There's a lot of talk these days about rights. America has always been a place where individual rights have been at the forefront of the national consciousness, but these days it seems that's all anyone cares about. At the moment, it's gun rights, the right to marry, the right to abortion, the right to display your personal favorite religious symbols ... everyone is concerned with making sure they get their rights.
Abram shows a different way. In Genesis 13, he and his nephew Lot have become so successful that they can no longer live in the same place. Their flocks and herds are so large that the land can't support them all. Instead of sending his nephew away -- which was his right as Lot's elder and patriarch -- Abram offers him his pick of the land. Knowing that God would take care of him, he was able to be generous.
This is a recurring theme throughout Scripture. Moses gave up his home in Pharaoh's court and became the man to whom God spoke as a friend. Paul was due a living from the churches he founded and guided, but chose instead to work with his hands. Even on the occasion he did demand his rights -- in this case, the right to a trial before Caesar -- it was in the service of his calling. Rather than insisting that he be treated a certain way, he was ensuring that he would get to Rome and have the opportunity to preach to Caesar's household ... and all on the Roman government's tab.
Most importantly, Jesus Christ gave up his eternal position -- for a time -- and in so doing ensured the salvation of all who would surrender to him. If that's not an example for us, I don't know what is.
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