May I See Your Visa Statement?

Did you notice? This chapter is all about money. Two stories that start: "There was a rich man . . ." and right in the middle, the phrase "the Pharisees, who were lovers of money." "A money-obsessed bunch," Peterson calls them in the Message.

In the first story (yesterday's reading), the dishonest manager was commended because he knew how to use money. (Never mind that it wasn't his own money he was playing with. That's not the point.) He looked ahead and made some smart calculations. The rich man in the second parable couldn't even look ahead.

Luke has a lot to say about rich people and poor people. No matter which group you think you are in, how you use your money has eternal consequences. Your Visa statement is a window into your soul.

And there will come a time when it's too late to change. Notice that the rich man in Hades still has no concern for Lazarus. All he can think about is the pain he is in.

Remember, these are parables. Each of them has one point. The first one says nothing about the dishonesty of the manager. The second one says nothing about the existence of hell. Jesus is just taking popular ideas to tell unforgettable stories about one thing: money.

The parable of the rich man and Lazarus makes us think. Hard. How am I sharing what I have with the Lazarus on my doorstep?

Respond in Prayer

Dear Jesus, please forgive me for my selfishness, and help me as I consider how I am using my money. Don't let me weasel out of this. It's a chance for me to show how much I love you. Amen.

Mags Storey

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).