In the book of Genesis there is a story of two twin brothers, Jacob and Esau. In their day and culture, the oldest son received the blessings of the father and got the inheritance. This scripture reading gives us a picture of how an individual sacrificed his future for immediate gratification because he was hungry. “Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary. And Esau said to Jacob, ‘Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.’ Therefore his name was called Edom. But Jacob said, ‘Sell me your birthright as of this day.’ And Esau said, ‘Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?’ Then Jacob said, ‘Swear to me as of this day.’ So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:29-34). As you read over this scripture you probably thought, I can not believe that Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of soup. You may have thought, how foolish! However, stop and think beyond birthrights and a bowl of soup. Is there anything of true value that you are trading for something of lesser worth? In other words, what is you “bowl of soup?”
Have you pursued wealth and a career at the expense of family? Maybe your busy schedule has kept you from spending time with God in His Word each day. Some people become involved in extra material affairs, trading the well-being of their family for the satisfaction of lustful desires. Other sacrifices their health by consuming harmful or addictive substances, or even by overindulging in food. The list of ways we make foolish, shortsighted choices is endless.
Some of the decision we make today could rob us of the blessings God wants to give to us. When you yield to temptation in a moment of weakness, you are actually sacrificing your future for momentary pleasure. We can not afford to live thoughtlessly, basing our decisions on immediate desires or feelings. Since the principle of sowing and reaping cannot be reversed, we need to carefully consider what we are planting. The harvest will come, and we will reap what we have sown—and more than we have sown.
Are you contemplating anything that could have serious long-term ramifications if you yield to the yearning? A wise person evaluates choices by looking ahead to see what negative consequences could follow a course of action. Do not let “a bowl of soup” hinder God’s wonderful plans for you.
Prayer—Father I repent for making bad choices based on graining immediate gratification and I ask You to forgive me. Lord I ask You to deliver me from making wrong choices, in Jesus Name. Amen.
