THE LIVING WATER DEVOTIONAL: THE FRUGAL SON

DATE: Monday, March 4, 2024

TOPIC: THE ‘FRUGAL’ SON

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

READ:

Luke 15:25-31

[25]. “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.

[26]. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.

[27]. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

[28]. “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

[29]. So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.

[30]. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

[31]. “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.

The story of the prodigal son was the most pathetic of the 3 illustrations Jesus gave about “The Lost” in Lk 15. But then, the last 6 verses of the same chapter reveal to us the ‘frugal son’ who revolted against the return of the lost son. He wished the prodigal son never returned. He had worked assiduously for his father while his younger brother was far away wasting his inheritance.

He dedicated his whole life, time, leisure and energy to his father’s business. He was frugal to a fault. It never for once occurred to him that all that his father possessed was his and would be continuously his as long as he remained an heir in the father’s house. No wonder he raised an eyebrow at the return of his lost brother, defiantly confronting his father for throwing a welcome party (v. 29)

How often have we disregarded God’s show of compassion on a repentant sinner, refusing to reach out to them through evangelism? Truly, we are dedicated to our duties in the vineyard but the harvest is much and the workers are few. Yet, the soul of a sinner that repents and returns to God matters! (Lk 15:7) Embrace evangelism as God’s heartbeat to restore the lost. Do not loathe the return of the prodigal ones. After all, the Father has bequeathed to us a priceless inheritance kept in heaven, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change or decay (1 Pet. 1:4).

1. Lord, restore all fallen brothers and sisters in the faith.

2. Lord, help us to show love to the repentant sinners and restore believers who have gone astray.

3. Father Lord, help us not to be judgemental, but make frantic efforts to restore brethren overtaken in trespasses, in Jesus’ name.

1. Hark! the voice of Jesus crying,

Who will go and work to-day?

Fields are white, and harvests waiting,

Who will bear the sheaves away?

Lord and long the Master calleth,

Rich reward He offers free;

Who will answer? gladly saying,

Here am I; send me, send me!

2. If you cannot cross the ocean,

And the heathen lands explore,

You can find the heathen nearer,

You can help them at your door;

If you cannot give your thousands,

You can give the widow’s mite,

And the least you give for Jesus

Will be precious in His sight.

3. If you cannot be the watchman

Standing high on Zion’s wall,

Pointing out the path to heaven,

Off’ring life and peace to all,

With your pray’rs and with your bounties

You can do what Heav’n demands;

You can be like faithful Aaron

Holding up the prophet’s hands.

4. Let none hear you idly saying,

There is nothing I can do!

While the souls of men are dying,

And the Master calls for you.

Take the task He gives you gladly;

Let His work your pleasure be;

Answer quickly when He calleth,

Here am I; send me, send me!

Amen.

Deuteronomy 25, 26, 27