We need to learn to choose wisely (Genesis 13)

He was very good at his job.  He felt validated every time he was offered a promotion.  But he failed to see what his devotion to work was costing his wife.  He spent little time at home.  He was distracted when he was with her.  They slowly grew apart.

She had wanted to wait until marriage.  But her boyfriend said, ‘if you love me you will sleep with me.’  She was only in her teens.  In truth they never had that much in common.  When the relationship ended she simply felt used.

He knew he shouldn’t pick up his phone while driving, then he swerved into the oncoming car.  It started with some ‘harmless’ flirting, it ended her marriage.  He never controlled his appetite, until he had a heart attack.

The New Testament warns us that we reap what we sow.  We often have to live with the consequences of foolish decisions.  As we look at this morning’s reading we will learn how to choose wisely.

1.      Choosing wisely might mean letting go of your rights (1-9)

Some people are messy.  I don’t mean untidy.  I mean uncomfortable.  Wherever they go they bring a little chaos.  Their bad decisions impact those around them.  They cause their families a lot of worry.  I think Lot was one of those people.

It’s not clear whether Abram should have brought Lot to Canaan.  After all God had told Abram to leave his family and go.  But we also read that Lot’s father had died, so Abram may have felt a responsibility to look after his nephew.

Like many family problems it began with money matters.  Their flocks and herds had expanded.  Their possessions had grown so much that they could not dwell together.  Their herdsmen were arguing with each other.  Something had to be done.

So, Abram takes the initiative and addresses the situation.  In order that there would be no strife between them, he suggests they separate.  Notice that Abram does not assert his seniority.  He gives Lot the choice of which land to take.

Wisdom doesn’t demand its rights.  My mum taught me try to leave the biggest piece of cake for someone else, a lesson my family will tell you I often ignore.  It might be best not to fight for your share of the inheritance.  It might be best to overlook their lack of thankfulness.  It might be best to let someone else take the credit.  If you do refuse to assert your rights, make sure you are are depending on God for the strength to do so graciously.

I was living in Northern Ireland thirty years ago when the Drumcree dispute was at its height.  I knew Orangemen who said that they had the right to walk down that road.  Some of these were Christians who knew the Sermon on the Mount, but somehow didn’t feel that turning the other cheek and going the extra mile applied in their situation.  I also saw that the Garvaghy Road is a wide road, with very few houses facing on to it.  Both sides demanded their rights.  Neither side would give way to the other.  The resulting violence left six people dead, including three children.

2.       Choosing wisely involves seeing spiritually (10-13)

‘And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the land of Egypt … (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah)’ (10).  ‘… Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as far as Sodom.  Now the men of Sodom were wicked, great sinners against the ’LORD' (13).

Lot saw the advantages of that place, but not the dangers.  He saw the opportunities of the fertile land but not the menace of the people who lived there.  Bad company corrupts good character.  In a few chapters we will see Lot thoroughly integrated in the community of Sodom, as he sits among the leaders at the city gate.  Sodom would cost Lot the respect of his daughters and the life of his wife. 

Why was Lot so careless in his choice of where to live?  He was careless because he didn’t see things spiritually.  ‘Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.   In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight’ (Prov. 3:5-6).   Don’t simply choose the career that will give you the most money or status.  Don’t simply seek to live in the place that offers the easiest way of life.  Don’t let your hobbies take you away from the fellowship you need with other believers.   Trust God to supply your needs.  Seek the applause of heaven rather than the approval of society.

However, God’s paths won’t always lead you away from pain or difficulty.  Don’t assume that you are on the wrong path when you face troubles of many kinds.  Rejoice in the fact that your Heavenly Father delights when you put Him first.  Rejoice in in the fact that he will bring you through many trials to refine your faith. 

3.      Choosing wisely keeps eternity in view (14-18)

‘The LORD said to Abram … “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring for ever’ (14-15).  All the Promised Land will be his. 

Lot had lifted up his eyes and saw what he could take.  God lifted up Abram’s eyes and showed him what He would give.  Then God reaffirms His promise of offspring to Abram: ‘I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring can also be counted’ (16).

But Abram doesn’t inherit the Promised Land during his life.  So how can God say, ‘I will give it to you’ (17)?  The writer to the Hebrews explains that Abram looked forward to a better country, a heavenly one (Hebrews 11:16).  Abram can give away part of the land to Lot because he has something better to look forward to.  Abram can trust God, no matter where Lot chooses, because he knows that God will deliver on His promise.

We don’t have to demand our rights, and we don’t have to strive to grasp everything that world has on offer, because we have something better.  We have every spiritual blessing in Christ, and we are focused on an eternal home.  The applause of people will fade, the approval of heaven remains.  The riches of the world depreciate, the treasures of heaven give an eternal return.  Our worldly achievements won’t follow us beyond the grave, but Jesus will reward us for all that we have done for His name.  Choosing wisely remembers eternity!

Conclusion

Some people are messy.  I don’t mean untidy.  I mean uncomfortable.  Wherever they go they bring a little chaos.  But do you know who was really good with messy people?  Jesus was really good with messy people!

Becoming a tax-collector in the Roman world, where tax-collecting was tied to extortion and corruption, was not a good choice.  Being a prostitute, in any culture, is not a good choice.  Sexual sins have all sorts of consequences.  But Jesus was a friend of tax-collectors and sexual sinners! 

The truth is that all of us make countless poor decisions, because we all choose to do things that dishonour and disappoint God.  Before we become too impatient with messy people remember the infinite grace that God has shown to us in our mess.  Ask Him for the strength to be patient with messy people. 

We do reap what we sow.  There can be painful consequences to our foolish choices.  But the Old Testament also tells us of a God who replaces the years that the locusts ate, and who makes beauty out of ashes.  So, bring Jesus your mess.  He is the creator who makes order out of chaos.  He brings people to their senses in the pigsty.  He can enable you to grow in godliness as you to trust Him in the midst of the mess of your own making.  As we bring him our failed parents, and our failed parenting, He can still work it for good.  We bring him your past and let Him rewrite your future.