Have you noticed Lazarus?

 

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

“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 hell, 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 your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ Luke 16:19-31.

Let us get one thing clear from the start about this parable. Jesus is not talking against riches and being rich. There is nothing wrong in working hard and getting a fortune and living well even. 

In this parable Jesus is condemning indifference. Not caring of what and who is around you. In this story Lazarus was a poor beggar at the rich man's gate; yet the rich man did not even care about him. He must have seen him umpteen times as he got in and out and yet he ignored him.

Sideline Note: The name Lazarus is a Latinized version of the Greek name Lazaros, which is derived from the Hebrew name Eleazar (אלעזר)  and means "God has helped" or "God helps". So in this parable Jesus is hinting strongly that the poor man will be helped by God.

Another thing to note is that Abraham, to whom Lazarus was taken, was himself a very rich man. In today's modern terms the man would have been a billionaire. Those hearing this parable would have understood this. Jesus was not against wealth, (like Abraham's), but was condemning the rich man's attitude towards the poor man at his gate.

Have we got a Lazarus at our gate? Someone we have noticed and don't much care about? 

No matter whether we are materially rich, or well off in other ways like talents, spare time, good health, education, or whatever else; there is always someone who would benefit from our good fortune if only we shared it with them.

We don't have to look too far. Lazarus is there just beside you.