71. Dives-Lazarus

[Pastor Ralph]

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

[Irmela]

1.  Jesus has been teaching about money in chapter 16. What has been the essence of his teaching up to this point in the chapter?

He was teaching about materialism and money - the unjust steward, serving mammon and stewardship. The Law stands as is, it is not to be done away with., that is it is to be rightly interpreted. (all the bits which they call the interpretation of the Law, that is to be left out. The Law as God gave it, that is to be correctly interpreted and kept). 

[Irmela]

2. What word brush strokes tell us that the rich man was rich? Which tell us of Lazarus' poverty?

The rich man is described as dressed in purple and fine linen then the added phrase lived in luxury every day.  Finally, a gate to the rich man's property is mentioned. 

Purple dye was extremely expensive. It was obtained from the shellfish murex. To extract this, tens of thousands of snails were needed. It was collected by crushing the snails or by milking them. Obviously requiring substantial labor. So this was only used by the extremely rich. The fine linen garments were also used by those who could afford this type of luxury. It was not something worn by everyone. Dr G. Campbell Morgan states in his book, The Parables and Metaphors of our Lord, that a robe of fine linen was worth six times its weight in gold. Then we get the phrase lived in luxury everyday, this speaks for itself. He lacked nothing. No need to expound on it. A gate to the rich man's property is mentioned. The word "pulon" is used, which means it was full of artistry and exquisite beauty. They were closed for security reasons at night and opened during the day. The rich man's estate seems to have been like a castle ( or similar) 

Lazarus is termed to be a beggar, laid at the gate of the rich man. He was covered with sores. He desired to eat what fell from the table. Then we have an even more thought provoking picture of dogs licking the sores. 

We see here a beggar, who, from the sounds of it, could not even walk himself. He was placed at the gate, where he would possibly/hopefully be noticed. Another aspect was that he was covered in ulcerated sores. (Could be because of lack of proper nourishment) As he had nothing to eat, he was hoping for the scraps that would usually be thrown to the uninvited scavanges around the tables. Dogs would also often gobble these pieces up. These same dogs were also pictured as licking his sores. The picture painted is one of utter poverty and misery. 

[Irmela]

3. In this parable, why was the rich man punished? 

He had not in his life on earth, amended his ways and heeded the Law and the Prophets. (He had not served God) He had not shown mercy to the poor and justice to the downtrodden. 

He had great wealth but in not also using it to show mercy to the poor, he portrayed a wicked lifestyle. 

He basically closed his eyes to the truth as revealed in the Law and the Prophets and by so doing ignored what lay ahead in the afterlife. He actually secured eternal damnation for himself. 

[hanks]

1. Jesus has been teaching about money in chapter 16. What has been the essence of His teaching up to this point in the chapter? 
Up to now our Lord Jesus has been teaching us about the right and wrong use of wealth, and one day He will ask us to give an account of what we have done with all that He has given to us. The amount of money we have is not as important as the way we use it. What is our attitude toward our money and possessions? Do we hoard them selfishly, or do we use them to help others? Jesus had a great deal to say about money/material wealth, and since we are all aware of the corruption and **** the love of money can cause, we need to listen carefully. Jesus was fully aware of the needs of the poor, and by His example and teaching, He encouraged us to share what we have with others. As true believers we are to invest our lives for the good of others and for the glory of God. He teaches us that life is a stewardship and we are to use our God-given opportunities faithfully. 
 

[hanks]

2. What word brush strokes tell us that the rich man was rich? Which tell us of Lazarus' poverty? 
The rich man enjoying all the benefits of his wealth, dressing magnificently in the most expensive purple robes, and the finest Egyptian linen, eating well, the choicest gourmet foods money can buy, living happily in the most luxurious lifestyle, catering to bodily pleasures and appetites, tells us he is extremely wealthy, life was good to this man, and by all accounts (Deut 28) he would be going to heaven when he died. In contrast we have Lazarus the beggar, living in absolute poverty, fighting off wild dogs from licking his sores, laying and sleeping outside the rich man’s gate, starving and hoping to eat the scraps from the rich man’s table, relying on and trusting others to provide for his needs as he is unable to help himself. He was precisely the kind of person that the Pharisees would brand a “sinner,” a man whom, in their minds, was worthy of hell. 
 

[hanks]

3. In this parable, why was the rich man punished? 
The rich man is punished because of his selfish lifestyle – a self-centred lifestyle. He was enjoying the best that life had to offer, living only for himself, with no thought or consideration for the needs of his fellow man. We see this in his attitude towards Lazarus. He shows the man no love at all, no sympathy for his situation, and no compassion toward this suffering beggar. No interest in him at all – none. He was living for this life only, with no view to eternity. His sin was not the fact that he was rich, but that he failed to lay up treasures in heaven. He had every opportunity to do so since the poor man lay at his doorstep every day. He had neglected the true message of Moses and the Prophets of helping the poor, and was as such not living in true obedience to God’s Word. 
 

[hanks]

4. What does the Old Testament teach about helping the poor that the rich man was responsible for knowing and obeying? (See Exodus 22:25-27; Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 25:25-28; Leviticus 25:35-37; Leviticus 25:39-43; Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15:2-14; Deut. 24:12-21; Deut. 26:12-13; Neh. 8:10; Psalm 37:21; Psalm 37:26; Psalm 41:1-3; Psalm 112:4-5; Psalm 112:9; Proverbs 28:27; Proverbs 29:7; Proverbs 31:9; Proverbs 31:20; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 16:3-4; Isaiah 58:7; Isaiah 58:10; Ezekiel 18:1-32; Daniel 4:27; Zech. 7:10) 
I don’t think the rich man had any excuse, there was an opportunity for him to show compassion and to help the poor man, every time he went in or out of his gateway. But he simply went his own way completely ignoring Lazarus – how cold and callous. Being Jewish he would have been well aware of his responsibility towards the poor and to the man at his gate, as stated in the Old Testament. Using the KJV, I counted 170 times the word poor is mentioned in the Old Testament, and in the Pentateuch alone 23 times. So he was without excuse, and it is obvious he was living a most selfish life, with no love or concern for those in need. I think Proverb 28:27 says it well, “Those who give to the poor will lack nothing, but those who close their eyes to them receive many curses”. God will reward those who show mercy to the poor. Generosity will be rewarded, but the man who turns his eyes away from genuine cases of need will have many a sorrow – will receive many curses. 
 

[hanks]

5. Is Jesus teaching justification by works in this parable? If not, what IS He teaching? 
Jesus is teaching us that there are two and only two eternal destinies. Every person that ever lived will spend eternity either in heaven or hell – heaven for the saved person and hell for the lost person. Where we go when we die is determined by what we do in this life with Jesus Christ and our obedience to His Word. So, the choices we make here on earth will determine our eternal destiny, and once we die, that destiny is fixed. There is a great chasm separating the saved from the lost making it impossible to cross over from one side to the other (16:26). The rich man knew what God’s Word said about concern for the poor and needy, yet he chose to ignore the man at his gate. He did not want to inconvenience his comfortable lifestyle in order to care about this poor man. We are not to live like the rich man in this parable, who did not repent of his sin of squandering his riches on himself. Rather we are to use our wealth/money as God would have us do, that is to make friends for eternity (16:9). Today we need to recognise that we are sinners in need of a Saviour. We are to repent of our sins and put our faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, if not our eternal destiny will be hell, and not heaven. 
 

[hanks]

6. Why do some people have struggles being around poor people? What are the difficulties we face in giving to the poor? 
I know I struggle sometimes with giving to the poor, because I’m not always sure that anything I give will be used to relieve the pressures of poverty, but rather used to serve an addiction, or even a gambling problem. I refuse to give street beggars money; I always buy them food. I think another difficulty may be that we are overwhelmed with the problem, and don’t know where to begin. This does not show a lack of compassion, but is a genuine concern. God does not expect us to neglect our family while providing for others. However, He does expect us to help and reach out when we see an individual in need. 
 

[hanks]

7. What ministries and agencies in your community could you give to that directly aid the poor? 
Presently, our country is going through a very tough time. Corruption is rampant. We have had massive looting from hundreds of shopping malls, and an attempt at destroying our food chains. All politically motivated; demanding the release from prison of our previous president. If their demands are not met there are threats to make our country ungovernable even threats to attack us in our homes. So sad! Many members of our church are anxious and are hurting financially, even finding it difficult to properly feed their families. Food parcels are made up, money donated in buying food coupons, and these are distributed weekly.  
 

[Irmela]

4. What does the Old Testament teach about helping the poor that the rich man was responsible for knowing and obeying? (See Exodus 22:25-27; Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 25:25-28; Leviticus 25:35-37; Leviticus 25:39-43; Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15:2-14; Deut. 24:12-21; Deut. 26:12-13; Neh. 8:10; Psalm 37:21; Psalm 37:26; Psalm 41:1-3; Psalm 112:4-5; Psalm 112:9; Proverbs 28:27; Proverbs 29:7; Proverbs 31:9; Proverbs 31:20; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 16:3-4; Isaiah 58:7; Isaiah 58:10; Ezekiel 18:1-32; Daniel 4:27; Zech. 7:10)

The passages of Scripture referred to above, would all have been familiar to the rich man. He would have been well aware of what his duties to the poor and afflicted, were. Lazarus was at his gate and the rich man probably went in and out in the course of daily duties and should have been aware of him being there. 

Actually he is even admonished to take the poor and afflicted into his home to care for him. 

He should have dealt kindly with and showed mercy to Lazarus. Possibly through nourishment, healing could have been the result. 

In Is 58 we do notice that there is admonition to divide your bread (food) with the hungry and also to cover the naked, to satisfy the need of the afflicted. This should have been done by the rich man. 

In Nehemiah we read that when Ezra read from the Law of Moses to the people, they wept because of not having lived the way they ought to have. To counteract their previous actions, they sent portions of food to those who did not have. Again it was something the rich man would have learnt about. 

If the Scriptures are adhered to, by rights there should not really be poor. They are given produce of the land, which they can harvest. Not even just a hand out, they do the collection themselves. So they keep their self esteem and don't need to think it's a hand out. Every 7th yr whatever grows on  portion of the land was actually for the poor. For them to gather. Also at the end of every 3 yrs the tithe of the increase was for the ones that did not have. (Levites, strangers/temporary residents, fatherless, widow ...) At the end of 7 yrs whatever was lent to a fellow-Israelite was to be released. If he worked for you, he was to be released after 7yrs and also was not to leave empty handed. 

From the little shared above one can see provision was made for the destitute. The rich were just to live their part correctly. 

[Irmela]

5. Is Jesus teaching justification by works in this parable? If not, what IS he teaching?

Answer as written by "Hanks" covers it all. Thanks. 

[Irmela]

6. Why do some people have struggles being around poor people? What are the difficulties we face in giving to the poor?

The difficulty we face so often is who are genuine and who are play-acting. 

I have seen how those who have so much actually grab and stuff into pockets and bags if something is given away free of charge, so when the poor come at the end of the line there are literally crumbs left for the taking. 

At street corners or on the places close to stop streets so called "beggars" stand and ask for money. It is hard to know if that money is used for an addiction or towards feeding a whole group of people at home. Several yrs ago the public was asked to refrain from giving out cash as young children found this to be an easy way to get money and thus lived on the street and ran away from stricter discipline at home. Then they themselves started experimenting with sniffing glue and using drugs etc. 

It is also hard to know to what extent to give, when you yourself are not well off. I have found that when one starts to give there is an expectation to just go on and on. Something is then expected from you which you do not even allow yourself to indulge in. 

To work with or among them, you have to be like one of them also. You cannot go among the poor carrying a fancy bag, phone or camera etc. Like them, a plastic bag must suffice for carrying stuff in. Like them you eat food wrapped in newspaper and share it with whoever is with you. (Broken off with sometimes grubby hands) If you do carry cash it must be on your body out of sight. You need to be prepared to share all. One is hungry. ....   all are hungry. One feasts ....   everyone feasts. That is the "general rule" among the down and outs I have worked with. 

There are also different classes of poor. There are some who are very poor, yet they are clean and empeccably well-behaved. Morally they are not poor.

Then you have those who are poor but seem to blame anyone and all around and these are the ones that it is hard to be with. They take everything they possibly can from you and within days have nothing left. Then they start scrounging again. They will also easily steal just for the sake of having that item not because of needing it. These are also the "morally poor". 

The POOR is definitely not an easy subject to deal with. We certainly need wisdom from above. 

Just that bit of insight opens up a picture why one struggles to be around the poor. There is an expectation that one cannot fulfill. 

[Katy]

Q1. Up to this point Jesus taught about being honest and trustworthy when we are entrusted with money or wealth. If the wealth belongs to our employer we must not use it for our own needs, neither must it be squandered or wasted. We must have integrity and use our employer’s wealth as shrewdly as possible in the ways that he would approve off. If we have wealth ourselves, we must remember it is from God and must be used wisely. We must share our wealth with the poor. We are warned we cannot serve God and Money. We must find out how God would have us spend our money. 
Q2. We are told simply “ There was a  rich Man”. We are then told he was dressed in purple and fine linen, these garments are expensive material and could only be afforded by a rich man. He also lived in luxury every day, luxury costs money!  Lazarus was a beggar which meant that he had no money. We are told he was “ laid “ at the gate, so he was probably unable to work because of his disability. Therefore he had not enough to eat and he longed for the bread which was discarded under the table by the rich man’s guests. Because he had no money he could not have his wounds attended to by a medical doctor or nurse. The wild dogs in the surrounding areas came and licked them. 
Q3. The rich man was punished because of the way he squandered his money on luxury every day. His feasting and luxurious living without a thought for Lazarus lying every day outside his gate were his downfall. If he didn’t think to provide anything for Lazarus who was in daily view, it is unlikely that he ever thought about all the poor and destitute people in the surrounding towns and villages. God will not tolerate this behaviour from any of us. 
Q4.All poor people are to be helped in whatever way we can help them. We may not have money to give away but we can share what we do have, a bed, a meal, a coat. In the Old Testament the Jews were told to leave an area around their fields  not harvested so that poor people could come and glean what they could. If a Jewish person lent money or goods to someone poor they should not expect to earn interest from lending to a brother. Or if a Jew was in a situation where he had to sell or give himself as a slave he was to be allowed to go free in the year of Jubilee, seven years after he started. 

[Katy]

Q5.Jesus is teaching that if we desire to be with Him in eternity we must obey Him as is written in the Bible. We are told in the Bible what we should do with money and how we must treat those less well off than ourselves. If we love God we will do this to the best of our ability. Jesus is not teaching justification by works. ‘We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came from Jesus Christ. Romans 3 v24.

Q6.Some people are just thoughtless and are too busy with their own lives. Some find poverty hard to relate too , they may be intolerant and have no desire to try to help or don’t understand why they should help. I find I sometimes lack trust in God and worry I won’t have enough for myself. 
Q7.I work in a charity shop that runs a childrens refuge in India, but we also give to local charities that we know do good work with the poor. So I gather things from family and friends to stock the shop with. Their is a refugee centre a half an hour away and I have inquired there to see what they need. I am awaiting an answer. 

[haar]

1.    Jesus has been teaching about money in chapter 16. What has been the essence of his teaching up to this point in the chapter?

Money is not bad but how we use it matters. We should not be selfish but selfless with it by caring and giving to the needy and for service for the things of God and society.

2.    What word brush strokes tell us that the rich man was rich? Which tell us of Lazarus' poverty?

“…rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day”

“…At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores”

3.    In this parable, why was the rich man punished?

He was punished for his selfish use of his riches.

4.    What does the Old Testament teach about helping the poor that the rich man was responsible for knowing and obeying? (See Exodus 22:25-27; Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 25:25-28; Leviticus 25:35-37; Leviticus 25:39-43; Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15:2-14; Deut. 24:12-21; Deut. 26:12-13; Neh. 8:10; Psalm 37:21; Psalm 37:26; Psalm 41:1-3; Psalm 112:4-5; Psalm 112:9; Proverbs 28:27; Proverbs 29:7; Proverbs 31:9; Proverbs 31:20; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 16:3-4; Isaiah 58:7; Isaiah 58:10; Ezekiel 18:1-32; Daniel 4:27; Zech. 7:10)

Most of the above references contain provisions for provision and protection of the poor and needy of the Jewish community.

5.    Is Jesus teaching justification by works in this parable? If not, what IS he teaching?

Jesus is not teaching justification by works. We are justified by grace and faith. This should lead us to do good works and care for the needy.

6.    Why do some people have struggles being around poor people? What are the difficulties we face in giving to the poor?

I am not sure of the struggle some people have being around poor people.

7.    What ministries and agencies in your community could you give to that directly aid the poor?

[Godswriter]

1.    Jesus has been teaching about money in chapter 16. What has been the essence of his teaching up to this point in the chapter?

That it is okay to have money but it ultimately comes down to how it used that can be a problem. Because He said that in another gospel that you can't serve God and money because you love one and hate the other. Or love one and despise the other. The point He is making is that how you choose to monetary resources ultimately determines who you love and will serve. 

2.    What word brush strokes tell us that the rich man was rich? Which tell us of Lazarus' poverty?

The rich man technically was dressed in the finest clothes and ate like a king while the beggar named Lazarus was at his gate covered with sores. He desired to be fed with what the rich man had eaten but it never happened. 

3.    In this parable, why was the rich man punished?

Because he chose to use his monetary resources for selfish things and not to help the poor. 

4.    What does the Old Testament teach about helping the poor that the rich man was responsible for knowing and obeying? (See Exodus 22:25-27; Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 25:25-28; Leviticus 25:35-37; Leviticus 25:39-43; Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15:2-14; Deut. 24:12-21; Deut. 26:12-13; Neh. 8:10; Psalm 37:21; Psalm 37:26; Psalm 41:1-3; Psalm 112:4-5; Psalm 112:9; Proverbs 28:27; Proverbs 29:7; Proverbs 31:9; Proverbs 31:20; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 16:3-4; Isaiah 58:7; Isaiah 58:10; Ezekiel 18:1-32; Daniel 4:27; Zech. 7:10)

The basic context of the Scriptures are that the community of Israel was to help out the poor and needy. A very good example of this is found in the book of Ruth. Ruth and her motheer in law Naomi were widows. Ruth was gleaning from the edge of the barley field and this was how the poor and needy were to be able to have nourishment through gleaning from the field after the harvester had finished. 

5.    Is Jesus teaching justification by works in this parable? If not, what IS he teaching?

No He is teaching that our faith should be the vehicle that causes us to do good works in the end.

6.    Why do some people have struggles being around poor people? What are the difficulties we face in giving to the poor?

Because they feel that it is not their responsibility to help out the poor and needy.  Some people in the church have the basic order of who is to help out each other incorrect. It is supposed to be family church then government. Not the opposite. There is someone at the church I used to attend who referred mom and me to a government resource thinking nothing of what scripture states. 

7.    What ministries and agencies in your community could you give to that directly aid the poor?

Food banks and shelters for the homeless. 

[kreilly]

1. What word brush strokes tell us that the rich man was rich? Which tell us of Lazarus' poverty?  The rich man wore purple cloth.  Purple cloth was extremely expensive and was generally reserved for royalty and possibly the ultra rich. Lazarus had his open sores licked by dogs.  Even the dogs felt sorry for him.  Here was a man who was worse off than a dog.  At least, the dogs were able to roam around and find scraps to fill their bellies.  Lazarus could not even do that, he was dependent on the rich man's mercy, which was not shown to him.  
2. Why do some people have struggles being around poor people? What are the difficulties we face in giving to the poor?  I think sometimes people struggle being around poor people because they feel uncomfortable with the level of need.  It is much more comfortable to spend time with people at your same socioeconomic level.  You don't have to feel guilty for not sharing your wealth.  You don't have to try to connect with people who may think differently than you or have different values (less focused on money).  I agree that here in the United States at least, it can be difficult giving to the poor directly because most who are on the streets are there due to addiction or other mental illnesses.  Helping them to stay in their state of addiction by giving them money for drugs is enabling and not really helpful at all if you know anything about how addiction works.  It is better to give to a reputable charity.
3. What ministries and agencies in your community could you give to that directly aid the poor?  I give to Helping-Up Mission in my community.  They are a Christian based homeless shelter that run a year-long recovery program that assists people with breaking the cycle of addiction, mental illness, and poverty.  The program actually helps people get off the streets rather than continue to stay on the streets for longer because they got another meal, a few more dollars, etc.  

4. Is Jesus teaching justification by works in this parable? If not, what IS he teaching?  Jesus makes statements several times about how when we receive good things here on earth that is where we get our reward--praise from men, inviting others to banquets who will invite us back.  He  states the inverse as well, when we keep our good works to ourselves, we will receive praise from God, storing up future treasure in heaven, when we invite the poor and lame to a banquet who cannot repay us by inviting us back we are building up treasure in heaven.  This is another example of this type of teaching.  It seems that if we really believe in Jesus and want to be true followers, he is saying we will show that by denying ourselves now and focusing on doing good to others instead, storing up real, everlasting treasure in heaven.  This is rarely preached in church, although Jesus taught it on more than one occasion.  I imagine self-denial is not a very popular message these days, although it is one we probably need to hear.  It is much more popular just to say believe in Jesus and go on your merry way, He doesn't ask you to do anything for Him, hence the decline of the church in modern day America.  But He does expect us to get busy doing the work of building His Kingdom.  Doing the work doesn't save us, it just shows who we belong to and brings others into the Kingdom. 

[George L]

1. Jesus has been teaching about money in chapter 16. What has been the essence of his teaching up to this point in the chapter? There is responsibility to use money properly.
2. What word brush strokes tell us that the rich man was rich? Fared sumptuously every day. Which tell us of Lazarus' poverty? Lying at his gate full of sores and And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table
3. In this parable, why was the rich man punished? Failure to consider a need even as close as his doorway well within even a casual interest and ability on his part.
4. What does the Old Testament teach about helping the poor that the rich man was responsible for knowing and obeying? (See Exodus 22:25-27; Exodus 23:11; Leviticus 19:9-10; Leviticus 23:22; Leviticus 25:25-28; Leviticus 25:35-37; Leviticus 25:39-43; Deut. 14:28-29; Deut. 15:2-14; Deut. 24:12-21; Deut. 26:12-13; Neh. 8:10; Psalm 37:21; Psalm 37:26; Psalm 41:1-3; Psalm 112:4-5; Psalm 112:9; Proverbs 28:27; Proverbs 29:7; Proverbs 31:9; Proverbs 31:20; Isaiah 1:17; Isaiah 16:3-4; Isaiah 58:7; Isaiah 58:10; Ezekiel 18:1-32; Daniel 4:27; Zech. 7:10) There us no time we should not be considerate and provide for some provision obtainable with dignity. Leaving gleaning in the fields at harvest registers with me.
5. Is Jesus teaching justification by works in this parable? If not, what IS he teaching? No, he is requiring consideration for others situation. For us who are saved, are we praying for those still lost? Are we seeking to actually help, or salve our conscious ? 
6. Why do some people have struggles being around poor people? We are in fear of the unknown. What are the difficulties we face in giving to the poor? Few of us are willing to consult the holy spirit for what God wants us to do. And wait for an answer! Then the enemy starts playing the guilt card.
7. What ministries and agencies in your community could you give to that directly aid the poor? We are involved with Truckers for the Homeless, a local feeding and  a national emergency drop bag effort.  My interaction with area homeless has made it clear that the nearst actual shelters with more than a ‘call us during business hours’ or occasional scheduled food give away which are not designed for actual homeless. For shelter it is two hours either East or West to find shelter, bed, meals, and christian help and counsel, work and training for one on the street. I have put many miles under my wheels late at night helping them to those ministries.