Which would you prefer?

Faith Filled Thoughts
May 12th, 2009
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Which would you prefer?

James 3:16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work”

If you grew up in the church or have been a believer for many years, it's worth looking carefully at the prodigal son's older brother (Luke 15:25). He's one of the most intriguing characters in all of Jesus' parables—a case study in what can happen to people who have been around religion for a long time.
In contrast to the father, who shows nothing but mercy to his long-lost son who has finally come home, the older brother sneers at the joy and celebration heaped on his brother. He is not merely jealous, but outraged at what he perceives as injustice. How could the father kill the fatted calf just because his wayward, ne'er-do-well son had come back, while seeming to neglect the faithful, diligent loyalty of his other son (Luke 15:29–30)?
That was the attitude of the Pharisees who were among those listening to this story (Luke 15:2–3). And in a larger sense, it would become the attitude of Jews in general as the gospel spread to the Gentiles (for example, Acts 11:1–3). How could Jesus be so friendly toward known sinners, such as the tax gatherers, and so distant from people like the Pharisees who carefully practiced the finer points of the Law? How could God be compassionate toward Gentiles, while the Jews, who had been His people for generations, were passed by?
Have you ever felt that way when someone came into the faith? Have you ever felt that more attention is paid to new converts than to those who have followed biblical teaching all their lives? If so, Jesus' parable contains a comfort and a challenge. The comfort is that God never forgets who His children are and has great treasures stored up for them (Luke 15:31). The challenge is to maintain a proper perspective—the perspective of compassion and mercy that is at the heart of the Father (15:32).
Being a responsible employee and a person of character will not always make you popular with co workers. Sometimes people who have little integrity themselves mock those who do. They may even try to trip you up if you are conscientious, setting you up for failure and throwing obstacles in your way. And should you receive praise and preferment because of your reputation and character, they may even launch a jealous campaign to “knock you off your high horse”. as they see it.
That was what happened to Daniel. Daniel's proven history of integrity and leadership resulted in his advancement when his “company,” the kingdom of Babylon, changed “owners” (Dan. 5:30–6:3). As a result, his rivals plotted against him (Dan. 6:4). But the only “dirt” they could find was that he was too faithful to God (Dan. 6:5)!
Could your co workers charge you with being too faithful to God where you work? Is your reputation above reproach? Or are your character and track record so bad that they would bring shame on the name of Christ if people knew you were a Christian? Integrity may incite some people to jealousy, but hypocrisy incites them to scorn and unbelief.
Which would you prefer?

May He Bless You and Keep You Today!

With Great Love
IN HIS SERVICE
Connie
Please click below to see something Jesus left for your Spirit!:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31D2g7t5Bjs