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The Kind Uncle

Genesis 13

Once upon the time, there was a man who was very good and kind, named Abraham. Abraham was very rich. At that time, where he lived, people hadn't known how to build a house; therefore, he lived in a tent made by fabric, but his tent was very big and beautiful. Abraham also had many servants, who helped him to take care his home and animals. He bred many kinds of animals such as: sheep, cow, goat, donkey, and camel. In the olden time, the riches did not have money because people hadn't known how to cast or print money yet. Therefore, rich people usually had lot of gold, big flocks of animals and many servants. Abraham's wife was a pretty and talented woman. Their family was very complete, happy, but only that they were old but hadn't had any children yet.

Abraham had a nephew who called him uncle. That nephew was named Lot. Lot didn't have a father when he was little, so Abraham brought him home and raised him. Abraham loved Lot as his own son. Lot lived happily in his uncle's family; he was loved, taken care and provided everything by his uncle.

One day, God appeared to Abraham. God said that he should leave his home, travel to a faraway and strange land God planned for his family and offspring. Abraham followed God's commands, said good bye to his relatives, his village, brought his family and properties and left. He also brought Lot with him. When two uncle and nephew moved, people felt like the whole village was moved because Abraham's family was huge, lot of properties and animals. The people who loved his family, told them not to move to another place. People told Abraham's family to stay so they could help them; otherwise, it's hard to know how life would be at the new place. Abraham also love his relatives and friends in the village, but he decided to follow God's call; therefore, no one could stop him.

Reaching Canaan, two uncle and nephew stopped here, built a tent to live and began to do farm work and raise animals for living. After a while, Lot had his own family and became rich also. Lot also had many servants and a big flock of animals. After living in Canaan for a while, this place had a famine, so two of them had to move their families and properties to another place. When the famine ended, two families came back to Canaan. They went through one road to another, days after days. Finally, they came to a new place, God said to Abraham to stop and let him know that all this land would become his. Abraham then told everyone and animals to stop. They cleaned up a place and set up the tent there. Privately, Abraham built an alter to thank God.

At that time, Abraham and Lot's families became rich. They had too many animals so that there wasn't enough grass for their animals to eat, not enough water for them to drink. The servants of both families began to argue to divide every grass field, every spring. When Abraham knew what had happened, he was very sad. He did not want his family and his nephew's family to argue, so he called Lot and said: "You think, here we don't have anyone, only my family and your family, so we should live in peace to keep our family relationship not broken. Now, to avoid a fight between our families, I think we should be separated, each family should live one private place."

After their conversation, Abraham took Lot outside and said: "You come outside with me, we go up the that hill to see clearly this land and I let you choose first. Whatever part of this land you want is fine with me. If you want this side of the land, then I will go to the other side; if you choose that side then I will go to this side." Listen to what his uncle said, Lot was very happy, and tried to open his eyes bigger to see all the land. Finally, he saw that part of land had a big river running through; trees and green field of grass, so Lot said: "Uncle, I like to choose this part of land!" Abraham knew his nephew had chosen the good land but he was not sad nor angry. He only said: "Good, you like that land, then I will take the other land. I am fine with either side, as long as two families live separately, so we won't fight each other any more!"

Lot chosen a good land and left Abraham the bad land. This showed that Lot was not a nice person. He had forgotten that all his properties he currently owned came from his uncle's help. He was alone by himself without parents, but his uncle loved, raised, and helped him to be a good person; also he was allowed to go with his uncle family until this day. It was supposed that he should let his uncle have the good land, so it would be easier for an old man to live. But Lot only thought about himself and wanted the best land for his family. Lot was too selfish, don't you think? Mean while Abraham was generous and kind. He didn't tell Lot about his merit; he wasn't angry at anything. He was happy to accept the stunted land.

God was happy about Abraham's behave; so from that day on, God continued to bless his family. His flock of animals kept increasing more and more everyday, his farm always produced good harvests. For that he became richer and richer. Nevertheless, the most special blessing God gave to Abraham was he was chosen to be the forefather of a nation set out for Him. He could talk to God and God considered him as His friend.

Are you selfish as Lot or are you generous and kind as Abraham? Do you usually only think about the benefit for you or you also think about other people and willing to give up a good part for them? Do you help your parents, have good conduct to your brothers and sisters, share cookies and candies and toys with your younger brothers and sisters? Remember, God will bless to your generations for who obey His commands, that is for who knows how to love, share, and willing to help others.

QUESTIONS:

  1. What is the name of the kind uncle?
  2. What did he help his nephew?
  3. What kind of person was his nephew? How do we know?
  4. Obey God's commands, what should we behave with people around us?

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Written by Minh Nguyen
Translated by D. Ngo



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