And He said, "A man had two sons. "The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that
falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them.
"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and
there he squandered his estate with loose living. "Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that
country, and he began to be impoverished. "So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he
sent him into his fields to feed swine. "And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating,
and no one was giving anything to him.
"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am
dying here with hunger! 'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in
your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."' "So he got up and came to his
father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed
him.
"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your
son.'
"But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals
on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life
again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
"Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. "And he
summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. "And he said to him, 'Your brother has
come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.'
"But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. "But he answered
and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours;
and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came,
who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'
"And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 'But we had to celebrate and rejoice,
for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'"
We can learn from the lives of these two sons, especially about their attitudes towards their blessings.
• Do we use our resources for our own entertainment and desires?
• Do we neglect the spiritual needs of our brothers and sisters while fulfilling our own desires?
• If we use our resources for only our needs, are we being good stewards of the blessings God has given us?
• Look at Luke 12:15-21, 32-34. What is he telling us about our responsibility to those beyond ourselves in regard to
richness toward God?
