Men in the Bible: A Fool in Wealth and A Rich Dumbass
Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks and herds and tents. Now the land was not able to support them, that they might dwell together, for their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock… So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.” – Genesis 13:5-9
The man in the Bible we are considering today is Lot, the nephew of Abraham. Lot is one of the classic cases of a fool in wealth. There is an African slang used to describe someone like him, “money-missed-road!” Unfortunately, that was how we first became acquainted with Lot in the Bible. as a rich dumbass.
For context, our reference passage today gives an insight into how Lot acquired his wealth. He became rich through his close association with and attachment to Abraham. Wherever Abraham went, Lot followed him. Even when he came of age and could have struck out on his own, he was still closely attached to the proverbial strings of Abraham’s apron. He went with him from Haran to Canaan, to Shechem, to Moreh, through Bethel and Ai, then to Egypt, and back to Canaan. He was that clingy.
Abraham, too, was quite accommodating of him as he felt a sense of responsibility to Lot, who was the only child of his late younger brother, Haran. Therefore, Abraham practically raised Lot and provided for his welfare from the time his brother died. This obviously paid off for Lot eventually as he became wealthy through the generosity and connection of Abraham, his uncle. He amassed so much wealth that even his own livestock and his herdsmen were rivalling his uncle’s own in number and contending with them for grazing and sustenance. It was at this point that we started seeing how immature a person Lot was.
Firstly, when the row between his herdsmen and Abraham’s herdsmen became a public nuisance, he did not do anything about it. Rather, he kept mum. Although the Bible did not tell us what his stance was, whether he supported his own staff publicly or covertly. Yet, he did nothing about the issue; thus, he became complicit in the rudeness of his herdsmen to Abraham, his uncle and benefactor, as silence means acquiescence.
Moreover, it was Abraham himself who took the initiative for peace by first reaching out to Lot to appeal to him not to let the brewing rancor between the two sets of herdsmen cause a rift in their family. Yes, Abraham demonstrated wisdom and maturity by making the first move. But so did Lot exhibit his immaturity and folly by waiting for his uncle to make the first move.
Note, however, that at this time, Lot was a wealthy man, having a large number of livestock and many people working for him. However, these did not alleviate his immaturity and lack of wisdom. Yes, he was rich, but he was a dumbass. Yes, he was wealthy, but he was also unwise.
It is a good thing we also know how Lot acquired his wealth. It was not through his own personal genius or innovation but through association with his uncle, the generosity of his uncle, and the connection of his uncle. You can then imagine the level of disregard he exhibited in this scenario. Is it that he did not know what to do? There have always been many like him around since the beginning of time who are rich in assets but poor in common sense.
Selah!
Also read:
- Men in the Bible: A Man of Peace
- The Benefits of Wisdom: The Ultimate Acquisition
- A Happy Marriage
- Our Mistakes Don’t Have To Define Us
- Saved from Electric Shock
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