Theme: PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Text: “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.” – Luke 15:18.
Comment: The story of the prodigal son who collected his share of the father’s wealth and, after squandering it, lived in squalor, is a familiar one. One major mistake many young people make is that when they get a lump sum they use it carelessly, believing it would never finish. But the fact is that once one is continually spending and not putting anything in, the money would soon finish. An easy way of ensuring that the money finishes quickly is through “riotous living”. (Proverbs 31:1-3; Hosea 4:11) “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.” (Luke 15:14) It is important to realise that sometimes we make costly mistakes due to impatience, youthful exuberance and lack of or refusal to take good advice. However, once one has realised his error, he should not out of shame continue to wallow in suffering he had put himself in. Rather, he should muster the courage with faith in God to retrace his steps – as the prodigal son did. It is possible to change geographical locations, careers, jobs, skills and so on for more convenient or lucrative ones, rather than continuing in a path that one could see had become a blind alley. Let us therefore be prayerful, patient and seek wise counsel in making major decisions in life. – Jeremiah 10:23,24; Proverbs 11:14; James 1:2-7..