Lazarus and the rich

"Now there was a rich man who clothed himself in purple and fine linen, and lived a joyous life every day, splendidly. And there was a poor man named Lazarus, lying at his door, all covered with ulcers ..." Read Luke 16. 19-31

The Pharisees said that they appreciated wealth as a proof of blessing; In fact they loved money, quite simply. They had also mocked Jesus when he had taught : "You can not serve God and riches" (Luke 16: 13-14).

He answers them with this story evoking a rich man who egotistically benefits from his possessions. This, moreover, recalls that other rich man, confident in his fortune and his future : "My soul, you have many things in reserve for many years ; Rest, eat, make good dear. But God said to him, Fool ! This very night your soul will be asked again" (Luke 12:20).

Riches can so fill the heart that God can find no more room for it. Jesus shows these Pharisees that to love wealth is the opposite of the Law ; It is summed up in fact : "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself" (Mark 12: 30,31).

By raising a corner of the veil over the beyond, the story of Lazarus and the rich shows what happens to those selfish people who do not care about God or their neighbor. Their wealth is sufficient for them and they are satisfied with material goods ; They live only for the land. What condemns them is not their wealth but their false priorities. This is what Jesus reminds the devil who tempted him in the wilderness : "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God" (Luke 4: 4).

It is Abraham who answers the rich in the hereafter : "Remember that thou hast received thy goods in thy life" (v. 25); It reminds him of his carelessness. At the rich man's request to send Lazarus to warn his brothers, Abraham replied : "They have Moses and the prophets ; Let them hear them" (v. 29).

The Lord was indeed addressing the avaricious Pharisees: but the lesson is also for us. Does the riches that God places at our disposal-our material goods, our physical and intellectual faculties-are these riches preventing us from seeing beyond our nose ? Do we really use them to constitute a treasure in the heavens (Luke 12:33) ?

Source (To pleasing the Lord)