“‘你该回想你生前享过福，拉撒路也受过苦；如今他在这里得安慰，你倒受痛苦。’” - 路 16:25

有些人曾经埋怨，当他们的牧者用这个比喻来讲道时，他似乎试图令他们感到内疚。他们拥有的财产毕竟是经他们自己努力赚取得来的，他们的豪宅和昂贵的旅游预算，不是因为他们有什么特权，这些都是他们努力工作的成果，他们认为自己是有足够资格享用这些的。

有些人则错误地以为耶稣视财富为得永恒赏赐的障碍，然而，关键不是在于有没有财富，重要的乃是内心的态度和做事的惯常模式。耶稣说：“骆驼穿过针眼比财主进神的国还容易。”（路加福音 18:25）

耶稣到来，不是要教授理财课程，衪乃是要在生活每一个层面都树立真正谦卑和极度慷慨（恩典）的榜样。祂教导我们：“若有人愿意作首先的，他必作众人末后的，作众人的用人”（马可福音 9:35）。令人遗憾的是，我们增加银行存款的目标，往往会妨碍我们支持在经济上有迫切需要的人。

作为跟随基督的人，不管我们收入或多或少，都可以与别人分享我们所拥有的。见到无家可归的邻居或失业的朋友，我们不要急忙回避，却要打开钱包来帮助他们。我们不要小看他们，而是要视他们与我们平等。

（BMB）

祷告

主啊，当我认为自己比别人强时，求你叫我有谦卑的心。我知道我所有的全是你所赐的，求你帮助我慷慨地与人分享。阿们。

路加福音 16:19-31

19“有一个财主，穿着紫色袍和细麻布衣服，天天奢华宴乐。
20又有一个讨饭的名叫拉撒路，浑身生疮，被人放在财主门口，
21要得财主桌子上掉下来的零碎充饥，并且狗来舔他的疮。
22后来那讨饭的死了，被天使带去放在亚伯拉罕的怀里。财主也死了，并且埋葬了。
23他在阴间受痛苦，举目远远地望见亚伯拉罕，又望见拉撒路在他怀里，
24就喊着说：‘我祖亚伯拉罕哪，可怜我吧！打发拉撒路来，用指头尖蘸点水，凉凉我的舌头，因为我在这火焰里极其痛苦。’
25亚伯拉罕说：‘儿啊，你该回想你生前享过福，拉撒路也受过苦；如今他在这里得安慰，你倒受痛苦。
26不但这样，并且在你我之间有深渊限定，以致人要从这边过到你们那边是不能的，要从那边过到我们这边也是不能的。’
27财主说：‘我祖啊，既是这样，求你打发拉撒路到我父家去，
28因为我还有五个弟兄，他可以对他们作见证，免得他们也来到这痛苦的地方。’
29亚伯拉罕说：‘他们有摩西和先知的话可以听从。’
30他说：‘我祖亚伯拉罕哪，不是的，若有一个从死里复活的，到他们那里去的，他们必要悔改。’
31亚伯拉罕说：‘若不听从摩西和先知的话，就是有一个从死里复活的，他们也是不听劝。’”

First Doesn’t Last

“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.” - Luke 16:25

People have complained that in sermons about this parable, it seems their pastor wants to make them feel guilty. After all, they have worked hard for the possessions they have. Their perseverance, not privilege, has earned them an expensive house and an extensive travel budget. They figure they are entitled to enjoy it all.

Some people have wrongly assumed that Jesus sees wealth as a barrier to eternal reward. But the point is not about money or the lack of it. What matters is the attitude of the heart and the pattern of behavior. Jesus said it is easier “for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God (Luke 18:25).

Jesus came not to teach a money management course but to model true humility and extravagant generosity (grace) in all aspects of life. He taught that “anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). Sadly, the goal of building a big bank account can distract us from the dire needs of people who are financially challenged.

As Christ-followers, regardless of our income level, we can share with others. Rather than rushing past a homeless neighbor or an unemployed friend, we can open our wallets and bless them. We can see them not as lesser than we are, but as equals.

(BMB)

Prayer

Humble my heart, Lord, when I think I am better than others. I know that all I have is a gift from you. Help me to share freely. Amen.