Now Lot, who went with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. And the land could not sustain them while dwelling together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to remain together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. Now the Canaanite and the Perizzite were dwelling then in the land. 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.” Genesis 13:5-9 (NASB)
A few years ago, Albert and Joan left their church. They thought they had good reasons for doing so. Only later they realized how petty the issues truly were.
Joan’s mother died a short time later. This godly mother had been a profuse note taker in church. In the margin of her Bible, she had noted main points from sermons her pastor had preached over the years. Her daughters discovered this while going through her things after her death. One passage was highlighted, underlined, and check-marked at the end of every line. It was Genesis 13:5-9. In the margin, she had written, “how to treat others.” They shared it at her funeral and told of examples they had seen in her life.
When Albert and Joan returned home after the funeral, their mailbox was full of cards expressing concern and condolence. Most of those cards were from the church family they had left. That’s when Albert admitted they were wrong to have left. The church’s overwhelming love caused Albert and Joan to realize how much they missed their friends. They wondered if their friends would forgive them and let them come back.
They returned to the church and were welcomed with open arms. They learned what Abram and their church family already knew. When conflicts arise, be tenderhearted and concerned for the other person’s needs. Forgive one another and don’t turn issues into personal vendettas. Albert and Joan decided they would follow the example of a mother who knew how to treat others.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Grant that we may treat others as we want to be treated. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for friends and family and follow Abraham’s example,