The text is taken from Gen 14:13-24.
Gen 14:13-24 Then one who had escaped came and told Abram the Hebrew, who was living by the oaks of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and of Aner. These were allies of Abram. (14) When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. (15) And he divided his forces against them by night, he and his servants, and defeated them and pursued them to Hobah, north of Damascus. (16) Then he brought back all the possessions, and also brought back his kinsman Lot with his possessions, and the women and the people.
(17) After his return from the defeat of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, the king of Sodom went out to meet him at the Valley of Shaveh (that is, the King's Valley). (18) And Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. (He was priest of God Most High.) (19) And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; (20) and blessed be God Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand!" And Abram gave him a tenth of everything. (21) And the king of Sodom said to Abram, "Give me the persons, but take the goods for yourself." (22) But Abram said to the king of Sodom, "I have lifted my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth, (23) that I would not take a thread or a sandal strap or anything that is yours, lest you should say, 'I have made Abram rich.' (24) I will take nothing but what the young men have eaten, and the share of the men who went with me. Let Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre take their share."
God’s first promise to Abraham is to bless him and make him a blessings to others. In the same manner, we received blessings in turn to be a blessing to others. God is generous. We want to be like God. Those who are used by God in the Bible are people of faith who were blessings of others. Consider the example of Moses who brought the people out of Egypy, Joseph who provided food for the Jews during a famine and Nehemiah who rebuilt Jerusalem.
When one share God’s blessings, many may come to know God. We want to learn to help others.
In Gen 13, as the cattle grew, the servants of Abraham and Lot quarreled over the land. Lot chose Sodom.
Chedorlaomer conquered a lot of places including Sodom and Gomorrah and ruled for 12 years. When the 5 kings rebelled on the 13th year, Chedorlaomer came to wage war. When Abraham heard Lot was in captive, he summoned his 318 men and saved Lot.
Melchizedek, King of Salem and King of Sodom welcomed him. Abraham gave 10% of what he got to Melchizedek (a type of Christ.) When King of Sodom requested his people and offered the possessions to Abraham. Abraham did not want anything from him.
When Abraham was in Egypt, Abraham lied about his wife to keep his life. Here we read that Abraham had the courage to go into war with a veteran.
A faithful person not only strengthen himself but also others. We must recognize that we can be the light that shines for others. We want to be a faithful person that help others.
God helps us to help others
Abraham left his home town of Ur and moved to Canaan. God helped him despite his weaknesses. Lot moved to Sodom and this may suggest he desired earthly pleasures. Ps Ling said if we are in sin and do not try to get out, one day sin will cause a lot of problems.Why do we help others? Why do we give to others what we received from God? Do we first consider who a person is, whether they have been good to us, would they help us back, etc. before we extend our help? When we help others, we need to keep our focus on God.
Mat 5:44-47 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? (47) And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?
God help us when we are weak, in sin, etc. When we see others in their weaknesses, in sin, we help.
2Co 1:3-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, (4) who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
If we look at the person, we may find all kinds of reasons why we do not want to help.
Gal 6:9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Sometimes people are ungrateful. But God loves us first so we could love others. A church ministry is a helping ministry. A church ministry’s goal is to help others know Jesus.
We need wisdom to help others
We must first be wise and able before we can help others. The blind cannot lead the blind. We need to be healed before we can heal those who need healing (I do not agree with this.) We must first be healthy before we can help others. (I also don’t agree with this.) Jesus spent 30 years in preparation (really?) before he did his earthly ministry for 3 1/2 years. (if we follow this standard, then perhaps too many have “rushed” into ministry)We need to equip ourselves. Abraham were able to help Lot with 318 trained men. We need strategy.
It is not good enough to provide a fish everyday. It is better to teach a person how to fish. Parents certainly help the children. A cell leader helps the cell members, who in turn help one another. Family members help one another. Colleagues help one another.
We need to get trained before we can train others. As such, we need to continue to upgrade ourselves.
If we are able to remain calm under turbulent times, people will take notice and they will approach us when they need help. We need to manage our time well to have capacity to help others.
Helping others comes with a price
Sometimes we expect to reap the harvest without paying the price.Psa 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!
We reap what we sow.
Glory to God
Abraham recognized God won the war for him. He gave 10% of the spoils to Melchizedek. He did not want any reward from human.When we are able to help others, we must remember to give glory back to God.
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