Lazarus and the Rich Man
Luke 16:19-31
Jesus said, “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, `Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, `Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, `Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house– for I have five brothers– that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, `They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, `No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, `If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'”
Throughout the gospels Jesus shows an abiding concern about wealth and the ways in which an overabundance of possessions can corrupt our hearts. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches us not to store up treasures on earth but rather in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20), reminding us that ‘[we] cannot serve God and wealth’ (Matthew 6:24). This Lukan parable illustrates this point with sharp clarity.
The story centers on two figures: a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. That the poor man is named while the rich man remains anonymous already reveals something important. The rich man had lived a life of luxury and opulence, dressed in clothing of the highest quality and ‘[feasting] sumptuously every day’ (Luke 16:19). Yet for all his material possessions he lacked something of great significance: the capacity to see beyond his own comfort and notice the great need that was in front of his very eyes. Just outside the gate of his dwelling lay Lazarus, covered in sores and longing for even a few scraps of foods to satisfy his hunger. Despite their divergent life experiences, both men, of course, shared the same fate that awaits us all and died.
The crux of the parable lies in the great reversal that unfolds after death. Lazarus is taken to the bosom of Abraham while the rich man suffers the torments of Hades. The parable, in the form of an address of Abraham to the rich man, makes clear why this has taken place: ‘remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.’ Amidst his hellish torments, the rich man makes the same plea that Lazarus had requested throughout his earthly torments: ‘have mercy on me’ (Luke 16:24). He cannot now receive what he had not given to others during his time on earth.
This sobering parable intends to teach us of the insidious ways in which excessive attachment to material things corrupts our hearts. Absorbed by worldly pleasures and comforts, this rich man lost sight of the shared humanity of those in need right in front of him and of his responsibility in addressing it. This is a caution we all need to take to heart, not just those of extraordinary financial means.
Almsgiving has long been considered among the suggested Lenten practices, a form of the self-denial to which we are invited at the start of the season (BCP 264-265). It is a means of addressing the ever-present and corrupting temptation of attachment to possessions, reminding us that ‘[we] will carry nothing away at [our] death’ (Psalm 49:17). In serving others we are promised we serve Christ himself (Matthew 25:34-26); in doing good and sharing what we have, we offer sacrifices pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16).
prayer
O Lord, strong and mighty, Lord of hosts and King of glory: Cleanse our hearts from sin, keep our hands pure, and turn our minds from what is passing away; so that at the last we may stand in your holy place and receive your blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006, p. 41)
Daily Lenten meditations each have a companion morning prayer video offered by the same clergy. View the YouTube playlist to find this meditation’s companion video, or to watch others.