Finding Purpose in Faith

Finding Purpose in Faith: Lessons from Abraham's Journey
In the story of Abraham, we find powerful lessons about faith, choices, and the consequences that follow. As we explore Genesis 14, we see how small compromises can lead to significant disasters, but also how God's mercy and deliverance remain available to us.

What happens when we choose comfort over faith?
The story of Lot serves as a cautionary tale about the gradual drift away from God's path. Initially, Lot merely looked toward the well-watered plains of Sodom and Gomorrah - a place that would meet all his needs. Later, he pitched his tent facing these cities so he could see what was happening there. Eventually, he moved into Sodom itself.

This progression led to disaster. When four kings led by Chedorlaomer attacked the region, Lot lost everything and was taken prisoner in a war he should never have been involved in. His choice to prioritize comfort and wealth over God's guidance had devastating consequences.

How do our small compromises lead to spiritual bondage?
We often make choices similar to Lot's without realizing where they'll lead:

• We choose work that interferes with our spiritual life because "it pays better"
• We prioritize family activities over church attendance
• We select social activities that seem innocent but pull us away from God
• We choose rest over worship, claiming we're too tired for church

None of these choices are inherently wicked, but they represent steps away from living by faith. Over time, these small compromises can lead us far from God's plan for our lives.
As the lesson reminds us: "While we see, 'this is the perfect job for me' because I'll make more money and life will be better, we don't see the spiritual cost." What starts as an occasional missed service becomes a pattern that distances us from God's community.

How does God respond to our poor choices?
The beautiful part of this story is God's response to Lot's situation. When Abram heard his nephew was captured, he armed 318 trained servants and pursued the enemy. He divided his forces, attacked by night, and successfully rescued Lot along with all the captives and goods.

This represents how God works in our lives:

1. God allows us to make our own choices
2. He allows those choices to reach their inevitable end
3. Then, rich in mercy, He delivers us from our plight using one of His greatest resources: His church

Just as Abram rescued Lot from physical bondage, God uses His people to help rescue those who have wandered into spiritual bondage. The church serves as God's trained army, ready to pursue the enemy and bring back those who have been captured.

What can we learn from Abraham's encounter with Melchizedek?
After the rescue, Abraham encounters a mysterious figure named Melchizedek, the king of Salem (which means "peace") and "priest of the Most High God." This encounter reveals important spiritual truths:

• Melchizedek blessed Abraham and brought bread and wine (foreshadowing communion)
• Abraham gave Melchizedek a tenth of everything he had gained
• Abraham refused to accept anything from the king of Sodom, saying he had made a vow to God

This teaches us about honoring God with our blessings. Abraham wouldn't let the current culture claim credit for his wealth - he wanted God to have all the glory. He demonstrated this by giving a tenth of everything to Melchizedek.

Why is giving to God more than just about money?
The principle of giving goes beyond financial contributions. When we consider Malachi 3, God challenges us: "Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me... in tithes and offerings." He then promises to "open the windows of heaven" and "rebuke the devourer" for those who bring their tithes.

Jesus takes this principle even further in Matthew 22 when he says, "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." This teaches us that while money bears the image of earthly rulers, we bear God's image. Therefore, we owe Him our entire lives.
Our most valuable possession isn't money - it's time. When we consider that a tenth of our 24-hour day is nearly three hours, we might ask: "Am I spending that much time with God each day?" God gave us His all through Christ; shouldn't our lives be fully given to Him in return?

Life Application
This week, consider how your choices might be gradually leading you away from God's best plan for your life. Ask yourself:

1. What small compromises am I making that could eventually lead to spiritual bondage?
2. Am I choosing comfort and convenience over faithful obedience?
3. How am I honoring God with what He has blessed me with - both my resources and my time?
4. What is God putting on my heart to do that I've been resisting?

Remember that God allows us to make our own choices and experience their consequences, but He is always ready to deliver us when we turn back to Him. His mercy is available, and His church stands ready to help those who have wandered away.
Take a step of faith this week by committing to honor God with your time, resources, and obedience. As Abraham demonstrated, when we trust God rather than seeking our own well-watered plains, we position ourselves to receive His blessing and to be a blessing to others.