I’m Gonna Give It to You!

GETTING STARTED

When was the last time you were given something incredible? Maybe an engagement ring, a new car, a vacation, or better yet, a gift of cash? How did it feel? Did you enjoy it, or did you feel guilty for it? In this passage, we see God bless Abram with a country of his own and the promise of offspring to fill it. Abram’s response shows us how to steward our gifts by enjoying them to the fullest.

  • What are some of the ways God has blessed you? Have you taken time to rejoice in his blessings?

READ THE WORD: GENESIS 13:14-17 (ESV)

14 The Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if one can count the dust of the earth, your offspring also can be counted.17 Arise, walk through the length and the breadth of the land, for I will give it to you.” 18 So Abram moved his tent and came and settled by the oaks of Mamre, which are at Hebron, and there he built an altar to the Lord.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What promises did God make to Abram in verses 15-16?
  2. What were the instructions God gave to Abram? What were the physical actions he commanded Abram to do? Why did God command him to do these things?
  3. What must Abram have felt as he walked the length and breadth of the land? How were Abram’s feelings revealed through his actions in verse 18?
  4. What would it look like for you to enjoy God’s blessings like Abram? How do you need to be thankful for what the Lord has given you?

RESPOND TO GOD

I love the way God lavished Abram with incredible blessings, and reminded him of his promise to bless him and make his offspring great. This was the second time Abram heard the promise—and this was after he acted by faith to let Lot take the Jordan Valley. It’s like God said to Abram, “Yeah, it looks like he got the best of that deal, but I have things under control.” I also love the way God told Abram to take his gifts and fully enjoy them. It reminds me that God calls us to enjoy our blessings. When we enjoy our gifts, we are naturally prone to worship him.

  • Make a list of blessings in your life. Ask yourself if you are fully experiencing the joy of them or holding back because of guilt or shame.
  • Worship God as your heavenly father who delights in giving great gifts to his children!