"UNPRODIGAL" BUT IGNORANT

The story of the prodigal son is one that has been very much analyzed by many commentators. We have seen how much a child could be wayward and how great the love of the Father towards the prodigal child was. We have very much focused on this part of the story that we forgot there were two sons and the two of them actually weren’t operating at the level the father wanted them to but that of one was very much pronounced because of his prodigality. 

So, I see that in the church today, many are avoiding being like the prodigal son but end up being like his brother who actually wasn’t prodigal but ignorant and this made him live lesser than who he was in the father. He was only serving the father as a matter of religion not as a joyful course.



“And he said a certain man had two sons: 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”. Luke 15:11-12




If you read over what took place there as described in this verse of the scriptures, the father actually divided the inheritance between the two sons at that point. What this means is that, the elder son also had his share of his father’s wealth. The only difference was the fact that he had the possession but he was still with the father. This was actually what the father was interested in; he never had a problem with dividing his possessions amongst his sons but he desired more that they will be with him even as they enjoyed the benefits.



The “unprodigal” but ignorant brother was with the father truly but never took advantage of all that was his in the father even though he desired those things. Remember the father already divided his wealth; this means the father is even counting on the sons to live. In the real sense all that was left that looked like were for the father was actually for this ignorant son.



He was faithful as a son, serving the father with all that he had. He wanted more but couldn’t take it because he was being religious. What made the prodigal son prodigal wasn’t in demanding for his share of the father’s wealth but his belief that he could sustain his life without the father. The day he came to the realization of how empty he would be without being with the father, he seized being prodigal.



We would never have known this faithful guy was serving but unhappy until the prodigal brother returned. Immediately the extravagant guy returned and the brother saw the father being extravagant about him, he could not hold back his pain…



“Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 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. And he was angry, and would not come in: therefore came his father out and intreated him”v25-28



A faithful brother serving in the vineyard for years sees a new believer suddenly being baptized in the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues and wonders why that has not been possible for him in many years. He gets angry and questions God, measuring how faithful he had been with the things he is able to access in God. This was the condition of this “unprodigal” brother. He was ignorant but serving faithfully.



“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: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf”v29-30



The reply of the father settled the whole issue and must have brought a great quiet to his spirit.



“And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. “v31



Imagine how stupid this young man would have felt? So, all these while, the father never withheld him from enjoying (using all of the powers available in Him)? That’s a huge revelation. Even though he was with the father, he never owned the things that were his in the father.



Now, to you, the father is not offended with that which you desire. He is not angry that you desire to merry with your friends. Since Jesus, you are no longer working for the Father, you are working with Him. You co-own God with Jesus, you are joint heirs.



What are those things you have been unhappy about but just keep serving God because you feel He can’t be questioned? He is telling you today, "take ownership of it. I have given you your part of the wealth since Jesus died." Why not take the healing, restoration, deliverance, prosperity and many more in Him?


It is not wrong to want the things that make your heart merry, as long as you are in Him.


As much as you don’t want to be prodigal, don’t be ignorant.



Be Innovated
Olufemi Ibitoye