Blessed Abe, not perfect, but was generous.
Just did five articles (below this one) on James who like an Old Testament Prophet, was strongly addressing the wicked-wealthy of his day who were guilty of selfishly stockpiling. It was a pointed, scathing diatribe of denunciation to those abusers that we all can learn from. Do you personally live on the wise-give or on the foolish-take? I also (to add balance) took a good look at the righteous-rich in the Word. Still thinkin' 'bout:
"Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. You have stored up your treasure in the last days [when it will do you no good]." James 5:3 amp
If you lay it up here, your heart is here (on earth). If you lay it up there, your heart is there (in heaven). Do you remember that "PTL Scandal" (it sure preaches LOUDLY even today. It came to a head on March 19, 1987 with Jim Bakker), or remember the many horrific-hypocritical scandals since then? You need no rust, no endless burning or decaying corruption. Hey, Hell is for hoarders, and there will be real burning in that location, a very real place. So hold the wealth loosely. Please close not up your compassion, but use your money (in glorifying the Lord) win the lost, to support excellent Great Commission efforts, and to care for the needy.
Sup with the righteous-rich who stayed accountable? Abraham was one of them. What can learn we from Abe?
1.) God’s Word leads people in faith (Gen. 12:1–3).
Who was this Abram? Well, he used to be an idolater when God called him (see Josh. 24:2)..when God revealed His glory to him (Acts 7:2).. and when God spoke to him.
Abram turned from vain idols to walk with the Lord, and all of this was by God’s grace. The hearing of the Word creates faith (John 5:24; Rom. 10:17). Again God’s creative Word is at work.
2.) Faith leads people in obedience to God (4–6).
The New Testament states, “By faith Abraham obeyed” (Heb. 11:8). “I will show you, I will make you, I will bless you!” were God’s promises, and Abram believed. It has well been said that faith is not believing in spite of evidence; it is obeying in spite of consequences. The proof of faith is obedience, for true faith always leads to works (James 2:14ff.). Hearing leads to heeding.
3.) Obedience leads people into God's blessing (7–9).
We are told nothing about (him that I respectfully call) Abe or his journey, which must have been a bit difficult for him, but we are told that God met Abram when he arrived and gave him a brand new promise. Today, biblical obedience leads each of us toward Jesus--He's the Father's greatest blessing and Blesser for us.
I like that, and His promises! God always goes before us and He has His Word ready to encourage us. From now on, Abram’s life will be marked by the presence of the tent (cuz he was a pilgrim on earth, just passin' through) and the altar (a citizen of permanent heaven).
4.) Blessing leads people into spiritual testing as well (10–20).
Abe was a man of means, but he was into God and not into that immense wealth. Yes, far more than his own means, he had an even greater faith inside.. that was placed in a person. He valued His relationship with God most. Yes, the Lord was the object of his faith.
How does Scripture present Abe to readers? Well, he was both materially prosperous and spiritually very focused (devout in the right sort of way). Genesis 13:2 tells us, plainly:
“Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.”
He had herds, servants, tents, and great possessions—so much so that the land couldn’t support both his and Lot’s flocks (See Gen. 13:5–6).
Later on, Abe leads a private army of 318 trained men born in his household to to rescue Lot (Gen. 14:14)—an indication of extraordinary resources and leadership. Was he a military general? He was a believer.
Abraham "owned" well, but Abe's wealth never owned him at all. His heart completely belonged to His first-love, the one God he had passion for.
He wasn’t defined by his possessions (wouldn't allow that) but (was defined) by his wise choices for, and obedience to the One he loved! When God called Abe to leave everything familiar to him, his name was of course "Abram" at the time and he just went out (Gen. 12:1–4). For you too, exiting worldliness to obey the Lord the Bible says:
“'So come out from among unbelievers and be separate,' says the Lord, 'And do not touch what is unclean; and I will graciously receive you and welcome you with favor,'" 2 Corinthians 6:17 amp
When God asked for his beloved son Isaac, he just rose early to go obey Him (Gen. 22:1–3). Abraham walked by faith, and not by sight.
“Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Rom. 4:3
Not a graspy dude. He never clung on to worldly things. He wasn't ever graspy for stuff. In Genesis 14, after defeating the kings and recovering great plunder, Abraham refused even a shoelace from the king of Sodom:
“I will accept nothing belonging to you.. so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’” Gen. 14:23
This wasn’t puffed-up arrogance—it was reverence. Abraham knew his one source was God alone.
His wealth was never a substitute for his acceptable worship of God. He built altars everywhere he went cuz the right worship mattered to him. His prosperity didn’t breed hubris or weird pride in his heart; it cultivated pure praise from him.
He used his resources to honor the Lord, to practice gracious hospitality (Heb. 13:2 refers to Abraham welcoming angels even), and to live righteously before His kind Maker.
Abraham’s life teaches us that it is possible to have wealth and to walk closely with God—if your heart is firmly set on the Giver, and not the gifts. Set on the Blesser instead of on any blessings.
John Wesley wisely spoke about smart working and earning what you could, and saving what you could.. and about giving away all you could if God was leading you.
I say do all this only as God leads you to. Abraham was led by God and lived that way centuries earlier than Mr. Wesley did.
He held earthly blessings with a light touch and a willing heart.. with open hands and onto eternal promises with both arms.
The greatest testimony of Abraham’s heart comes from his good friend, God Himself, who had worked on his heart:
“But you, Israel, are My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, The descendants of Abraham My friend." Isaiah 41:8 nkjv
What a legacy—to be God's friend and wealthy on earth, but richer in faith, with a righteousness never never-ending close intimate relationship with Jehovah (the great "I Am"). May we opt to become like Abraham, who walk in faith (Scripturally with solid facts, not by sight, by whim, or fickle feelings), and who live generously, and love God above all else.. all the way Home!
Q: What exactly was the blessing of Abraham?
The True Blessing of Abraham: A God and Gospel-Centered Perspective!
The blessing of Abraham is the gracious heavenly gift of righteousness that Abraham received as part of God’s plan to create a new nation on earth. The blessing of Abraham verses have often sadly been misused in today's "word faith prosperity theology." You know, that "Speaks it into existence--speak to your bill-fold: "Hey, you are a fat wallet!", That name it, claim it, blab it grab it type of FALSE worthless TV teaching. Ignore it.
Take a look at the historical context of Abraham’s blessing. God’s blessing to Abraham is recorded in Genesis 12:1–3:
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you."
Here, Abraham is really blessed of God, and that blessing included the promise that he will have a great name (or good reputation) and that he would become a great nation (have many descendants). God will bless those who bless him; furthermore, Abraham will be a blessing to others.
The rest of the Bible does indeed record how these promises from God were fulfilled and how the blessing of Abraham advanced on earth.
The blessing of Abraham is not a blank check to us for wealth or for worldly success, but a soul-saving, gospel-rich promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. When God called Abraham in Genesis 12:1–3, He was initiating a redemptive plan that would ultimately bless all nations—not with prosperity per se, but with the gift of salvation through faith.
“I will bless you.. and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” Gen. 12:2–3
Though Abraham was blessed materially and became a great nation, the deeper blessing was spiritual: he believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). Paul reaffirms this in Galatians 3:7–9, showing that all who share Abraham’s faith—not his wealth—are his true children.
“If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Gal. 3:29
I can't stand it today when greedy folk misuse this promise, turning it into a prosperity slogan. The “Word Faith” movement teaches that because we are heirs of Abraham, we’re guaranteed riches, health, and success. But this is not biblical Christianity—it’s consumeristic distortion.
Charles Spurgeon rightly set things in perspective, saying, “To be wrapped up in earthly things is to be wrapped up in a winding sheet. Earth is not our rest; it is our sojourning place.”
Jesus, the true Seed of Abraham (Gal. 3:16), came not to make us billionaires or millionaires, but to justify us sinners. His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). The blessing of Abraham is justification by faith alone by Christ alone—being declared righteous before a holy God through Christ. That’s the treasure that moth and rust cannot corrode or destroy (Matt. 6:19–21).
What Are Some Good Things That Abe By Faith..Did After Ditching His Lame Life Of Idolatry?
(See Genesis 12–25, Hebrews 11, Romans 4, etc.)
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He obeyed God's call to leave everything behind
He left Ur of the Chaldeans, a center of idol worship, not knowing where he was going, simply trusting a Person - yes, in God's voice.
* Genesis 12:1–4; Hebrews 11:8. God said, "Go," and Abraham didn't say "No" but he went—leaving behind wealth, creature-comforts, and familiarity. -
He believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness
This foundational act of faith made Abraham the father of all who believe.
* Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6 -
He built altars and worshiped God in multiple places
He acknowledged God's presence and gave public witness.
* Genesis 12:7–8; Genesis 13:4, 18 -
He gave generously and refused greed
He gave Lot the first choice of land, not grasping for wealth.
* Genesis 13:9 -
He (with his own resources) rescued his city-bound nephew Lot. Yes, at personal risk
He used his trained servants, his own household army, to save another.
* Genesis 14:14–16 -
He tithed to Melchizedek, the priest of God Most High
He honored God’s priest with 10% of the spoils, long before the Law.
* Genesis 14:18–20; Hebrews 7:1–2 -
He trusted God's promises, even with delay
He waited decades for a son through Sarah, learning patient faith.
* Genesis 15:1–6; Romans 4:20–21 -
He interceded for those in Sodom, showing compassion and mercy
He pleaded with God (who cares about all people) for the righteous folk to be spared.
* Genesis 18:22–33 -
He obeyed God even in extreme testing—offering Isaac
He trusted that God could raise up Isaac from death if needed. What a test!
* Genesis 22:1–18; Hebrews 11:17–19 -
He taught his household the ways of the Lord
* He recieved the best commendation. Yes, God commended Abraham for training his family to do real righteousness.
* Genesis 18:19
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He buried his wife honorably in a purchased land
He secured the first piece of land in Canaan as a sign of faith in God’s future promises.
* Genesis 23:3–20
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He ensured Isaac married within the biblical covenant community
He sent his servant with faith and prayer to find a godly wife.
* Genesis 24:1–67
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He lived as a pilgrim not really as a settler, trusting in the Lord, not rooted in the world-system
He dwelt in tents, looking for a city whose builder is God.
* Hebrews 11:9–10
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He went the distance, livin' by faith until he died full of years, still blessed and believing
His faith never failed cuz His God couldn't fail; he held fast to God and His good promises until the end, and then was recieved into glory!
* Genesis 25:7–9
Abe looked beyond the soft worldly comforts to the eternal city of God.
“You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving.” – Amy Carmichael
"To whom much is given, much will be required.." Luke 12:48
Mr. George Barna said that 72% of so-called practicing Christians still believe that "God wants them to prosper them financially." Perhaps he will for you (that would bring more responsibility for sure). But I say we simply return to Scripture to see what God really said. What He has to say sure beats what Kurt has to say.. and it beats all that the prosperity preachers teach. Hebrews 11 praises Abraham, not for his wealth, but for his righteousness that came by faith, as he looked for a city with foundations, “whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11:10). Abe's heart was taking him all the way home.
Reminds me of that old hymn that said it so well:
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”
Abraham Left A Legacy Like You Want To Leave For Others
“Those who are of faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith.”
* See the entire context of Galatians 3:9
"Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, Thou mine inheritance, now and always.."
* —“Be Thou My Vision” Lord!
Let those who are rich today become really rich in Christian-faith, in good godly works, in gracious generosity, and in eternal impact here for the confused masses. That is the way of Abraham—and of Christ. Jesus is the way for us!
Q: What Faithful Christians Can Practically Do With Wealth Today (Talkin' Faith, while smartly puttin' it into practice.)
“If God has given you wealth, you must see it as a tool, not a trophy.” – Randy Alcorn
A. Fund What God Really Loves
Gospel missions, Home missions, Bible-loyal Christian schools, Bible translation so all can read it, near and faraway fishing aka global evangelism
According to Barna (2023), only 5% of Christian donors give to evangelism. Let's live to change that.
B. Practice Open-Handed Hospitality
Open homes for house churches, Bible studies, guest housing
Hebrews 13:2 – entertain strangers; some have hosted angels unknowingly.
C. Start or Strengthen Legacy Projects
Buy land for Christian camps, centers, or family discipleship
Invest in institutions that teach sound doctrine
D. Live Simply and Give Radically
Less luxury, more ministry. Steward, not store.
1 Timothy 6:17-19: Be rich in good works, not just possessions.
E. Intercede with Influence
Use platforms to speak truth, pray publicly, advocate for justice
Intercede like Abraham for your city, church, and nation
F. Teach the Next Generation
Equip your children and grandchildren in sound doctrine and generosity
Psalm 145:4 – "One generation shall commend your works to another."
G. Invest in People, Not Just Projects
Sponsor seminary students, church planters, or missionaries
Help people in crisis: widows, refugees, single moms
“The real measure of our wealth is how much we’d be worth if we lost all our money.” – John Henry Jowett
Q: Want Applications From Abraham's Life? Okay Choose To...
Be a wise pilgrim: don’t love or cling to this world-system. Are you the Christian that goes, that sends, that supports.. or perhaps all three at different times or seasons of your life?
Be a wise giver: acknowledge God as your Source, not with one eye look elsewhere as a source.
Be a wise witnessing mentor: gently raise your children in Bible righteousness.
Be a wise worshiper: honor God in every location with all you are and have. Be thankful. He's given so much—our faith, our tools, our family.
“(Biblical) Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible.” – George Mueller
From An Idolater to A Loyal BFF (Friend) of God
You too can go from that worldly-weirdness, from that strange-lameness to Him! Abraham’s journey from idolatry in Ur to intimacy with God is one of the greatest transformations in Scripture. He became the father of all who believe, not because he was perfect, but because he trusted and obeyed God. Abraham’s faith didn’t just shape his beliefs—it shaped his behavior, his use of wealth, his family leadership, and his legacy.
"Faith that saves is faith that obeys." – A.W. Tozer
Wealth and feelings are not faithful, but God is, and a Christian person can choose to become faithful to God (in Christ) and to others as well. Yes, today, we each can be faithful to Jesus Christ by following the Word of God and the moment-by-moment, step-by-step leading of the Spirit of God (who remains 100% Bible-loyal).
Jesus said, “Abraham rejoiced to see My day—and he saw it and was glad.” (John 8:56)
If Abraham lived today, he wouldn’t just be generous like Jesus was and is. He’d be all in eternally focused -- Christ-centered, kingdom-minded, and radically obedient.
Like a Hymn to Conclude?: "Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to Thee. Take my silver and my gold, not a mite would I withhold."
Let us never reduce the gospel to greed. It ain't about that, ain't about gold here. The true blessing of Abraham is not about silver, Lear jets, jewels, or off-shore Bank accounts—it’s about real salvation in Christ and obedience to Him. We are heirs of grace, not heirs of earthly gain. Let us know Him well, and make Him well known. Let's fix our eyes on Him.. on the greater inheritance, purchased not by Abrahamic like livestock, but by Christ’s bloody Cross. Faith in God is what made Abe truly blessed, and what will you decide on to make you really blessed?
