Gratification

Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.”

“Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” 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 25:25:31-34

We live in a society of instant gratification. No much how much we try to control

control or hide it, we want what we want, and we want it right now. Perhaps no one knew this better than Esau. In this famous Genesis passage, we see him selling his birthright and blessing for a simple bowl of stew.

It’s easy to read this story and scoff at Esau, telling ourselves how stupid he was and that we’d never do something like that. Truthfully, most of us probably wouldn’t sign away our families, careers, faith or other vital parts of our lives for a meal. Still, how many times do we give in to the temptation of cheap thrills and instant gratification on a daily basis? We’ve had a hard day at work, so we binge-watch a TV show instead of helping a spouse with chores. We want something sugary or fattening, so we eat that instead of the healthy foods our body needs. We buy our children toys whenever they ask, because we feel guilty about leaving them with babysitters while we work.

If we insist on instant gratification all the time, we will end up physically, emotionally and spiritually miserable, and potentially set a bad example for our children and other, less-experienced Christians. Today, ask yourself if you often give in to the pull of instant gratification and if so, in what areas. What triggers your lapses in judgment in these areas? Once you know, ask God to show you how to change. Write down a plan or some realistic goals, and ask for accountability from a family member or friend.