Lot and Abraham had both become very rich men. They had family and many other people working for them. It was obvious that the hand of God was upon them.

We all make decisions in life. They can big or small. They can can be in an instant or over a period of time. They can be clear or surprise you. Some decisions can be good and some bad. They can be selfish or selfless. God can be consulted or not. The decisions we make have consequences. Decisions can sometimes seem attractive and then blow up in your face!

1 – The challenge of blessing (vs 1-7)

Abraham comes back to a place where he had met God before. He did not lose sight of God, despite his riches. This is in stark contrast to Lot! Abraham did not take his eye off the giver. It was the wealth that caused Abraham and Lot to break up. There was constant squabbling from their family and workers. Riches can be a curse when you leave God out of it. Blessings can bring many challenges!

2 – Choices having consequences (vs 8-13)

Abraham gives the first choice to Lot. Lot does not build an altar and ask God. He is selfish and picks the best ground for himself. Despite the fact that Abraham was his senior and he should have refused. He pitches his tent dangerously close to Sodom. Here are some things we need to consider when making choices:-

•  Look beyond the immediate – Sodom was already a very evil city. It was a ticking time bomb, an earthquake waiting to happen!
• Don’t underestimate the impact of bad choices – Lot would lose all. God does not always want you to be wealthy. In the spiritual bank Lot had a balance of about zero! Abraham paused to consider God and Lot did not.
• The greater the choice, the greater the responsibility – Sodom is an evil city and will soon come under the judgment of God. Lot goes east and Abraham stays in the land of Canaan. Canaan may not have been the best land, but it was God’s land of promise. After the destruction of Sodom, Canaan would be the best land around!

3 – The blessing of humility (vs 14-18)

Abraham appears to have not got the best deal at the start.

• The promise of inheritance – God divides it up and gives it all away to Abraham.
• The priority of worship – Abraham builds another altar. It is all in God’s will. Abraham looks beyond the immediate. He looks beyond the physical. Abraham is looking for heaven. See Hebrews 11:8-12.
• Future blessings will come to many generations of Abraham’s line because he made the right decision and trusted God.

Categories: Genesis