There was a man who had two sons.

The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.

So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.

He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.


"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.

I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'

So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.

For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.

So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.

'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'

"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.

But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'

"'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "

Luke 15 (NIV)

JW is wondering who exactly was the prodigal son? Was it the son who spent his father's money on foolishness or was it the son who spent his father's love with foolishness?

Comments

Unknown said…
This sounds like something similar to what I have taught my children in search of the perfect life mate. Do not hasten to find someone to fill the loneliness just to have someone, because you can be just as lonely with someone as without. The son who stayed home obeyed, but did he love?
Anonymous said…
Miss, I guess this is a passage from the Holly Bible.

My answer is that both of the sons are prodigal.And I also doesn't appreciate the father's attitute towards his sons.I would like to make a further discussion over this with you...
Judy, There are so many lessons learned from just this one parable, I believe. What a good way to instruct our children in finding an equal mate for marriage by using this story.

Yagmur, Yes, this is a parable from the Holy Bible with many lessons we can pull from it. I will be happy to discuss your thoughts. I invite you to email me. You will find my address in the sidebar.

Blessings.
Joanne said…
It's such an effective story in so many ways. I've heard or read this many times in my life, and always take something from it. I hadn't thought of the son who stayed home as the prodigal son, though. Interesting contemplation ...
Anonymous said…
Miss, I have just sent you a mail. I hope you get it without any problems.

Keep well!!!
Indie said…
What an inspirational question JW!

You will have me thinking all day...

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