The Morgan County press. (Wartburg, Tenn.) 1916-1926, 1918-11-01
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 3
APPETITE AND GREED.

LESSON TEXT-Genesis &:27-34.
GOLDEN TEXT-Every man that striv-
eth for the mastery is temperate In all
things. Now they do 1t to obtain cor
ruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.-
I Corinthians 9:25.
DEVOTIONAL READING-Romans IA:
1923.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS-I Corinthians S:1-13 10:23-S3;
Hebrews 12:15-17.
1. Boys With Difference ". 27).
Esau and Jacob were in decided con-
trast. They differed in appearance
and disposition. Esau was a cunning
hunter, a man of the field. Jacob was
a plain man, dwelling in tents. They
were born that way. Every child born
into the world possesses a peculiar
bent which we call individuality. No
two are exactly alike, even twins like
Esau and Jacob. The wise parent,
the wide-awake teacher, the educator,
seeks diligently to discover that Pc
euliar individuality, and to give it d.
rection according to the laws Of it's
own being. This bent Is the basis OF
character. Neither Esau nor Jacob
is an ideal personality. Both are
selfish.
II. Parental Favoritism ". 2S).
Isaac loved Esau because he did
eat of his yenison. He ought to have
loved him because he was his son,
but it is sad commentary upon a IA
Their that his love for his son had such
a sordid basis as that Of his stomach.
Isaac. however, was like many today
whose love is secured through their ap-
petites. Rebecca loved Jacob, though
we are not told why. Perhaps 1t was
because Of his cunning. In this re-
spect he was like his mother, who
practiced craftiness to a finish on her
husband. Cleverness is bond which
strongly binds together many people.
Many hold the respect of their friends
because of their shrewdness, irrespec'
tive Of their moral qualities. Parents
should treat their children alike. To
show partially is both unwise and
unjust. Even when children possess
peculiar qualities which call forth pa
rental affection, it should never be made
manifest that preference is made.
III. A Birthright Sold wv. 29-34).
/. Esau's profanity (Heb. u 1910.
He sold his birthright for a bowl
of pottage. The birthright was the
right of being at the head of the patri-
archal family, position or honor and
influence, as we'll as being the Inherit
or Of a double portion of the fathers
estate. This being a gift of God
should not be despised. He came from
hunting physically exhausted. In this
moment of distress, he thought only
of that which promised immediate sat
isfaction. He was willing to rel1n-
uuish all claim upon the future, II
only his present desire could be graft
fed. A profane person is one who
for the enjoyment of the present Will
forfeit all claim upon the future. he
would gladly gain both worlds, but
seeing that mess Of pottage he let's go
of the future for the present. Swear
ing is profanity, but not the most COM
mon. To be under the sway of appe-
tite is to be profane. What profan'
ity about usi For a moments sim
full pleasure men and women are
throwing away innocence, happiness,
and their souls eternally. This is
most serious, for acts are irrevocable.
2. Jacobs cunning. 1t was right that
Jacob Sho1ld have the birthright, for
it was according to Gods plan which
had been pronounced ". 23), but his
scheme to get it is to be condemned.
He took advantage Of his brothers
weakness to drive a sharp bargain.
The same thing is practiced when I'M
der the force of necessity unlawful In
terest is exacted, or property is bought
under price because one is obliged to
sell.
To get rich at the expense Of anoth-
er is to practice Jacobs sin. Modern
competitive business methods to de-
cided extent are of this type. Let each
one ask: 'Ts my name Jacob?" The
end never justif1es the means. God
said that the elder should serve the
younger. 1t was his plan that Jacob
should be at the head, but God was
able to bring his own plans to pass.
He did not need the scheming Of ia
cob and his mother to further his
plans. To DO evil that good may come
is always wrong.