A Tiger Doesn’t Change It’s Stripes
Steven Garofalo M.A.A. January 31, 2025
There are givers and takers in this world. Like a tiger, people show their true stripes as a “giver” or “taker” when given the chance.
Today, I am going to show you through Genesis chapter 12 how Lot’s selfish and sinful “taking” heart was unveiled when given the choice by Abram to choose which part of the land he wanted to inhabit. Let’s get started.
How often has a friend, boss, neighbor, or otherwise offered you something? Was the neighbor being neighborly or simply trying to be polite? Was what they were offering you something they really needed themselves but would do without themselves or was they offering out of their abundance? To be sure, it does take a bit of discernment to properly accept or decline an offer. Just because someone offers you something doesn’t always mean you should accept it. Instead, let’s stop and think of the other person, putting them before yourself. From there, you can make a more biblical acceptance of the blessing or decline the offer in and with gratitude. To be clear, there are times when people want to give out of sacrifice, they know it blesses them as well. It’s not always easy to know when it’s best to accept or kindly decline someone’s kindness, but it’s essential to look out for the needs of the other person.
A BIBLICAL EXAMPLE
In Genesis 13, we find Abram and Lot (Abram’s nephew) traveling to the land that God had promised Abram as a future Israel state. If you remember, Abram was very rich in livestock, silver and gold (v.2) and needed a lot of land for his tents, servant Shepards and animals. As it turns out, Lot needed much the same. Upon journeying from the Negeb as far as Bethel to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, to the place he had made an altar at the first, Abram called upon the name of the Lord. Lot came with them and shortly thereafter, “…there was strife between the herdsmen of Abraham’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock” (v.7)
THE OFFER MADE
To keep the peace, Abram was kind and offered Lot to choose between the very best the land had to offer and the rest of the rough countryside. Let’s remember that Abram was Lot’s senior, and as his older uncle, he was not his equal. It seems that this event of separation ought to have included some courtesy and a conversation about what was best for Uncle Abram who was kind enough to take his nephew with him in the first place. In verses 8-9, we see courtesy and magnanimity exhibited not by Lot but by Abraham, who was Lot’s senior kindsmen. They were relatives-family after all.
ABRAM KEEPS THE PEACE AND TRUST’S GOD
Abram says to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left” (v.9). And Lot looked up and chose the Jordan Valley as “the Jordan Valley was well watered”.
A bit of history-Irrigation systems were in use long before Lot’s time. Lot’s GREED to inhabit the Jordan Valley with its lush vegetation exposed him to the wickedness of Sodom (vv.12-13; 10:1-25). This also included the city of Zoar, a town located at the southern end of the Dead Sea (14:8).
TAKING ADVANTAGE OF OTHERS
When we take whatever and whenever something is offered to us, we risk hurting the other person, losing our witness for Christ, and taking resources from places and person(s) that is may need it more than we do. Remember the Golden Rule?
The Golden Rule found in Luke 6:31 in the ESV which says, “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
An AI entry from Google points out properly that taking advantage of others is considered bad (or wrong) because it involves exploiting someone's vulnerability or kindness for personal gain, which is disrespectful, unethical, and can cause significant harm to the person being used, potentially damaging their self-esteem, trust in others, and overall well-being; it is essentially treating someone unfairly and without regard for their feelings or needs.
Key reasons why taking advantage of others is wrong:
· Lack of respect:
It demonstrates a lack of respect for the other person's boundaries and dignity.
· Selfishness:
It prioritizes your own needs and desires above the well-being of another person.
· Potential for harm:
Being taken advantage of can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, and feelings of being powerless.
· Erosion of trust:
It damages the trust within relationships, making it difficult to build healthy connections.
· Moral implications:
Most ethical frameworks consider taking advantage of others as morally wrong.
THE LESSON
Did Lot give thought as to Abram’s needs? Did Lot put Abram’s needs first-before his own? Did Lot act “selfish” or “selfless”? I would submit that Lot acted selfishly in his own interest without giving thought to his kind uncle Abram who took him on the journey to begin with. That said, we as Christians read this story and learn how to better live the Christian life through the example of these two biblical characters. It’s clear that we want to emulate Abram and not Lot as we live out our daily lives with our husband, wife, children, friends, neighbors and co-workers.
CONCLUSION
The words of Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'” (Acts 20:35).
In all things I have shown you how, working like this, you must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”
More than anything giving draws our heart to God our creator and his son Jesus Christ. When you give, you’re not to talk about it with others or the person. Accolades come from God. Never forget God gave his only begotten son so we could live. It’s a gift. So don’t give expecting a return. Just live life to love God for all he is.
In the end, remember, there are givers and takers in this world. Like a tiger, people show their true stripes as a “giver” or “taker” when given the chance. Today, we saw through Genesis chapter 12 how Lot’s selfish and sinful “taking” heart was unveiled when given the choice by Abram to choose which part of the land he wanted to inhabit. Lot could have easily asked Abram what he wanted or split the difference to be more fare. But he didn’t. Lot’s stripes were on full display in Genesis 12 and so are ours when we are put in similar circumstances. Let’s choose our stripes wisely and biblically when the time comes.
