Genesis 25 - Wasting Our Blessing

In Chapter 25 of Genesis we find the story of Jacob and Esau. If you have been a believer long, you probably know the story well. Esau came home presumably from a day of hunting game and was hungry; he sees Jacob cooking stew and begs for some.

Now we could chastise Jacob for being conniving but bottom line is that Esau gave up a spiritual benefit in favor of a little comfort in the "now". That is where we also find ourselves. We must choose between the temporal and the eternal on a daily basis. We all have the desire to avoid suffering, but sometimes bearing with a little discomfort can yield much richer benefits in the long run.

Jesus himself gave up the glory of Heaven in order to accomplish the mission of sacrificing himself for the benefit of our eternal souls. Jesus paid a price he didn't have to and suffered for us so that we could have redemption from the slavery of sin.

I don't want to get political, but this seems to be precisely the issue we faced in our last election. The majority of the nation selected the option of keeping government entitlements for the now while sacrificing future options.

I don't want to get personal here, and forgive me if I step on toes, but don't we do they same when we become reliant on credit to sustain our current needs while forfeiting long term options for our own future?

Our modern day Jacob's still exist and they wait to take advantage of those who are ill-prepared and foolish. They are ready with scams, high cost loans, manipulation of all sorts. As good stewards we should be wise and consider the long term as well as the short when making our choices.

Greed and the avoidance of discomfort are ingrained in our sin nature, but sometimes the better option is only available with the discomfort of hard work and sacrifice. In the pain, God speaks to our hearts and reminds us of his sovereignty. In suffering we abandon our self-reliance and pray to the one who is able to help us.

In Luke 9:23-25, Jesus said, "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit his very self."

The last words of the chapter say it best - so Esau despised his birthright. Let it never be said of you dear friend that you abandoned the hope you have for all eternity in favor of a little comfort here. The world is watching us; will we choose to live like they do or will we live like Christ before them?

Dear Heavenly Father, we have temptations all around us and our sin nature desires pleasures that would not honor you. Help us to reject our sin nature and to embrace your cross as our hope of eternal deliverance from evil. In our daily choices, help us to be wise and honor you above all earthly comforts. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.