Despising God's Gifts...

“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 25:32-34, NKJV

Esau sold his birthright (which entitled him to a double portion of inheritance and established him as spiritual leader in the household) for some bread and a bowl of stew, because he was hungry and weary after being in the field. Esau's oath was binding. Though the Lord had already chosen Jacob and told Rebekah that her elder son would serve her younger son, the birthright was still Esau's. It was a God-given gift to him that had eternal value and consequence. Esau despised it, preferring the temporary satisfaction of stew and bread to the never-ending satisfaction of fulfilling God's calling on his life. The author of Hebrews writes of Esau's actions, “For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.” (Hebrews 12:17, NKJV) Esau realized too late what he had sacrificed, and he suffered the consequences of his contempt for God's gift. May that never be the case for us. I want eyes that perceive and esteem eternal value, and I want a heart that treasures the gifts of God, be they circumstances, positions, talents, relationships, or opportunities. To make a practice of despising God's gifts and the calling He has placed on our lives is to end up like Esau - empty, remorseful, and bitterly disappointed.

by Rebecca