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 Tuesday, April 26 2022 9:28 pm
- prodigal son by Marianne Balog Monday, December 9 2019 3:27 pm
- Message by Mark Eugene Lee Thursday, March 12 2020 10:31 am
- My opinion Laurie Saturday, April 13 2024 7:59 am
- the prodigal son Chad Monday, April 3 2023 9:20 am
- Prodigal Randy Sunday, October 16 2022 6:03 am
- moral Nikki Thursday, May 28 2020 3:27 am
- Who owned what? Hazel Gilliland Saturday, April 10 2021 4:07 pm
- Prodical son:Hazel Gilliland by Rev Siva Moodley Saturday, January 22 2022 12:45 pm
- the celibration we might never have lance convey Wednesday, October 9 2019 3:15 am
- The One Parable Skip Brown Saturday, September 5 2020 6:51 am
- Prodical son's brother Mary Saturday, January 6 2024 4:45 pm
- The Prodical Son's Spiritual Warefare. by Omar Lammie Sunday, March 12 2023 1:25 pm
- the prodigal son delano Friday, July 28 2023 11:50 am
- Inheritance vs. property Will Monday, December 19 2022 1:23 pm
- Luke 15 SEINI Tuesday, March 16 2021 9:44 am
- In the pigpen Kado Monday, August 23 2021 6:55 am
- A question about the prodigal son... Rae Saturday, July 3 2021 6:44 am
- A response to Rae by John Ferguson Sunday, November 24 2019 12:07 am
- Rae's son by James Bachmann Tuesday, May 23 2023 1:12 am
- prodigal son sara Thursday, July 23 2020 3:42 pm
- thank you cyndy Thursday, January 30 2020 5:42 pm
- Prodigal Tom Wednesday, July 15 2020 3:13 pm
- prodigal son joe Saturday, December 25 2021 1:57 pm
- The Prodigal Son Rachel Tuesday, March 15 2022 12:41 am
- The older son Prof. M. Grahmonley Wednesday, March 2 2022 2:54 pm
- Re:The older Son by Benjamin William Lohmer Friday, December 29 2023 10:29 am
- reply to the older son by Stef Friday, October 14 2022 8:17 pm
- Reply to Staying at Home by Alaska Man Saturday, August 19 2023 3:43 am
- Characters Andy Friday, October 30 2020 6:34 pm
- sons vs. the father; parable vs. the teller DW Thursday, March 18 2021 1:20 pm
- The Prodigal Prince Jim Bridges Thursday, May 9 2024 9:09 pm
- Parable of Prodigal Son Elaine Lim Wednesday, April 1 2020 10:59 pm
- Jungian Halley Willcox Sunday, November 15 2020 7:38 am
- thanks a lot greg Sunday, March 6 2022 12:42 pm
- Google Search Rick Lambke Saturday, August 13 2022 4:02 pm
- Prodigal Son by John Ferguson Thursday, July 4 2019 1:16 am
- Stay with God Mark Sutton Saturday, April 24 2021 8:04 pm
- A lesson for parents? Kim Wednesday, March 6 2024 7:34 am
- Having trouble with this also re: older son Kim Wednesday, March 24 2021 11:35 am
- Having trouble with this also re:older son by Rev. Tracy Foxx Thursday, June 9 2022 12:38 am
- Homework Help! Mel Wednesday, September 27 2023 9:07 am
- the prodigal son Prater Saturday, May 21 2022 10:10 am
- Another Prater by Prater Thursday, April 30 2020 10:43 pm
- the prodigal son davobrian Tuesday, June 15 2021 3:33 pm
- prodigal son by Philip Koh Thursday, July 28 2022 2:13 pm
- prodigal by charlotte Thursday, November 18 2021 5:46 pm
- Prodigal son by kishvara Saturday, September 12 2020 11:44 am
- Sons of the Father Hal Tuesday, December 24 2019 2:17 am
- Elder brother angela Tuesday, November 23 2021 4:25 am
- Prodigal Son CS Saturday, October 26 2019 12:54 am
- PRODIGAL SON LE Saturday, September 18 2021 6:14 am
- PRODIGAL SON Patrick moo Thursday, March 7 2024 2:13 pm
- Deliver Elder Brother by A Wednesday, February 20 2019 1:49 pm
- The Pigs Wendy Boss Thursday, April 16 2020 10:09 pm
- d= ue Tuesday, August 31 2021 3:17 am
- ring of reconcilliation christine roy Friday, July 15 2022 8:38 pm
- Prodigal Son and brother as relates to the church Roland Wilkinson Tuesday, March 30 2021 10:51 pm
- The LOST Parables Ben Monday, September 21 2020 4:09 pm
- Insight about the the prodigal son Glenn Tuesday, January 30 2024 2:51 am
- prodigal son Janet Monday, October 5 2020 5:56 pm
- prodigal son donna valley Sunday, November 6 2022 1:41 am
- the brother by joanne Sunday, March 20 2022 1:23 pm
- thanks mohammad Wednesday, March 2 2022 11:44 pm
- The meaning of the prodigal son Todd Friday, April 30 2021 7:13 pm
- Prodigal Son DAN MANLEY Tuesday, June 30 2020 8:50 am
- Salvation by Marilyn Tuesday, February 16 2021 8:12 pm
- About the inheritance Ade Sugeng Wiguno Monday, January 17 2022 2:19 am
- Barabas Geary Smith Wednesday, May 31 2023 7:53 pm
- Barabas by Robert Wilson Saturday, December 12 2020 4:13 am
- Barabas by Laura Wednesday, February 1 2023 11:08 am
- Barabas by Deborah Wednesday, March 29 2023 3:34 am
- Barabas by James Young Monday, December 12 2022 10:05 pm
- The sandals? Leslie Friday, March 15 2019 3:47 pm
- The Sandals of the Prodigal son by Leonard Layne Saturday, July 4 2020 11:47 pm
- the sandals by Rev. Joe A. Burgos Wednesday, January 5 2022 12:44 pm
- Prodigal Son David Johnson Friday, December 8 2023 12:50 am
- The FirstCommandment and the Second Ricardo Saturday, March 14 2020 3:56 pm
- Prodigal Janice Tuesday, February 5 2019 10:58 pm
- An interesting angle of mercy and justice Gary Witte Wednesday, August 14 2019 3:33 am
- Re: reinstating the younger son by heather Sunday, October 4 2020 5:29 pm
- REPLY TO THE IDEA OF AN INHERITANCE by Bruce Potter Saturday, July 30 2022 10:43 pm
- Modernized Parable Rozilne Thursday, November 25 2021 2:55 pm
- Modernized version by Heather Wednesday, July 8 2020 6:35 am
- One perfect response Dave Friday, August 19 2022 4:52 pm
- research pete Friday, January 31 2020 7:15 pm
- possible thesis angle by gerry c Tuesday, October 20 2020 6:08 am
- the prodigal by sharon cargile Sunday, October 15 2023 1:44 am
- We are wanted to be Highly Effective People GM Friday, June 18 2021 8:58 am
- what does the eldest son represent? Deborah Tuesday, January 18 2022 6:48 am
- what does the eldest son represent? by jude24u Wednesday, March 8 2023 2:55 am
- the elder brother of the prodigal son by mimi Sunday, December 13 2020 1:25 am
- who does the elder son represent? by Paul Victor Root Saturday, July 16 2022 5:21 am
- Who was the elder son? "The Prodigal son" by Rev. T. J. Boully Wednesday, September 4 2019 12:11 am
- The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit! by webmaster Saturday, March 30 2019 8:53 pm
- Prodigal Son KB- Wednesday, May 8 2024 10:16 pm
- Prodigal Son by Terri Pang Friday, August 6 2021 3:36 pm
- prodigal son by CH Saturday, January 11 2020 7:16 pm
- Prodigal son Fred Kuypers Saturday, June 25 2022 2:14 pm
- History of People responsible for Prodigal Son Reema Saturday, November 7 2020 2:07 pm
- Pharisee and Publican by Ajo Mathew Monday, February 24 2020 11:11 am
- Parable should be called the forgiving father Frank De Gilio Saturday, September 2 2023 2:00 am
- the prodigal son by rob Friday, May 10 2019 8:58 pm
- The Prodigal Son by Alex Sunday, May 17 2020 7:37 pm
- The Third Guy Jack Tidwell Friday, December 15 2023 7:22 am
- seeking greater understanding of christs message peter redman Saturday, June 19 2021 12:16 am
- Peter by tom Reilly Friday, September 9 2022 9:43 pm
- Peter by tom Reilly Thursday, December 8 2022 8:13 am
- Stay close to His Spirit. by Dan Sunday, June 6 2021 4:15 am
- Greater Understanding by Marie Sunday, October 3 2021 2:38 pm
- a greater understanding by Marie Dzielak Monday, March 15 2021 3:42 am
- The ring Sonny Saturday, January 25 2020 7:39 pm
- The Ring Darlene Moten Friday, February 11 2022 7:16 am
- Ring by Tod Thursday, October 22 2020 9:28 pm
- The FATHER not the Prodigal Son Sonny Wednesday, August 16 2023 6:05 pm
- The Two Sons joshh Saturday, April 6 2019 5:27 pm
- healing the brothers' hearts... by Annie Hapeman Monday, September 6 2021 5:39 pm
- The Two Prodigal Sons johnny groda Saturday, January 8 2022 7:27 am
- Questions about the parable bob Saturday, August 8 2020 11:03 pm
- answers about the parable by Scott Friday, December 11 2020 6:25 am
- reply by Aida Saturday, April 6 2019 3:39 pm
- Prodigal Son by Tom Reilly Thursday, November 4 2021 10:34 am
- The Church is LOST for not making the connection by Eric Monday, March 4 2024 1:05 pm
- 2 points Beth Friday, January 24 2020 2:35 am
- prodigal scott davis, sr Saturday, January 26 2019 1:43 am
- The brother of the Prodigal Son John Tuesday, October 25 2022 1:36 am
- Grace jeff clay Friday, February 26 2021 2:37 pm
- Grace by Dan Saturday, June 13 2020 12:35 pm
- reply to grace by Young Breeze Thursday, November 16 2023 6:32 pm
- The Prodigal Son never HATED his father! Webmaster Saturday, July 13 2019 11:41 am
- prodigal son - hatred etc by davd danze Monday, January 4 2021 2:06 am
- old topic: the prodigal son never hated his father by FRANK FINK Saturday, June 12 2021 10:37 am
- Coming Home Cornell de Korte Tuesday, March 2 2021 12:35 pm
- coming home by a Tuesday, July 14 2020 9:33 pm
- The name of the prodigal son? Jim Monday, September 11 2023 11:41 pm
- prodigal son's name by Liz Monday, February 13 2023 11:06 pm
- the prodigal son's name by Scott Tuesday, February 18 2020 2:51 pm
- His Name by Peter Saturday, August 3 2019 8:12 am
- name of the prodigal son by john Tuesday, November 16 2021 2:47 pm
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Anne Tuesday, September 12 2023 10:32 pm
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Donimus Wednesday, December 13 2023 8:24 pm
- Name of the prodigal son by john Tuesday, September 29 2020 10:09 pm
- prodigal son's name by mark valentine Friday, July 30 2021 10:44 pm
- Prodigal son by jeff Monday, October 30 2023 4:51 pm
- Prodigal Church George Sunday, May 7 2023 8:08 am
- prodigal by Halley Monday, June 21 2021 12:27 am
- The non prodigal son Lucius Thursday, June 11 2020 10:27 am
- the non-prodigal son by Paula Thursday, October 21 2021 10:14 pm
- Thoughts on the non prodigal son by Pauline Friday, August 9 2019 10:06 pm
- Elder Son by Megs Tuesday, January 3 2023 2:13 pm
- The Prodigal Son's Elder Brother by Thinker Tuesday, January 3 2023 3:21 pm
- Elder's Need for senses by Jeffrey Wednesday, May 11 2022 12:11 pm
- the prodigal son`s elder brother by Adeku Adelani Tuesday, January 3 2023 11:39 pm
- the non prodigal son by Jan Tuesday, October 19 2021 12:56 am
- the other son by Debbie Tuesday, April 23 2024 12:57 am
- When it okay to say "What about me?" by Jeffrey Monday, June 5 2023 3:25 am
- The "lost son": by KRIS BAILEY Thursday, February 9 2023 1:47 am
- Elder Brother by pauline thomas Saturday, September 14 2019 5:38 am
- Prodigal Son by Phil Saturday, March 26 2022 12:15 am
- The older son by Stephen Sunday, June 16 2019 4:11 am
- Non Prodigal by ROBERT ROBERSON Friday, December 2 2022 10:22 am
- The Son that stayed at home by Nathaniel McCoy Thursday, October 27 2022 12:59 am
- The non prodical son by James Anderson Wednesday, September 11 2019 9:27 pm
- prodigal son by Daniel Thursday, July 9 2020 3:06 am
- This is such a neat parable Chrysoprasus Wednesday, April 17 2019 11:31 pm
- lack of focuson the whole picture of this parable by kitt thompson Wednesday, March 4 2020 7:15 pm
- Prodigal Son by john Tuesday, September 1 2020 4:53 pm
- As Sated by Edgardo Allan D.Maigue Sunday, June 25 2023 4:10 am
- prodical son by Daniel Penn Sunday, September 10 2023 8:35 am
- The Prodigal Son by CARLOS Wednesday, November 15 2023 2:36 am
- Gospels Vs. Letters by Michael McGhee Saturday, April 6 2024 12:30 am
- THE PRODIGAL SON by TRINITY'S CHILD Sunday, September 17 2023 2:22 pm
- Children's Bible Stories by Chito Tuesday, November 30 2021 4:36 pm
- request by REY Monday, July 1 2019 9:53 am
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame