In this chapter we continue studying the book of Genesis. In this episode a battle occurs between nine kings, four kings against five. Five kings rebel against king Chedorlaomer.

They decide not to pay the yearly tribute he imposed on them. They paid the tribute for 12 years but on the 13th year they decided they'd had enough and did not pay it.

War ensued and Lot was taken captive in the battle. Abram gathered his men and rescued Lot.

After the successful rescue of all the Sodomites, the king of Sodom thanks Abram and says, you keep the goods, just give me the people.

This is important because Proverbs chapter 14 verse 28 says, for the want of people is the destruction of the prince.

Without people, a king doesn't have a kingdom. Abram could have all the gold, all the silver, everything, just give him the people.

So it is with the kingdom of darkness, all he wants is people, give him your soul he will give you all the stuff, all the goods you want. But it’s not free, it comes at price. It comes with sorrow and trouble.

Solomon says in Proverbs chapter 10 verse 22  The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

God’s blessings are free. He will bless you but unlike the devil, God doesn’t tack on trouble and misfortune with it, he doesn’t add death to it.

Satan had given the Jews power, wealth and authority but it ended in trouble, they lost it all, and not only that, now they will be charged with killing God’s Son on judgment day.

Sometimes the end of mirth, that is happiness, is nothing but sorrow, mourning and heaviness.

The way to avoid this is to make sure blessings, riches and influence come from the Living God and not the god of death and destruction.

Abram told the king of Sodom that he had lifted up his hand to the Most High God, the possessor of heaven and earth that he would not take a thread or shoestring from him.

I suppose that's what contentment can do for us. It will keep us from being ensnared by the enemy. Lot moved to Sodom, a land of opportunity but ended up being a prisoner of war. If it wasn't for Abram and his God, Lot would have been a slave for life, perhaps working in the slime pits gathering the pitch, kings used as mortar for their building projects.

Paul reminds us about the importance of contentment in 1 Timothy chapter 6.

Here's the text:


1Timothy 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1Timothy 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

1Timothy 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1Timothy 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

1Timothy 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1Timothyi 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

1Timothy 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

1Timothy 6:13  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

1Timothy 6:14  That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:


Remember Jesus said, nothing on this earth is worth trading your soul for.