In Part 1 of this eBook, I shared some personal experiences on how, what we do or not do, matters to ourselves and others. We also read that in Colossians 3:23-24 it says: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.”
Let us read Luke 15:11-24 where we have a Biblical example of DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
“Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
We know how this story ended, with the other brother not being happy with what happened. The brother his dad and complained as he has never received such attention. The answer the dad gave was so amazing, he said to him that he is always with him and everything he as a father has, is also his.
He went on to say to him, that they had to celebrate and be glad, because his brother was dead and became alive again; he was lost and has been found. This is so profound and real to our own lives today. He did not give up on his youngest son; he did not even judge but welcomed him back with open arms and a celebration feast.
If he chased him away or mistreated him, what would have happened? The dad acknowledged already that the boy was dead to them, like written off. However, because he came back and was sorry for what he did, they could welcome him back. If the father did not react the way he did, that son would have been lost forever.
So, did it matter that the father put himself, the hurt he experienced and the money he lost aside? For sure it mattered, because it brough a son that was dead to them, alive. Once again, it does matter how we react and the effect it has on and the difference it can make in someone else’s life.
Keep an eye out for the final part of the eBook on DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
Love in Christ
Princess K