Modern Day Parables

August 6th, 2025
by Paul Veerman

There are 38 parables that Jesus used to explain spiritual concepts. They help us understand theological issues—for example, the ten virgins in Mathew 25. The purpose is to be prepared for the return of Christ, the bridegroom. That makes sense. It’s not profound, but clear. How about the lost coin in Luke 15? The parable emphasizes the immense joy in heaven over the repentance of one lost sinner. Again, the message is clear. Never give up hope for a lost soul. Parables are stories that could have a significant spiritual impact.
Can we create modern-day parables to reflect spiritual concepts?

The Parable of the Misguided Priorities

There was a man who was quite successful. He worked long hours, traveled considerably, and was rewarded handsomely by his employer. Others in his company encouraged him to fudge his numbers to make sales quotas and quarterly goals. He did so and became a poster child for the company. That encouraged him to work harder and travel more extensively. He sacrificed time away from his wife and family, but he reasoned that it was to provide for them so that they could have the very best things in life. Unfortunately, his kids were estranged, and his wife divorced him. His company found the errors in his reports and fired him. His aspirations to fame and glory were dashed, and his family became dysfunctional.

The moral of the parable is “you reap what you sow.” Galatians 6:7

The Parable of the Patient Woman

A woman fell in love with a man who wasn’t a believer. He was handsome, intelligent, and had a clear work path. She prayed that God would change his heart, but he was so confident in his abilities that he told her he didn’t need God. Deep in prayer, the Lord clearly said to her that this was not the one she was meant to marry, so she ended the relationship. There was deep sadness, but she had the assurance from God that it was the right decision. She waited on the Lord for two years and met a Godly man who fell in love with her. This man had only been a Christ follower for two years, about the same time that she ended the other relationship. His salvation was genuine, and it transformed his life; their relationship was built on biblical principles.

The moral is “For we walk by faith and not by sight.” 1 Corinthians 5:7.

We can’t improve on Jesus' parables, but we have many ways to adapt our experiences to biblical concepts. The two stories above are like ones of people I know and are stories that we should embrace in our own lives. One is a cautionary tale about being wary of misguided motives, and the second is a reminder to wait patiently on the Lord.

I encourage you to read Jesus’s parables and seek to embrace the spiritual insights that He has shared with us. At the same time, learn from those around you. There are parables in life that will give you valuable insights into our cultural issues that you wouldn’t usually get from the Biblical parables. In every circumstance, seek His will first.

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33

Prayer
Lord, help me to learn from Your examples in Scripture and from the stories of others who have learned valuable lessons, both good and bad.

Questions
What is your favorite parable in the Bible? How has it helped you in everyday situations?
Is there a story from a friend that has helped you in your life to make Godlier decisions?

Posted in Devotionals