In the parable about the shrewd
steward, Jesus’ instruction was on how money ought to be used. In this parable
in Luke 16:19-31, His instruction is on how money could be abused. This
story centres on the lives and destinies of two men.
There was a rich man who
lived luxuriously. It was his daily lifestyle. His apparels were made of the purple
material that only the rich could afford. Even his undergarments were fine
linen. It’s a way of saying his dressing were made of branded stuff. His daily
meal was sumptuous. In today’s term, he would be eating shark fins, abalones,
bird’s nest and the likes, daily. To wipe his hand, he could even use a slice
of bread to do it and then tossed it out for his dogs to eat. He did not just
live in a bungalow, his was a huge estate. Or else Jesus would not have called
the entrance to his house a gate. The adjectives that would rightly
describe him are: proud, wasteful, extravagant, selfish, heartless, careless
and uncaring.
The other man was named
Lazarus. Although his name means "God is my help," his circumstances
tell us that it was far from so. Not only was he poor but his body was also
covered with weeping, ulcerating sores. Everyday Lazarus would be carried to
the gate of the rich man and tossed there. He wasn't even able to go there on
his own, he had to be carried there. He must have thought that at the gate of
the rich man he could survive from the crumbs that would fall from the rich
man's table. Even that he had to compete with the wild dogs who probably had
the same reason for being there. Lazarus had no mercy from the rich man who
obviously had plenty to last another life time. In fact the dogs were more
merciful. We are told that those dogs took pity on Lazarus and would
compassionately lick his ulcerating sores.
Then both the rich man and
Lazarus died. The rich man probably had an opulent elaborated funeral and was
decently buried. Lazarus was very likely just chucked in the valley of Hinnom
among the heap of trash. The difference is this: Lazarus, his soul and spirit,
was carried into the bosom of Abraham and had a heavenly fellowship with him
there. Whereas the rich man was found in the burning fire of Hades. And from
there he carried a conversation with Abraham. He obviously could recognize
Lazarus. On earth, their paths must have crossed many times. However, from
where he was, his attitude still had not changed. He still displayed a rich man’s
attitude. As always, he saw Lazarus as an instrument to be used. So he asked
for Lazarus to dip his fingers in water and go to where he was in Hades and cool
his burning and parched lips. Abraham told him that it was not possible. For
between where they were, there was an unbridgeable gap.
Suddenly the rich man
realized that his five brothers who were still alive, were probably living like
he did. He requested that Lazarus be sent to warn them. Abraham’s response was
that that they had Moses and the prophets to warn them. Meaning they already
had the Old Testament to warn them. And if they would not comply with the
teaching of the Old Testament, they would never listen, even if one resurrected
from the dead would go to them. In this, the Lord was hinting about His
impending death and resurrection.
This story is not just about
the reversal of roles in the afterlife. There are many lessons that could be
gleaned from this story. Here are some key lessons:
1. Our riches are God's gifts, and it
is to be wisely expanded in preparation for the life beyond.
2. It is sheer foolishness to squander the
wealth we have, lavishly on ourselves, living with no thoughts for others or
tomorrow.
3. The wealth we possess must be wisely
used to help the needy to experience the reality of the eternal Kingdom.
4. Heaven and hell are real places and
there is an unbridgeable gulf between them.
5. While heaven is restful and full of
bliss, hell is tormenting and full of agonies.
6. But what’s more tormenting is the ability
to see heaven from hell and yet not able to reach it.
7. Any preparation for heaven must be
done on this side of earth, for once our earthly life is over our destiny is
sealed.
What should we do with
ourselves and our wealth in the present? Remember the wealth we have is God's.
We are merely steward of His resources. Not only do we need to handle it wisely,
we also must not abuse it. Like the rich man, how we use our money regarding
the needs of our neighbours will also reflect our spiritual state. The Apostle
John rightly said, "But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his
brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God
abide in him?" Let us do all that we can, with all the wealth we have, to
reach all the souls that God has placed within our sphere of influence. We are
accountable for them!
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