Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1918-10-10
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATION.
SUNDNYS0IOQ
LESSON
(By REV. p. b. FITZWATER. DID,,
Teacher of English Bible in the Abdy
Bible Institute of Chicago.)
Copyright, 1918. Western Newsper
Union.)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 4
ABRAMS GENEROUS TREATMNT
OF LOT.

OF LOT.
LESSON TEXT-Genesis Bill: Hs-l6.
| GOLDEN TEXT-A friend loveth all
times, and a brother is born for aCer-
sity.-Proverbs 17:17.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Romau 3:
1921.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL DIR
observation-disclosures R:10-1i; "a: 1918;
1929.
!. Abram and Lot Return Fpm
Egypt wv. Id.
Abram went into Egypt because ( a
famine. No doubt the famine wal ent
In judgment for the sins of the poole,
but also for Abrams sake. He nldcd
the graces of his heart developed he
needed to be taught the weakness of
his own heart, and the faithfulnss Of
God. The child of God is not irm-
ised exemption from trials, but ynce
sufficient to endure them. Anm
failed. In the midst of his trids he
went off to Egypt without Gods liec-
ton, where he got into trouble To
take ones own way always bring him
into trouble. His expedient tosave
his life was unworthy of Abram He
lied, and lie is never justifiabe. 1t
is much better to die than I'd lie.
Abram by prevarication deceive the
king, but as soon as the truthwas
known he was thrust out. TBugh
Abram had strayed from the lath-
way of faith, he had the good ense
to go "unto the place where hiaent
had been in the beginning, wher the
altar was" This showed that he,vas
willing to confess his mistake, an be-
gin life over again. This Egypt kpe-
rience was loss spiritually to Adam,
though he became rich there. ncease
of riches is no sign that man in
fellowship with God.
II. Abram and Lot Separate ". s.
III.
The goods of both Abram andLot
greatly increased. When they attept-
ed to settle down, trouble arose be-
tween their herdsmen. This is theirst
record of trouble between relatives
over financial matters. Riches dten
interfere with friendship. They kidle
jealousy and strife between men. hey
engender greed and selfishness in len
Many times members of the same am
lily are estranged from each otier
through strife for wealth. For the
chosen of God thus to quarrel is utter
folly and criminal, especially when he
enemy Of the Lords people looks on
1.-THE Canaanite and the Perizite
dwelt then in the land" ". y. i Is
bad enough for Gods children to quar-.
rel, but to do so in the presence of he
world which delights therein is greatly
to sin. Abrams behavior is fine ex'
ample Of the art of living together
peaceably. The disgraceful situatDn
was relieved by generous propositbr
from Abram. Lot was allowed liz
choice. Separation is sometimes NC
essary. Though he owed all to Abran
| his selfish heart caused him to grGI
for the best. Lots action shows tint
his stay in Egypt was ruinous to hin
Perhaps he chose the plains of til
Jordan because of their resemblance
to Egypt. One cannot go into Egg,
without being affected by it. This wss
q fatal choice for Lot. The motiw
actuating him was worldly advantage
Though he for awhile prospered,
was an expensive undertaking for hin
Lot with all his goods was taken AVA
when the confederate kings cam
against Sodom. He is an example d
one saved SO as by fire Il Cor. Bills,
He set his affections upon eartEl
things, and the time came when h
had to separate from them. The wOrl
and its lusts pass away, but he tho
d0eth the will of God aSideth foreve
Il John 2:15-17). Lot was not who'll
corrupt; he was a man who above
the world to get the better of hin
Once his money and his family wer
in SOdOm he simply endured the wicE
edness, longing to escape from it Il
Peter 1863.
III. Abram Delivers Lot (Genesi
IA :14-16).
Though Lots trouble was the resul
of his selfish choice, Abram'smagnanin
ity of soul expressed itself, taking u
arms to deliver him from the Oppres
sor. This was because Abram was
man of faith. Faith trusts God an
fights for the right.
While Lot suffered from his evi
choice, Abram was greatly prospereG
He grew rich in temporal things, Will
at the same time he was rich towar
God. 1t were much better to have Go
and poor piece of land, than ricl
piece of land without God. When Lo
was involved In the ruin Of his sa
choice Abram had the power to delive
him. Abrams whole life shows tina
those who make obedience to God frs
get the needed worldly gain Il King
1918; Matthew 6 :33).
AasK