Lesson 2
Read: Genesis 13:5-13, 1 John 2:15-17, Matthew 6:19-21 - www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.13
Abram:
- Deference – a readiness or willingness to yield to the wishes of others
- Generosity – readiness or liberality in giving
- Peace-loving – inclined to avoid conflict or aggression

Abram also continued to show the character traits of faith and flexibility. Abram’s nephew, Lot, went with Abram to the new land the Lord would show them.

The land where Abram and Lot had settled could not support all the flocks and herds of both uncle and nephew, and Abram’s and Lot’s shepherds had frequent quarrels because the grass wasn’t enough to feed all their animals. Abram had received this land from God, so he could have simply sent Lot back to their homeland and taken all the land for himself. But Abram didn’t send his nephew away. He demonstrated deference and generosity toward Lot, and his peace-loving character.

Abram told Lot, “We’re family and we don’t want to fight, and we don’t want our shepherds fighting, either. There’s plenty of land in this new place where God has led us. Why don’t we separate? If you go to the right, I’ll move to the left. If you want to move toward the left, I’ll settle in the land to the right.” Even though Lot was being selfish by choosing what he considered to be the best land, Abram didn’t remind his nephew this was all land God had given him.

Lot looked at the well-watered plain near the Jordan River, and it looked like the Garden of the Lord. It reminded him of fertile Egypt, on the Nile River. Lot told Abram he wanted the whole Jordan plain, to the east. The mountains would have less water for his sheep and cattle, but Abram generously gave Lot the land he wanted. Abram simply trusted God to fulfill all His promises. He was content to let God work out what was right.

Apply God’s Word to your life:
*Today will you show deference to someone else by holding back and letting someone else go first?
*How do you decide if something is from God rather than from the world? (See 1 John 2:15-17)
*What does a person lose by following Jesus? What does the person gain? (See Matthew 6:19-21)
*How have you shown deference, generosity, and that you love peace recently?
*What situations tested your faith this past week?