“ ‘All That Is Mine
Is Yours’”
“Now his elder son was in the field; and when he came and
approached the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the slaves
and asked what was going on. He replied, ‘Your brother has come, and your
father has killed the fatted calf, because he has got him back safe and sound.’
Then he became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and began to
plead with him. But he answered his father, ‘Listen! For all these years I have
been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet
you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my
friends. But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property
with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’ Then the father said to
him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to
celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to
life; he was lost and has been found.’”
Luke 15:25-32
We are inclined to single out the prodigal son as worse than his
brother. But it is worth nothing that when the story ends, the prodigal is
restored, forgiven, and full of joy, while the elder brother stands outside and
refuses to go in.
It is easy to defend our bad moods and to slide into deception
and hypocrisy. But we must guard our hearts against such destructive attitudes.
When they arise, we need to confess them, let them go, and experience God’s
forgiveness.
Don’t let your bad attitude cause you to lose out while others
enter into joy.
Resentment comes from looking at others;
contentment comes from looking at God.
Our Daily Bread –