Parable of the Prodigal Son

Among the multitude of lessons taught within the Holy Bible, perhaps none are more widely recognized by devotees and layman alike than the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Found within the Gospel of Luke (Luke 15:11 -- 32), this parable tells of a father torn between his two beloved sons, and the bargain he must make to satisfy a pair of sons both yearning for his approval. By acceding to his younger son's demands for half of the family estate, the father in this parable is demonstrating that he holds an equal amount of love in his heart for both of his progeny, which is tantamount to the love God has for every one of His children.

When the younger son immediately displays his irresponsibility and travels to a foreign land to live wildly, he has forsaken his father's gift of early inheritance, and indeed...
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