Abraham and Lot

The choices of Lot and Abraham in Genesis 13 are especially instructive for this age in which we live. The issue was really fairly simple: who or what will you trust in to supply your needs. Abraham, the eldest and by all rights the one who should have done the choosing, let his nephew Lot choose. He asserted no rights, no conditions, just put Lot first. Abraham realized that no choice made by a man could undermine the promises of God. He would walk by faith. Lot, on the other hand, used man's criteria to make his choice--he walked by sight.
We all know the results of the choices. Abraham is protected and blessed by God. All his needs are met abundantly. With his eyes fixed on the heavenly city, he grows closer and closer to God, deepening his relationship with Him. Oh, it's not a trouble free walk. He at times slips in his faith and looks at the circumstances through eyes of fear and worry, but he is headed in the right direction. Having chosen the right treasure--the right security--his heart leads him to a deeper love and growing confidence in his Master. His security was his faith in the promises of God.
On the other hand, Lot, walking by sight, loses everything. And the walk is a heart rending one. Peter tells us that, being a righteous man, his soul was vexed day after day by the lifestyle and values of those whom he had chosen to live among. Lot never had a day of peace in his relationship with God no matter how much earthly security he found in the fertile fields of Sodom and Gomorrah. And, of course, the security of men can be lost in an instant. God moves and it becomes dust and ashes.
In what do you place your trust? The criteria of men? The seeking of material security in the attractive fields of human wealth and prosperity? Success there will torture your soul, destroy your family, and leave you empty handed without a moment's notice. Like Abraham, walk by faith, and the God of infinite resources will meet your needs according to His riches in glory. That's really the choice, isn't it? Self-reliance or God-reliance. Will you rely on your resources or His? Think about how simple the choice should be.

"And Abraham died . . . satisfied with life."