Jesus teaches. A man requests him to compel his brother to deal justly. Jesus reveals the divine law, the power of truth and the universality of possessions. Relates the parable of the rich man and his abundant harvest.
And Jesus taught the multitudes; and while he spoke a man stood forth and said,
2 Rabboni, hear my plea: My father died and left a large estate; my brother seized it all, and now refuses me my share.
3 I pray that you will bid him do the right, and give me what is mine.
4 And Jesus said, I am not come to be a judge in such affairs; I am no henchman of the court.
5 God sent me not to force a man to do the right.
6 In every man there is a sense of right; but many men regard it not.
7 The fumes that rise from selfishness have formed a crust about their sense of right that veils their inner light, so that they cannot comprehend nor recognize the rights of other men.
8 This veil you cannot tear away by force of arms, and there is naught that can dissolve this crust but knowledge and the love of God.
9 While men are in the mire, the skies seem far away; when men are on the mountain top, the skies are near, and they can almost touch the stars.