By Lee Roy Anderson
The Bible talks about the prodigal son in Luke 15: 11-13. It read, and he said, A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together and took his journey into a far country and there wasted his substance with riotous living. The father gave him the inheritance he had coming to him but he went out and wasted it with riotous living. The prodigal son went out and wasted his inheritance. No doubt as long as he had money he had lots of friends but where were they when he ended up in the hog-pen. Finally he came to himself and he remembered that he had a family. In essence he said to himself. There is no place like home and I am going home. The prodigal son’s father saw him coming so he had the fatted calf killed. When he arrived he put shoes on his feet, put a robe on him and put the ring of authority back on his hand. His son had come home! The prodigal son and the joyous moment of his return home. The lost son was now saved. Notice however the eldest son missed out on this joyous occasion. Why did he miss out? Well not because he was absent or not invited but because of his critical grumbling spirit. Who do we think we are? Never before have Christians had so much and appreciated so little! Like the eldest son some grumble about their families, parents, spouses, children, etc. some grumble about their jobs and the weather. Sadly some people specialize in finding faults in others and attempt to dampen anything good that happens to or for them.
Like the eldest son? I am shocked when I see folks grumble in times of glory. When they see the good happening in others lives and use it to feel sorry for themselves. Why did the elder brother find fault in such a joyous occasion? Why was he so unmoved by his brother’s return home and his being saved? Maybe it was because he was unmoved at his brother’s being away and lost. Sadly there are some who live as though there is not enough good to go around and grumble when others are blessed. Is this you? Friend, remember if you growl all day don’t be surprised if you are dog-tired at night! You cannot live wrong and die right.
