DO NOT TAKE PAYMENT FROM THE ENEMY

PROCLAMATION

“And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto The Lord, The Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth, that I will not take … any thing that is thine, least thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich; Save only that which the young men have eaten …”  Genesis 14:22-24 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Moses under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After Lot separated from Abram, he resided in an area near Sodom.  There was a war between the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the four kings to the east who prevailed against them.  The four kings seized all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah including Lot and his possessions. (Genesis 14:1-12)  When Abram heard what had happened to Lot, he gathered 318 of his men and went and rescued Lot and recovered all of his possessions. (Genesis 14:13-16)  The king of Sodom offered the possessions to Abram, but he refused them.  He said that he would not take anything from him so that he could never say that he made Abram rich. (Genesis 14:17-24)

 

APPLICATION

There are a number of reasons for not taking any form of payment from the enemy.  He may feel that he owns you, or that he has bought your loyalty.  However, the main reason is that it would appear to others that the two of you are in some kind of partnership with each other.  The Bible says that we are to do that which is good and right, and we are to avoid evil.  It also says that we are to avoid even the appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22)  Don’t partner with people who are doing evil.  Don’t be bought.  If we are going to do something good to help someone who is in need, then do not accept payment for doing it.  Also, do not broadcast the good deed to get public acclaim.  If we seek the glory of men then we already have our reward for the good deed. (Matthew 6:2)