Bitterness at its Core and the Solution -- Biblical Example in the Prodigal Son

"And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine." (Luke 15: 29-31)

Why was the older brother bitter?

He had worked so hard, and yet for all of his work, he never got the party that his younger brother, the younger brother who had "devoured the father's living" with harlots, so he assumed.

In fact, there is no record that the younger brother had gotten involved in such promiscuous behavior, yet the bitterness just poured forth from the brother nonetheless.

He had worked so hard for something that was always there for him, yet in fact he did not prize the Father's love as much as the company of his friends. How sad indeed, that the brother had been working so hard for something that he already had.

Yet even in this parable, the Father delivers good news to the older son:

"Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine."

Even for His lack of love to the father, and his bitterness to his younger brother, the father still loved him, and reminded him that everything is his.

To comfort and allay the factions which were breaking out in the Corinthian Church, Paul reminded them not only of who they had become in Christ (1 Corinthians 6), but had told them what they have already:

"19For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. 21Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's." (1 Corinthians 3: 19-23)

Yet some will counter -- "I have lost all this time working, and what do I have to show for it?"

Let us look to another example. . .