Genesis 25:29-33
Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (that is why he was also called Edom) 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.
A birthright was an honor given to the firstborn, bestowing “head of household” status and the right to inherit his father’s estate. The son with the birthright would receive a double portion of whatever was passed down. So if there were two sons:
120 cattle, first born gets 80, the other son gets 40
$1,000,000, first born gets $660,000, the second son gets $330,000
1200 acres of prime farmland, firstborn gets 800 acres, number two son gets 400
Esau was willing to give all this up for some bread and some “red stew”.
So let’s talk about this, as a Christian, what is your birthright, or your inheritance?
• Your testimony
• The Word in your mind and heart
• Salvation
• The faithfulness of God
• Understanding of truth
• God’s presence always
And this is just the beginning. How about eternal life in heaven with Creator God and His son Jesus?
Ask yourself, what is the “red stew” that you will choose and risk losing your inheritance
• Drinking
• Drugs
• Illicit sex
• Dating or marrying an unbeliever (someone without an inheritance)
• Money
• The desire for fame
• The desire for power
• Focus on having a good time
What do you want your legacy to be? Do you want to leave a legacy of trading your inheritance which is eternal for a “red stew” which is temporary?
P.E.W. Perspective 
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