Inheritance
Josh works for a hydrogen consultancy in Birmingham.
Luke 15:11-13 (NIV) —
‘Jesus continued: 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. ‘Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.’
When I was eleven, I discovered skateboarding - the kind of ‘roaming the streets’ skateboarding that forms a hard sell for an eleven-year-old. After much negotiation I was allowed ‘out’, provided I was home by a set time. Having recently read the story of the prodigal son, I thought it didn’t matter how long I stayed ‘out’, I would always be greeted with a big hug when I finally arrived home. How wrong was I!
At the start of this parable, we see the son asking for an advance on his inheritance. Not with a view to investing it wisely or putting it to good use as the father intended, but to travel far away and live the high life without a care in the world. He thought he knew best, but knowing how the story goes, how wrong was he!
His inheritance had purpose, but he squandered it and, in the process, he distanced himself from his father. What was intended for good, came to nothing.
It’s easy to disassociate ourselves from the story of the prodigal son. After all we are not running off with our inheritance - or are we? What giftings or passions has God placed on your life as an inheritance for you and those around you? How are you putting these to work for the benefit of his Kingdom?
The enemy loves to twist and distort the gifts God has given us, preventing us from living out their kingdom potential, squandering the inheritance he has for us. Let us not be passive in fighting against this. If you know your giftings and passions, refocus today on asking how God wants to use them. If not, ask God to reveal what they are.
Prayer - Father, show me the gifts you have placed on my life, and how you’d like me to use them. Highlight to me where I have stepped out of line with your will.