~ The Older Brother ~

[Lani]

Luke 15:11-32

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.



Let us...approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 (NRSV)




My grandfather is a generous man. He has worked hard all his life: and his greatest joy is sharing what he has with others rather than using it all for himself. I have learned much about God's love through my grandfather’s example.

Sometimes he has given money to members of our family when we have done nothing to deserve it. Occasionally, I hesitate to mention my needs to him. But he enjoys our requests; and within his means, he helps us.

When I read Luke 15:11-32, the story of the prodigal son, I think about the older son. He talks about not receiving something from his father even though he has not expressed his wishes. Like the father in the story and like my grandfather, God welcomes us to talk about our needs and desires.

But unlike my grandfather, God owns everything. God can do everything, and God knows everything. God welcomes our requests and feels joy in giving to us. We can ask God for all we need and trust that God will hear and respond in love.



Prayer: Dear God, like a good father, you are generous and willing to give to us. May we trust in your love and your willingness to provide for all our needs. Amen.


Prayer Focus of Day: Grandparents


Thought for the Day: God wants to hear about our deepest needs.

Story shared by: P.M. Badilla (Costa Rica)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 8/20/11