Focus: Things Not To Despise

Text: Gen.25:34

"Thus Esau DESPISED his birthright."

In this life, there are things you must not despise. What you despise is an indication of your value system.

Let us see a few of the things you must not despise.

*Despise not divine discipline

The writer of Hebrews says, "My son, DESPISE NOT thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him" (Heb.12:5). The writer takes it from Prov.3:11. In Job 5:17, we read, "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore DESPISE NOT thou the chastening of the Almighty."

*Despite not your parents at old age

Solomon says, "Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and DESPISE NOT thy mother when she is old" (Prov.23:22).

*Despise not authority

Peter talks of those who "DESPISE government," and "speak evil of dignities" (2Pet.2:10). Jude says the same thing in Jude 1:8, of those who "DESPISE dominion," and "speak evil of dignities."

*Despise not people of lower ranks

Job says, "If I did DESPISE the cause of my manservant or of my maidservant, when they contended with me" (Jb.31:13). Don't look down on people who serve you or who serve under you. God, who is the creator of all, frowns at that.

*Despise not children

Jesus says, "Take heed that ye DESPISE NOT one of these little ones…" (Mt.18:10). Value every child, not only those of your blood.

*Despise not younger ministers

Paul says to Timothy his son in the faith, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1Tim.4:12). Paul is telling Timothy to be of good behavior and not allow anyone to treat him with disdain. Character is the best collateral for any minister of the gospel. Charisma without character is a calamity.

*Despise not Christian masters

Paul says, "And they that have believing masters, let them NOT DESPISE them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort" (1Tim.6:2). Paul is cautioning Christian servants who serve Christian masters or bosses not to take them for granted, but to hold them in high esteem. Paul also tells Titus, "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. LET NO MAN DESPISE THEE" (Tit.2:15).

*Despise not your God

The Lord says, "Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that DESPISE me shall be lightly esteemed" 1Sam.2:30).

*Despise not God's name

God says, "A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a father, where is mine honour? and if I be a master, where is my fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that DESPISE MY NAME" (Mal.1:6). God's people must desist from belittling, underrating and undervaluing their God. His name is Wonderful. He works wonders. He is the God of infinite wonder and wisdom.

*Despise not God's word

Isaiah says, "Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye DESPISE THIS WORD, and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon" (Isa.30:12). Moses declares, "And if ye shall DESPISE my STATUTES, or if your soul abhor my JUDGMENTS, so that ye will not do all my COMMANDMENTS, but that ye break my COVENANT" (Lev.26:15). Have regard for the words of God and His instructions. God's word formed and rules the universe. Those who despise the utterances of God waste their destinies and ruin their lives.

*Despise not the church of God

We must not in any ways despise the church of Jesus Christ; not by our choices, nor by our conduct, nor by our actions. (See 1Cor.11:22; Mt.18:17).

*Despise not prophecy

Paul says, "Despise not prophesyings" (1Thes.5:20). Ezra gives us one reason why we should honor prophecy. He writes, "And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the PROPHESYING of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo…" (Ezr.6:14). Hosea also says, "And by a prophet the LORD BROUGHT Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet was he PRESERVED" (Hos.12:13). I pray God to raise genuine prophets among us across the entire world, prophets who prophesy by the Spirit of Christ and tell the truth in the name of the Lord. Don't shut down your system against prophesy.

*Despise not your birthright 

Finally, we come to our text. The Scripture tells us that Esau despised his birthright. He placed no value on it. But here is the thing: Esau did not only despise his birthright, but he also sold it for a meal. Heb.12:16 says, "As Esau, who for one morsel of meat SOLD his birthright." Because he disrespected his birthright and undermined the value of it, he sold it for a cheap price. We can correctly enter Esau's name in the list of those who know "the price of everything and the value of nothing." He cheapened the value of the spiritual - an intangible asset. He valued the passing and devalued the lasting.

What are you despising in your life? Be careful what you are selling! Make sure you don't sell your birthright or trade your destiny for anything. Stop cheapening your God-given destiny. Align your values with God's values. Respect divine boundaries and treasure the things of God.

Let me add in closing: do not neglect the widows, do not forsake the assembling of the saints, and do not get involved with racism, sexism, or classism. Do not neglect your great salvation. It cost Jesus Christ His life to save you. Neglect not your spiritual gift (Act.6:1; Heb.2:3; 10:25; 1Tim.4:14). What you neglect or forsake also amounts to despising.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter