Knowing His Place…

Abram (later named Abraham) wasn’t selfish. He didn’t abuse his status, his seniority, or use his wealth to get his way. When it came to choosing land in which to live, he gave his nephew Lot first choice. When it came to plunder (after rescuing Lot from invaders), Abram chose to give the spoils to the king of Salem, and the rest to the men who fought to get his nephew back. Abram was smart, tough, humble, and not selfish. His relationship with God is what sustained him. He wasn’t perfect, for he did some bone-headed things, but it was knowing his place in this world, belonging to the Lord, that made him who he was. His character was defined by his faith. God was all he needed. And since he was walking with God, the world didn’t have the influence on him, that it has on most people. Make God your life, your refuge, and your home, and you’ll find your desire for the things of this world diminish like sand sifting through your fingers. Jesus is enough. He supplies all our needs, and fulfills our greatest desire (even if we don’t realize it yet).

8 Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 9 The whole countryside is open to you. Take your choice of any section of the land you want, and we will separate. If you want the land to the left, then I’ll take the land on the right. If you prefer the land on the right, then I’ll go to the left.”10 Lot took a long look at the fertile plains of the Jordan Valley in the direction of Zoar. The whole area was well watered everywhere, like the garden of the Lord or the beautiful land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 Lot chose for himself the whole Jordan Valley to the east of them. He went there with his flocks and servants and parted company with his uncle Abram. 12 So Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot moved his tents to a place near Sodom and settled among the cities of the plain. 13 But the people of this area were extremely wicked and constantly sinned against the Lord.14 After Lot had gone, the Lord said to Abram, “Look as far as you can see in every direction–north and south, east and west. 15 I am giving all this land, as far as you can see, to you and your descendants as a permanent possession. 16 And I will give you so many descendants that, like the dust of the earth, they cannot be counted! 17 Go and walk through the land in every direction, for I am giving it to you.”18 So Abram moved his camp to Hebron and settled near the oak grove belonging to Mamre. There he built another altar to the Lord. Genesis 13:8-18

17 After Abram returned from his victory over Kedorlaomer and all his allies, the king of Sodom went out to meet him in the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley).18 And Melchizedek, the king of Salem and a priest of God Most High, brought Abram some bread and wine. 19 Melchizedek blessed Abram with this blessing: “Blessed be Abram by God Most High,Creator of heaven and earth.20 And blessed be God Most High,who has defeated your enemies for you.” Then Abram gave Melchizedek a tenth of all the goods he had recovered.21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give back my people who were captured. But you may keep for yourself all the goods you have recovered.”22 Abram replied to the king of Sodom, “I solemnly swear to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, ‘I am the one who made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept only what my young warriors have already eaten, and I request that you give a fair share of the goods to my allies–Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre.” Genesis 14:17-24