Luke 16
Luke 16:13: No slave can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
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But then again, the rich man doesn’t think of himself as a slave, does he? He was a man who lived on a property with a gate and guard dogs. He was a man who wore purple clothes and fine linen (underwear!) every day. He was a man who ate, drank, and was merry, every day. (Remember our barn builder?)
Even after his death, the man cannot shake his sense of self-importance. When he sees Lazarus at what was considered the best seat in the house of heaven, at Patriarch Abraham’s side, the rich man orders (literally commands) Abraham to put Lazarus to work for his benefit. And when that doesn’t work, he suggests that Lazarus be sent to warn his brothers. Not once does the rich man own up to his own mistreatment of Lazarus. Not once does the rich man repent. Not once does the rich man even talk to Lazarus. And yet—he knows Lazarus’ name, indicating that he knew all along about this poor, suffering man who laid at his gates, hungry and covered in sores. -Chelsea Harmon |