The Rewards of Selfishness and Greed

Genesis 13:10-11

New International Version

Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) So, Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company.

For Meditation

Lot looked around and saw…

The sound of Eden replayed in the land of Canaan when Abraham was not yet a people, but only with Lot, his nephew, and his household. Both had grown wealthy, and the land could no longer support their flocks. Overcrowding caused friction, and when the heat generated became overbearing, conflict ensued. Because Lot had only his own interests at heart, he did not value his relationship with Abraham. When given the first choice by his uncle, all Lot heard was freedom to choose the best of the land. So, Lot raised his head, surveyed the land, and saw the lush green vegetation of the plain of the Jordan River, well-watered like the garden of the Lord (Gen. 13:10).

What an opportunity! Eden, here I come, Lot must have whispered under his breath.

Who lives there? What is their culture? Who is their God? What are their interests, and will I fit in? How will they help my walk with God? These are some of the pertinent questions any thoughtful person grapples with before deciding. However, selfishness and greed are not friends of wisdom. So, Lot chose the plain of the Jordan and settled there, oblivious of the perils ahead. Thus, his sojourn with his uncle ended.

Selfishness and greed can lure people away from the comforting presence of the Lord by offering more than they can actually provide. The superficial hospitality and prosperity they promise may initially delight and elevate their victims, but ultimately, they demand a heavy price, leaving souls vulnerable. Though they may seem to possess everything they desire, the selfish and greedy find themselves utterly alone. In their pursuit of fulfillment, they then peddle fleeting happiness through sex, drugs, and alcohol. The Epstein scandal is evidence of how poor and hollow the powerful and prosperous are in society. Lot also would descend into this depressive valley to his shame. So, what does one get from being selfish and greedy?

First, you get yourself entangled in other people’s troubles. Lot became a captive of an invading army from neighboring cities (Gen. 14:12). The commentary, “since he was living in Sodom is instructive. Lot’s choice placed him in harm’s way. The enemy carried Lot away by association because they had moved away from the presence of God.

Second, though Lot prospered economically, the immoral culture of the twin cities influenced his family. He preferred the “town near enough” to the security of the mountains (19:20). His wife couldn’t leave it all behind, so she looked back and turned into a pillar of salt (26).

Finally, having lost everything, Lot and his daughters settled in a secluded place. His daughters got him drunk and engaged in incest with their father, and left the world with two hostile nations to Israel (36-38).

So, where do selfishness and greed leave a person?

Pray with Me

Father, thank you for showing us the dark side of selfishness and greed. May your Spirit deliver us from their control and lead us away from their deceptive terrain. Help us be unselfish and content with what you give us. For Christ our Lord, amen.