The Elder Brother Mentality

Luke 15:32

It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

It is interesting that the "elder brother" mentality is often missed in this parable yet it is also the one that is much more prevalent than the younger prodigal brother. 

"How can this person who lived his entire life as a bad person go to heaven?"

"Maybe i should take a "sabbatical" from Christian living!"

And becoming envious of the sudden attention when a brother goes up to repent in public.

Ezekiel has some further "bad news" 

Ezekiel 18:24

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die.

What the elder brother failed to realise that as long as he was with his father, the entire inheritance belonged to him. 

As long as we are with God, our heavenly reward will never be taken away! And that alone is sufficient for our rejoicing. What more when a brother, for whom Christ also died, turns back?

Are we jealous of God's goodness? In Matthew 20:15 - "Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?"

Furthermore, from Luke 12:47,48, we realise that there are varying degrees of punishment and reward. Surely we look forward to greater and not less reward!

And of course it is utter foolishness to desire and even enter into a "Christian sabbatical" because how will we know when we will leave this life and when Jesus will come again?

Surely, it is much wiser and better to be prepared at all times.

Wherefore let us rejoice where God rejoices and take pains to help one another continue to be able to rejoice in the Lord.