Corry talked about "love for the Savior" as a motivation for good works, instead of hope of reward. I think this is exactly the point of the story, that good works without love are empty. That's why in Mark 12 Christ teaches love of God and love of each other as the 2 greatest commandments. The older brother showed no love for his brother or for his father. The prodigal son, however, learned to love and appreciate his father through the consequences of sin.
This is a tough lesson to learn, since we have such a "law of the harvest" mentality (it's part and parcel with western economies and American gumption)... To obey out of gratitude instead of the potential of personal gain, to obey out of love and not to put God and the universe and society in our debt is the great message of the New Testament... One of them anyway!
When we were talking about the older son, I couldn't help but think of Elder Holland's talk, "The Laborers in the Vineyard." You mentioned that parable, but here's a great quote from Elder Holland about it:
"Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.
Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,” as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live."
We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. A great principle to remember.
Corry talked about "love for the Savior" as a motivation for good works, instead of hope of reward. I think this is exactly the point of the story, that good works without love are empty. That's why in Mark 12 Christ teaches love of God and love of each other as the 2 greatest commandments. The older brother showed no love for his brother or for his father. The prodigal son, however, learned to love and appreciate his father through the consequences of sin.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tough lesson to learn, since we have such a "law of the harvest" mentality (it's part and parcel with western economies and American gumption)... To obey out of gratitude instead of the potential of personal gain, to obey out of love and not to put God and the universe and society in our debt is the great message of the New Testament... One of them anyway!
DeleteWhen we were talking about the older son, I couldn't help but think of Elder Holland's talk, "The Laborers in the Vineyard." You mentioned that parable, but here's a great quote from Elder Holland about it:
ReplyDelete"Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.
Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,” as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live."
We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. A great principle to remember.
Thank you for this thoughtful comment!
Delete