Genesis 13:2Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Hence, when the day commemorating Christ's betrayal by Judas arrived, we shifted our teaching to discuss the betrayer before offering insights about the cross. Then, with the onset of the resurrection day, it became essential to enlighten you on the Lord’s resurrection. Following this, we aimed to provide you with evidence of the resurrection through the miracles that occurred afterward, engaging with the Acts of the Apostles to create a continuous feast of teachings, offering daily encouragement to those who received grace through baptism.

Now, it is time to remind you of your obligation and to make satisfaction promptly. If, because of multitude of worldly cares—concerns for your spouse, your children, your daily sustenance, and other distractions—you are unaware of this debt, we are not swayed by such distractions and wish to remind you of it and fulfill our obligation. Do not be taken aback by our eagerness to settle this debt. The nature of this debt contrasts sharply with earthly wealth. In worldly matters, a debtor often hesitates to express readiness, aware that repaying a debt diminishes their resources while increasing those of the creditor. However, in the realm of spiritual debt, the situation is quite the opposite. Paying this debt enriches the debtor, while the recipient's wealth also increases. Consequently, although individuals may find repaying worldly obligations to be bothersome, here there is great gain for both payer and receiver. Blessed Paul echoes this sentiment about love when he states, “Do not remain indebted to any one for anything except mutual love” (Romans 13:8), emphasizing that this debt is perpetual and always due.

You should not be indifferent when you are inclined to receive this debt since your attentiveness enriches us, the payers, and brings greater benefit to you. Understanding that the nature of this debt is such that the more we satisfy it, the more our own resources multiply, we now reveal to you what our debt entails. This way, you may receive our message with great diligence, and acknowledging our willingness, reward us with careful attention to our forthcoming words.

What is our responsibility? Recall that we have previously discussed the events in the life of the patriarch Abraham: his journey to Egypt due to famine, the capture of Sarah by Pharaoh, and the righteous man's deliverance by God, who displayed His providential care both towards Pharaoh and his household, establishing for the patriarch a most honorable return from Egypt: “And Pharaoh gave charge of him (Abram) to the people, and they accompanied him, and his wife, and all that he had. And Abram went up out of Egypt, himself, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, southward” (Gen. 12:20; Gen. 13:1).

Having built our discourse on this foundation, we have subsequently directed our teachings toward suitable subjects aligned with that timeline. Therefore, it is essential today to restore coherence, connecting what we are about to convey with what has been shared, ensuring that our teachings are comprehensible. To make our discourse clearer, let us revisit the very beginning of the current reading: “And Abram was very rich in cattle, and silver, and gold. And he continued his journeys from the south as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had originally been between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first; and there Abram called upon the name of the Lord.” Let us approach this reading with the seriousness it deserves, striving to grasp the precision within divine Scripture, which omits nothing superfluous.

“Abram was,” it is noted, “very rich.” Observe that it does not simply declare him rich, especially given its deliberate timing; it is at this moment that we learn of his wealth, and nowhere else in the Scripture does this statement appear. The reason for this is to reveal the ingenious wisdom of God and the remarkable providence He has extended towards the righteous. He who, due to a severe famine, left Canaan for Egypt, returned not only free from famine but also "very rich," possessing “cattle,” “silver,” and “gold.” Witness the providential hand of God; Abraham sought respite from the famine and returned not simply spared but enriched and exalted, showcasing his status to all. The residents of Canaan recognized the virtue of the righteous man more clearly when they observed the dramatic transformation and the wealth of this sojourner who had ventured to Egypt in search of refuge.

Thus, he did not depart Egypt to enter the wilderness he had previously associated with Egypt, but instead journeyed south (Austr) towards the north (Aquilon) to the dwelling place of God, where his tent was pitched between Bethel and Gaius.

He possessed a Word that radiated with the brilliance of faith, purified through the grace of spiritual teachings, and a mind replete with wisdom. The virtuous mind is likened to gold, for like gold, which is superior to all other metals, it governs the other aspects of human nature. Therefore, a wise person's wealth consists of these three elements: feelings, the Word, and the mind. This hierarchy is demonstrated in the Apostle’s words: "And now these three abide: faith, hope, love; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Cor. 13:13). Consequently, the mind holds the highest place, as it grinds spiritual sustenance to refine the senses and speech. The countenance of the wise steward is ever evident. Thus, through the seemingly ordinary occurrences in Abraham’s life, significant teachings are revealed. The truly rich individual is one who enriches the reasoning of philosophers, shaping their doctrines through their conduct. Hence, Scripture illustrates his wealth.