Mixed motives and strings: Now the king of Sodom

said to Abram, “Give me the persons, and take the goods.” Abram replied “I have raised my hand to the LORD, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, nothing that is yours, lest you should say, “I have made Abram rich’ (Genesis 14:21-23). Abram,  in addition to rescuing his nephew Lot, had also delivered the king of Sodom.  Some commentators have seen the king of Sodom's offer as generous.  But actually,  as the spoils of war,  Abram was entitled to everything,  including the persons. Otherwise he would not have been in a position to give Melchizedek “a tithe of all” (verse 20). On top of this, I suspect generosity was out of character (see 13:13).

But Abram had raised his “hand to the LORD, the Possessor of heaven and earth.” The phrase “raised his hand,” is about swearing an oath, as is done in court,  swearing to tell the truth,  the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. He was swearing that if he were successful, he would take absolutely nothing that was not his,  or Lot's. We are left to guess why he did this. Perhaps being a godly man,  he would recognize mixed motives in himself.  Here,  in addition to rescuing Lot, was an opportunity get rich (richer). John D. Rockefeller,  whose net worth at his peek was about 1% of the entire US economy,  was asked how much was enough. He famously answered “just a little bit more.”

In addition to telling us that we don't have because we don't ask (God), James tells us we don't have because we ask with wrong motives, for example out of greed (James 4:3). In any case Abram knew “the  Possessor of heaven and earth, ” had amply provided for, and protected,  him in the past  (13:2).   We can't get close to God without getting to know something of the wickedness and deceitfulness of our own hearts (Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 4:19).   Abram's primary concern was to rescue Lot, and in asking for God's help, he no doubt wanted to make sure his motives were pure. By making his oath, which he knew he would keep, he no doubt settled the matter in his own heart.

Looking at it from the king of Sodom's point of view, it's fallen human nature to want to get one up on others. In particular there are times when gifts are given with strings attached. I mean have you ever been given a gift that seemed like generosity, only to find out later that something was expected of you in return, and the gift was then mentioned in terms of “you owe me?” It's what the saying “beware of Greeks bearing gifts” means! You don't want others to be pulling the strings!  Abram seems to have not wanted the king of Sodom to be able to brag that he had made him rich.   

Lord Jesus, the closer I get to You the more I realize I have mixed motives. In particular, Your Word speaks of the deceitfulness of riches.   Thank You that Your Word is an antidote to any,  and all  of this. It is living and powerful, sharper than any double edged sword, it's a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And to You, our hearts are an open book (Hebrews 4:12, 13). So please purify my heart Lord (Acts 15:9),   and I will give You the glory in Your precious and lovely Name Amen