Genesis 14:17, 21–24 Some Things are Not Worth the Money

After Abram returned from his victory over Chedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.” 22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies—Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.” Genesis 14:17, 21–24

Some things are simply not worth the money. This was some fatherly advice I recently offered. When you’re young, the idea that making money, regardless of what we have to go through or give up to earn it, is the end goal of everything we do. After all, without it we might not eat, or at least not eat at a nice restaurant. If the car breaks down we need money to fix it, especially if it’s a BMW. We need money, but how much, and for what purpose, should be something we consider often in our lives, since there will come many moments when we ask the question: is it worth it?

Abram refused the king’s offer to keep the spoils of his recent battle for himself, except for what his people used already and anything his allies chose to keep. Taking payment for saving these people, who included Abram’s family, would have changed the nature of the act from something he did while trusting God to be on his side, to a paid service for a king who’s nation is regarded by many as evil and corrupt.

Abram looks at Sodom and its king with disdain, perhaps even pity knowing how far they have fallen from God. When he suddenly becomes a hero, he can either allow them to lavish him with wealth and carry him through the city in a ticker tape parade, or Abram can politely remove himself from any association with the city and instead give all praise to God for his victory. He could have been rich right then, but being indebted in any way to this king was not worth it.

The Church has done many great things, from establishing hospitals and other medical services, to food programs and homeless shelters. These programs often avoid associating with government and private agencies, even when that means losing much-needed funding. Why? To accept money from an organization which does not share one’s core beliefs runs the risk of losing the freedom to do things “God’s way” instead of what society or a corporation might deem proper. The added funding is not worth the possible compromise of the specific program’s ideology.

On a more personal level, we are called to work hard and do our best always, but we’re also called to rest from time to time and recharge our batteries. So many people run from one paycheck to the next, while the life God’s given them is a blur racing past on all sides. Saying “no” to the next thing might mean less money, but it might also mean having time to rest, or read that book, or visit a friend. Some choices mean less money, but also more happiness, more freedom, or an unblemished reputation. In the end, these might just be worth it.

Prayer

Lord, when we ask ‘Is it worth it’ let us always ask how You would answer, and give us strength and sense to follow the way You would choose. Amen.

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