Luke
16:9-31 — The
parable of the rich man and Lazarus. It the parable we have a description of
wealth and total depravity. This is a description of today’s world. On the one
hand is America’s wealth giving us the highest standard of living in the
history of the world. On the other hand, we have a third world of poverty and
hunger. It could be that the so-called wealth, either nation or individual, is
really the poor man as was the case in the parable. Americans may be the
richest on earth, but they can be suffering from the poverty of abundance.
Here we are again dealing with worldly wealth and a
day of great changed circumstances. Not only does the story make evident the
need to plan, but it also points to the testimony of Scripture as our God-given
planning resource and the only reliable voice to guide such planning.
Here we have the critical day, when circumstances
change. The festive treatment of Lazarus contrasts with the stark description of
the rich man’s sad end. Why Lazarus is carried to heaven; (the usual phrase “Abraham’s
bosom” must mean this) is not part of the concern of the story. Its point is to
warn the self-centered and to point them to Scripture as their only resource
for planning ahead. It does not propose the equivalence of financial poverty
and a state of grace. We might take a hint from the meaning of his name.
Lazarus means, “He whom God helps.”
Prayer against the love of money: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have
called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ
Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and
the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things
that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so
find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, or Lord. [2]
[1] The rich man and Lazarus, Schnorr von Carolsfeld woodcuts © WELS permission granted for personal and congregational use
[2] Collect against the love of money, Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] Collect for Friday of the week of Pentecost 15, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. II © 1995 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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