 |
spent1904
For the Love of
Money (Where are you Calling From?)
Text:
Luke 16:19-31
Date: Pentecost XIX
10/10/04 descargar quarkxpress
You've
all heard of the man who read the obituaries every morning to see
if his name was listed. If it wasn't he'd get dressed and go to
work. Well, one morning he opened the paper to the obituaries and,
to his surprise, his name was listed! Of course he was shaken, but
he decided to go to work anyway. Once at work he phoned a friend
of his and asked, “Did you see my name in the obituary this morning?”
“Yes,” said his friend. And then his friend asked, “where are you
calling from?”
“Where
are you calling from?” It is a question concerning a man's eternal
destiny after this life in heaven or hell. It is a question that
reveals, possibly, some confusion or ignorance over what it is that
determines that destiny. Though some try to deny it, God's revealed
Word is clear, “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that
comes judgment” [Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)]. Jesus gave us a clear warning
and picture of the last judgment when those who rejected him as
the Savior in this life “will go away into eternal punishment, but
the righteous into eternal life” [Matthew 25:46 (ESV)]. And so the
Christian faith confesses, “I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come” [Nicene Creed].
The
wonderful story of the rich man and Lazarus before us today Jesus
told to his disciples, the grumbling Pharisees and scribes listening
in. In many ways Jesus was here warning people about the danger
of riches and possessions that can get in the way of the greater
need of salvation from sin and death. After all, when one has what
he considers “enough” to make life comfortable and even enjoyable,
when things are going well, it is likely that we become the more
unaware of our true plight as sinners in need of salvation. This
theme has probably never been needed more than in our current situation
in our country in these relatively affluent times. The U.S. Census
Bureau reports 12.5 percent or 35.9 million of our citizens are
in what they call “poverty.” However, “poverty” in our
country is defined as making less than $9,573 for one person, $12,321
for a couple and $18,725 for a family of four. While that seems
to be a long way from the picture of the poor, sickly man in Jesus'
story, or the pictures of poverty we see in the news in places like
Africa, there are those at the lowest level even in our country
where even food, shelter and clothing are a distressing issue. Jesus
said, “you always have the poor with you” [Matthew 26:11 (ESV)].
And almsgiving and charity are marks of a living faith as our Lord
says, “as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you
did it to me” [Matthew 25:40 (ESV)].
When
it comes to the matter of a person's eternal destiny, however, money
and possessions or the lack of them is no longer the issue. In fact,
when compared to the standards of this world and the wisdom of men,
St. Luke describes the Kingdom of God as The Great Reversal where,
as Mary sang in her Magnificat, God brings down the mighty from
their thrones and exalts those of humble estate, fills the hungry
with good things while sending the rich empty away [Luke 1:52-53
(ESV)]. The key to this story before us today is in verse 30 when,
out of the mouth of the one who did not, he confesses the importance
of repentance and faith now before it is too late.
Jesus
begins by briefly painting the picture of two men. Which one are
you? There was a rich man who, not only on occasion but typically,
constantly clothed himself in very expensive duds, purple and linen.
While most people, even the poorest, gather for celebrations, feasts
and parties on occasion, this guy acted like life was nothing but
a party every day, “feasting sumptuously every day.” He was in hog
heaven!
At
his gate laid a poor man whom the party guests passed by going in
and going out. This is the only parable where a character is given
a name! “Lazarus,” or in Hebrew, “Eliazar” which means “the one
whom God helps.” This is significant. The rich man is nameless.
The poor man has a name. God knows his name, reminding us of Jesus'
words to his disciples, “rejoice that your names are written in
heaven” [Luke 10:20 (ESV)]. This poor man is described in the briefest
but most pathetic words: he lay at the gate, covered with sores.
Like the prodigal son (Luke 15:16) and the Canaanite woman (Matthew
15:21-28), he desired to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the
rich man's table. He longed for those crumbs, but did he ever get
any? Furthermore, so helpless and weak was he that he couldn't even
keep the neighborhood pets away from licking his sores.
The
rich man (what's his name?) was entirely unaware of The Great Reversal
coming. Did the eavesdropping Pharisees and scribes hear a description
of themselves in these words? Which one are you? What's your name?
Where are you calling from?
| |
