Fairness – Genesis 13:8-9
So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers. “Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left.”
“It’s not fair! It’s just not fair!”
How familiar we are with this response. We have all heard people complain bitterly about an injustice done to them. Most of us have mounted our own offensive campaigns to protect our rights. However, in our pursuit of fairness, we may be missing the blessings the Lord showers down upon those who will trust Him. For rather than demanding our rights, we may choose to do what is right,[1] to walk in obedience to the royal law, and to love others as we love ourselves.[2]
Consider Abraham’s offer to Lot while they were dwelling together. When their households and herds had become too large for the land to sustain, Abraham realized they needed to separate. However, he did not pull rank, demanding the best lands for himself because he was the elder who had brought along his orphaned nephew Lot. Without reserve, Abraham told Lot to choose the land he wanted, and he, Abraham, would take the remaining land.
Imagine, in a matter of grave importance with monumental financial implications, telling another, “Your choice; take whichever suits you best.” Two marvelous principles of faith converged as Abraham displayed absolute confidence in the Lord’s provision for him and a love that considered his nephew’s needs as well as his own.[3] Conversely, Lot did what we might have done given the opportunity. After gazing on the fertile Jordan Valley, he chose these lands for himself, thinking he was getting the best.[4]
Abraham was neither foolish nor weak in letting Lot have his choice of the lands. Rather, Abraham, who had tasted the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord,[5] knew that as he walked in the way of the righteous and put his future in the hands of his trustworthy Friend, the Lord would bless and protect him—and the Lord blessed him indeed.
We too can walk in absolute
faith that the Lord will bring peace between our neighbors and ourselves even
as He provides lavishly for us. Instead
of fighting for and demanding all that we believe we deserve, we have the wonderfully
liberating option to put our wholehearted belief in God. Even if the Lord calls us to endure wrongs
and fraud against us,[6] we need not fear, for as we focus on Him rather than on
our rights, our prosperity will flow like a mighty river.[7]
[1] Psalm 37:3
[2] James 2:8
[3] Philippians 2:4
[4] Genesis 13:10-11
[5] Genesis 12:2, 13:2
[6] 1 Corinthians 6:7
[7] Isaiah 48:18
