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Genesis 25:27-34
The boys grew up, and Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the open country, while Jacob was content to stay at home among the tents. Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob. Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom.) Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.
Additional Scripture References: Genesis 33:4-8, Genesis 33:9, 2 Peter 1:3, 1 Timothy 6:6-8
Is it wrong to be content? Is it wrong to be ambitious? While there’s nothing inherently wrong with either, there is a tension between the two. Esau and Jacob’s relationship gives us a glimpse of this tension in scripture. Esau, being the firstborn, became heir to the family’s birthright. Jacob, being the second in line, did not carry birthright blessings. Esau’s appetite and Jacob’s discontentment led them to make a comprising trade. One willing to give up everything for momentary satisfaction, and the other stealing what was not rightfully his. Both fundamentally believed “I want more” and “I need more.” In the same way, we make unfulfilling trades when we believe we need more from God to step into His promise.
Both ambition and contentment hinge on desire
The story of Jacob and Esau gives us a picture of the power of appetite. When we get too hungry, it can be tempting to give up the thing we want most for the thing we want now. As Esau gave way to his appetite, he gave up his birthright — privileges, blessing, and inheritance that were given to the firstborn son. Our heavenly father has a birthright for us. As we say no to an appetite that will never be satisfied, we find contentment in the only one who truly satisfies our souls.
God has a plan for our lives that is known to him and a mystery to us. Jacob felt that he needed more in order to do what God called him to do, and he took matters into his own hands to get there. While worldly ambition tells us to cut corners, Godly ambition leads us to trust God’s way as we long for everything he has planned. In the middle of our hunger to do more, we can trust that God doesn’t make mistakes. He lays the puzzle pieces one at a time, giving us exactly what we need every step of the way.
Worldliness with contentment is great loss, Godliness with contentment is great gain. As we daily surrender to God we are reminded everything we need and everything we want is found in Him. Just like Jacob wrestled with God, we too are in a fight of faith. Instead of wrestling with man, wrestle with God. Wrestle to trust Him more, to know Him more, to follow His way. Godly ambition begins with doing what God calls us to, believing whatever we need, He will provide.
Meditate on the words of 2 Peter 1:3.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
We’re in week two of Pray First and there’s still time to join! Prayer is where intimacy with God begins—it aligns our hearts with His will and unlocks Heaven’s power in our lives.
Let’s grow closer to God together. Don’t miss this opportunity!
Join us for Pray First by texting "PRAY" to 30596.
Monday - Friday
Zoom Prayer @ 6:30AM
vouschurch.com/zoom
Monday - Saturday
IG Live @ 12:00PM
Wednesday - 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Prayer Rooms - Miami Gardens
Wednesday, January 15 - Pray First Gathering
7:00PM Pre-Hang
7:30PM Service
SoMi, Miami Gardens, Design District
For all gatherings information and resources on Pray First, please click here!
We are having baptisms this Sunday, January 19th, across all of our locations, and on the beach.
To sign up for baptisms, please click here.
Heart & Soul will be taking place on Wednesday, January 22nd. This is a night for anyone who loves VOUS with worship, community, and a stakeholders message from Pastor Rich on where we're headed in 2025.
This SZN, we will be holding Heart & Soul at VOUS City!
RSVP here to let us know which location you will be joining us at. This is a night you do not want to miss!
This month's spotlight initiative is human trafficking awareness. We aim to bring light to this critical issue by partnering with organizations working to prevent trafficking and support survivors.
We will meet at our South Miami, Design District, and Miami Gardens locations on Saturday, January 25th at 10:30am to gather and serve at an outreach throughout the city.
To sign up for an outreach at one of our locations or an Off-Site outreach, please click here.
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack
