Pastor Josh holds up a one-dollar bill in one hand. In the other hand is a one hundred-dollar bill. "Now," says the pastor, "if I was to hold up this one-dollar bill and the one hundred-dollar bill and ask my four-year-old son which he would rather have, the one-dollar bill today or the one hundred-dollar bill next week, which one do you think he would take?" His son was paying attention and he immediately responded, "I want the dollar bill for today."
Of course he would. He's four and doesn't really understand the concept of money. But, he does know whether he wants something today or have to wait a week. Right now wins. Pastor's older daughter, who is 12, would wait for the $100. She understands the value of money.
The story of Moses is unique. The people of Israel are slaves in Egypt. The Pharaoh has seen them multiply even under terrible conditions and hardship. He ordered the midwives to kill all boy infants of the Israeli people at birth. The midwives feared God and didn't do it. Instead, the Pharaoh ordered all boys that were born to be cast into the river. The woman that bore Moses hides him for three months. When she could not hide him any longer, she made a little ark and set him on the river.
Pharaoh's daughter spotted the little ark and the infant boy. Moses became her son. It states in Hebrews 11:24, though, as Moses grew, he refused to be called her son. Verses 25 and 26 go on to state that he chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
As Pastor Josh put it so eloquently, "Pharaoh made today's offer of one dollar and Moses refused. He chose to esteem Christ and wait for all that Christ offers."
Of course he would. He's four and doesn't really understand the concept of money. But, he does know whether he wants something today or have to wait a week. Right now wins. Pastor's older daughter, who is 12, would wait for the $100. She understands the value of money.
The story of Moses is unique. The people of Israel are slaves in Egypt. The Pharaoh has seen them multiply even under terrible conditions and hardship. He ordered the midwives to kill all boy infants of the Israeli people at birth. The midwives feared God and didn't do it. Instead, the Pharaoh ordered all boys that were born to be cast into the river. The woman that bore Moses hides him for three months. When she could not hide him any longer, she made a little ark and set him on the river.
Pharaoh's daughter spotted the little ark and the infant boy. Moses became her son. It states in Hebrews 11:24, though, as Moses grew, he refused to be called her son. Verses 25 and 26 go on to state that he chose "rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season."
As Pastor Josh put it so eloquently, "Pharaoh made today's offer of one dollar and Moses refused. He chose to esteem Christ and wait for all that Christ offers."
