Unselfish

It’s really hard to be unselfish. I want what I want when I want it. I do want the biggest piece of cake or the best looking donut. If given the first choice, I will sometimes choose what is best for me without thinking of the other person. I will probably battle selfishness until I die. The Lord has been trying to “rewire” my selfish brain for years and there are actually times that I do honor Him, but putting others first. I do think I’m getting a lot better at it as life rolls on and He keeps shaping and molding my heart.

Abram and Lot were growing wealthy in cattle, silver, gold and servants. They each had quite an empire and the land wouldn’t support both huge family clans. Some issues arose among their respective herdsmen. Abram came up with a plan to separate. He let Lot choose first. Check this out….

8 So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarrelling between you and me, or between your herdsmen and mine, for we are close relatives. 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 around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan towards Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out towards 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 people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord. (Genesis 13:8-13 NIV)

I heard a great quote once and I’m not sure where the origin is, but it went like this: “Yes the grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but it’s because there’s a septic tank underneath”. I think Lot chose what looked to be the nicest pasture for himself and it actually ends up backfiring on him. Abram’s spirit impresses me. He’s not only raising his nephew, he gives him first dibs on the land. I see Abram as a very unselfish person. The Lord then gives Abram a promise – that as far as he can see in all directions, the Lord will one day give this land to Abram’s offspring. I love Abram’s relationship with the Lord because He’s always worshipping God. I believe the source of Abram’s unselfish spirit comes from his close walk with the Lord. The Lord can take a selfish heart like mine and convert it to a selfless heart like His.

Pressing On!

Dwayne