In this series so far, we have seen Abram and his nephew Lot increase in wealth so much that they had to go separate ways and Abram gave Lot the privilege to choose his preferred area to pitch his tent while he went the other way. Lot made a selfish and wrong choice and he began to bear the consequence. If you missed the previous post on this series, you can find it here.

After Lot was taken captive along with other Sodomites, the news reached Abram and he mustered an army to go set the captives free for the sake of Lot. On Abram’s victory in recovering the Sodom captives, their king offered him the possessions he had recovered as a reward to show their gratitude but Abram declined. “I have raised my hand to the LORD, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth and have taken an oath that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the thong of a sandal, so that you would never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich’ (verses 22-23).

After some time, God would no longer tolerate Sodom and Gomorrah. He was about to destroy the cities so He sent angels into Sodom. Lot showed them hospitality and was thus able to save himself and his household from the massive destruction that came upon the city. His wife however couldn’t make it because she disobeyed the instructions of the angels.

LESSON NO. 6

Do not be wise in your own eyes

“Sister, this is not a good idea, why not do it this way?”

“Really now? You want to teach me Christianity? When did you become a Christian by the way?”

Lot must have been so sure he had chosen right as the man of his house. He had exposed his family to danger by choosing to live in Sodom. Wisdom is profitable to direct. Do not scorn the opinion of others because you believe you are wiser. God can speak to you even from the lips of a toddler. Lot’s wife bore the consequence of his reckless decision. Leaving Sodom without looking back was not easy for her. She looked back and became a pillar of salt

LESSON NO.7

Things are not always as they seem, if you look closer God’s hand is in it

Abram may have felt cheated but it was all in God’s plan. Canaan was the land God had initially promised to give Abram and his descendants so even Lot’s foolish decision was working for Abram’s good. All things work together for good to them that love God (Romans 8:28).

LESSON NO.8

Do not be overcome by evil

Lot’s greed did not change Abram from being the good person that he was. He could have looked the other way when he was told that his nephew had been captured. Instead, he made an army to rescue Lot and regain his possessions. After the rescue, God still wanted to destroy Sodom for their wickedness. Abram again pleaded for his nephew and for his sake, Lot was spared (Genesis 19:29). Do not reduce yourself to their level just to pay back.

LESSON NO.9

Do not sell your integrity over a free lunch

According to Robert Greene, despising the free lunch is one of the laws of power. The King of Sodom offered Abram possessions in gratitude but Abram had his integrity to protect and it could not be bought over by worldly possessions. What is your integrity worth? A free lunch? Free sex? Power? Money? Guard your integrity at all cost. Ask Esau, even with tears he couldn’t get back his birthright which he once foolishly traded for a pot of pottage (Hebrews 12:16-17).  

LESSON NO. 10

Don’t forget hospitality

Lot did one thing right however, by entertaining the strangers who turned out to be angels and this gave him the privilege to attempt righting the wrong decision he made earlier in life. Show an act of kindness to someone when you have the opportunity to do so. There is no telling how you can be blessed by it.

The series of life lessons from Lot and his uncle has previous parts. If you have missed them, you can find them here (part 1 and part 2). Thanks for reading.

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