![]() ![]() (:20-21) Condition of the Poor Man – Lazarus = Deprivation and Suffering Lenski: His being rich is nothing that could be reckoned against him, for Abraham, too, was rich and appears in this very parable.ī. If one does not do this, it is clear that possessions, rather than God, are his lord. ![]() This was a clear violation of the Old Testament standard of righteousnessĭonald Miller: Possessions are given by God in trust, to be used as an expression of his concern for the needy. The rich man thus used his wealth to indulge himself, but not to minister to the needy. This means that he would have had to have consciously chosen to ignore his need. He would have had to walk past Lazarus every time he left or entered his house. The Sin of the Rich Man: Failure to use his wealth as a good steward to assist those in need such as Lazarus who was suffering tremendously right at his gateĭeffinbaugh: And if Lazarus was painfully aware of the bounty and blessings of the rich man, but evidently not a sharer in them, so, too, the rich man had to have been aware of the pathetic plight of Lazarus. “Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day.” (:19) Condition of the Rich Man = Privilege and Luxury (:19-21) DISPARITY IN LIFE – CONTRAST BETWEEN THE RICH MAN AND THE POOR MAN – BETWEEN SERVING WEALTH AND SERVING GODĪ. – 16:15 – “that which is highly esteemed among men is detestable in the sight of God” – 16:13 – “You cannot serve God and wealth.” When it fails, they will receive you into the eternal dwellings.” – 16:9 – “make friends for yourselves by means of the wealth of unrighteousness, so that – 14:33 – “none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions.” – 13:30 – “some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last.” This story illustrates a number of points Jesus had just made previously: There will be a complete reversal from what men esteem when God intervenes to bring final judgment. Don’t deceive yourself into thinking that your wealth is an indication of some type of secure status in God’s kingdom. They might enjoy privilege and luxury in this life, but in the life to come it will be a completely different story. But Jesus does not shy away from condemning the legalistic Pharisees for their love of money and their unwillingness to help in tangible, practical ways those who are suffering right before their eyes. Unrelenting torment in Hell for all of eternity is not one of the more popular sermon topics in today’s populist culture. THE ETERNAL DIVIDE BETWEEN SERVING GOD AND SERVING WEALTH BRINGS COMFORTING RELIEF OR UNRELENTING TORMENT ![]()
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