Genesis13_8-9

Genesis 13:8-9

And 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.

Is 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.

What Abram did provides us with an example of how to resolve strife among relatives. He did not strive for himself when encountering Lot. Instead, he gave up his privilege to choose the better land. Remarkably, he allowed Lot to choose what he wanted, even the best land. Abram valued family relationships more than material wealth.

According to Abram’s response, the strife was perhaps serious. He had to ask Lot to separate from him. Sometimes, material wealth causes people to separate from one another. Allowing others to choose first is a wise strategy for resolving certain issues.

In other words, Abram made a difficult decision when he had this conversation with his nephew Lot. Perhaps he had reflected on the situation for a long time and tried many ways to avoid separation. On his journey to the place God had promised him, he became increasingly alone. Now, he had to part from his only relative, Lot. Meanwhile, he was also an older man, and he missed familiar things more than before. What Abram did showed love to his nephew.

Nevertheless, Abram overlooked one important truth: he was the source of blessing from God. If he had realized that others received protection and blessing because of him, he might have offered Lot another option—to follow him. But Lot also missed this point. Do not leave the people whom God blesses.