What a stark contrast between the rich man who lived luxuriously and the poor Lazarus who had nothing. Yet the contrast in eternity between these men will be even more extreme. Jesus warns the people now to use their wealth wisely and to live in light of eternity.

The Pharisees missed the whole point of the Law and the Prophets, that they should repent of their sins and see Jesus as the Messiah promised from the Scriptures. Instead, they rejected Him and sought to build a righteousness based in themselves rather than by faith in Him.

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees because they were so concerned about their reputation in the sight of men, but God was not impressed with them. The fear of man affected their own lives, but it also influenced others to reject the life-saving message of Jesus Christ. What is the fear of man and how do we move beyond it-

The Pharisees detested Jesus- teaching, but Jesus points out that their hearts are defiled by things the Lord detests. Our great comfort and concern is that God knows our hearts. Thank God we have a Savior who can cleanse our wicked hearts.

The love money can cause all sorts of problems in our lives, but money is not to blame. Our greed, covetousness, and envy come from our hearts, and the proper heart-level remedy is a contented, generous love for others.

How we manage material wealth entrusted to us by God in this world bears directly on the rewards we will enjoy in the world to come. Jesus admonishes the unfaithful and unjust use of wealth, and warns that orienting our lives around temporal stuff shows that we are not serving God. We must use wealth for eternal, kingdom purposes.

Jesus corrects the worldliness of unbelievers while also admonishes believers to be wise in how they utilize wealth, seeking to advance the purposes of the kingdom in the present day.

God rejoices at the repentance of sinners. Jesus shows in the conclusion to this parable that the older brother was just as lost as the younger brother had been, because of his anger toward his father and his failure to share in his father-s joy. The Pharisees and scribes would not enter into the joy of God in receiving penitent sinners and therefore excluded themselves from His kingdom. -Note- Please forgive the audio interference throughout the recording.-

Jesus continues His parable about God-s joy at receiving penitent sinners by now showing the younger son-s marvelous reception by his father. Great joy celebrates a great repentance and restoration.

Jesus continued His rebuke of the religious leaders who refused to be glad about penitent sinners returning to God. The younger son of a man rebelled against him and God by asking for his inheritance early so he could spend it on his desires. By sowing to the flesh this young man reaped destruction, yet in his despair he began to repent of his foolish wickedness and return to his father and his God.