by[29] “So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. [30] But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ [31] “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. [32] It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ” ” – Luke 15:29-32 (NKJV)
Are you aware that one of the most prevalent things people do is to get jealous of others when God lifts them? Instead of rejoicing with those who rejoice and believe that if God did it for others, He will also do it for them, they turn to gossiping. Oh, what a tragedy. A prodigal son came home, and his dad, seeing him from afar, was so happy to see him that he immediately threw a party for the whole household to enjoy. But when the other son came to see what was happening, he complained bitterly to his father, saying,
‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
This guy was frustrated that he had served in his father’s business for so long and hadn’t gotten even one party thrown to honour him, but the dad did it for his disgraceful brother. Hmm! That is frustrating. This son had every right to be angry. But there’s something he didn’t do. He was so vested in work that he failed to enjoy his father’s profits. Did you know that when the younger son demanded his share of the inheritance, the dad divided it between all two sons, not one? It’s written in Luke 15:11-12 [Italicised mine (NIV)]. The Bible says,
[11] Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. [12] The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.”
The elder son, who complained, failed to gather his share of the inheritance and enjoy some, even if he had opted to live elsewhere. Come on! Don’t be so engaged in working for God that you forget to enjoy His blessings in your life. Life isn’t all about work. Sometimes, make merry with some profits you have. Like the complaining son, don’t be jealous when God restores a wandering brother to life, even after that person messed up.
You are a blessing.
Prayer:
Father, thank You for Your provision in my life. Help me to enjoy the fruit of my labour and not be jealous of others. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Devotional Code: KGD – 2026 – 096
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