Lot Chose Selfishness-Greed

Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere—this was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah—like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go to Zoar. [11] So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan, and Lot journeyed eastward. Thus they separated from each other.

Most of us have  experienced long lines at some point in life. Our selfish nature kicks in and we may try to cut in line. I see this on the highway in rush hour where traffic is jammed only to see a vehicle cutting everyone down the breakdown lane.

I remember I was driving to Cape Cod in the summer a few years back by the bridge. Guess who was waiting for them? You guessed it, The State Trooper! Several people were busted and the cars driving by them felt a sigh of relief.

Lot who was Abram’s nephew chose the luscious land of the Jordan Valley.

He saw and took with his eyes. In other words he was tempted because he looked at the now. He took out of selfishness and greed. This land mingled with the wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. Although the herdsmen of both sides wanted the land there was temptation and conflict on both sides. Lots heart was hard and he craved that land and cattle! Be careful what you ask for or crave because you just might get it, even when you compromise your character and convictions.

There is nothing wrong with having wealth or passing things, but if they possess us or all you may think about is money 💰 and keep hoarding more it can and will cause problems. Some people work hard for where they are at. While others lie, cheat, steal, manipulate. even lose best of friends or family over bad business dealings. Notice many fall into the snares and traps ending in heartache.

1 Timothy 6:9-10
[9] But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. [10] For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

Money or possessions are not necessarily evil. It’s the love of money, the love of things that possess us, that can destroy us or some of the friendship we used to have or cherish. May I just add compulsive gambling has destroyed many relationships, families, homes, friends, business partners. etc. “Many foolish and harmful desires. Plunge men and women into ruin”!

Notice,  Abram who was the uncle gave him first choice. (Read Genesis ch. 12-13. He made the right choice by acting selfless. He was content. Accepting whatever part of the land that it was God’s will. He could have chosen first but Abram considered the Lord in his decision.

“Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled in the cities of the valley, and moved his tents as far as Sodom. [13] Now the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord. [14] The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward; [15] for all the land which you see, I will give it to you and to your descendants forever. [16] I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth, so that if anyone can number the dust of the earth, then your descendants can also be numbered. [17] Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you.” [18] Then Abram moved his tent and came and dwelt by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord. Genesis 13:12-18

To wind this down, notice Abram built an altar while Lot’s choice land was destroy, devoured by the enemy, being near and aligned with Sodom. He lost his wife as she looked back. But Abram kept his heart on the Lord. Life is not as flashy as our culture wants us to think. If I want to learn and grow in anything with my choices. I want to learn and choose to be content in every aspect of my life. I want to be selfless and more of a servant in this life and in God’s kingdom. How about you my friend?

Enjoy this day and coming week. My challenge to you is to study 1 Timothy 6:6-11 in different translations of the Bible and break several of the key words down and ask the Lord to show you where you have failed, or where can you grow in Christ.

May each of us learn to be content.