People or Goods?

One of the strongest tests we all have to face is what Abraham faced from the King of Sodom.

Genesis 14:21-24

²¹ The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.” ²² But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, ²³ that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’ ²⁴ I will accept nothing but what my men have eaten and the share that belongs to the men who went with me—to Aner, Eshkol and Mamre. Let them have their share.”

People or goods?

These tests will come in such a way that you would stand to gain financially if you treat those in your opposition in a non-Christlike manner.

Abraham was tested with these 3 things.

1. Will he rescue Lot (The I choose my way guy)?
2. Will he covet the wealth of the king of Sodom (Everything that Egypt could offer)?
3. Will he take revenge on Lot (by declaring himself ruler over him)?

Anger. Discontentment. Selfish agenda. The same things Joseph was tested with before he could be promoted to be Pharaoh’s adviser.

If we are struggling with revenge then we should, tear down the altar of revenge and build the proper altar of redemption.

At this altar, you will stretch your hand to rescue your enemies and next, stretch it towards Heaven giving glory to the God Most High.

Everything in the law must be fulfilled. The entire law is summed up in this: Love your Neighbour as yourself. Galatians 5:14

If we love, we have nothing to fear. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world, we are like Jesus.

1 John 4:17

The strongest temptations will be

• to just give up on them
• expose what they were doing against you
• seek justice at court
• seek to separate and start your “own thing”

The truth that sets you free is – Changed lives are our true treasures.

See how these verses go.

1 Timothy 6:17-19 NIV

[17] Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

God gave us everything to enjoy. So, it looks like we should go into consumer mentality. God gives; I take it and enjoy. But next verse he says –

[18] Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

It cuts short all our worldly pursuits. It says

• Do good
• Be generous
• Be willing to share
• It’s all about giving.

[19] In this way, they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

So, the enjoyment is an eternal joy for our future. In this world, we run with perseverance this race marked out for us

• we endure cross

• endure shame
• endure opposition from the world
• endure God’s discipline

This demand is reflected in these verses.

Hebrews 12:1-3, 7, 12 NIV

[1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,

[2] fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

[7] Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?

[12] Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.

If our lives don’t reflect Christ in an increasing measure to them, we would just fade into dull, flickering lamps of the foolish virgins that fade into the world’s darkness.

But if we are sold out for Christ, then our lamps are like those of the wise virgins; bright and shining light of the world.

Is it necessary to live our lives in contrast to the worldly standards? Yes.

Read Hebrews 11

What we concentrate on building here will condemn the world on judgment day.

Hebrews 11:13-16, 35, 37-38 NIV

[13] All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.

[14] People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.

[15] If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had the opportunity to return.

[16] Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

[35] Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. (!!!!!!!!) (Emphasis mine)

[37] They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—

[38] the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

This isn’t a rosy picture of enjoying all that God gave us, right?

That is why walking by the Spirit is vital. Our spirit is willing to endure it all but the flesh is weak.

Romans 8:13-18 NIV

[13] For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

[14] For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children (this word means mature Sons who represent Christ’s nature) of God.

[15] The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”

[16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

[17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. 

[18] I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Amen