Begrudge

What this episode covers

Recorded for us are two parables of Jesus that deal with someone begrudging someone else.  In the “Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:11-32), the older brother begrudges the welcome given to his returning brother.  And in the “Laborers in the Vineyard” (Matthew 20:1-16), those hired early begrudge those hired later, for getting the same pay. Both of these have characters who think they deserve more than somebody else. This isn’t the only instance where we have more than one parable addressing an issue.  But it seems to me that if Jesus bothered to develop multiple lessons about something, it’s probably important.  Of course they’re all important, but you see what I mean. What the Lord is saying to us is, “Take a look at yourself, and be honest enough to recognize that you have the capacity to be grudging toward someone else.”  We like to fool ourselves into thinking that surely I don’t have that problem.  The doubled lesson, I think, cautions us not to be so smug.

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