CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBILITY

"Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentils; and he did eat and drink, and rose up, and went his way: thus Esau despised his birthright." (Gen. 25:34 KJV)

I never quite understood why Esau would look at his birthright with contempt. I mean, who in their right mind would not want the extra share of their fathers' inheritance. Once I began to do a little digging into this "first born" stuff, I realized something. It was not the benefits of the first born son that Esau despised, it was the responsibilities that came along with the benefits! Esau felt like, "Why should I have to take care of the family affairs while my brother sits back with his feet propped up on his portion of the inheritance.". In Esau's' mind it would be a looong time before that day would come and what he wanted at the present time was right in front of him. Little did Esau know, that day would be upon him as a thief in the night! When the day came for Esau's' father to bless him, Esau ended up leaving the presence of his father with tears in his eyes and bitterness in his heart.

Today, let us all learn from Esau's' mistake. Don't sell your Heavenly Inheritance for a cheap thrill or a temporary fix. As a matter of fact,anytime you sell God out for anything, you have sold too cheap!!!! Heaven is closer than you may think and it would be a sad event to be dragged out of the presence of our Heavenly Father with tears in our eyes and bitterness in our hearts. The dishes of sin may taste sweet indeed, but they are laced with the deadliest poison in Satan's' kingdom. Hold on to Gods' unchanging hand!

Pastor Franklin E. Akers Jr.