The Grass Isn’t Always Greener

Putting Godly Principles Above Profit and Ease

God called Abram to leave Egypt and go to Canaan, where God would bless and make him renowned. Abram listened to the call and left with his family, including his nephew Lot. When they reached Canaan, Abram’s and Lot’s herdsmen began to dispute. Abram was the elder and leader of the group, but rather than take the best land for himself and leave the rest to Lot, Abram gave Lot the first choice. Lot took the best land in the Jordan Valley near Sodom and Gomorrah.

Abraham gave Lot the first choice because his relationship with Lot was more important. Lot chose the best land to provide the greatest return with the least effort. Sounds perfect, right? But then Lot moves closer to Sodom, a wicked city. Years later, his family, minus his wife, narrowly escapes God’s destruction of the city. His wife turned to salt because she couldn’t help but look back at Sodom. In the end, Lot is hiding in a cave in the mountains near Zoar, being duped into having incestual relations with his daughters.

Abraham chose principled Godly actions over quick and easy profits. Lot chose the easy road. Lot’s grass was greener, to begin with, but in the end, his life looked like a scorched remnant compared to Abraham’s bountiful and richly blessed life. I know in my own life I have chosen the easiest and quickest route. When that choice didn’t go against God’s commands, the outcomes were fine. The few times I did make those choices, in the end, there were consequences that were much more difficult to muster through than if I had chosen the right but harder path to begin. We may not have to choose the difficult path to be blessed, but we should never compromise living according to God’s will.

Contributed by Liz Hunt