Luke 16:19-31 (NRSV)
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Verse 19"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. Verse 20And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, Verse 21who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man's table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. Verse 22The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. Verse 23In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. Verse 24He called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.' Verse 25But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Verse 26Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.' Verse 27He said, 'Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father's house- Verse 28for I have five brothers-that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.' Verse 29Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.' Verse 30He said, 'No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.' Verse 31He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Devotion
Their deaths changed everything: The rich man who lived in luxury and splendor found himself in great torment and anguish. The poor and miserable Lazarus was carried by angels to the blessedness of God's people where there is no pain, crying, or tears anymore. The sin of the rich man was not his riches, but that he neglected to show compassion to poor Lazarus who daily lay at his mansion gate.
There are two lessons for us: One is to be always mindful of the poor in our midst and share our abundance with them. The poor are near us everyday; they are the hungry and homeless. The second lesson is that God does not bless all believers in Jesus Christ with riches. Some promise that if you become a disciple of Jesus, you will be blessed with material possessions. Lazarus was a believer who suffered from malnutrition and was homeless.
Prayer
Lord, give us eyes to see the poor at our gates and the heart to share what we have with them. Amen.