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prod·i·gal [prod-i-guhl]
–adjective
1.wastefully or recklessly extravagant: prodigal expenditure.
2.giving or yielding profusely; lavish (usually fol. by of or with): prodigal of smiles; prodigal with money.
3.lavishly abundant; profuse: nature's prodigal resources.
–noun
4.a person who spends, or has spent, his or her money or substance with wasteful extravagance; spendthrift.
Origin:
1500–10; back formation from prodigality
—Related forms
prod·i·gal·ly, adverb
—Synonyms
1. profligate. See lavish. 2, 3. copious, bounteous. 4. waster, wastrel.
—Antonyms
1. cautious, provident.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010
Luke 15:1
"Now the tax collectors and 'sinners' were all gathering around to hear Him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, 'This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.'" NIV
Characteristics of people who seek to please themselves rather than God
People who seek to please themselves
1. are bold and demanding
Luke 15:12
"The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them." NIV
Luke 15:12
"And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living." KJV
Exodus 20:3-6
"You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, but showing love to a thousand [ generations] of those who love Me and keep My commandments." NIV
Matthew 22:36-38
"'Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?'
Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.'" NIV
2. Escape
Luke 15:13
"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." NIV
3. are wasteful
Luke 15:13
"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." NIV
4. are wild
Luke 15:13
"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." NIV
5. are needy
Luke 15:14
"After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need." NIV
6. are humbled
Luke 15:15-16
"So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything." NIV
7. are starving
Luke 15:17
"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!'" NIV
8. Know they are sinners
Luke 15:18
"I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you." NIV
9. Expect to have to earn approval, but do not expect love
Luke 15:19
"I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men." NIV
10. are loved
Luke 15:20
"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him" NIV
11. are capable of repentance
Luke 15:21
"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'" NIV
12. Can be forgiven and restored
Luke 15:22
"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.'" NIV
13. Can be the cause of celebration
Luke 15:23-24
"Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate." NIV
Luke 15:32
"But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'" NIV
14. Cause pain and anger
Luke 15:28
"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him." NIV
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