Jesus told a story (parable) to Pharisees and scribes, tax collectors and sinners.

(Luke 15:1-2)  The story was of a younger son who asked for his inheritance, his father gave it to him and he left.  He went to a distant country and squandered all of his inheritance on women and wild living.  He ended up with a job of feeding hogs…he was down in the pigsty and very hungry.  He decided he would go home and ask his father’s forgiveness and work for his dad.  He went home, his father met him with open arms and threw a party…his son had returned!  (Luke 15:11-24)

  The older brother came in from working in the fields and heard the sound of music and celebration…and he was angry!  He was so angry he would not go in and see his prodigal brother.

Luke 15:28-32 paraphrased: The father came out to his older son and pleaded with him to come in and celebrate.  But nothing the father said changed the attitude of his older son.  “Look!  For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.” (NASB Luke 15:29-30)

  The father responded to this son, whom he also loved…the father acknowledged his son had always been faithful in doing his duties and all that was the father’s was his.
  Then the father said “But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.” (NASB Luke 15:32)

  This first-born son exhibited resentment, bitterness and anger.  Have you done this same thing toward a person who has squandered their life, then turned to following Christ? 

  Are you like that prodigal’s brother…unforgiving and spiteful?  Have you forgotten all the riches you have been given by your Father God?

(NIV) Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…”
(NASB) Ephesians 4:31-32 “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

  The followers of Christ are to…follow Him!
(NASB) Ephesians 5:1-2 “THEREFORE BE imitators of God, as beloved children;
2 and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”