I teach a kids Bible class on Thursday mornings at a local school, and I was getting ready this morning and thinking about our lesson on The Prodigal Son…
God pricked my heart.
The story is about a man with 2 sons, one of which wasn’t happy at home where he was loved and provided for.
He brazenly told his dad he wanted his half of his inheritance right now, and went out into another place.
He spent all of his money on riotous living…indulging freedom to excess, unrestrained by morality…
Doing all the things that his heart desired with no regard for his family, his testimony, or appreciation for what he had.
As the story goes, his money ran out. He had no money, and no food. He was hired to help feed the pigs.
He had gotten so low, that he was jealous of the slop that the pigs had to eat.
He decided to go back to his father, to see if he could just be one of his servants …because he knew that even his father’s servants had bread enough to spare.
This is where the Lord impressed upon my heart…
How many times have I looked longingly at things outside of the place the Lord has given me?
How many times have I been unsatisfied with my many many blessings?
Wished I had better things? Or more things?
Has my heart been prodigal?
Looking for happiness outside, when God has given me more than I need or deserve now…
Comparison is a deadly trap. It doesn’t kill you physically, but takes the life out of your home & relationships.
We always think that prodigal just means sinful…
The exact definition of prodigal is: Given to extravagant expenditures; expending money or other things without necessity; profuse, lavish; wasteful; not frugal or economical;
A solution to a prodigal heart is thankfulness.
When we find ourselves wanting more and more…maybe we should stop and think of all the things we have already that we should be thankful for.
It wouldn’t hurt to stop and thank God for what He has given you. Mentally list your blessings.
If we don’t, and stay discontented in our blessed place, where God has allowed us to be…
We may end up like the prodigal son, scarred with sin, looking longingly back at what we should have been thankful for at the start.
