Happy New Year!
I want to appretiate readers of this blog site, though many don’t leave comments but at least have told me of how they have been blessed by the content.
I am determined this year to read the Bible all through (don’t be surprised that I haven’t); as I started with Genesis, the story of Esau and Jacob came to me like I have never had it before. Let me share it with you.
One day Jacob was cooking a stew. Esau came in from the field, starved. Esau said to Jacob, "Give me some of that red stew—I'm starved!" That's how he came to be called Edom (Red).
Jacob said, "Make me a trade: my stew for your rights as the firstborn."
Esau said, "I'm starving! What good is a birthright if I'm dead?"
Jacob said, "First, swear to me." And he did it. On oath Esau traded away his rights as the firstborn. Jacob gave him bread and the stew of lentils. He ate and drank, got up and left. That's how Esau shrugged off his rights as the firstborn.
Genesis 25:29-33 (Message)
I have heard this story since I was a young boy in church and everyone happens to point the finger to Esau for being ridiculously nonchalant of his birthright.
Growing up, I have seen people live their lives in this ‘Esauic’ manner especially when it comes to money and investment. I have heard several people make statements that seem like a paraphrase of what Esau said back then.
Perhaps you are familiar with some of them:
Let me enjoy my money now, after all it is the living that spends money
I have heard this story since I was a young boy in church and everyone happens to point the finger to Esau for being ridiculously nonchalant of his birthright.
Growing up, I have seen people live their lives in this ‘Esauic’ manner especially when it comes to money and investment. I have heard several people make statements that seem like a paraphrase of what Esau said back then.
Perhaps you are familiar with some of them:
Let me enjoy my money now, after all it is the living that spends money
Why should I starve myself for a better tomorrow, what if I don’t make it?
Let’s worry (or enjoy) about the issue of today, tomorrow will take care of itself
These and many others you must have heard people say or said yourself at a point of deciding whether or not to wisely invest your money for tomorrow.
My opinion is that people often say this to either excuse their fear of investment risk or their absolute ignorance in investment. Some simply say these words to justify their unacceptable impulsive spending behaviour.
These and many others you must have heard people say or said yourself at a point of deciding whether or not to wisely invest your money for tomorrow.
My opinion is that people often say this to either excuse their fear of investment risk or their absolute ignorance in investment. Some simply say these words to justify their unacceptable impulsive spending behaviour.
This is a new year, don’t eat up your birthright again, don’t spend all your salary on liabilities, position yourself to increase your financial intelligence in order to put under control the fear of investment risk (I believe that courage is not the absence of fear but fear under control).
Remember Esau of course lived for that day with a filled stomach but the Bible tells us how he later sought for his sold birthright.
Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
Remember Esau of course lived for that day with a filled stomach but the Bible tells us how he later sought for his sold birthright.
Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God's lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God's blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
Hebrews 12:16-17 (Message)
What you have now (job, salary or even friendship) is only a seed, a lifelong gift, will you trade it for a short term appetite of liabilities or self gratification?
Remain Blessed
.What you have now (job, salary or even friendship) is only a seed, a lifelong gift, will you trade it for a short term appetite of liabilities or self gratification?
Remain Blessed
by Joseph Adenuga 2009
