LOT – THE FATHER YOU SHOULD NOT BE
Genesis 13:5-11
Someone wrote, “When the family deteriorates it effects the morals of a country.” That is so true!!! God as laid out a plan for the family and when that plan is not carried out it brings trouble. When we think of the trouble and the tragedy of the home – there is a passage of Scripture that comes to our mind.

Genesis 13:5-11- 5 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. 6 And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together. 7 And there was a strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdsmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land. 8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdsmen and thy herdsmen; for we be brethren. 9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left. 10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.

I don’t think any other family failed like Lot’s family. The Bible tells us that Lot was a saved man.

2 Peter 2:6-8 – 6 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; 7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

The Bible says that Lot was a righteous man who made bad choices. And because Lot was a saved man and he made choices that were bad – Lot suffered in his life no other concerning his family.

I want to caution you and call you to repentance and ask you to get God’s guidance and the grace of God in your life that we won’t have the tragedy in our hearts and in our families like Lot had.

I. THE PROBLEM OF COVETOUSNESS
If you study the life of Lot you will trace exactly what covetousness does to a person. Did you know that covetousness in the Bible has a direct result and influence on everything that happens to you? I would say to you that covetousness – when you are greedy – will result in 2 things happening in your life:

• Idolatry
• Immorality

We find in Genesis 13:7-8 that Abrahams family and Lot’s family were together and there was not enough room for both Abraham and Lot. Their herdsmen were rubbing shoulders and elbows and there was strife. Abraham saw that was a bad testimony not only to our workers but to the Canaanite’s and the Perizzite’s that dwelt in the land. Abraham said that this was no good.

So Abraham said to Lot, “You make a choice and I will surrender my rights to you.” Lot choice the plains of Sodom and Gomorrah – that is the property God had already determined to destroy. God had determined to destroy in His mind that area because we know that area was invested with homosexuality. That is where we get the word Sodomite from – homosexuals.
So Lot made a choice of covetous. The Apostle Paul writing to the church of Colossi and he was telling them they needed to walk in the Spirit of God and he warns them about a great many sins.

Colossians 3:5 – Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Covetousness is Idolatry. Why? Because if you love money it becomes your idol! If you are a greedy person instead of a generous person, then money will be the road that you take to destruction.

The young preacher Timothy is warned by The Apostle Paul concerning the love of money!

1 Timothy 6:5 – Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

In other words, there are preachers that teach if you are rich you must be Godly.
Covetousness will give you nothing by Immorality and Idolatry

1 Timothy 6:6-9 – 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
Notice those that have a desire for material things or set their sights on material things – they will fall into lust – Immorality!
1 Timothy 6:10-11 – 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

In the New Testament it is very plain that covetousness brings Idolatry and Immorality.

We see in Abraham’s life that he was generous, but Lot was greedy. There really are only 2 types of people – generous or greedy! Either you love to give or you love to get! Whether you want more than God wants you to have or you are satisfied with what God has given you.

Our great God today is Materialism! We live in a society that cares about things. God has to deal with us concerning the problem of greed.

As we think about Lot, I want you to notice 3 things about The Problem of Covetousness –

A. He Was Weak In His Devotions
In Genesis we read concerning Abraham it says, “Abraham had flocks, herds, tents and an altar!” But in Genesis 13:5 we don’t see an altar mentioned with Lot.

Do you know the reason Lot was Covetousness? It was because Lot was Weak in His Devotions! He was saved, but he did not have a private time with God. He did not have a quality time – he did not have a time alone with God on a daily basis. The most important thing you do every day is to meet with God.

The quiet time that Jesus commanded in Matthew 6 – the private time – that quality time when you get into your closet and close the door and you and Jesus have a glorious time together. It is when God speaks to you and you speak to God. When you get an open Bible with an open heaven and God the Holy Spirit in your heart gives you Rhema from the Word of God!

Lot was Weak in His Devotions. He did not have a devotional lifestyle with God. When you are strong in your devotions, then you realize that everything must come under the authority of God.
A. He Was Weak In His Devotions
B. He Was Wicked In His Desires

That always happens. Do you know where you get your desires from? Your nature – you have an Adamic nature – the flesh. If you are saved the Holy Spirit is in you. But you do have the flesh. When you get into the Word of God everyday – praying – spending time with God – allowing Jesus to be Jesus in you and I am telling you Jesus will control your desires!

When you discipline yourself to spend time with God – then you will find that God’s desires will become your desires. Because you have surrendered and yielded over to God and God over rules all desires that is not of Him.

Genesis 13:10 – And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Lot was looking out for Lot. Abraham had told Lot to choose. And Lot said, “I want the best deal, I want what will benefit me.” So Lot choice that which brought pleasure to himself! That is how covetousness works!

Notice the sequence:

• You Look
• You Covet
• You Take

You will find this all through Scripture – (David – Achan in Joshua 7 – Eve – Lot – on and on) You look at another man’s wife – you covet – you take. You look at what your neighbor has – you covet – you take. Listen, if you don’t yield and surrender to Jesus you can have the same desires as Lot did!

A. He Was Weak In His Devotions
B. He Was Wicked In His Desires
C. He Was Wrong In His Decisions

How many decisions in life have you made that you are now reaping the repercussions of them? I know God forgives – but you will reap the whirlwind of bad choices! Lot did not make the right choices.

When you are Weak in your Devotions which leads to being Wicked in your Desires – all you think about is self – it always lead to you making Wrong Decisions! When you make wrong decisions it could affect your family for generations!

Next time what being Covetous does in the realm of Compromise!

Pastor Tom Tucker
Galatians 2:20