But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’— except only what the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre; let them take their portion.” (Gen 14,22-24)

Abram gave up a share of the spoils of war, which would make him perhaps the richest man far and wide - let's repeat that even if Sodom had only hundreds of inhabitants, then, converted to today's conditions, its fortune must have been at least dozens of millions of dollars. Abram renounced them, even though he would be entitled to them. After all, the world armies behave like that to this day - in the conquered territory they simply appropriate what they want. Let alone in ancient times and uncivilized tribes!

However, because of the reputation, Abram decided to bear the loss and not enrich himself in a way that was not his own. With a conscience before God, he did not want to be associated with the fact that being a foreigner in the land he became rich appropriating the property of the local city. He knew it would arouse resentment and envy. Nevertheless, if he cared primarily for property, he could have it. After all, much of our heart will be revealed in situations when we can do something, but we will give it up. Emphasis on the word could - not had to. If it is a "must" and those who are forced submit to Christian morality, their personality suffers from it, gradually shrinking and casting gray shadows. The life of victory is different: we could return the blow, but we find bigger grace. I could get rich, but I don't take advantage of the situation. No, I don't have to, but I can make a step beyond ordinary morality - that's the essence of the Sermon on the Mount. Thus I am stronger than circumstances, not a slave of a higher will, like someone who has no choice but to submit.

Abram decided to be noble, but just as it often happens to us, he was in a situation in which he was not alone. He could not demand that those who supported him in the fight (the surrounding tribes related to him by treaty) would show the same generosity to the spoils of war as he did. Therefore, although he did not take the share himself, he let them take it. A true greatness of a person does not force its way on others. If someone wants to walk higher, he does not force others to do the same, he only shows them the way. And if his nobility means bearing a loss (and it does almost always), he does not demand it from others when they themselves are not willing.