The shallowness and folly of man is forged upon a belief that fortune, not heritage, changes a life. Man will even kill for it. Risk the wrath of judgment to get it in any way. They will betray even blood to get it. And will trade their whole life to get it. And indeed, fortune does ultimately change a life. It sells the soul for a mere 30 pieces of silver. Just as it did for Judas.

     To seek the fortune’s of the world over what lies as a living and loving inheritance in the outstretched hand of the one who holds all of creation in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 40:12), is to barter “the inheritance of substance” that is one’s true birthright for the immediate gratification of the counterfeit of “the world’s 30 pieces of silver”. Just like Esau did, for the temporary fill of a single meal. For that’s what he needed in the moment.

    And in the end, as with both Esau and Judas, where does such a trade-off ultimately leave you? With one’s sides burst open upon the hard ground of fortune’s austere boneyard, to reveal for all the world to see, the emptiness and rot that lies within. “With the reward of his wickedness Judas bought a field, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines spilled out. And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.” Acts 1:18-19.

     Rather than treasure and trust in an heirloom, that instead of providing only a single meal, will feed man for all eternity, it is said of Esau, being the pattern of those who place their trust in the fleeting fortunes of the world, that “he ate and drank, and rose and went on his way.” Genesis 25:34. He didn’t have a second thought about what he had done. He did it, it felt good, and only much later did he come to regret it. As was the likewise remorse and regret of Judas. For it is written, “he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. "I have sinned," he said, "for I have betrayed innocent blood." "What is that to us?" they replied. "That's your responsibility." Matthew 27:3-4. And in this we see the true inheritance of the world. In the end, it will always turn its back on you.

     Such is the deception of the fickle fortunes of the world that for the merit of the “fleeting gratification” of a single meal or 30 pieces of silver, it would forgo “an inheritance of substance”, which is the birthright promise of the King unto all His sons and daughters who would fix their eyes and their hearts on what lies in the unfathomable depths of His heart and in the unsearchable palm of His outstretched hand. “That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.” (Proverbs 8:21). Which is to “obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away” (1 Peter 1:4).

     By the grace of my Father in heaven, it is this that I know, that the world can keep it’s 30 pieces of silver, over and over again. But as for me and my house, “One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.” (Psalm 27:4). For such is the length and breadth and height of our Father’s inheritance for all His own that He will give us all “a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise in place of a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3.