Genesis 13

Friction happens.  You dig a ditch and end up with a blister, that’s friction.  At work you and a friend both want the same promotion; there will be friction.  Family visits for a week at the holidays and too often they bring friction with them.  Friction happens even in the lives of godly people.  Lot and Abram both had large flocks and there was a shortage of grazing land.  Friction happened.

When friction happens something must be done or damage to relationships will follow.  Abram was the richer man, he was the older man, and according to all tradition he was the Headman.  When he decided that he and his nephew needed to part ways he automatically had first choice.  Sometimes godly men need to give up their advantage, they need to bend over backwards to keep the peace.  Abram gave Lot first choice.  Lot took full advantage of his opportunity.  He took the valley and left to Abram the hills.  He took the water and left Abram to dig wells.  He took the city to live in a nice house, and left Abram to live in tents.  It is plain to everyone that Abram got a second rate, second choice.

Christians make a mistake when they try to keep up with the standards of the world. Much of what we end up with when we follow God is second rate according to the world standards.  Christians do not need to be the richest.  Their cars do not need to be the fastest.  The things we own do not need to be the newest.  God wants our family ties and friendships to be the strongest.  He wants our giving hearts to be the biggest.  He wants our lives to be the happiest, and he wants our assurance of life after death to be the surest.  Is your life a second rate or first class life?  It depends upon the standards used to make the judgment. I want to live a life that is first rate in the eyes of God.