Focus
Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.
Read
Luke 16:19 31 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Reflect
This familiar and pitiful story of Lazarus and the “Rich Man” (we sometimes call him Dives, which means “rich man” in Latin), was Jesus’ reminder to the Pharisees of the dangers of hoarding their wealth. The story, viewed from an eternal perspective, was certainly much more pitiful for Dives than for Lazarus.
We know that there are many like Lazarus in our world today. The poor, the homeless, and those who are mentally and physically ill are all around us, in spite of the blessings of health, security, and plenty that so many of us enjoy.
As Christians, we surely have a special calling to do whatever we can to reach out to those in need. I have friends who help to sponsor a church and outreach activities for the homeless in their community; they also assist in the building of “tiny houses,” so that those who are without shelter can move to comfortable surroundings. In our own denomination, ministries in several cities reach those who live on the streets with hot food, warm, safe places to sleep, clothing and encouragement from God’s word. These ministries all make a difference, but there is more to do. Our little church, Mt. Zion CPC in Columbus, Mississippi, has begun to purposefully increase our outreach, both financially and from a hands-on standpoint. We have been rewarded many times over, both in the tangible results that have come from our relatively small investments and in the friendships we enjoy with those we are able to serve.
I challenge you—wherever you are, whatever your circumstances—to look around for ways you can make a difference. We may not be rich—as individuals or as churches—but we all have something to share. Jesus’ story may have been aimed at the Pharisees, but he is still speaking to us today.
Pray
Giver of all good and perfect gifts, we thank you for the blessings you have so graciously given to us, your children. Lead us to those in need, that we may share your bounty with all your children. Amen
Go with God!
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