Wealth Tests Our Decision Making….
WEALTH TESTS OUR DECISIONS
Genesis 13: 1 Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the South. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 And he went on his journey from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the LORD.
5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. 6 Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock.
Lotto is so popular in Australia today with millions spending millions hoping to win that grand prize. Many people dream of winning the first prize and many conversations occur on what each one would do if they actually won the big prize.
If money was the cure of happiness, the answer to everyone’s dreams, then it should be then that every rich person should be happy! But we know this is definitely not true.
But wealth is also a moot question. In some countries, having a cow is being wealthy. In other’s, having an education is seen as being wealthy. For us in Australia who live in our own home, one statistician puts such people in the top 3% of the wealthiest people on the planet.
What is your view on wealth? How does it impact your life?
In the Book of Genesis two people had two different responses to wealth.
Abram and Lot, each had a very different response to wealth.
Abram had learned his lesson, he looks beyond his money pouch to God.
Lot, sadly had no such devotion, it says in verse 5….he also had flocks and herds….yet his need for God is not apparent to him.
Lot’s heart was centred on wealth and worldly achievement, while Abram wanted ONLY to please the Lord.
Abram too had acquired wealth along the way, but it never became important to him.
For Lot, however, the wealth and the prestige it brought became his reason for living.
Friction came because of the spiritual direction each had chosen to go in life!
Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed?
Abram wanted to walk closely with God and enjoy fellowship with Him.
Lot wanted a friendship with God like his uncle had, but he also wanted friendship with the world.
The Apostle James warns us about this, ……Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God. – James 4:4
Lot wanted it both ways!
He had a knowledge of God and knew what was right, but he was weak.
He didn’t want to make a stand, and tended to lean on Abram for strength.
Abram walked with God.
Lot walked with Abram.
Today’s modern believer – similar often – they know what is right and deep-down want to know God. But there is a weakness in their faith and character.
They need other believers to constantly prop them up, or they will fall.
At the same time they have a fascination with the world and flirt on the edges of sin!
Lot was riding along on his uncle’s spiritual coat tails. But it didn’t work.
You cannot live off another person’s faith – God has no grandchildren.
The thing that kept Abram from sin was his friendship with God – walking with God, talking with God and enjoying His presence.
It was his love for God that kept EVERYTHING ELSE in PERSPECTIVE!
Decisions made purely on wealth can lead to a most tragic path. But by keeping God between you and all decisions will always see you walking on the path He has planned for you. And it is blessed!
I pray this week that your love for Jesus Christ will keep your perspective on wealth in the right place. That right place is acknowledging that every blessing you have ever received has come from God – and He needs to be thanked for His love, mercy and grace.
James 1:17 – Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father ……..