The Untainted Blessing - Abraham and the Wealth of Sodom

Genesis 14:22-23 (TLB) But Abram replied, ˜I have solemnly promised Jehovah, the Supreme God, Creator of heaven and earth, that I will not take so much as a single thread from you, lest you say, ˜I am the one who made Abram rich.

The valley of Siddim was a place where kings waged wars, where armies clashed in pursuit of power, and where men built cities that gleamed with wealth but rotted with corruption. Among these cities were Sodom and Gomorrah, places of immense prosperity but steeped in abomination. These twin cities were symbols of human indulgence without restraint, where every desire of the flesh was fulfilled, no matter how unnatural or vile. In Sodom, justice was perverted, hospitality was mocked, and the cries of the innocent went unanswered. The people had exchanged morality for pleasure, righteousness for rebellion, and God for their own selfish pursuits.

It was in this dark place that Lot, Abraham’s nephew, chose to dwell. Drawn by the promise of wealth and fertile land, Lot had pitched his tent near Sodom, believing that proximity to prosperity meant access to blessing. But what he did not understand was that all prosperity is not provision, and all riches are not rewards.

Then came the war. Four kings from the east, led by Kedorlaomer, invaded the land, crushing five kings of the plains, including the rulers of Sodom and Gomorrah. The defeated kings fled, some falling into the tar pits that dotted the valley, while others ran to the mountains. The victors plundered the cities, carrying off treasures, women, children, and among them Lot and his household.

A Man Who Trusted Only in God

Far from the turmoil, Abraham, the man God had called out of Ur, lived in peace. He had no fortified city, no kingdom to rule, and yet he lacked nothing. His wealth came not from kings or commerce, but from the covenant God had made with him. When he received word that Lot had been captured, he did not hesitate. With only 318 trained men from his household, Abraham pursued the enemy kings northward. He divided his forces at night, using strategy and the element of surprise. Victory was swift and complete. The mighty kings of the east were routed, and all the captives and stolen goods were recovered.

As Abraham returned, the king of Sodom met him in the Valley of Shaveh. The city had been reclaimed, but its people remained unchanged. Sodom had not learned its lesson, and its wickedness would soon bring divine judgment. The king of Sodom, grateful yet self-serving, approached Abraham with an offer:

“Give me the people and keep the wealth for yourself.”

It was a tempting proposition. The wealth of Sodom was great--gold, silver, livestock, and treasures beyond measure. By all rights of war, Abraham could have taken it. No one would have questioned him. After all, he had risked everything to rescue the people.

But Abraham, a man who walked not by sight but by faith, lifted his eyes to heaven.

“I have lifted my hand to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, and have sworn an oath: I will not take even a thread or a sandal strap from you. I will not allow anyone to say, ‘I made Abraham rich.’”

The silence that followed was thick with meaning. Abraham understood something the king of Sodom did not: True wealth does not come from men. It does not come from corrupt kingdoms or ungodly alliances. It comes from God alone.

The Blessing That Comes From Above

Before the king of Sodom could even make his offer, another king had already met Abraham--Melchizedek, the king of Salem, priest of God Most High. Unlike the king of Sodom, Melchizedek came with no deceit, no manipulation, and no conditions. He brought bread and wine, a holy blessing for a holy man. And as he blessed Abraham, he declared:

“Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has given you victory over your enemies!”

Here lay the difference between worldly wealth and divine provision. The king of Sodom offered material gain, tied to corruption and compromise. Melchizedek, the priest of God, offered a blessing that came directly from heaven. And Abraham, a man who sought righteousness above riches, chose the latter.

A Principle That Prevails in Every Age

The decision Abraham made in that valley still speaks today. Across the nations, from bustling cities to quiet villages, people are faced with the same choice: trust in God’s provision or depend on the systems of men.

Many live enslaved by the fear of lack. Hard work is good, however many believe that their jobs, careers, the governments, their country or connections are their source. They accept injustice because they fear unemployment. They bow to wickedness because they believe survival depends on the favor of corrupt men. They compromise their values, selling their integrity for temporary security.

But Abraham’s story in the Book of Genesis 14 reminds us that God is our source, no matter where we are in the world. It does not matter whether we live in a free nation or under oppression, whether we work for a large corporation or labor in the fields. God does not need an economy to bless you. He does not need a government to sustain you. He does not need a company to promote you.

The Hijacking of Power and the Fear of Man

In our modern world, the spirit of Sodom is alive and well. Governments seek to control the masses through fear, making them believe that their survival is dependent on state policies rather than divine provision. The wealthy and powerful attempt to buy loyalty with wages and benefits, convincing people that their future is in the hands of corporations and politicians.

But God’s people must choose, will they trust in the systems of men or in the sovereignty of God?Will they take the wealth of Sodom, even if it means being indebted to corruption?

Or will they say, like Abraham, “

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?”