to the wicked more than necessary.

[Old Jerry]

I think that Abraham refused to take the spoils of war that the king of Sodom offered him because he didn’t want anything to do with him. He was an evil man and Abraham knew it and wanted to separate himself with such wickedness.

I think that shows that Abraham’s character was that of an honorable man. He could have come out if this conflict with a lot of material goods but chose to put a distance between him and evil. The lesson for us to learn is to keep our distance from evil no matter the cost.

[Craig]

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

 

Abraham refuses to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him because his loyalty is to El Elyon and all credit goes to him.  Abraham didn't the king's offer because he didn't want the King of Sodom to take any credit for Abraham's blessings and wealth.  That belongs to the One True God -- The Most High God Maker of Heaven and Earth.   Abraham wanted his loyalties to known and clear.  He was the servant to the Most High God.   He doesn't compromise his relationship with God for material gain from the satanic world order.

 

 

The lesson for us to trust in and give our loyalties to God.  Christians must not make compromises with the satanic world order for material gain.

[Ernie's Son]

Abraham could have been following "royal etiquette," but there were also something else going on where he makes a difference in Melchizedek, the king of righteousness, and the king of wickedness.  He will separate himself from the wicked king, the city, and all the goods.  He will not allow this wicked king saying that he made him rich.

 

This says a lot about Abraham's character.  Abraham probably could have taken the king of Sodom's suggestion, "Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself" (14:21) and found some way to do just that, but he didn't.

 

For Abraham, there were more things in life other than "things," and he would depend on the blessings of God.  "Abraham does ally himself with those of a different religion, but has nothing to do with a wicked king who is patently evil" (Dr. Wilson).  Abraham's character continues to shine, in that, what really is the important thing--serving God!

 

We should learn several things: we are to trust God for our needs; we are to help others; to see in Abraham an example of courage and boldness; God comes first in our wealth--our tithes; we are not to ally ourselves with the wicked; in 12:2-3, we are to see the continued working out of God's initial promise to Abraham.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lighthouse2014]

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Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

Abraham refuses to take spoils of war from the king of Sodom, because he knows the king is wicked and will not allow himself to be involved with him in anyway. Abraham knows that the king of Sodom could brag that because of his generosity Abraham became great. Abraham knows that the God Most High had been his strength and that there is no wickedness before him.

This shows that Abraham has a most righteous character, he knows God is a righteous God and has nothing to do with wickedness.

This teaches us that we should give back to the Lord a portion of our income we receive because God provides all our wealth and needs for our every day existence. Giving back to the Lord shows our worship for him and trust.  

[u23456cole34]

On 8/23/2004 at 11:57 PM, Pastor Ralph said:

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

Because he loves the Lord not the things of this world

That he had good character and we can learn from him is  that when you choose God over the world your life is way better God is way better then the world

[Rosesam]

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

The king of Sodom had become a king without subjects. So he wanted to bribe Abraham to give him back his people. Since Abraham had rescued both the people and their belongings, Abraham had a right to both of them. But he is more worried about his testimony and his witness. He had been blessed by God’s priest-king and now this pretender wanted to assume responsibility for making Abraham rich. If he were to take money for this from these kings, then people would say that he did it for the remuneration or the financial reward. He did not want that to be said. He wanted to stand as a testimony of God’s faithfulness to His promises rather than the world to believe that king of Sodom made Abraham rich. So Abraham tells the king of Sodom to take it all except for the fair wage for the rescue operation.

Abraham was a man of integrity and trust in the faithfulness of God. Unlike his nephew Lot, he was not lured by the temptation of the world and he wants to steer clear from it. We also need to be people who would emulate Abraham.

[Godswriter]

Q4. (14:21-24) Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

Abraham chose not to ally with the King of Sodom because he didn't want to be in the King's debt or have the king say that he made Abraham rich. That Abraham was an upright man and knew how to obey God in all areas of his life and he knew that accepting an evil king's goods was wrong. That accepting goods or rewards from someone who does not follow the Lord is not wise. 

[Paula Price]

Abraham has made a vow to God not to take anything from the spoils of his war with Sodom.The king of Sodom is evil and Sodom is a place of sin.. Abraham does not want to be a part of sin for that goes against God .He did not enter this war to gain the spoils of war but to free his relative from bondage. Had Abraham taken what was offered him, he would have sinned against God. He would have broken his vow to the Lord..

 

 

 

[Paula Price]

First and most important is that Abraham made a vow to the LORD that he would not take any spoils from this king... secondly , Abraham does not want to be a part of evil or sin..."Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man; for God shall bring every word into judgement with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil"....:those who live right, respect God, but dishonest people hate Him,".   "an evil persons house will be destroyed, but a good person's family will do well"...."evil people will be paid back for the wrong they do and good people will be rewarded for the good they do..." good people will defeat those who are evil and the wicked will be forced to show respect to those who live right"....."whoever works to do good will find love and loyalty.  It is a mistake to work at doing evil"...."the wicked will be defeated by their evil, but good people are protected by  their honesty".." stay away from fools, there is nothing they can teach you"...

[Irmela]

 Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the King of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

Abram does not want anyone to be able to say that his riches were obtained through an evil alliance. 

Abram trusted God. He helped without expecting anything in return. He was definately not greedy. 

God takes care of us. We do not have to rely on evil to get on in the world. 

[Krissi]

Why does Abraham refuse to take the spoils of war that the king of Sodom offers him? What does this tell us about Abraham's character? What is the lesson here for us to learn?

My first thought was that this was pure international diplomacy. Abraham had already proven himself to be a skillful and proactive military strategist -- now, his skills in the diplomatic realm are displayed. 

Sodom was a defeated king. He was in no position to negotiate for his own people or wealth. Abraham, the victor with the upper hand in negotiations, could have banished or killed him. So, Sodom's offer of keeping his own people, but not his wealth, was laughable -- he was in no position to tender such an offer. He had not that power.

Abraham gave Sodom what he wanted and more -- he restored his kingship to him. Obviously, this reveals Abraham's huge advantage in power and wealth, which, I believe, he was flaunting because he wanted to create a distance between himself and Sodom. To give these things to Sodom was to re-gather the "sodomese" people back into the city (otherwise they'd be wandering on Abraham's land).

So, he gained twice -- 1) he asserted his authority, power and victory over Sodom; 2) he made certain that Sodom's people were restricted to the city and not influencing or fighting with his own people.

The lesson to be learned is three-fold. First, to be a skillful diplomat has utility in the kingdom of God; God uses abilities that could be purely secular to his glory. Second, it's wise to keep a distance between yourself/people and those who do not share your values, even if it costs you dearly. Third, God may ask you to give up power and goods at the moment of victory rather than enjoy or relish the well-earned spoils; though God had promised to bless Abraham with wealth, He also expected Abraham to give up that wealth if necessary or asked because his power was not in things or even skill, but in the promise.

[Bianca]

Abraham does not want to associate himself with a sinful king. It tells alot about Abraham's character. That Abraham doesn't like to associate himself with wickedness and he wants to be known as a man that honors God.

The lesson for us to learn is to not associate with wickedness. In some situations we might not have a choice temporarily but once you have the opportunity break away from that. Always seek to associate ourselves with those who are Godly and The Holy Spirit leads us to. Sometimes God places people around ungodly people to be a light in their situation but it doesn't mean to start hanging out with them and partake in their wicked ways. Keep the right communication and contacts because being around ungodliness when unnecessary can open up the door to all types of evil.