551 Jesus Said Concerning Parables Con't. - The Parale of Pharisee and the Tax Collector Con't. Luke 18: 10 - 14 Con't. 3rd.Post

Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector Continued 3rd Post Luke 18: 10 - 14.
The Pharisees looked on the common folk differently by politics as well.  The Pharisees were better connected politically, and looked down on others less fortunate as below them.  The Pharisees considered Tax Collectors to be traders, because they were employed by Rome.  To make matters worse, the Romans did not pay them to collect the tax.  The collectors had to charge the people more than the tax due and keep the difference for their pay.  This added to the hatred the Jews had for tax collectors, they looked on them as robbers and cheats.  All of this added to their arrogance as shown by the Pharisees' prayer and the manner in which he prayed.  The common people connected with Jesus' message, because He talked about forgiveness and reconciliation.  The common people knew they were sinners, and needed a Savior.  The Pharisees, believed they did not sin and therefore had no need of a Savior.  Look at the way the tax collector entered the Temple, he would not raise his head, and beat his breast saying "God be merciful to me a sinner!"
Notice it was not the gifts or lack of them given to God, that was important to God.  What is important to God is the condition of your heart, and your knowledge that without God's help we all would be in hell.  What is the condition of your heart?  There is still time to make a change.