# The Last Farthing explained — Unspoken Sermons

> Chapter companion for Unspoken Sermons by George MacDonald.

## What happens

This chapter explores the parable of the last farthing, emphasizing that the parables are addressed to the conscience and will rather than the intellect. It describes the soul's journey from self-ruin to becoming a child of God, the horror of being left without God's presence, and the necessity of paying the last farthing through humility, penitence, and self-refusal to receive sonship and cry 'Father.'

## Themes in this chapter

### Inner Transformation and Perfection

The soul must become lowly, penitent, and self-refusing to pay the last farthing and receive sonship.

### The Individual Relationship with God

The soul's journey from isolation and self-centeredness to crying 'Father' in a personal relationship with God.

### Critique of Religious Legalism

Theologians and interpreters who focus on understanding rather than doing obscure the gospel.

## Character check-ins

### Jesus Christ

Speaker of the parable of the last farthing, whose words are addressed to the conscience and will.

### God the Father

The one and only goal of the human race; the refuge and home from whom the soul is separated and to whom it must return.

### The Child

Symbol of the humble, penitent state required to receive sonship and learn to cry 'Father.'

### The Pharisees

Implied as those who interpret rather than do, obscuring the gospel.

## Key lines

> Verily I say unto thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the last farthing.

Truly I tell you, you will not leave that place until you have paid every last penny.

_The central verse of the chapter, emphasizing the necessity of complete payment through humility and repentance._

> It is not a fruit or a jewel to be stored, but a well springing by the wayside.

The parable is not something to be collected and kept, but a living source of refreshment along the journey.

_Illustrates that parables are meant to be lived, not merely understood intellectually._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters/the-last-farthing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unspoken_sermons_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/unspoken_sermons_se/chapters