BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS

PROCLAMATION

“There was a rich man … At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus … longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table.  …  The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side.  The rich man also died and was buried.  In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  So 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.’  But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony…’ ”  Luke 16:19-31 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, which were spoken by Christ according to Luke, the physician.  Here Jesus continued to teach His disciples.  He told them The Parable of The Shrewd Manager. (Luke 16:1-13)  His point was that no one can serve two masters, we cannot serve both God and money.  He also told them The Parable of The Rich Man and Lazarus. (Luke 16:19-31)

 

APPLICATION

There are those who have been blessed to receive more than sufficient finances, some with great wealth.  There are also those who were not blessed with very much in terms of financial means.  While we may not consider ourselves to be “rich”, those of us who have should share with those who have not and are in need.  We were not blessed in order to hoard our blessings and keep them for ourselves.  Remember the parable which Jesus taught about the rich man who built bigger barns to store his excess goods.  He would not share his excess with others, feeling that he had enough to last for years, and he died before he could enjoy his excess. (Luke 12:16-20)  We are blessed in order to be a blessing to others who are less fortunate than we are.  He that blesses others, will himself also be blessed. (Proverbs 11:25)  Our final destination after death will depend upon the belief in our heart.  Those of us who are believers will be absent from the body, and present with The Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)