4/24/22 - Lot’s Values and Abram’s War - Genesis 13-14 - Pastor Jason Fritz

So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. Genesis 13:1-2

This is the first time wealth is mentioned in the Bible. The Bible doesn’t view wealth as inherently good or evil, rather it is neutral. What makes it good or bad is the way it is used and its effects upon you and others. Contrary to popular belief, money is not "the root of all evil.” However, "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil,” (1 Timothy 6:10). This proves to be true in Lot’s life. 
 
When he and Abram part ways, Lot will choose for himself and his livestock the prime parts of the land. Abram gets the leftovers but he trusts that God will provide what he needs. Lot’s selfish decision is the best possible way to grow his net worth…so he thinks. However, Lot’s value system proves disastrous. It puts him in close proximity with those who will eventually take him as a prisoner of war. This separation proves to be a good thing for Abram, but for Lot it was bad. 
 
There are healthy separations in life.

Uncle Abram steps in to clean up the mess. (After graciously deferring to Lot over the land deal.) He leads a team of soldiers to free Lot and his family. Sometimes you have to bring a righteous fight to bring peace. The Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer said, “For a Christian to be a pacifist in a fallen and broken world means that we would desert the people who need our help the most.” Abram and his men get the job done.

We should value what God values which are things not of this world. These are things of eternal consequence. After a few bad decisions, we see Abram trusting God more and more. We see his faith growing. The example is for us.