"So Lot chose for himself all the valley of the Jordan...Thus they separated from each other" (Genesis 13:11). Abraham gave Lot first choice, and Lot took the choicest part. Lot didn't commit evil in the choice; rather, it was in the motive. He wanted worldly good, and didn't give thought to the final consequences of his choice. His Uncle Abraham's first thought was how best to serve God; Lot's first thought was how best to serve Lot. That was the difference in the two characters. "So Abraham said to Lot, `Let's not have any quarreling between you and me...for we are brothers'" (Genesis 13:8). Our era is dressed in lawsuits. Here Abraham is a shining light and example to us of pursuing peace instead of rights; he knew what was suitable, and it wasn't a lawsuit. Uncle Abraham looked into the future; he was willing to forego immediate satisfaction for subsequent results and realities. Our character is the sum of the characters we have met in life. Some of these characters are direct such as our parents, teachers, or friends who have had an impact. The indirect character formation is just as important and these are the good or bad books we read, the time we waste on television which can rob us of true vision, and the good or bad thoughts we harbor. There is no doubt that good character is formed from the assets of principle and that bad character is formed from the liabilities of the debts we pile up each time we allow ourselves to indulge in unprincipled associations, tangible and intangible. The world is filled with goodness if we have the spirit to search it out and dwell on it. It comes in the form of nature, beautiful thoughts from past ages, and living individuals who become a noble part of our whole character, if we but take the time and effort to develop the principles of God. |
