DCLM Higher Everyday 17 March 2024 — Choosing By Covetousness
Topic: Choosing By Covetousness
Text: Genesis 13:5-13
5And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents.
6And 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.
8And 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.
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.
10And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
11Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
12Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
13But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
Key Verse: “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar” (Genesis 13:10).
Message
Covetousness is the desire to have what belongs to someone else. Lot left his native land to follow Uncle Abraham and the young man became rich, having servants under his control in the same way that some youths get blessed because of their relatives who see them through education or vocational training. The moment they hear the praise of men about their good performance, they begin to “fight for freedom” like the prodigal son who forsook his father and went to a far country. Jesus said, “…Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke 12:15).
Lot’s hasty choice did not favour his family. He was too wealth-conscious to allow Abraham to choose first where to settle. He looked in the direction that he thought was more fertile and chose. He settled near Sodom and Gomorah, the environment of sin and wickedness, where he eventually lost almost everything. Friend, if you must migrate to anywhere, ensure you pray and receive divine guidance. Do not do anything out of covetousness.
Quote: Pray and receive divine guidance
Challenge: Avoid the tragedy of the greedy.
Prayer for today: Oh God, deliver me from covetousness, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
