Showing Compassion for the Poor

January 26, 2014 Background Scripture: Luke 16 Lesson Passage: Luke 16:19 – 31 Many of the principles Jesus taught are coming under attack in America today. The socio-political climate in our country is moving in a direction that favors individual greed and accomplishment above care and concern for others. When a political leader says something about compassion for others, he or she is often labeled a communist or a socialist. When a community leader speaks of helping the least among us, he or she is sometimes accused of inciting bitterness and division between the classes. Much of today’s arguments revolve around the question of how governments should spend money that is received through taxation. These arguments take place on the local, state, and federal levels. Conservatives claim that liberal policies are unfair to small businesses and industrial complexes which create jobs for everybody. Liberals claim that conservatives are putting “big money” interests above ethics and morals. Lost in the arguments is the notion that people are on this planet for a higher purpose than to become slaves of economic systems. We all live on this planet which is hurling through space at an astronomical speed and individual lifespan here is limited. Therefore, it would serve us well to seek the guidance and support of the Creator who put us here. Many of us claim to have a personal relationship with our Creator—and this applies to both conservatives and liberals. Those who believe the bible know that it teaches that the poor will always be here. Many are taking advantage of this through get-rich-quick schemes and deceptive promises that a person can have anything they desire even though they are poor. Gaming operations make millions while the poor get poorer chasing futility. Many hit rock-bottom after losing everything and decide that is not low enough. So they turn to drugs, alcohol, and crime as coping mechanisms. None of us are exempt from the possibility of being or becoming poor. In our lesson today, we are taught what attitude we should have regarding the poor. Jesus was in the midst of a discourse with his disciples concerning stewardship and righteous living when he told them about a rich man and a beggar named Lazarus. What Jesus said appears to be a parable. The difficulty with being sure of that is twofold. First, Luke does not say that Jesus put forth a parable prior to presenting the story. Secondly, Jesus did not use a personal name to identify anyone in his other parables. Whether it is a parable or not is inconsequential. Jesus told of a rich man who lived very well while Lazarus was poor and his body was covered with sores. Lazarus was laid at the rich man’s gate and wanted to have the crumbs which fell from his table. Jesus does not tell us anything the rich man did or said concerning Lazarus and his condition. He does tell us that both Lazarus and the rich man died. It was what happened after their death that made Jesus’ message clear. Lazarus was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom and the rich man went to a place of pain and suffering. From the flames of torment the rich man could see Lazarus and begged Abraham to let Lazarus dip his finger in some water and use it to cool his tongue. Abraham rebuked the rich man and told him that the afterlife was as it should be because of how they had each lived prior to death. Their fortunes were reversed. Jesus’ message serves as a warning to be careful how we treat the poor in this world. Let us show compassion. Robert C. Hudson January 11, 2013