The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-10-10
IMPROVED UNRoRM gRrrRNArIoExA
SUNl6YSOl00L
LESSON
tby HHV. =. B. FITZWATER. D. D..
Teacher of English Bible in tho Moody
Bible institute Of Chicago.)
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper
UniOn.)
LESSON FOR OCTOBER 13
ABRAMS GENEROUS TREATMENT
OF LOT.

LESSON TExT-Genes,s ls:1-11; 14:l4.1s.
GOLDEN rEXT--A friend loveth ct ali
times, and q brother in born for adver.
sity.-Proverbs 17:l7,
DEVOTIONAL READING-Romans >:
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
T3agSaacHERs-GencsIs 3aeSa 12:lo-14: a; 1s:is-aa;
]. Abram and Lot Return From
Egypt wv. 1-4).
ADram went into Egypt because OF a
&amlne. 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 developcd. He
needed to be taught the weakness of
MS own heart, and the faithfulness Of
God. The child of God is not prom
lsed exemption from trials, but grace
suhcient to endure them. Abram
1ailed. In the midst Of his trials he
went off to Egypt without Gods dircc.
tion, where he got into trouble. To
take ones own way always brings him
into trouble. His cxpcdicnt to save
his life was unworthy Of Abram. He
ncd, ana lie is never iustitiabc. 1t
is much better to die than to lie.
Abrnm by prcvaricntion deceived the
KING, but as soon aS the truth was
known he was thrust out. Though
Abram had strascd from the path.
way Of faith, he had the good sense
10 go unto the place whore his tent
had been I'm the beginning whore the
altar was This showed that he was
willing to confess his mistake, and be-
gin life over again. This Egypt cxpc-
rlence was loss spiritually TO Ahrnm.
though he became rich there. Increase
OF riches Is no sign that man is in
fellowship with God.
~. Abram and Lot Separate wv. &.
11).
The goods Of both Abram and Lot
greatly increased. when they attcmpt-
cd to settle down, trouble arose he
tween their hcrdsmcn. This is tho first
record Of trouble between relatives
over financial matters. RICHES often
interfere with friendship. They kintle
jealousy and strife between men. They
engendcr greed and SclfShncsS in mon.
Many times members Of the same fam.
| llN arc cStrangcd from each other
! through strife for wealth. For the
CHOSEN OF God thus tn quarrel is utter
1oiiy and criminal, especially when the
enemy of the Lords people looks on.
"Ihe Cannanite and the PcriZZite
dwelt then In the land" ". y. 1t 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. Abrams behavior is fine OK
ln ,.f 90
peaccably. The diSGraccful situation
was relieved by generous proposition
from Ahrnm. Lot was allowed his
choice. Separation is sometimes nee
essary. Though he owed all to Ahrnm,
his selfish heart caused him to grasp
for the best. Lots action shows that
his 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 by 1t. This was
q fatal choice for Lot. The motive
actuatfng him was worldly advantage.
Though he for awhile prospcrcd, it
was an expensive undertaking for him,
Lot with all his goods was taken away
when the confederate kings came
against Sodom. He Is nm example of
one saved so ms by fire I Cor. BILLED.
He set his affections upon earthly
things. and the time came when he
had to separate from them. Tho world
and It's lusts pass away hut he that
doeth the will Of God abidcth forever
Il John 2:15-1O. Lot was not wholly
corrupt; he was man who allowed
me world to get the better Of him.
once his money and his family were
IN Sodom he simply endured the wick
cdncSs, longing to escape from It Ul
Peter 1853.
'll. Abran Delivers Lot (Gcncsis
1i:14-16).
Though Lots trouble was tho result
of his selfish choice, Ahram'smacnanim
ltv or soul expressed itself, tnkin. III
arms to deliver him from the opprcs.
Gor. This was because Abram was q
man of faith. Faith trusts God and
lights for tho right.
While Lot suffered from his evil
choice, Abram was greatly prospcrcd.
He grew rich In temporal things, while
at the same time he was rich toward
COD. 1t were much better to have God
and 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 to deliver
him. Abrams whole life shows that
hose who make obedience to God first
the needed worldly gain I Kings
55.13; Matthew $3.50.
Scripture penetrates.
SO far rs l have observed Cod'a