The citizen., 1918-10-03
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 13
ABRAMS GENEROUS TREATMENT
OF LOT.

ABRAMS GENEROUS TREATMENT
OF LOT.
LESSON TEXT-Genesis Bill; t:14is
GOLDEN TENT-A friend loveth at all
times. and brother In born for adver-
sity.-Proverbs 17:i7
DEVOTIONAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ..
n-H.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEAcHEiss-Genesis i2io-ii' "a; is:is-is.
19.9.
.. Abrsm and Lot Return From
Egypt wv. 1-D.
Abram 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. lie needed
the graces Of his heart developed. lie
needed 10 be tnught the weakness Of
his own heart, and the faithfulness OF
God. The child Of God is not prom
ised exemption from trials. but grace
sufficient 10 endure them. Abram
failed. In the midst os his trials he
went of TO Egypt without Gods direc-
tlon. where he got into trouble. To
take ones own way always brings him
into trouble. His expedient to save
his life was unworthy Of Abram. He
lied. and lie is never justlfiable. II
Is much better TO die than TO lie.
Abrnm by prevaricatlon deceived the
king but as soon as the truth was
known he was thrust out. Though
Abram had strayed from the path
- f.as L.. a..
10 go unto the place where his tent
had been In the beginning, where the
altar was" This showed that he was
willing 90 confess his mistake. and be-
gin life over again. This Egypt expe-
rience was loss spiritually TO Abram,
though he became rich there. Increase
OF riches II no sign that a man is in
fellowship with God.
u. Abram and Lot Separate wv. 8
III.
greatly increased. When they attempt
ed to settle down, trouble arose be-
tween their herdsmen. This Is the first
record of trouble between relatives
over financial matters. Riches often
interfere with friendship. They kindle
Jealousy and strife between men. They
engender greed and sclfshness In men.
Many times members Of the same fam
lily are estrnnged from each other
through strife for wealth. For the
chosen Of God thus 10 quarrel Is utter
folly and criminal. especially when the
enemy Of the Lords people looks on.
"The Canaanite and the Perizzitc
dwelt then In the land" w. ~. II II
bad enough for Gods children 10 quar-
rel. but 90 do so in the presence Of the
world which delights therein Is greatly
10 sin. Abrams behavior Is IA fine ex-
ample Of the art of living together
penceahly. The dlsgraccful situation
was relieved by generous proposition
from Abram. Lot was allowed his
choice. Separation Is sometimes nee
cssary Though he owed all to Abram,
his selfish heart caused him 10 grasp
for the best. Lots action shows that
his stay In Egypt was rulnous 70 him.
Perhaps ne chose the plains Of the
Jordan because Of their resemblance
w isANlla tAAf 'NiNilNA ~ iANW AaNN ~
without being affected by II. Thi. was
fatal choice for Lot The motive
actuating him was worldly advantage,
Though he for awhile prospered. II
was an expensive undertaking for him,
Lot with all his goods was taken away
when the confederate kings came
against Sodom. He Is an example OF
one saved so as by fire Il Cor 3:1l-l5).
He set his affections upon earthly
things. and the time came when he
had to separate from them. The world
and its lusts pass away, but he that
doeth the will OF God abldcth forever
Il John 2:15-l7). Lot was not wholly
corrupt; ne was n man who allowed
the world 20 get the better Of him
Once his money and his family Were
In Sodom he simply endured the wick
edness. longing TO escape from II Ul
Peter 2:Gs).
~. Abram Delivers Lot (Genesis
14:14-16).
Though Lots trouble was the result
OF his selfish choice, Abram'smagnanim
fly OF soul expressed Itself. taking NJ
arms 20 deliver him from the oppres'
sor. This was because Abram was
man OF faith. Faith trusts God and
fights for the right.
While Lot suffered from his evil
choice. Abram was greatly prospered
He grew rich In temporal things, while
at the same time he was rich toward
God. II were much better TO have God
and a poor piece Of land, than rich
piece OF land without God. When Lot
was involved in the ruin Of his sad
choice Abram had the power 10 deliver
him. Abrams whole life shows thai
those who make obedience 10 God first
get the needed worldly gain Il Kings
3.6-13. Matthew 6.33).