sons vs. the father; parable vs. the teller prodigalson.txt
the parable has so many lessons and each of us will take a different lesson away from it.
both sons thought they knew better than the father and were both proven wrong. the father knows what we don\'t and we need to respect that.
i\'d like to draw attention to some of the verses:
(12) And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. (the younger son); and (29) ... And yet thou never gavest me (a kid), that I might make merry with my friends (the older son).
notice: both sons asked for the same thing.
the difference follows: when the younger son sinned he sinned. then when he repented he repented. his dirt was dirty and his clean was clean (because his father forgave him without malice). the older son had the same sinful inclination but lacked the nerve to follow through. with the older son, his dirt and his clean were almost identical; not quite dirty enough to be sinful, but not spotless enough to be righteous. his righteousness changed depending on how much you knew about him. there isn\'t a right son/wrong son debate. to me, one son was wrong in public where his sin was exposed and corrected, and the other was wrong in private where his sin was well hidden but the father knew it all along and corrected him also.
the younger son and older son alike were also selfishly demanding. it wasn\'t until the younger son lost all that he learned to pray. furthermore, the younger son learned to be decisive, to stand and account for his actions (in v18 and 19). the older son never did but instead resorted to excuses (v29) and blame (v30). he stayed selfish to the very end.
only one son repented and only he was happy to be in the mansion. how many of us who have been saved too long will enjoy being in heaven? i\'m sure some of us \'older son\' believers will complain when we see streets of gold and whine because they\'re not streets of platinum. surely god owes us some platinum after we\'ve served him all these years, doesn\'t he? i won\'t even mention what we\'ll say about some of the other \'younger son\' believers we scorn as \'unsaveable\' who arrive in heaven before we do. the devil himself would be ashamed to utter such backbiting and cursing.
now i\'d like to contrast the sons\' demands with the father\'s actions:
(22) ... Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: (23) And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry (to his younger son); and (31) ... All that I have is thine (to his older son).
bring the fatted calf! all that i have is yours! could either son say the same thing to their father? this shows the error of both their ways. the first couldn\'t say this because he had nothing. the second couldn\'t say this because he was selfish. neither son could be generous to their father because they were dependent on what he gave them. neither one was an earner. both failed to learn the lesson of wealth-building their father taught them daily with his words and actions. if you can\'t learn to be wealthy from a tycoon, who will teach you to be wealthy. if you can\'t learn to be generous from one who can afford generosity, who will you learn it from. these are important lessons neither son learned. again, it\'s not about which son was \'better\' off. both missed the mark.
and now, let\'s contrast the story with the storyteller.
jesus himself was a son who inherited his father\'s great wealth. he\'s also a son who left home, so he did what both sons did. unlike the other sons, jesus increased his father\'s wealth and returned home to unselfishly share with his father. he didn\'t sqander his returns like the younger son or try to angle his way to his father\'s portion of the family money like the older one. jesus didn\'t try to cut his father out of the picture like the other sons. his father was ever foremost in his mind. jesus didn\'t divide his wealth from his father; he multiplied it unto his father.
so often we read this parable and we wonder which son we\'re like. instead, we are free to look to the storyteller for the best example.
|
- Prodigal Son David Rogerson Friday, February 17 2023 10:37 pm
- prodigal son by Marianne Balog Monday, November 11 2019 11:35 pm
- Message by Mark Eugene Lee Friday, December 20 2019 10:03 am
- My opinion Laurie Friday, February 3 2023 7:24 am
- the prodigal son Chad Sunday, September 20 2020 12:02 pm
- Prodigal Randy Tuesday, June 16 2020 3:08 am
- moral Nikki Thursday, May 20 2021 4:22 am
- Who owned what? Hazel Gilliland Friday, August 19 2022 10:24 am
- Prodical son:Hazel Gilliland by Rev Siva Moodley Sunday, July 17 2022 12:50 pm
- the celibration we might never have lance convey Monday, May 23 2022 8:39 pm
- The One Parable Skip Brown Saturday, December 7 2019 4:57 pm
- Prodical son's brother Mary Wednesday, May 1 2024 7:46 am
- The Prodical Son's Spiritual Warefare. by Omar Lammie Saturday, October 19 2019 10:30 pm
- the prodigal son delano Saturday, December 26 2020 6:49 pm
- Inheritance vs. property Will Sunday, September 11 2022 10:07 pm
- Luke 15 SEINI Tuesday, January 28 2020 5:48 am
- In the pigpen Kado Thursday, October 5 2023 7:13 pm
- A question about the prodigal son... Rae Sunday, October 3 2021 5:13 pm
- A response to Rae by John Ferguson Monday, September 5 2022 2:12 pm
- Rae's son by James Bachmann Wednesday, March 18 2020 3:11 am
- prodigal son sara Thursday, January 16 2020 5:05 am
- thank you cyndy Saturday, December 4 2021 1:00 pm
- Prodigal Tom Friday, April 17 2020 9:11 am
- prodigal son joe Saturday, May 6 2023 11:07 am
- The Prodigal Son Rachel Sunday, April 10 2022 9:47 pm
- The older son Prof. M. Grahmonley Friday, October 4 2019 10:00 am
- Re:The older Son by Benjamin William Lohmer Thursday, December 1 2022 1:46 am
- reply to the older son by Stef Thursday, December 15 2022 3:58 pm
- Reply to Staying at Home by Alaska Man Saturday, May 28 2022 2:57 pm
- Characters Andy Friday, February 21 2020 6:40 am
- sons vs. the father; parable vs. the teller DW Sunday, April 30 2023 4:10 am
- The Prodigal Prince Jim Bridges Sunday, July 24 2022 8:49 am
- Parable of Prodigal Son Elaine Lim Monday, August 9 2021 11:27 am
- Jungian Halley Willcox Wednesday, December 9 2020 12:54 pm
- thanks a lot greg Sunday, March 15 2020 3:35 am
- Google Search Rick Lambke Sunday, July 3 2022 6:39 pm
- Prodigal Son by John Ferguson Tuesday, June 14 2022 9:23 am
- Stay with God Mark Sutton Tuesday, December 26 2023 1:41 am
- A lesson for parents? Kim Saturday, January 5 2019 10:23 am
- Having trouble with this also re: older son Kim Sunday, April 19 2020 12:47 am
- Having trouble with this also re:older son by Rev. Tracy Foxx Monday, March 15 2021 3:51 pm
- Homework Help! Mel Friday, November 26 2021 1:08 am
- the prodigal son Prater Tuesday, January 28 2020 7:25 am
- Another Prater by Prater Wednesday, July 5 2023 8:22 am
- the prodigal son davobrian Wednesday, February 9 2022 7:51 pm
- prodigal son by Philip Koh Saturday, July 15 2023 8:46 am
- prodigal by charlotte Thursday, May 7 2020 5:37 am
- Prodigal son by kishvara Thursday, July 7 2022 3:33 am
- Sons of the Father Hal Tuesday, May 5 2020 1:25 pm
- Elder brother angela Friday, July 16 2021 9:04 am
- Prodigal Son CS Wednesday, April 19 2023 4:11 am
- PRODIGAL SON LE Thursday, January 20 2022 2:54 pm
- PRODIGAL SON Patrick moo Sunday, November 26 2023 3:12 am
- Deliver Elder Brother by A Tuesday, January 23 2024 1:46 pm
- The Pigs Wendy Boss Thursday, May 16 2019 10:05 am
- d= ue Sunday, September 22 2019 2:46 am
- ring of reconcilliation christine roy Friday, August 28 2020 11:18 am
- Prodigal Son and brother as relates to the church Roland Wilkinson Wednesday, May 25 2022 8:55 am
- The LOST Parables Ben Saturday, January 19 2019 5:49 am
- Insight about the the prodigal son Glenn Sunday, February 4 2024 7:42 pm
- prodigal son Janet Tuesday, June 25 2019 5:16 am
- prodigal son donna valley Sunday, March 31 2024 4:32 am
- the brother by joanne Monday, October 12 2020 10:54 pm
- thanks mohammad Saturday, February 5 2022 5:20 am
- The meaning of the prodigal son Todd Tuesday, February 2 2021 4:56 pm
- Prodigal Son DAN MANLEY Sunday, January 22 2023 12:50 am
- Salvation by Marilyn Monday, May 6 2024 4:58 pm
- About the inheritance Ade Sugeng Wiguno Saturday, May 4 2019 4:43 pm
- Barabas Geary Smith Friday, September 10 2021 4:29 am
- Barabas by Robert Wilson Sunday, August 22 2021 10:41 am
- Barabas by Laura Thursday, July 7 2022 1:38 pm
- Barabas by Deborah Saturday, February 3 2024 3:27 pm
- Barabas by James Young Saturday, November 6 2021 11:37 pm
- The sandals? Leslie Sunday, May 1 2022 5:32 pm
- The Sandals of the Prodigal son by Leonard Layne Saturday, January 2 2021 5:51 pm
- the sandals by Rev. Joe A. Burgos Tuesday, September 20 2022 8:09 am
- Prodigal Son David Johnson Tuesday, October 17 2023 10:53 pm
- The FirstCommandment and the Second Ricardo Monday, July 12 2021 12:28 pm
- Prodigal Janice Thursday, August 19 2021 9:08 pm
- An interesting angle of mercy and justice Gary Witte Thursday, November 10 2022 4:17 am
- Re: reinstating the younger son by heather Monday, December 21 2020 7:37 pm
- REPLY TO THE IDEA OF AN INHERITANCE by Bruce Potter Tuesday, June 25 2019 3:24 pm
- Modernized Parable Rozilne Sunday, January 9 2022 6:35 am
- Modernized version by Heather Wednesday, October 2 2019 2:40 am
- One perfect response Dave Thursday, June 6 2019 6:24 am
- research pete Thursday, June 15 2023 7:21 am
- possible thesis angle by gerry c Monday, May 6 2019 6:34 am
- the prodigal by sharon cargile Wednesday, January 29 2020 12:19 pm
- We are wanted to be Highly Effective People GM Monday, July 29 2019 9:18 am
- what does the eldest son represent? Deborah Monday, February 24 2020 9:38 pm
- what does the eldest son represent? by jude24u Friday, April 12 2019 2:29 am
- the elder brother of the prodigal son by mimi Monday, March 25 2019 8:58 am
- who does the elder son represent? by Paul Victor Root Thursday, August 8 2019 3:35 pm
- Who was the elder son? "The Prodigal son" by Rev. T. J. Boully Tuesday, May 9 2023 1:33 am
- The ultimate sin, is sin against the holy spirit! by webmaster Thursday, February 18 2021 11:17 am
- Prodigal Son KB- Friday, October 18 2019 9:47 am
- Prodigal Son by Terri Pang Saturday, December 11 2021 6:10 am
- prodigal son by CH Thursday, December 19 2019 5:45 pm
- Prodigal son Fred Kuypers Wednesday, October 7 2020 5:21 pm
- History of People responsible for Prodigal Son Reema Saturday, September 3 2022 9:37 am
- Pharisee and Publican by Ajo Mathew Thursday, March 7 2019 2:11 pm
- Parable should be called the forgiving father Frank De Gilio Sunday, September 13 2020 2:54 pm
- the prodigal son by rob Tuesday, December 3 2019 1:06 am
- The Prodigal Son by Alex Tuesday, August 23 2022 2:26 am
- The Third Guy Jack Tidwell Wednesday, January 17 2024 8:54 pm
- seeking greater understanding of christs message peter redman Friday, December 10 2021 1:32 am
- Peter by tom Reilly Friday, February 11 2022 8:28 pm
- Peter by tom Reilly Saturday, May 7 2022 8:01 pm
- Stay close to His Spirit. by Dan Friday, June 10 2022 3:36 pm
- Greater Understanding by Marie Sunday, October 11 2020 4:59 am
- a greater understanding by Marie Dzielak Thursday, June 13 2019 9:27 am
- The ring Sonny Tuesday, March 16 2021 5:09 am
- The Ring Darlene Moten Friday, February 8 2019 5:09 pm
- Ring by Tod Sunday, May 9 2021 7:14 pm
- The FATHER not the Prodigal Son Sonny Thursday, May 23 2019 3:46 pm
- The Two Sons joshh Tuesday, November 3 2020 12:19 am
- healing the brothers' hearts... by Annie Hapeman Wednesday, May 1 2019 8:16 am
- The Two Prodigal Sons johnny groda Thursday, August 8 2019 1:39 pm
- Questions about the parable bob Friday, May 14 2021 11:12 pm
- answers about the parable by Scott Saturday, November 6 2021 10:52 am
- reply by Aida Saturday, May 6 2023 1:28 am
- Prodigal Son by Tom Reilly Friday, June 10 2022 8:36 pm
- The Church is LOST for not making the connection by Eric Sunday, November 3 2019 8:53 pm
- 2 points Beth Saturday, March 12 2022 3:09 am
- prodigal scott davis, sr Tuesday, March 23 2021 4:13 pm
- The brother of the Prodigal Son John Tuesday, April 25 2023 5:18 pm
- Grace jeff clay Monday, August 9 2021 8:45 am
- Grace by Dan Wednesday, August 31 2022 3:28 am
- reply to grace by Young Breeze Tuesday, March 21 2023 6:04 am
- The Prodigal Son never HATED his father! Webmaster Tuesday, April 30 2024 11:16 pm
- prodigal son - hatred etc by davd danze Friday, September 16 2022 10:13 pm
- old topic: the prodigal son never hated his father by FRANK FINK Tuesday, May 14 2019 6:29 pm
- Coming Home Cornell de Korte Friday, December 3 2021 7:04 pm
- coming home by a Sunday, May 28 2023 6:21 am
- The name of the prodigal son? Jim Sunday, February 28 2021 2:46 am
- prodigal son's name by Liz Sunday, February 17 2019 9:43 am
- the prodigal son's name by Scott Monday, July 27 2020 1:19 pm
- His Name by Peter Tuesday, February 4 2020 1:18 am
- name of the prodigal son by john Sunday, March 29 2020 10:10 pm
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Anne Saturday, July 24 2021 1:01 pm
- Name of the Prodigal Son by Donimus Thursday, April 4 2019 11:26 am
- Name of the prodigal son by john Monday, January 15 2024 11:20 am
- prodigal son's name by mark valentine Thursday, October 24 2019 1:46 pm
- Prodigal son by jeff Friday, June 26 2020 7:41 am
- Prodigal Church George Sunday, November 28 2021 4:55 pm
- prodigal by Halley Saturday, November 16 2019 11:38 pm
- The non prodigal son Lucius Saturday, December 24 2022 4:40 pm
- the non-prodigal son by Paula Monday, January 6 2020 5:03 am
- Thoughts on the non prodigal son by Pauline Friday, April 21 2023 8:38 am
- Elder Son by Megs Friday, January 24 2020 10:47 am
- The Prodigal Son's Elder Brother by Thinker Thursday, January 10 2019 4:07 pm
- Elder's Need for senses by Jeffrey Sunday, May 17 2020 8:49 pm
- the prodigal son`s elder brother by Adeku Adelani Tuesday, August 29 2023 7:56 pm
- the non prodigal son by Jan Monday, November 6 2023 2:25 pm
- the other son by Debbie Saturday, November 18 2023 8:49 pm
- When it okay to say "What about me?" by Jeffrey Sunday, April 5 2020 10:58 am
- The "lost son": by KRIS BAILEY Wednesday, August 31 2022 4:16 pm
- Elder Brother by pauline thomas Wednesday, May 5 2021 12:44 pm
- Prodigal Son by Phil Tuesday, February 6 2024 1:47 am
- The older son by Stephen Thursday, November 24 2022 3:26 pm
- Non Prodigal by ROBERT ROBERSON Saturday, February 2 2019 7:39 am
- The Son that stayed at home by Nathaniel McCoy Friday, May 12 2023 1:19 am
- The non prodical son by James Anderson Wednesday, January 30 2019 11:06 pm
- prodigal son by Daniel Wednesday, August 3 2022 1:55 am
- This is such a neat parable Chrysoprasus Saturday, September 7 2019 9:50 pm
- lack of focuson the whole picture of this parable by kitt thompson Thursday, February 7 2019 11:51 am
- Prodigal Son by john Saturday, September 16 2023 11:07 am
- As Sated by Edgardo Allan D.Maigue Wednesday, July 28 2021 12:28 pm
- prodical son by Daniel Penn Friday, December 30 2022 10:32 am
- The Prodigal Son by CARLOS Sunday, August 4 2019 12:08 pm
- Gospels Vs. Letters by Michael McGhee Monday, November 11 2019 5:31 pm
- THE PRODIGAL SON by TRINITY'S CHILD Wednesday, June 7 2023 5:04 am
- Children's Bible Stories by Chito Wednesday, October 21 2020 9:41 am
- request by REY Monday, November 25 2019 11:39 pm
🌈Pride🌈 goeth before Destruction
When 🌈Pride🌈 cometh, then cometh Shame