• Parable of the Presumptuous Guest

    The Parable of the Presumptuous Guest (Luke 14.7-14), related only by Luke, takes place in the house of a leader of the Pharisees in Jerusalem. There Jesus teaches humility by urging us to choose the last place rather than the first, and selfless generosity by encouraging us to invite the poor and the outcasts rather than those who can repay. These two teachings illustrate the fundamental values of the Kingdom of God: honor comes from God, not from oneself, and true giving will be rewarded at the resurrection of the righteous.

    Luke 14.7-14 (King James Version) :
    And he put forth a parable to those which were bidden, when he marked how they chose out the chief rooms; saying unto them,When thou art bidden of any man to a wedding, sit not down in the highest room; lest a more honourable man than thou be bidden of him;And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room.But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee.For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind:And thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just.
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