Consider the Environment

Note from today’s Bible reading: Genesis 12-17

Lot and his uncle Abram had become so prosperous that “the land could not sustain them,” and there was “strife between [their] herdsmen” because of it (Genesis 13:6-7). Abram’s solution was for the two men to separate, and he offered his nephew the choice of the land (Genesis 13:8-9).

After observing that “the valley of the Jordan…was well watered…like the garden of the Lord” (Genesis 13:10), Lot chose that region. In terms of his herds and future prosperity, this seemed like a wise choice; yet it would cost him dearly.

What Lot failed to consider was that “the men of Sodom were wicked exceedingly and sinners against the Lord” (Genesis 13:13). God would eventually destroy this place for the sinfulness of its inhabitants (Genesis 13:10; 19:24-25). In the aftermath, Lot’s wife would be lost, and he would be debased by his daughters (Genesis 19:26, 30-36).

This provides an important lesson for us. As we make decisions and plans for the future, it is not enough simply to take into account how it might affect our material or financial well-being. It could be that the sinfulness and wicked influences we encounter in a certain place will jeopardize our spiritual well-being or the souls of our children.

So consider the environment. Just because a particular place shows promise for material prosperity does not necessarily make it a wise choice for us. We may have an opportunity to make more money than we could ever dream of having, but it could cost us too much in the end.