The parable of Dives and Lazarus, like the words of
Timothy, is a warning against wealth, consumerism, and materialism.
Enjoyment and abundance lived apart from care for the
poor leads to spiritual destruction.
Dives’ sin is not only his consumption but his
apathy.
He may not even notice the beggar at the door and, if
he does, Lazarus is an inconvenience, standing in the way of enjoying his
property, and frankly a blight on the neighborhood.
In the afterlife, the tables are turned and now Dives
suffers, while the beggar rejoices.
Is the gap between the rich and poor
unbridgeable?
Are the wealthy in jeopardy of losing their souls if
they forget the poor?
This is convicting language as we learn that the gap
between the wealthy and poor is widening in the USA
and that the middle class as a group are shrinking in
a time of record corporate and personal profits among the wealthy.
While the poor do not have moral privilege, it is
incumbent upon persons who affirm the way of Jesus to provide for the poor and
the growing marginal middle class adequate food, housing, education, and health
care.
This shifting of values is not optional for followers
of Jesus; it is a spiritual and ethical requirement.
Simply saying “Lord, Lord” and believing in the Bible
is insufficient to save our spiritual lives if we turn our back on the
poor.
Sadly, many Bible-believing Christians spearhead
legislation that would rob the poor of educational equality, voting rights,
health care, and the ability to care for their children.
Can such persons claim the name Christian?
And can we in our own apathy?
The gospel asserts that there is hell to pay for those
who neglect the poor!
tw
No comments:
Post a Comment
Add