“There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So the father divided the property between them.” (Luke 15:11-12)
We are told that in the culture of Jesus’ listeners, as in the Middle Eastern culture, the younger son’s request is extremely offensive. Because the estate is never distributed until a father’s death, the son may as well have said, “I wish you were already dead so that I could do what I want with your possessions.”
Isn’t this an accurate picture of the human race? Haven’t we all sought independence from God, calling His gifts – the body He gave us, the talents we were born with, the material goods He has allowed us to have – our own possessions to do with as we please?
At some point in our lives, sinful pride has led us to go our own way, not acknowledging God in our hearts and living, for all practical purposes, as though He were dead. We like the younger son and all the rest of humanity, have at least once acted as if He were not our Father.
To Jesus’ first hearers, the offense of the younger son is stunning. But What Is Even More Stunning is the response of the father. He gives. He knows the true nature of both of his sons, and he still gives them their inheritance.
Many of us live under the impression that receiving gifts from God is like pulling teeth. We pray and plead for this or that blessing, often ignoring the precious gifts He has already given. But God is a giver. He has already given us abundantly. And get this, He will continue to give. Why? Because that is the nature of a good, good Father.
Have an amazing weekend. Make it better by worshiping The LORD with those who know they are living on His dime and are just as generous with sharing His goodness with others because they know there’s a lot more from where it came from.
All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.
Vic Alvarado 