Poor Bargains by Chas. L. Boyd

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jul 22, 1873

Poor Bargains.

By Chas. L. Boyd

“And Esau said, Behold I am at the point to die, and what profit shall this birthright do to me! . . . And he sold his birthright unto Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau bread and pottage of lentiles; and he did eat and drink, and rose up and went his way.” Gen. 25: 32-34. We look upon this trade as being the height of folly on the part of the poor youth who sold his birthright.

But what did Esau sell? 1. His father’s chief blessing, and a special consecration to the Lord. 2. His share in his father’s estate, which was twice as large as his brother’s. 3. His right to succeed to the official dignities and privileges of his father. And what does he receive for this so great hereditary possession? Simply one meal of victuals. A poor bargain. Are there any bargains of the same nature made in these days? What pay does the drunkard receive for his right of a standing in society, for his once happy home, and hope of an inheritance with the redeemed? What does one receive for indulging the cravings of a perverted appetite? Ask the poor dyspeptic? Esau was on the point of starvation, and inquired, “What profit shall this birthright do me?” and for it he received that which saved his life; although but a “morsel of pottage.” Each of the above-named poor traders receives far less than did Esau.

For the wealth and honor promised by Balak, Balaam persistently sought to curse Israel. Contrary to the command of God, Saul saved some of the spoil of the Amalekites. In his sight it was too precious to be destroyed. Did this bargain pay? Says the prophet, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” “The Lord hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.” Are there any at the present day who would have done so foolishly? Many are convinced that the seventh day is the Sabbath, and that the commandment requires its observance. But it is unpopular. Perhaps their trade must be given up if they obey God. What must be done? Many do as Saul did—disobey. But the same jealous God reigns now that reigned then. He requires a strict obedience to his just commandments. All are invited to come to Jesus; but one is so much taken up with his farm that he puts it off till an uncertain hereafter. The cause needs help, or a poor brother has died, and his family are destitute and need help; but there are forty acres of land joining his farm which he must have; for in three years it will, doubtless, be worth twice its present value, and for forty acres of land he sells his—well, he lets that poor family suffer for want of the necessaries of life, and loses the privilege of casting in of his means to forward the work of God.

Many of our dear youth sell their birthright for the fashions and pleasures of this life. They do not mean to make this exchange, but grieve the Holy Spirit, and barter conscience, little by little, for what this world has to offer, till it has so strong a hold upon them that they never break away.

Judas sold his Lord for thirty pieces of silver. He returned the money, confessed his crime, and in the depth of despair went and hanged himself. The young man turned sorrowfully from the Saviour when he offered him a treasure in Heaven in exchange for what he had of this world’s goods. Oh! can men make such mistakes? The cause of God needs help, but not half so much as we need to help it; for where our treasure is, there our heart will be also. Have we a treasure in Heaven? May God help us to examine our standing and see where we are, and what kind of bargains we are making. “What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul.” CHAS. L. BOYD.

Tama City, Iowa.