Luke 15 and 16

Chapter 15

The Pharisees are shepherds who do not fulfill their responsibility. They only condemn lost sheep while never letting the other 99 out of the fold for spiritual nourishment. The woman can be looked at as the church today who continually searches through their house for those who are less active. The prodigal son deserts the family and seeks to go beyond or be away from the father's (Lord's) influence. He ends up feeding swine, the lowest and most degrading job to a Jew. The father continually watches for his return and when he does there is no condemnation. When a person repents, the worst condemnation comes from their own self, not the Lord. I think this is why some people have an easier time feeling forgiven of the Lord, but cannot forgive themselves, even though He has. Notice that the son is fully reinstated to the family and restored to his sonship. Verse 30 is a key verse. The other brother is prideful and has no love for his returning sibling. Notice he says, "this thy son." He doesn't say "this my brother." There is no rejoicing at his brother's return, only concern for his own position and what he's received or not received. Take a look at Matthew 18:14.

All of this is a condemnation of the pharisees who are only interested in condemning those who are lost and not helping them to find their way back.

Chapter 16

The Lord isn't endorsing deceitful acts of the steward, but saying the disciples who he now is talking to should be diligent in applying themselves for their heavenly future. Worldly wealth shouldn't be squandered on selfish, worldly pleasures. The Lord was contrasting those who are careful and thoughtful in their money making affairs and those who look after their affairs in a half hearted way. Elder Talmadge says this parable teaches us to use our money in such a way that it will help us have friends after this life. Use mammon, which is worldly wealth, for righteous purposes. God, in reality, is the one who blesses us with what wealth we have and we are accountable for how we use it.

The rich man and Lazarus further illustrates this in a spiritual way. The rich man never repented, never used his wealth to bless others and now there is a wide spiritual gulf between him and Lazarus that cannot be made up. Just being a member of the church guarantees us nothing. It is what we do with our stewardship (membership).