Jesus is saying in Luke 16:19-31 that riches don’t count for anything after we die, but that isn’t the thrust of this parable. He is bringing to our minds two points: Wealth without active mercy for the poor is great wickedness and secondly, that if we close our eyes to the truth we are given, then we are doomed.
In the context, Jesus is condemning the Pharisees for their love of money but lack of mercy for the poor. Remember His comment about their scrupulous tithing in Luke 11:42? “Woe to you Pharisees, because you give God a tenth of your mint, rue and all other kinds of garden herbs, but you neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced the latter without leaving the former undone”. It isn’t their piety that he is condemning, but what they AREN’T doing – showing mercy to the poor, seeking justice for the downtrodden. It is ironic that the Pharisees who prided themselves on being such Bible scholars largely missed the spirit of the Old Testament – mercy and justice. William Barclay titles this passage, “The Punishment of the Man Who Never Noticed.” Lazarus was at his door and he didn’t notice. Who is presently at your door that you are not noticing? Who needs your time, comforting, words of affirmation, financial assistance etc? Please don’t be punished for not noticing. Shalom!
BIBLE PASSAGES FOR DAILY REFLECTION
To be equipped for God’s work, we must study His word (Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17), reflect on it daily and live. Ensure you share the fruits of your meditation with at least two people.
Sunday: 2 Thessalonians 3:1-18
Monday: 1 Timothy 1:1-20
Tuesday: 1 Timothy 2:1-15
Wednesday: 1 Timothy 3:1-20
Thursday: 1 Timothy 4:1-16
Friday: 1 Timothy 5:1-25
Saturday: 1 Timothy 6:1-21
PSALM OF THE WEEK: Psalm 32
Prayer:
With thanksgiving Lord, we know you have pardoned all our misdeeds of negligence. Help us to be more aware of needy in our midst. Amen!
