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Pharisee and Tax Collector

A Pharisee and tax collector pray in the temple.
Contributed by Rawderson Rangel
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, German
1
There were some people who thought that they were very good and looked down on everyone else. So Jesus told them this story. <br/>‘One day there was a Pharisee and a tax collector. Both went to the Temple to pray.’ – Slide 1
2
The Pharisee stood proudly away from the tax collector. After all, he had a reputation for living by God’s rules and for doing good deeds. Tax collectors were known for their cheating and stealing. The Pharisee prayed loudly, ‘ God, I thank you that I am not as bad as other people.’ – Slide 2
3
Then the Pharisee proudly told God, ‘I am not like men who steal, cheat, or take part in adultery. I thank you that I am better than this tax collector. I give up eating twice a week, and I give one-tenth of everything I earn!’ – Slide 3
4
The tax collector could be seen praying away from the Pharisee. He was so ashamed he would not even look up to heaven. – Slide 4
5
He beat on his chest because he was so sad. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner!’ – Slide 5
6
Jesus then turned to the crowd he was teaching and said, ‘I tell you, when the tax collector went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee was not right with God. Everyone who makes himself great will be made humble. But everyone who makes himself humble will be made great.’ – Slide 6
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Slide 7