HONOR THY FATHER 
 

A wealthy businessman has two sons. The older son does very well. He makes good money, he has a beautiful home and a beautiful family. The younger son has never been able to make it. He struggles his whole career. His wife and his children look worse for the wear.

The brother’s father decides to throw himself a big birthday party for his 80th birthday. He says to his two grown sons. 

“I want you to go out and buy yourself and your family lovely clothing for the party. Find a nice place to stay and find good transportation to get you to my home when you honor me and come out to celebrate my 80th birthday. I will pick up the tab.

The older successful brother makes sure his wife and kids are all decked out in the finest clothing and jewelry. They rent a stretch limo, and they find a luxury hotelfor their stay.

The younger brother comes with his family. They stay in a modest motel. They come to the party looking pretty shabby. They bought no new clothes, and they pull up in a beat-up old car.

The older brother sends his father a bill listing the expenses he laid out. The other brother did not.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not going to be paying your bill.” The father tells his oldest son.

“What do you mean?!! The son asks his father. ” You told me in honor of your birthday, you wanted me to dress well to make a nice impression, and I did all of that.”

His father replied, “I asked you to do all this for my honor, and instead, you did it for your honor. You never conferred with your brother, you never helped him get the right clothes, and you never encouraged him to take advantage of my offer, Therefore it dishonored me to have my two sons and their families come to my party in such just disparate ways. To truly honor me, you would have made sure that it was all done correctly.”

There’s a message here about honor. Whether honoring your father, honoring your mother, or honoring God, always be sure you act sincerely for the honor of others, not yourself.