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Over three hundred Jerusalemites, Pharisees and others followed Jesus north to Pella after the feast of the dedication. After half an hour of informal discussion, speaking to a group of about one hundred, Jesus said:  

Over three hundred Jerusalemites, Pharisees and others followed Jesus north to Pella after the feast of the dedication.  

 

After half an hour of informal discussion, speaking to a group of about one hundred, Jesus said:  

*"On this night I have much to tell you, and since many of you are my disciples, and some of you my bitter enemies, I will present my teaching in a parable, so that you may each take for yourself that which finds a reception in your heart.

*"On this night I have much to tell you, and since many of you are my disciples, and some of you my bitter enemies, I will present my teaching in a parable, so that you may each take for yourself that which finds a reception in your heart.

====Dividing the Inheritance====  

====Dividing the Inheritance====  

   

   

As the apostles baptized believers, the Master talked with those who tarried. And a certain young man said to him:  

As the apostles baptized believers, the Master talked with those who tarried.  

 

And a certain young man said to him:  

*"Master, my father died leaving much property to me and my brother, but my brother refuses to give me that which is my own. Will you, then, bid my brother divide this inheritance with me?"  

*"Master, my father died leaving much property to me and my brother, but my brother refuses to give me that which is my own. Will you, then, bid my brother divide this inheritance with me?"  

*"My friend, it is not a sin to have honorable wealth. But it is a sin if you convert the wealth of material possessions into treasures that may absorb your interests and divert your affections from devotion to the spiritual pursuits of the kingdom. There is no sin in having honest possessions on earth provided your treasure is in heaven, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also. There is a great difference between wealth that leads to covetousness and selfishness and that which is held and dispensed in the spirit of stewardship by those who have an abundance of this world's goods, and who so bountifully contribute to the support of those who devote all their energies to the work of the kingdom. Many of you who are here and without money are fed and lodged in yonder tented city because liberal men and women of means have given funds to your host, David Zebedee, for such purposes. But never forget that, after all, wealth is un-enduring. The love of riches all too often obscures and even destroys the spiritual vision. Fail not to recognize the danger of wealth's becoming, not your servant, but your master."  

*"My friend, it is not a sin to have honorable wealth. But it is a sin if you convert the wealth of material possessions into treasures that may absorb your interests and divert your affections from devotion to the spiritual pursuits of the kingdom. There is no sin in having honest possessions on earth provided your treasure is in heaven, for where your treasure is there will your heart be also. There is a great difference between wealth that leads to covetousness and selfishness and that which is held and dispensed in the spirit of stewardship by those who have an abundance of this world's goods, and who so bountifully contribute to the support of those who devote all their energies to the work of the kingdom. Many of you who are here and without money are fed and lodged in yonder tented city because liberal men and women of means have given funds to your host, David Zebedee, for such purposes. But never forget that, after all, wealth is un-enduring. The love of riches all too often obscures and even destroys the spiritual vision. Fail not to recognize the danger of wealth's becoming, not your servant, but your master."  

Then, as the people went down by the river to witness the baptizing, the first man came privately to Jesus about his inheritance inasmuch as he thought Jesus had dealt harshly with him. When the Master had again heard him, he replied:

Then, as the people went down by the river to witness the baptizing, the first man came privately to Jesus about his inheritance inasmuch as he thought Jesus had dealt harshly with him.  

 

When the Master had again heard him, he replied:

*"My son, why do you miss the opportunity to feed upon the bread of life on a day like this in order to indulge your covetous disposition? Do you not know that the Jewish laws of inheritance will be justly administered if you will go with your complaint to the court of the synagogue? Can you not see that my work has to do with making sure that you know about your heavenly inheritance? Have you not read the Scripture: `There is he who waxes rich by his wariness and much pinching, and this is the portion of his reward: Whereas he says, I have found rest and now shall be able to eat continually of my goods, yet he knows not what time shall bring upon him, and also that he must leave all these things to others when he dies.' Have you not read the commandment: `You shall not covet.' And again, `They have eaten and filled themselves and waxed fat, and then did they turn to other gods.' Have you read in the Psalms that `the Lord abhors the covetous,' and that `the little a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.' `If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.' Have you read where Jeremiah said, `Let not the rich man glory in his riches'; and Ezekiel spoke truth when he said, `With their mouths they make a show of love, but their hearts are set upon their own selfish gain'."  

*"My son, why do you miss the opportunity to feed upon the bread of life on a day like this in order to indulge your covetous disposition? Do you not know that the Jewish laws of inheritance will be justly administered if you will go with your complaint to the court of the synagogue? Can you not see that my work has to do with making sure that you know about your heavenly inheritance? Have you not read the Scripture: `There is he who waxes rich by his wariness and much pinching, and this is the portion of his reward: Whereas he says, I have found rest and now shall be able to eat continually of my goods, yet he knows not what time shall bring upon him, and also that he must leave all these things to others when he dies.' Have you not read the commandment: `You shall not covet.' And again, `They have eaten and filled themselves and waxed fat, and then did they turn to other gods.' Have you read in the Psalms that `the Lord abhors the covetous,' and that `the little a righteous man has is better than the riches of many wicked.' `If riches increase, set not your heart upon them.' Have you read where Jeremiah said, `Let not the rich man glory in his riches'; and Ezekiel spoke truth when he said, `With their mouths they make a show of love, but their hearts are set upon their own selfish gain'."