Everything is Yours

But his father’s response changed everything. He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours”

Luke 15:31

This week, I was reading through the story of the prodigal son, as it’s popularly called. I realised that there’s more to this story than I thought. It’s not simply a good boy versus bad boy story. It’s actually about two extremes within the body of Christ. One extreme sees the other as wrong, but ultimately, they’re both mistaken and missing out on God’s gifts.

We all know the story. The younger child came and said to the father, “Give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them”. The son squanders his wealth and ends up destitute. The bible says, “And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need” (Luke 15:14).

Condemnation grips him. Realising how he misused his father’s generosity, he can’t bring himself to return. Instead, he takes a job feeding pigs. The pay is terrible: ‘to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything’ (Luke 15:16). This paints a picture of what it means to be under the control of Satan when condemnation grips your soul. 

One day, he has a revelation about his father! The Bible says, ‘He came to himself and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!’ In response to this revelation, he says, ‘I will arise and go to my father…’ (Luke 15:17-18). And when he returns, his father throws him a grand reception, welcoming him back with open arms.

This display of love creates a problem for the elder son. He’s been working tirelessly in the fields when he hears music and dancing. He rushes home to find out what’s happening. At the entrance, he asks a servant, ‘What’s going on here?’ The servant replies, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound’ (Luke 15:27). The elder son becomes angry and refuses to participate in the celebration, which he sees as a ‘show of shame.’

Why is the elder son so angry? He tells his father, ‘Look, all these years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ (Luke 15:29-30). But the father’s response changes everything. He says, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours‘ (Luke 15:31).

Are you starting to see the pattern?

One son thinks he can use God for his own gain. But God isn’t angry with him. He knows the son won’t go far this way, and He hopes he’ll come to his senses eventually. The other son thinks he shouldn’t have expectations of God – he just needs to keep working and be grateful for a good father. While God appreciates this, He doesn’t mind us asking for our legitimate needs.

This is where the two extremes in the body of Christ emerge. One group sees God as a provider – all they do is ask, ask, ask. Faith, for them, is only about receiving. Meanwhile, another group sees God as someone to serve, with no expectations. They believe you should manage whatever He gives you out of mercy and not be demanding. Both extremes are wrong.

God is a loving father. He generously provides for our needs, but believers must mature in their faith to understand there’s more to God than just receiving. However, when this maturity comes, they shouldn’t look down on those still struggling to see God as more than just a giver.

In the end, we must remember the father’s words: ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.’ First, stay with Him, and while you’re at it, remember that everything He has is yours – all you have to do is ask.

PRAYER

Lord, thank you for your never-ending love and grace, just like the love of the father in the story of the Prodigal Son. Help me to avoid the extremes of seeing you only as a source of things I want, or of feeling I must endlessly earn your favour.
Guide me to a mature faith where I can receive your gifts with gratitude, while also developing a deeper relationship with you. Amen.