What About The Long Run?

Today’s Scripture: "Esau said to Jacob, 'Pour ... me ... some of that red stuff for I am exhausted.' Jacob said, 'Sell ... your birthright to me.' ....Esau said, '...I am going to die, so of what use to me is a birthright?' “(Genesis 25:30-32)

Song To Meditate on: Spiritual by Donald Lawrence & Co. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynGmn5m8XUQ)

Today’s scripture tells us about the story of Esau and how he sold his birth right to his younger brother for some “red stew.” What happened with Esau is known in economics as the shortsightedness effect, this is where there is “a bias in favor of programs that have immediate benefits that are easily identifiable, even if the long run costs are much greater that the benefits.”

You see ladies in the time of Esau and Jacob there was a special blessing that came with being a first born. This was referred to as a birthright – a birthright was a special honour given to the firstborn son and included a double portion of the family’s inheritance along with the honour of one day becoming the family’s leader. Giving up his birthright means that he would have given up all that was due to him.

Esau was very hungry at the time and saw a quick and easy way to satisfy his hunger, therefore when Jacob told him to sell him his birthright; he thought nothing of it as he was focusing on the now and how he could satisfy his hunger quickly.

Ladies, we may sit and shake our heads at Esau and even call him names such as stupid, greedy and irresponsible, but how many of us have made choices because we want to satisfy some instantaneous caving or desire without thinking about the long term effect or consequences?

How many times have we disobeyed God commands without thinking of the everlasting consequences? How many times have we engaged in some impulsive, irresponsible behavior because we felt like it? How many times have we been unkind to our partners, our children, our relatives or just some person on the road because we were having a bad day yet we say we are leaders, wives, mothers and Christians? How many times have we satisfied our selfish desires because we want to move up the ladder of success without thinking about the other person?

Ladies our actions today, and the choices we make, affect not only our own lives, but influence generations to come; as such we have to keep our emotions and our desires in check. Some instantaneous action or feeling may just haunt us for eternity. Therefore strive not to focus on what is instant or material, focus on that which is spiritual and Christ like.

Have A God Filled Day Ladies

Let’s Pray

Father help us not to make decision based on our feelings or cravings. Help us not to look at the material but to live in the spiritual so that we may make our decisions based on your leading.

In Jesus Name

Amen