Luke 15:25-31 – “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.  26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.  27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’   28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.  29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.  30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’  31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.” NKJV

I would doubt that anyone who reads the Bible has not heard the story of the prodigal son and many have preached or taught from that story for it is a powerful story of love and redemption.  I want to move beyond that beautiful story to the sad story that is seen in the elder brother and the beautiful truth that God conveys through his lack of understanding.

 I can imagine the feeling of frustration, anger, resentment and possibly even jealousy that welled up in the heart of the elder brother when he came in from a day of labor in the field and found there was a party going on in celebration of his wayward brother’s return.  The fact that he went and pouted speaks volumes and when his father finds out he goes to him pleading with him to join in the celebration of the return of the lost child.  His answer is most gripping as he says:  “Dad I have been faithful, worked my fingers to the bone for you, never disobeyed you and been a loyal faithful son and what did I get for it?  You never even so much as gave me a billy goat for a barbecue with my buddies and this scoundrel comes home and you throw a party for him!”  He was livid and his father’s response conveys an arresting truth as he says, “Son, you are right you are always with me and ALL I HAVE is yours.”  Simply, you could have had the goat anytime you wanted it but you failed to even ask.  Your brother wasted his inheritance but ALL I HAVE belongs to you and you were here all the time, it was at your disposal but you did not take advantage of it or even ask for it.

How true that is of so many in the Body of Christ we see someone who has backslidden or gone astray and when they return God’s blessings flow to them and we resent it because we have ‘been faithful’.  What we failed to understand that is that being heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus IT IS OURS.  Jesus said, “Ask what you will and it will be done” but we fail to ask.  James said, “You have not because you do not ask.”  Jesus told us in Luke 12:32 – “It is My Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom…”  God wants to lavish upon us His bountiful blessings and Paul says in Ephesians 1:3 that we have been blessed with ALL spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

Rather than becoming envious or resentful at what the Father is doing for someone who has strayed and returned go to the storehouse and enjoy the Abundant Life that He has provided for us now!   Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and ALL THESE THINGS are added to you – – NOW!

            May God be with you as you go through your day!