Esau—for one morsel of meat sold his birthright--Heb. 12:16
It’s never right to do wrong, but the folly of wrong doing is even greater when you give up something of great value to get something of no value. That was Esau’s error. Of course you could argue that food is of great value and there is some truth to that, but here we’re talking about one meal—and it’s not even a rib-eye steak or a pizza! How much can one meal be worth? Even if we’re talking about five-star fine dining this was a bad deal for Esau. He traded his birthright for a mess of pottage. He sold out cheap!

The birthright was a very valuable privilege. It was given to the oldest son in a family and granted him a double portion of the inheritance. Of even greater importance, it afforded him the honor of becoming head of the family, the spiritual leader, when the father died. But Esau treated it as something worthless. To momentarily satisfy his appetite he bartered away that which was of great value. That’s selling out cheap! But Esau isn’t the only fool who ever lived. This same story is re-enacted everyday. You know someone, or you are someone who sold out cheap.

Someone with a fine family, a sweet spouse, a good job, a healthy body, a bulging bank account, and/or a good reputation throws it all away for one moment of sinful pleasure. Just to satisfy a sinful urge he does something he can never undo. Fueled by lust nothing else seems to matter at the moment–so, he sells out cheap! The truth is that those who sell out cheap pay a high price. Looking at the big picture, nothing is ever gained by sin. It never pays. Indeed, there are “pleasures of sin”, but only “for a season” (Heb. 11:25). When it is finished it “bringeth forth death”(Ja. 1:15). Faithfulness, on the other hand, brings a “crown of glory” (1 Pet. 5:4). So, it’s your call— grief or glory. What shall it be?

The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy–James 3:17
To describe the worth of wisdom is, at least for me, beyond words. The Bible tells us that it is of greater value than silver, gold, and precious jewels– and that we should seek it. Motivation for that pursuit can be found by considering the ways of wisdom, and those are wound is these words from James. Commenting on this, Jack Graham wrote:

“What a wonderful, and revealing, description of heavenly wisdom!

When we become embittered or angry with another person, even a spouse or a fellow church member, we can justify a great variety of cruel words, divisive gossip, or vengeful actions. Sadly, we can even begin to think of ourselves as being in the right while we spread lies or exaggerate offenses or nurse grudges.

But the ever-practical pastor James reminds us not to “glory in” or be proud of the bitterness, anger, strife that is in our heart (14). No matter how objective and genuine our grievance may be, we make ourselves immediately in the wrong when we respond in a way that is dishonoring to Christ.

No matter what the argument or hurt may be, James says, remember that heavenly wisdom is pure, peaceable, gentle, and easy to be approached. Godly wisdom is full of mercy, so it looks over personal injuries; it is full of good fruits so it responds with a formidable love when attacked or provoked.

A truly wise response will also be without partiality or favoritism. It does not judge someone because of past mistakes, or personality flaws, or family ties. A mature Christian will react with the same forbearance and discretion and charity to a near stranger as they will to a family member (or visa versa!).

Dear Christian, is your present thought life and behavior reflecting the kind of wisdom that comes from above, or the kind that is earthly, unspiritual, and devilish?”

Men are so ignorant of their own hearts that they are incapable
of determining what is best for them. Even regenerate men are
but partially sanctified and enlightened. But God searches the
heart. He understands our whole case. He knows what is most
for our good. He sees our strong corruptions and sad deficiencies.
When, in mercy to His child, He comes to heal his spiritual maladies,
He does not take counsel with human reasoning or desires. It is right,
it is best that He should act according to the wisdom which is infallible.
He employs the requisite remedies. Often they are distasteful to flesh
and blood. Sometimes they are frightful to contemplate, and terrible
to endure.

Then man, in his ignorance, too often says, “If God loved me—He
would not give me so bitter a cup to drink!” But this is man’s folly.
Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Shall human weakness
control divine power? Shall finite knowledge prescribe to omniscience?
It is the height of wickedness for a worm of the dust—to revise the
decisions, or pre-judge the justice of the Almighty. We would expect
that God would deal with us in an incomprehensible way—if we did but
remember how base, sordid, and narrow are our views and plans; and
how holy, glorious, and eternal are His purposes and designs.

We are quite prone to magnify both the good and evil things of time
—to the disparagement of those of eternity. But when God thwarts,
afflicts, and mortifies us—He makes us look at the things which are
unseen and eternal. If He racks this body with pain—it is that we may
think of our house, not made with hands, eternal, and in the heavens.
The shaking of this clay tabernacle forces upon us the recollection that
this present world is not our rest—and that we ought to be seeking a
heavenly country. If the godliest man on earth had his own way without
divine guidance—he would soon be in full march towards destruction!

How kind is God in wisely and mercifully deciding so many things
for us! God very mercifully marks out our course for us. God is
governor. We are servants. To us belong obedience, submission,
acquiescence. It is not ours . . .
  to guide,
  to decide what is best,
  to rule the world,
  to shape the course of events.

“ Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God ? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?Romans 9:20

–William S.Plumer, 1802-1880

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16

In a message delivered in 1858, John MacDuff began by pointing out that there is much about Christianity that the unsaved do not, cannot understand. He said, “They know nothing of the high and hidden walks of spiritual experience. What is said of the workings of the divine life in the soul—is regarded by them as foolishness and fanaticism. – – – -But still, there is much which they are able to understand—such as . . .  whatever is consistent in character;  whatever is honest and straightforward between men;  whatever is kind and compassionate in behavior; whatever is forbearing and forgiving under insults and injuries.—-These things they can understand; and it is of the highest importance that all who profess to be Christians, should be distinguished by an exhibition of these practical fruits of righteousness.“

Wise words! If we do that growth will take care of itself, temptations will be resisted, hardships will be endured, and duties will be carried out. We succeed by “Looking unto Jesus”, not fleshly effort. It is only as we “Consider Him” (Heb. 12:3) that we are enabled to conquer the world, the flesh, and the devil.