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            The Bible explains how believing faith in God is put into practice by recording examples.  Abraham was no different than any other human being—like everyone else, he was “brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me,” as David said Psalm 51:5.

            Abram began life with a rebellious nature controlled by self that we all begin life with; and he had to fight the same devil we all do.  Today we have a full volume of God’s Truth in Scripture, but Abram had no Bible—that was a huge disadvantage.  Having the Bible to refer to is more valuable than could be expressed in words.

            The Bible explains how we can enjoy contentment, protection, peace, healing, and everyday supplies of whatever is needed while here on earth.  The Bible tells us how to be ready for Eternal Life when Jesus returns.  There is nothing more important than knowing how we enter Heaven.  All the problems, grief, and troubles on earth have an end, but eternity is forever.

            If the average Christian church of today is right, then this Bible example of Abraham’s life is wrong—but we know that Abraham’s example of faith and trust on God is absolutely right, and that God’s plan for his life is God’s plan for our life.  It is very important to know this, because there is so much spiritual darkness and error today.  Matthew 6:23 “If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”

            Abraham began right, and moved forward in faith steadily, because of his willingness to listen to God’s instructions.  He always said Yes to God.  That is why Hebrews 3:7 “As the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, 8 Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness.’”  Abraham knew that God gave him life, so his life belonged to God, and therefore God had a right to tell him how to live Romans 12:1-2.

            There are many opinions on how to be saved, but only the Bible gives the Truth, and only Scripture spells out the conditions to be met for Heaven to be ours.  Most ministers agree that Bible examples happened as stated—but, they say these things do not happen today.  The truth is, however, that same power that worked in the lives of Bible characters then, is the same power that works in the lives of true believers now.  Malachi 3:6 “I am the LORD, I change not.”

            The conditions that had to be met then, are the same conditions to be met now—if the same results are expected.  In mathematics; if you apply the theory, and work out the example according to the rule, you obtain the correct answer.  Radius squared times pi = surface area of a circle.

            If anyone applies the Bible principle of trust, they are promised the same results.  The devil cannot argue with an example, because it actually happened; he can only deceive by suggesting that it will not happen today.

            Abraham’s life sheds light on the pathway for us—and it makes the destination certain.  Divine healing and trusting God for finances, played a major role in Abraham’s life, although very few, if any, denominational churches and professed believers accept either one.

            The facts are, if Abraham did not trust God for divine healing, and if he did not depend on God for finances, he would not have realized any spiritual growth, and would not have entered God’s kingdom.  If we cannot trust God for physical healing; and if we cannot trust Him in faith for finances, we would not be able to trust Him for anything else either.  Those two divine principles of trust have all to do with our preparation for eternal life—because they are all about real faith in God.

            Another important aspect of Abraham’s example is the way he treated others, and how he conducted his financial transactions.  Abraham met things scripturally and in a Christ-like way hundreds of years before the New Testament was written.  He allowed God to control every decision he made.

            We all have the same power of choice, and God only asks that we be willing to trust Him as Abraham trusted Him.  God provides the divine light and ability—we are responsible for only one thing—to choose to follow this Bible example.

            The Bible records the magnificent results that came from making the right choice; and also reveals the horrible results from making the wrong choice.  Abraham received blessings from the Lord, instead of afflictions of the devil, because he made right choices.

            We are all responsible for how we choose in divine matters—whatever the results are, it was the way we chose.  Wrong choices lead to the lake of fire, and scriptural choices lead to God’s kingdom.  The power to choose is squarely in our hands—neither God nor man can change that.

            Satan does everything he can to convince the average Christian that people in the Bible—like Abraham, Elijah, Daniel, the apostle Paul, and others—had something special about them; something we cannot have.  That is a serious deception and lie, because anyone can have the same results, since God is the same and has no favorites.

            James 5:17-18 “Elijah was a man just like us.  He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.  Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”  If we pray in the same faith, we can have the same results, because God is no respecter of persons Acts 10:34.  It is not the kind of person we are, but the kind of God we have.

            Abraham’s example includes divine healing and financial trust.  Both of these principles of trust on God were the cornerstone of Jesus’ ministry, even though the majority of proclaimed Christians—then and today—reject these two faith principles.  Jesus said “your faith has healed you” Matthew 9:22 in many verses, and Matthew 6:19 “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,” so we could trust God in faith.

            God said to Abraham Genesis 12:1-2 “‘Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you.  I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.’”

            God promised to give Abraham a land; a prominent name; be a great nation; and become a blessing to everyone on earth.  It took a great faith to believe, because at that time, Abraham had no child, and his wife was well along in years.  God has already fulfilled many promises—the nation of Israel; Abraham’s name is revered by Jews, Moslems, Christians, even unbelievers; and the world is blessed with a Jewish Savior.

            Those building the Tower of Babel wanted to make a name for themselves, but doing so in their own strength and by their own pride—so it failed.  Genesis 11:4 “They said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth.’”  Abraham trusted God in faith, and was given a famous name as promised.

            Jesus taught that if we are not scriptural financially, then we would be unscriptural spiritually—and thus, not have God’s true righteousness.  Luke 16:11 “If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?”

            God taught Abraham about a life of faith and of total dependence on Him for everything; which God will do for anyone who is willing to believe and act in faith.  There is a beginning and a progressing to this state of dependence on God.  There must be the death of the self-life and the birth of a new-life.  We are to be humble and submissive to God’s will, and be ready to change anything outside of His will.  We are to be contented where God has placed us and remain pliable in His hands.

            Abraham accepted God’s financial plan, so he made a right start on the path of trust.  Abraham and his nephew lived in Canaan, and their herdsmen—being controlled by the devil as most people are—began fighting and arguing over land rights.  Abraham hears of it, and knows that God would supply whatever was needed, so he responds in a scriptural way.

            Genesis 13:8 “Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.”  In taking that attitude, Abraham was fulfilling Scripture that would be written.  Hebrews 12:14 “Persistently strive for peace with all men, and for that growth in holiness apart from which no one will see the Lord.”

            It is difficult, naturally, to give others the best, the most, and good measure, but Abraham always kept his eyes on God.  He did not want any of his people to act in a way that would dishonor God, so he persistently strove to settle the matter peacefully.  He said Genesis 13:9 “Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate.  If you want that area over there, then I’ll stay here.  If you want to stay in this area, then I’ll move on to another place.”

            He gave Lot first choice; to take the best and the most, if that is what he wanted.  Lot took him at his word, and chose the most favorable portion of land for cattle, and which would provide a profitable market.  Abraham took what was left—a land that was not so fertile, and not close to any market; but he knew that God would make up for any loss, if he did the scriptural thing in this matter.

            Making the choice in God’s favor, always pays in the end; Genesis 13:14-15 “The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, ‘Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west.  All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.’”

            We often have the opportunity to do likewise—and may God, by His mercy and grace, enable us to give the most, the best, and extra-measure to others—while we take the least, the worst, and what is left.  Abraham had a right to choose the best, but he let someone else go first.  He gave Lot the best—that was the death of self for Abraham—that hidden enemy of his soul was gone from his life.

            The paramount issue in all of this; and the most important result of all that far out-weighs all the land, money, and possessions this world could offer, is what Jesus told us about faith, trust, and believing His Word.  He said that faith like the centurion’s Matthew 8:11 would enable anyone to, “sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.”  Abraham already has his reward!