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There was a man named Abram, who
lived in Mesopotamia. The people there were idolators, but Abram
worshiped God. God told Abram to go away from his home, into the
land of Canaan; and He promised to bless him, if he did so. Abram
obeyed directly; he took his wife, and his nephew Lot, and all he
possessed, and went to Canaan. This showed his faith and obedience;
and God did as He promised, and brought Abram safely to Sichem, and then
said to him, "Unto thy seed will I give this land." Abram
then had no children; but still he believed God, and "built an altar
to the Lord, and called upon the name of the Lord." Abram
was very rich: he had silver, and gold, and asses, and camels, and
servants. His nephew Lot was rich too, and there was not room in the
land, for the possessions of both Lot and Abram; and their servants were
unkind, and quarreled with one another. Abram did not like to see
this, for he wished all to be love and peace. So he asked Lot to
separate from him, and to go to the place he liked best. Then Lot
looked towards Jordan; it was a beautiful place, like a sweet garden, and
full of water. So Lot chose to go to Sodom; because it was very
pleasant, and there would be much food there for him, and for his
cattle. Lot was very selfish; for he did not try to please Abram, he
only tried to please himself. Let us always try to remember, that
the Bible tells us to love others as well as ourselves. Abram
and Lot parted, and Lot went to live in Sodom. But Lot was not happy
there. The people were very wicked, and he was vexed, because they
would not love and worship God, as he wished to do. And now Lot was
punished for his sin in going among wicked people, and choosing a home in
a place where God was not obeyed. We should try to be with those who
love the Lord, and who will help us to do right. Riches and
possessions can not make us happy; the love of God alone can give us peace
and comfort. And therefore Abram was happier than Lot was, in the
rich city of Sodom. And God blessed Abram, and said to him again,
"All the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy
children." Then Abram went to Hebron, and dwelt there, and
built an altar to the Lord.
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