Giving was the third trait of Abraham. He was a giver – a sacrificial one at that. This trait is worth emphasizing these days when a self-styled “woke” generation is bashing giving. It is worth reiterating that without doing Abraham’s works, we have no true claim to his blessing. Abraham gave of his substance. Several factors made Abraham’s action spectacular. First, there was an eagerness on his part. Genesis 18:2 says Abraham ran to greet the men standing in the distance. In our text, we see him entreating the visitors to accept his hospitality. Worthy of note also is the fact that he showed this extreme courtesy to people he never met before.
God wants us to be givers like Abraham, with cheerful hearts. “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7). We also notice that Abraham gave liberally. When we give, we should bear in mind that that will determine the measure of returns. If it is small, we will have a small return; and if it is bountiful, so shall the harvest be as well. The scripture speaks of opening our hearts and homes to others: “Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2). This must be a reference to what Abraham did. Your liberality can affect people profoundly and open doors of favour for you.