Gratify, or Glorify?

Reading of the Day: Genesis 25-27

Genesis 25:32: And Esau said, Behold, I am at the point to die: and what profit shall this birthright do to me?

Our focus is pulled in many directions every single day. We have a choice, to either prioritize the immediate, or the eternal. To have instant gratification, or to glorify God even when the process takes some longsuffering. We must always remember: the spiritual, eternal investment is much more beneficial than the immediate, earthly one, even though the results might take longer to see! The Bible talks about Esau, Jacob's brother & Isaac's son, as someone who chose instant gratification over eternal satisfaction...and we certainly do see some devastating results! Esau was hungry after a day of hard work & hunting, and Jacob had some soup ready as he walked in...and that soup was all Esau could think about! Jacob asks for Esau's birthright in exchange for some of the soup. Then, in the above Scripture, Esau basically answers with, "I'm about to die of hunger! What good will this birthright do in this type of situation!?" And Esau quickly, without hesitation, gives up a forever God-given birthright, which would pass down for generations, for a bowl of soup which would be gone in a moment. Esau and Jacob were twins, but Esau was technically older and the birthright rightfully belonged to him. Although it seems unfair for his birthright to be taken, Esau did not seem like he cared. This probably wasn't the first time Esau had his priorities wrong, so Jacob probably knew his behaviors and knew the sad truth that Esau would gladly give away his birthright for a simple bowl of soup. Do we have the same tendencies as Esau, or Jacob? Although Esau did not see the benefits of his birthright immediately, he still should have held onto it! And although we cannot see what God is doing behind the scenes, we should live according to His eternal Word! We should not give into our fleshly desires in a moment of temptation, living a life of regret wishing we gave our lives to Jesus sooner! Let's not live to gratify ourselves! Let's live to glorify God! In doing so, we will see that we have the greater benefit! Precious things come to those who wait on The Lord!