J.J.

It had been a long hard day working out in the field, and as Tom (not his real name) tiredly walked toward the house all he could think of was the nice hot meal and soft bed that awaited him. It was a busy time of the year, and they were a little short handed ever since his younger brother had up and run off leaving more work for Tom and his father. Lately it seemed that all of Tom's days were filled with work, work and more work with little time left for fun with his friends.

As Tom walked into the yard his thoughts were suddenly interrupted with the sound of music coming from the house. How strange, he thought; it sounds like They're celebrating inside. Is it mom's birthday? No, that's not for another month. Before Tom walked in he wanted to know what this was all about. This looked like a really big celebration and he knew nothing about it. Oh, he thought maybe its a surprise party for him, and all his friends are here. Maybe Dad's doing this for me for all the long hours I have been working lately.

Tom saw one of his fathers hired men and called him over. "What's going on in there?" he asked. "Didn't you hear?" the man replied, "your brother has come home, and your father has put on a great big party for him and called together his friends to celebrate his coming home." Instead of being glad that his brother had come home at last, Tom was filled with anger, and he turned around and walked away. When his father heard that Tom wouldn't come in the house he came out and tried to persuade him to come in. But Tom wouldn't listen. "Look", Tom said, "all these years I have worked hard for you and obeyed every order and you never put a party on for me and let me celebrate with my friends. But the moment this rebellious son of yours, who has wasted all your money just having a good time and living a sinful life, comes home you put on this great big party for him." His father answered, "My son, you are always with me, and all that I have belongs to you, but your brother was lost and is found was dead and is alive again."

We can learn a lesson in this parable that the Lord Jesus told in Luke 15. Have you ever been angry when God has saved a friend who seemed less concerned about his soul that you? You thought that you should have been saved first. You don't think it's fair that God should pass over you who have always wanted to be saved and save someone you thought was far from salvation. Do you know what that is? Jealousy. It may be the very reason why your not saved today.

Jealousy is what made Joseph's brothers hate him and sell him as a slave. Jealousy leads to hatred and to more sin.

Related Items:

• Lost and Found
• If that was for me?
• He Had to See It
• God Looks on the Heart
• Escape From Death