Lot, who
was traveling with Abram, had also become very wealthy with flocks of sheep and
goats, herds of cattle, and many tents. But the land could not support both
Abram and Lot with all their flocks and herds living so close together. So disputes broke out between the herdsmen of
Abram and Lot. …Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to
come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 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.” 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.) 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. 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. But the people of
this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the LORD. 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. I am giving all this land, as far as
you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. And I will
give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be
counted! Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to
you.” So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove
belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the LORD. GENESIS 13:5-18 NLT
Stay Faithful to God’s Direction
The
LORD had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your
father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. GENESIS 12:1 NLT
I
know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not
abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. JEREMIAH 29:11 MESSAGE
Trust in the LORD and do good. Then you will
live safely in the land and prosper. PSALM
37:3 NLT
Be
strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave
you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then
you will be successful in everything you do. JOSHUA 1:7 NLT
Avoid Dumb Decisions
The
victorious invaders then plundered Sodom and Gomorrah and headed for home,
taking with them all the spoils of war and the food supplies. They also
captured Lot—Abram’s nephew who lived in Sodom—and carried off everything he
owned. GENESIS 14:11-12 NLT
As
a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. PROVERBS 26:11 NLT
How
do I avoid dumb financial decisions?
Bless God as He Blesses You
After
Abram returned from his victory…And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest
of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. Melchizedek blessed Abram
with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and
earth. And blessed be God Most High, who has defeated your enemies for you.”
Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered. GENESIS 14:17-20 NLT
God Blesses Those Who Bless Him
“Bring
all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.
If you do,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of
heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room
to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test!” MALACHI
3:10 NLT