This whole thing reminds me of The Prodigal Son.
When I first learned about this parable as a kid, it really rubbed me the wrong way.
The brother that did all the work and all the right things was essentially taken for granted, while the selfish, ne'er-do-well son squandered his inheritance and then had a party upon his return.
I guess the older brothers reward is that he wasn't actually the jerk.