A few months back, I wandered into a local collector’s shop and struck up a conversation with “Rick,” the owner who soon shared his life story with me, one that included years of substance abuse as well as a serious sports cards collection. At one point, he mentioned a few rare baseball cards he had owned that were valued at thousands of dollars each. “Whoa!” I reacted. “Do you still have them?”

Rick shook his head in regret. “No, I think I traded them for a cheeseburger when I was high.”

Poor Rick, right? He got caught up in the moment and traded something he craved for something that was worth so much more, a foolish exchange similar to Esau who swapped his birthright for a bowl of soup (Genesis 25:33).

Every time I hear of someone walking away from church because they don’t want to be judged for their lifestyle, their sexual choices, their divorce, etc., I think of Rick and Esau. There is no doubt that following Jesus can be painful, especially when you’re “hungry” for what sin can temporarily satisfy.

But please remember that Jesus is a better treasure, a long-term investment who will provide for your eternal future. This is why Peter confessed, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). I won’t lie and promise you that Christianity is easy, but I will tell you the truth: only Christ leads to eternal life.