Have you ever made the wrong decision? I know that is a silly question to ask. Yet often people act as if I am the only one who has ever made the wrong decision and they never have. Sometimes I find myself acting that way toward others. Shame on me!
There are many different factors involved in making a decision. Factors such as how we are feeling, things we have recently experienced, other experiences in life. Our goals and objectives in life or in the situation, which we are facing, play a big part in making a decision.
I remember one time when I was principal of a Christian school. We had a 15-year-old student who was failing because he had stopped doing schoolwork. The teacher had tried to work with him and encourage him to no avail. He was attending school on a scholarship, not an academic one obviously, so I called his mother and sat up a meeting with them.
As we sat down together, I asked the young man why he was not doing his schoolwork and at least trying. He rather got a bit of an attitude, which really surprised me (note the sarcasm) so his mom jumped in to explain. Now I must admit Mom was as much of his problem as he was. She said that he had decided he did not need school; he was going to get a job when he turned sixteen. He was a big boy and so he was making his own decisions.
The second thing I must admit is this, that made me angry or maybe frustrated is a better word! I took several deep breaths, and then turned to the student and asked if this was true. He got a bit of a smirk on his face and said that it was true. I then asked him why he did not think he needed to finish school to get a job and make a good living for his family. I went on to explain to him he had nothing on which to base that decision. He had never worked a job nor even applied for work. He had never paid a bill, raised a family, or done any of the things he would be doing for the next fifty years trying to make it through life. I told him there would come a day when he would look back and dislike that fifteen-year-old boy that made the wrong decision that affected the rest of his life. I am sorry to say that he had already made his decision and he did quit school. Within months it was obvious to everyone who knew him he had made the wrong decision.
There were a couple of decisions in the Father’s house, which come to mind. They were what I would have to say, “Poor Decisions!” In Luke 15:11 Jesus tells us of a father who had two sons. We are aware of one of the decisions and this is the focus of the story. Actually, there were two decisions made and both were not good. Let me share with you my thought on this.
When the youngest son became of age he went to his father and told his father he wanted his inheritance. This was a decision that he had the right to make. The law of that day and that place allowed an heir to receive their inheritance prior to the death of benefactor, in this case his father. According to my understanding, he could do whatever he wanted with his inheritance when he received it. There were no regulations or restrictions. It was his.
One hoped that upon receiving the inheritance the heir would show wisdom and maturity in how he used his inheritance. One hoped they would invest it in a wise manner so that it would be a blessing to them in the years to come.
However, we know this young man made the wrong decision concerning his inheritance. He chose to waste it on good times and high living. He lacked a real appreciation for his inheritance. He did not understand the sacrifices that made to bring about such a rich a precious gift, for that is just what it was. Because of the cavalier attitude, he took regarding his inheritance it was not long until it was gone and he had nothing. Worse yet, at the same time he found himself spent, famine came to the land in which he had chosen to live.
I find this to be so like many people in Churches today. They are tremendously blessed. They have received so much as an inheritance. They are born into the Church of the living God. In an instance, they become joint heirs with Christ. They have all of the blessings of God at their fingertips. They have the power and authority of God at their disposal. Truth has been sought and revealed and is given to them. Fields have been plowed, harvests reaped, and they are able to enjoy the benefits. Yet the day comes when they feel they should take their inheritance and leave the Father’s house. Then because they have never developed an appreciation for their inheritance, they have never developed a love for their heritage. They recognize a freedom or liberty. They become careless when they feel there is no restraint. They make the wrong decision and use their inheritance foolishly. They awake one day in a land they have traveled to, spent, bankrupt and finding no sustenance in the land of their choosing. They have made a bad decision in the Father’s house.
The elder brother made the second wrong decision. From reading the scripture, account that Jesus told we know the elder brother also received his inheritance at the same time as the younger brother. Verse 12 says that the father divided unto them his living. Later the father also said to him that all he had belonged to him. He had the same opportunity to enjoy his inheritance at that time.
As the story progresses we find the younger son returns home. He is ashamed of what he has done. He is repentant for the disgrace he has brought to his father. He has realized his mistake and desires to become part of his father’s household if only as a servant.
It is at this point that we become aware of the second bad decision made in the father’s house. Upon hearing of the festivities that are, taking place the elder brother inquires as to the cause. He finds his prodigal brother has returned and his father has thrown a celebration in his honor. The eldest becomes angry! In fact, he is angry to the point that he confronts his father and questions why he would honor the disgraceful and not honor the loyal.
The father explains to the son that his motivation is his love for his son that has returned. He is thankful and this is reason to rejoice! The elder sons upset with this answer and in a petulant manner exclaims that he never gets anything done for him! To this exclamation there is a rebuke given by the father and that is, and I quote: “…all that I have is thine.” Luke 15:31
The bad decision made by the elder brother was not to take advantage of his inheritance and use it. He had received his inheritance along with his brother. He had the opportunity to use it, to spend it or to invest it. He obviously was the more cautious, in his lifestyle, of the two of them yet he went so far in being cautious that he cheated himself out of so much. He had never even killed a fatted calf and thrown a party.
Again, I find this to be so like many people in Churches today. They are tremendously blessed. They have received such a great inheritance. They are born into the Church of the living God. In an instance, they become joint heirs with Christ. They have all of the blessings of God at their fingertips. They have the power and authority of God at their disposal. Truth has been sought and revealed and is given to them. Fields have been plowed, harvests reaped, and they are able to enjoy the benefits of their heritage. Yet when it comes time to claim their inheritance they fail to do so!
They are happy to continue in their traditions. They carry on with life as usual. They persist to live below the privilege that is theirs as a son of the father. Their goal in life is to maintain what has always been their lot in life. There is no vision! There is no dream! They become discontent with their “lot” but only when they see someone else receive a blessing. Then they want to take the blessing away from the blessed!
What would have happened if both brothers had had a bit of the other in their outlook on life? What would have happened if the younger brother had said, “I have been tremendously blessed? I will use this to bring honor to my Father and to impact my world!”
What would have happened if the elder brother had said, “I have been blessed and from the Father’s house I can make a difference? So much has been given to me and now I can give!”
What would have happened if both brothers had had an attitude that said, “I have received what my father has labored for? Now I will take it and add to it from my own labors and be a blessing to my world and to my heirs?” How would the story have been different?
Let us take it a step further and ask what would have happened if the brothers would have worked together with their inheritance? They both had strengths! They both had weaknesses! Consider how strong they would have been if there had been unity in the Father’s house.
What would happen if you and I, as Christians today, were to look at what we have received from the Father in a different light? We are so blessed! We have such a great heritage! We have been give power and authority from God. Others have dug out truths and shared them with us. Methods have been tried and tested with time and now we can use then and build upon them. What would happen if we took advantage of our inheritance to change our world?
Again, let us consider what would happen if we worked together. We all have our strengths! We all have our weaknesses! What could we do if there was unity in the Father’s house?
Are we wasting what we have received by not valuing it? Are we wasting what we have received by not using it? Are we making bad decisions in the Father’s house?
It’s just a thought! God Bless…
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