“Jesus continued, ‘ there was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, father, give me my share of estate,’ so he divided his property between them”.
– Luke 15: 11-12
Let us think for a moment. Why the younger son demanded for his share from his father. May be he wanted to live his life independently, he did not like to remain under anyone’s control. May be he loved money more than the father. His all need must have been fulfilled. Whatever may be the reason, ultimately the younger son gets his share, gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country.
Here we have to understand a very important point, that is to leave the father means to loose the blessings of the father. He falls into sin after leaving the father. He lost his property in loose living. He began to search for job. As long as he was with his father there was no need of job. What job he gets ? He gets a job of herding pigs. He eats what the pigs eat. Living with father means serving & enjoying. When we do the service we get blessing. If we remain with the father we get blessing. We have to serve the father. If one lose job without father’s blessing, he will get money but it will go into hospital. One will not have peace or joy in his life. The Prodigal son lost blessing of father, he lost everything what he had.
In life when we get job, important post, or may be wealth, at that time one should not fly in the air. We will not realize when it veins. If younger son had remain in blessings of father, he would not have lost his everything. By blessings of our Lord, if a person gets wealth, he/she should not be proud of it. One have to remain within the limits, stay in the company of our Lord, remain in prayer. If we remain with father and His blessings, we will be happy all the time.
Luke. Ch.19: 1 to 10 – Zacchaeus, was a chief tax collector. He was taking more tax than what he suppose to take. He used to earn without hard work. When he came in contact with Jesus, Jesus told him that he was doing wrong work. Immediately, he promised to change his ways and back all the people he had cheated. We must not think of becoming rich by cheating other. We will not succeed in it. May be for time being one may get pleasure but it will not last longer, at time a person’s situation will be like a balloon without the air. We have to work hard along with blessings of our Lord. Surely one will get successful in whatever work he/she does. The Lord gives in His own time.
2. Cori. Ch. 11: 8, “Paul says I robbed other churches by accepting their contributions so I could serve you at no cost.”
2. Cori. Ch. 11 : 9, “ And when I was with you and didn’t have enough to live on, I did not become a financial burden to anyone.”
Means Paul first earn money then he started his ministry. Like Paul we have to earn in order to serve the Lord. We have to earn money first and use the same money for ministry work, while earning money we have to do our ministry. If we lose the shade of our father’s umbrella, all the troubles will come. It is not right to go away from the father due to the greed of money. God has chosen us and given the responsibility of service in A O J. We have to fulfill it. Only then will we be able to serve God’s purpose of bringing us to this earth.
Prayer
God of the lost and the found. Thank you father for patiently waiting for us when we are far from you. Thank you Lord for embracing us when we return to you. Lord, please grant us such grace in our relationships with others. Thank you Lord for forgiving our sin and accepting us. Lord help us to be obedient to you and follow your instructions. Thank you Lord for all your blessings. Amen
Sol. Dr. Mohan Parmar