Another parable in a series recorded
by Luke.
There are a few things to note about this parable.
There are a few things to note about this parable.
“Lazarus is the only name given to anyone in Jesus’ parables;”[i]
The rich man did not notice Lazarus while
when was alive, but now he is dead, he sees Lazarus and knows his name. But he
sees him, not as an equal, but as someone who can do something for him. [ii]
For many of us this parable hits a
nerve, a comfortable middle class, I have all I need nerve. This is challenging
parable. But for some people, for the “Lazarus’s” of the world this parable is
empowering and offers hope that things will not always be this way. [iii]
Luke isn’t saying that being wealthy is
a bad thing of itself. We know the rich man is wealthy, he is called ‘the rich
man’, but he also wears purple and fine linen, he lives in the equivalent of a palace,
with gates and security. This all adds up to serious wealth!
There is nothing to suggest the rich
man gained his wealth by exploiting people. The problem is that being wealthy
isolated him from the community around him.
In the letter to Timothy we read:
The
love of money causes all kinds of trouble.
The passage we heard from the letter
to Timothy this morning, not only warns us about the danger of loving money,
but encourages us to be content with the basics needed for life, such as food
and shelter.
The love of money and the focus on
getting more money means we lose sight of who we really are. In last week’s passage from Luke we heard that
you cannot serve two masters, you cannot serve God and wealth. [Luke 16:13]
What will it take for us to recognise
our wealth, not just our financial wealth – because if you have food, decent
clothes, a place to live and transport you are in the top 15% globally[iv]
– which means we are all wealthy; but we are also rich in non-financial terms.
We could look at images of heaven and
hell in this parable; or what wealth looks like; but for me this parable isn’t about
money or the afterlife. This morning I want us to explore the final part of the
parable a little: “If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither
will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.”’ [Luke 16:31]
What and who do we listen to?
Who do we see?
In the parable, Father Abraham tells
the rich man that his brothers should listen to Moses and the prophets – who are
the prophets today?
Who are the people who speak God’s
word?
Who are the people who challenge any system
that oppresses people, who challenge any system that sees people go without
food and shelter and medical service and education?
The prophets in the Bible were a feisty
lot, Isaiah and Jeremiah, Amos and Hosea, Micah and Malachi. Have you noticed
that many of the prophets did not speak to individuals but to the nation of Israel
and Judah, and at times other nations?
There are some comforting messages,
but mainly speeches telling of the demise of nation because they haven’t lived
in Gods ways. Forsake your idols and return to the Lord; return to God’s righteous
ways and don’t make yourself rich at the expense of others; trust in God’s
love.
What will it take for us to really
hear the prophets, to hear and act on God’s call to justice and righteousness?
When God speaks are we too busy looking
after our assets; working extra hours; worrying about our looks and our status.
True wealth comes from faith in God. From
listening to God’s word through Moses and the prophets, through the teaching
and life of Jesus, through the Holy Spirit who guides and challenges us.
My experience is that hearing, and
acting upon, God’s word can be difficult. Sometimes we will be challenged to change the
way we live. Leaving a secure job to start your own business or work for a
church or charity.
At one time I was on an interview
panel for a senior role in the Synod office. The people we interviewed were
mainly from other church or not-for-profit organisations, so the pay we were
offering was similar to their current situations, but some people were
currently working in private industry, on much higher salaries than we could
pay. But they were looking for work with meaning beyond the pay cheque. They are
still well rewarded financially, but they could earn much more elsewhere.
What
of other areas of our life?
When
have you been challenged by God?
- to change jobs
- to move house
- to take up a new ministry
- to stand
with the poor
How have you responded?
Some of you will know by now that I am
slightly hard of hearing. In most situation it isn’t an issue, but when there is
a lot of background noise, I can’t keep track of a conversation. Sometimes my relationship with God is like that.
There is so much background noise, the to-do list in my head, the last song I heard
on the radio, going over a conversation and wondering if I could have handled
the situation differently, the meeting next week, the report due in two weeks,
and on and on…
Being available to hear God is one
thing, but being willing to act is another.
I wonder what stops you from acting on
God’s call to fuller life.
Fear if what people might think?
Fear of losing friends?
Fear of losing control?
Or
is it that we just don’t trust God?
This parable is a story about a rich
man who didn’t notice the poor man at his gate.
It is about a rich man who even in
death saw Lazarus as someone to do fulfil his desires
It is about the gulf between life and
death
But ultimately I think it is about
where our values for living come from.
Are our values in agreement with the life
and teaching of Jesus?
Do we listen to the voice of God, or
the voices that tell us that the people with the most money and power win the
game of life?
We will have some time for silent
reflection.
[silence]
If there is anything form this that you
would like to speak with me about, please let me know.
