READ
REFLECT
Everyone wants to succeed and have a secure future with more peace of mind. But when we pursue these goals, we must have pure motives. If we want wealth because we want to be rich and live a lifestyle that Jesus wouldn’t approve of, then we set ourselves up for moral destruction.
If that took place, in those cases, when everything falls apart, we would hope that our friends and family still embrace us and help us chart a more righteous course.
Remember the Prodigal Son? He asked his father for his share of the family estate and made terrible choices. We don’t know what his motive was at the beginning. But we can assume he wasn’t planning his financial ruin when he got his money. We can also probably assume that he didn’t intend to compromise everything he had been taught.
But he decided to make money his God, thinking of only himself. As a result, he returned home with nothing. His father could have shamed him. He could have disowned him. Instead, he showed him mercy and love.
The Scripture says, “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’s have a feast and celebrate.” Can you imagine the feeling his son had? That he was still loved so much after all that he did.
Sure, it can be hard to have compassion for someone with a long list of self-inflicted problems. But we need to remember how Jesus sees them.
We see how Jesus views those who come back to Him through the words the father says to the other son who was upset about his brother’s return. “Because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again, he was lost and is found.”
RESPOND
1. Read all of Luke 15
2. In your next prayer, ask God how you can see others like Jesus sees them
