What’s the first thing you think of when you think of the life of Abram? How maybe you know him better as Abraham? How he and his wife Sarah had a child when they were old? Do you think of his promise of having as many descendants as there are grains of sand? That he was a strong leader of an army (scratching your head yet)? 

The last one is something I learned about Abram when studying to write this devotion. The 318 trained men (I’m still reading about if there is any significance to this number — one source even points the number to Christ!) doesn’t sound like a number that would strike fear in the enemy. But the strategy to attack at night and to split up and attack from different locations gave them an advantage, allowing them to defeat and bring Lot, his family and possessions back home. 

Abram is so relieved to have his family back. The king of the area in which he lives celebrates the victory. Abram gives his customary tenth, and then is given a proposal of returning the people, but keeping the possessions. Abram could’ve been filled with pride for winning the battle and taken the king up on his offer. However, he knew his true strength came from God, his Heavenly Father, and he did not want anyone saying, “The king made Abram rich!” That would’ve taken Abram’s eyes and the eyes of the people he had influenced off the true giver of riches — God! 

Never take your eyes off the true giver of everything in life. 

Dr. Glen E. Neal

Extended Scripture: Genesis 13–14