Book of Genesis: The Book of Foundations

The Bible Teacher's Commentary

Paul J. Bucknell

Three Steps for a Growing Faith

Genesis 14:1-24

Genesis 13 setting | Step #1 Observe | God's Protection | Application | Step #2 Utilize | Hebrew | Abram's Decison | God's Love | #3 Secure -1 | Secret Prayer 2-3 | King Melchizedek 14:18-20 | Spiritual Picture | Melchizedek in Bible | Closing Application

Closing Illustration & Applications (Hebrews 14:1-24)

Genesis 14:1-24 is a powerful passage underlying the special way God distributes His blessings to His people and desires to give even more, only if.... Are you ready for the challenge? A number of closing remarks and application points along with two illustrations are included.

Abraham took the opportunity to show His appreciation not only by refusing to take what was his, but by giving from what he had back to God via His High priest. What has God done for you? Have you returned a token of your appreciation?

Jesus Christ is today’s high priest and king. He challenges us to live in faith towards God. When you need, ask in His Name, and He will grant it. Do you merely ask for your own comforts or ask of the Lord for the sake of others in the Name of Jesus Christ.

The Lord expects we pay our vows. “When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for he takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!” (Ecclesiastes 5:4).

God’s blessings are more important than earthly treasures for they help us fulfill God’s greater purposes.

This is just a sample of the great amount of materials found in the book: Genesis: The Book of Foundations. Only some of our Genesis materials have been put on the web.

Or better yet, for a little bit more get the Old Testament Library which has this book along with powerpoints, videos and hundreds of other articles, all presented with understanding and applying God's Word to our lives.

Here are some applications from Genesis 14

Be open to be bold for the sake of others, even if it might cost you something. Remember to do it with the Lord’s help!

If you want to help someone but find you can’t, seek God, perhaps He has some special way to answer that problem.

As one matures in one’s faith, expect trials of a different kind. They might have to do with something one ought to do rather than some terrible thing happening to you.

Personal illustration

Each mission trips that I go on, up to now, can only happen if I step out in faith. There is no money and no way to go unless the Lord does something dramatic. He sometimes even waits until the last week to provide what is needed for the mission trip. But He has always provided.

Extra blessing is in store, but we must proactively seek it by going in impossible situations. Isn't this what George Mueller clearly illustrated by the orphans that he took care of without a clear understanding where the money to take care of them is going to come from.

Faith pushes us to proactively do what we should do not because we can but because the Lord wants us to. This is His spirit of love being further extended out into the world.

How about being patient with a child? You think you do not have sufficient patience for that day. You are easily irritated. Think about what God wants to do through you–even in your irritable days– and seek Him for the patience that comes from Him.

Three Steps of Spiritual Growth

God places us in difficult situations to prove us, whether we will trust Him or not. The point is not whether God is powerful enough to help us. He is the possessor of heaven and earth! The question is whether we believe it enough to do what we are supposed to accomplish and trust Him.

God loves to get involved in our life affairs. He is waiting for us to seek Him and so prove His faithfulness.

God does bring a measure of blessing upon our lives. Just as God blessed Abraham, so we are blessed. He wants us to increase that blessing as we reach out to others and the world with His help.

We renew our faith by going over this same pattern over and over. We first observe that He is in diverse ways bringing blessing into our world. He builds up our trust in Him.

We then our ready to take that blessing and bring it to the world as He leads us. This will require more trust, but as we see Him help us, our faith is strengthened even more. Our faith gets more personal. It is not just what God did for him or her, but for me.

#1 Observe God’s Blessing (Genesis 14:1-10)

• Do you regularly thank God in your heart for His blessings? Make it personal.

• Are you attracted to the world? Look at the pain of those who do not live by the truth. Get a real perspective. Affirm the Lord as source of blessings.

#2 Utilize God’s Blessings for others (Genesis 14:11-16)

• Are you ready for the challenges of using your blessings to

• meet someone else’s need? “What’s next, Lord?”

#3 Secure God’s Blessing (Genesis 14:17-24)

• Do you tithe (10%) to the Lord? Why?

• Build your faith: Seek His help, do it, & show appreciation to the Lord.

This concludes the study on Genesis 14. Bible study questions are available in the book.

Please continue the study through Genesis => Next

Or check the Genesis index below.

Biblical Foundations for Freedom ( BFF )

Rev. Paul J. Bucknell