Sermon Central
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The Real Beggar
Contributed by Esther Collins on Aug 15, 2020 (message contributor)
Summary: This message will help us have a Godly perspective of riches and wealth. It will encourage us to use our resources the way God intended for us to.
Watch the tables turn; as the rich man beheld Lazarus from this place of intense torment, he recognized him, and begged Father Abraham to send Lazarus, to give him a few drops of water to cool his tongue. (Luke 16:24) Abraham had to inform the rich man that this was an impossibility for two reasons. Firstly, the rich man had enjoyed his fair share of wealth and luxury while on earth and Lazarus had nothing. Secondly, he explained to the rich man that there was a huge gulf that separated them, so that none of them could get to the other side. It was at this point that the rich man again begged Abraham in Luke 16:27 to send Lazarus back to earth so he could warn his brothers and spare them from the anguish that he faced. Abraham answered that they had already received the word of God through Moses and the prophets, and that if they were unwilling to heed them, they would not repent, even if a man was sent back to them from the dead. There is a dramatic turn of events as the rich man became the beggar and Lazarus becomes the affluent. The question is, who then was the real beggar?
The reasons for such a predicament was that while the rich man lived on earth he was so engrossed with himself and obsessed with his money, that he had no time to even look out to see that there was someone right at his door step whom he could extend a helping hand to. His wealth had so blinded him so that all he cared for was for his temporary life on earth, with no preparation whatsoever for eternity.
Here’s something we all need to ponder on. When God blesses us with riches and wealth, may we use it to bless those who are in need and thereby lay up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Someone said it so aptly, “When God blesses you financially, don’t raise your standard of living, raise your standard of giving.” When Jesus told the parable of the rich man in Luke Chapter 12, he concluded with these powerful words in Luke 12:21, “Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (NLT)
Esther Collins
