“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 your son: make me as one of your hired servants.” Luke 15:15-19
Imagine if you will the prodigal son, perishing with hunger as he feeds the pigs and a good samaritan comes by and feeds him, takes care of him and tells him everything is going to be ok. He has a second chance.
The samaritans are sincere in their efforts to help the prodigal son and he is thankful for all that they have done. He gets back on his feet and with good intentions, sets out to ‘do right’. Next thing you know, he’s back feeding the pigs lusting for their food as he hungers.
What really just happened in that scenario is the ‘good samaritans’ hindered the prodigal son from turning back to his father with their supposed ‘good works’. The prodigal son would be likely to stay on this roller coaster for much of his life. We have all seen these people. We know them and we love them. For some, they are family and others they are the consumer of our sincerity.
Unfortunately this is what the majority of the church does for the lost. They try to win them over by showing them their sincerity. Appealing to the lusts of their flesh instead of the thirsty of their eternal soul.
Should we help the down trodden; those who are dining with the pigs? Absolutely! But when we do, point them to their Father’s house….to the One Who can draw them to Him when we minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Don’t hinder their heart from turning to the Lord but show them the way…and the way is not through their belly. It’s through their ears. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Although it’s true, they may can hear a little better with a full stomach. Just make sure they hear of Who Jesus is and what He has done for whosoever will believe!
“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 your sight, and am no more worthy to be called your 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.” Luke 15:20-24
The eyes of the Lord and searching the earth to and fro for those whose hearts are perfect toward Him…not those whose bellies are full and hearts hardened. Point them to the Lord; He has a robe, a ring, shoes and a fatted calf just for them. He will feed their thirsty soul and supply all of their needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.
Look unto Him and be determined to know nothing else among you.
-Donna Clark Warren
Living in The Spirit 