From Lenae, GEMS Training Manager
WHATEVER
IS NOBLE
Set your minds on
things above, not on earthly things.
Colossians 3:2
Within
Scripture the firstborn son carried noble rank within the family. His
birthright included a double portion of the estate, leadership of the family,
and other special privileges and responsibilities. Beyond the tangible,
material inheritance, the heart of his birthright was spiritual blessings.
In
Genesis 25, we meet Isaac and Rebekah’s sons, Esau and Jacob. Although they
were twins, Esau was born first and the lawful heir to the birthright. Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau
came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have
some of that red stew! I’m famished!”
Jacob replied, “First sell me your
birthright.”
“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said, “What
good is a birthright to me?”
But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he
swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob (Genesis 25:29-33).
Philippians
3:19 is descriptive of Esau’s impulsive choice. His destiny was destruction,
his god was his stomach, and his glory was in his shame. His mind was set on
earthly things.
Esau
hungered for the immediate satisfaction of stew, instead of God who satisfies
the desires of every living thing (Psalm 145:16). He traded in an inheritance
that can never perish, spoil or fade for the temporal, fleeting pleasures of
this world. He gratified the desires of the flesh and showed complete disregard
for God’s covenant blessings. God’s Word warns us not to make the same mistake!
See that no one . . . is godless like
Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son (Hebrews
12:16).
Those
whose names are written in heaven, are the church of the firstborn (Hebrews
12:23). Through Christ, the firstborn of the Father and over all creation, we
have been gifted an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Our true
citizenship is in heaven! Are those noble thoughts at the forefront of our
thinking? Or are we shortsighted, impulsive, selfish, lovers of pleasure rather
than lovers of God? (2 Timothy 3:4)
Esau
was famished and the only thing on his mind was the short-lived gratification
of soup rather than the eternal glory that far outweighs our light and
momentary troubles (2 Corinthians 4:17). His choice came with severe
consequences. God turned Esau’s mountains
into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals (Malachi
1:3).
Think on it: What choices are you
making in your famished situation? Do not be shortsighted. We need a heavenly
perspective! Choose to think on whatever is noble by setting your mind on
things above, not on earthly things.
Everything is about God and his glory, not us
and our needs. If we always keep God at the center of our lives and minds, we
will never be overcome by self-absorption.
Anthony Selvaggio
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