Introduction

Good morning, church! Today, we are going to unpack a powerful message from the book of Luke, Chapter 16, verses 19 through 31. This passage is a profound illustration of the sin of omitting good deeds, the consequences of ignoring others, and the incredible power of compassion.

Before we delve in, let me share a quote with you from Mother Teresa, a woman who spent her life serving the poorest of the poor. She said, "We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love." Friends, it is the small acts of kindness and love, the good deeds done with a joyful heart that make a significant impact on the lives of those around us.

Let's take a moment to read the passage together:

[Read passage]

Let's pray.

Dear Lord, as we dive into Your Word today, open our hearts and minds to understand the lessons You have for us. Help us to not only hear Your words but to live them out in our daily lives. May we be moved to action and compassion, showing Your love to those around us. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

The Sin of Omitting Good Deeds

The sin of omitting good deeds is a sin that is often overlooked, yet it carries profound implications. The rich man, who lived in luxury, had the means to help Lazarus, the beggar who was laid at his gate, but he chose not to. He was not a man who was committing overtly evil acts; he was simply living his life, enjoying his wealth. Yet, in his passive neglect of Lazarus, he was committing a sin.

The definition: This sin is not about the absence of good deeds, but rather the omission of them when the opportunity presents itself. The rich man had numerous opportunities to help Lazarus, to show kindness, to extend a hand, but he chose not to. This is the sin of omission, and it is a sin that we are all susceptible to. It is easy to go about our daily lives, consumed with our own concerns, and overlook the needs of those around us. It is easy to ignore the Lazarus at our gate.

A sin of inaction: It is a sin that stems from indifference and apathy. It is a sin that is born out of a lack of compassion and empathy for others. The rich man did not hate Lazarus; he simply did not care enough to help him. He was indifferent to his suffering. This indifference, this lack of compassion, is at the heart of the sin of omission.

The modern world: We are often insulated from the suffering of others. We can go about our daily lives without ever coming face-to-face with the Lazarus at our gate. Yet, they are there. They are the homeless individuals we pass on the street, the single parents struggling to make ends meet, the elderly neighbors who live alone, the refugees fleeing war and persecution. They are the ones in need of our compassion, our kindness, our good deeds.

Neglecting to use our resources for the benefit of others: The rich man had the means to help Lazarus, but he chose not to. He chose to use his wealth for his own pleasure, rather than to alleviate the suffering of another. We have been blessed with resources - time, talents, and treasures - and we are called to use these resources to serve others, to show compassion, to do good deeds.

A sin that is often justified: We tell ourselves that we are too busy, too tired, too overwhelmed to help others. We tell ourselves that we have our own problems to deal with. We tell ourselves that someone else will help. But these are just excuses. They are ways we justify our inaction, our indifference, our omission of good deeds.

A sin that is often invisible: It is not a sin that is easily seen by others. It is a sin that is hidden in the heart, in the indifference and apathy towards others. Yet, it is a sin that God sees. It is a sin that God takes seriously. It is a sin that has consequences, as the rich man discovered.

The Consequences of Ignoring Others

The rich man was not condemned for his wealth, but rather for his lack of compassion and indifference towards Lazarus, who was in desperate need right at his doorstep ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO