The Other Prodigal

Many of us have prodigals in our lives. A prodigal is one who wastefully squanders what he has. The prodigal that we are most familiar with is the younger son who prematurely took his share of his father’s estate and carelessly consumed it all on immoral living. This led to poverty and the awakening of his conscience to repent and return his father’s house. But did you know there is more than one way to wastefully squander what you have in relation to the father? Did you know there was another prodigal?

The elder son was every bit as much a prodigal as the younger son. Although he never left home, never took advantage of his father, worked hard and was always obedient, he was a prodigal none the less. Clearly and almost justifiably, he was enraged at his father hosting a barbeque to welcome home the younger son. The elder son was jealous, bitter, resentful and unforgiving. But that isn’t what made him a prodigal.

At the appeal of his father to join the party, the elder son accused the father of NEVER throwing a party for him and his friends. The father never celebrated his faithful service. Never gave him so much as a goat, let alone the fatted calf. It is the father’s reply that reveals to us the reality that the elder son in his own way is a prodigal, too.

“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (Luke 15:31)

The elder son didn’t squander money, or consume rebellious living. The elder son wasted time and opportunity while sitting in the father’s house doing nothing. “ALL THAT I HAVE IS YOURS!” This was a true statement, for in the distribution of the father’s estate it would have been customary to will 1/3 to the younger son and 2/3 to the elder son. After the younger took his share and took off, the rest would befall to the elder son. While the younger squandered, the elder maintained the status quo. He lived a “get by” kind of life. He didn’t do too much. He didn’t do too little. Mediocrity might be the best description.

What hit me right between the eyes was this is like so many Christians today. We posses ALL the resources and assets of the kingdom of God. All that the father has is ours, now! We have the truth of the Word, the privilege of prayer, victory of the cross and the blood of Christ, resurrection power, the authority of the name of Jesus, protected with the armor of God and the constant abiding presence of the Holy Spirit to comfort and to guide. What an utter waste if we relegate all of our divine inheritance into just showing up at church and paying our tithe. What a wasteful squandering of kingdom authority!

The five virgins were left behind for not being prepared for the bridegroom’s coming. The goats were separated from the sheep for doing nothing to help their brethren. The servant was judged by his master for burying his talent. He was convicted for being lazy. The seed sown among thorns produced no fruit due to the worries and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches.

While we are here, we have kingdom work to do, in kingdom authority. We are here to work the works of God while it is yet day, not bide our time to until we can get rescued out of here! Freely you have received freely give!