OCTOBER 15, Genesis 13:10-13

We read today of choices: Lot chose the land which seemed most fertile, although it was not good for him spiritually since it was near to a very evil city – Sodom. Abram on the other hand did not choose that piece of land for he knew it would be a bad choice.

From the point of view of the world, Lot made a right choice. It was well-watered, by the river Jordan. It was the best land! However as Christians, you and I have to seek God’s will when we make choices, especially important ones. All the land of Canaan was Abram’s as God had given it to him. He was willing to give some part of it to Lot, his nephew. Lot should have asked Abram who was older than him to choose first, and he would take what was left.

Lot knew well that this land was near Sodom, a wicked city. Yet he went ahead to move there. The land was what attracted his eyes despite knowing the danger of backsliding. He went to live with wicked and ungodly people. He left God’s ways and looked for the things of the world. He was a selfish man and did not bother to seek God’s will.

How about you? When you make choices, are you selfish? If your mother told you and your brother she could afford to buy only one scoop of ice-cream, how would you choose? Would you insist on having your scoop or would you be willing to let your brother have it? Or perhaps the two of you can share that single scoop?

How about other choices like which television channel to watch, who would be first to use the toilet, who will take the bigger piece of that yummy BBQ chicken…The list is almost endless. Dear child, when you make choices, do not think of yourself only. Think of God, what choice God would want you to make. Think of others, how they would feel.

Thought: May I never be a selfish child!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me not to be like Lot – such a selfish person who chose according to his heart’s self-centered desires. Instead, may I seek your will and be kind and considerate to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.