Article March 13, 1954 Issue

"LOT ... PITCHED HIS TENT TOWARD SODOM"

EDITH BAILEY

While fully aware that Sodom and Gomorrah were notoriously wicked cities, Lot heedlessly pitched his tent toward Sodom. He and Abram, his uncle, each owned many flocks and herds "and the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together" (Gen. 13:6). When overcrowding caused strife between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle, Lot made an appraisal of the land, and noting that the plains of Jordan were well watered, and speculating upon the great advantage this would be in caring for his herds and flocks, he chose the plains of Jordan. He yielded to the temptation of greed.

Abram was not mesmerized by false considerations. The light of spirituality which had guided his footsteps in his departure out of his own country into a strange land, in obedience to God's command, still shone brightly. Guided by his trust in God, he was willing for Lot to make the choice as to the land which he and his family and flocks were to occupy. Abram knew his God would abundantly supply his need according to His riches.

The worldly gains which he anticipated influenced Lot's choice and led to disaster. The unselfishness and trust in good which motivated Abram's choice brought wonderful rewards. How well these accounts illustrate Mary Baker Eddy's remarkable statement in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" where she writes (p. 392), "Your decisions will master you, whichever direction they take." Any blurring of our vision of good distorts our sense of values. "We must not consider the false side of existence in order to gain the solution of Life and its great realities," warns Mrs. Eddy (Miscellaneous Writings, p.65). Were all decisions based on spiritual values, everyday dealings with our fellow men would be improved; politics would be purified; and the worship of God would be spiritualized.

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