When I was a boy, I grew tired of my bike. There wasn't anything wrong with it, I just wanted something better ... a 10-speed. So I took my fire-engine red, Huffy bicycle with a white banana seat and slick back tire to my friend's house and asked him if he wanted to buy it.

He said, "Sure, I'll give you $5.00 for it." The bike was worth 10 times that, but I took it.

Needless to say, after my parents discovered what I had done, I realized the "error of my way" and regretted my decision, but it was too late. My bike was gone and all I had to show for it was a meager $5.00.

Long ago, Esau sold his birthright to his brother Jacob for a mere bowl of soup (Genesis 25:29-34;  Hebrews 12:12-17). After Esau's hunger subsided, he regretted his bargain, but it was too late to change what had been done. Esau's birthright was gone and all he had to show for it was an empty bowl of soup.

Then possibly, there's your story. The God of heaven has called you his child because of His grace and your obedience to the gospel of Christ. And yet, you failed to cherish such a standing and relationship and choose to sell it for what?

  • The contents of a liquor bottle?

  • A moment of illicit passion?

  • A grade on a test?

  • A grudge we won't give up?

  • Hurtful gossip?

    • Then possibly, there's your story.
  • ________ (put your "pet" sin here)?

And if we engage in this sort of bargain, what will we have to show for it? Such choices lead only to regret.

Jesus once asked, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26 NASB)

My bike was worth more than $5.00, and your soul is worth more than anything this world might offer you. Give it some thought ... then go read about someone who threw it all away and then decided it would be better to get only what the slaves got in his father's house. (Luke 15:11-24) He changed his heart. He re-committed his life. He went home. He found his true treasure ... before it was too late!