We often call it
the holy Gospel, but this section of Luke (6:19-31) might be better named the
terrifying Gospel. The parable of the rich man burning in hell while the poor
man enjoys heavenly bliss should haunt the conscience of every middle class
American. The possibility that “we have had our good life” here and now is
unnerving. The question, “have I done enough for the poor?” is more than
theoretical…
The Bible provides
no easy answer. There is no exact dollar amount to avoid eternity in Hell; probably
because it is not about tossing food to the hungry like they were pigeons. The rich
man failed to see the humanity of Lazarus (the only character in a parable with
a name!). So caring for the poor needs to include caring for them as a human…
We have all done
something for the needy. We also know we could do more, much more. But doing
more is also never ending. Sometimes I find our commitment to ‘outreach’ at the
church is a never ending pursuit. There is never time to reflect on the joy of
helping someone because there are so many others lined up with their own needs.
It can get mechanical and become another numbers game, trying to do more and
more (with les and less). I understand why some people throw up their hands and
give up. “What is enough?” they ask. However, that is not a Christian option.
On the other hand,
stressing and fretting is not faithful either. Jesus did not say we are to “worry”
about the poor. Jesus did not say we are to “feel guilty” about all we have.
Jesus said, “Use some of what you have to take care of others.” He also reminds
us that God loves a joyful giver.
My offer on
discerning how to deal with wealth would start with these three questions:
- are you generous? [if a third world person looked at all you have and all you use to help others would they say you are generous?]
- are you grateful? [do you ponder your blessings or take things fro granted. Are you more likely to say ‘thanks” or gripe?]
- how many of your money spending choices are motivated by love of God and others?
Paul tells Timothy
a great deal about how to deal with money. He warns him of the intoxicating
effect it can have; the addiction to money. Paul warns that the desire for
wealth can lead us astray: off the path of life. In the end, that is the
spiritual dilemma. Paul’s solution, following Jesus’ teaching, is learning to
be satisfied with the basics. As he says, “there
is great gain in godliness combined
with contentment”
Being content is
hard. When running a race we see the people ahead of us. We tell ourselves that
if only we pushed harder we could do better. Striving for excellence is good.
Learning to celebrate success is, too. So many of us spend our whole life
stressed and burdened with greater expectations. Nothing is ever good enough—and
we are never, ever able to enjoy what we do have.
Being satisfied
with fulfilling our needs gives us freedom. It is more peaceful to spend less
than you make. It is easier to see the blessings around us (people, places and
things) when we aren’t busy trying to figure out how to get more, more, more.
We need to stop to enjoy what we have in life, those things that matter most.
And nothing adds more joy than truly helping someone in need.
As Paul reminds us;
we brought nothing into the world and we
cannot take anything with us. All our stuff gets left behind. All we have
is legacy of what we did with what we had; a list of those we helped and
blessed, to be laid at the feet of the God from whom all blessings flow.
You cannot buy
your way into heaven. You can, however, “ignore-the-needy”- your way into Hell.
Jesus asks us to trust. He wants us to believe He will provide. Love of money is the root of all evil
because it is not the love of God—which is the root of all good. And loving God
we will love others as well. And loving others includes that “Lazarus” at your
gate.
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