Alan Smith
A man walked into a convenience store, put a $20 bill on the counter, and asked for change. When the clerk opened the drawer, the man pulled a gun and asked for all the cash in the register.
The man snatched the cash from the clerk and fled, leaving his $20 bill on the counter.
So how much did he get from the drawer? $15.
How often have we done the same thing, given up something of value in an attempt to get something else of even more value, only to be disappointed in what we ended up with?
Remember Esau? He left his birthright on the counter as he grabbed a bowl of stew and ran! Not a smart trade!
Any time we trade God’s favor for the popularity of men, we do the same thing. Any time we trade an eternity with God to “live for the moment,” we do the same thing. Any time we trade our character and reputation for a few minutes of passion or pleasure, we do the same thing.
“Be careful that no one fails to receive God’s grace….Be careful that no one takes part in sexual sin or is like Esau and never thinks about God. As the oldest son, Esau would have received everything from his father, but he sold all that for a single meal.” (Hebrews 12:15a,16, NCV).
Don’t make any foolish trades today. Hold on to that which is most important.