A KIND UNCLE
[Genesis:13:1-8 [1] And Abram went up out of Egypt, he, and his wife, and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the south. [2] And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. [3] And he went on his journeys from the south even to Bethel, unto the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Hai; [4] Unto the place of the altar, which he had make there at the first: and there Abram called on the name of the LORD. [5] And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. [6] And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. [7] And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. [8] And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren. ]; [Genesis:14:13-16 [13] And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram. [14] And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan. [15] And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. [16] And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people. ].
“Keep yourselves in the love of God” (Jude1:21).
God Called a Man He Could Trust
When God wanted a man who would do exactly what He wanted to be done He chose a man named Abraham who lived in a far-eastern country. The people in that country worshiped idols, but we do not know that Abraham ever did. At least, God saw that he would worship the true God when he heard about Him.
Our soldier boys tell us that a soldier is expected to do what his officer tells him to do, and do it when he tells him to do it. God must have seen that Abraham would be that kind of soldier for Him. Abraham believed all that God told him. No doubt that is the reason God blessed him in every way.
Abraham Went Where God Told Him to Go
Abraham must have loved his home and his country very much; but when God told him to leave it, and go to some other place, he did not say he would not go. He obeyed God, and took his nephew, Lot, with him.
Abraham Built an Altar
When Abraham came to a new place, about the first thing he did was to build an altar where he could worship God. Abraham did not forget to love God, to thank Him, and to ask Him to be with him.
Abraham’s Servants and Lot’s Servants Disagree
Abraham had camels, goats, sheep, and many other animals. Lot did also. But their herdsmen began to quarrel over the pastures for their cattle. Abraham said it was not right to quarrel, and he told Lot that he and Lot must go to different places. He said Lot might choose the land he wanted. Abraham was not selfish. Lot chose the land that had the most water for his cattle, but his choice was not a good one. He chose a place where there were some wicked people. One day wicked kings came and carried him and his family and the cattle away.
When Abraham heard what had happened to his nephew, Lot, he took about 300 of his men and went after the robbers. The robbers were caught and punished, and Lot and his family were brought back.
A king whom Abraham had helped wanted to pay him, but Abraham would not take pay for doing a kind deed.
1. Who gave Abraham all that he had? [1 Timothy:6:17Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
]; [Acts:17:28For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.
]; [James:1:17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
].
2. What shows us that Abraham was not selfish? [Genesis:13:9Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.
].
3. What does God say to us about being selfish? [Romans:12:10Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
]; [Philippians:2:3-4 [3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
[4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
].
4. Why would Abraham not take a present for being kind to the king? [Genesis:14:23That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
].
5. Does God want us to expect pay for every little act of kindness? [Luke:6:38Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.
]; [2 Corinthians:9:7Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
]; [Matthew:10:8Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
].
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