What Are You Willing To Pay For That Bowl Of Soup?

Most of us who went to Sunday School as youngsters remember the story of the two brothers Jacob and Esau. Genesis 25:29-34 tells of an incident where Jacob had made some stew while Esau was working in the field. Esau was born first which was an honor and he would eventually obtain a double portion of the family inheritance. But Esau came in from the field tired and hungry and pleaded for some of the stew. Verses 31-34: "But Jacob said, 'Sell me your birthright as of this day.' And Esau said, 'Look, I am about to die; so what is this birthright to me?' Then Jacob said, 'Swear to me as of this day.' So he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils, then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright."

How many Christians today settle for less than God's best for them. They cross the line when they think they are in a pinch. At what point do we go ahead and exchange our "birth right" for a cup of soup? How many Christians are selling out for a bowl of soup in their marriage, relationships, attitudes or principles?

The Lord woke me up one night recently with these verses: Psalms 106:13-15. The Hebrew people had left Egypt and were headed for the Promised Land. But they were so discontented and unappreciative that they forgot all that God had done to deliver them. They "lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul." (Vs. 14,15)

That word "leanness" comes from the word emaciate, to starve. How many emaciated Christians do you know that have settled for less than God's best? They have not waited on God and have sold out for a bowl of soup! This above Psalm comes from the story in Numbers 11:31-35. They complained so badly about not having the things that they wanted to eat- they wanted meat! Finally God gave in to their request and sent quail. So much that the people stayed up all day and night and the next day and gathered all the quail. But while they were still eating, while the meat was in their mouths-- God's wrath was aroused and the Lord struck the people with a great plague. The name of that place was Kibroth Hattaavah- which literally means graves of craving. The people sold out for a bowl of soup- in this case it was for meat. They paid a dear price for their lusting and craving after things to satisfy the soul and they lost out with God.

We live in the age of grace and it is only by God's grace that His wrath is not poured out on mankind. And the Lord gives us second and third chances in this life. But how many heartaches and difficulties could we miss if we just let God have His way in the first place! If we keep our fleshly desires crucified and not give in to them- waiting for God to move on our behalf; if we just hold on when times seem hard and our desires are not fulfilled; if we concentrate on being thankful for what we do have and maintain an attitude of worship- we will not sell out for a bowl of soup. We will not settle for anything less than God's best for us.

Dear Lord, Help me to always desire Your best for my life, no matter how difficult it may seem to me. May my motto always be: "I won't settle for anything less than more of You."  In Jesus Name, Amen.