Sons of the Father prodigalson.txt
All these comments are fascinating but my thoughts have been trending another way lately. The Prodigal received forgiveness and grace - his initial thought was that if he confessed his sin he would get something to eat.
But the Father forgives and blesses him before he can get the words out - the robe covers his guilt, dirt and shame, the shoes show he is no longer a slave (slaves were not allowed shoes to keep them from running off), and the ring was the authority of the family name given to him.
The older son sought to gain grace and approval (and a goat to cook) through hard work. I think many of us as Christians begin to question why our (material) prayers aren\'t answered and two of the answers we come up with are that we aren\'t doing enough \"good stuff\" (older son) or that we are sinners (prodigal son).
The Father\'s reply fascinates me [paraphrase] \"Son (child) you are always with me and all mine is thine.\" In other words, as a child of the Father everything the father had was available to the older son in the same fashion as forgiveness was available to the prodigal -- without doing anything, without \"deserving\" it. \"Here it is; it\'s yours. Partake of all that I have,\" says the Father.
I\'m beginning to work on an article that I\'m tentatively calling \"the Spirituality of Abundance\". While I fully realize that, in this life, we are not to be controlled by money, is it wrong to participate in the Father\'s abundance? Not according to the Father\'s own words.
Neither the Prodigal\'s sin nor the older son\'s hard work and obedience seemed to matter to the Father when it came to participating in the Father\'s abundance.
Think this through in steps: 1) in John\'s letters it says \"see how God has lavished his love on us that we should be called Children of God. Beloved, NOW we are Children of God.\" 2) In Psalms it says \"the earth is the Lord\'s and ALL it contains\" and 3) the Father said to BOTH his sons (one in actions and the other in words) \"All that is mine is thine\". The conclusion is that the riches of the earth are my Father\'s and therefore MINE.
So why did the older son seem unable to participate in this abundance? Look at his complaints -- \"you never once GAVE me an animal so I could have a party with my friends\" -- but how did the Father give abundance to the Prodigal?
He commanded his servants \"Quick! Bring . . .\" -- Hebrews says that angels are ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit the kingdom. I believe the older son did not participate because he kept waiting for someone to give him something. I think all he had to do was reach out and take what he wanted; the Father seemed to assume that was how things worked!
How much are we missing in life because we do not take hold of the abundance of God our Father -- not because we get a prize for being a repentant sinner nor because we have worked hard and feel we\'ve earned something -- but simply as Children of a kind, gracious and loving (and wealthy!) Father?
|
- Prodigal Son David Rogerson Sunday, May 12 2019 8:21 pm
- prodigal son by Marianne Balog Tuesday, May 31 2022 8:24 am
- Message by Mark Eugene Lee Wednesday, February 5 2020 3:10 am
- My opinion Laurie Sunday, February 24 2019 7:56 pm
- the prodigal son Chad Tuesday, December 5 2023 8:33 am
- Prodigal Randy Thursday, July 2 2020 9:06 pm
- moral Nikki Saturday, July 29 2023 7:31 pm
- Who owned what? Hazel Gilliland Tuesday, April 30 2024 9:02 am
- Prodical son:Hazel Gilliland by Rev Siva Moodley Wednesday, August 5 2020 10:51 am
- the celibration we might never have lance convey Monday, April 22 2024 5:51 am
- The One Parable Skip Brown Thursday, October 20 2022 5:08 pm
- Prodical son's brother Mary Wednesday, March 1 2023 4:22 pm
- The Prodical Son's Spiritual Warefare. by Omar Lammie Monday, February 24 2020 7:56 pm
- the prodigal son delano Tuesday, October 22 2019 3:47 pm
- Inheritance vs. property Will Wednesday, December 27 2023 1:58 pm
- Luke 15 SEINI Saturday, September 18 2021 4:23 am
- In the pigpen Kado Monday, July 25 2022 10:10 am
- A question about the prodigal son... Rae Thursday, June 18 2020 6:34 am
- A response to Rae by John Ferguson Thursday, May 25 2023 12:58 am
- Rae's son by James Bachmann Wednesday, May 8 2019 6:30 am
- prodigal son sara Saturday, May 15 2021 12:21 pm
- thank you cyndy Thursday, November 10 2022 6:07 pm
- Prodigal Tom Thursday, October 14 2021 9:28 am
- prodigal son joe Thursday, April 25 2024 12:15 pm
- The Prodigal Son Rachel Thursday, June 23 2022 12:01 am
- The older son Prof. M. Grahmonley Thursday, December 10 2020 10:04 pm
- Re:The older Son by Benjamin William Lohmer Thursday, November 24 2022 9:52 am
- reply to the older son by Stef Monday, December 5 2022 3:30 am
- Reply to Staying at Home by Alaska Man Saturday, May 13 2023 2:35 pm
- Characters Andy Saturday, April 18 2020 2:38 pm
- sons vs. the father; parable vs. the teller DW Tuesday, May 14 2019 2:58 am
- The Prodigal Prince Jim Bridges Thursday, March 7 2024 5:02 am
- Parable of Prodigal Son Elaine Lim Saturday, March 27 2021 12:40 am
- Jungian Halley Willcox Tuesday, September 14 2021 1:07 pm
- thanks a lot greg Saturday, June 26 2021 1:05 am
- Google Search Rick Lambke Thursday, July 8 2021 8:38 am
- Prodigal Son by John Ferguson Sunday, March 7 2021 1:59 pm
- Stay with God Mark Sutton Sunday, June 16 2019 6:30 am
- A lesson for parents? Kim Tuesday, July 21 2020 5:08 am
- Having trouble with this also re: older son Kim Wednesday, August 18 2021 3:01 am
- Having trouble with this also re:older son by Rev. Tracy Foxx Thursday, September 17 2020 12:28 am
- Homework Help! Mel Tuesday, September 6 2022 2:29 am
- the prodigal son Prater Thursday, March 9 2023 2:22 am
- Another Prater by Prater Tuesday, July 19 2022 2:04 am
- the prodigal son davobrian Saturday, January 16 2021 2:17 am
- prodigal son by Philip Koh Saturday, August 19 2023 7:57 pm
- prodigal by charlotte Monday, October 4 2021 8:42 pm
- Prodigal son by kishvara Wednesday, March 11 2020 9:11 pm
- Sons of the Father Hal Monday, August 28 2023 7:03 am
- Elder brother angela Saturday, July 24 2021 9:15 pm
- Prodigal Son CS Tuesday, March 28 2023 8:08 am
- PRODIGAL SON LE Tuesday, February 9 2021 9:18 am
- PRODIGAL SON Patrick moo Friday, May 28 2021 3:54 am
- Deliver Elder Brother by A Wednesday, May 18 2022 2:48 pm
- The Pigs Wendy Boss Friday, August 16 2019 1:33 am
- d= ue Wednesday, April 29 2020 4:45 pm
- ring of reconcilliation christine roy Tuesday, August 24 2021 7:01 pm
- Prodigal Son and brother as relates to the church Roland Wilkinson Friday, June 9 2023 9:25 am
- The LOST Parables Ben Tuesday, June 27 2023 7:01 am
- Insight about the the prodigal son Glenn Thursday, December 17 2020 7:27 am
- prodigal son Janet Saturday, October 29 2022 12:43 pm
- prodigal son donna valley Wednesday, May 20 2020 7:21 am
- the brother by joanne Sunday, May 3 2020 3:41 pm
- thanks mohammad Wednesday, July 13 2022 9:08 am
- The meaning of the prodigal son Todd Monday, August 23 2021 6:51 am
- Prodigal Son DAN MANLEY Tuesday, August 27 2019 9:45 am
- Salvation by Marilyn Tuesday, June 4 2019 5:57 pm
- About the inheritance Ade Sugeng Wiguno Tuesday, September 22 2020 11:16 pm
- Barabas Geary Smith Friday, May 8 2020 9:38 pm
- Barabas by Robert Wilson Sunday, January 1 2023 11:14 pm
- Barabas by Laura Monday, October 11 2021 5:35 am
- Barabas by Deborah Wednesday, May 1 2024 3:03 pm
- Barabas by James Young Sunday, December 5 2021 6:43 pm
- The sandals? Leslie Sunday, April 10 2022 5:45 pm
- The Sandals of the Prodigal son by Leonard Layne Thursday, March 28 2019 10:33 am
- the sandals by Rev. Joe A. Burgos Thursday, August 8 2019 10:04 pm
- Prodigal Son David Johnson Sunday, January 21 2024 3:43 pm
- The FirstCommandment and the Second Ricardo Saturday, September 24 2022 10:33 am
- Prodigal Janice Tuesday, October 29 2019 3:40 pm
- An interesting angle of mercy and justice Gary Witte Tuesday, May 26 2020 3:04 am
- Re: reinstating the younger son by heather Saturday, August 27 2022 11:53 am
- REPLY TO THE IDEA OF AN INHERITANCE by Bruce Potter Sunday, October 25 2020 12:43 pm
- Modernized Parable Rozilne Wednesday, August 18 2021 3:37 am
- Modernized version by Heather Saturday, January 11 2020 1:11 pm
- One perfect response Dave Tuesday, November 2 2021 9:17 am
- research pete Friday, March 22 2024 1:23 pm
- possible thesis angle by gerry c Tuesday, August 6 2019 10:43 am
- the prodigal by sharon cargile Saturday, May 22 2021 2:34 pm
- We are wanted to be Highly Effective People GM Friday, September 30 2022 3:02 pm
- what does the eldest son represent? Deborah Thursday, May 16 2019 8:13 pm
- what does the eldest son represent? by jude24u Saturday, September 17 2022 1:07 am
- the elder brother of the prodigal son by mimi Wednesday, September 16 2020 7:31 pm
- who does the elder son represent? by Paul Victor Root Thursday, August 6 2020 6:23 am
- Who was the elder son? "The Prodigal son" by Rev. T. J. Boully Wednesday, September 27 2023 3:00 pm
- The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit! by webmaster Saturday, November 6 2021 7:56 am
- Prodigal Son KB- Wednesday, March 4 2020 9:41 am
- Prodigal Son by Terri Pang Monday, November 4 2019 1:25 pm
- prodigal son by CH Thursday, February 6 2020 9:42 am
- Prodigal son Fred Kuypers Tuesday, March 10 2020 7:11 pm
- History of People responsible for Prodigal Son Reema Sunday, January 28 2024 2:07 am
- Pharisee and Publican by Ajo Mathew Thursday, February 11 2021 10:50 am
- Parable should be called the forgiving father Frank De Gilio Wednesday, October 23 2019 11:39 pm
- the prodigal son by rob Monday, March 23 2020 1:14 am
- The Prodigal Son by Alex Sunday, December 4 2022 9:34 am
- The Third Guy Jack Tidwell Saturday, May 16 2020 10:53 pm
- seeking greater understanding of christs message peter redman Tuesday, October 27 2020 2:20 am
- Peter by tom Reilly Friday, July 31 2020 5:29 pm
- Peter by tom Reilly Tuesday, August 1 2023 12:17 am
- Stay close to His Spirit. by Dan Thursday, July 29 2021 1:26 pm
- Greater Understanding by Marie Thursday, May 21 2020 12:57 am
- a greater understanding by Marie Dzielak Sunday, August 28 2022 1:00 pm
- The ring Sonny Saturday, January 22 2022 8:57 am
- The Ring Darlene Moten Wednesday, July 14 2021 9:04 pm
- Ring by Tod Thursday, June 27 2019 6:57 am
- The FATHER not the Prodigal Son Sonny Monday, March 27 2023 12:53 am
- The Two Sons joshh Thursday, November 11 2021 2:22 am
- healing the brothers' hearts... by Annie Hapeman Thursday, December 16 2021 1:31 am
- The Two Prodigal Sons johnny groda Tuesday, March 8 2022 10:12 am
- Questions about the parable bob Wednesday, July 24 2019 4:50 pm
- answers about the parable by Scott Thursday, June 2 2022 8:39 pm
- reply by Aida Monday, November 8 2021 3:18 am
- Prodigal Son by Tom Reilly Wednesday, April 29 2020 7:00 pm
- The Church is LOST for not making the connection by Eric Wednesday, August 4 2021 9:19 pm
- 2 points Beth Monday, July 25 2022 9:52 am
- prodigal scott davis, sr Monday, September 7 2020 11:58 pm
- The brother of the Prodigal Son John Wednesday, June 9 2021 9:14 pm
- Grace jeff clay Thursday, January 27 2022 3:18 am
- Grace by Dan Sunday, May 7 2023 3:58 pm
- reply to grace by Young Breeze Friday, October 28 2022 12:03 am
- The Prodigal Son never HATED his father! Webmaster Wednesday, October 20 2021 8:04 am
- prodigal son - hatred etc by davd danze Friday, January 5 2024 9:38 am
- old topic: the prodigal son never hated his father by FRANK FINK Wednesday, October 16 2019 6:19 am
- Coming Home Cornell de Korte Sunday, October 23 2022 1:39 am
- coming home by a Sunday, October 18 2020 10:52 am
- The name of the prodigal son? Jim Friday, September 1 2023 3:41 am
- prodigal son's name by Liz Thursday, December 1 2022 10:13 am
- the prodigal son's name by Scott Friday, July 21 2023 6:58 am
- His Name by Peter Monday, August 3 2020 11:14 am
- name of the prodigal son by john Wednesday, August 3 2022 9:51 am
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Anne Tuesday, July 27 2021 11:44 pm
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Donimus Saturday, July 18 2020 9:19 pm
- Name of the prodigal son by john Saturday, September 3 2022 1:01 pm
- prodigal son's name by mark valentine Friday, October 2 2020 2:03 pm
- Prodigal son by jeff Sunday, October 27 2019 9:04 am
- Prodigal Church George Friday, June 17 2022 11:46 pm
- prodigal by Halley Tuesday, February 21 2023 5:55 pm
- The non prodigal son Lucius Tuesday, February 28 2023 6:19 pm
- the non-prodigal son by Paula Tuesday, June 6 2023 8:03 pm
- Thoughts on the non prodigal son by Pauline Saturday, November 23 2019 1:09 am
- Elder Son by Megs Monday, March 18 2024 5:32 am
- The Prodigal Son's Elder Brother by Thinker Tuesday, November 9 2021 10:18 am
- Elder's Need for senses by Jeffrey Friday, October 13 2023 8:16 am
- the prodigal son`s elder brother by Adeku Adelani Friday, December 10 2021 12:13 am
- the non prodigal son by Jan Friday, May 15 2020 12:09 am
- the other son by Debbie Sunday, August 2 2020 10:51 pm
- When it okay to say "What about me?" by Jeffrey Saturday, February 12 2022 2:01 am
- The "lost son": by KRIS BAILEY Wednesday, April 24 2024 2:34 am
- Elder Brother by pauline thomas Saturday, December 31 2022 1:36 am
- Prodigal Son by Phil Monday, January 24 2022 1:46 am
- The older son by Stephen Wednesday, June 16 2021 11:00 pm
- Non Prodigal by ROBERT ROBERSON Sunday, July 18 2021 1:16 pm
- The Son that stayed at home by Nathaniel McCoy Thursday, March 21 2024 6:37 pm
- The non prodical son by James Anderson Monday, August 17 2020 11:21 pm
- prodigal son by Daniel Wednesday, May 12 2021 3:30 am
- This is such a neat parable Chrysoprasus Sunday, January 13 2019 10:25 am
- lack of focuson the whole picture of this parable by kitt thompson Friday, April 8 2022 3:21 pm
- Prodigal Son by john Sunday, August 11 2019 8:29 am
- As Sated by Edgardo Allan D.Maigue Tuesday, May 7 2024 5:51 pm
- prodical son by Daniel Penn Friday, June 24 2022 4:35 pm
- The Prodigal Son by CARLOS Sunday, February 25 2024 7:10 pm
- Gospels Vs. Letters by Michael McGhee Saturday, September 24 2022 10:48 am
- THE PRODIGAL SON by TRINITY'S CHILD Wednesday, March 13 2019 4:17 am
- Children's Bible Stories by Chito Thursday, September 23 2021 12:22 am
- request by REY Tuesday, January 25 2022 2:04 pm
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame