Definition: 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.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Luke 15:12. It's a really important and insightful passage about God’s love and how He treats us. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a young child behaving incredibly well – it’s almost like a little king! – and then asks its father for something that wasn't given to it. It’s about God’s generosity and how He handles our needs. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And the younger of them…” : This refers to a young child, often representing a person who is new to faith or isn’t yet fully devoted to God. “…said to [his] father…” : The young child is speaking to its father, likely asking for something. “Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth [to me].” : This is where it gets interesting. “Fallen” here means lost or taken . The young child isn't asking for a specific thing; they’re simply stating their desire – to have something. It’s like saying, "I want this." “And he divided unto them [his] living.” : This is the really profound part. God then divided (gave) what was lost to the young child. He didn't just give it away; He used it – He gave it to them, as if it were a precious gift. What does this mean? Jesus uses this story to teach us about: God’s Love: God loves us so much that He'll do anything for us, even give something away that we didn’t ask for. Generosity: God is generous and willing to share His blessings with us. Our Role in God’s Plan: We are called to be like the young child – to trust in Him and to receive what He has prepared for us. In short, this verse says that God will always provide for us, even when we don't ask for it. It emphasizes that our worth isn't based on what we deserve but on what God already gives . --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the story? Discuss the meaning in a different way (e.g., relating it to our own lives)?