I am glad you have gathered here with me today so that I may tell you all an important story
it is the story of the prodigal son and though at first, it may seem like a simple tale
there is a lot we can learn from this story I want you to listen closely so that we all might learn an important lesson
about how to live a good life from the story of the prodigal son
what does the word prodigal mean?
great question peter prodigal is a word for someone who spends a lot of money they don't have on silly things
and is too fond of wasting money?
well the story goes like this
once upon a time there lived a family a father and his two sons
they lived together in a nice house and were helped by the couple of servants they had
they were not extremely wealthy
but their father was a wise man who made sure to save up as much as he could to make sure that the family
would be supported once he was gone the two sons both helped their father look after the house
and farm the land that they owned they owned goats sheep and cows and the boys helped their father
make sure that the animals were always well fed and well looked after
the father loved his sons deeply and although the sons loved him back they were not perfect
the younger son was known for being prodigal or very wasteful with money
any time he got some money he would usually spend it straight away
he wasn't good saving up his money the same way that his father was
over time the younger son began to feel frustrated with his work on the farm
he longed to be rich and live the extravagant life of his dreams
he knew that his father had been saving up money to leave behind for him and his brother
and he decided to go and ask for his portion of the money early father what is it my boy
I have something I want to ask you ask away
well I know that you have been saving up money for my brother and I for quite some time
that is true I want you, boys, to have a comfortable life once I'm no longer around
that money will keep you both safe
well that's the thing father I was wondering if I could maybe get my inheritance early and take my portion of the money now
the father was surprised by this request as he had planned for his sons to get their inheritance after he had died
he wasn't expecting to hand over their inheritance, while he was still alive
he was a bit worried for his younger son was known for being irresponsible with money
and spending too much too often
but the father respected his son's wishes and went to divide up what he had saved
okay son if that is what you wish I'll give you half of your inheritance now I only hope you make good use of it
oh thank you, father, I will finally have the money to live the life I dream of
but it was only after a few short days that the younger son announced he would not be staying
he was going to take the money his father had given him and travel to a faraway land
goodbye everyone I'm off to seek adventure in faraway places full of excitement and riches
the rest of the family was sad to see him go but did not try to stop him
and so the younger son did as he said he would
he rode off to a distant land and sought out all the pleasures this new life had to offer
he spent money on fancy food expensive drinks big parties and many other things that would not please God
he did not pay attention to how much anything cost or how much money he had left
it was not long before the prodigal son realized that pretty soon all the money his father had given him was about to be gone
when the prodigal son spent all his money he became desperate
quickly the memory of the fine foods he had eaten were replaced by hunger
and there were no more parties for him to distract himself
the prodigal son went to look for work wherever he could find it
eventually, he came across a pig farmer who would allow him to work for him
times are tough boy but I can try to spare some food for you if you're able to watch over and feed the pigs
it wasn't much but the prodigal son was happy to have a way to feed himself yes of course thank you
and so for a time the prodigal son worked as a pig farmer in exchange for tiny pieces of food
but during this time a great famine struck the land and food became even more difficult to find
the farmer could not give the prodigal son as much food as he needed to stop being hungry all the time
one day the prodigal son caught himself watching with jealousy as the pigs ate their scraps
when he realized that he was feeling jealous of the pigs for the scraps they were given
he knew he could not remain like this
he thought of the servants back at his father's house and how they were always treated with respect
and had enough food to eat he instantly regretted abandoning his father's household
I have wronged my father by taking my inheritance and leaving to live a life of sin instead of taking care of my family home
I will go back and offer my services to my father as a servant
and hope that he finds it in his heart to let me back into his home
and so the prodigal son made his way back to his father's household
as he neared the home the prodigal son grew even more afraid
that his father would reject him and not allow him to work as a servant
but before the sun even reached his home his father spotted him and ran happily to greet him
father forgive me I should not have left and been so prodigal with my inheritance
but the father did not care he was just happy to see his beloved son again
if you will forgive me I wish to work as a servant for you and make it up to you
no, my son, you need not be sorry
and you needn't work as a servant either I'm just happy to have my son back
the father was so happy that he ordered the servants to prepare one of their finest cows for a big feast dinner to celebrate
the older brother was working in the fields when he heard that his brother was back after wasting all of his inheritance
when he heard that the father was going to reward the prodigal son with a feast he became angry
and went to confront his father. father what is the meaning of this?
why are we throwing a feast for my brother when he acted foolishly and wasted his inheritance
the father calmed his eldest son and explained because my dear son for a time we had lost him completely
it was as if he was dead and now we will feast to celebrate that he is alive again
and that was the tale of the lost prodigal son who returned home
and what can we learn from this story?
this story teaches us to be grateful for that which we have lost especially when it is returned to us
the father knew that even though his son was not perfect it was more important for him
to treat his son with love than be angry at his prodigal spending
even when someone has acted badly when they decide to change their lives and become a better person
like the son did it's important to support that change
this is how God views us even when we do bad things as long as we decide to become better
God will show us, love and acceptance just like the father did to his son