Overtaken by Blessings

Luke Chapter 15 starting in verse 11 is the story of the prodigal son. Now, when most christians hear that passage mentioned they immediately think of the rebellious son who took his inheritance and arrogantly headed for the hills. What I’d like to take time to focus on is the other brother. Ya, the one most ignore! Most skim right over the older brother and his story. Let’s take a quick look and see what we can pull from the scriptures.

So, let’s set the stage….we know the younger son took his stuff  and headed to a far off land where he wasted all of his inheritance on prodigal living. The word prodigal is defined as being “given to reckless living, wasteful, and immoral behavior.”  It’s always so easy to point out the OBVIOUS sins of others isn’t it? So we know that the younger boy was flat out rebellious and disobedient. That’s a given. But what about his older brother? Well, he enters the picture in verse 25, “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 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. But, he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. 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. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.  And he said to him, son you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.” 

There’s a couple things I want you to catch here. First, this might sound a little harsh, but for those of you that have had a relationship with the Lord for a long time……quit waiting for God to give you something!! In any relationship, let me say it this way, in ALL healthy, successful relationships, the most notable fruit or evidence is a selfless life! A GIVING of yourself….not “getting”!!  That’s why it is successful. That’s how it should be with our Father. There’s a saying that I’ve heard before, “Seek HIM not his hand!” Here’s what I mean…..ask yourself, “If I NEVER experienced the blessings in Christ, healing, provision, rest, peace, direction….etc..etc….would I love my Jesus the same?? Would I surrender daily to his will and ways?  That’s a question to ponder deeply! We should love Him for no other reason other than HE LOVED US FIRST AND SAVED US!! Period!!

Secondly, tying right into this….the father says, “all that I have is yours” because your always with me. Here’s the amazing things guys, when we LIVE WITH HIM, when our daily routines of life encompass the very GIVER OF LIFE HIMSELF, everything is available to us. Our attention should be on the tasks that the Father has given us. When we eat, sleep, and live life with HIM…..ALL THAT OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HAS IS OURS so why put focus where its not needed?! He wants you to know …..REALLY KNOW….Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the Kingdom of God (SEEK HIM, HIS WAY OF DOING THINGS) and ALL THESE THINGS WILL BE ADDED TO YOU”!!!  Let me tell you, I have NEVER experienced the blessings, the promises, the provisions, of God like I have just living with my Father!! Things I have never even thought to ask for but was a desire in my heart….He just ADDS to my life!! What an amazing Father!!

Let’s live like the older son….WITH the Father ….only let’s learn from him!! Let’s understand ….. all that God has is ours. Quit waiting for Him to give you something and get busy just being about the Father’s business….you will be astounded at the blessings that overtake you from out of nowhere!!