John Calvin Commentary Genesis 13:1

"And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the South." — Genesis 13:1 (ASV)

And Abram went up out of Egypt. At the beginning of the chapter, Moses commemorates the goodness of God in protecting Abram, so it came about that he not only returned in safety but also took great wealth with him. It should also be noted that when he was leaving Egypt, abounding in cattle and treasures, he was allowed to pursue his journey in peace. Indeed, it is surprising that the Egyptians would permit what Abram had acquired among them to be taken elsewhere.

Moses next shows that riches proved no sufficient obstacle to prevent Abram from continually keeping his proposed goal in view and from moving towards it with unwavering pace. We know how much even a moderate share of wealth hinders many from raising their heads towards heaven, while those who truly possess abundance not only lie torpid in their idleness but are entirely buried in the earth.

Therefore, Moses places Abram's virtue in contrast with the common vice of others when he relates that Abram was not to be prevented by any obstacles from seeking the land of Canaan again. For he might (like many others) have been able to flatter himself with some plausible pretext, such as that since God, from whom he had received extraordinary blessings, had been favorable and kind to him in Egypt, it was right for him to remain there.

But he does not forget what had been divinely commanded him; and, therefore, as one unhindered, he hastens to the place where he is called. Therefore, the rich are deprived of all excuse if they are so rooted in the earth that they do not heed God's call.

Two extremes, however, must be guarded against here. Many equate angelic perfection with poverty, as if it were impossible to cultivate piety and serve God unless riches are thrown away. Few, indeed, imitate Crates the Theban, who threw his treasures into the sea because he did not think he could be saved unless they were lost. Yet many fanatics repel rich men from the hope of salvation, as if poverty were the only gate to heaven—though poverty itself sometimes involves people in more hindrances than riches.

But Augustine wisely teaches us that the rich and poor are gathered together in the same inheritance of life, because poor Lazarus was received into the bosom of rich Abraham.

On the other hand, we must beware of the opposite evil, lest riches become a stumbling block in our way, or so burden us that we advance less readily towards the kingdom of heaven.