Genesis 14 For the love of (the god of ) money or for the Love of God?

Scripture selections are taken from the Rock Church Daily Bread Reading schedule for each month. “Lena’s Journalin’” are Lena’s comments on the specific passages from her Daily Journal.

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Genesis 14:1-24
Abram Rescues Lot
1About this time war broke out in the region. King Amraphel of Babylonia, F48 King Arioch of Ellasar, King Kedorlaomer of Elam, and King Tidal of Goiim 2fought against King Bera of Sodom, King Birsha of Gomorrah, King Shinab of Admah, King Shemeber of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (now called Zoar).
3The kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela formed an alliance and mobilized their armies in Siddim Valley (that is, the valley of the Dead Sea F49 ). 4For twelve years they had all been subject to King Kedorlaomer, but now in the thirteenth year they rebelled.
5One year later, Kedorlaomer and his allies arrived. They conquered the Rephaites in Ashteroth-karnaim, the Zuzites in Ham, the Emites in the plain of Kiriathaim, 6and the Horites in Mount Seir, as far as El-paran at the edge of the wilderness. 7Then they swung around to En-mishpat (now called Kadesh) and destroyed the Amalekites, and also the Amorites living in Hazazon-tamar.
8But now the army of the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim, and Bela (now called Zoar) prepared for battle in the valley of the Dead Sea F50 9against King Kedorlaomer of Elam and the kings of Goiim, Babylonia, and Ellasar—four kings against five. 10As it happened, the valley was filled with tar pits. And as the army of the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, some slipped into the tar pits, while the rest escaped into the mountains. 11The victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and began their long journey home, taking all the wealth and food with them. 12They also captured Lot—Abram's nephew who lived in Sodom—and took everything he owned. 13One of the men who escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was camped at the oak grove belonging to Mamre the Amorite. Mamre and his relatives, Eshcol and Aner, were Abram's allies.
14When Abram learned that Lot had been captured, he called together the men born into his household, 318 of them in all. He chased after Kedorlaomer's army until he caught up with them in Dan. 15There he divided his men and attacked during the night from several directions. Kedorlaomer's army fled, but Abram chased them to Hobah, north of Damascus. 16Abram and his allies recovered everything—the goods that had been taken, Abram's nephew Lot with his possessions, and all the women and other captives.
Melchizedek Blesses Abram
17As Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and his allies, the king of Sodom came out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). 18Then Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought him bread and wine. 19Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing:
"Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth.
20 And blessed be God Most High, who has helped you conquer your enemies."
Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.
21The king of Sodom told him, "Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered."
22Abram replied, "I have solemnly promised the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from you. Otherwise you might say, 'I am the one who made Abram rich!' 24All I'll accept is what these young men of mine have already eaten. But give a share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre."
FOOTNOTES:F48: Hebrew Shinar; also in 14:9. F49: Hebrew Salt Sea. F50: Hebrew in Siddim Valley; see 14:3.
Copyright Statement: Holy Bible, The New Living Translation

~ Lena’s Journalin’~
War has been on earth since before Adam was made, since satan chose to rebel against God in heaven. Earth was created to address the rebellion. 12 is the # of the governmental rule of God, 13 is the # of the rebellion. Kerdorlaomer of Edom is representative of our Eternal ruler King. Tidal represents His Son, Cool huh? Gotta look up these words!
Kingdom rises against kingdom. Earthly against heavenly. Allegiances are tried and tested. Will any join allegiance with the Most High? Will any go after what He is after? Or do they go after what pleases their eyes and provides self satisfaction? That has to be proven in each of us. That very test was laid out in the garden.
This is a continual test to each of us.
If God is God, serve Him, if not serve Baal. (Baal and money are one and the same. Yoked together in covenant).
God is a covenant God, a keeper of His covenant. Are we in allegiance with Him? It will show by what we go after, war for, and serve.
Abraham had his test. He was rich. Riches appeal to rich men, but you could be wealthy and not love money. The same test was offered Jesus. Abraham said no to money, yes to God Most High and to His dream, which is the salvation of souls. We cannot love money and God’s kingdom those two cannot covenant together.
Abraham choose to eat THAT covenant meal, the one that said I take Your dream above mine, and receive it as mine, THE one that said I’d rather give You my money, and my life, than take all the money and leave a whole world ignored for its love and pursuit.
How many people have you met that are willing to drink of that cup and eat of that meal, showing what the Lord died for till He comes again? Are you one? Perhaps you are, God is looking for a few Abrahams on this earth. Will you eat THIS bread and drink This cup of blessing? The one that puts God’s kingdom and people, the objects of His love, first? One’s who assemble purposely not allowing money’s pursuit to take the place of joining with the strength of the body to pray, unify and learn how to further God’s kingdom even in the materialistic world? Are you that one?
Then eat and drink and show the witness to the world of a risen Lord who is seated at God’s right hand, being able to sit and oversee because He has set up governors to do His work for Him, to eat and drink for strength so they can do His work, for they are covenant keepers, lovers of God, and lovers of who and what God loves-which is people!

Daily Thought to Ponder -
“Oh Give Thanks to the Lord for He is Good!”