No Quarreling

 DEVOTION

GENESIS

NO QUARRELING

Gen 13:5-13

5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram's herdsmen and the herdsmen of Lot. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, "Let's not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are brothers. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let's part company. If you go to the left, I'll go to the right; if you go to the right, I'll go to the left." 10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, toward Zoar. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD.

NIV

We wonder why men quarrel, especially about possessions. Of course, these possessions were great flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, and a large caravan of camels. The problem was there was not enough grass and water to support such a large amount of animals. However, why the quarreling is still not fully explained. Maybe Abram's herdsmen felt they should have first dibs on pastures and water because Abram was the Patriarch of the family, while Lot was just a nephew. We think at times there could be some quarreling in the church, but it is far more subtle than what may have occurred between those herdsmen. We think it might show up because some think more highly of themselves than they should, believing they are the important people of the church and should have a greater say in how things are run. However, we should take our cue from Abram, his humility in leadership tells us the true story of a man of faith. He could have told Lot which way to go after he decided the way he would go first, but that was not the case. Abram allowed Lot to make the choice as to which way he would take his flocks and herds, and Abram would take the direction that was left. Abram did not want any quarreling among himself and Lot or their herdsmen. Are we noticing someone who is a peacemaker? Could that be why God blessed Abram because blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God. It is always best to be the one to seek forgiveness than to allow friction within the church. We cannot allow quarreling, or contention as the Hebrew word can mean, among believers, those who profess to follow Jesus. Sometimes we think just calling ourselves Christians is not enough. If we are followers of Jesus, then peace and harmony should follow within the body, for we all need each other. Let’s not quarrel