Short term pleasure.

Hebrews 12: 16 "...who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son."

I have a value for you! It is the best value meal ever, or is it? How about selling your blessing for a bowl of stew, a burger, or a good drink. "No way!" you say. But, how often do we sell it without a thought? For example, the fast food restaurants tempt us with the value and combo meals all for less than $5 bucks or even a $1. It may be a value for the pocketbook, but is it really a true, beneficial value? Honestly, a greasy cheeseburger, french fries, and a large sweet iced tea is far from a value meal! However, value or not we seem to think they taste great and indulge in them regardless.

What is the value here? The real value should be on you and your choice to live well. What we see as a temporary value for the appetite and pocketbook becomes very costly in the long run. Think of this, if fat goes in then we get...hmm well, need I say anymore. When we neglect to take care of our bodies by not eating healthy we pay the price. This is called the Esau Syndrome. For the moment the value meal seems like the best choice, however, little by little the quality of our health and life is sold away at the cost of a so called value meal. Is it worth it to satisfy a temporary appetite instead of the blessing in the long run? Esau sold the blessing of his birthright for a pot of stew. Are you selling yours too?

To many times we sacrifice the good things to satisfy the temporary fleshly moment. We eat unhealthy, make bad choices, and get ourselves in a mess over our fleshly desires. The next time you are faced with food choices or any other choice, ask yourself, " Is this of any true value to me?" Will this benefit my health and life, or am I selling the blessings? We can't have the Esau syndrome and the blessing of God at the same time. A choice must be made on what we value most.

In the Message Hebrews 12:16 reads, "Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's life long gift in order to satisfy a short term appetite. You well know Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing- but by then it was too late, tears or no tears."


How many times have we been an Esau in our impulsive act and then had regret and tears later? The struggle with flesh could be with anything, not just food. The Esau syndrome could be evident in more than one area of your life. Take a moment to stop and examine your life to make sure you are not forfeiting your blessing. Check to see where you are placing your value.
Put the value on the gift of life God has given you and live life with no regrets!

Dear Lord,
Give the strength to stand strong and say "NO". You are the source of life and may the blessing of long life be ours. May we be led by the Holy Spirit to make good choices that will lead us to blessing. In Jesus name.
Based on the Jacob/Esau story in Genesis 25: 19-34

Until next time...
Lesia