Christian Foundations

April 26, 2007

So Lot chose for himself all the Jordan Valley, and Lot journeyed east. Thus they separated from each other. Abram settled in the land of Canaan, while Lot settled among the cities of the valley and moved his tent as are as Sodom.--Genesis 13:11-12

There is a huge difference between firsthand and secondhand faith. You don’t have to read far between the lines of today’s text to see that difference illustrated in the lives of Abraham and his nephew Lot.

Secondhand faith is a faith that is lived on the coattails of someone else’s faith. And it’s dangerous because it’s not really faith at all.

That was the problem between Abraham and Lot. Lot had inherited many blessings by being in Abraham’s family, and there is no doubt that Abraham was an incredible spiritual example and mentor to Lot. But all of that didn’t add up to a godly lifestyle for Lot, a fact that we see in Genesis 13. Lot greedily chose the best land for himself when given the chance, and happily moved right on in to Sodom.

Hanging out with Abraham had made Lot successful and wealthy, but it didn’t make him wise and godly. Although the Bible says Lot was a fair man, he ended up making a very bad decision that eventually cost him dearly. Lot’s secondhand faith caused him firsthand trouble!

Which “hand” describes your faith?

NEVER LET YOUR FAITH BECOME A “SECONDHAND” FAITH.