Sometimes it is hard to celebrate others in their success when you have worked so hard to accomplish your own.
In Luke 15:11-32, one son takes his inheritance, spends it, loses it, repents, returns home, and is forgiven.
And the other son?
Let’s pick up the story there!
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” (Luke 15:25-31: NLT)
We can see the first son in ourselves. We run from God only to realize that we need Him. Then we come back to Him, and God openly and readily forgives us.
But what about the other son? Can you see yourself in him? He had been committed to working for his father. Being responsible for his daily tasks. Even when his brother first left, he remained faithful to the family.
Yet, when the son that left returns, he gets a party! What about a party to celebrate the faithful son’s loyalty?
Jealously is a real emotion.
It can come out of a sense of entitlement. We deserve it because we did_____. You fill in the blank.
In actuality, we deserve nothing.
While the older son did remain at home, his actions can be questioned as to his motives? Did he stay out of the goodness of his heart? Was he looking for praise for a job well done?
His jealousy stems from the fact that he was not recognized for the good he had done all that time his younger brother was out having a good time.
In our work for the Lord, we should celebrate people committing or recommitting their life to the Lord, even if their story of redemption is celebrated more than your story.
Both have been given the same grace and forgiveness of God in our lives.
So let’s celebrate the redemption of others around us. Knowing that the same love God has for them you have experienced too!
