Read Genesis 14:18–15:1: Abraham, who defeated these kings’ armies with his men gave a tenth of the loot to the Lord through a Priest of God, Melchizedek. Abraham is then challenged by the king of Sodom. This king had fled from these armies earlier and had all of his city’s loot stolen and now he is asking Abraham to give it back. He is threatening Abraham who won the battle that he had lost and instead of going to war with him, Abraham remembers an oath that he made that he would not take anything from the loot belonging to this king. Instead of claiming it for himself and being enriched, he gives up what he has earned.
Abraham gave the king of Sodom what he asked for. He was faithful in rescuing his nephew and in giving to the Lord but now is being threatened by someone who he had rescued. At this point in the story we can see Abraham suffering for being faithful. He could’ve let his nephew die, he could’ve fought the king of Sodom but he did not, he went to war to rescue Lot and gave the king of Sodom what he asked for. Abraham was suffering for being faithful but later, after this the Lord saw what he had done and the Lord told Abraham that God is his reward. The blessing came after the suffering. We have both suffering and blessing from the same act of faithfulness.
Abraham was faithful but he was not guaranteed to be blessed and successful at all times, he was called to be faithful and to believe that the Lord would bless and keep him… eventually. He saw some blessings, but he also saw suffering.
Being blessed wasn't a promise for every moment; it is a promise for the end, not the times in between.
This is the truth of the Gospel as well. We are called to be faithful but as we are faithful we may or may not experience blessings here on this world Earth but regardless we are to be faithful anyways. As the Bible tells us in 1 Peter 3:17
“For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” Being faithful can cause us to suffer, it can cause us to experience trouble but it is better to be faithful in doing good and to suffer for it than to do evil.
If we are in line with God's will we are being faithful. If we are doing what he has called us to do and we suffer then that is far better than to suffer or even to prosper according to the world by doing evil. Some of the most prosperous people in this world do things that are evil but the rewards that they have here on this Earth are temporary and fleeting compared to the eternal rewards that you have. It is far better to do God's will to do good and to suffer for it than it is be blessed by Earthly standards by doing what is evil.
The Bible teaches in this world you will have trouble but you are called to be faithful anyways. At all times choose to do what is right. Choose to spread the gospel. Choose to be disciples of Jesus Christ who make disciples of Jesus Christ who strive to obey all of Jesus's commands. Choose to do good and choose to be faithful no matter what suffering or trouble you experience.
