We might not understand why God would expect this guy to take care of some random beggar if we associate this guy with a beggar on the street in our culture. In Jesus' day however there was no well fare system. It was common for beggars to be taken care of by such men as Lazarus. It would be socially acceptable for him to beg at Lazarus' table.
I think the main point to this passage goes back to the deceitfulness of wealth. Jesus has already mentioned in Luke 16 the Pharisees were warped by wealth. They valued the wrong things they had the wrong definition of success.
Jesus knows that we loose ourself in the riches of this world and the joys of heaven fade off our radar. Even if someone would rise from the dead (Jesus did and most Pharisees didn't believe) and tell them - they wouldn't listen. As mentioned yesterday there is the lure of justification. We can get in such a mindset that we can justify anything!
It reminds me of Jack Black's character in King Kong - not a movie I much like or enjoyed but holds true as an illustration of the art of justification. In the process of trying to get a picture of Kong people start to die in the dangerous journey. After the first person dies Black's character
rattles off something about how we can't let this death be in vain. The footage of Kong will make their sacrifice worth and they will display the video in his honor. Well many continue to die horrible deaths and Black's character spouts the same thing. His pursuit of fame was worth many innocent people dying.
read James 1:9-11. This is not saying money in and of itself is a bad thing. As I once heard - having money is not the problem. Its when the money has you that you are in danger!
questions
1) what part of this passage stuck out to you the most?
2) what are several things the rich man could have done differently?
3) we're all wealthy in some way - rich in some area - are you using your wealth (of information, money, abilities) for others or just self?
prayer
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