Text: Genesis 13: 1-13
Money can wreck a family.
I have watched children fight over their parent’s inheritance even before the funeral is over.
I have seen husbands and wives fight over the checkbook.
All of us have seen a child pout when he can’t have a toy he saw on television or in the store.
It is all about selfishness.
We don’t care who gets slighted as long as we get what we want.
When Christians have disputes like that, the reputation of the Lord suffers. The outside world looks at those families and wonders
why anyone would want to be a Christian. People notice the conflict and miss the acts of loving kindness done by Christians.
why anyone would want to be a Christian. People notice the conflict and miss the acts of loving kindness done by Christians.
One battle can keep dozens of people away from the grace of our loving God.
- Success brought arguing between the workmen of Abram and Lot.
Abram and Lot left Egypt as wealthy men. This becomes a test of Abraham’s character. Like all of us, he must deal with the problems that come with success. - Abram is determined to be a peacemaker.
His family was important to him and so he lets Lot divide the land between them. Abram has faith and trusts the Lord to take care of him no matter which piece of land he receives. The land was vast and there is no reason to fight. - Lot seized the opportunity and grabbed what he considered to be the better land.
His heart was centered on wealth. Lot had moved out of Egypt, but continued to want the pleasures that he had experienced in Egypt.
Abram thinks of the family, but Lot thinks of himself. The miracle of our Lord is that it takes just one person, like Abram, to live humbly and diffuse the situation. He trusts the Lord to take care of him. If we would have this attitude in our dealings with others, our life would be happier and families would be stronger.
“Who have you quarreled with lately and how can you change the situation to honor God and help others?”
No comments:
Post a Comment