Jacob saw his brother, Esau, for the first time after many years of hiding from him. During their childhood, Esau was angry at Jacob because he thought that Jacob had stolen his birthright. Jacob now wanted to give Esau some of his flocks as a peace offering, but Esau declined, saying:
"'I have plenty ... let what you have remain yours.' But Jacob said, '...I have everything.' " (Genesis 33:9-11)
A LIFE LESSON
There is a world of difference between what Esau meant when he said he has "plenty" and Jacob declaring that he has "everything". Esau, a selfish person caring only about his materialistic possessions, proclaimed that "I have plenty" because "plenty" is quantitative. His material possessions are what he saw as his net worth. If he would ever lose a majority of his possessions, then he would be plenty no more.
Jacob, however, who had his entire family with him, proudly declared, "I have everything." Our most valuable and prized possessions will always be what money can never buy - our lives, our health, our families. For thousands of years, the wisest men have been preaching this truism. But why do we fail to embrace it?
In interviews with elderly people who look back on a life gone by, they dejectedly speak about how they should have spent more time with their families, taken better care of themselves, and certainly focused less on their careers. In fact, there isn't a headstone that could be found on a single grave site that states that the one buried achieved great success in business, real estate, athletics, or the arts. Rather, it proclaims the virtues that the deceased possessed as a grandparent, parent, sibling or spouse.
And this is the world's most ironic paradox. While society, the media, and the world-at-large shower accolades and praise on those who achieve business or personal success, when you pass away this isn't at all how your life is judged - by man or by God.
Monetary and career success are wonderful things. We're all designed for greatness and should strive to succeed and grow in many aspects of our lives. But it's the priceless things in our lives that we tend to take so much for granted and never fully appreciate until we, God forbid, no longer have them or are faced with a fear of losing them.
This is why Jacob knew he had everything. Is there not a dying wealthy person who would without hesitation give his entire fortune to live another year? How about for just another week? Would you ever want to switch places with him? Of course not. Yet, billions of people who still have so much physical life in them choose to walk the earth being unhappy, discontented, and miserable.
The reason for this is that they're usually focused on only the same things that Esau was. Their idea of wealth is exactly what the zombies of society and the media have said that it should be. So instead of appreciating and loving their tremendous and endless amount of true wealth that constantly surrounds them, they instead choose to dwell on missed and lost opportunities, the things they don't have, and all of the possessions they long for.
If you think about "what you have" in the same terms as Esau, then you are certain to have a life filled with frustration, disappointment, and unhappiness. But if you understand the life-changing statement of what Jacob said and you think about all of the irreplaceable and priceless things you have in your life right now, then you now will wake up each and every morning confidently knowing that you really do have
(24) Anonymous, November 27, 2017 7:00 PM
True Wealth is an excellent article.
(23) Anonymous, November 27, 2017 1:14 PM
Amen! Excellent article and very well written! Thanks for posting!
(22) Jaya, December 26, 2016 12:28 AM
Wealth!
Wise words and an article each one of us must read again and again ! Thought provoking and inspiring !
(21) jim, December 16, 2016 9:11 AM
esau and plenty
deep down inside, he knew what was lacking.
(20) venze, December 16, 2016 3:35 AM
Indeed, the most valuable things in life are things that money cannot buy. This can only be appreciated when one lives long enough and experiences a meaningful life.
(19) Anonymous, December 13, 2016 12:18 PM
Excellent article and very well written! Thanks for posting!
(18) Anonymous, November 27, 2015 3:15 PM
Great article! Thanks for posting!
(17) Anonymous, November 24, 2015 1:39 PM
Great article! Thanks for posting!
(16) Anonymous, December 2, 2014 1:50 PM
Great!
This is EXCELLENT! Thank you so much for posting, this, and thank G-d for Torah, Judaism, and those who help spread His word, like you :-)
jay, December 6, 2014 9:26 AM
Agree
i agree
(15) jaly, November 16, 2013 5:02 AM
Touched
this touched me to the bone
(14) Michael, November 28, 2012 2:43 PM
Excellent
How much this hits home with me is beyond words. Why am I so obsessed with material things and wealth? I wish I was a better person. I started a new job recently and was so happy about the pay. But it's a stressful job and I am concerned about how well I am doing. It's made me realize how lucky I am to have such a loving supportive wife. She is everything I've ever wanted out of a wife...kind, generous, beautiful inside and out, and has a heart of gold. One day, G-d willing she will be a great mother. Now THAT is true wealth.
Michelle, November 30, 2012 8:35 PM
lovely
Michael, what a beautiful message! I bet your wife feels the same.
(13) jay, December 10, 2011 8:29 AM
Thank You
It is true. My Dad recently passed away and both myself and brother spoke about what he did to help his family and country in deeds and in words.
Andria, November 30, 2012 2:51 AM
So true
I just lost my dad this past week. This message really resonates with me. It was so much about what he did in this life and not what he had.
(12) Anonymous, December 8, 2011 4:54 AM
I pray for miracles everyday
I hope w-g-dh, I will live to see the day when my family will be proud of me...........................................................
yachna, November 15, 2012 10:02 AM
Maybe they already are. Maybe you all are just too far apart to see inside one another.
(11) Hannah, December 4, 2011 9:52 PM
I Thank Hasem for evrything I haven& many times is nor too much
Thank you for the esson
(10) olivia deakyne, December 5, 2009 5:16 PM
That was very good, thanks for passing on this important message to your readers!!! Thank you, Olivia
(9) dr. bernie siegel, December 1, 2009 4:58 PM
everything is yours
be content with what you have rejoice in the way things are and when you realize nothing is lacking the whole world belongs to you lao tzu
(8) M. Katz, December 12, 2008 10:01 AM
Timely
As we bemoan our shrinking IRA's and 401K's , we should remember our real wealth: a loving wife, health, loving and productive children, and promising grandchildren.
(7) donald, December 8, 2008 1:26 PM
earlier in this portion you said that esau thought that jacov had stolen his birthright. his't that true? or am i missing something that i dont know.
(6) Jerry Solomon, December 7, 2008 9:04 AM
Gershwins got it right on
Their song from Porgy & Bess" I Got Plenty of Nothin" says it all.
Nancy, December 21, 2016 11:52 AM
To commenter #6 Jerry Solomon
Yes! The Gershwin brothers were spot on! In case you didn't know (but I bet you did), the Gershwin brothers were Jewish. I am currently reading a biography of George Gershwin. It is a 700 page book by a man named Howard Pollack, and it is very scholarly.
(5) Yuval Bavly, November 23, 2007 2:16 PM
focus on yourself - God owns everything
we all have to try and apply this to our lives. Many times people read and are inspired and never do anything.
For another dose of inspiration, think about how God owns everything and that in his eyes there is no difference between your shabby clothes and your neighbours designer outfit.
(4) Susannah Garbutt, November 23, 2007 10:04 AM
How true
Someone said recently,that people don't remember what you had or what you did but how you made them feel. I have a friend who has little, but she is probably one of the happiest people in the district. She has many friends and although her health is failing a little now, she lives life to the full as she is able.
Amen
(3) dawnlogreira, December 7, 2006 10:52 PM
orah interpretation
What a difference between your comment on the torah portion and the jts you find esau to be evil, they find the embrace when they meet each other brotherly love and said "because jacob fail to lift his eyes more higher to heaven he did not see the good in his brother
(2) hedieh, December 17, 2005 12:00 AM
thank you verymuch for doing that. it is great idea
(1) Andy, December 16, 2005 12:00 AM
faith
after a life were nothing went easily ,struggled against Esau from the womb on, had to deceive his father for the blessing of prosperity,had to flee from home, had to deal with the deceitful Laban who dealt with him unfairly economically and with regard to his love Rachel.Finally leaves and gets back to Israel and his daughter is raped. He then has his most loved son taken from him and presumed dead and actually sold into slavery by his other sons. this is the person who says I have everything. That is faith