As I was writing the Myth Busters post it occurred to me how much the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus mirrored our current society. Even the man that currently sits in the White House.
If you missed the Myth Busters post check it out below.
Read: Myth Busters: You Can Go to Heaven and Come Back
The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is found in Luke 16:18-31
In a nutshell the Rich Man lived a life of excess to the point of being obnoxious and Lazarus was a beggar who lived his days with dogs licking the sores on his body and hoping to get some scraps from the Rich Man's table.
In today's society we see many - our current president and many congress members included - who live their days, as Eugene Patterson put it, in conspicuous consumption.
The dictionary defines it as
Did you just get goosebumps like I did, because doesn't that describe them to a tee? The problem is that in our society, that works because we are focused on material things that we give people who are not worthy of prestige and clout and we step over people like Lazarus.
If you missed the Myth Busters post check it out below.
Read: Myth Busters: You Can Go to Heaven and Come Back
The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is found in Luke 16:18-31
In a nutshell the Rich Man lived a life of excess to the point of being obnoxious and Lazarus was a beggar who lived his days with dogs licking the sores on his body and hoping to get some scraps from the Rich Man's table.
In today's society we see many - our current president and many congress members included - who live their days, as Eugene Patterson put it, in conspicuous consumption.
The dictionary defines it as
expenditure on or consumption of luxuries on a lavish scale in an attempt to enhance one's prestige.
Did you just get goosebumps like I did, because doesn't that describe them to a tee? The problem is that in our society, that works because we are focused on material things that we give people who are not worthy of prestige and clout and we step over people like Lazarus.
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being.
Fast Forward: Both men die. The Rich Man ends up in Hell and Lazarus ends up in Heaven.
Wow what a turn of events. Or is it? Matthew 16:19-21 (see italicized above) specifically tells us NOT to hoard our treasures here on earth. Because if that is what you are chasing you will get it. It will enhance your prestige on Earth. You will have houses and cars and cash on Earth. You will have fans on Earth. And when you die you will have nothing.
The problem is that our time on Earth is finite but our life after death is forever. Lazarus died with nothing. He wasn't even buried! But he was carried up by angels directly to Abraham in Heaven. No sores, no suffering, just peace and contentment. The Rich Man died, was buried. He probably had a lavish funeral but he ended up in Hell.
Disclaimer: Not all rich people go to hell.
The question is why? The answer is: Look where he stored his treasures. The Rich Man's goal was to be rich and be known for being rich. That goal was achieved. But none of that matters in God's Economy. The only person whose opinion matters in Heaven is God's.
So how could it have turned out differently for the Rich Man? If he had been seeking to enhance God's prestige and not his own - treasure stored in heaven. If he had given money to the least of these like Lazarus - treasure stored in heaven. If he had lived modestly - treasure stored in heaven. You can be rich and live modestly.
This story made me think, what am I chasing?
What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? (Mark 8:36)
We often forget that all that we have in this world doesn't go with us when we die. All that we take with us is ourselves and our deeds.
While Lazarus seemingly had nothing when he died he had everything that truly matter. A place in heaven where there is no suffering whatsoever.
In my own life there exists this tension where I seek wealth but I have to remember not to hoard my riches.
Like I said, being rich isn't a one way ticket to hell. However, using your riches to hurt others, to be pompous and arrogant, to show no empathy for those who have less shows what's in your store house and ultimately shows what you value and what you worship.
We often thing we can pull one over on God. See Evangelical Politicians as Exhibit A. You can convince and even fool other people but God knows you better than you know yourself. And while you can broker business deals and schemes and scams on Earth, you can't pay for a spot in Heaven.
It doesn't work that way. It never has. So make sure you know what you're chasing and what you are chasing it for.
It doesn't work that way. It never has. So make sure you know what you're chasing and what you are chasing it for.
The Unlikely Missionary
DHW
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