Sons in the Kingdom

A man owned a business that was doing quite well. This man had three sons. He wanted them all to be a part of his business.

The first son had his own dreams. He wanted to pursue other things and wanted nothing to do with his Father's business. He went off on his own to build up his own work and name.

The second son wanted the benefits of his father's business. The status, the pay, the bonuses, the security. However, he had no real ambition to work hard. He just wanted to put his time in each day doing the bare minimum required of him. He was okay with the business outlook remaining just as it was and had no ambition to increase business and didn't get too concerned if sales began to drop.

The third son was very thankful to have been born into a family that had a business to run and that his father wanted him to be a part of it. This son wanted to be a part of this business and was willing to do whatever was asked of him. He took the time to learn from his Father. He figured out what his own gifts and talents were and found ways to use his uniqueness to compliment his father and to add to the business in new ways. He wanted the business to succeed and to do even more than they were today. He looked to the father as the leader of the business going to him for direction and then carrying out the tasks to the best of his ability. His heart and soul were invested in the business and he cared deeply for the work that needed to be done. He was concerned about the good name of the business, and of his father, and he was careful to represent them both properly and with esteem. He wanted the business to grow and prosper and by doing so they would be able to bring more workers in to help.

If the father in this story was God, and the business was the Kingdom of God, which son most resembles you?

Are you the son who wants nothing to do with God's Kingdom, instead wanting to pursue your own desires and forsaking the work God had for you in his Kingdom, as well, as the benefits?

Are you the son who wants the benefits of the Kingdom (eternal life) and are content to just get in and you really don't care if anyone else gets in? You really don't think twice about your testimony or if there is any more to do. You don't give a thought to knowing more about the Kingdom, how it operates, how you might help, and if you are representing the Kingdom properly. You are content to 'get in' and don't want to be asked to do anymore than the minimum (believe).

Are you the son who wants to get to know God and all that God is up to in the world? Do you desire to be a part of his work? Do you spend time in his word everyday learning about Father God and what his desires are and how he is calling you to help further his Kingdom? Do you want to put the time in working hard for him, careful to represent him accurately, and always trying to increase his Kingdom by bringing more into a knowledge and love of him? Are you trying to figure out your unique gifts and how God wants to use them? Do you care if the Kingdom is shrinking or stagnant? Do you desire it to grow beyond measure? Do you care if one in the Kingdom gets lost?

The first son has no part in the Kingdom of God because he has rejected God, his Kingdom, and exchanged them for his own desires.

The second son will receive the benefit of eternal life.

The third son will receive the benefit of eternal life and so much more. He stored up treasure for himself in heaven and his reward will be greater in heaven.

It's kind of like a retirement plan. One puts nothing away and is screwed when retirement comes. One puts the bare minimum away and has enough just to live and get by when retirement comes. One puts away the maximum he can and lives abundantly in his retirement.

Which son are you?

Which son do you want to be?