Making Disciples, Teaching the Value of Relationships

 

So Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, into the Negeb. Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. And he journeyed on from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place where he had made an altar at the first. And there Abram called upon the name of the Lord. And Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents, so that the land could not support both of them dwelling together; for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together, and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.” And Lot lifted up his eyes and saw that the Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, in the direction of lZoar. (This was before the Lord mdestroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) (Genesis 13:1-10 ESV).

 

Abraham had mentored Lot for years, but their family cooperative had reached its limits. The local grazing land could not support both of their herds. Their herdsmen argued as their disagreements grew. They needed more space. Abraham could have sided with his men against Lot or told Lot to know his place, but instead he valued their relationship over the petty details of disagreements. Abraham wanted to bless Lot and put tension out of their relationship.

 

Abraham loved Lot enough to give him the opportunity to take the best land. He was not concerned with having the best for himself but was willing to let Lot make the first choice. He would accept whatever remained. Rather than squabbling, Abraham trusted God to take care of him and provide for his needs. He demonstrated to Lot that he cared about him. Abraham showed Lot that their relationship was more important than arguing over material things and desires.

 

All families can struggle when there is too much togetherness. Being too close under one roof, for example, can lead to tensions in relationships. Are you prioritizing relationships in your life? Are you teaching others to do the same? It is an imperative if we are to teach the abundant life Jesus desires for us.