NathanTalks #7—To Young People: What’s Better Than Money, Success & Fun?

Society around us is telling us that all there is to life is to get a good education, pursue YOUR dreams, go into the corporate world, get your paid vacation and health care, climb the ladder of success, have fun, party, make lots of money and then retire at 50 of 55 and spend the rest of your life playing. Society is telling us that God is irrelevant, the Bible is a passé tale, family, marriage, and traditional values are for uneducated morons and that nothing else matters except to fulfill YOUR desires and wants. If what society is telling us is true, then why are more young people than ever lonely, empty, and committing suicide? Obviously something is wrong with this picture. In this talk, we discuss this issue and bring the wisdom of the ages to bear on this crucial topic.

 

Esau: rich and increased with goods, but spiritually destitute

Genesis 33:9, I have enough. Esau’s positive response to Jacob is proof that he cared nothing for his birthright nor for the covenant Elohim had made with his father or grandfather. Esau was a worldly man and materialism and sensual pleasure was the chief aim of his life, not seeking higher spiritual pursuits. 

In the twenty years that the two brothers hadn’t seen each other, Elohim had prospered Esau who was now wealthy; he didn’t need Jacob’s gifts, which were substantial, for he already had enough wealth such that these gifts seemed a small thing to him. This is why he declared that he had enough already and encouraged Jacob to keep the gifts. 

Had Esau grieved over loosing his birthright, he’d still have had a grudge against Jacob. But the fact is that Esau had never cared about his spiritual inheritance in the first place, which is why he sold his birthright for a bowl of food; he cared only about inheriting the substantial wealth of Isaac, his father. In the course of time when substantial wealth accrued to Esau, the birthright was no longer an issue. His dramatic act over losing his birthright was merely pretense that revealed the true motives of his heart, which were purely physical and not spiritual, as evidenced twenty years later by his statement in this verse, “I have enough.” 

In reality, though physically wealthy, Esau was spiritually a destitute man, for he lacked and even spurned the true riches of heaven. As a secular and carnally-oriented man, he preferred the immediate gratification of the material blessings of this life, rather than the delayed gratification of the higher and true riches from heaven—something both his father, grandfather and brother had chosen (Heb 11:10, 16). The beautiful thing is that because the patriarchs had all sought first the kingdom of Elohim and his righteousness, they also received physical blessings here and now (Matt 6:33). Esau, on the other hand, received only physical blessings, but lost out on the greater wealth of spiritual and eternal rewards and blessings.

There is much to learn from this story. One thing is this. Many people put on religious fronts, airs and pretenses for show to impress those around them, but it’s only for selfish, personal gain. With their mouths they may say one thing, while their actions, reveal the true intent of their hearts. That’s why Scripture instructs the saints to be like their Father in heaven and to not judge people and things by their appearance, but by the fruits (Matt 7:15–20). This is called judging righteously (John 7:24; 2 Cor 2:15).

Those who point on fronts are often living a lie. The church is full of such people. Elohim is not fooled. He sees who the Esau’s are that are sitting in the pews playing religious games.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing”—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.” (Rev 3:15–21)