LAZARUS AND THE RICH MAN

READ LUKE 16:19-31

19.  There was once a rich man who wore expensive clothes and every day ate the best food.

20.  But a poor beggar named Lazarus was brought to the gate of the rich man's house.

21.  He was happy just to eat the scraps that fell from the rich man's table. His body was covered with sores, and dogs kept coming up to lick them. (CEV)

19.   有一个财主穿著紫色袍和细麻布衣服，天天奢华宴乐。

20.   又有一个讨饭的，名叫拉撒路，浑身生疮，被人放在财主门口，

21.   要得财主桌子上掉下来的零碎充饥；并且狗来　他的疮。 (CUV-S)

Here the spiritual things are represented, in a description of the different state of good and bad, in this world and in the other. We are not told that the rich man got his estate by fraud, or oppression; but Christ shows, that a man may have a great deal of the wealth, pomp, and pleasure of this world, yet perish for ever under God's wrath and curse.

The Pharisees believed wealth was an indication of God’s blessing.  They were shocked when Jesus told them that the beggar was blessed and the rich man was punished.  The rich man didn’t go to hell because he had lots of money, but because of the selfish manner in which he spent his money.  He didn’t offer Lazarus any food or shelter.  He received so many blessings but remained hardened.

The scope of our financial abilities is not as important as the way in which we utilise it.  Rich people can be generous or stingy, as well as poor people.  What is your attitude regarding your property?  Do you gather it in a selfish manner, or do you use it as a blessing towards others?

God Bless!!!