A STUDY OF THE MAN LOT – ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD! (GENESIS 12-13)

Dear Members in Christ,

A study of the man Lot – all that glitters is not gold! (Genesis 12-13)

The Bible tells us that every good and perfect gift is from God, the father of lights (James 1:17). What about earthly blessings of prosperity and wealth? Are these gifts from God as well? We must understand that wealth (like most material things) is morally neutral on its own. What is more important is the heart condition of the one who desires wealth or the one who possesses wealth. The heart condition and desire will truly determine how having wealth will result in the person’s life. In today’s article, we shall see that it is our response to wealth and the way we chart the course of our lives that determine the outcome of having obtained that wealth.

“Unto the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.” Genesis 13:4-6

It is quite apparent that God had blessed Abram. The above passage of the Bible describes Abram in a way which highlights his spiritual life, his worship and devotion to God in building an altar. He “called on the name of the Lord” which means that he is in communion with God, praying to the Lord, and seeking the Lord’s will in his daily walk. From this point, the passage switches focus to his nephew Lot, for he “had flocks, and herds, and tents”. Livestock and people will need to live off the land. The providential hand of God had given them so much that the resource in the land can no longer sustain both Lot and Abraham’s livestock.

Abraham showed his generosity and grace by offering Lot the first choice of the land. In Genesis 13:9, he said, “Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.” It is an offer for Lot to go ahead and take first choice. What did Lot do… read on…

A. Lot chose the well-watered land – close to Sodom 

The description of how Lot made his choice tells us of his heart’s condition and his attitude over physical things. In life, we often see that the godly influence over younger charges does not necessarily translate into men and women who become spiritually mature Christians. The Bible tells us that Lot saw the rich plains and the Bible describes what he saw in a way which brings out the motivation for his choice.

“And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.” Genesis 13:10,11

Lot beheld the well-watered plains, definitely a good choice for sustaining his growing flocks. It was as the Bible says, “even as the garden of the LORD.” Surely there is nothing wrong in looking after one’s interest in growing wealth and preserving one’s own assets? So, when the uncle and nephew separated ways, “and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.” (Genesis 13:12), thus was Lot attracted to Sodom.

Dearly beloved, be wise and view life’s choices through spiritual eyes. Lot chose wealth and the riches of Sodom, ignoring the spiritual decadence. Beloved, let us be wise in our life choices.

B. The Bible describes the men of Sodom as “wicked and sinners before the Lord”

In the nomadic style of livestock rearing, one has to be ready to move and pitch tents wherever the need arises. As pasture land becomes depleted, the whole camp has to uproot and move. Lot, we are told pitched “towards Sodom”. In a progressive manner, he moved closer and closer to Sodom. He was edging himself and his family and people closer towards men who were “wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.”

While we are called to be responsible stewards; wealth, assets, material goods must not be the sole preoccupation of the believers. We must guard against coveting and depending on wealth. Lot had “flocks, herds and tents” meaning that he was well provisioned and wealthy. Yet, when he had to make a choice, it was without spiritual wisdom. He felt no abhorrence to be close to a place of wickedness and sin. Abram on the other hand viewed wealth with detachment. The uncle Abram allowed Lot to take the best pasture. Lot on the other hand was lured by greener pastures and greater wealth.

Brothers and sisters, may God give us wisdom to guard against making covetous decisions. Whether in career, in business, in family decisions, view each instance with spiritual eyesight. May God bless and protect His people. Amen.   

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor