Partnerships & Yokes / Abraham & Lot

There is a popular concept shared amongst those in the Christian community that refers to the even or uneven “yoking” of individuals. In marriage, in social relationships and in business uneven yoking is amplified if one of the members is an authentic Christian and the other is not. The sort of stark contrast that manifests when a true believer is yoked in any significant way (like in a business partnership or in a personal relationship like marriage) to an unbeliever can only lead to conflict which leads to one of several potential outcomes; the winning of a soul to Christ and the bounty that follows, a split or a life of monotonous discord and misery.

Paul advises the Corinthian Church in his second letter to them in Chapter 6, Verse 14 not to be yoked together with unbelievers. Paul goes on to ask, “what communion has light with darkness?” He encourages believers to “be separate”. Paul is referring to partnerships and fellowship – intimate relationships that rely on faith and trust to be wholesome – and blessed. He’s not instructing Christians to separate entirely from society and only interact with one another. After all, how else would the Gospel be spread? Similarly, Christians are not meant to blend into society. They are meant to contrast with society as beacons of light that lead to hope and salvation.

Fundamental personal relationships require a yoking with those who are like-minded and hearted for the building up of our faith, Godly encouragement and selfless support.

I have known and I know believers who are unevenly yoked with business and life partners and such relationships, unattended, eventually choke. There will come a time when the choking may demand an un-yoking and the dissolving of a partnership or relationship. Placing that relationship at the foot of the Cross is the starting place. God in the infinite wisdom, love and power of His Spirit will search the hearts of those involved and He may restore and re-set the yoke or He may cast off the yoke.

When the notion of an unyoking or dissolving of a flawed or dysfunctional partnership is considered it is just as important to consider what and for whom we grasp in the process. Our motives and manipulations of the circumstances to affect an outcome will factor into whether or not the outcome is a blessed one. The only thing to grasp for in such a circumstance is Jesus Christ.

I was recently doing a study contrasting the character and integrity of Abram and Lot. Early on in the Biblical account of their relationship (Genesis 13) we see that both have become successful. Their flocks and herds co-exist in one region of pastures and they have out-consumed the ability of the land to support their growth. Conflicts begin to arise. The situation is unsustainable. Abram initiates action. What follows is the dissolution of the partnership between Abram and Lot. What is revealed in the process of that dissolution tells of the character of each of the partners.

What Abram has in character Lot lacks. Where Abram is a selfless initiator of the partnership split and gives Lot first choice of the lands he will move toward, Lot thinks only of himself and makes a hasty choice out of selfish and slothful ambition. Where Abram is a man of action, Lot is passive and goes along to get along. Where Abram accepts responsibility, Lot does not. Where Abram acts courageously, Lot is cowardly. Where Abram trusts God and looks to the greater rewards promised by God, Lot settles for cheap comfort here and now. Where Abram is an authentic man, Lot is a sad counterfeit of a man and his family and lineage pay dearly for it.

Abram: He becomes Abraham, he and his household are blessed and he becomes the first of the Biblical Patriarchs.

Lot: Not so much …

Blessings,

Bill