LISTEN. . . “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 sores1 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his 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 Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side." (Luke 16:19-23)
CONSIDER. . . .Our parable today tells us that the rich man stepped over suffering Lazarus each day. Did he ever look Lazarus in the eye? I doubt it. Did he even notice the hunger and sores of this brother or was he too busy with his own life to notice? This is a shocking parable that shows very little mercy to the rich man who neither dressed Lazarus' sores nor fed his hunger. The rich man chose to serve his own wealth instead of God and, at his death, paid the consequence.
SO WHAT. . . This parable clearly urges us to share food with the hungry, but it goes even deeper than that. It insists we be good neighbors, especially to the most needy. True charity is more than giving a few coins to someone begging on a street corner, or writing a check at Christmas time. It is noticing, caring, and acting on the needs of our brothers and sisters--it is about cultivating a heart that suffers with our neighbors and compels us to respond compassionately.
- Do you see with Christ's eyes?
- Are your eyes open to the brokenness around you?
- Is God calling you to respond with more of you than just a check?
PRAYER. . . Dear God, please give me a heart of mercy, help me to see with your eyes and to respond to my neighbors with compassion and care. May I look the needy in the eye and show the face of Christ in my response. May I be filled with a spirit of committed love for your children, rich or poor. Amen
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