Genesis 13-14 teaches us a powerful lesson about trust, priorities, and the blessings that come from walking with God. When Abram and Lot had too many flocks to share the same land, Abram let Lot choose first. Lot picked what looked best—the lush, well-watered Jordan Valley. But just because something looks good doesn’t mean it is good. Lot’s choice placed him near Sodom, a city full of wickedness, and eventually, it led to trouble. Meanwhile, Abram trusted God, and God led him to a far better place and reaffirmed His promise to bless him.
It’s tempting to pick what looks comfortable or convenient, but our perspective is limited. We see what’s right in front of us, but God sees the full picture. True wisdom comes from surrendering our choices to Him and trusting that He knows what will truly lead to our flourishing.
As we started thinking about in yesterday’s reading, the blessings in our lives aren’t just for us—they’re meant to be shared. God told Abram he would be blessed so that he could bless others, and that calling is still true for us today. Everything we have—our time, our money, our homes, even our cars—can be used to bless others.
So ask yourself: How are you using what God has given you? • How can your money help someone in need? • How can your time be spent serving others? • How can your car give someone a ride who needs it? • How can your home be a place of hospitality and encouragement?
When we shift our mindset from “this is mine” to “this is God’s, and I get to use it to bless others,” we start to see God move in incredible ways. The joy we feel when God blesses us? We get to pass that joy on to others. And when we do, we’re not just giving—we’re partnering with God in His rescue plan, just like Abram. There’s nothing greater than seeing Him work through what He’s given us!
Extra resources:
https://www.gotquestions.org/Abraham-and-Lot.html
1.What is an area of your life where you tend to choose what looks easiest or most comfortable instead of trusting God’s plan? How can you surrender that choice to Him today?
How can you use what God has given you—your time, money, home, or other resources—to bless someone this week?
Are you living with an open-handed mindset, recognizing that your blessings are meant to be shared? What reminders can you put in place to keep your focus on using what you have for God’s greater purpose?
13 So Abram left Egypt and traveled north into the Negev, along with his wife and Lot and all that they owned. 2 (Abram was very rich in livestock, silver, and gold.) 3 From the Negev, they continued traveling by stages toward Bethel, and they pitched their tents between Bethel and Ai, where they had camped before.4 This was the same place where Abram had built the altar, and there he worshiped the Lord again.
5 Lot, who was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. 6 But the land could not support both Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. 7 So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot. (At that time Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land.)
8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”
10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.
14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction—north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”
18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord.