“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores …
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far way, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham … I beg you … send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’
“‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’
“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.’”
(verses 19-20, 22-24, 27-31)
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There are two lessons in this parable. The first has to do with how we use money. Do we use it for good or do we simply expend it on our own pleasures?
Earlier in this chapter, at the end of the Parable of the Shrewd Manager, Jesus had said, “I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings” (verse 9). The rich man in this present parable did none of that. He didn’t use his wealth strategically for the kingdom of God. He didn’t use it to bless those in need, gaining them as friends. He didn’t use his money with sights set on eternity – the “eternal dwellings.” No. He simply spent it – lavishly – on himself. Even when, day after day, a man in great need, covered in sores, with a hungry belly, was languishing just outside his own gate. He turned a blind eye. He spent money on himself.
When death visited both men, the rich man entered into judgement, while the poor man, Lazarus, found himself in the blessedness of heaven, alongside those who had lived in right relationship with God, specifically Abraham. This story, of course, doesn’t give the full account of salvation versus judgement. Clearly the rich man lived without turning his heart toward God – he was focused on himself. Meanwhile, we know little about the poor man besides his pain-filled poverty. Jesus doesn’t tell us about his spiritual state. But he does tell us his name: Lazarus. Indeed, this is the only time in his parables that any of the characters is named. The name must be significant. It means “God has helped.” I take it as indication that this man’s heart was turned toward the Lord’s help – hence, he was received into heaven.
The first lesson, then, warns us against the love of money, about using it simply for ourselves, about turning our eyes away from the needs in the world around us, the very needs the Lord himself wants to meet through us. And for those who are impoverished, who turn their eyes to the Lord, there will be a great reversal, just as Lazarus experienced.
The second lesson gets to the root of the rich man’s circumstance. He has neglected the Lord’s revelation. In verse 16, Jesus spoke about the Law and the Prophets preparing the way for the kingdom. Now Abraham identifies that same duo, naming them “Moses and the Prophets.” Abraham says that if the rich man’s brothers refuse to listen to the revelation already given, neither will they “be convinced if someone rises from the dead.”
It's a simple truth. For a hard heart, miracles themselves won’t produce change. The brothers, like the rich man himself, had ample opportunity to listen to God’s word, but their ears were closed, their hearts hard.
The bigger irony, though, is in the lives of the Pharisees to whom Jesus is now speaking. They, too, have the Law and the Prophets, the very scriptures that speak of Jesus. But they can’t see, can’t hear, and won’t respond. Would someone coming from beyond the grave wake them up? Not so much. Shortly, Jesus himself – crucified, dead, and buried – will fulfill the very request the rich man had made: he will rise from the dead.
But for these Pharisees listening to him now, nothing will change.
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Lord Jesus, please apply both lessons to my heart. Make me generous for your purposes, spending my resources on those in need, as you direct – I have eyes on you. And each day, give me receptive ears to your Word, that I may follow you closely, with or without miracles – I have eyes on you.
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Reflect:
How can you keep eyes on Jesus as you use your money? How can you keep eyes on him even when a requested miracle doesn’t come about?
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Photo by Ian Taylor on Unsplash
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