Joy in Trials, Pain in Triumphs
Luke 7:41-43: "'Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?' Simon replied, ‘I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled.' ‘You have judged correctly,' Jesus said," (NIV).
This parable was told by Jesus at a dinner hosted by a Pharisee. A "sinful" woman had pushed her way to the feet of Jesus, crying, wiping His feet with her hair and pouring perfume on His feet to the disgust of the guests. Even more amazing to the gathered guests, Jesus welcomed her, recognized her faith and forgave her sins.
Jesus compared the Pharisee and the "sinful" woman. Both needed forgiveness, but only one recognized her need. Her sins were overt and obvious, and she had nowhere to turn but the Savior. His sins were covert and hidden from all but God. His success led him to be prideful and oblivious to his great need for a Savior.
Be careful with a successful child. We all need some failure to recognize our need for grace. Don't let your child be carried away from God by his triumphs.
