THE WONDERFUL FATHER
When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father. . . Luke 15:17-18
The hired men of Bible days had a harder time than servants. A servant was a possession that was valued and cared for, and a hired man was only around for a particular job and his pay was low. There was no responsibility of the employer to provide food and shelter for the hired man. The son knew his father to be a generous man. His father was one who provided more than enough food for even the hired men, the ones to which he had no real obligation. The young son sought a better life among the lowliest at his father's table.
I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men. Luke 15:18-19
His father was generous and the son knew he would not be rejected. Our heavenly Father never rejects anyone. He has a "big, big house with lots and lots of room . . . And a big, big table with lots and lots of food."* The young son went home, not to the neighbor down the street or the good uncle, but to his father's house. He sought help from the one with a reputation of goodness and generosity. That is our heavenly Father as well.
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:11