There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.
Here the Teacher continues His emphasis on the proper use of wealth. He doesn’t condemn the rich man for being rich. He condemns Him for living in luxury without regard for poor Lazarus begging near his gate.
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.The folly of such a selfish life was only fully revealed in what happened to the rich man after he died.
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
The rich man got religion too late.
But Abraham replied, “Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.”
Who was actually rich and who was poor?
The time is coming when every student of Jesus will understand the proper use of the wealth God entrusted to them.
This is the wisdom of the Teacher. A wisdom that looks beyond the personal comfort and security that money can provide for ourselves. And focuses also on how to use what we have to bless others in need.
Rich or Poor?
'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'
ReplyDeleteJesus has been talking about how to properly use wealth for the past few chapters.
He's trying to teach the people about being rich toward God (Luke 12:21)
They don't seem to be getting it.
The OT actually speaks of the poor, needy, widows, and orphans over and over. Law after law was set up for them to be able to be taken care of - such as not harvesting a second time or not harvesting the corners of your field.
They weren't listening to Moses and the prophets - I wonder if they listened after Jesus rose from the dead?
I wonder if they even remembered this...
Or wondered if Jesus had been talking about them instead of the rich man after all!
I wonder if we are listening...
Or how we're putting it into practice in our lives.