Arkansas State press., 1945-07-20

As We study the contrasting SELF
ishness of Lot, we see the true gen.
crosby of Abram and the brotherly
love which prompted it In bold relief.
In world where men reckon even
their friendships as something which
must yield some financial return. 1t
Is good to stress the fact that kind
ness and sacrifice are recognized
and rewarded by God.
Abram. after dwelling for a time
in Canaan, had gone down into
Egypt because Of famine in his
own land. After many trying ex-
periences, he returned to his prom
ised land and there he prospered
nightly under the good hand Of
God. Unlike many who forget God
when they become rich. We find
Abram
l. Meeting Prosperity With Godli-
ness wv. la.
Abram was very rich" That
would be almost enough to consti-
tute spiritual obituary notice for
many a mans spiritual life.
But Abram did not let his riches
come between him and God. He
sought out the altar which he had
first built at Bethel, and there he
called upon the name of the Lord
once again.
Note then, that riches in them
selves need not destroy mans
character or spirituality if they are
held as a gift from God. and for
His glory. Meet growing prosperity
with increased goodness and all will
be we'll
II. Meeting Problems With Kind
ness wv. 5-9).
Abrams riches, and those of Lot,
were largely in flocks and herds. For
them there had to be great areas of
grazing land, and in the rocky Sec
ton where they found themselves,
grass was scarce. Result? A fight
between the herdsmen.
Lot. the younger, should have TAX
en- the lead in meeting that situa-
ton, but his selfish heart was too
small for that But Abram, eager
for peace and 5rotherly love, indi-
Gated at once his willingness to do
anything necessary to preserve
| peace.
+ One could not ask a finer indica-
ton OF true bigness in a man. big
men use their prestige to serve great
| ideals Abram used his tremendous
advantage to do beautifully gen.
erous thing to eliminate strife. Not
many men are big enough to follow
this course" (W. r. White.
| Only God can make man that
big, but God can do it for any one
Of us. If Christian people would lis
ten to the words of Abram, I'VE are
brethren" ". 81. and put them into
practice. there would be an immedi-
ate end to all the foolish strife
which divides Gods people.
There is no call for compromise
with untruth, nor any occasion for
softhearted generosity which will
only spoil its recipients. We are
talking about the honest and intelli-
gent use Of kindness and tact be-
tween brethren. When kindness
meets problems. the problems dis
appear. Why not try it?
iii. Meeting Selishness With Love
wv. l0-lO.
Lot made the typical choice Of the
worldly minded man, the one which
would give him the best returns In
dollars and cents. 1t seemed like
shrewd thing to do, but 1t resulted
| in disaster, for it meant pitching his
tents over toward the wickedness Of
| Sodom.
Abram had to rescue Lot again
| and again from the results Of his
decision; but thus in love he met
the arrogant selshness OF his fool
| ish nephew.
! God rewarded Abram by a renew
al of His covenant with him Gen.
13;l4-l3). God understands and val
ues the kind and thoughtful act,
even though the world may ignore
it or sheer at it.
Lot probably did not intend to 60
all the way into wicked Sodom to
live, but having once started that
| way, it was easy to go on and on.
Even so Christians in our day may
not intend to slip off into worldli-
ness, but If they continue to pitch
their tents toward Sodom, they will
find themselves there one sad day.
This may be done by seeking
wealth or worldly advantage at the
expense Of association with unbeliev-
ers, or by some manipulations or
maneuvers which will involve COM
promise. 1t may come about by
reason of indulgence in worldly
amusements which dull spiritual
perceptions and kill an appetite for
the Word Of God and prayer.
Abram is character who
wears" well. We see him meeting
one situation after another, and
making the right choice. Oh, he was
not perfectl His mistakes are noted
in Scripture, and he suffered for
them, too. But because his heart
was fundamentally right, and he had
constant desire to do the will OF
God, he found his way through, and
justified the name which God gave
him---"The friend Of God" (see
James 2:23; lisa. 4l:0.