Prodigal Son's Older Brother

In my interest in happiness, joy, pleasure, purpose, etc,  I have identified jealous traits in myself that assure me the older brother in the prodigal son story is me.

I long to know how to remedy that.  I have found a few useful links:

http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/the-blinding-effects-of-serving-god

This talk by John Piper focusses on the father's loving response in the story.  It is one of the few kind words Jesus has to Pharisees.  The conclusion I have is that I need to see God as a father, not a master giving commands.  It really comes down to trust/belief that He and his commands have my best interest at heart!  (lately I'm finding a lot of things come down to trust/belief...like the lust mentioned before...'God is better', etc.) I also need to understand more how sinful I am.  I don't know if I'm ready to ask, yet.

Some other points that are mildly related to this is the thought of happiness and pleasure.  If ignorance is bliss, then knowledge is sadness.  Again from Piper, this is true per these two 5 min messages:


http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/does-happiness-require-apathy-to-others-sorrows
http://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/are-smart-people-less-happy


(a longer version that discusses "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing")
http://www.desiringgod.org/sermons/sorrowful-yet-always-rejoicing

TO BE CONTINUED...


So update a few hours later...