THE HIGH COST OF NOW
“The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.”
Luke 15:12 (NLT)
Luke 15:11-32, usually referred to as the story of The Prodigal Son, includes a younger son, an older son, and their father. The tragedy of the younger son began long before he got into trouble; it started with a single word: Now. In the ancient world, asking for an inheritance while the father was still alive was essentially saying, I wish you were dead. The son wanted the father’s provision, but he didn't want the father’s presence.
The High Cost of Now is the steep price we pay when we prioritize immediate gratification over long-term maturity. I’ve seen this in my own life —maybe you’ve detected this impulse in your own life as well. We live in a culture of now—instant streaming, instant credit and instant results. But in the Kingdom of God, fruit takes time to grow. When we demand God’s blessings before we have the character to handle them, those blessings have the power to destroy us.
Essentially, the son wasn’t ready to handle the money well because he bypassed the years of wisdom he would have gained by spending time with his dad. Unfortunately, his wealth didn't build a future; it fueled a collapse. We often pray for breakthroughs and open doors, but sometimes God’s not yet is His greatest mercy. He knows that if He gives us the estate today, we might lose our souls tomorrow.
Following God requires the discipline of waiting. It means trusting that God’s timing is better than our urgency. When we try to rush God, we usually end up wasting the very things He wants to give us.
APPLICATION: Think of one prayer request that feels delayed or a goal you’re tempted to take a shortcut to reach. Ask yourself, Am I more in love with the blessing or am I seeking the God who provides it? This week, practice waiting by choosing to thank God for His timing rather than pressuring Him for an immediate result.
PRAYER: Father, forgive me for my impatience and for the times I’ve wanted Your gifts more than the gift of knowing You. I trust that You not giving me what I want when I want it is usually for my protection and growth. Give me the grace to stay close to You today, knowing that being with You is what I need most. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?