The Foolish Son

By Jonathan Perz

The wise man wrote, "A foolish son is a grief to his father, and bitterness to her who bore him" (Prov. 17:25). Indeed, there is no more poignant truth in the entire world for a parent than this. Time and again, I have witnessed the great pain a son who behaves foolishly has brought to his parents. Sometimes, a selfish teenage boy is responsible for such pain. Other times, it is the behavior of a full-grown man. Regardless, every parent and son should take these words of wisdom to heart.

I have personally seen a man cry for his son as he prayed that my own son would never bring the pain his had. I have heard a man mournfully speak of a child who has departed from God's way. I have listened as faithful parents ask themselves where they have gone wrong. I have watched as par­ents argue with a son who will not heed wis­dom or receive instruction. I have witnessed parents unwittingly rescue a son as he lied to avoid trouble. I have felt the pain a par­ent feels when his child does wrong. I even know what it is to be the foolish son.

Nevertheless, even more painful to wit­ness is the son who does not realize the grief and bitterness he burdens his parents with, or who just doesn't seem to care. If only the foolish son could hear the ardent prayers of his desperate parents as they ask for wisdom to help him. If only the fool­ish son could see every tear shed on ac­count of his actions. If only the foolish son could feel the pain he brings to his parents in his very own heart. If only the foolish son knew what his parents would give to see him on the straight and narrow path.

Hopefully, these words will help some fool­ish son to realize that with every passing sinful pleasure he engages in, he brings grief to his father and bitterness to his mother. Are drinking, alcoholism, drug abuse, homosexuality, stealing, lying, or gambling worth the price your parents pay? Though you may not realize it, every time you play the fool, your parents pay the price! Thus, rather than hurt your father and mother, honor them. This is, "the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth" (Ephesians 6:2b-3). &

-via North Jasper Seeker; Jasper, Alabama.

Jesus Understands

By Jason Cicero

Surety He has borne our and carried our sorrows...” (Isaiah 53:4). Jesus understands. Jesus knows how you feel. You're under the gun at work? Jesus knows how you feel. You've got more to do than is humanly possible? So did He. People take more from you than they give? Jesus understands. Your teenagers won't listen? Your students won't try? Jesus knows how you feel. "Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For in that He Him­self has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted" (Hebrews 2:17-18, NKJV).

You are precious to Him. So precious that He became like you so that you would come to Him. When you struggle, He listens. When you yearn, He responds. When you ques­tion, He hears. He has been there. "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the son of God, Let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are - yet without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may re­ceive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need" (Hebrews 4:14-16, NKJV). &

-via Perry Hill Road Bulletin; Mont­gomery, Alabama

"Wanted: Dependable Person"

By Bob West

In virtually every classified section of the newspaper, we find some employer ad­vertising for a "dependable person" to occupy some position of trust and responsi­bility. I have talked with many business own­ers who state that finding employees they can count on is their number one problem. No organization can succeed without de­pendable personnel. The lazy, irresponsible, hit-and-miss type is a shame to his company and hinders its effectiveness.

It is equally true that the local congrega­tion cannot be an effective organization un-less it consists of "dependable" Chris­tians; that is, members who will shoulder their re­sponsibilities along with the rest and coop­erate to fulfill the mission of the church. While the Bible does not use the word "dependable," it does use equivalent terms such as "steadfast" and "zealous" (see 1 Corinthians 15:58; Titus 2:14, etc.). Every Christian should be char­acterized by these terms. He should be one who can be "counted on" at all times.

The sad but true fact of the matter is, however, that many congregations have a percentage of undependable members: members who couldn't hold down a job for a week if they conducted themselves toward their work like they do toward the church and its work. Let's look at a few examples:

Most congregations adopt a particular series of studies for their Bible classes. This is to facilitate the edification program of the church. Members of the church need to be instructed in the knowledge of the Bible. But the effectiveness of the Bible classes and any sermon series is compromised because of those members who are present only now and then, and thus fail to receive the overall benefit from the series of lessons. To have a thoroughly effective edification pro­gram, we need members whose presence we can depend upon.

The Bible authorized a pooling of re­sources of the members on the first day of the week in order to facilitate the work of the church (1 Corinthians 16:1-2). Obvi­ously, any kind of budget or planned expen­diture of funds from the church treasury depends upon the consistent, generous contribution of the members. The church needs members who are dependable in their contribution. We need those who not only are generous, but can be depended upon to plan ahead and give regularly. Be­cause of some who give on an irregular, in­consistent basis, important work of the church must be curtailed, plans left unful­filled, work not completed.

The sum of all that we are trying to say is simply this: the church of our Lord needs each member to be dependable in shoulder­ing our responsibilities; more dedicated in our efforts to put the kingdom of God fore­most in our lives. &

n      Bob West, The Milpitas Messenger, August, 1996