I've noticed a common theme in at least 3 of Jesus' parables, and that it's the fact that those who have been faithful (according to their own convictions) always seem to be resentful when an infidel get a major blessing from God.
Three parables come to mind here: 1. The Prodigal Son. (The older brother who was faithful) 2. The Laborers of The Vineyard. (The men who worked all day) 3. Lazarus and The Rich Man. (the rich man)
In The Prodigal Son, the title character goes on a vagabond and squanders his inheritance. After a major famine and a "recession", the title character ends up working in a pigpen, being paid squalor wages to feed hogs. Realizing that his father's servants are eating better, he of course wills to be one of his father's hirelings, but instead is welcomed home with open arms and a great feast was held in his honor. The old brother, thinking he had been faithful to his father became resentful when a party was thrown for his younger brother. But of course the father was joyful that his lost son had returned.
In The Laborers of The Vineyard, a houselord hired a group of men early in the morning to harvest his crops and agreed to pay them a dollar. During the course of the day, he would hire more men, perhaps every 3 hours . Towards the last hour of the day, he hires some more men. At the end of the day, he pays the ones who only worked an hour a dollar. The men who worked all day thought that they would in fact get twelve dollars, but were also given a dollar as per the agreement. They became resentful at those who only worked an hour and at the houselord, who advised them that they see evil when one is good.
In Lazarus and The Rich Man, The common theme in the bible is that riches is a sign of God's blessing while poverty and illness is a sign of God's curse. Therefore based on that premise, we could assume the rich man did God's will and became rich as a result while Lazarus was rebellious against God and was cursed for it. (of course we know this story is very ambiguous, but i'll use the said premise to convey my point). When it came time for the reckoning, Lazarus became comforted while the rich man was tormented. What was the flame that was tormenting the rich man? Was is that Lazarus was made an equal to the rich man? (Either Lazarus was blessed with riches, or the rich man was stricken with poverty, either way, both were now on equal planes.) It's clear from the fact that they could carry on a conversation that they were in close proximity, perhaps they were actually in the same room, and that there was a "wide gulf" between them was only a metaphor. Whatever the case was, the rich man was nonetheless tormented.
And I also think people who think that their enemies should be "cast into hell" are in for a shock when they find that they will be standing right next to the people who they thought they were better than. It always seems that people who believe they have been faithful to their calling expect some kind of reward, not realizing that they have been doing God's will the whole time anyway. And then they become resentful at the infidels, or even get angry at God when such people get blessings that the faithful see as inappropriate.
The lesson here is that we all need to walk in humility, which the faithful often seem to have a problem doing. Kinda reminds me of an old Mac Davis song: "Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way....."
Chuck
Yes, and how about Jonah. He got mad when God didn't smear Ninevah into the ground. Human nature? Our carnal nature? Self-righteousness? I confess, I have at least some of that "boy I hope God knocks my enemies around some" that I have to fight within myself :thumbdown: :pitiful:. Reminds me of a couple words of wisdom from 2 different fellows. A friend has said to me several times that we try to attach human attributes to God, not understanding how He's going to handle what we would want as "retribution" a whole lot differently than we would. Someone said to me yesterday..."God's mercy is going to be a lot different than our mercy". One of my favorite scriptures is, "the end of the Lord is full of mercy" :bowing:.
What's even more carnal, since the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just, and those that have given up anything for Christ and His Gospel will receive a hundredfold in this life with persecutions is when Christians decide they're going to be some of the rock throwers against other Christians and the judges of which Christians have too much. Envy and coveteousness should always be discouraged and suppressed at all costs, but certain things a believer will feel along the way really were their harvest that they didn't get with Daddy on how to receive. But when Christians criticize Christians for having too much, they've just done that to Jesus. Poverty being the equivalent of humility in a Christian's mind [in any shape, form, or fashion] is ZERO different from ET because it's simply following through false humility to it's logical conclusion that all things can't be anyone's, even God's. Equal or less distribution of the Cosmos between the righteous and the wicked. ZERO DIFFERENCE.
Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness AND ALL OF THESE 'THINGS' WILL BE ADDED UNTO YOU...the Kingdom always comes with it's things, as I was listening to Rev. Ike say the other day on some old footage in YouTube. Just go ahead and believe for all of it, spirit, soul, body, finances, and socially. The Written Word covers all of it anyway, although it advises moderation, sobriety, and humility of thinking, behaviour, and indulgence regarding all of it to inherit every prize, every crown, and every reward. That was the Word the Lord had me minister at the start of this year as the Word for the year. Not sure if I ever shared it at on this forum, although most things I've said on this forum, especially recently, can be taken that way:
2009: the year of the faith of a child
Quote from: jabcat on May 06, 2009, 06:46:01 AM
Yes, and how about Jonah. He got mad when God didn't smear Ninevah into the ground. Human nature? Our carnal nature? Self-righteousness? I confess, I have at least some of that "boy I hope God knocks my enemies around some" that I have to fight within myself :thumbdown: :pitiful:. Reminds me of a couple words of wisdom from 2 different fellows. A friend has said to me several times that we try to attach human attributes to God, not understanding how He's going to handle what we would want as "retribution" a whole lot differently than we would. Someone said to me yesterday..."God's mercy is going to be a lot different than our mercy". One of my favorite scriptures is, "the end of the Lord is full of mercy" :bowing:.
And I might add, let's not forget James and John, who wanted to cast fire down from heaven on the Samaritans because they had rejected Jesus. Of course Jesus' own response was that they didn't know what manner of spirit they were of, and that He came to save men's lives, not destroy them.
....
Want us to continue with that "FIRE" realm, Lord?
I mean, after all, we saw it work soooooooooo long!!
Didn't we?
No, I want you to "Come up higher."
"I want you to overcome the tendacies of Baalim who
tries to KEEP even me working in "that" realm!!"
Hebrews 9 behind the ...first... veil.
There is no fire behind the second vail, only LIGHT.
At the end of the day, there shall be LIGHT. Zech. said.
At the end of the 6th day, at the end of that day
begins the Sabbath. Right?
Who can hear this when it's the 4th day in their life?
No one. It is not a word for those in their 4th day.
Their journey is going to be according to the Lords
word for "their" journey. Surely the more mature understand
"that." He even carries the lambs in His bosum. The lambs
of "both" realms.
But to those that "hear" this, it is for "them." Everything
in the Word is like that. It is for you when God makes
you to "hear" it. Not just with natural ears, but with
"understanding."
well,all I can say is this.....
'I heard the serpent whisper in my ear,'no fair,you have suffered and given up everything and lost everything trying to do
what was right,LOVING Others as yourself,preferring them...
and they stomped all over you and hated you for it,look at them
having a great time while you are all alone and still hurting'
And I replied to the serpent, 'SO WHAT!,IT ALL BELONGS TO HIM,HE CAN DO WHAT HE PLEASES....and what do I know...
He may consider me and BLESS ME ,TOO"
I'm convinced that it is a trial that we all must go through at some point in our time; to watch someone gloat or have something you desire. Or to see someone get blessed who we feel doesn't deserve it. It's humbling when you realize your thinking and have to repent, but it is a godly lesson.
Quote from: jabcat on May 06, 2009, 06:46:01 AM
Yes, and how about Jonah. He got mad when God didn't smear Ninevah into the ground. Human nature? Our carnal nature? Self-righteousness? I confess, I have at least some of that "boy I hope God knocks my enemies around some" that I have to fight within myself :thumbdown: :pitiful:. Reminds me of a couple words of wisdom from 2 different fellows. A friend has said to me several times that we try to attach human attributes to God, not understanding how He's going to handle what we would want as "retribution" a whole lot differently than we would. Someone said to me yesterday..."God's mercy is going to be a lot different than our mercy". One of my favorite scriptures is, "the end of the Lord is full of mercy" :bowing:.
Amen!
Grace and peace
Brandon