I call this lesson “Despising the Birthright to Go After the Flesh.” Our scripture is Genesis 25:34, “Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright” (ESV).

This is from the story of Isaac’s sons, Jacob and Esau. Esau says to Jacob, “Give me some stew or I’m going to die of hunger.” Jacob snatches the opportunity and says, “I’ll give you some, for your birthright.” The birthright was a big deal, having to do with their inheritance from their father. Esau says, “If I die of hunger, what good is my birthright to me? You can have it.”

And I wonder, how many people despise their birthright, their inheritance from their Father giving them freedom from sin, and instead go after what their flesh wants? How sad to give up the eternal for the temporal.

Don’t give up eternal life. Don’t give up your reward in heaven. Don’t give up your fellowship with Christ and other believers because you are looking to your flesh and walking according to the desires of your flesh and of your mind.

Don’t sell your soul for a bite of food or any other fleeting moment of pleasure. You have a beautiful inheritance, a perfect gift from your Father, and it’s for eternity. Forever is a long time. This life is just a vapor.