Have you ever been in some situation where you were torn between 2 options, both of which appealed to you? Obviously, I'm not talking about 1 choice being sinful and the other alternative being the will of God. In such a scenario, there really is no choice. What we want to consider are two choices that could be made, but where other things need to be considered before you decide.

I believe we can look inside the Scripture and find two such examples and learn valuable lessons from them both. One is in the Old Testament, and the other one is in the New Testament.

Both Lot and his uncle Abram were wealthy men (v. 6). Abram offered the compromise that would stop the strife that had developed between their herdsmen (vv. 7-9). Lot had to choose which way he would settle. Either way was viable, for Abram had said he would take the way Lot declined. The criteria Lot used was where he made his error. It is not recorded for us that he considered his service to God, nor how his family would be affected. All that is written, and implied, is that he noticed how well the land was watered in the direction he favored (vv. 10-11). Of course, reading a few chapters ahead we find the disasterous results Lot faced because of his choice. The lesson? Selfishness should never be the reason we choose one way over another.

Writing from prison, the apostle did not know what awaited him - life or death. Both were attractive to him. "To live is Christ, and to die is gain" (v. 21). He was hard pressed in both directions (v. 23). To die meant to finally be with the Lord uninterrupted, which was "very much better" (v. 23). However, to live on meant more service to the brethren in Philippi and the cause of the gospel. This would be beneficial to the saints (vv. 24-25). The lesson? Selflessness should always be the reason we choose one way over another.

In viewing both these accounts, we see the right way and the wrong way when considering such a choice. Giving up self should always take precedence over serving self in all our decisions.