Timothy Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U. S. Army

"Prodigal" derives from the Latin word "prodigus", meaning "lavish", from which we also derive the English word "prodigious", meaning "remarkably or impressively great in extent, size, or degree".

In the context of the parable of the prodigal son, this is reflected in Luke 15:13, which states that the younger son took the resources that his father had given him and "squandered his wealth in wild living".

In a Christian context, I would say that this would refer to the practice of believers using the resources with which they have been blessed by God (including intangible or non-material resources such as time) strictly for their own self-centered pursuit of pleasure or enjoyment, with no thought or effort given to meeting more serious obligations, such as providing for the welfare of others who depend on them, for the larger community of believers, or (especially) for those who are less fortunate than they are.

March 20 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

Luke 15:13: And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 

The publicans, the tax collectors, would often gather around our Lord Jesus to sit with Him to hear Him, who would teach them by revealing His Word for sinners to repent. (Mat 9:10,13) Lord Jesus’s teaching was, and is, for this ongoing generation as Lord Jesus has revealed. The children of this world are in their generation, wiser than the children of light. (Lk 16:8) The Pharisees and the scribes, who would also sit with our Lord Jesus, would murmur, saying, “This Man, that is our Lord Jesus, receiveth sinners and eateth with them.” (Lk 15:2) This revelation that was given unto the Pharisees and the scribes was to reveal unto them, whoever exalts themselves shall be abased (degraded, lowered), and they that humbles themselves, in repentance shall be exalted. (Lk 14:11) This prodigal grown-up child, and his brother, Lord Jesus, reveal unto us, as in the scriptures, the prodigal son was like the publicans and sinners that came unto his father, our Lord Jesus. And his elder brother was as like the Pharisees and scribes who then murmured and was angry with his father. (Lk 15:28) 

Right from the forefather’s generation who had gone astray, today, we see the prodigal sons and daughters who lead themselves and their children, who have gone astray. As the Lord Jesus revealed, the parents who are the prodigal sons and daughters with grown-up children need to be aware, as we see that the perilous time has come to pass. Be not lovers of thine own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. For this will lead you to have no love to forgive, and then you shall be slandering others, having no self-control, who shall then despise those who are good. This will lead you to have a traitorous behavior, high-minded, lovers of pleasure more than the lovers of God, as Judas, who then betrayed our Lord Jesus. One who showed a form of godliness and denied power, from such turn away. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lust they shall heap to themselves teachers having itching ears. (2 Tim 3:1-5/4:3) 

One being born again in the baptism of repentance, being in humbleness, be not many masters (teachers) for you shall receive greater condemnation. If you hold your tongue, the same is perfect, then you can bridle the whole body. Anyone among you seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, they shall then deceive their own heart, and their religion is gone in vain. (Jam 1:26,3:1-2) For one being desirous of vain glory, shall then provoke and shall be envying one another. These prodigal sons and daughters need to be aware of what leads them to be the friends of the mammon of unrighteousness. For whatsoever you soweth, that shall also you reap, one who soweth to their flesh for name and gain shall reap corruption. For one who then soweth to the Spirit, who bridles their tongue, then shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting, to live and walk with the Spirit of God. (Gal 5:25-26,6:7-8) 

Romans 16:17-18: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause division and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

March 27 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report