Ancient Anglican

In the parable of the Rich Fool, the protagonist follows good standard financial advice in governing his affairs by building a great storehouse of wealth.  Why is he therefore called a “fool”?

In the parable, we see the two men exhibit the spiritual characteristics of their respective social classes, the economically poor Lazarus exhibits spiritual poverty, whereas the rich man does not. 

These parables are found next to each other, with the parable of the Unrighteous Steward setting up the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus.

In the parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee, Bailey brings out that the underlying difference between the two men may lie in their respective understanding of the nature of sin – is it about a broken law or a broken relationship.

In both of these parables, the antagonists believe that the reward of the kingdom is only for themselves and not the other. The overarching theme of the parables is that neither Envy nor Pride have a place in the Kingdom of God. 

notice within the reading how Jesus turns the lawyer’s question around at the end. The lawyer asks “Who is my neighbor?” – in other words, to whom must I show love?  Whereas, Jesus asks the lawyer “Who was the neighbor of the man?”

The men who knew and obeyed the Scriptures the best, failed to help because of their obedience. Whereas the man who was outside of the covenant people, did right.

The same teaching of Jesus immediately precedes both parables that no one knows when the second coming will be, so we should always be ready. The parables resolve these teachings.

Because the women were the only ones to be with Jesus both at his Crucifixion and Resurrection, we are going to begin the study with two parables concerning women. The first is the parable of the importunate unrelenting widow found in Luke 18:1-8 and the second is the parable of the ten virgins or bridesmaids found in Matthew 25:1-13.

Unlike the inordinate desires of Lust or Gluttony, Avarice is never satisfied because there is always more to gain. Greed is the insatiable sin.

When the very Wisdom of God came down and dwelt among us, he (unfortunately) didn’t teach as a systematic theologian, rather whenever someone would ask him a question, he would respond with “Let me tell you a story.”

In many ways, sloth is the other side of gluttony, since in satisfying our desires we neglect our duties to others.