God or Gold?

Still looking at Genesis chapter 24, we are told that Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son Isaac. The servant met Rebekah at a well, when she gave him water to drink, and also watered his camels, that was a sure sign that she was the one.

When she had finished, the man took an expensive gold ring and put it in her nose and put two large gold bracelets on her arms. He said, “Please tell me who your father is. Is there room in his house for my men and me to spend the night? – Genesis 24:22-23 (GNT)

Rebekah could hardly wait to relate to her mother and family, all that had happened at the well. She was highly motivated.

The young woman ran to her mother's house and told the whole story. Now Rebecca had a brother named Laban, and he ran outside to go to the well where Abraham's servant was. Laban had seen the nose ring and the bracelets on his sister's arms and had heard her say what the man had told her. He went to Abraham's servant, who was standing by his camels at the well, and said, “Come home with me. You are a man whom the Lord has blessed. Why are you standing out here? I have a room ready for you in my house, and there is a place for your camels.”  – Genesis 24:28-31 (GNT)

Laban, Rebekah’s brother, could hardly wait to entertain the man who was bearing gifts of gold. He was highly motivated.

Both were highly motivated but for vastly different reasons.

We have already established that Abraham typifies the Father, Isaac the Son, typifies Jesus, the servant, the Spirit and Rebekah, the bride. But who does Laban represent?

Laban, Rebekah’s brother, is symbolic of the world and its way of thinking, with its lust for riches and endless grasping for the material. 

Laban was focused on the gifts of gold and ran to the servant, while Rebekah was focused on the father and the son and ran to give her testimony.

They both had room for the servant but for vastly different reasons.

Too many sitting in congregations today are like Laban, inviting the Servant in only for the gold with no genuine commitment to the Father and the Son.

Rebekah’s heart was turned to the Son; the moment she agreed to a commitment, the Servant showered her with precious gifts of gold.

Laban’s heart was turned to himself; he acknowledged God but never made a genuine commitment yet sought the gold.

Same gift, two vastly different responses.

Beloved, you can be drawn to the Spirit without saying yes to God. How many are sitting in congregations seeking the gold but not saying “yes” to God? Examine your heart. Have you made a genuine commitment? Have you chosen God or gold?

Amen †

Shelley Johnson “God or Gold?” © 2026 August 27, 2026