Finally Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not allow this conflict to come between us or our herdsmen. After all, we are close relatives! 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.” Genesis 13:8-9 (NLT)
Abram and Lot lived together. The Bible tells us that they both were very wealthy. Things were getting a little crowded and their herdsmen were fighting. It was time to live separately. Abram said to Lot "You go first." Not, "You move out first" but "You choose first". He said, "Lot, assess everything and make a choice." I'll take seconds.
Now, Abram was older (not to mention richer) so by all standards, he should have chosen first. But, he didn't. He turned the decision over to Lot. Lot looked around and chose the best land.
Makes you wonder about Abram. What was it in him that motivated that decision? Typically, we tend to think about pecking order as far as status and decisions go. Who has the higher position, who has the most money, who has the most clout are things we assess. But as I look at Abram and his walk with God, I think his decision was based on that relationship. You see, Abram knew it didn't matter where he lived or what he had. He knew that God was the provider. He had watched God take care of him even when he got himself into a pickle.
Abram was content with what he had and who had him. True to form, God honored Abram's decision to put others first and to trust him. After Lot moved, God showed up and said to Abram, "Look around. As far as you can see, it's yours. And not only that, I will give you more descendants than you can imagine. Go ahead, walk around, enjoy. It's all yours."
The decision to not fight for what is ours, to release our hold on "things", is not easy to do. It goes against our human nature. But God calls us to a higher nature. He calls us to a Christlike nature. That calling asks us to trust in what he has and will provide for us. It calls us to be content where he has us. When we live in that place, the place of contentment and trust, there is a peace in your soul...a peace that is beyond understanding. And that peace is way better than any "thing" you have.