And it came to pass at that time that Abimelech and Phichol, the commander of his army, spoke to Abraham, saying, “God is with you in all that you do". (Gen 21,22)

Abimelech did not know a personal God. One who would speak to him and have a relationship with him, one who would demand not only sacrifice, but obedience, coupled with a search for the highest possible way. With the gods he knew, "devotion to the brand" and sacrifice were enough. So he could not understand at all how Abraham approached his God and experienced the pursuit of Him. Abimelech knew nothing like that.

He therefore understood Abraham's religion only in this ver pragmatical light. Yes, God was indeed with Abraham in all that he did, but if we know something about the pursuit of Him, then unlike Abimelech, we will have to insert here "finally". God is finally with you in everything you do, Abraham. After all the years that you have been learning to follow him, which has not always been easy for you, sometimes you have strayed from the path and had to seek it again.

Abimelech understood that the gods could bless a man, make him prosper, but he did not understand that with the Lord of Abraham there exist two kind of blessing: a blessing bestowed and a blessing acquired. The bestowed is that which one receives freely from above, completely without merit. Parents give good gifts to their children, those that go the good way and those that often cause wrinkles on their foreheads. God likewise "lets his sun shine on the good and the bad" (Mt 5:45), or, referring to God's children, blesses them because of their sonship. This does not necessarily mean, however, that they are always choosing the best possible path in life.

I will use the analogy of a farmer who gives his children what they need from his abundant harvest. That is the blessing bestowed. But when the farmer considers that the time has come to pass on his farm to the heir, then it is not enough for the potential heir to meet the single criterion of being his child. He must be willing to learn from the farmer, to deny himself, to work and to know how to do things, or he will bring the whole farm and all its people to collapse. He who is willing to enter such a school and be taught by his father will then be able to enjoy gifts far greater than he would have had as a mere son, and he will be able to bless others from them.

This is an acquired blessing. It comes when God can say to a man, "Now I know I can trust you."