The Generous Father

The Generous Father

Everything I have is yours. Luke 15:31

JESUS TOLD A MEMORABLE PARABLE about two sons. The younger son insisted on getting his inheritance early and ran off to spend it wastefully. The older son stayed home and worked faithfully, determined to stay in his father’s good graces. When the wandering son finally realized his foolishness and came home, the father abandoned all dignity and ran out to meet him. He dressed his son in a fine robe, gave him a family ring, and threw a party. Meanwhile, the older son was offended at this display of attention on an irresponsible, immoral fool and refused to join the celebration. The father begged him to reconsider, offering the same generosity he had lavished on the returning son: “Everything I have is yours.”

Most of us find ourselves identifying with either the younger or older brother. We have gone our own way and realized our error, or we’ve worked hard to please the Father without realizing the blessings before us. Neither son lost or gained his sonship in this story; they both remained his sons all the way through. And just like these sons, we can’t earn our Father’s gifts or exhaust their supply. Our family relationship is not on the line. We simply need to recognize who our Father is and what he is like.

Christians who don’t see the Father clearly think they either have to go their own way to be satisfied or become good enough to be rewarded. Neither fits the picture God paints of himself. His arms are open, the family inheritance is already ours to enjoy, he loves to dress us in love and acceptance and authority, and he enjoys a good celebration. All that he has is ours.

Pray with that vision of your Father. You don’t need to sin to have a good time, and you don’t need to work to receive his favor. The entire storehouse is there for the asking. He’ll want you to ask responsibly and steward it well, but he is never stingy with his wealth. He lavishes love, joy, peace, gifts of grace, victories, and abundant life on his children. Pray for them in full confidence that he is eager to give.

In his love he clothes us, enfolds us, and embraces us; that tender love completely surrounds us, never to leave us.