Luke 16 19 31 meaning1/16/2024 Don’t think of a cute puppy think of ravenous street mutts. He’s hungry, and he’s reduced to wanting to be a scavenger for food scraps, but he can’t even get that. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores” (Luke 16:20-21). We read, “And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. He’s the only person to be given a name in any of Jesus’ parables, besides Abraham, who also appears in this parable. He’s the ancient version of the man living in the $2 million loft in the Toy Factory.Īnd then we’re introduced to a poor man. But this man eats feasts every single day. The average diet back then consisted of soup, bread, and fruit. He’s wearing the finest and most delicate linen known in the ancient world. The first isn’t given a name, but we’re told that he’s rich, “clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day” (Luke 16:19). We don’t have to wonder, because in the parable that we just read, Jesus tells us exactly what he thinks of two people who are just like the ones I described. What do you think about these people? More importantly, what does Jesus think about these people? They pass each other on the streets sometimes, and they live close to each other, but that’s about all they have in common. What do you think about these two very different people? One lives the Liberty Village dream the other lives the Liberty Village nightmare. One of his neighbors only clears $656 with his welfare check he makes up the difference in rent by collecting bottles and saving up tax refunds. Some of them struggle with addictions or mental illness. Many of his neighbors are on disability or low-paying jobs. He pays about $700 a month in rent for a dingy room with maid service that comes once a week. The second person you passed lives a little further away, just about a kilometer, in a derelict long-stay hotel on King Street. He eats meals everyday that you only get to enjoy when you go out to a really nice restaurant. He’s got a stunning southern exposure for maximum sunlight, a gas connection for his barbecue, and a custom designed walk-in closet and ensuite. He has a gourmet European kitchen, top of the line appliances, exposed bricks and beams, 15 foot windows, 21 foot ceilings, and all the premium finishes. His loft is 3,100 square feet, plus a 700 square foot rooftop terrace. He drives a car that’s worth more than what your parents paid for their house. The first person lives just across the road in the Toy Factory Lofts just one street over. Sometime this week you passed two very different people. Purpose: To demonstrate the dangers and obligations that come with our wealth. Big Idea: If you ignore the poor now, God will ignore your supposed faith later.
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