Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1918-10-31
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 3
APPETITE AND GREED.


LESSON TExT-Genesis 627-s4.
GOLDEN TExT-Every man that striv-
eth for the mastery is temperate In all
things. Now they do 1t tp obtain cor
ruptibls crown, but we az incorruptible.-
I Corinthians SIS
DEVOTIONAL NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IA:
1879
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR
TEACHERS-I Corinthians S:1-iS; lo:2S-ss:
Hebrews 12:16-l7.
I. Boys With Difference ". 27).
Esau and Jacob were in decided con-
trast. They differed In appearance
and disposition. Esau was cunning
hunter, man Of the field. Jacob was
plain man, dwelling in tents. They
were born that way. Every child born
into the world possesses 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 PEI
culiar individuality, and to give It d.
rection according to the laws of its
own being This bent is the basis of
character. Neither Esau nor Jacob
is an ideal personality. Both are
selfish.
n. Parental Favoritism ". 28).
Isaac loved Esau because he did
eat Of his venison. He ought to have
loved him because he was his son
but 1t Is sad commentary upon fa-
Their that his love for his son had such
sordid basis as that Of his stomach,
Isaac, however, was like many today
whose love is secured through their APP
petites. Rebecca loved Jacob, though
we are not told why. Perhaps Ii was
because Of his cunning. In this re
spect he was like his mother. who
practiced craftiness to a finish on hei
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. TX
| show Partially is both unwise ant
/ unjust. Even when children possess
peculiar qualities which call forth pa
rental affection, it should never be mad
manifest that preference is made.
III. A 5irthriuht Sold wv. 29-34).
/. Esau's profanity tFIeb, 12:1e-17)
He sold his birthright for q bow
of pottage. The birthrght was th
right Of being at the head Of the patri
archal family, a position Of honor AM
influence, as wen as being the inherit
or of double portion of the father
estate. This being gift Of Coz
should not be despsed. He came iron
hunting physically exhausted In TIL
moment of distress, he thought onl.
of that which promised immediate sat
| isfaction. He was willing to relin
quish all claim upon the future, !
only his present desire could be graft
| fed. A profane person is one VIII
for the enjoyment of the present vii
forfeit all claim upon the future. H
would gladly gain both worlds. Blu
seeing that mess of pottage he let's &
| Of the future for the present. Swear
ing IL profanity, but not the most com
mon. Ts DO under the sway of appe
lite is to be prefane. What profsn
ity about us! For moments sin
full pleasure men and women ar
throwing away innocence, happiness
and their souls eternally. This 4
most serious, for acts are irrevocable
2. Jacobs cunning. 1t was right tina
Jacob should have the birthright, fo
It was according to Gods plan whicl
had been pronounced ". 23), but hi
scheme to get 1t is to be condemned
He took advantage Of his brother'i
weakness to drive sharp bargain
The same thing Is practiced when I'm
der the force Of necessity unlawful In
terest is exacted, or property is bough
| under price because one is obliged tt
sell.
To get rich at the expense of anoth
| er is to practice Jacobs sin. Modern
competitive business methods to a de
cided extent are Of this type. Let eacf
one ask: us my name jacob" Ths
end never justifies the means. Coo
said that the elder should serve thu
younger. 1t was his plan that Jacof
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 bis mother to further his
plans. To do evil that good may come
Is always wrong.
|