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The Parable of the Prodigal Son – Part 4

“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’ Luke 15:31

The older brother couldn’t rejoice about his younger brother’s homecoming because he resented it. He said to his father, ‘You threw a party for him, but you’ve never thrown one for me! I served you faithfully for years and you never once acknowledged my service or celebrated my accomplishments’ (vv. 29-30). We learn three things from the older brother. The first is about attitudes. Even though he was invited to the party, his anger kept him away. Why are you angry? You won’t talk to anybody, or forgive anybody. You’re afraid to love anybody, or reach out to anybody, or learn from anybody. You’ve blamed everybody for everything; now you’re blaming God. Don’t let anger lock you out, rob you of blessing, poison your spirit, and destroy your joy. Forgive, celebrate your brother, and walk in fellowship with your heavenly Father. The second is about abundance. ‘…Son…all that I have is yours’ (Luke 15:31). Note the word ‘all’. God is a God of abundance, and if He blesses your brother and sister, He will bless you too. Indeed, when He blesses them, He still has more than enough left to bless you. The third is about access to your Father. As a redeemed child of God, you can approach Him at any time, ask for what you need and be confident that He will respond to you. ‘Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need’ (Hebrews 4:16). You say, ‘When will God answer my prayer?’ He replies, ‘In your time of need.’

Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for being a God who provides what I need – because You know my needs and can separate my greeds. In Jesus’ Name, Amen