Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. (13:1)
The problem was Abram and Lot had too much stuff. So they had to separate. Nice problem to have. This is one of my favorite stories about this man, Abram: that he gave Lot the first choice in which way to go. Abram was Lot's Uncle, obviously blessed by God and a patriarch among men, but he was humble and faith-filled enough to allow Lot to make the first choice in what land he wanted. He could have said "Go South for 50 days and that is where you may dwell, for the Lord gave me this land" or "I will take this you take that" or "Go over there, fool". But Abram trusted that no matter what land Lot chose, God's promise would prevail- He would still bless Abram and make him great nation.
Abram showed true generosity here. His magnanimous heart gave his God-given right and privilege over to someone else. That's pretty difficult for me to do if you want to know the truth. Sometimes, I admit, I can be a little bit selfish, a little bit greedy, a little bit of a hoarder. I hate it. I hate being that way because it does me no good at all. It just makes me small and guilty and alone with whatever I thought I couldn't live without. For years I've been trying, with supernatural power behind me, to give. Generously. Pressed down overflowing generosity. Whatever I have that someone might want, or time, or effort, I am learning to be a giver. Do you think when I do that I get what Lot got (living near exceeding wickedness?). No way. I get what the Lord gave Abram- blessing. Every time.
The problem was Abram and Lot had too much stuff. So they had to separate. Nice problem to have. This is one of my favorite stories about this man, Abram: that he gave Lot the first choice in which way to go. Abram was Lot's Uncle, obviously blessed by God and a patriarch among men, but he was humble and faith-filled enough to allow Lot to make the first choice in what land he wanted. He could have said "Go South for 50 days and that is where you may dwell, for the Lord gave me this land" or "I will take this you take that" or "Go over there, fool". But Abram trusted that no matter what land Lot chose, God's promise would prevail- He would still bless Abram and make him great nation.
Abram showed true generosity here. His magnanimous heart gave his God-given right and privilege over to someone else. That's pretty difficult for me to do if you want to know the truth. Sometimes, I admit, I can be a little bit selfish, a little bit greedy, a little bit of a hoarder. I hate it. I hate being that way because it does me no good at all. It just makes me small and guilty and alone with whatever I thought I couldn't live without. For years I've been trying, with supernatural power behind me, to give. Generously. Pressed down overflowing generosity. Whatever I have that someone might want, or time, or effort, I am learning to be a giver. Do you think when I do that I get what Lot got (living near exceeding wickedness?). No way. I get what the Lord gave Abram- blessing. Every time.
Blessed by your giving constantly!
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