Hebrews 11:8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
This passage of scripture shows us in no uncertain terms that Abraham's faith was directed heavenward, and was centered in the God of heaven. When the call was given by God to Abraham for him to depart from his native country, he was at this time well established in the land of his forefathers, and according to research done on the history of Ur of the Chaldees, the place was pretty well developed, having a system of government, a library, and a justice system. But the call of God was ringing in his ears and he willingly complied, because his focus was not in the here and now, but on future and eternal realities which do not fade away.
What is worthy of note is that both Abraham and Lot were very wealthy individuals, but the possession of wealth does not automatically relegate a person to eternal doom. On the contrary it should be used for the up-building of God's kingdom upon the earth, and for the benefit of the worthy poor, for riches can be used to accomplish much good, whereas the constraints of poverty can severely inhibit such pursuits. In the experience of Abraham and Lot, a family feud broke out between their herdsmen because the land could not support the vast numbers of cattle that God had blessed them with. Let's read:
2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold. 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 herdmen of Abram's cattle and the herdmen 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 herdmen and thy herdmen; 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.
This decision by Abraham to have his nephew Lot have the first and supposedly best choice, was based on his faith in God's promise of the immortal inheritance, and because of this it did not matter whether he got the short end of the deal, for his focus was not on the material things of earth, but rather on the eternal realities which do not fade away. Lot on the other hand seemed to be dazzled and excited with the glitter this world has to offer, and he therefore chose the most fertile land, while he left his older uncle Abraham, to battle with the hill country. All this did not even faze Abraham, because like Stephen in the new testament, he had his eyes steadfastly looking up into heaven, where all of his hopes, desires and aspirations were centered. Let's read:
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. 11 Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other. 12 Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 14 And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.
Our faith in the promises of God directly affects our decision-making processes, and it has a lot to do with the way we handle disturbances and family feuds which erupt from time to time over material goods, and the inheritance left for division amongst children. There are families that have been estranged because the rights of some were violated because of the greed manifested by others. And siblings who were once the best of friends have sometimes become mortal enemies because of an unwillingness for the others to have the "Better part" of the inheritance. These conditions need not exist if like faithful Abraham we decide to go to the "left" if others take to the "right" and vice-versa.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which should give direction to our faith in the promises of God, for the things that are seen will fade away, but the things which are not seen are eternal and will last forever. Let's read:
John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. 2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
May the promises of God inform our understanding and keep us unspotted from the things of this world. God bless!