The story of Esau and Jacob is a reminder to us that gratifying immediate desire has consequences.
Esau was very hungry, but he was not starving. He could have waited and prepared his own meal. But he was into immediate gratification, so it was easier to bargain with Jacob.
This happens all the time today.
Look at our current financial crisis. Much of it has been brought on by the same mindset Esau carried into Jacob's kitchen.
"Gratifying my immediate want is more important then my future."
We say that every time we borrow money we don't have to get something we want now.
Just as Esau made himself and his descendants subservient to Jacob by this exchange, we make ourselves the servant of our lender.
We have it on good authority that no man can serve two masters. (Matthew 6:24 - KJV)
If we intend to serve God, we need to keep ourselves free from financial encumbrances that limit our ability to serve.
Father, God,
Help us to see the needs of the moment with a view to the future. Keep us from foolish profligacy and tune us to evaluate today's transactions in terms of the eternal.
In Jesus' most precious name.
Amen.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment