The Dermott news., 1918-10-10
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNlAXSQl00L
 LESSON CBy REV. r. R FlrZW ATER. n. D, Teacher Of English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chicaso) (Copyright 1918 Western Newspaper
 Unlpnl
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 13
ABRAMS GENEROUS TREATMENT
 OF LOT.

LESSON TEXT-Genesis l3:l-r: Hl4-le
 GOLDEN TEXr-A friend loveth at all times and n brother Is born for adver- sity.-Proverbs 1T:l7
 DEVOTIONAL READING-Romans g. l2-21
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEACHERs-Genesis 12:lo-14 c4. lS:l6-a3 i9.9.
 |. Abram and Lot Return From Egypt (yv. 1-D.
 Ahram went into Egypt because of a famine. No doubt the famine was sent in judgment for the sins of the people. but also for Abrams sake. He needed the graces of his heart developed. He needed to be taught the weakness of his own heart, and the faithfulnesS of God. The child of God is not prom isCd exemption from trials, but grace sufficient to endure them. Abram failed. In the midst of his trials he went off to Egypt without Gods direc- tion, where he got into trouble. To take ones own way always brings him into trouble. His expedient to save his life was unworthy of Ahram. He lied, and He is never justifiahle. It Is much better to die than to lie. Abram by prevnrication deceived the king. but as soon as the truth was known he was thrust out. Though Ahram had strayed from the path way of faith. he had the good sense to go unto the place where his tent had been in the beginning. where the altar was" This showed that he was willing to confess his mistake, and be- gin life over again. This Egypt expe- rtcnce was n loss spiritually to Abram, though he became rich there. Increase of riches Is no sign that a man is Tn fellowship with God.
 1T. Abram and Lot Separate (vv. 5- ID.
 The goods of both Ahram and Lot greatly increased. When they attempt ed to settle down. trouble arose be- tween their herdSmcn. This Is the first record of trouble between relatives over financial matters Riches often interfere with friendship. They hiudte jealousy and strife between men. They enGtnder greed aud S,.tI>hnr~S in men Many times members of the same fam fly are c>tranged from each other through strize Tor wealth. For the chosen of God thas to daafrol k utter folly and criminal. especially when the enemy of the Lords people looks on. The Caaaanite amt the Periszite lwclt then in the land" v. 7). l. Is bad enough for Gods children to quar- rel but to do so in the presence of the world which delights therein iS greatly to sin. AhramS behavior k fine cx- ample Of the art of living together peaceahly. The dis~raccful situation was relieved hy Il generous proposition from Ahram. Lot was allowed his choice. Separation is sometimes nee aSsarv Though he owed all to .Ahram. his selfish heart caused him to grasp for the best. Lots action shows that hlS stay in Egypt was runouS to him. Perhaps he chose the plains of the Jordan because of their resemblance to Egypt. One cannot go into Egypt without being affected hy it This was | fatal choice for Lot. The motive actuatiag him WAS worldly advantage. Though he for awhile pro>pered. It naS m expensive undertaking for him. Lot with all his C-oas was taken away when the confederate kings came .sairst Sodom. He is au example of a.te saved Sa a. hv fire q Cor. . 3.t1-15. He set his affections upon earthly thin.s and lhc time came when he had to separate from 'heH. The world and its luStS paS@ auaE Nut he that lorth the will nt God ahidcth forever q John 215-17). Lot Was not wholly corrupt he was mou who allowed tho world te get the better nf him. once Lis money and his family were in Sa#lam he simply endured the wick. eincss. longing to escape from il Gl Peter 2:6S).
 III. ibram Delivers Lot Genesis 1i,i4-1Gl.
 Though Lots trouble was the rcSnlt '' his selfish choice, Abrams Smacuanim- .ty ot soul expressed itself. taking up rms to deliver him from the oppres- sor. This was because Ahrnm was nan of faith. Faith trusts God and a-hts for the right.
 While Lot suffered from his evil 'hoIce. Ahram was greatly prospered. tie grew rich in temporal things. while II the same time he wus rich toward 'od. II were much better to have God md n poor piece of land than rich 1iece of laud without God. When Lot sas involved in the ruin of his sad shoice Ahram had the power to deliver nm Abrams whole life shows that hose who make obedience to God first eet the n"edcd worldly gain q Kings Ola, Matthew 6:33).