Luke 15:12 NKJV
And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me. ’ So he divided to them his livelihood.
The prodigal son as many of us call him, wanted to have his share of inheritance from his father and as the story goes, His father divided his livelihood between his two sons. Now, we mostly focus on the fact that the younger son asked for his share but the bigger and more serious issue is his motive for asking. No sooner had he received his share of the inheritance, the younger son detached himself from his father and went off to a far away country where he adopted a new way of life, different from what his father had taught him. There he threw all caution and self discipline out of the window and he allowed his appetites and desires to take control of his life. Soon enough he had lost all he had received from his father because a fool and his money are soon parted. What was meant to be a blessing became a curse because he detached himself from his father who was the source, his protector and his cover and he allowed his selfish desires to drive his life.
How many times are we like the younger son allowing our selfish desires to drive our lives taking us away from God? It is our own selfish desires that lead us away into temptation and sin.
James 1: 14-15 NKJV
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
That was the path the younger son was headed to but thank God he came back to his senses and he went back home to find a forgiving father who was ready to embrace him and restore him.
God has a good plan for each one of us. He sacrificed his only son so that we could have life abundantly. As the bible says, he gave us his son, won’t he also give us all things alongside him?
May we tame our selfish desires and practice self control through the strength of the Holy Spirit that we may stick with the fathers plan. Its the best.
Reflective Thoughts.
The prodigal son asked based on selfish motives. What motive drives your asking in prayer?
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As soon as he was given his request, the prodigal detached himself from the father. In what area of your life has “answered prayer” driven you away from the father and exposed your real motive?
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How can you develop a closer walk and fellowship with the Holy Spirit that the fruit of self control may be evident in your life?
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