The Not-So Prodigal Son

Even if you’re not a Christian, the parable of the Prodigal son is one you have probably heard.  The story is often used as an example of God’s forgiveness, alluding to our own return from sin.  It’s beautiful, right?  But let’s stop a moment and review the fact that there were two sons in the story.  The younger son, seeing his father as the first bank of dad, takes his inheritance, blows it on the biblical equivalent of strip clubs and keggers, and then comes crawling back to his father once the cash has run dry.  Meanwhile, the not-so-prodigal son is working hard and keeping out of trouble.  Dear readers, if you’re like me surely you’ve stopped at some point and realized… the older brother got hosed.

Where was his fatted calf?  Where was his party and warm welcome after a tiring round of debauchery?  The other brother calls his father out on the double standard, to which the father replies that his son has returned from the dead.  Gee thanks, that helps a whole lot Dad.  If you have a sibling at some point you have probably related to one or both of the brothers. For anyone who has dedicated their life to abiding God’s will on the Earth and done his or her best to be as clean-living as possible, this particular parable can feel a little bit like a slap in the face.

I have mulled over this particular parable for years.  I believe to truly benefit from any religious text you have to be challenged by it from time to time.  Spirituality isn’t about blind devotion and pretty words that make us feel good, it’s about being challenged to really examine your life, your beliefs, and be constantly compelled to improve.  After years of ruminating over this particular parable I have come to a new revelation about the non-prodigal son.  What we don’t always stop and see are the benefits bestowed upon the brother who didn’t run away.  

“My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours.” Luke 15:31

The younger brother gives in to the temptation of earthly desires.  We’re not sure everything he must have done in his time away, but had rap existed in the time of Jesus, there probably would have been a song about chilling in the club with the younger brother.  While the son is finally compelled to come home due to poverty after squandering his inheritance, there were a lot of empty nights and pursuits of fleeting sources of happiness.  

The older brother has spent the same time with his family, doing an honest day’s work, and having a place to call home.  His life isn’t very glamorous or exciting, but he is continuously surrounded by love and security.  He has spent the entire time being able to enjoy his father’s company and be with people who truly care about him.  If you measure the story of the prodigal son by material goods the younger brother seems to get the better deal, but if you measure the story by the things that matter most, the older brother was always ahead.

Humanity’s relationship with earthly goods is a point of reflection in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Baha’i, and other religions and philosophies throughout the ages.  It is a basic human truth that we are tempted by things such as wealth and material comfort.  It is also a basic human truth that we all find our truest happiness in loving and meaningful relationships.  The one thing the two brothers in the parable share is that neither one has truly grasped the value of their relationship with their father.  The younger brother values his inheritance and the comfort it can buy and consequently is brought to ruin and despair until he resolves to return home.  The older brother is envious of his brother’s feast, neglecting to see that all this time he has been in the company of a loving father, never wanting for anything.  

It’s easy to take for granted those who love us when we have never experienced being away from them.  Their presence is constant, and we fail to see what a blessing it is.  Likewise, it’s easy for us to take for granted God’s love.  If you’re a lifelong Christian and have never gone through a major lapse in your faith, you take for granted having the faith in a loving and merciful god.  We need not be rewarded for our faith, our faith is our reward.