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 Wednesday, February 20 2019 1:22 pm
- prodigal son by Marianne Balog Tuesday, August 18 2020 4:01 pm
- Message by Mark Eugene Lee Saturday, December 18 2021 7:35 am
- My opinion Laurie Wednesday, February 28 2024 5:12 pm
- the prodigal son Chad Monday, March 4 2019 2:43 am
- Prodigal Randy Tuesday, April 2 2024 9:22 pm
- moral Nikki Saturday, January 5 2019 2:21 pm
- Who owned what? Hazel Gilliland Friday, November 22 2019 9:57 pm
- Prodical son:Hazel Gilliland by Rev Siva Moodley Thursday, March 28 2019 4:28 am
- the celibration we might never have lance convey Wednesday, December 22 2021 8:54 am
- The One Parable Skip Brown Thursday, October 3 2019 4:46 am
- Prodical son's brother Mary Saturday, August 7 2021 2:57 pm
- The Prodical Son's Spiritual Warefare. by Omar Lammie Saturday, September 9 2023 5:15 pm
- the prodigal son delano Sunday, October 17 2021 5:51 am
- Inheritance vs. property Will Friday, December 24 2021 10:25 am
- Luke 15 SEINI Friday, June 26 2020 12:35 pm
- In the pigpen Kado Thursday, October 6 2022 2:52 pm
- A question about the prodigal son... Rae Saturday, September 30 2023 8:05 pm
- A response to Rae by John Ferguson Monday, May 16 2022 9:26 pm
- Rae's son by James Bachmann Wednesday, November 4 2020 4:26 pm
- prodigal son sara Friday, August 16 2019 9:59 pm
- thank you cyndy Wednesday, September 22 2021 7:24 am
- Prodigal Tom Sunday, June 11 2023 5:35 pm
- prodigal son joe Saturday, June 6 2020 1:31 pm
- The Prodigal Son Rachel Sunday, December 31 2023 3:54 pm
- The older son Prof. M. Grahmonley Saturday, July 22 2023 3:06 pm
- Re:The older Son by Benjamin William Lohmer Sunday, May 29 2022 8:36 pm
- reply to the older son by Stef Sunday, February 3 2019 5:23 am
- Reply to Staying at Home by Alaska Man Saturday, December 17 2022 12:09 am
- Characters Andy Monday, September 9 2019 2:47 pm
- sons vs. the father; parable vs. the teller DW Saturday, April 1 2023 1:19 pm
- The Prodigal Prince Jim Bridges Friday, March 17 2023 8:16 pm
- Parable of Prodigal Son Elaine Lim Sunday, July 11 2021 3:59 am
- Jungian Halley Willcox Sunday, January 14 2024 1:33 pm
- thanks a lot greg Friday, February 28 2020 8:34 am
- Google Search Rick Lambke Sunday, September 26 2021 6:00 pm
- Prodigal Son by John Ferguson Thursday, January 30 2020 10:49 am
- Stay with God Mark Sutton Sunday, October 11 2020 5:25 am
- A lesson for parents? Kim Friday, July 12 2019 3:52 am
- Having trouble with this also re: older son Kim Sunday, April 30 2023 5:22 am
- Having trouble with this also re:older son by Rev. Tracy Foxx Tuesday, January 29 2019 8:04 am
- Homework Help! Mel Friday, November 4 2022 7:45 pm
- the prodigal son Prater Sunday, July 2 2023 7:55 pm
- Another Prater by Prater Tuesday, October 29 2019 4:17 pm
- the prodigal son davobrian Friday, December 3 2021 10:12 am
- prodigal son by Philip Koh Friday, January 22 2021 12:10 am
- prodigal by charlotte Saturday, February 12 2022 1:27 pm
- Prodigal son by kishvara Sunday, March 19 2023 10:55 pm
- Sons of the Father Hal Monday, March 25 2019 9:06 pm
- Elder brother angela Tuesday, April 14 2020 10:40 am
- Prodigal Son CS Wednesday, January 12 2022 8:40 am
- PRODIGAL SON LE Thursday, May 9 2019 5:03 pm
- PRODIGAL SON Patrick moo Wednesday, April 3 2024 2:49 am
- Deliver Elder Brother by A Sunday, October 17 2021 8:16 pm
- The Pigs Wendy Boss Wednesday, November 1 2023 1:33 am
- d= ue Sunday, February 24 2019 10:15 pm
- ring of reconcilliation christine roy Thursday, February 3 2022 11:26 pm
- Prodigal Son and brother as relates to the church Roland Wilkinson Sunday, September 12 2021 7:44 pm
- The LOST Parables Ben Thursday, March 3 2022 9:23 am
- Insight about the the prodigal son Glenn Sunday, November 6 2022 6:48 am
- prodigal son Janet Thursday, December 21 2023 4:07 am
- prodigal son donna valley Tuesday, December 26 2023 9:39 pm
- the brother by joanne Friday, July 7 2023 12:35 am
- thanks mohammad Wednesday, January 15 2020 2:49 am
- The meaning of the prodigal son Todd Saturday, November 9 2019 11:48 am
- Prodigal Son DAN MANLEY Sunday, March 15 2020 12:09 pm
- Salvation by Marilyn Saturday, May 13 2023 7:04 am
- About the inheritance Ade Sugeng Wiguno Wednesday, May 24 2023 4:25 pm
- Barabas Geary Smith Thursday, February 22 2024 4:15 pm
- Barabas by Robert Wilson Saturday, September 4 2021 9:54 am
- Barabas by Laura Wednesday, June 1 2022 3:04 pm
- Barabas by Deborah Wednesday, June 9 2021 4:52 pm
- Barabas by James Young Friday, January 31 2020 7:07 pm
- The sandals? Leslie Friday, July 8 2022 3:07 am
- The Sandals of the Prodigal son by Leonard Layne Thursday, April 8 2021 6:29 am
- the sandals by Rev. Joe A. Burgos Thursday, March 25 2021 9:20 am
- Prodigal Son David Johnson Monday, February 7 2022 11:15 pm
- The FirstCommandment and the Second Ricardo Friday, November 5 2021 2:58 am
- Prodigal Janice Thursday, August 8 2019 8:14 am
- An interesting angle of mercy and justice Gary Witte Wednesday, January 20 2021 7:16 am
- Re: reinstating the younger son by heather Monday, June 10 2019 5:18 am
- REPLY TO THE IDEA OF AN INHERITANCE by Bruce Potter Sunday, July 18 2021 4:42 am
- Modernized Parable Rozilne Wednesday, January 8 2020 4:05 am
- Modernized version by Heather Saturday, May 4 2019 4:10 pm
- One perfect response Dave Sunday, November 6 2022 7:37 pm
- research pete Friday, January 26 2024 11:51 pm
- possible thesis angle by gerry c Sunday, June 20 2021 7:02 am
- the prodigal by sharon cargile Monday, February 17 2020 7:01 pm
- We are wanted to be Highly Effective People GM Wednesday, August 3 2022 2:06 am
- what does the eldest son represent? Deborah Saturday, August 13 2022 11:34 am
- what does the eldest son represent? by jude24u Friday, March 26 2021 5:21 pm
- the elder brother of the prodigal son by mimi Saturday, April 20 2024 2:15 pm
- who does the elder son represent? by Paul Victor Root Monday, January 7 2019 4:48 am
- Who was the elder son? "The Prodigal son" by Rev. T. J. Boully Tuesday, July 25 2023 3:17 pm
- The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit! by webmaster Monday, June 28 2021 8:22 am
- Prodigal Son KB- Thursday, February 8 2024 9:51 pm
- Prodigal Son by Terri Pang Saturday, March 12 2022 9:25 pm
- prodigal son by CH Sunday, April 24 2022 7:22 am
- Prodigal son Fred Kuypers Saturday, February 6 2021 5:54 pm
- History of People responsible for Prodigal Son Reema Monday, August 26 2019 2:39 pm
- Pharisee and Publican by Ajo Mathew Thursday, June 4 2020 2:20 pm
- Parable should be called the forgiving father Frank De Gilio Friday, June 30 2023 8:41 am
- the prodigal son by rob Saturday, August 31 2019 6:16 pm
- The Prodigal Son by Alex Monday, May 13 2019 6:42 am
- The Third Guy Jack Tidwell Saturday, December 17 2022 7:20 pm
- seeking greater understanding of christs message peter redman Sunday, May 31 2020 8:04 am
- Peter by tom Reilly Sunday, September 25 2022 3:42 pm
- Peter by tom Reilly Saturday, October 16 2021 4:39 pm
- Stay close to His Spirit. by Dan Monday, August 10 2020 5:53 am
- Greater Understanding by Marie Monday, February 20 2023 9:01 pm
- a greater understanding by Marie Dzielak Thursday, July 13 2023 8:35 pm
- The ring Sonny Monday, June 19 2023 7:26 am
- The Ring Darlene Moten Tuesday, March 15 2022 7:37 am
- Ring by Tod Tuesday, November 14 2023 2:43 am
- The FATHER not the Prodigal Son Sonny Saturday, April 29 2023 12:08 pm
- The Two Sons joshh Wednesday, January 12 2022 11:40 pm
- healing the brothers' hearts... by Annie Hapeman Saturday, January 25 2020 4:54 am
- The Two Prodigal Sons johnny groda Thursday, December 10 2020 5:07 am
- Questions about the parable bob Friday, May 19 2023 4:15 am
- answers about the parable by Scott Monday, November 8 2021 5:04 pm
- reply by Aida Friday, November 29 2019 10:56 am
- Prodigal Son by Tom Reilly Sunday, October 25 2020 4:25 am
- The Church is LOST for not making the connection by Eric Friday, February 15 2019 3:43 pm
- 2 points Beth Wednesday, November 10 2021 5:32 am
- prodigal scott davis, sr Sunday, June 25 2023 11:50 am
- The brother of the Prodigal Son John Sunday, July 12 2020 8:32 am
- Grace jeff clay Friday, July 21 2023 5:39 pm
- Grace by Dan Thursday, August 20 2020 1:41 am
- reply to grace by Young Breeze Monday, December 21 2020 4:27 pm
- The Prodigal Son never HATED his father! Webmaster Thursday, March 18 2021 3:42 pm
- prodigal son - hatred etc by davd danze Tuesday, March 5 2019 2:45 pm
- old topic: the prodigal son never hated his father by FRANK FINK Saturday, February 3 2024 12:16 pm
- Coming Home Cornell de Korte Wednesday, February 12 2020 10:56 am
- coming home by a Wednesday, July 14 2021 11:54 am
- The name of the prodigal son? Jim Tuesday, June 18 2019 1:25 am
- prodigal son's name by Liz Friday, March 12 2021 6:08 am
- the prodigal son's name by Scott Sunday, October 11 2020 10:03 pm
- His Name by Peter Tuesday, September 27 2022 12:54 am
- name of the prodigal son by john Tuesday, February 8 2022 6:32 pm
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Anne Tuesday, October 29 2019 12:18 pm
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Donimus Friday, June 21 2019 6:28 pm
- Name of the prodigal son by john Sunday, August 6 2023 3:01 am
- prodigal son's name by mark valentine Saturday, December 26 2020 10:47 am
- Prodigal son by jeff Sunday, May 12 2019 10:21 am
- Prodigal Church George Friday, July 8 2022 10:54 pm
- prodigal by Halley Sunday, May 31 2020 1:41 am
- The non prodigal son Lucius Wednesday, June 2 2021 7:28 am
- the non-prodigal son by Paula Sunday, April 11 2021 6:16 pm
- Thoughts on the non prodigal son by Pauline Thursday, November 30 2023 11:53 pm
- Elder Son by Megs Wednesday, July 7 2021 2:56 pm
- The Prodigal Son's Elder Brother by Thinker Monday, February 5 2024 5:58 am
- Elder's Need for senses by Jeffrey Thursday, October 19 2023 8:34 pm
- the prodigal son`s elder brother by Adeku Adelani Friday, October 20 2023 4:04 pm
- the non prodigal son by Jan Monday, January 11 2021 7:40 am
- the other son by Debbie Thursday, March 17 2022 11:03 pm
- When it okay to say "What about me?" by Jeffrey Sunday, November 29 2020 8:07 pm
- The "lost son": by KRIS BAILEY Thursday, December 8 2022 7:20 am
- Elder Brother by pauline thomas Sunday, December 10 2023 12:30 pm
- Prodigal Son by Phil Sunday, August 29 2021 8:14 am
- The older son by Stephen Thursday, December 2 2021 2:01 am
- Non Prodigal by ROBERT ROBERSON Sunday, February 19 2023 12:49 pm
- The Son that stayed at home by Nathaniel McCoy Thursday, August 18 2022 4:17 am
- The non prodical son by James Anderson Saturday, February 18 2023 8:46 am
- prodigal son by Daniel Tuesday, September 17 2019 3:22 am
- This is such a neat parable Chrysoprasus Monday, January 13 2020 8:01 am
- lack of focuson the whole picture of this parable by kitt thompson Tuesday, March 22 2022 3:01 pm
- Prodigal Son by john Wednesday, April 13 2022 4:56 am
- As Sated by Edgardo Allan D.Maigue Thursday, January 11 2024 3:26 pm
- prodical son by Daniel Penn Monday, May 1 2023 9:09 am
- The Prodigal Son by CARLOS Sunday, November 19 2023 2:34 pm
- Gospels Vs. Letters by Michael McGhee Tuesday, January 7 2020 10:26 am
- THE PRODIGAL SON by TRINITY'S CHILD Friday, December 9 2022 10:08 am
- Children's Bible Stories by Chito Friday, September 22 2023 3:43 pm
- request by REY Thursday, October 7 2021 6:23 pm
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame