Abundance and Annoyance

Abundance and Annoyance

07 September, 2025

Thesis: Mature believers trust God's promises, live by faith, and keep an eternal perspective, even when earthly abundance or conflict tempt them to compromise.

Summary: The sermon introduces Genesis 13, focusing on Abram's second test, "Abundance and Annoyance," contrasting it with his previous test of adversity. It explains that while adversity tests faith through anxiety, abundance tests it through apathy, leading to conflict with his nephew, Lot. Lot's choices, driven by the lure of worldly prosperity, are depicted as a gradual descent into sin and compromise, ultimately leading to loss. In contrast, Abram demonstrates maturity by prioritizing peace, yielding his rights, and returning to worship God, establishing his security not in possessions but in God's provision. After Lot's departure, God reaffirms His promises to Abram, highlighting the characteristics of a mature believer who trusts God's sovereignty, lives by faith, and maintains an eternal perspective. Ultimately, the sermon presents Jesus as the "better Abram," who perfectly navigated temptation and secured eternal peace.

Sermon

Baru knows that's my favorite. That's why she ended on it. I love to hear Baru play. Thank you for using your talents for the Lord.

All right, guys. This morning we're going to be in the book of Genesis, chapter 13. As we explore Abram's journey in Genesis 13, we'll see how trusting God's promises shapes our lives of faith.

This morning, we'll work through the entire chapter. It's another practical sermon. We'll read the narrative and make applications as we go through each verse. The title of my sermon this morning is "Abundance and Annoyance." This is lesson number two from Abram.

My main point, if you want to write it down, is kind of long, but it's all right: the mature believers trust God's promises, live by faith, and keep an eternal perspective. And this, of course, is even when earthly abundance or conflict with others tempt them to compromise.

Now, we looked last week at Abram's first test in his school of faith. Anybody remember what exam that was? That was his exam of adversity. Remember when resources are scarce in the land of Canaan? Abram experiences a famine and then he experiences failure in the land of Egypt. Abram had failed to trust God's provision in times of famine.

But now he comes to test number two, and this time he's tested not by adversity, but by abundance. The polar opposite. In times of abundance, as possessions increase, so does the strife with Lot. And it's during this time that his nephew, Lot, falls for the lure of abundance.

And next week, we're going to look at Genesis 14. Abram is tested by attack—specifically, when he faces a coalition of kings who invade the region and take his nephew Lot captive. This mirrors the very same areas in which we are tested in our own lives. We have times of famine, times of adversity, when we are tempted to question God's goodness, His presence, or His provision. But in these moments, the call is to trust in God's eternal promises, to live by faith, and to recognize that every trial is an opportunity to align our hearts with His unchanging character.

But then we have times of abundance. Don't we enjoy those? We enjoy it when everything seems to be going right. Yet it's during these moments that we question our need for God. Everything's going well—I don't need to pray as much as I did during times of adversity. It's just kind of smooth sailing, coasting through life. Just as adversity tests our faith, so does abundance, often in ways we don't expect.

Along with this abundance, we begin to have an unhealthy obsession for earthly things if we are not careful. So in this text before us today, Abram enters his second test in the school of faith, not by adversity, but by abundance.

So the question we have to ask is, who will Abram trust now? Will he fail this test and trust in his riches? Or has he learned his lesson? Has he learned to depend upon the covenant faithfulness of God?

Now let me give you an illustration to start it out here. This is what we call the mirage of wealth. Have you ever been walking through the desert and seen a mirage? Maybe you've encountered one in person, or at least seen one on TV. Imagine the sun beating down, the dry heat, and suddenly you see in the distance what appears to be a shimmering oasis. You see shade trees, fruit trees, and flowing water. Your heart races with hope, and you begin to run toward it, convinced that relief is just ahead. But when you finally reach that spot, there's nothing but empty desert. That's exactly the temptation that Lot faced. He saw the illusion of abundance, the illusion of wealth, the illusion of the good life. But when he pursued it, he found himself in a place that was far from the promise of God.

So you're in a hot desert. In the distance, you see this glimmering oasis. You see shade trees, fruit trees, waters. And you run toward it. But when you get there, it was all an illusion. That's exactly the temptation that Lot faced. He had this illusion of earthly abundance, wealth, and the good life. This illusion blinded him to the eternal promises of God. He saw the well-watered plains of Sodom, and he ran to it as an oasis. He imagined security and prosperity and comfort. His focus was on earthly abundance, and it blinded him to God's promise. But friends, as believers, we're called not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God who is our provider, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.

So Abram encounters this same temptation. Will he run in the safe arms of his abundance? But he also has a second test, a kind of a test within the test. He's not only tested by trust in his abundance. He also has to handle conflict with a selfish family member.

Now, let me ask a question. Who here has ever had to deal with an annoying family member? I'm joking, you don't have to raise your hand. We all know we've got that one friend or co-worker or family member who's always looking out for number one, right? Well, Abram faced the same thing. He had a nephew named Lot, and Lot was greedy and selfish. Just like those people in our lives, Lot caused conflict and insisted on getting his way. But here's where Abram's story becomes our story too. Abram had to trust God's promises even when dealing with someone who didn't share that trust. That's the test he faced, and it's a test we all face at some point. So how do we handle it? How do we trust God's promises when those around us don't? That's what we're going to explore next.

Maybe you've dealt with someone selfish in your own family who causes conflict, and they insist on getting their way. Well, Abram has this same kind of test because he has a little greedy, selfish nephew named Lot.

Now, we've seen before that instead of leaving his family, he leaves his family behind in Ur like he was supposed to. What does Abram do? He brings them along, including his father, which causes a delay in the land of Haran. And then his father dies. Abram finally goes to the promised land, but he takes along Lot.

Lot is selfish, and his self-centered choices create conflict for Abram. This is not merely a historical account but a mirror held up to our own lives. We too live in a society where self-interest often overshadows communal responsibility. Do we not see this in our own families, our workplaces, our communities? Selfishness is not an external force—it is a reflection of our fallen human nature. Did you know that selfishness is not something we have to teach children? It is already ingrained in their nature, manifesting in their earliest words: "No!" and "Mine!" This pattern of self-interest, from Lot’s actions to a child’s tantrum, reveals a universal truth: the human heart, left to its own devices, gravitates toward self-preservation over self-sacrifice.

Just picture the chaos that erupts when a new sibling arrives. The moment they step into the family, they demand all the attention. Imagine trying to take a toy from them—what's the first response? A sharp "no!" and a defiant "mine!" These words, "no" and "mine," emerge early in their speech, revealing a selfishness that clings to their toys and their time. This childish selfishness mirrors the selfishness we see in adults, which can distort our trust in God's promises when we prioritize our own desires over His will. It doesn't just harm relationships—it stifles spiritual growth, creating a pattern of entitlement that echoes into adulthood, blinding us to the needs of others and the grace of God.

But we are adults as well. We're plagued with selfishness. We find ourselves naturally self-centered. Most people act as if they're the center of their own universe, with everything in their lives revolving around them. Alongside this selfishness comes covetousness—this desire for abundance, this longing to possess anything and everything you want, even what belongs to someone else.

That's why "You shall not covet" is one of the Ten Commandments. Paul warns those who desire to be rich, warning them against falling into temptation, a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Timothy 6.

The love of money—not money itself—but the love of it is the root of all kinds of evil. And in pursuing this abundance, many have strayed from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. We see the damage all around us. This allure for abundance.

Covetousness divides families in courts as they battle over estates. It ends marriages. It causes bitter fights. It divides fathers and mothers. It calls them to work long hours to give their children the best life possible. Instead of giving them what they truly need and desire, it's quality time with you. This greed not only shatters marriages but also ignites bitter, unrelenting conflicts. It tears apart the very fabric of family life, leaving behind broken relationships and unhealed wounds.

The Bible warns us against this covetousness. Paul warns us that we brought nothing here with us. And guess what? We ain't going to take anything with us. We're called to be content with such things as we have. Why? Because God Himself has promised, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

So when we constantly crave abundance for more, we're essentially saying that God is not enough. We're essentially saying, Lord, that I don't trust You enough to provide for me. And You are not enough. I need more of the good life. Jesus tells us plainly that the deceitfulness of riches can even choke the life out of the word of God in a person's heart.

And He warns it is hard for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. In the end, selfishness and covetousness, this need for abundance, always takes us further from God. So let's look at this great test of abundance. Now, one thing to note: if adversity tests our faith through anxiety, as we saw last week, then abundance will test our faith through apathy regarding spiritual matters.

If adversity tests our faith through anxiety, then abundance will test our faith through apathy toward spiritual things. By the way, there's nothing like abundance to test a person's character. You give a little something—a little bit of success, a little taste of the good life—to most people. And what happens? They're overtaken with a desire for more. A little is never enough.

And for some, their spiritual life is quietly overtaken by a pursuit of temporal pleasures. So in this narrative we're going to see the mettle, or the character, of two men tested by abundance. Let's look at verses 1 through 4.

Then Abram went up from Egypt, he and his wife and all that he had, and Lot with him, to the south. Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. There's no inherent sin in wealth. It's the heart that holds it. And he journeyed from the south to Bethel, the house of God, to the place where his tent had first been pitched, between Bethel and Ai, to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the name of the Lord.

Remember when they took the detour to Egypt—Abram and Lot both prospered, growing in wealth, livestock, and servants. Yet in this narrative, we see Abram did not let prosperity become his security. Why? How can we know that? Because he is back at the house of God, at his altar, and he is calling on the name of the Lord.

He's renewed his devotion. He acknowledges that true safety and blessing comes not from possessions and wealth, but from God Himself. So although Abram may have turned from his trust in God in adversity, he returns to his altar in commitment in times of abundance. So far Abram is doing very well in this second exam.

But despite their outward success, a deeper crisis looms—trouble in paradise. Verse 5. Lot, who journeyed with Abram, is also prospering—his flocks and herds multiplying, his tents stretching across the land. They both enjoy the good life. Yet beneath the surface, a growing tension festers, as their reliance on earthly abundance begins to overshadow the covenantal trust they were called to place in God's promises.

Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together. For their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. It may seem like a blessing to have abundance, but as we see here, it can lead to division and strife. This illustrates a critical truth: wealth and material success, while outwardly impressive, cannot sustain peace or unity. When God's people prioritize earthly possessions over His promises, conflict inevitably follows. Abram and Lot, though prosperous, found themselves at odds—proof that true harmony comes not from abundance, but from trusting God's provision and living by faith in His eternal purposes.

This passage powerfully illustrates a crucial truth: money, success, and wealth cannot bring lasting peace or happiness. They are both wealthy. Yet here we see the bitter reality—conflict, strife, and division. They are fighting. They are fighting over resources, over land, over the very means to sustain life. This is not the fruit of abundance, but the curse of greed and the failure to trust God with His blessings.

The flocks and herds of both households had grown so great that there was no more land. Tensions rose because resources were strained. They are fighting over grazing land and food and water. And if this was a western, what would they say? "This place ain't big enough for the two of us." Right? And somebody's going to start throwing down.

But I've had some good coffee this morning. Okay? That's exactly what happened though. They're about to get involved. They're about to throw down at high noon. Notice what, as we read in verse 6... They could not dwell together.

Why couldn't they dwell together? Because they had different goals, different perspectives on eternity, and different treasures. One valued earthly gain, the other valued treasure in heaven. One lived for this life, the other lived for the life to come. Even as believers, their differing priorities made it impossible for them to remain united, illustrating the principle of unequal yoking with unbelievers, as warned in 2 Corinthians 6:14.

Given that, how much more true is it for believers and unbelievers? The Bible asks, "What fellowship does light have with darkness? What fellowship does Christ have with the devil?" 2 Corinthians 6:14. Paul's clear instruction is: "Do not be unequally yoked." This principle underscores the fundamental incompatibility between the ways of God and the ways of the world. When believers align with unbelievers, they compromise their witness, distort their values, and risk being led astray from the path of righteousness. The call to avoid unequal yoking is not merely a prohibition—it is a divine safeguard for spiritual integrity and eternal purpose.

Believers and unbelievers are like a cow and a donkey attempting to pull the same plow. They differ in size, in nature, in speed, and in purpose. Such fundamental disparities render cooperation impossible. The Bible teaches that light and darkness cannot coexist, nor can love for God and indifference to Him share the same path. One exists for eternity in the presence of God; the other, for eternity separated from Him. Their goals are irreconcilable, their directions opposite, their destinies distinct. This is not a matter of preference but of divine principle. As the apostle Paul warns, believers must not be unequally yoked with unbelievers, for such alliances compromise spiritual integrity and hinder the work of God.

Pastoral admonition here. It is unwise for believers to marry unbelievers, to do business with unbelievers, or to enter into spiritual dependence and intimate trust with an unbeliever. If you are a believer, Ecclesiastes asks: Can two walk together unless they be agreed? The answer is no.

So if you're looking for a spouse and you love Jesus, make sure they love Jesus too. If you've got a big decision coming up, make sure that you're making that decision with other believers. Make sure that you are plugged in to the local church. Make sure that you value this body of believers.

Now that doesn't mean we have to live in a holy huddle, or isolate ourselves as hermits, cutting ourselves off from the lost. How else would we share the gospel? What it's saying is: be careful who you trust. Be careful who you pair up with, for light and darkness cannot coexist.

Notice also in verse 7 Moses points out that the Canaanites are in the land. If Abram's altar had not been a beacon of hope in the land, then the screaming, yelling, and fighting would erupt—and this is a vital truth to remember: the Canaanites are always watching, and lost people are always watching. Let us never afford unbelievers the opportunity to blaspheme the name of God or to malign the name of God's people, for they see us fighting with one another. When believers are at each other's throats, biting and devouring one another instead of loving as Jesus commanded, it becomes a glaring testimony to the watching world that claims to follow a God of peace.

We've all witnessed the devastating impact of church splits on communities. Let me share an example—there are services where as soon as the last amen is said, people literally start yelling at each other. I've seen it myself, friends, brothers and sisters. This should not be happening. There should not be strife in the family of God. What a rotten testimony that is to those Canaanites who are watching us. When they see believers profess to love God yet are at each other's throats, biting and devouring one another, Jesus said everyone will know you by your love.

By your love. When we let unity and care for one another and humility point others to the reality of Christ's love in us, so that believers and unbelievers alike see the power of God at work in this people, let's look at verses 8 and 9. Here I'm very proud of Abram—you should be too. Abram has grown significantly since his journey in Egypt; he is displaying marks of a mature believer at this point. This demonstrates how God's love transforms individuals, shaping their character and actions to reflect His grace. As we see in Abram's life, maturity in faith isn't just about knowledge—it's about how we treat others, even in conflict. Let's examine how he handles this moment with Lot, and what it reveals about the heart of a believer who walks in God's love.

So Abram said to Lot, "Please let there be no strife between me and you and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brethren, brothers, family. The whole land is not before you. Please separate from me. If you take the left, I'll go to the right. For you go to the right, I'll go to the left."

Notice how Abram pleads with Lot. He's so polite. He says, "Please. Please don't let there be strife between us. We're family." What a poor testimony it would be to the Canaanites who were watching us. Lot, in contrast, he's the weaker brother. He's the source of the conflict. He starts stirring the pot. He's the instigator of the strife.

How do we know that? Because Abram makes the first move to rectify the situation. Abram's not going to stand fighting with his nephew; instead, he chooses peace. Friends, Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they are the children of God."

Paul writes to us in Romans twelve, eighteen: If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Friends, we reflect the character of God the most when we are peacemakers. When we extend mercy and grace and show patience and long suffering to those who have wronged us, friends, we are no more like Jesus than when we cry out, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do"—just as Jesus cried out on the cross for those who had crucified Him. We were called to be agents of peace; we are called to be reconciled to God and to one another. Christ Himself, as Ephesians 2 tells us, is our peacemaker—He tore down the walls that divided us. So who on earth are we to rebuild those walls?

We're called to foster peace between the lost and God, and within the church community, remembering that we too are family. We are brothers. We are members of God's household.

So what do peacemakers do? They don't hold grudges. They don't delight in or seek out conflict. They don't attempt to bring up past offenses. They don't nurse old wounds. They don't keep a record of wrongs. Instead they are kind to one another. They're tenderhearted. They're forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave us.

Peacemakers are not easily offended. They offer forgiveness quickly. And they actively pursue reconciliation and harmony. And in doing so they reflect the heart of God. Now Abram's example reminds us that true humility and godliness includes pursuing peace and reconciliation, even if it costs us our comfort.

Even if we have to swallow our pride. Even if it costs us our personal comfort or privilege. So who in your life causes conflict? Who needs your long-suffering? Who needs forgiveness? And how can you handle them by following the example of Abram—and ultimately of Christ?

Mature believers are also interested in the good and benefit of others. Notice what Abram does. He lets Lot have his choice of the land. Even though Abram was the one who chose the land, he was the one God called. Abram was the one to whom God made the promises. "This is your land." Abram still looks after the best interest of his nephew. If Lot wanted to go left, Abram would go right, and vice versa—just as Abram did, following the example of Christ.

On the contrary, immature believers are like Lot. They're self-centered. Even in matters of the home, the church, and ministry, they prioritize personal gain, comfort, and recognition over the well-being of others or the advancement of God's kingdom. Their focus is inward, not outward; their concern is self, not the collective good. This self-centeredness doesn't just ignore others—it actively undermines unity and creates friction. When individuals pursue their own interests above all else, they inevitably clash with others, fracture relationships, and distort the church's witness. They're not merely indifferent to others; they're actively positioned to secure their own place, even at the expense of harmony and spiritual growth.

Their decisions are often guided by earthly desires rather than eternal priorities. Always, these people cause conflict and division and result in a poor testimony. Paul reminds us in Philippians 2, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each one of you look not only to his own interest, but to the interest of others."

You see, a mature believer isn't self-centered. They genuinely care about the welfare of the church. They willingly go out of their way, even to the point of personal inconvenience, to see other people succeed. They invest time, energy, and resources to ensure that the work of the church goes on. And also, they ensure that fellow believers are nurtured and discipled.

Mature believers understand that their role is not just to receive blessings, but to multiply blessings. They serve, they encourage, they equip others for the growth of God's kingdom. Their focus is on flourishing the community of faith rather than on personal comfort, recognition, or gain.

Also, mature believers are marked by humility. Notice how humble Abram is. He could have said, "I'm the elder boy. This is my land. You submit to me." He could have used his authority. He could have insisted on having his way. After all, God had promised him the land, not Lot. But instead, he lets Lot have first choice.

And like many immature believers, Lot is marked by pride. I mean, really—who does he think he is, that he deserves to have first choice? This is Abram's journey—he's merely tagging along. And yet, he thinks he has the right to choose the best of the land.

We never hear one protest from Abram, though. We don't see him hesitate, but we see Lot jumping at this chance. He's like a vulture, an opportunist who seeks immediate gain. His choices are driven by immediate gratification. In contrast, Abram's concern is not for his own comfort or for his status, but for the peace and good of others. He's humble.

What does true humility really mean? Humility is not about thinking less of yourself—it's about thinking of yourself less. It means not being self-absorbed or overly concerned with your own glory or comfort. Humble people don't get upset when their way isn't chosen, and they don't take offense when they don't receive credit or recognition for their efforts.

If they're not given prestige and power and prominence in the church, guess what? That's okay because they are content being servants, serving the flock. Peter reminds us that God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

It's true humility. It's a posture of the heart like Abram. It honors God above self. It puts others' welfare ahead of your own. It submits willingly to authority. It's the mark of a mature believer.

Let's look at verse 10. Lot lifted his eyes and saw the plain of the Jordan that was well watered everywhere before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah. Then Lot chose for himself—he's self-centered, isn't he? And then Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.

I want to point out something here this morning. Lot lived according to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and according to the pride of life. 1 John 2:16. He lived by sight. He lifted his eyes and saw the well-watered plain, a place of temporary abundance that would ultimately lead to destruction, as we see in the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah. He fails to consider the honor of Abram, the covenant relationship that God had established, and he overlooks the spiritual well-being of his family. His choice reflects a misplaced trust in earthly prosperity rather than in God's eternal promises.

Because moving his family to this area will cause a lot of trouble. He has no concern for the will of God, either. He sees this only as the means by which he will have more abundance. This is my means, my road to success. Also, he sees the well-watered plain. And where does it look like? It looks like Egypt—the land they had just left.

We need to understand. Abram caused so many problems by going to Egypt. He could take Lot out of Egypt, but he could not get Egypt out of Lot. Lot tasted the allure of Egypt—its fertile plains, its abundance, its ease—and found himself captivated. The comforts of that land became a siren song to his soul, drawing him ever deeper into its embrace. He longed for the lushness of its fields, the security of its cities, the indulgence of its pleasures. He now began to measure every opportunity, every choice, against the opulence of Egypt, as if the land's prosperity had become the ultimate standard of worth.

So friends, be careful not to let Egypt into your life. Be careful who or what you let into your life and the lives of your family because they will influence you more than you realize. Lot lived for the lust of his flesh, driven by the pursuit of material wealth and social status rather than by faith in God's promises. He was led by sensual desires rather than the Spirit. He saw the road to Sodom as the road to prosperity, fixated on the lush green grass, the fruit trees, and the promise of abundant flocks and herds. This mindset revealed a heart more captivated by earthly comforts than by the eternal inheritance God had prepared for those who trust Him. Indeed, his choices reflected a rejection of divine guidance in favor of the fleeting allure of worldly success.

And he lived by the pride of life. Just think of the wealth I can accumulate there in Sodom. I'm not getting anywhere, and I'm not gaining any respect by staying here with Uncle Abram. It's time for me to leave and make a name for myself.

Verse 11, Lot chose for himself. In contrast, Abram let God choose for him. Abram knew he was under the covenant. God had given him that land. And once again, we find someone east. Remember, Cain years before traveled which direction? East, away from Eden. Away from God. Away from the land of promise.

He turns his back on Bethel, the house of God, and turns toward Ai, the heap of ruins. He turns his back on Abram and his altar. He's headed for destruction. Lot makes his decisions based on convenience and comfort, even if it means spiritual compromise. He lowers his standard for personal gain.

I want you to notice the progression. In verse 10, Lot looks toward Sodom. Verse 12, he moves near Sodom in the cities of the plain. And then we go to chapter 19 and we find that Lot has finally moved into Sodom. And not only that, we see him seated in the gates of Sodom. He is a fully integrated, adjusted member of Sodom.

Friends, that is the nature of sin. It sucks you in and it corrupts you. But not before making you comfortably numb. Little by little it sears your conscience until you can feel almost nothing. You start to provide little justifications for sins. You start to explain away compromise, and little by little sin creeps in until it takes you over.

You give yourself away—the journey toward Sodom isn't with one giant leap. It isn't running toward Sodom. It's looking toward Sodom and then turning toward Sodom and then baby steps in the wrong direction toward Sodom. It starts with one look. Friends, let me tell you this morning: sin starts with a look, with a glance in the wrong direction. It starts with a fantasy or a desire not curbed, an old habit not overcome, a work of the flesh not crucified, a thought not taken captive. And sin begins in the mind. Then it works its way into the heart, and finally it engages with the hands. Where the eye goes, the mind follows. Where the mind goes, desire follows. And where desire goes, the heart will inevitably follow—and then your feet will go there as well.

Friends, his desire for fortune cost him his family. His pursuit of respect cost him his reputation. His craving for more abundance cost him everything, because in the end he ends up with nothing. He ends up in chapter 19 drunk in a cave with his two daughters. It doesn't pay off. So friends, all sin is from misplaced desires. It's followed by deception. Then it's followed by committing the deed. And then that deed ends in defeat and despair and ultimately death.

But notice verse 13: it says that the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord. But Lot doesn't care. He doesn't care about what God thinks. He only cares about his social and economic advancement. He placed his family's soul in jeopardy because they will grow up adhering to the depraved standards of the Sodomites. He places their physical well-being in jeopardy because they almost die when God destroys the city. It is only because he drags Lot and his daughters out by the two angels that they're even spared. And by the way, he does lose his wife in the process.

Furthermore, he puts his own soul in jeopardy because Peter tells us in 2 Peter 2:7-8 that Lot's righteous soul was vexed day by day by the unrighteousness of the people around him. Friends, Lot's life is the tragic reality of a life lived in half-hearted obedience to God. His life is a warning to all those who place their faith in abundance rather than God's provision. His life is a warning that, friends, your life doesn't consist in the abundance of the things that you possess.

It's also motivation for you to live not for the fleeting pleasures of Sodom but for eternity. So we see in Abram and Lot—we see a tale of two hearts. We see two believers who were at a crossroads, not just geographically but spiritually. We see the contrast between spiritual believers and earthly carnal believers. We see the differences of those who are strong in the faith like Abraham versus those who are weaker brothers like Lot.

What are some of the contrasts? Lot is enamored with his possessions, with his love for God and his love for his people and his livestock, with his 401(k), with his idea of success. His desire for abundance consumes him. And what should have been a blessing ends up a curse. He ends up serving his wealth instead of his wealth serving him.

In contrast, Abram, though he's wealthy and blessed, finds his identity and his security in the person and provision and promises of God—not in the abundance of the things that he possesses. Lot is looking at the earthly and temporary. Lot moves away from Abram. He turns his back on Abram. Abram continues to walk with God. Lot wants to dwell in a city. Abram continues to dwell in tents as a pilgrim just passing through. Abram builds an altar and calls on the name of the Lord. But guess what—we never find Lot ever building an altar or calling on the name of the Lord.

His prayer life is non-existent. He neglects daily devotions, avoids Scripture reading, and his relationship with the Lord is marked by spiritual apathy and inconsistency. Lot's eyes are on the cities of this earth. Abram's eyes are on the true promised land. He is a heavenly-minded believer. Lot is a friend of society. While James calls Abram the friend of God, this contrast highlights the critical choice between trusting God's promises and seeking earthly security, illustrating how a heart fixed on temporary pleasures leads to spiritual ruin, while faith in God's provision ensures eternal blessing.

Therefore, due to their differing focus, they make distinct decisions, keep different companionship, and ultimately have contrasting outcomes and spiritual legacies. Abram, being heavenly-minded and trusting in God's promises, becomes the father of many nations through whom all the earth's nations are blessed. Conversely, Lot, with his eyes on worldly gains and lacking trust in God's promises, vexes his soul and ends up drunk in a cave, not the legacy any believer should aspire to have. This stark contrast illustrates how trusting God's promises leads to a stronger spiritual legacy, as seen in Abram's life, while neglecting this trust results in spiritual decay, exemplified by Lot's fate.

Abram is the picture of a stronger mature believer. He walks by faith. His security is bound in God's promises. When conflict arises, he yields his right for the sake of peace. But ultimately he trusts that God will give him this land.

Lot, on the other hand, is the picture of a weaker believer. He lives by sight. He is driven by his sensual desires. That contrast remains profoundly relevant in our own time. Strong believers set their minds on things above. They value eternal treasures. They trust in God for the outcome of every situation. Weaker believers, however, may appear safe, but they live as if this earth is their eternal home. They drift toward compromise. They pursue temporary gains. And they often forfeit eternal reward.

That's the reason why Paul tells us in Romans 15:1 that we who are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. How do we do that? Not by despising them, but by being patient with them—through acts of kindness, encouragement, and spiritual guidance. Just as Abram was with Lot, we must help them grow into the kind of faith that walks with God, not merely in theory but in practice. This means actively pursuing eternal realities in their daily lives, choosing obedience over compromise, and trusting God's promises even when the world tempts them toward temporary gain.

Let's look in verses 14 through 16. And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, "Lift your eyes and look from the place where you are now. Northward and southward and eastward and westward. For all the land that you see I give to you and your descendants forever. And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth. So that if a man could number the dust, then your descendants also could be numbered. Arise and walk in the land through its length and in its width. For I will give it to you."

This is not just a promise of land—it's a call to trust God's eternal plan, to walk by faith in the certainty of His promises, and to live with the perspective that His blessings will outlast every temporal struggle.

Abram is left alone with God. Lot and his bickering herdsmen have left. And Abram is in the still quietness of a settled faith. Here, for the third time in Genesis, God speaks to Abram. And here, we see some more marks of mature believers.

Mature believers believe in God's promises. It seems Abram faced a difficult situation—Lot chose the well-watered land, leaving Abram with what appeared to be the less desirable portion. Yet Abram did not waver. He did not question God's plan or express doubt. Why? Because he trusted in God's promises. Even when circumstances seemed unfair, Abram remained steadfast, confident that God's word would be fulfilled. His faith was not shaken by outward appearances, but rooted in the certainty of divine faithfulness.

And God says, consider this: Lot may have chosen what he perceived as the good life for himself. Yet Abram, survey the land in every direction. No matter where Lot settles, the entirety of this land remains yours by divine decree. The boundaries of your inheritance are not confined by human decisions, but by the sovereign hand of God. Trust in My covenantal promise, Abram.

Mature believers, like Abram, rest in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control. Lot may have chosen for himself, but Abram let God choose for him. Consider this: Have you ever thought about this? There is such peace in the midst of conflict, for it doesn't matter if we face a raw deal, or if those who malign us, attack us, or come in conflict against us. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Abram can't lose. Abram is under covenant with God. And believers, if you belong to Christ, for you do, you are under covenant with Him. He's going to see you through and fulfill all of His plans for you.

Mature believers walk by faith. Lot lives by sight, but Abram lives by faith. Remember, Lot lifts his eyes to the south, and now God tells Abram to lift his eyes and look in all directions. As far as your eyes can see, Abram, it's yours and your descendants forever. Therefore, mature believers live with an eternal perspective.

So what is Abram looking at? What exactly is he looking at? Well, Hebrews chapter 11 verse 10 tells us what Abram was looking at. He wasn't just looking at the physical land of Canaan. Instead, his eyes were fixed on heaven, on the true promised land, on the eternal city whose builder and maker is God.

His eyes were not on the cities of this earth. His confidence did not lie in the abundance of the things that he possessed. His identity was not found in any title or achievement he could claim for himself. His eyes were fixed on eternity. He was living for the glory of his God. And his faith would not be shaken by adversity, nor would his faith rest in his abundance. This is the mark of a mature believer—trusting God's promises, living by faith, and finding security not in earthly possessions but in the eternal purposes of God.

He found his true riches in the exact place he placed his faith, and that is in heaven with God. And if that's true for Abram, how much more true is it for us who have an eternal inheritance laid up for us where thieves can't break through or steal and moths and rust and age can't destroy?

How much more true is that for us who have a Savior who has gone specifically to prepare a place for us? How much more true is that for us who have an inheritance that's incorruptible and undefiled and does not fade away, that is reserved in heaven? Therefore, set your eyes on heaven, not on the fleeting pleasures of this life.

And then God gives him another promise. He says to Abram, "I will give you descendants as numerous as the grains of sand." Have you ever been to the beach and scooped up a handful of sand, trying to count the grains? It's impossible. This is God's promise—He is your God, your shield, and your exceeding great reward. Trust His promises. I will come through. I will give you as many children as the number of grains of sand. Abram's faith in this promise, even when the reality seemed impossible, becomes the model for all who trust God's word to be fulfilled in their lives.

Now remember, Abram still has not gotten the promised seed yet. He and his wife are getting older by the day and she is still barren. But God is the God of the possible, and Abram believes that whatever God has promised He will fulfill.

Also, I can't help but believe that Moses is tying in this idea back to creation because what was Adam made out of? He's made out of the dust of the earth, right? And so God is saying, just as I brought life into deadness, I brought something out of nothing, I can take the barrenness of Sarah's womb and bring out life. I can give you a child.

And we're also reminded in Psalm 139 that God's thoughts concerning us are more in number than the dust of the earth or the grains of sand on the seashore. Verse 17, after God tells Abram to lift up his hand and lift his eyes and look, He then tells him to lift his feet and walk. He says, walk through the land that you surveyed with your eyes. Every square inch of this land I give to you and your descendants.

Friends, we too are called to a heavenly inheritance. We are made heirs and co-heirs of the kingdom and glory of Christ. Friends, that's a reason to rejoice. This life may be difficult, but it's only temporary compared to eternity. You have literally the kingdom of God to inherit. You have a new heaven and a new earth to look forward to. You have a greater inheritance than the land of Canaan. You have the true Canaan, the true promised land.

Verse 18 tells us that mature believers worship. Abram moved his tent and went to dwell by the terebinth trees, which are in Hebron, building an altar to the Lord there. The name Hebron means strength, indicative of Abram's growing faith and closeness with God. Dwelling under the shade of these trees of memory, Abram's faith is firm and stabilized because he is intentionally and consistently walking with God, a pattern believers should strive for in their own prayer lives.

So believers, if you feel like you are weak in your walk, maybe it's because you're inconsistent. If you want to be strong, if you want to be fruitful, if you want to have a dynamic Christian life, then you must have a strong, fruitful, and dynamic prayer life. You must be in the Word. You must be faithfully, intentionally, and consistently walking with God.

And if you'll do those things, I promise, you will grow from strength to strength, from glory to glory. You will find your own Hebron. Abram continues to enjoy his time with the Lord under the shade of the trees of memory—until he learns of Lot’s predicament. Just as Abram demonstrated faith in God's provision when he chose to rescue Lot from Sodom, so too must we trust God in our moments of crisis. We will explore this further next week.

So, in close, as they come, give us a hymn of invitation. Where do we see Jesus in this? We know that Abram points us to someone greater. Abram gives up his rights for Lot's sake, but Jesus gives up infinitely more for ours. Abram trusts God to provide the land of promise. Jesus trusted the Father's plan, all the way to the cross. Abram sought peace over personal gain, but Jesus came and gave us eternal peace through His blood.

Where Lot failed, Jesus never did. He resisted every temptation of the lust of the flesh and eyes and the pride of life, and He kept His eyes on the joy set before Him. And the good news is that Christ died for all of us who, like Lot, are tempted to trust in abundance, but find ourselves empty. For those of us who, like Lot, are weak in the faith, and sometimes sinful and selfish, but because of Christ's work, our story doesn't end there.

Friends, Jesus didn't choose the fertile plains. He chose the hill of Calvary. Jesus is the better Abram who looks after the interest of others, that even though He's God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself and took upon Himself the nature of a servant, born in the likeness of men. In doing so, He modeled the ultimate act of trusting God's promises and living by faith, even when it meant surrendering His divine rights for the sake of others.

And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the death, even the death of the cross. He laid down His rights and the use of His divine prerogatives for His own advantage for us. So who are we not to emulate that and do the same for others?

And in doing so, in humbling Himself, God highly exalted Him, granting Him a multitude of descendants as numerous as the sands on the seashore and bestowing upon Him His church. He is the greater Abram. Praise God for that.

As we reflect on this narrative, there's much to consider and pray about. This altar stands open, a beacon of grace and mercy. If you seek to come and pray for those who need peace—whether it's peace with God, the salvation that only He can grant, or reconciliation with another soul—this altar is open. We'll pray.