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 Saturday, January 29 2022 8:57 pm
- prodigal son by Marianne Balog Wednesday, May 19 2021 8:49 am
- Message by Mark Eugene Lee Wednesday, July 22 2020 2:49 pm
- My opinion Laurie Wednesday, May 24 2023 5:50 pm
- the prodigal son Chad Thursday, May 9 2024 6:03 pm
- Prodigal Randy Wednesday, June 16 2021 4:26 pm
- moral Nikki Monday, August 2 2021 7:02 pm
- Who owned what? Hazel Gilliland Thursday, March 24 2022 6:53 pm
- Prodical son:Hazel Gilliland by Rev Siva Moodley Saturday, October 2 2021 5:59 pm
- the celibration we might never have lance convey Thursday, January 10 2019 1:59 am
- The One Parable Skip Brown Monday, November 9 2020 10:50 am
- Prodical son's brother Mary Friday, November 20 2020 4:10 am
- The Prodical Son's Spiritual Warefare. by Omar Lammie Sunday, April 14 2019 4:46 pm
- the prodigal son delano Wednesday, May 24 2023 10:36 am
- Inheritance vs. property Will Tuesday, November 2 2021 6:43 am
- Luke 15 SEINI Thursday, March 18 2021 6:50 am
- In the pigpen Kado Monday, July 3 2023 1:55 pm
- A question about the prodigal son... Rae Sunday, June 6 2021 11:39 pm
- A response to Rae by John Ferguson Thursday, March 2 2023 10:36 pm
- Rae's son by James Bachmann Saturday, January 14 2023 11:03 pm
- prodigal son sara Friday, November 5 2021 2:02 am
- thank you cyndy Thursday, July 6 2023 1:47 pm
- Prodigal Tom Monday, April 11 2022 12:49 am
- prodigal son joe Monday, April 27 2020 6:01 pm
- The Prodigal Son Rachel Friday, November 19 2021 10:51 am
- The older son Prof. M. Grahmonley Friday, October 25 2019 1:21 pm
- Re:The older Son by Benjamin William Lohmer Friday, September 23 2022 9:57 am
- reply to the older son by Stef Wednesday, September 1 2021 7:02 am
- Reply to Staying at Home by Alaska Man Friday, July 19 2019 8:24 pm
- Characters Andy Tuesday, August 27 2019 11:36 pm
- sons vs. the father; parable vs. the teller DW Tuesday, April 26 2022 6:44 pm
- The Prodigal Prince Jim Bridges Wednesday, October 23 2019 1:18 pm
- Parable of Prodigal Son Elaine Lim Friday, December 4 2020 2:55 am
- Jungian Halley Willcox Thursday, October 28 2021 3:59 pm
- thanks a lot greg Sunday, October 23 2022 9:20 am
- Google Search Rick Lambke Sunday, March 31 2019 3:30 pm
- Prodigal Son by John Ferguson Monday, January 1 2024 10:40 am
- Stay with God Mark Sutton Friday, January 3 2020 3:41 pm
- A lesson for parents? Kim Wednesday, June 9 2021 5:41 am
- Having trouble with this also re: older son Kim Thursday, January 31 2019 9:27 am
- Having trouble with this also re:older son by Rev. Tracy Foxx Wednesday, January 23 2019 12:48 am
- Homework Help! Mel Sunday, March 5 2023 1:41 am
- the prodigal son Prater Monday, October 18 2021 7:11 am
- Another Prater by Prater Friday, January 12 2024 4:32 am
- the prodigal son davobrian Tuesday, April 23 2019 11:27 pm
- prodigal son by Philip Koh Tuesday, February 4 2020 7:48 pm
- prodigal by charlotte Tuesday, June 22 2021 4:09 am
- Prodigal son by kishvara Thursday, April 4 2024 1:23 am
- Sons of the Father Hal Sunday, July 23 2023 2:04 pm
- Elder brother angela Friday, April 12 2024 3:10 pm
- Prodigal Son CS Friday, May 12 2023 2:32 am
- PRODIGAL SON LE Saturday, December 21 2019 1:16 pm
- PRODIGAL SON Patrick moo Saturday, August 10 2019 7:56 pm
- Deliver Elder Brother by A Saturday, July 10 2021 10:02 am
- The Pigs Wendy Boss Wednesday, November 8 2023 5:28 pm
- d= ue Wednesday, January 26 2022 1:37 am
- ring of reconcilliation christine roy Wednesday, August 26 2020 10:19 pm
- Prodigal Son and brother as relates to the church Roland Wilkinson Tuesday, February 13 2024 10:42 am
- The LOST Parables Ben Thursday, August 3 2023 4:47 pm
- Insight about the the prodigal son Glenn Thursday, December 30 2021 1:49 pm
- prodigal son Janet Wednesday, September 22 2021 1:42 am
- prodigal son donna valley Friday, October 29 2021 9:48 am
- the brother by joanne Monday, June 6 2022 12:53 am
- thanks mohammad Thursday, June 11 2020 3:01 am
- The meaning of the prodigal son Todd Tuesday, November 15 2022 11:50 am
- Prodigal Son DAN MANLEY Sunday, November 19 2023 1:38 pm
- Salvation by Marilyn Tuesday, August 1 2023 2:39 pm
- About the inheritance Ade Sugeng Wiguno Tuesday, May 11 2021 1:02 am
- Barabas Geary Smith Monday, February 8 2021 7:28 pm
- Barabas by Robert Wilson Wednesday, October 28 2020 6:00 pm
- Barabas by Laura Saturday, September 18 2021 3:39 pm
- Barabas by Deborah Wednesday, June 9 2021 12:27 am
- Barabas by James Young Monday, January 10 2022 7:55 pm
- The sandals? Leslie Sunday, October 17 2021 9:14 am
- The Sandals of the Prodigal son by Leonard Layne Wednesday, January 25 2023 8:10 am
- the sandals by Rev. Joe A. Burgos Monday, August 29 2022 12:42 am
- Prodigal Son David Johnson Tuesday, March 8 2022 8:13 pm
- The FirstCommandment and the Second Ricardo Monday, December 12 2022 12:31 pm
- Prodigal Janice Tuesday, February 22 2022 11:02 am
- An interesting angle of mercy and justice Gary Witte Thursday, June 1 2023 11:07 pm
- Re: reinstating the younger son by heather Friday, February 3 2023 6:37 am
- REPLY TO THE IDEA OF AN INHERITANCE by Bruce Potter Saturday, February 15 2020 5:38 am
- Modernized Parable Rozilne Tuesday, August 6 2019 12:28 pm
- Modernized version by Heather Monday, July 15 2019 11:13 pm
- One perfect response Dave Saturday, May 13 2023 4:33 am
- research pete Saturday, January 20 2024 4:05 am
- possible thesis angle by gerry c Tuesday, October 8 2019 8:56 pm
- the prodigal by sharon cargile Saturday, June 10 2023 6:36 pm
- We are wanted to be Highly Effective People GM Saturday, December 3 2022 10:01 pm
- what does the eldest son represent? Deborah Friday, March 20 2020 8:16 am
- what does the eldest son represent? by jude24u Monday, April 1 2019 5:25 am
- the elder brother of the prodigal son by mimi Thursday, July 1 2021 9:56 am
- who does the elder son represent? by Paul Victor Root Thursday, February 23 2023 3:05 am
- Who was the elder son? "The Prodigal son" by Rev. T. J. Boully Tuesday, February 23 2021 7:57 am
- The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit! by webmaster Friday, June 3 2022 1:11 pm
- Prodigal Son KB- Wednesday, August 18 2021 10:00 pm
- Prodigal Son by Terri Pang Monday, November 8 2021 4:27 am
- prodigal son by CH Monday, August 16 2021 11:24 pm
- Prodigal son Fred Kuypers Tuesday, April 21 2020 9:08 pm
- History of People responsible for Prodigal Son Reema Monday, January 20 2020 9:46 am
- Pharisee and Publican by Ajo Mathew Monday, May 15 2023 12:27 pm
- Parable should be called the forgiving father Frank De Gilio Tuesday, April 9 2019 4:16 pm
- the prodigal son by rob Sunday, May 19 2024 1:48 am
- The Prodigal Son by Alex Thursday, July 20 2023 1:47 pm
- The Third Guy Jack Tidwell Monday, March 15 2021 9:47 am
- seeking greater understanding of christs message peter redman Friday, February 1 2019 5:57 pm
- Peter by tom Reilly Monday, July 11 2022 10:19 am
- Peter by tom Reilly Monday, August 3 2020 6:54 am
- Stay close to His Spirit. by Dan Sunday, March 17 2019 11:13 am
- Greater Understanding by Marie Tuesday, September 21 2021 3:16 am
- a greater understanding by Marie Dzielak Saturday, May 1 2021 2:09 pm
- The ring Sonny Tuesday, October 20 2020 7:11 pm
- The Ring Darlene Moten Friday, December 3 2021 5:10 am
- Ring by Tod Monday, March 8 2021 4:06 pm
- The FATHER not the Prodigal Son Sonny Sunday, January 22 2023 2:09 pm
- The Two Sons joshh Wednesday, October 11 2023 6:11 am
- healing the brothers' hearts... by Annie Hapeman Tuesday, April 21 2020 4:20 pm
- The Two Prodigal Sons johnny groda Saturday, April 17 2021 11:07 pm
- Questions about the parable bob Friday, July 5 2019 11:33 am
- answers about the parable by Scott Sunday, April 7 2019 1:54 am
- reply by Aida Thursday, June 13 2019 10:43 pm
- Prodigal Son by Tom Reilly Wednesday, May 12 2021 12:07 pm
- The Church is LOST for not making the connection by Eric Friday, January 29 2021 4:07 pm
- 2 points Beth Friday, November 8 2019 9:06 pm
- prodigal scott davis, sr Wednesday, October 18 2023 7:33 am
- The brother of the Prodigal Son John Tuesday, June 4 2019 11:27 pm
- Grace jeff clay Thursday, March 9 2023 10:26 pm
- Grace by Dan Sunday, May 21 2023 1:54 am
- reply to grace by Young Breeze Friday, October 6 2023 11:55 am
- The Prodigal Son never HATED his father! Webmaster Sunday, June 30 2019 10:49 am
- prodigal son - hatred etc by davd danze Tuesday, April 2 2024 4:06 am
- old topic: the prodigal son never hated his father by FRANK FINK Friday, January 6 2023 3:39 am
- Coming Home Cornell de Korte Tuesday, June 1 2021 10:02 am
- coming home by a Monday, February 14 2022 3:53 pm
- The name of the prodigal son? Jim Tuesday, February 18 2020 11:09 am
- prodigal son's name by Liz Saturday, June 27 2020 11:20 pm
- the prodigal son's name by Scott Friday, March 12 2021 12:17 am
- His Name by Peter Monday, November 28 2022 4:15 pm
- name of the prodigal son by john Wednesday, March 3 2021 2:29 am
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Anne Sunday, October 3 2021 7:56 pm
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Donimus Thursday, August 8 2019 6:11 pm
- Name of the prodigal son by john Saturday, April 20 2019 2:47 am
- prodigal son's name by mark valentine Thursday, October 20 2022 7:04 am
- Prodigal son by jeff Wednesday, March 20 2024 3:53 am
- Prodigal Church George Tuesday, September 7 2021 2:00 pm
- prodigal by Halley Wednesday, January 4 2023 6:32 am
- The non prodigal son Lucius Friday, October 29 2021 2:07 am
- the non-prodigal son by Paula Saturday, April 2 2022 10:32 am
- Thoughts on the non prodigal son by Pauline Tuesday, May 14 2024 7:53 pm
- Elder Son by Megs Thursday, October 24 2019 4:55 pm
- The Prodigal Son's Elder Brother by Thinker Saturday, May 29 2021 1:23 am
- Elder's Need for senses by Jeffrey Friday, February 4 2022 5:30 pm
- the prodigal son`s elder brother by Adeku Adelani Friday, July 19 2019 10:30 pm
- the non prodigal son by Jan Monday, February 20 2023 12:58 am
- the other son by Debbie Wednesday, November 3 2021 6:51 pm
- When it okay to say "What about me?" by Jeffrey Tuesday, April 25 2023 4:13 pm
- The "lost son": by KRIS BAILEY Monday, April 17 2023 9:26 pm
- Elder Brother by pauline thomas Wednesday, February 21 2024 3:12 pm
- Prodigal Son by Phil Sunday, April 14 2019 11:47 am
- The older son by Stephen Monday, January 3 2022 6:29 pm
- Non Prodigal by ROBERT ROBERSON Saturday, July 17 2021 9:26 pm
- The Son that stayed at home by Nathaniel McCoy Thursday, April 30 2020 1:21 pm
- The non prodical son by James Anderson Monday, May 23 2022 10:36 pm
- prodigal son by Daniel Tuesday, January 8 2019 2:09 pm
- This is such a neat parable Chrysoprasus Tuesday, April 5 2022 11:13 pm
- lack of focuson the whole picture of this parable by kitt thompson Thursday, February 29 2024 12:34 am
- Prodigal Son by john Friday, December 30 2022 3:08 am
- As Sated by Edgardo Allan D.Maigue Wednesday, May 15 2019 10:34 pm
- prodical son by Daniel Penn Tuesday, September 27 2022 8:08 pm
- The Prodigal Son by CARLOS Friday, April 2 2021 2:06 am
- Gospels Vs. Letters by Michael McGhee Monday, July 27 2020 8:56 pm
- THE PRODIGAL SON by TRINITY'S CHILD Sunday, March 15 2020 1:35 pm
- Children's Bible Stories by Chito Friday, June 14 2019 11:32 am
- request by REY Saturday, February 9 2019 5:28 pm
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame