BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING TO OTHERS

PROCLAMATION

“There was a certain rich man … And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus … desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table  …  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham’s bosom;  The rich man also died, and was buried.  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and with Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’  But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented …’  Then he said, ‘… send him to my father’s house; For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, least they also come into this place of torment.  Abraham saith unto him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them.’ …”  Luke 16:19-31 (KJV)

 

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)  The rich man was blessed with much but he did not share with the poor man seated outside of his gate.

 

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)