Some thoughts related to Christ’s Parable
of the Rich Man and Lazarus –
Those who find (short lived) “relief” while
sitting in their church pews, hearing absolution pronouncements and sermons of
cheap grace
As I woke from a short nap I
began thinking the following:
Those who possess their
stocks and bonds and, an abundance of material possessions, be it a second
home, RV, yacht, etc. - these people never have to concern themselves with
paying their bills and taxes on time, and making ends meet. They don't have to
struggle in this world, to exist with "dignity." They have all the
dignity that life could offer. [So, they think]
Their dignity is their
reputation. They take pride in that reputation, because their existence is free
from needing outside help. Their self abundant rich lifestyle thus insulates
them from having to rely upon God for their self worth and inner strength.
Hence, they feel no need to exercise personal faith in Christ. Going to church
on Sundays, replaces all that, as they can join in the general prayer of
confession and hear the general absolution and later (in the same church
gathering) hear the pastor pronounce cheap grace in his sermon, as he
repeatedly states that Christ's sacrifice (of total absolution) included them,
with all of humanity.
However, those who are rich
are ensnared by their own, more than comfortable existence. The Scripture says:
"But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and
hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of
money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred
from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." - 1
Timothy 6:9-10
Those who leave their trust
in Christ, in exchange for their comfortable and care free living, are often
unaware what has happened to them. Hence, the rich man's non compassion for
poor Lazarus. But, Scripture says that they who have built their existence upon
"sand" – those dwellings, are, but a house of cards existence. -
Matthew 7
I think of the Scripture:
"Remove far
from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food
convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, who is the LORD? Or
lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain" - Proverbs
30:8-9
American
"Christian" churches are full of human souls, who, by global
standards are relatively (financially) rich. Yet, many of these souls (I
believe) unwittingly make a pretense of genuine worship toward our Triune God.
True worship is replaced by their ever full pocket books. They give freely and
abundantly to their church. This self satisfaction, of doing so, (I believe) is
a replacement for having to place their trust in the good Lord for their daily
care and keeping. It's easier to go online and check their investments and pull
cash out of fattened pocket books and purses than to exercise any faith in
Christ for their daily created existence.
But, be that as it may, the
rich (indeed), are needy souls. But, they are often unaware of their true
personal spiritual needs, unless, perhaps, God deals their health a severe
blow. Their existence is very comfortable. They have no worries or concerns of
paying their bills and taxes. They have no struggle. But, they come to church
and join in its many faceted congregational activities, seeking acceptance and
status. [They love to be regarded as "good" people]
They are pros at being
sociable; yet, they lack genuine friendliness and compassion. They give of
their wealth to their respectable church and "respectable" church
denominational body, but would seldom lift a pecuniary finger in the direction
of those lower than their comfortable status position. They end up utilizing
their church status and its "holy" four walled acceptance to stroke
their egos. More often than not, they inwardly and unconsciously exhibit the
attitude of the Pharisee who thanked God in his prayer to himself that he was
not like those sinners. - Luke 18:11
Certainly, I see modern day
parallels with Christ's Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus. Its reality is
being lived out every day and in every age, as Luther well stated.
Nathan M. Bickel - pastor
emeritus
