By Alan Dean, retired Seventh-day Adventist pastor
Luke 15 contains the parable of the prodigal (wasteful) son. This son chooses to leave the comforts of his father’s home to enjoy the excitement of the Gentile world. To fund his journey he asks for his half of the father’s inheritance. Sadly the father gives it to him, and probably warns him of the dangers that lay ahead.
For a time the son enjoyed his new life of freedom and luxurious living. But because of his wasteful spending and “friends” who took advantage of him, his money soon ran out. This meant no food. In desperation he took a job caring for a farmer’s pigs. The day soon came when his only food was that of the pigs.
Luke 15:17 states that this is when “he came to himself” (KJV). We would say today that “he came to his senses. He recognizes that his sinful past has left him bankrupt. He remembers his father’s home where even the servants are living a comfortable life. He decides to return home and admit that he has sinned against heaven and his father. He hopes then that his father will accept him back as a hired servant.
When still at a distance from home, his father sees him and runs to welcome him with open arms. Before the son could express his desire to become a servant, the father puts the best robe on him, and a ring on his finger, and good sandals on his feet. He then asks his servants to prepare a feast to celebrate the return of his son.
This parable well illustrates our God’s welcome to us when we “come to our senses” and repent of our sinful life and accept His gracious salvation. The Father, Jesus, and the holy angels celebrate as well when a sinner chooses to “come home” (Luke 15:10).
The parable also reminds us that we have nothing to offer the Lord when we choose to come home. Our “righteousness is as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6). But Jesus accepts us as we are and begins the clean-up process through the power of the Holy Spirit. No life is too filthy for God to recreate into a new person.
It is needful for Christians as well to evaluate themselves regularly to see where they too may be wasting their inheritance. We are actually only stewards (managers) of what we are and have. Good stewardship includes the good management of our time, finances, talents, body, and possessions. They are given to us so that we can be a blessing to others and to bring glory to God.
Jesus certainly exemplified good stewardship in the use of His time and talents. Every morning during His prayer time with His Father, He would asked the Father how He could best spend His time and who He should meet that day. We should practice this habit ourselves. Our day will be more productive.
