When It's Time to Separate - Devotion on Genesis 13

Scripture: Genesis: 13:6

But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together.

In this chapter, we see that Abram and Lot had too much cattle to stay together in one area. There wasn’t enough pastureland for both men’s flocks. They were too rich, in the terms of the wealth of those days, and had to separate.

But their riches were not the problem. God had blessed them with their possessions.

Nor was Abram or Lot the problem.

The problem was a lack of resources. “The land could not support them.”

So, what is the lesson for those of us who are not nomadic cattle ranchers?

Let’s put it in terms of business or ministry. If God blesses you, and your business grows, your current location might not be able to sustain your growth, especially if you’re in an area with another large competitor. There simply might not be enough people with enough money for you and your competitors to share. There aren’t enough resources to support you.

Or if you have two or more burgeoning ministries in one church or one town, there might not be enough financial or volunteer resources to support you and keep your work growing. It’s no one’s fault, and God’s not punishing you or limiting you. You’ve simply maxed out your capacity in that area and need to move on or somehow separate your efforts.

Ask the Lord for wisdom on when it’s time to stay, and when it’s time to move to more fertile ground.

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