Don't Sell Your Birthright

"But Jacob said, 'Swear to me first.' So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright." -Genesis 25:33-34 What is a birthright? According to WordNet online dictionary, it is "a right or privilege that you are entitled to at birth", or "an inheritance coming by right of birth". Did you know God gives each of us a birthright as His children? Did you know that we may not be aware of our birthright from Him, or, if we understand our birthright, we can also lose it? This is described in the story of Jacob and Esau. Jacob stole Esau's birthright by offering him food when he was extremely hungry. Although Jacob acted as a manipulator and deceiver, his brother didn't seem all that concerned with his inheritance in the present. He wanted his need for food met, now! He couldn't see past his immediate desires, although legitimate. He tried to get them met in the wrong way. And he sold the only thing of true value in his life away for a bowl of stew. How angry he must've been at himself once his hunger had been satisfied! When we are born into the kingdom of God by accepting Christ into our lives, we are born not only into new life through salvation, but we also carry a new birthright. Like free education is given to anyone born in America, when we are born again, a new creation in Christ, we are given gifts that people who do not know Him do not have. Peace, joy, hope, and spiritual gifts in addition to the gift of eternal salvation are all part of this birthright. We gain the gift of purpose through relationship with Jesus and all that God has for us. However, it is easy to miss our birthright by deception, or to exchange it for a life of self-gratification, as Esau did. It says in Genesis 25:34 Esau "despised" his birthright. How many of us "despise" doing the things that Christ would have us do? Whether it's fear, pride, past hurts and rejections, or not feeling good enough - none of those reasons are good enough for us to miss the inheritance that God has in store for us. Don't let deception keep you from your birthright of who you are in Christ - from all the things that God has planned for you to bless you, give you a purpose, and to use you mightily for His kingdom. Related resource: Believe That You Can: Moving with Faith and Tenacity to the Dream God Has Given You, by Jentezen Franklin