Saturday's Scripture Story
Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus
Luke 16:19-31
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 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.’
25 “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. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’
27 “He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
29 “Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
30 “‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
31 “He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Today's story comes from Jesus and follows up on His teaching about a healthy attitude toward possessions. In our story, He contrasts the lives of two men - one rich, one poor – in this world and then later in eternity.
It is interesting to note that the rich man knows the poor man by name but doesn’t seem stirred to help, either by human compassion or godly code of behavior. We find Jesus highlighting the rich man’s ungodly view of possessions, of people, and God's ways in the Word.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I'm not sure how others might categorize me in terms of parallels to the rich man or poor Lazarus. From a simple food angle, it sure seems that I have more than enough food available – like the rich man. But I know this story isn't about food or even possessions; it's about attitude. Help me to have an attitude of gratefulness for whatever I have as being from You, an attitude of generosity to use whatever I have to help others, and an attitude of humility toward You and Your word, hearing and responding to the message of Your scriptures. Amen.