“A Reversal of Fortune”
Luke 16:19-31
Today’s parable from Jesus concerns the disparity between those who have and those who do not. In fact, most of Chapter 16 deals with the themes of wealth and poverty. Chapter 16 from Luke’s Gospel begins with the words, “There was a rich man,” which introduces the parable of the Shrewd Business Steward. Should we go through that one again? No, let’s move on, thanks. This morning, Jesus teaches yet another parable about wealth. Why did he focus on this one issue so?
He was addressing both disciples and a group of Pharisees and had just told them that one cannot serve God and money, for which the Pharisees ridiculed him. The Pharisees had a long tradition of intertwining God and money. This theology is often referred to as Deuteronomic because much of the book states that if one obeys God, they will be blessed in warfare and the marketplace.
Consider this passage in Deuteronomy 28:3-4, which describes the reward for being faithful to God. “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your beasts, the increase of your cattle, and the young of your flock.” So, the equation is quite evident in this passage: God blesses people’s faithfulness with wealth and success. If that equation was accurate, then the opposite was also true- If you were suffering or poor, it was because you were not being faithful to God and were being punished.
I do not mean to paint this group of Pharisees as a bunch of godless materialists who sought wealth. They loved money within a theological framework that justified their position. They saw wealth as a blessing from God, that godliness was in line with prosperity, and was a clear sign of God’s favor. The Pharisees of that time would be more than comfortable listening to a modern-day Joel Osteen or one of his contemporaries preach the prosperity gospel.
In today’s parable, Jesus challenged the notion that wealth was a blessing from God or that godliness was in line with prosperity and was a clear sign of God’s favor. The wealthy man, in this case, is the unfaithful example in the story, quite the opposite of what the Pharisees believed.
Now, this story Jesus used is a much-traveled tale. Variations of it have been found in several ancient cultures. Some scholars believe it originated in ancient Egypt since stories of the dead bringing messages to the living were abundant. Rabbis of that time shared similar stories, often using characters such as a wealthy merchant and a poor teacher, or a rich and arrogant woman and her servile husband.
As we look deeper into Jesus’ version of this tale, there are a couple of interesting points from this parable to ponder. First, there was a societal expectation in the ancient world for those with wealth to provide alms for the poor in the Jewish community. Deuteronomy 15:7-8 says, “7 If there is a poor person with you, or one of your brothers or sisters in any of your towns in your land which the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart, nor close your hand from your poor one; 8 but you shall freely open your hand to them, and shall generously lend them sufficient for their need in whatever they lack.” To accommodate these Godly expectations, there were often benches outside wealthy homes where the poor would wait for assistance. A beggar who sat on the bench would expect some form of attention, especially if there was a feast and other guests were at the meal.
According to the parable, the rich man, dressed in expensive purple cloth and fine linen, feasted EVERY day, which meant he ignored Lazarus sitting on the bench EVERY day. Every day for this man of wealth was a banquet at a bounteous table. He was a man with no material needs.
By contrast, Lazarus, clothed in rags and weeping sores, lived among the dogs, was suffering daily, and was constantly hungry. His needs were significant. He hoped for food. Yet Lazarus wasn’t asking for a seven-course meal. In verse 21, he was hoping for scraps and leftovers. His hopes were ignored.
By the way, you can still find those waiting benches in archaeological excavation sites. There are well-preserved benches at an excavated site at Pompeii, all outside homes of the wealthy. So, in both following scripture and societal practice, the rich man neglected a common practice of helping the poor outside his gate.
Both of these characters died. Angels took one to be with a hero of the faith, Abraham. By contrast, the rich man ended up in Hades- the abode of the dead in general, according to Acts 2:27 and Revelation 20:13-14. Specifically, in this parable, Sheol or Hades was where the wicked awaited their final judgment, while Gehenna or Gehinnom was a literal place —a smoldering garbage dump outside the city of Jerusalem.
Seeing this remarkable reversal of fortune, the rich man reached out to Abraham, asking for Lazarus, whom he had neglected in his daily suffering, to come and help him, for he was in agony. Abraham responds that the rich man was blessed with an abundance of good things on earth, while Lazarus was in agony and was ignored. Now the tide had turned. In addition, a great distance was between them, and Lazarus could not go to the rich man for help.
Then the rich man, thinking perhaps for the first time of someone other than himself, begged Abraham to let Lazarus go and instruct his brothers (Who also must have been part of the 1st Century Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous) to teach them on caring for those in need at their gates.
Abraham’s response - all they need to learn is already there with them. Moses in Deuteronomy, Isaiah the prophet, the Psalms, and Proverbs all possessed the wisdom they needed to change their ways and to instruct them on what was expected regarding the care of the poor. If they didn’t pay attention to Moses or prophets, they weren’t likely to pay attention to a ghostly apparition of Lazarus either. Thus ends the parable.
What is the point of Jesus’ tale? It is important to be aware of Lazarus outside our gates. It is important to consider what we have and what we can share with those who have less. We are called to serve our neighbors, particularly those in need, especially people experiencing poverty. Yes, we are saved in righteousness through Jesus, but that isn’t the end of the deal. After receiving that saving grace, we are called to do acts of faith — not just be Christian but do Christian.
How, then, are we to help the Lazarus’s of today? Do we stop at every corner in the Shop N Cart parking lot and give food? Do we help every single person we see in need, every time, without question? The answers to these questions are complex. Theologian Kendra Mohn writes, “There are some needs that can be met and others that cannot. There are things we can and cannot control. Regardless, through this parable, alleviating the suffering of our neighbors is a clear calling for those who wish to follow Jesus. Fear may not be a good motivator (Turn your life around or end up in Hades in torment!). But compassion, vocation, stewardship, and gratitude can be.” All we need is here with us now. Jesus provides the wisdom necessary to live out our faith in relation to people experiencing poverty.
I'd like to share a couple of things about this passage and our church. First, when I began planning this service a few weeks ago, I was talking with Denise, who was filling in for Susan while she was on vacation. We had been emailing back and forth about having a moment on a Sunday to honor the ministry of our Little Free Pantry. I had initially thought of last Sunday, but Denise and Shawn were out of town. So I suggested September 28th, today, which worked for both of them. Then, as I put that information down on my planning sheet, I noticed the connection to the scripture passage and sermon title, “Outside our Gate.” I then said to God, “Wow. You are good!” Friends, the Little Free Pantry is one example of how we, as a church, reach out to those who are “Right outside our gates.” I see people of all ages and backgrounds come every day to either put food in or get food out of the pantry. Every Lazarus that comes by can find something to eat and give thanks for. I saw a young man on Thursday looking at our church mission statement on the window of the pantry. As he read it, he smiled and nodded his head in agreement. He was cared for and welcomed just outside our gate. I see people stop and write prayers, knowing we are praying for them, specifically. Moses, the prophets, and Jesus have taught us, as a congregation, how to treat the impoverished.
Next, regarding benches. We have a white stone bench outside our office. I often see people coming from the pantry with food who sit on the bench, reflect, eat, and then move on. There is one older Asian couple in particular who come every week on the same day, take some of the food from the pantry, then sit down on the bench together, eating and talking. Unlike the rich man in the story, we use our bench well!
Helping Lazarus at the gate isn’t easy. Eradicating systemic poverty is a considerable challenge, which may cause us to become overwhelmed and take no action. That is not a faithful response. Even helping one person makes a difference and provides the world with a hint and glimpse of the kindom of God. 4th-century bishop St. Augustine wrote, “Poverty is the load of some, and wealth is the load of others, perhaps the great load of the two. Bear the load of your neighbor’s poverty and let them bear with you the load of your wealth. You lighten your load by lightening theirs.” May we have our eyes opened by Jesus’ wisdom and our hearts softened so that we might respond in grace and mercy to lighten the loads of the Lazarus’s at our gates. Alleluia Amen.
