Before we leave the story of the prodigal son there’s one more thing to consider. The one who went off and spent all his inheritance wasn’t the only prodigal…
Then one day I realized that I had also been the brother who stayed home. I found myself resentful of some other Christians who had not been as loyal or dedicated as I had been, or at least that was my judgement. They were off running wild, foot loose and fancy free. Just look how God was blessing them – it was irritating.
The one son had taken his inheritance and ran. He came back ashamed and did not feel he had any right to the good things in His Father’s house; he just wanted to be a servant.
The other son had lived in the Father’s house the whole time, but he considered himself to be a slave. He was angry about his living conditions, but he never appropriated what the Father had provided. It is as if he had a million dollars in the bank but never wrote a check.
25-27 “All this time his older son was out in the field. When the day’s work was done he came in. As he approached the house, he heard the music and dancing. Calling over one of the houseboys, he asked what was going on. He told him, ‘Your brother came home. Your father has ordered a feast—barbecued beef!—because he has him home safe and sound.’
28-30 “The older brother stalked off in an angry sulk and refused to join in. His father came out and tried to talk to him, but he wouldn’t listen. The son said, ‘Look how many years I’ve stayed here serving you, never giving you one moment of grief, but have you ever thrown a party for me and my friends? Then this son of yours who has thrown away your money on whores shows up and you go all out with a feast!’
31-32 “His father said, ‘Son, you don’t understand. You’re with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours—but this is a wonderful time, and we had to celebrate. This brother of yours was dead, and he’s alive! He was lost, and he’s found!’” Luke 15:11-32 MSG
The Father in the story loved both sons the same. He provided the same inheritance for them. One squandered it and one never used it. The Father wanted both of them to enjoy what He provided.
Both sons needed to ask the Father’s forgiveness for their attitudes. Both sons had an equal share; they were joint heirs in the Father’s kingdom.
We need to take advantage of what the Father has provided. Not abuse it and not ignore it. We do not deserve the inheritance; we can’t earn it; we receive it because we are sons and our Father loves us!
Our Father has placed a robe on our shoulders and a royal ring on our fingers to show the world that we are His!
The Father is watching for us, waiting for us, to come to Him and receive what He has provided. It’s not based on our merit but on His love. He values all of His children, He loves us all!
