16/11/2025
1. The Common Misconception About Abraham’s Children
Many people today call themselves “children of Abraham” because Abraham was materially rich.
Genesis 13:2 (KJV)
“And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.”
People desire Abraham’s wealth—cattle, silver, and gold—rather than understanding his true significance. But if riches made someone’s children holy, why not call ourselves children of Solomon, who was richer, or even Bill Gates today? Clearly, being “Abraham’s child” is about something greater than material wealth.
2. Paul’s Position as a True Child of Abraham (By the Flesh)
Paul himself was of Abraham’s lineage, a Hebrew of Hebrews, directly descended from Israel.
Philippians 3:4–6 (KJV)
“Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”
He also says:
Romans 9:1–5 (KJV)
“I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost, That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”
Even so, Paul teaches that Abraham was not justified by lineage or works, but by faith.
Romans 4:3 (KJV)
“For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.”
3. Wealth Without Christ Is Vanity
King Solomon surpassed Abraham in wealth, wisdom, and honor.
1 Kings 3:10–13 (KJV)
“And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days.”
Yet Solomon declared:
Ecclesiastes 2:11 (KJV)
“Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.”
This proves that wealth alone does not give true life or righteousness.
4. Abraham’s Place in Redemptive History
From Adam to Moses, death reigned because of sin.
Romans 5:12–14 (KJV)
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.”
Abraham, as the twentieth from Adam, was under the same curse of sin and death. He himself needed salvation in Christ.
The Scripture tells us of the contrast:
1 Corinthians 15:45–47 (KJV)
“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.”
5. Abraham vs. Christ: Who Is Greater?
The Jews once challenged Jesus, claiming Abraham as their father.
John 8:58 (KJV)
“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”
Abraham lived and died, but Jesus Christ lives forever, having conquered death.
Revelation 1:18 (KJV)
“I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
Conclusion: Christ is greater than Abraham. Abraham needed Christ for eternal life, just as we do.
6. Abraham’s “Righteousness by Belief”
Abraham’s faith was counted to him as righteousness.
Genesis 15:6 (KJV)
“And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.”
But this was not the fullness of righteousness in Christ—it was a shadow pointing forward.
Galatians 3:23–26 (KJV)
“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.”
7. Abraham as an Allegory
Abraham’s two sons symbolize two covenants.
Galatians 4:21–26 (KJV)
“Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bo***ge, which is Agar. For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bo***ge with her children. But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.”
This shows Abraham’s life and family were prophetic symbols pointing to Christ and His New Covenant.
8. Christ: The Fulfillment of Abraham’s Promise
Abraham rejoiced in the coming of Christ.
John 8:56 (KJV)
“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”
The promise was that through Abraham’s seed, Christ, both Jews and Gentiles would be made one.
Galatians 3:16 (KJV)
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.”
Ephesians 2:11–13 (KJV)
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.”
Key Takeaways
Being a child of Abraham is not about riches or bloodline but faith in Christ.
Abraham himself needed Christ for salvation, as death reigned from Adam until Christ came.
Abraham’s life was prophetic, an allegory pointing to Christ and His New Covenant.
Our hope is not in Abraham’s riches but in Christ Jesus, the giver of eternal life.
