Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Evening Sermon Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/ev/ev19990912.htm

GENESIS: THE SOURCES OF GOOD AND CALAMITY IN OUR ORIGINS
Part III - God's Ongoing Program Of Countering Man's Apostasy At Babel
C. Round Two: The Battle Of Faith Regarding One's POSSESSIONS
(Genesis 13:5-14:24)
  1. Introduction
    1. Jesus said that all the Gentiles seek after material possessions, constantly looking for food, drink and clothing, Matthew 6:31-32a. Many seem to make the acquisition of things life's most significant quest, and battle other people, t he market, their relatives, etc. to make sure they get their fair share of the "pie."
    2. However, Jesus said the Father knows we have need of all these things. We are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things would be added unto us, Matthew 6:32b -33.
    3. Abram gave us an excellent example of this life of faith regarding things that counters the self-help efforts of faithless Nimrodian apostasy begun back in Genesis 11 as follows (Genesis 13:5-18):
  2. The Battle Of Faith Regarding One's POSSESSIONS, Genesis 13:5-14:24.
    1. Abram's trip into Egypt led to his being a much wealthier man in terms of gold, silver and livestock, Gen. 12:16, 20; 13:1-2. He received a large, irrevoked dowry for Sarai, gaining servants and livestock, 20:16!
    2. However, this influx of wealth and possessions coupled with the famine in the land made for a crisis:
      1. Abram had initially left Palestine for Egypt due to a famine in the land, Gen. 12:10.
      2. Well, with his return from Egypt meaning he possessed that much more livestock for the impoverished fields to feed, and with the land already being used by the Canaanites (13:7b), there just was not enough room for the grasslands to hold both Abram's and his nephew's animals, Genesis13:2, 5-6, 7b.
      3. As a result, a conflict arose between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot, creating a crisis, Gen. 13:7a.
    3. Seeking to protect their relationship, Abram suggested separation from Lot geographically, Gen. 13:8-9a.
    4. However, instead of struggling to hold onto the best of the land as the faithless, self-help mentality of the world might be, Abram put himself at "risk" in allowing Lot to choose whatever land he desired, letting Abram take what was left, Genesis 13:9b!
    5. The reason Abram did what the world might think is an unwise economic thing to do was because of his faith in God's promised material provisions:
      1. Initially, God had promised to bless Abram in the Abrahamic Covenant in Genesis 12:2-3.
      2. Well, Abram had already seen God work miraculously to give him lots of animals and servants as a dowry for Sarai and not have to give it back to Pharaoh in Egypt, Gen. 12:16-20; 13:2.
      3. Thus, the initial promise plus the evidence of God's keeping it by graciously and bountifully proving Abram with such possessions in his run-in with Pharaoh emboldened him to let Lot choose the land without fear that he himself would go bankrupt in the process!
    6. In the end, though Lot made the choice the world would make, Abram came out the possessions winner:
      1. Lot saw the richly irrigated lowlands of the Jordan River Valley, and chose that place for his herds, Genesis 13:10-11. He pitched his tent near Sodom, Genesis 13:12b.
      2. Abram responded by staying upland in Canaan, Genesis 13:12a.
      3. Well, God stepped in to promise Abram would one day own all that he saw from his perch, including not only the land he was on, but also that belonging to where Lot's herds now grazed, 13:14-15! Additionally, Abram's descendants would be numerous to possess all that territory, 13:16, s o Abram was to walk through the land and stake a claim in it for his heirs, Genesis 13:17-18.
      4. Besides, Abram was left gaining the possessions of the owners of the Jordan River at Lot's expense:
        1. After moving to Sodom, Lot was taken captive with the city states there by invaders, Gen. 14:1-12.
        2. Abram rescued Lot from these invaders, and ended up keeping the booty from most of what had been taken captive except what belonged to the wicked king of Sodom, Gen. 14:13-16, 23!
Lesson: Abram's faith that God would keep His promise to bless him materially allowed him room to avoid being a land-grabber in preference to protecting his relationships with others. God in turn blessed Abram by giving him right to all the land p lus its loot as a reward!

Application: If we seek God's kingdom and His righteousness, He will add to us all we need by way of material possessions so that we don't have to sacrifice relationships to grasp after material possessions!