Training - Day 5: Genesis 13-15

As I discussed in an earlier post, I believe that one of the disciplines that God requires is a godly attitude about money. In Genesis 13 the story of Abram and Lot unfolds further where the material possessions of both had grown so large that the land was no longer able to handle all of their herds if they stayed together. It seems to me that one way that God sometimes chooses to bless us is through material possessions. (Although in chapter 15 we see that it lacked meaning to Abram without an heir).

Chapter 14 describes Abram going to war to retrieve Lot and when he is successful the king of Salem came out to meet him and the scripture says that he was a priest of the God Most High and after he blesses Abram, Abram gives him 10% of everything. This is the first that I remember seeing any kind of tithe practiced. He also refuses any more of the spoils so that the king of Sodom can never claim to have made him rich. I'm not sure I follow totally what's going on here, but what I can see is that Abram is not acting out of greed and although he is wealthy he isn't driven by a want for more.

Chapter 15 starts with God telling Abram "I am your shield, your very great reward." and God makes a covenant with Abram to bless him with many descendants and all the land. The beginning phrase is interesting to me. It seems to me that the Lord is saying to Abram that He himself is the great reward. Abram gets a relationship with the Lord! Abram wants a child, and the Lord promises him that as well.

Vs 6 Abram believe the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Believe, obey, always keep God and people above money - I'm starting to see a theme.