But an evil eye had noted the kindly act; and the proud Pharisee thought within himself, if Jesus were the prophet He professes to be, He would certainly have known that the woman was a great sinner, and would not have allowed her to touch Him.  But Jesus came to save sinners.  He loves them, though He hates their sins.  He rebuked the haughty Simon; and showed him how he had neglected the commonest rites of hospitality towards his guest, while this poor woman had treated Jesus with the greatest reverence.  Then Jesus said, “Her sins which are many are forgiven, for she loved much”; and He bade her go in peace.

[Illustration:  Anointing the feet of Jesus.]

THE RICH FOOL.

There was a certain rich man who owned much land.  And his fields and vineyards were so productive that when the time of harvest came, he had not room enough to store his corn and fruits.  So after much thought he said, “This will I do.  I will pull down my barns and build greater ones, and there will I store all my fruits and my goods.  Then I can say to myself, ’I have great store of goods laid up, enough for many years; now I can take mine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.’”

But God said unto him, “Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee; then whose shall those things be which thou hast hoarded?”

Jesus says it shall be so with all those who set their minds upon storing up riches in this world, rather than laying up treasures in heaven by pleasing God and working in His service.  Death will come when they least expect it, and they will have to leave all their earthly riches, and go where no treasure has been laid up for them.

And He said unto His disciples, “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on; for the life is more than meat, and the body more than raiment.  For all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.  But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.  Fear not, for it is the Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.  Sell what ye have and give alms; provide yourselves a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, or moth corrupteth.”

[Illustration:  The rich fool.]

THE UNFRUITFUL TREE.

A certain man had a fig-tree planted in his vineyard, and he came and sought fruit thereon, but found none.  Then he called to the gardener who attended to his vineyard, and said to him, “Behold these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree, and find none.  Cut it down.  Why does it encumber the ground?”

The gardener answered him and said, “Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it and manure it.  And if it bear fruit then, it is well; but if not, then, after that, thou shalt cut it down.”