13“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”
14The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus.
There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’
25“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ (Luke 16)
Thoughts: On th esurface it seems like the rich go to hell while the poor are rewarded, But the context is vs. 13 "You cannot serve God and money." The real point here is that the rich man did not care for the poor man. There was no generosity. But a secondary point is that there is hope beyond this life. For the poor this is esecially helpful. I have heard some wonder about the need for eternal life- for they are perfectly happy with this life.
Prayer: Lord, let me always have hope. Let me be aware of those in need around me.
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