THE GOSPEL OF LUKE: - Vital Christianity

133The name Lazarus means “God is my help.” Despite a life of misfortune and suffering,Lazarus did not lose hope in God. His vision was not limited to this life. Unlike the rich manwho could not see beyond his material wealth and possessions, his eyes were set on a treasurestored up for him in heaven.The rich man served wealth rather than God. He not only had every thing he needed, heselfishly spent all he had on himself. This rich man was so absorbed in what he possessed that hefailed to even notice this needy beggar In his preoccupation with seeking happiness in materialthings, he lost sight of the treasures of heaven.In the end the rich man became a beggar!THE RICH MAN (16:19-20)"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived inluxury every day" (v. 19).This man was not just rich, but very rich. Purple dye was extremely expensive, obtainedfrom the shellfish murex. A purple wool mantle was costly. A finely-woven linen tunic wasconsidered the height of luxury. The gate to the rich man's mansion was typical of mansionscharacterized by opulence. The rich man doesn't need to work so he feasts like this every day.Although the rich man is not named, he is sometimes called Dives, the Latin word for "richman."Wealth is not bad. After all, Abraham was wealthy. But wealth brings with it certainresponsibilities, such as caring for the poor.THE POOR MAN (16:20-21)"At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longingto eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and lickedhis sores" (vv. 20-21).Jesus contrasts the rich man with a beggar, the poorest of the poor. The beggar's name isLazarus, the only character in any of Jesus' parables who is given a name. Lazarus is short forEleazar, which means "He (whom) God helps.” He is lying as he begs next to the rich man's gate,probably placed there by friends. He is sick with numerous ulcerated sores. And he is hungry,longing to eat the scraps from the rich man's table, usually reserved for the dogs.