Daily Readings - Tue Jun 27 2017
Genesis
2Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.5Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents.6But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.7And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time.8So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers.9Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left."10Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.)11So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company:12Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom.13Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.14The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west.15All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever.16I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted.17Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you."18So Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he built an altar to the LORD.
Sermon
The first reading from Genesis tells the story of Abram and Lot, two kindred spirits who find themselves at odds due to the abundance of their possessions. Abram, a man of great faith, and Lot, his nephew, had both acquired significant wealth—so much so that the land could no longer sustain them together. Faced with growing tension between their shepherds, Abram takes the initiative to resolve the conflict. With humility and generosity, he offers Lot the first choice of land, trusting that God will provide for him regardless of the decision. Lot, enticed by the fertile plains of the Jordan, chooses the land that seems most promising, while Abram remains in Canaan. The reading concludes with God reaffirming His promise to Abram, assuring him that his descendants will be as countless as the dust of the earth.
This passage invites us to reflect on the importance of humility, trust, and generosity in our relationships. Abram’s decision to let go of his own interests for the sake of harmony demonstrates a deep trust in God’s providence. He prioritizes peace over possessions, showing us that true wealth lies not in material goods but in our relationship with God. Lot, on the other hand, is drawn to the allure of the world, choosing the land that appears most prosperous. Yet, as we know from later in the story, this choice ultimately leads him into a place of moral corruption. The reading reminds us that our choices have consequences and that trusting in God’s plan, even when it seems uncertain, is the surest path to true fulfillment.
In our daily lives, we often face decisions that require us to choose between personal gain and the greater good. Like Abram, we are called to act with humility and generosity, trusting that God will provide for us. When conflicts arise, we should seek to resolve them with grace and selflessness, rather than allowing selfishness or pride to take hold. Let us remember that our ultimate inheritance is not of this world but is rooted in God’s promises. May we, like Abram, walk in faith, trusting that God will guide us through life’s challenges and lead us to a future filled with hope and blessing.