Britta Lafont

Britta Lafont

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January 6, 2015 · Leave a Comment

The Meaning of Prodigal

Prodigal

Prodigal Son Parable by Jesus from Luke 15.13

When I was young, I knew the meaning of the word from the context of the parable; I knew that prodigal meant wasteful, like the younger son in Luke 15:11-32. To be prodigal means to act in a lavishly extravagant manner, with no care for the cost. Most English translations of the Bible do not use the word “prodigal” in the parable. Here is Luke 15:13 in some other translations:

ESV:  Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living

NASB: And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.

NIV: Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living

CEB: Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.

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

If you don’t see your favorite version above look it up on Biblegateway.com; there you can find the word used to communicate “prodigal” in that version (see multiple translations here Luke 13:15).  I just discovered a feature on Bible Gateway that I love!  When you look up a Bible verse in one translation, you can click a link to find all the other versions and compare them side by side.

Compare Bible Translations on BibleGateway.com

side by side translations of the Bible

So now we see pretty clearly that “prodigal” has a negative connotation, but this year I want to be “prodigal” in a totally different way.  Why not?  God seems to specialize in turning everything upside down:

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men (1 Corinthians 1:20-25, ESV).

Stay tuned for more details on the blessing of Prodigal Living!

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In my typical social media introvert fashion, I re In my typical social media introvert fashion, I realize I didn’t share Gracie’s post on my feed at the time. 🤦🏻‍♀️
We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️ We are so thankful for this young man. ❤️
When the first day of school is also the day your When the first day of school is also the day your firstborn drives herself to college, it’s a lot. We moved her stuff into her dorm last week. Today she got up early to say goodbye to Dad (too early! Not pictured 😂), her brother, her doggo, her piano, and her momma. Before she left, she made blueberry scones to share with her little bro @sjoshlafont —they homeschool and relocated together, went to @westminsteroakmtn together, and have shared a love of music, Legos, superheroes (and villains), Transformers, and so much more. She played my favorite song. She even made banana bread to bring to her new roomie. @graciethenerd You are my little nut brown hare, and I love you to the moon and back. Auburn University is a better place because you are there! ❤️
Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Josh just started working in the bakery at Publix. Today he got his braces off. I just can’t believe it—where did the time go? @sjoshlafont
I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m r I’m a social media introvert mostly, but I’m reflecting today and feeling grateful for my sweet girl, my baby, my first-born. 🥰 She sure is a blessing to our family and her friends. Also, so grateful for the wonderful school where she spent the last four years—the perfect place to land after years of homeschooling on the move. “For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” (Ps 100:5) #curatingthegood #graduated🎓 #wisebeyondheryears @graciethenerd @lafonte04 @westminsteroakmtn
Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so gra Best Thanksgiving that I can remember. I am so grateful for my people!! 🤗 ❤️@graciethenerd @thecardboardqueen @lafonte04 
#Psalm8 #highlandlakes #birminghamalabama
My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has f My friend @amy_young1234 is so generous! She has found a way to share her birthday with friends all year long. This past week, I had to privilege to be her #FOTW You can read about her plan to celebrate her birthday by celebrating others in the link to her blog at the end of this post. That’s SO like Amy. 🤗 https://www.messymiddle.com/52-cards-52-weeks-52-years/ #curatingthegood
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