The story of Lot is one filled with great promise and potential that ends in great tragedy. How does one get from walking with “the friend of God” daily to committing incest in a lonely cave? How does one with so much wealth end up with nothing? While there are many complex factors at play, at a basic level it is apparent that he made foolish decisions – decisions which had far-reaching consequences.
Illustration:
There’s a point along the Continental Divide (Rocky Mountains) where the waters of a small stream separate. It doesn’t seem like it makes a big deal whether the water goes left or right – but the outcome of those two drops is a world of difference. One ends in the Pacific Ocean, the other in the Atlantic.
Life follows this illustration. We go through life, every day making thousands of decisions. These seemingly small choices may seem insignificant in the moment, but they are helping to form patterns and habits.
Consider one more illustration of this same concept. In 1983, Korean Airlines Flight 007 was traveling from Anchorage, Alaska to Seoul Korea. There was nothing special about this September 1 date – just an ordinary day to travel.
The pilot and his staff were to set their heading for 220 degrees. Instead, they were slightly off on their dial. It was almost imperceptible at the moment of human error. But after 5-6 hours of flying this route, they were shot down over Russian airspace. A small error in decision-making was costly.
It’s important that we understand the necessity of wise choices.
What’s going on with Lot?
In Genesis 13, we read the story of Lot. His team is at odds with Abraham’s team. Lot and Abraham are relatives; but they can’t seem to get along. Lot decides it’s time to move on, to be his own boss. Notice Lot’s decision-making process:
- He looked toward Sodom
- He moved near Sodom
- He lived in Sodom
- He led in Sodom
He lost his wife, his testimony, his dignity – and almost lost his own life as well. Ending up in a cave with his two daughters, he became drunk and committed incest. His daughters bore the founders of two nations (Moab and Ammon) that were a constant threat to Israel in the OT.
If all we had was the Old Testament, it would be hard to make a case for Lot’s relationship with God. Yet, Peter declares that this righteous man vexed his righteous soul – and it started with the choices he made. He set his eyes, then his heart, and then he physically followed.
Principles we can learn
- Choices often result in eternally significant consequences
Lot’s choices were made from a materialistic mindset. He may have gained prominence and position, but the trade-off was much higher than he intended to pay.
When he moved to Sodom, he never imagined that one day he would lose so much. His family would never be the same. We really don’t know how the story ended for Lot; but we know it could have ended a lot better with a different set of choices.
- Choices must align with God’s principles
Watching the dynamics with Abraham and Lot, some powerful lessons present themselves to us. For example, we learn that we must value relationships over rights. Abraham had the right to choose his direction first – he yielded to Lot. It was Abraham who had a God-given right to the land, but he left the possession of it to God’s timing. Abraham stressed that he and Lot were “brothers” (the relationship aspect). We could avoid much strife if we learned to value relationships over rights!
A second lesson presents itself as well. We must value godliness over greed. In verse 10, Lot “lifted his eyes.” Later, in verse 14, Abraham lifts his eyes – they see differently! Greed says, “Give me; I want; I need.” To the contrary, godliness responds with, “Thank you Lord for meeting my needs.”
A third lesson can be observed here. We must learn to value fellowship with God over the approval of the world. Though we may not consider it this way, it’s worth noting that Canaan wasn’t spiritually better off than Sodom – both were wicked. Yet, Abraham remains untainted and Lot becomes corrupted.
Why do we observe such diametrically opposed outcomes? Verse 18 points us to Abraham’s secret. Two characteristics describe his faith. He had a “tent” and an “altar.” He was a pilgrim and a worshipper. Lot wanted to become a citizen and he built no altar in Sodom.
Finally, in seeing how our choices must be governed by God’s principles, we must value God’s eternal promises over the world’s immediate pleasures. Lot chose quick gratification; Abraham endured faithfully in God’s promises. Lot chose prestige in Sodom; Abraham chose fellowship with God. Only one of these men is remembered today as the “friend of God.”
Conclusion
The Christian life isn’t just about “forsaking everything to follow Christ.” That’s true – but Lot had made a choice to leave everything behind as well. He left his homeland too! I don’t know who said it, but the illustration is applicable. We tend to think of commitment to Christ like laying a $1000 bill on the table: “Here’s my life, Lord. I give it all to you.”
However, the reality is more something along these lines. God sends most of us to the bank and cash that $1000 in for quarters. We go through life putting out .25 here and .50 there, in small deeds of faithfulness and obedience. Yet, it’s at those moments, in those little quarter choices, that our lives plot out their directions.