“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table.” Luke 16:19-21

Jesus had a lot to say about poverty, and the inability or unwillingness of those with wealth, to share what they have,  so others would have enough. As he tells the story of the wealthy man, and  poor Lazarus  covered with sores, he directs it at the Pharisees. The gospel writer Luke, tells us the Pharisees loved money and resisted Jesus’ words,  “You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13-14) 

Lazarus is in pain,  covered with sores. This is no welfare laggard, nor one trying to beat the system. He is not pretending false need. The poor man would have been in misery every day.  Jesus says Lazarus would have been content with scraps from the rich man’s table, but this wealthy man would not share even that little, something which would have cost him nothing at all.

Instead the man is intent upon flaunting his wealth. He dressed in purple, the  clothing of kings. His table was full of the best of food each day. He wallows in his wealth. It seems there are no limits to his personal extravagance. At the same time, he has no concern for the poor beggar suffering near his gate.

Most of us would like to think that we are the generous ones. We would stop. We would share what we had. We’d get Lazarus a sandwich, buy him a hamburger or hand out a gift card. We might even him take him to a doctor, or bring the medics to him. We know we would be better than this wealthy, self-absorbed, very rich man.

It does not go well for the wealthy man when death comes. There is no paradise awaiting him. No joyful welcome home to the heavenly courts. No joy, but only agony and suffering. Yet he’s able to see in the distance Lazarus, with Abraham. Even then, it does not occur to him how severely the tables have turned. He still thinks of Lazarus as a servant of his own. Someone to care for his whims. In his mind Lazarus is someone less than himself . . .less human, less real, less important, less worthy of love. Even in his agony, he cannot get beyond a sense of entitlement, of his own importance, and  his place in the world. He is shattered to discover, there will be no reprieve.

Jesus’ parable is a directive that we are blessed to be a blessing to others. Both as individuals and as nations. If we are fortunate to have wealth, it is our duty and responsibility to share that wealth with those who have none. Not so we gain entrance to heaven, or even to tell ourselves that we are the good people.  But if we truly love God, and we have been fortunate in life, our only response can be to lavish  love  on all of God’s people. Especially the suffering ones.