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The Parable of the Prodigal Son (4)
'...Everything I have is yours.' Luke 15:31 NIV
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.' (Luke 15:29-30)
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. '...My son...everything I have is yours.' (Luke 15:31 NIV) Note the word 'everything'. 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 God's 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 NIV) You say, 'When will God answer my prayer?' He replies, 'In your time of need.'
written by Bob Gass
'...Everything I have is yours.' Luke 15:31 NIV
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.' (Luke 15:29-30)
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. '...My son...everything I have is yours.' (Luke 15:31 NIV) Note the word 'everything'. 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 God's 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 NIV) You say, 'When will God answer my prayer?' He replies, 'In your time of need.'
written by Bob Gass
